“On Film, These Guys Are Giving Up Run Lanes”
October 6th, 2018
There’s a new member of the Buccaneers Radio Network who knows a thing or two about rushing in the National Football League.
And no, it’s not Bucs buffoon Michael Clayton, the former blocking icon.
Joe’s talking about John Gilmore the tight end who started 11 games for the last special Bucs team, the 10-6 Raheem Morris unit in 2010. Gilmore played 10 NFL seasons total, including one for Chucky in 2008, when he arrived in Tampa from the Bears.
Now a paid analyst by Team Glazer, Gilmore volunteered his time for an interview this morning on WDAE-AM 620. And his trained eyes don’t like what they’re seeing from the interior of the Bucs’ run defense.
“We haven’t really been challenged, but on film these guys are giving up run lanes on the inside,” Gilmore said. “They’re not strong. Gap control on the inside has not been strong. I know it’s been an area of focus for Mike Smith. And not having a guy like Vita Vea in there or a Beau Allen that’s, you know, healthy depth is hurting them. Yeah, it’s a is a big problem. It’s a depth part of the problem and that comes with injuries. And hopefully Vita Vea, this guy can get healthier and more acclimated to the NFL game and we can see more run stops, more gap stops.”
Before busting out that intriguing take, Gilmore noted the run defense has been called much to serious duty because of the failures of the pass defense and facing a couple of stud quarterbacks from the Saints and Steelers.
Still, Gilmore sees the run defense as a weakness that needs attention.
Gilmore didn’t get anywhere close to suggesting that Gerald McCoy get traded for Gatorade, but McCoy has been a constant up the gut of the Bucs defense this season.
October 6th, 2018 at 1:28 am
Gerald has been very quiet so far. His pass rush gets stymied often. Where we used to hear his name called a couple times a defensive series, we hardly hear his named called at all anymore. I’m curious, where does Gerald rank in total tackles as a DT in the NFL so far? Top ten? Top 20? Maybe it’s time to move him to the 1 technique and help stop the middle and make tackles while we slide Vea over to the 3 tech and see if he can put more pressure on the QB.
October 6th, 2018 at 1:47 am
When you can pass for 400 yards a game with ease, why bother running the ball? This is like a few years ago when Schiano’s defense was the “best” run defense. Was it? No, it was this same situation, a defense that can’t stop the pass and teams simply choose to pass on them and only ran in obvious run situations, mainly to run the clock out.
Anywho only a coach like Dirk would run on this type of defense, he’s run it right up the guy on 1st down and even Mike Smith would figure that out and run blitz straight up the middle and shut down Dirk. Then, just to be safe, Dirk would punt on 2nd down, because you can’t ever be too safe when it comes to punting the ball away.
October 6th, 2018 at 1:50 am
The McCoy haters are literally the dumbest people here, just a hair behind the Winston haters. Ideally all the McCoy and Winston haters would get together in front of One Buc Place, douse themselves with gasoline and then light themselves up, that would prove they’re serious and more than just a bunch of boring dullards.
October 6th, 2018 at 2:24 am
I hope you’re not calling me a hater just because I made an observation.
October 6th, 2018 at 4:11 am
@Joe … “but McCoy has been a constant up the gut of the Bucs defense this season.” Awesome observation Joe. You have a fascinating way of throwing someone under the bus but then JBFers can barely hear the THUMP THUMP as the bus continuously runs over them. Kudos … VERY impressive, and the bus driver never gets fingered that way.
@Rod … “When you can pass for 400 yards a game with ease, why bother running the ball? ” Precisely Rod. I’m convinced that the Bucs hierarchy looked at the 2017 Jaquars rapid turnaround on defense (and subsequently offense) and tried to model our defense on theirs. Bucs 2018 defense was built to: (1) stop the run first & foremost; (2) collapse the center & pressure the QB from inside with the DEs cleaning up once that happened; (3) take advantage, via turnovers, of the miscues that’d result, even if that meant giving up passing yardage.
Funny thing though … Jacksonville’s TALENT level is FAR SUPERIOR to ours, and that’s why their defensive model has worked so superbly. Jason Licht thought we could (1) BUY a DLine; and (2) DRAFT a Secondary, all in ONE year, then have Mike Smith fuse it all together in ONE offseason and it’d dominate. What could possibly go wrong?
Any true fan with a lick of common sense can figure that one out. WHAT IF your shiny new, beefed-up interior doesn’t materialize (as in Allen, Unrein & Vea miss almost all the games, and they’re replaced by undersized, mediocre backups). Hmmm, defending against the run becomes harder, but more importantly you can’t pressure the QB from inside. Bummer. With no REAL pressure, any halfway decent QB picks your shiny-new Secondary ‘clean-up guys’ apart.
