Is It Enough?
May 22nd, 2018
Pressure.
In the mind of good guy Herbie Teope, who used to be a Saints beat guy and now types for NFL.com (one of the hardest workers and nicest guys Joe has ever met in this business), only one element of the Bucs needs to be repaired to turn the Bucs into a formidable opponent.
And that is the garish pass defense.
Tampa finished the 2017 season ranked last in the league against the pass, after finishing 22nd in 2016. Clearly, something had to be done, considering the Buccaneers are in the division that Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton call home. Brent Grimes, who’s entering his 12th season, and Vernon Hargreaves return from last season’s roster, and the Bucs used second-round picks on cornerbacks M.J. Stewart (53rd overall) and Carlton Davis (63rd overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft. How the Buccaneers’ pass defense holds up in 2018 will have a large role in determining close games, an area of focus for a team that lost four of its final five games by a combined 15 points. The team’s secondary should get a boost from the Bucs’ revamped defensive line, which includes free-agent signees Jason Pierre-Paul, Beau Allen, Vinny Curry and Mitch Unrein, in addition to the drafting of first-round pick (12th overall) Vita Vea.
Until proven otherwise, this all lies on the defensive line and indirectly new defensive line coach Brentson Buckner.
Yes, the Bucs drafted three rookie defensive backs. Regular readers likely are aware Joe has zero faith or trust that the current defensive staff can develop these rookies — until proven otherwise.
So again, Joe believes the defensive front has to not just step up, but make several steps.
Yeah, a defensive line should be able to help a secondary. But good offensive coordinators can scheme their way into buying a quarterback an extra second or two to throw. And in the NFL, there just is no way to hide a rotten cornerback.
This is also why Joe sure hopes Ronald Jones gets a fair shake regarding whether he can block or not. The Bucs not only need to play keep-away from opposing offenses, but play keep-away from their own defense.
May 22nd, 2018 at 8:07 am
“The Bucs not only need to play keep-away from opposing offenses, but play keep-away from their own defense.”
The run-game has to contribute, regardless of our acquisitions.
May 22nd, 2018 at 8:21 am
I think we will have improved DBs, primarily because there will be more pressure on the QB.
What is somewhat being lost is the Bucs offense scoring less than a touchdown in the first half last year…..that is totally unacceptable and must change.
May 22nd, 2018 at 8:30 am
As many (including Joe) have said, the biggest team problem is the DB coaches. Not only do they seem incapable of making obviously needed adjustments during a game, but not even during a season. Hope they find a new strategy. Otherwise another example of insanity.
May 22nd, 2018 at 8:36 am
A good d-line WILL hide avg corners where it counts…..on the scoreboard. Our worst losses last year were won on final possessions where teams ran the ball down the field. The corners were irrelevant on those series. Having a QB that fumbled away 15 times and throw 10+ interceptions giving the opposing teams excellent field position that usually equated to a FG at a minimum, did the defense no favors either. When you’re d-line is already out manned….AND….your offense cant put a drive together for an entire half, your defense is going to look like garbage by the 4th qtr…..particularly when they get off the field only to have to get back on the field a minute or two later because the QB has turned the ball over again and again and again.
People keep dancing around the main issue which is Winston…..this team is budgeted/built around him. The defense has been built to bend but not break….I think with all the new additions you’re seeing the organization realize Winston isnt capable of carrying the team the way they envisioned and now a shift to a ball control style of game is needed…..Which is ironically what Lovie had as his initial vision.
May 22nd, 2018 at 8:40 am
Ex saints beat writer huh yes he knows exactly what a horrible pass defense looks like. Only difference was they had a top 5 offense and last year drafted high enough to get a stud corner. I’m no longer worried about the players assembled, this is all about the less than impressive defensive scheme of Mike Smith
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:11 am
Wow, wacky joe is just about to get it!!!!! Maybe just a couple more weeks until he admits that no pass rush can even make a great secondary look bad!!!!! And even though I would have preferred I longer term fix to the D-line of youth instead of the old patches that might have us looking to fix the D-line again in the near future!!! They did upgrade the front unit!!! Now they need to play together and gel!!!!!! Coach Smitty got a lack luster talent to over achieve in 2016!!!!! Now, once it gets rolling, it will be exciting to see the current roster schemed up to over achieve!!!!!! The “real” fans in the know still have Coach Smitty’s back!!!!!! And what till it pays dividends!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:16 am
Bobby you hit the nail on the head brotha. Yea did our defense play bad really bad yea but it doesn’t help the defense when our offense gives the rock away or can’t move the rock an have to punt. Even if we had our 2001/2002 defense I think they still would have struggled with our offense today giving the rock away like candy to a child. Fix trenches, fix run game an cut down on turnovers from Winston an playoffs here we come GO BUCS
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:17 am
The Bus Realist Says:
Dude, Way too many exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:18 am
“Regular readers likely are aware Joe has zero faith or trust that the current defensive staff can develop these rookies ”
What?? – this is the 1st I’ve heard of this…..
So if any Bucs CB not named Brent Grimes plays well in 2018 – then Joe will issue 1 mea-culpa a day for 2 months straight next off-season to balance out all the times you wrongly made and subjected your readers to this silly proclamation?
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:20 am
Realist there’s bin talk that this years draft has some good edge rushers coming. I’m down to draft a few more next year
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:24 am
@Alpha Buc
I have heard the same talk as well!!!! Would not mind seeing one or two!!!!! The window of opportunity for JPP and GMC is very small!!!!!!! Tackle will be up there for positions to upgrade as well!!!!!!
