Pass Defense Underrated?
August 2nd, 2017
Good hands.
There were times last year when the Bucs pass defense was downright Lovie-like.
But a quick glance at passing stats from NFL.com suggests the Bucs overall were not that terrible, 11th in the NFL in yards allowed.
Well, of all people, the well-trained orangutans of the PFF tribe seem to think the Bucs were actually much better in pass defense. The Cris Collinsworth-owned outfit dug deeper into film study and concluded the Bucs were third-best when you combine passes defended and interceptions.
Only two teams had defenders get their hands on passes more than the Bucs, per the PFF tribe: Kansas City and Oakland.
This bodes well for the Bucs for the coming season. Why? Well, the team had a full year under defensive coordinator Mike Smith. Also, cornerback Vernon Hargreaves has an NFL season under his belt.
So Joe wouldn’t be shocked if the Bucs are equally as good at getting hands on the ball, maybe better.
Perhaps this means the Bucs will have more picks this year, up from last year’s 17, which was tied for fourth-best?
August 2nd, 2017 at 5:17 am
VHIII is tough as Ronde!!
He got beat up last year and he kept playing! Did you notice him limping but staying on the field? He is a tough little guy!
i love our little cornerbacks, they are small but they are feisty!!
Grent Grimes is a top 5 CB but he only costing us a few million.
But need to develop 4 good corners!
2 won’t cut it anymore!
August 2nd, 2017 at 5:20 am
Joe did us all a favor last year by putting excerpts from Mike Smith’s book, “You Win the Locker Room First” in this blog.
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/07/mike-smiths-seven-responsiblities/
After watching the turn around of the defense last season, I bought the book on Audible. I figure people can get lucky by turning around an organisation once (remember the Petrino/Vick/locker room mutiny 4-12 season that he converted to 11-5 the next year) but when you see it happen twice, you should start to pay attention. The best $5.99 you will ever spend and the easiest listen that you could imagine. I am listening to it again now and it is easier to understand what is going on in the Buc locker room. Joe has frequently mentioned the team working immensely hard and having fun, this is all by design from the top down.
A common theme from last year was how the team began communicating with each other. Mike Smith defines communicating much differently than I initially thought of. I won’t ruin it but he puts as much or more emphasis on the listener in the communication relationship.
After listening to this book and watching what happened to the Bucs, I would say, Culture means everything.
August 2nd, 2017 at 6:03 am
Not sure the numbers agree with PFF – The Buccaneers as a team had 17 interceptions and 87 passes defended in 2016. Opposing QB threw the football 548 times against the Bucs defense in 2016. So based on their graphic (17+87)/548 = 18.9% Playmaker Index.
If they are strictly talking about defensive backs the Bucs secondary had 14 interceptions and 68 passes defended (14+68)/548 = 14.9%
Seems a tad bit off based on what they are reporting…..
August 2nd, 2017 at 6:09 am
tnew … “Culture means everything.” So true tnew. And the change in the Bucs’ culture since Dirk, Smitty & Jameis arrived has been incredible. Personally think that Coach Koetter is fantastic at keeping everyone upbeat but at the same time keeping them all really grounded (and humble) with his consistent reminders that ‘We ain’t won anything yet” (so to speak).
August 2nd, 2017 at 7:47 am
Seems like they just “coached the lovie” out of them!!!!! But if you look deeper, and see how many top passing offenses that they faced. It was pretty amazing that they ranked as high as they did!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!
August 2nd, 2017 at 8:56 am
the graphic appears to count passes defensed and intercepted not just the secondary.I would guess lineman’s and linebackers INT’s and tipped balls would count also.,especially since linebackers are often matched up against the tight end.
August 2nd, 2017 at 9:07 am
@tnew
Thanks for that tip. I did not know Smitty’s book was on Audible. I just joined because it takes four days to drive from St Pete to Michigan’s UP. Wife and I listen to the Audible books to make the drive go faster.
Thank heavens she’s a Buc’s fan because she’s going to be listening to Smitty on the drive home this year.
August 2nd, 2017 at 10:41 am
To be a truely #1 Corner in the NFL…You need to be a Ballhawk
skill set involving Jumping routes, Jam and recover, quickness/anticipation to stop and go/breaks…
Grimes still has the skillset and has not hit the wall…
VH3,,,not so much
He will always be a body position #2 zone corner (Quick scat receivers exposes his huge weakness
physically he is too bulky with his stocky big legs
“VH3 butt cheeks get in the way”
Kobe Faker
August 2nd, 2017 at 11:20 am
kobe + hate = MOTAVATION…..VHG will make you eat crow….are you even a bucs fan?….#HATER…GO BUCS!!!
August 2nd, 2017 at 11:30 am
tnew:
Relayed your comment to Mike Smith this morning. You made his day!
August 2nd, 2017 at 12:26 pm
thanks Joe! you just made mine!
August 2nd, 2017 at 3:47 pm
@tnew: Thanks for the reminder. Just bought it! Cheers!!