Sapp Disgusted With Defense
October 19th, 2018
Bucs legend couldn’t believe his eyes.
You feel like slamming your head against the wall after watching what the Bucs call “defense?” Imagine being in Warren Sapp’s shoes.
The Bucs legend, who has his name up on the Ring of Honor in a stadium that was anything but the Den of Depression it has plunged into, is still proud to wear the Bucs’ red and pewter whenever he can. He is emotionally invested in the Bucs because it is his team. He can’t play any longer but he still bleeds Bucs red.
Sapp bounces around One Buc Palace and Bucs games from time to time. You don’t always see Sapp but you sure hear him. He has free run of the place and why not? And Sapp being Sapp, he’s known to offer his opinion from time to time. And of course, Sapp is tight with Bucs stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
So after the Dixie Chicks loss where the Bucs defense once again rolled over and allowed touchdowns on their first three possessions, Sapp took to Instagram to let out his frustration.
He documented on a device (iPad, Surface, laptop?) a play that he explained has a basic NFL shift concept every NFL defense should be able to diagnose and defense. Yet the Bucs defense decided to do a Three Stooges routine as if you can hear Curly yelling, “Moe, Larry — the cheese!”
The Bucs defense is clearly confused.
You can just hear the disgust in Sapp’s voice dripping off of his words.
“All hell done broke loose on Tampa’s defense, look at this,” Sapp said showing the play. “Are you kidding me? Ain’t nobody covering nobody! … That’s a basic shift in the National Football League. Why is all hell breaking loose?”
You can see the full video of Sapp below.
Joe has run out of adjectives to describe how bad this defense is. When snobbish folks in NFL circles took to Twitter to mock Bucs coach Dirk Koetter for, in their view, throwing now former defensive coordinator Mike Smith under the bus, what do you expect Koetter to do? Continue to watch the defense cough up 34 points a game and set an NFL record for futility and get yourself fired in the process?
October 19th, 2018 at 12:16 am
It’s embarrassing.
October 19th, 2018 at 12:20 am
Time for Dirk to go !!! Hire a fomer buc …. the glazer brothers have no clue on how to run a NFL team .
October 19th, 2018 at 12:22 am
“The Bucs have an atrocious defense, especially when Gerald McCoy isn’t on the field. They do have plenty of talent on that side of the ball, but their schemes are off and nobody seems to understand what to do.”
From a Browns fan on a Browns board. He isn’t wrong.
October 19th, 2018 at 1:02 am
It’s the dreaded c word called communication. Still not sure if we will beat the Browns due to our defense.
October 19th, 2018 at 1:03 am
Ohhhhhhhh, to be in the pink.
October 19th, 2018 at 1:24 am
It had to be done. Enjoy your time off coach Smith, and good luck on that golf game!
October 19th, 2018 at 1:25 am
Watch kwon. Kwon is an nfl safety not a mlb he don’t know his role much less the entire d’s role.
Pete, Watch the dline step up. Look for run defense to improve unless they decide to put Gholston in the middle. Better hope Nunez ready to play. Would be nice to have Beckwith back soon.
October 19th, 2018 at 1:40 am
I know this might offend some of the real hardcore player haters but ever since Chris Conte went on injured reserve this team got worse. Conte was sometimes wrongly accused for other players blown coverage assignments and was always seen as the last player chasing down all the mistakes. It may just be a coincidence but he was our veteran safety who knew Coach Smith’s defense. If anything the young players confidence has been tested without their veteran. And remember Tandy is not here either.
October 19th, 2018 at 1:52 am
@Pete I … “They do have plenty of talent on that side of the ball, but their schemes are off and nobody seems to understand what to do.” Sounds like you’re saying it’s ALL on coaching too Pete, but that still sounds too simplistic to me. EVERY NFL defensive coach knows how to defend against the basic shifts that Sapp described & showed in that video (heck every high school & college coach knows how). The breakdown was in EXECUTION … and the biggest breakdown was from our LBs. Can account for LVD in there, and see another LB (Number 5-something) jump forward after the shift (who I assume was Kwon because of where he eventually lined up) yet who ended up reacting very poorly (got sucked in) and DIDN’T COVER the player who caught the ball (clearly his responsibility?).
