Targeting Carlton Davis
September 14th, 2018
In the spotlight.
One reason why Joe thought the Saints could beat the Bucs last week actually came true. Thank goodness the score was in the Bucs’ favor.
Joe just knew that a quarterback as good and as savvy as Drew Brees would try to light up a rookie playing his first game. And so Brees did when he went after rookie corner Carlton Davis and threw for over 400 yards for the first time in nearly two years.
Thankfully, the Bucs offense was even more lethal.
And Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia all but promised one thing: Eagles backup quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles will go after Davis as well.
Brees didn’t waste any time targeting rookie Carlton Davis when he entered last week’s game. Expect Foles to have some real chances to get the ball down the field. Vernon Hargreaves is on IR and Brent Grimes is 35 and has a groin injury. Foles is going to have a chance to do some damage if he can get into a rhythm.
And why wouldn’t Foles or any quarterback do this?
Until or unless the Bucs figure out how to slow down a pass — this has been a recurring issue for roughly five seasons — why would an offense not try to expose the Bucs’ rotten pass defense?
With the exception of two games, the Super Bowl and NFC title game, Foles has been mostly subpar since taking over for injured star quarterback Carson Wentz. One can only hope that trend continues for the Bucs.
September 14th, 2018 at 12:33 pm
Somehow I don’t think these 3 new DB’s will be shaken..yeah they’ll get fooled but will learn and turn the tables soon enough….switching it up…when RoJo get his shot in a game if and when he hits a hole like some Barber has been running through…it’ll be for 6
September 14th, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Step it up Carlton, this is your chance to become a fan favorite!
September 14th, 2018 at 12:36 pm
Feast or Famine
September 14th, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Maybe Mike Smith can figure out how to get our high priced defensive line to put Foles on the ground. For all the money we’re paying those guys some results would be nice. One sack a game and we won’t win many games.
September 14th, 2018 at 12:40 pm
I am in full support of Carlton Davis. 1000%. even after last week. This is a great great opportunity for him. he has to not get discouraged. take advantage !
September 14th, 2018 at 12:41 pm
I think we need to give them a steady diet of blitzes. Seems every team that plays us blitz us constantly but for some reason we only rush the 4 lineman. We need to step out of character and put pressure on Foles constantly with disguised blitzes with players other than just our dline. They wouldn’t expect that and could force Foles into making mistakes. Our defense is so predictable that given anytime at all they pick us apart. Let’s be ..well, unpredictable
September 14th, 2018 at 12:43 pm
Bucs have no options.
Unless you consider Ryan Smith an option.
September 14th, 2018 at 12:44 pm
“Unleash the Kraken”
September 14th, 2018 at 12:45 pm
Let the guys who know how to play man, play man!
September 14th, 2018 at 12:49 pm
Carlton Davis is going to be a flat out stud in the NFL and for the bucs but the team needs to put him in a place to be successful and although he was basically torched by a hall of famer, he got ZERO help from the safeties, conte was late as usual when he was back deep, I thought evans was the FS and conte more of the strong, I know the bucs play more of a 4-2 with 3 safeties in the game and a lot of quarters coverage there still needs to be a safety that gets over esp when it was man free but what do I know except the bucs have had THE worst defense in the NFL since schiano left
September 14th, 2018 at 12:59 pm
He was exposed, but that also depends on the confidence in your weapons, Fitz went after Lattimore, why, because he had confidence in his weapons (Mike Evans).
September 14th, 2018 at 1:04 pm
Lattimore got beat 1 time deep.
Crawley on the other hand was picked on repeatedly.
Gave up what 3 TDs?
I hope these rookies pick up off Foles 3 or 4 times.
A little pressure goes a long ways.
September 14th, 2018 at 1:06 pm
Wentz and Jeffery both had limited practice this week. Don’t be surprised if they play Sunday.
September 14th, 2018 at 1:27 pm
I’m sure that whatever Davis is good at, Smitty will have him doing the exact opposite….
September 14th, 2018 at 1:28 pm
That’s what happens when you depend on a 35 yr old CB that showed signs of declining last season.
September 14th, 2018 at 1:35 pm
Waterboy you are right and that has been the licht MO since he got here that and horrible FA acquisitions and the worst 2nd round draft picks in nfl history
September 14th, 2018 at 1:38 pm
Reading the tea leaves….this game will be decided by the Bucs DL. If they can get pressure and mess up Fole’s rhythm then it will be a Bucs win. If not, then Bucs will be 1-1.
Sometimes its really that simple.
Nassib will have a sack this week. I said it last week and Nassib let go when he had Brees in his grasp for the sack. This week will be different as Foles is not Brees in the pocket.