There’s no question in my mind that Smitty’s defense is ‘old-school’ and that it will only work in this pass-happy age if ALL of the horses (in the trenches) are available and do exactly what they’re supposed to do: stop the run & pressure the QB. Without all of the horses, all of the King’s men (LBs & Secondary) won’t be able to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.
BTW, I’d contend Joe that Mike Smith could probably do quite well running Jacksonville’s defense. It’s structured for the defensive concept he thrived on. Bucs’ defense that took the field in Chicago isn’t even close to that level of talent. Firing Mike Smith after 4 games won’t change that. But having a healthier interior DLine available in Atlanta might.
October 6th, 2018 at 7:10 am
GMC aka pay check player aka non contributing aka captain blowout…………
I hope we trade his candy azz for something
The defense plays harder and better without him on the field
October 6th, 2018 at 7:18 am
How about we open up some run lanes on offense…..it’s been years.
October 6th, 2018 at 7:28 am
“LOL, the posts above is laughable…
Its the personnel! Sheep!
Our secondary was the 32nd ranked pass defense last year…
Our secondary players, not 1 would start or even play in another team in the NFL
Its a passing/QB league and all our secondary personnel suks and is the worst in the league..
So how in the world can coaching or Big Gbhimself change that?
“You cant” Big G
The best talented roster makes the playoffs every year…
We cant because our secondary players are useless and the worst group in the NFL
“And the Sheep wants to know why?”
Kobe Faker
October 6th, 2018 at 7:37 am
Way too funny!!! Joe refers to Michael Clayton as a buffoon! Clayton has only done what Joe never has…. play professional football, win a Super Bowl be a successful radio personality. So silly. And Clayton has never done what Joe has. And Clayton has not done what you have done and on and on and round and round. (Clayton’s a successful radio personality?) –Joe Meanwhile Joe give a pass (as usual) to the buffoon comic book loving wussy woman-child…..err man -child GMC. Joe’s never given GMC a pass. –Joe I thought this was GMCs breakout year! What is happening?
October 6th, 2018 at 7:47 am
Gerald McCoy is a total joke!
October 6th, 2018 at 7:49 am
There’s WAY TOO MANY “sheep-a-ble” fans here on this site that just bucs rosey colored glasses and refuse to look the truth straight in it’s eyes.
———————————————————————————–
GMC – is not an impactful player, he’s a pay check player
Jameis Winston – Is not a Franchise QB…….he’s too stupid right now
Mike Smith – Maybe one of the worst defensive coordinators in the league
Dirk Koetter – Has ZERO answers for this team right now
———————————————————————————–
If this team loses in Atlanta……the wheels will fall off the tracks and this team will have another losing season, the coaching staff will be gone
The GM may stay because he’s done a good job overall
October 6th, 2018 at 7:59 am
@BucsAnthem … “The GM may stay because he’s done a good job overall.” Keep drinking the KoolAid Anthem. Bucs haven’t had a decent GM since … hmmm, Rich MacKay I guess. And the Glazers fired his ass. Of course. And replaced him with Bruce Almighty, Disastrous Dom and Lights-Out Licht. Hmmm, not that hard to figure out Anthem why the Bucs have been perennial losers.
October 6th, 2018 at 8:21 am
Gerald McCoy is a great player,however,he’s not elite. He’s not in the same category as Aaron Donald or Geno Atkins. Gerald just doesn’t make the plays when its needed most.
October 6th, 2018 at 8:42 am
Ever since I saw that clip of him against Pittsburgh it’s hard to support the guy anymore. He has gotten soft thus far this season. I think HOP has made him put his tail between his legs and back down. How is Buckner getting less out of McCoy than Hayes did?
October 6th, 2018 at 9:04 am
Geraldine is trash and I understand Gilmore can’t call him out but media is afraid to do it because they lose a source so they sit there and pretend like it’s not directed at McCoy but people like me who’ve been saying it for years know that’s why his photo appears in the article. He was always bad at stopping the run but now he’s old and washed up so can’t rush the passer either
October 6th, 2018 at 9:09 am
McCoy has always relied on his first step. If that doesn’t work, he’s stuck on the LOS titty bumping. He’s a horrible run defender and that’s precisely why when many of us “dumb a$$ haters” have been saying for a few years that he shouldn’t be on the field as much in non-passing situations.
I want to see Beau Allen at nose and Vea at 3-tech.