That same thing has been happening with our LBs all year long (they’re LOST IN SPACE). No DLine pressure from our ‘beasts in the trenches’ (?) has also been happening all year long. Our Secondary has apparently invented a new defensive off-man tackling drill (for use in games?) that requires them to let their man catch the ball then try to tackle them before they score.
The Bucs’ defense CLEARLY LACKS TALENT if they can’t diagnose & effectively counter simple plays like that shift. It also CLEARLY LACKS FIELD LEADERSHIP. So our solution to that dilemma is to launch our Scapegoat into the desert & promote a new one (the one whose position group has been performing so poorly I might add … but hey, Duff’s yet another ‘nice guy’). I hope Mark Duffner can turn this defense around, but given the same UNACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE in certain key positions AND given this defense’s clear LACK OF FIELD LEADERSHIP it’s hard to imagine him being able to turn this group into a Super Bowl contender. I hope I’m wrong.
October 19th, 2018 at 1:57 am
@ Defense Rules, I didn’t say it a Browns fan did.
October 19th, 2018 at 2:43 am
Oops, my bad Pete. I thought you were agreeing with him.
October 19th, 2018 at 3:04 am
anyone else think Ronde could be the next great defensive coordinator of this league, our team?
October 19th, 2018 at 3:10 am
When I said he isn’t wrong it was really about the latter part, “their schemes are off and nobody seems to understand what to do.”
October 19th, 2018 at 3:29 am
Pete … Just seems so bizarre to me that NFL players, guys at the very top of their profession, could look so totally confused. Something still doesn’t compute. Bucs coaches HAD to see this in practice. And IF they did see it but didn’t fix it then, they should ALL be fired. But IF this is a matter of guys literally panicking in games, then they’ve not only got no business being on the field, they have no business being on an NFL roster, period. Like I said, it’s just bizarre.
October 19th, 2018 at 4:37 am
If Smith had played Tandy after what he did in 2016 during that 5 game stretch he wouldn’t be greeting people at Walmart… As Smith is now saying …..”Have a great day, thank you for shopping Wally World”.
October 19th, 2018 at 5:00 am
Sapp a better coach than Mike Smith will ever be
October 19th, 2018 at 5:16 am
Defenserules,
“Like I said, it’s just bizarre.”
It’s not bizarre, nor is it LACK OF LEADERSHIP, LACK OF TALENT, well that’s true but it’s not the reason why the defensive looks confused, it’s LACK OF PREPARATION. Or should I say that is the most obvious answer and it’s exactly what LACK OF PREPARATION looks like on game day.
These guys are pros and if they’ve seen the look in film then install day they will not be confused with motions and/or shifts. These guys didn’t get to the NFL and stay in the league because they don’t know how to study and couldn’t remember their assignments. Sorry but it’s fantastical thinking to even consider this an explanation. Maybe one player perhaps two on a given play is a possibility. But that’s rare and the exception to the rule. It’s happening far too often to consider this an anomaly.
So the most probable answer is PREPARATION.
But, I have to believe scheme is a component as well. The fact is certain looks have been used by different teams from week to week successfully. This means that the DC hasn’t adjusted to prevent the same concept that was effective last game be run successfully this week. The scheme can play a role in this case. If the defensive alignments are the same week to week , then the DC’ s philosophy isn’t challenged, instead the problem is identified as execution (ie communication) and not the scheme itself. Now doesn’t this fit what we as fans have been told? And why nothing changed?
I said before that there’s a problem with basic arithmetic. You complain about the lack of pass rush from the front four. Well, it’s a almost impossible task for 4 guys to beat 7. Simple math states 7>4 yet you’re confused with the predicted outcome. Film shows this weakness in the team and it’s been repeatedly used by our opponents. Successfully, I might add, without any adjustments by the team to account for it. Clearly that’s a coaching fail and not a talent or leadership issue. And NO, the Bucs legendary front 4 wouldn’t have been able to “out talent” such an abysmal schematic failure.
Last, if you’re looking for a very creative defensive coordinator, and I mean bring a pad and pen to take notes creative, look at the Ravens defense. There’s things they do that’s 100% New and innovative. I doubt that is of interest to you as you seem to be looking backwards to find answers. I mean no disrespect and it’s not in any way meant as a slight. It’s a common behaviour to look for proven solutions when faced with new problems. And make no mistake about it, the problems facing defensive coordinators today are new. The DC’ s who can adapt the fastest will have an advantage over those who can not or will not adapt to this new environment.
