Defense Can’t Get Too Cute
August 4th, 2017
Getting the job done.
Defense has been the topic of training camp.
Winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter hasn’t complimented it constantly.
Koetter suggested the defense always starts out better than the offense in training camp. The past two days, Koetter is outright saying the offense is getting whipped. Yesterday, by Joe’s count, Gerald McCoy would have had at least three sacks if America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, wasn’t wearing an orange jersey.
While the defense may be practicing great, Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith is trying out all sorts of new wrinkles to see what works, including dabbling in three-man safety sets.
While Koetter likes the flexibility, Koetter cautioned the defense could get too fancy.
“There’s a fine line there between being multiple and just being good,” Koetter said. “Just being good at what you do. So ‘more’ isn’t necessarily better. But, that’s what training camp is for. Smitty [Mike Smith] and the defensive staff, they’ve got some good stuff they are doing. They’re giving us fits right now and not only is it a good scheme, they’ve got good players playing that scheme. That’s even better.
“The defense is working on some things that are going to be used later in the season, some of it is going to be used early. Some of it may not be shown in preseason. There’s a lot of nuances going on out there.”
After seeing what passed for defense during the lazy Lovie Smith reign of terror, Koetter’s words are refreshing. The defense owning the offense at this time of the year is not a bad thing in Joe’s eyes. Not whatsoever.
Look at the talent on offense. If the defense is getting the better of those weapons, that has to be a great sign for the regular season.
August 4th, 2017 at 8:15 am
the word “cute” should never be associated with the word “defense”
August 4th, 2017 at 8:15 am
I’m sure nobody is going 100 percent this early.in camp….but come week 1.if the offense isn’t moving the chains it falls on one guy.
There’s a line between the defense getting cute and playing aggressive and unpredictable. I would rather see some new looks because the old soft coverage doesn’t cut it
August 4th, 2017 at 8:23 am
Joe the Stick Carriers are making your servers drag.
Wow! Good job Joe!!!
August 4th, 2017 at 8:30 am
We will OWN the NFC South!!!
2017 NFC South Division Winner:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
August 4th, 2017 at 8:34 am
I’m sure Smitty is planning plays for Brees, Newton and Ryan!
Mr. Deflated you will not be left out!
Welcome to the House of Pain formerly known as “The Den of Depression.”
Go Bucs!!!
August 4th, 2017 at 8:59 am
Defense is always ahead of the offense. It SHOULD be more pronounced on the Bucs.
Our D has a few changes but overall it’s pretty much the same personal with an FA on the DL and a few rookies trying to break in.
Meanwhile on the O we have a revamped OL with Sweezy trying to get his legs under him after missing a year and Marpet snapping the ball for the first time.
We have major changes in our targets for #3…DJAX…OJ..and to a lesser degree Chris Godwin…our RB situation is still up in the air.
Bottom line the D is much more settled and experienced in their schemes while the offense is just now being put together.
August 4th, 2017 at 8:59 am
oops personnel
August 4th, 2017 at 9:28 am
MAN what a refreshing change from the Lovie era!
#Free 87 and give gat r buc his name back.
August 4th, 2017 at 9:31 am
Very good point St Pete.
August 4th, 2017 at 9:33 am
87 got what he asked for. He would still be here if he was not a Smart A$$ with joe .
August 4th, 2017 at 9:41 am
The offensive line worries me the most out this year. The core players are mostly the same but even the coaches don’t know yet where we are and what combinations of players are going to work out. That is not the same on the defensive side. Oline is critical to the Bucs achieving the playoff goal. Looking at stats on the Bucs website, last year the team rushed for 1616 yards with a YPC of 3.57. While not great, its not horrible and it shows the Oline wasn’t the cause of Doug Martins struggles. Overall 10 players had rushing attempts with Rodgers and Payton both having over 4 YPC while Doug and Sims were at the very bottom with 2.9 YPC. Hopefully by adding OJ Howard they can get the team average up over 4 YPC.
August 4th, 2017 at 10:15 am
Dream, I agree about the offensive line. I’m not there watching it but from Joe’s reports, it doesn’t sound very good.
Usually Joe would be all over this with a couple of articles a day but I don’t think he wants to eat crow after his statements all off season that the line would be fine.
August 4th, 2017 at 10:32 am
Dream and Dave
Certainly share your concerns about the OL. Pieces have to come together and they obviously haven’t as of yet.
But added to the fact that Sweezy hasn’t played in a year and Marpet is trying to master a new position and snapping the ball is the reality that OL may be the most team oriented group within the larger team. It typically takes quite awhile before OL’s play as a unit.
I think the second half of the year…perhaps I should say HOPE…that the guys find their niches and begin to jell as a unit.
First half of the year will test DK’s creativity…but there are ways to compensate if the guys can’t pass block. I think if Marpet and Sweezy work out our running game will be the first to improve…these guys are maulers and they love simply going out and blasting guys….too much finesse and teamwork in pass blocking.
August 4th, 2017 at 11:11 am
Agree with the o-line concerns. It feels like they just through Marpet in at the beginning of mini-camp at center. It’s not that I don’t think he can’t become a great center, but he might be getting rushed into it which is not good.
August 4th, 2017 at 11:14 am
I like how our schedule has all of our division games later in the schedule. Will allow our Oline to work out the kinks hopefully. And I’m assuming Koetter and Smith will hold back a few wrinkles to release on our division 🙂 I’m ready for the cannons to fire!
BTW I’m one of those that thinks having a short week vs Patriots in our place will give us an advantage! Taking a few days away from the Patriots to game plan us can’t hurt!!
August 4th, 2017 at 2:40 pm
It’s true though. I remember one of Mike Smith’s last seasons in ATL his defense was getting “too cute”.
They were playing this hybrid “amoeba” defense where they would all be standing and moving around pre-snap so the QB and o-line wouldn’t know what formation was coming. It worked for a few series but then guys ended up just being out of position.
Schiano employed a different form of this but w/ a similar concept against Peyton Manning in Denver. He had 8 guys line up in 2 rows of 4 w/ the 3 defenders back deep on every play in the exact same alignment pre-snap. It worked for the 1st half, but then Manning figured it out and torched us.