October 6th, 2018 at 9:17 am
Gerald is really quiet this year
His only sacks have come on Stunts
October 6th, 2018 at 9:18 am
WHERE THE F*&^ is Kendell Beckwith, slide him in the middle and Kwon outside, im a huge fan of Kwons but unfortunately he does not belong in the middle.
October 6th, 2018 at 9:27 am
Rod
Hahah
You kill me. Another FSU players lover
If you can’t see the faults in GMC and Winston
Who have both been called out by fans and players
Your blind
So please be careful when crossing the road I wouldn’t want you to get hit by a fast moving Bus
October 6th, 2018 at 9:30 am
Joe,
You really shouldn’t refer to Clayton as a buffoon bcuz of that somewhat extreme take the other day after the loss…
C’mon man. You are starting to sound like the buffoon for thinking that his takes were so off…
He was closer to accurate with his take than you are in your assessment of his take. Know that…
October 6th, 2018 at 9:34 am
On Film giving up run lanes? On film WE..see a Defense that cannot tackle anybody once that Defensive line of scrimmage is broken. The front 4 or 5 actually gives effort. But after that its clear saling for the opposition. We see a Defense that looks like a Division 2 college team..if that.
October 6th, 2018 at 10:10 am
No more excuses Aunt Geraldine. You have a pass rusher putting in work on the DL now and you are still no where to be found. All that BS everyone says about him being triple teamed and how he would be a beast if he got help. Here we are four games in and I still see the same Charmin Soft MF I’ve been seeing since day one. Excuses are like A-Holes… everybody has one. I got more faith in a rookie that hasn’t even played a full game than Geraldine. The MF needs to go. He’s the weak link. But as long as he’s having fun and apologizing on game day then it’s cool I guess. #getthegatorade
October 6th, 2018 at 10:20 am
“… stuck on the LOS titty bumping”
ROFLMFAO!!!!!
October 6th, 2018 at 11:04 am
Reposted
DR
I don’t disagree that he GM is just as responsible… But Smitty has been here three years and I ‘ve never heard Mike complain about what he was getting.
So he had no input? That goes to D1’s point.
Ultimately he is responsible for what goes on that field. His name is on it. It’s not good. It has not improved in three years.
I’ll humor you. Say for instance, everything you say about Smitty is true. Clearly it’s just not a good fit. This defense is patently embarrassing.
It’s his name.
October 6th, 2018 at 1:37 pm
mccoy apologizes to big ben for touching him…what do you think sapp would have done?…well let me tell you…he would have drove straight thru his midsection knocking him down and with legs spread, stood over him like a savage talking sheet in his face…big ben would have had to push him out of the way to get up…and big ben would be all out of wack for the following plays…that’s how you do it
October 6th, 2018 at 1:41 pm
sapp would have been saying “all day, all f’in day” to ben…getting him all rattled and shook…mccoy is a nice man with a teddy bear body that is in football player shape…it is what it is…
October 6th, 2018 at 1:42 pm
“nobody is tougher than their core makeup”
says adam from ny
October 6th, 2018 at 2:53 pm
Rod Munch
who is the dumbass the guys who see what a loser punk mccoy is or the idiots like yourself who have been making excuses and trying to defend the softest player in nfl history WHO HAS NOT WON A SINGLE MEANINGFUL GAME IN HIS ENTIRE DECADE LONG CAREER!!!! Results matter and your little girl is nowhere to be found when it matters most or when the going gets tough. truth hurts buttercup…. that is simply factual reality… so again, I ask, who is the dumbass those of us who only judge actual results only or those of you who make nothing but excuses while living in denial.
October 6th, 2018 at 4:33 pm
Trying to defend GMC anymore is a tough job. The guy just isn’t very good. Stop with the pro bowl nonsense. He’s so overrated. The guy is invisible on Sundays. Guys like Fletcher Cox and Aaron Donald take over games. We’re just happy if Gerald makes a meaningful play. Hard to remember the last one. His lone sack was a stunt. He’s barely average and a horrible leader. Having fun getting killed by the Bears?
October 7th, 2018 at 12:44 am
Warren Sapp wrecked havoc with the help of Simeon Rice. McCute has the same situation now with JPP and especially once LaVita comes back in football shape. If he STILL can’t create havoc with that situation, it’s time to move on. His clock is ticking and unfortunately this line didn’t come in time with his prime.
October 7th, 2018 at 7:50 am
We SUCK…!
The defense SUCKS…!
Our offense IS our defense this year. Our strength is our WRs/TEs. That means we are going to be a passing team. Not by choice (we have zero running game).
With that being said…now the SECOND player in the league in turnovers is back. Season is over.
October 7th, 2018 at 9:17 am
GMC doesn’t want to wreak havoc…”It Hurts”