October 19th, 2018 at 6:06 am
D1, agree with much of what you said. The scheme is old-school, no question. And you’re certainly right about 4 DLinemen against 7 blockers being an impossible situation. But that leaves 3 guys out on 7 of our own … heck even I could handle 3 receivers with 7 defenders. You mention PREPARATION & no doubt that’s been an issue D1, but not being prepared to handle the most basic formations like Sapp said? Sorry, but that still doesn’t compute.
There’s something more going on here than meets the eye. By background tells me it’s more than likely a LACK OF LEADERSHIP on the field, combined with a LACK OF TALENT. Not at all positions surely, but all it takes is a couple of critical weak links & the whole defense turns into a house of cards. Look at the change in performance of the Falcons defense from last year to this year … their only real change is that the MIDDLE is badly banged up right now. Perhaps our MIDDLE is suffering a similar fate?
October 19th, 2018 at 6:24 am
Greg Auman of the Auman Brothers Band noted on Twitter that since 2011, the Bucs are 1-10 against rookie QBs! These defenses (plural over the years) have let Case Keenum, Paxton Lynch, Derek Andersen, among others, look like All World, Hall of Famers. That’s a lot of bad over a lot of years. #PaidFloridaVacation
October 19th, 2018 at 6:47 am
My guess is, Defense was totally fooled and was expecting a run to the side of the shift. So you get a linebacker penetrating and leaving that side of he field wide open. Then it looks like 36 didn’t stay home and bit on something and ran away from the play. IMO somebody didn’t know their assignment. The only two players I saw that could have made a play found a way to take themselves out the play. Some of this could also be chalked up to lack of experience.
October 19th, 2018 at 6:58 am
A New Chapter beginnings Sunday.
If we see the same confusion on defense, I suggest using all 4th downs on offense.
DO NOT PUT OUR DEFENSE IN THE FIELD UNLESS WE HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE!!!!!!
October 19th, 2018 at 7:16 am
Defenserules,
I agree with you on leadership and just haven’t been convinced one way or the other on the talent . MJ Stewart is a one player that while I understand Jason Lichts rationale for the selection, I totally disagree with it. Retaining Grimes is another mistake in my opinion. As is not signing a veteran CB and possibly a safety. So in the back of the defense , we have inexperienced players learning via ojt. Today’s league that is a recipe for failure.
The front end should be different as it’s veteran’s across the board. I will say, kwon and David should be moved and a different Mike should start. Beckwith was injured prior to the start of training camp and this wasn’t accounted for with a legit sub.
Point is, yeah talent and experience is a question.
But to what Sapp said, I know how the old bucs team would have adjusted and it’s simply sliding strong. I have to believe that the current team is not learning disabled. They could shift strong sides if it were that simple. The facts support the idea that the scheme itself isn’t flexible or easily repositioned once the initial alignment changes. Too many people confused about it to overlook.
As far as the idea of a 7man pass pro conceeding numbers in the back, absolutely positively correct. The LB’ s literally are covering grass when it occurs. There’s no reason why they come down and blitz or roll back and let the corners come down as the safeties roll over the top. Instead, corners play deep , LB look around with no mission and safeties are looking to the seams which means they can’t possibly get to the outside to help the corners. This is why conte always seems to take a bad angle. Obviously, not every play is the same but it’s an example of the scheme itself being a problem.
Add scheme and inexperienced players and the results are what is on the field.
If I recall correctly, you were a USAF fighter pilot. An example I think appropriate is the B-29 bomber. The design was predicated on the idea that the bombers could defend themselves and not need fighter cover. How long before the results were Crystal clear about that idea. I think that’s what is happening in this case.
Evidence is compiling along a singular direction and while other factors are contributing they aren’t at the heart of the problem.
Btw, I have had this discussion with a former Bucs (great defense era) coach and there’s not much difference between what He thinks and what I’m saying. Additionally, He has had to adapt to the new passing concepts and His pro pedigree although helpful didn’t give him an advantage over college schemes.
Old school vs New .
