Defense Is Winning
August 2nd, 2017
Lots of camp barking and smiles for Mike Smith
It’s easy to go wild about the Bucs’ new weapons, but there is no denying this team went 9-7 behind the strength of its defense last year.
Just go back and soak in the film. It’s a beautiful thing after the nightmare night against Atlanta. And don’t watch the Bucs at Dallas without lots of beer or a pack of Tums.
During training camp, it’s been a bit of a defensive show, from the likes of Vernon Hargreaves and Brent Grimes, to today’s flashes by Devante Bond and Ryan Russell. There have been others.
In one late 11-on-11 session today, the first-team defense dictated a ferocious 3-and-out against their offensive counterparts.
Winning head coach Dirk Koetter, who doubles as the offensive playcaller, was happy to talk about it after Wednesday’s practice.
“That’s good. We have a good defensive team,” Koetter said of the defensive prowess.
Asked if the defense has had an edge the past three or four days, Koetter countered by saying “that’s pretty much every day.”
And so it goes, the Bucs defense looks sharp. And they should. They’re healthy and loaded with veteran talent in the second year of Smith’s system. It’s a defense built to win now.
August 2nd, 2017 at 1:25 pm
If out offense generates a 2 touchdown lead….
August 2nd, 2017 at 1:26 pm
I have said this before and I’ll say it again. Jameis is notorious for slow starts, to think the offense will show up in Miami firing on ALL cylinders is wishful thinking. I absolutely enjoyed watching the D terrorize Russell Wilson last year. I expect performances like that to be common place. And although the D is in the second year of the same scheme, the offense has had continuity going on 3 years. There are no more excuses for the offense this season and Koetter knows it. It’s well documented how many resources Licht has poured into the offense. Everyone expects to see results this year. It’s exciting but Koetter doesn’t cook up a gourmet meal with these groceries then he will be on his way out sooner than later.
August 2nd, 2017 at 1:36 pm
DEfense is Winning? Now I wonder IF..they can do this in a real game where it counts. We..shall see in a few weeks!
August 2nd, 2017 at 1:40 pm
Stop mentioning the Seahawks game!!
We beat up the WORST O-line in the league!!!
Nothing more!
August 2nd, 2017 at 2:12 pm
I am glad that joe finally noticed this!!!!! Because I thought I heard this a while ago!!! I wonder who it was??????
OMG its the “Realist Repost”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Buc Realist Says:
June 5th, 2017 at 4:13 pm
Why everyone is looking, fearing, excited for the offense!!! Its the defense that will be aggressive and carrying this team!!! If the offense can get a quick score or two, Coach Smitty will unleash the rugged, attacking defense this year!!!!!! Look Out!!!!!!!
Go BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 2nd, 2017 at 2:22 pm
“The Buc Realist, JUST STOP! Stop calling us and emailing us nonstop! We are not going to pay you and thats final! We only pay Kobe Faker as a poster. Our answer is final!”
Owners of JoeBucsfan
August 2nd, 2017 at 2:26 pm
I trust that any of you guys who held it against Smitty that he owned the Bucs from 2008 thru 2014 have gotten over it. The man is an asset. The man can coach,
August 2nd, 2017 at 2:33 pm
Buc Realist – I’m impressed by the depth of your self-love, but troubled by thoughts of other ways you might express it.
August 2nd, 2017 at 2:50 pm
“teacherman777 Says:
August 2nd, 2017 at 1:40 pm
Stop mentioning the Seahawks game!!
We beat up the WORST O-line in the league!!!
Nothing more!”
The Seahawks were the #18 scoring offense on the year with that bad line. They put up plenty of points on other opponents; and that game was important for them at that point in the season.
Did you even watch the game man? It was one of the best defensive performances we’ve had in years. D-lline / LBs / secondary all on point. But if you’re the type of fan who wants to view things with sh1t stained glasses be my guest
August 2nd, 2017 at 3:02 pm
@GoBucYourself
I know that “the kevin” 1 thru 6 has not posted in awhile!!!! Or he changed his screen name like all the others!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 2nd, 2017 at 3:09 pm
@Joe … “there is no denying this team went 9-7 behind the strength of its defense last year.” Music to my ears Joe, and first time I can remember either Joe putting that into print. Without the defensive turnaround that started in the Bears’ game, we’d have had another losing season & no one would be talking playoffs right now (even with all our new offensive weapons). The sky’s the limit if our Bucs’ defense can be consistent & end the season in the Top-10.
Also great to hear that guys like Bond & Russell are stepping up to the plate. LB strength in particular was a bit concerning (after Lavonte & Kwon) but now think that we’ll have the SAM pretty well covered. And Russell reminds me a lot of Will Gholston a couple yrs ago. Excellent potential … wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him beat out George Johnson on the final 53-man roster.
August 2nd, 2017 at 3:14 pm
The Seahawks game was awesome. Perhaps their allegedly weak Oline had something to do with it – but it had literally been many years since I’ve witnessed a Buccaneer Dline get that kind of pressure.
Please, please, PLEASE stay healthy Dline players. So far so good on the lack of even minor injuries during TC.
August 2nd, 2017 at 4:11 pm
Defense wins championships. Just like that magical night so many years ago that saw us hoisting the Lombardi…
August 2nd, 2017 at 4:28 pm
We hear this every single year for every team, at this time of year and early in the preseason we always hear that the defense is ahead of the offense. Generally the defense plays a simpler scheme and has much less to learn and know than the offense, plus the defense this early in the year is generally working on the fundamentals, read and react, etc. Nothing to worry about, this is normal.
August 2nd, 2017 at 4:47 pm
Realist you REALLY do have to get a grip (no suggestions where BTW). What kind of a prophecy was that, 3 hrs before gametime. No prophecy there; all you did was chastise the Bucs fans & media for saying that the ‘defense needs to look in the mirror!!!’ Bravo!!! That’s exactly what the Bucs’ defense did after the 2nd Atlanta game and guess what: that sparked a 5-game winning streak. So the defense listened to the fan base & the media? Doubt it. This team has a tremendous amount of pride and took that 10-day period between games to look inward. Bravo to them; not the fanbase, not the media, and no, not you. Please Realist, if you insist on looking backwards instead of forwards, repost something that’s relevant.
And Rod, great observation on why the defense almost always has a leg up this time of year. Please give Realist rights to that observation so he can repost it this time next year.
August 2nd, 2017 at 7:02 pm
Realist moron and maxi pad are ruining the comment section. One bashes McCoy non stop the other is just an absolute fool
August 2nd, 2017 at 7:48 pm
Someone’s narcissism level is off of the charts!
August 2nd, 2017 at 11:47 pm
Kobe Faker=Oath Breaker