September 14th, 2018 at 1:38 pm
As long as ryan smith snaps are limited
September 14th, 2018 at 1:40 pm
Davis will be fine.
I thought he had a decent showing Sunday considering the circumstances.
Yes – rookies will make mistakes due to lack of experience and not quite being used to NFL real game speed yet. But it was a minor blessing for Davis and Stewart to get the amount of snaps they did in their 1st NFL game with the team still getting the WIN. It will have them that much more prepared and confident for the next game and the next etc.
September 14th, 2018 at 1:43 pm
Unless I see otherwise, our D is going to have similar problems to last season. Unless I see otherwise, our Offense is capable of beating ANYBODY. So all we need is our spotty D to come through from time to time and we have a chance. Eagles are defending champs for a reason though. Hope our will is as strong as theirs and then our talent will shine through
September 14th, 2018 at 1:49 pm
I think it’s going to come down to our SAFETY PLAY more than our corner play.
September 14th, 2018 at 1:53 pm
Their play will hopefully improve. Although Davis got burned it was his first game against a future HOF in his own backyard. I am not even that upset about it. I am looking forward to watching how he develops.
September 14th, 2018 at 1:59 pm
Foles has already been announced as starter. If Wentz does get in it will be in relief of Foles which means the Eagles are stumbling on offense. Philadelphia has nothing to gain by putting Wentz on the field until he’s had some more reps
with his receivers.
Jeffrey has always had injury issues, had he been able to stay on the field the Nears would have never let him go. Like Wentz, he hasn’t played in a long time.
If either of those 2 play they are not gonna be in very good football shape and 1:00 games times in Tampa in Oct is not the time you want to put out of football shape players on the field.
The Eagles will dunk and dunk the Bucs and do what every other team does, throw short and complete 80% of their throws because our pass defense sucks.
On the other side the Eagles have a powerful defense but no team in the league right now can stop Evans, Godwin and Howard. All freak athletes that are budding into stars. I’m expecting the Bucs to throw often as in The preseason and after game 1 no team has been able to slow down those big fast ohysical receivers.
Compared to New Orleans the Eagles offense is very ordinary but Bucs defense is last in the league. Tight game on Sunday but there is more momentum on the side of the Bucs. Eagle win over Atlanta was impressive defensively but they didn’t move the ball well against an average Atlanta defense except for those Ajai runs.
September 14th, 2018 at 2:49 pm
I say bring back MyLew…
September 14th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
Let’s not get carried away. 🙂
September 14th, 2018 at 3:31 pm
@Joe … “Bucs have no options. Unless you consider Ryan Smith an option.” Sorry Joe, but the Bucs did have options. Why isn’t Breeland a Buc right now? Why isn’t McClain a Buc right now? What’s with our new CB Marcus Williams? I like our rookies, but I’d like them a lot better right now sitting on the bench learning from top-quality experienced veterans. Having to play 3 rookie CBs against the Super Bowl champs isn’t on Mike Smith … it’s squarely on Jason Licht.
September 14th, 2018 at 3:45 pm
I wondered about Williams myself. Could he start? He is experienced at least.
September 14th, 2018 at 4:23 pm
The hardest position for a rookie to play coming into the NFL is cornerback.
All of those fine-tuned receivers have worked on their craft for years and to throw
Davis to the wolves is unfortunate but the kid has good character and will develop
nicely. Foles has been just average and with a sack or two might give Carlton
his first NFL pick.
September 14th, 2018 at 5:36 pm
One would think that Mike Smith would account for the potential mismatch and roll help to the Eagles top 2 WR’s especially if we aren’t going to be blitzing often. However, who could forget the budgeoning of Ryan Smith covering Julio Jones last year. Mikey made no adjustments during halftime or at any other point en route to Julio’s career day. In closing, as DB55 on this forum would say, WTFDIK.
September 14th, 2018 at 6:15 pm
Everyone targets the rookie corner until they make offenses pay for it. Mike Smith’s defense sucks, his scheme his philosophy and coaching….. In year 3 guys are still talking about communication issues. Koetter deserved what he gets off he’s too afraid to hold his coach accountable
September 14th, 2018 at 8:39 pm
Foles is better off going after Ryan Smith, Davis looks like a gamer to me. Let’s revisit week 6 and see where his confidence level is at. I like the kid he got potential
September 14th, 2018 at 10:14 pm
Donuts
This week will be different as Foles is not Brees in the pocket.
On this I have to agree
September 15th, 2018 at 1:16 am
I like his attitude, he is better than Ryan Smith, he will learn much, hes got size and tackles well, this will be a better game for him as Nick Foles aint no Drew Brees.