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:28 am
When there is zero pass rush, even Ronnie Lott and Deion Sanders would be getting smoked. I share the concern that the Bucs don’t have enough good DBs but also the worst pass rush in history would make anyone look like a chump.
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:33 am
The one weakness on this team has been untimely turnovers and errant passes at the QB position.
#FreeTheAmishRifle
GO BUCS!!!
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:35 am
Winston didn’t fumble the ball away 15 times. I don’t know if some of you guys are just trying to be misleading or don’t know how to read a stat sheet. Total fumbles were 15 (these include center exchange etc. ) fumbles lost were 7. Only two of Jameis’s turnovers were in the redzone so they weren’t automatic Fgs.
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:47 am
Compl %. Fumbles. Total turnovers
Winston 61%. 31. 59
P. Manning 62.5%. 14. 65
B. Farve 60.5% 33. 64
A. Luck 58.5%. 29. 56
Here are some stats to compare vs JW3 over the 1st three years starting (Farve sat his 1st season in ATL). JW3 is Not off to a bad start. I wonder if their fans were dumb enough to think they were the problem for their loses. JW has should and will improve his game.
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:56 am
Cover 0 scheme still exist?
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:09 am
Hey yo realist!!!!!!!!! Hit em with another narcissistic repost!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:14 am
The bucs were third if not 2nd in 3 and outs. Thats not punting all the time.
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:33 am
Great, I just turned my phone sideways to see the photo, dropped and smashed my phone. I’m putting you on the news Joe!
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:49 am
It’s never the offense’s fault for anything, is it?! EXCEPT, at 5-11 it is EVERONE’S fault. That includes the guy that everyone is so quick to excuse.
We KNOW how bad the defense was but lets not sugarcoat the fact that the offense didn’t exactly do it any favors. Turnovers are turnovers whether it’s an exchange or an interception. Don’t forget about untimely penalties either.
If we are to go to the playoffs, it will be because of improved TEAM play: Better run-game, better protection, better QB play, better kicking, better defense, and better coaching.
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:50 am
Have to admit at least Licht is trying, poor run game add 2 lineman Jensen and Cappa and an exciting rookie, poor DL make 5 acquisitions plus a new DL coach, poor secondary draft 3 rookies, the only thing that’s in the way is HC and DC outdated schemes and poor game management/adjustments which have been the same since their Atlanta days, so even with the improvements from Licht, still expecting another below average season doomed by the most obvious problem the Bucs didn’t fix this offseason, the coaching #JIMSCHWARTZ2019
May 22nd, 2018 at 11:02 am
this staff has no excuses!!!!!….simple as that!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
May 22nd, 2018 at 11:05 am
GUZZIE
I HEAR YA!!!!…#JIMSCHWARTZ2019!!!!….I like it….he’s due for a second chance…..
keep an eye on marquad manuel too!!….he’s had ATL’s defense humming…..young and innovative too!!!!….wouldn’t mind seeing him in pewter and red….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:19 pm
The NFL.com guy is wrong. Everything has to improve.
Nothing ever just “stays the same”.
Fewer turnovers on offense.
Better running game – bringing up overall ypc numbers and increasing number of explosive plays.
Better red zone completion percentage
Higher FG accuracy numbers
Better pass rush – more sacks
More turnovers on defense
Higher tackling percentage (lower number of missed tackles)
Better 3rd down defense
Improved percentage on 3rd down offense
Improvement in the stuff we don’t always see: fewer missed assignments and blown plays
Sound like just one thing?
Tell me one thing above I’m wrong on.
Good teams improve period. Every improvement trickles and helps other areas. It’s never just one area or position group. If you solely focus on one, another without that focus will certainly get worse.
They did the smart thing… THEY FIXED THE TRENCHES AND THUS ARE FIXING THE BUCS!!
Now they need to attack that above list in its entirety.
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:22 pm
Yawn.. it’s wash, rinse, repeat season again.
May 22nd, 2018 at 1:25 pm
Anyone with half a brain knew the primary problem for the Bucs last year was the defense, secondary problem was the running game and tertiary problem was the kicking game.
The Bucs will have four or five new starters on defense, a new starting running back and a new starting kicker.
Jason Licht obviously has at least half a brain.
May 22nd, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Licht was the primary culprit last year who refused to draft for need. Consequently he failed to get adequate DEs and a great RB last year and hurt both our Offense and Defense. He also didn’t do well with Free Agents like Swaggy. He finally has seen the errors of his ways and did well this time. The second problem was Warhop who thinks D. Smith is a top 3 LT in the NFL and would not move him and tell Licht we need a LT. That is still a problem this year and he may result in getting Jameis being reinjured or continued to be sacked and pressured. Those problems were not our Coaches’ problems. We should get a much better indication how well our Coaches can do with a lot better material this year. If they can’t get it done they will be gone though I expect Licht to be retained. Simple as that as Lovie would say!
May 22nd, 2018 at 4:20 pm
Isn’t Brett Maxie, DB coach, the same guy that coached Alterraun Verner to a pro bowl in 2013 with Tennessee , the same Verner that regressed as a free agent Buccaneer when Maxie wasn’t the coach?
Maxie and Verner were together with the Bucs in 2016.–Joe
May 22nd, 2018 at 4:39 pm
And Gill Byrd, the db coach during Lovie’s era had 1 year with Buffalo after the Bucs and now he’s back with Lovie at Illinois.
So this narrative about current Bucs coaches can’t coach up DB’s is dubious.