October 19th, 2018 at 7:18 am
Some fans are making this out to be more complicated than it really is. Defense is not rocket science! Besides the verbiage and changing out of certain situations this is the same defense they have been playing since H.S. What is missing is a want to be great! The culture used to be hold everyone accountable players and coaches! Now they are too worried about hurting people’s feelings and dancing after one good play. JPP is the only one who wants to be great. He believes no one can block him and he’s not worried about making friends with opponents or even his own teammates. I was hoping it would rub off but too many of our players are concerned about days off, pay checks and chilling at the beach.
October 19th, 2018 at 7:24 am
DR,
I have to mention this part, because of the salary cap teams usually build around on side or the other. Obviously, the Bucs are building around the offense which leaves one side weaker talent wise than the other. Jacksonville is a team that invested in the defensive side and what they can do , we just don’t have the talent to do. Basically, middle of the league is a best case scenario. I mean best case. Low to middle 20’s is talent wise where we are.
October 19th, 2018 at 7:33 am
The 88 million spent on defense was not well spent. I am not sure there is a corner on the team,including Grimes that could play well enough implement the scheme Smitty wanted to run. When your best option to help plug the middle of the defense might be a Will Gholston or JPP, then that points to a fail by Licht
in this area of free agency.
Two players that might have added some consistency to the backfield,might be
Bradley McDougald who seems to be doing well in Seattle.
The other might be Keith Tandy that coaches wanted keep. Smitty has said he was like a coach on the field. This team lacks a DB to take somebody under their wing
and help our rookies get acclimated to the NFL.
October 19th, 2018 at 8:12 am
Hardy Nickerson, Brian Urlacker, Ray Lewis, Luke Keuchly, Kwon Alexander. Who’s name doesn’t belong on this list? Kwon is not a good MLB, he’s the supposed Q.B. of the defense, the leader. Kwon, and David are not getting it done, not to mention, what other linebackers stand out? Most teams now run 3-4 defenses so they have 4 athletic linebackers making plays. We on the other hand only have two undersized guys trying to make plays. We’ll need a total overhaul of the defense this off season.
October 19th, 2018 at 8:24 am
Not sure why both Josh Robinson and Keith Tandy were let go. Both have been picked up by other teams. I’m not a coach nor an expert. Just a loyal fan. How will the defense play with Smith gone? That’s what I’m thinking about FWIW.
October 19th, 2018 at 8:39 am
Hey Dirk, idea for ya! Why don’t you do more shifts and motions in practice so your lost defense gets more looks at it. And Duff, why don’t you maybe teach them what to do.. You know like, coach?? Just an idea..
October 19th, 2018 at 9:16 am
its scheme and coaching or lack there of….simple as that…..
smittys scheme was passive, predictable and outdated and the defensive coaches couldn’t develop talent…..
the lack of leadership comes from the top as in the coaches…..dirk and smitty are not leaders….if they were, we would see a mentally tough team….the HC is soft and that trickles down to the players…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
October 19th, 2018 at 9:21 am
orlbucfan Says:
October 19th, 2018 at 8:24 am
Not sure why both Josh Robinson and Keith Tandy were let go. Both have been picked up by other teams
that goes to show that this defense does have talent and goes against the “lack of talent crowd”…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
October 19th, 2018 at 9:30 am
D1 … EXCELLENT insight. Thanks for sharing. And BTW, the B-29 was an excellent analogy. And I agree with you, the strategy (sending unescorted bombers deep into Germany without air superiority) was flawed in that case. (I could make the case that LEADERSHIP had their collective heads up their asses, but I won’t). It wasn’t until we rapidly introduced the P-51 Mustang into theater (after some devastating losses) that we were able to make the strategy work. (Hmmm, could possibly make the case that we provided better resources (TALENT?) but won’t do that either). The bottom line to me is LOSING IS LOSING. Figure out what’s wrong and fix it, as fast as you can.
October 19th, 2018 at 9:36 am
I’ll tell you why all hell is breaking loose. Two reasons.
1. Mike Smith
2. Kwon Alexander
Kwon is supposed to be the “Quarterback of the defense.” Why is it this team continually has communication breakdowns? I don’t care if he’s a pro-bowler. The communication and gaffes are inexcusable
October 19th, 2018 at 10:00 am
@Bob in Valrico … “The 88 million spent on defense was not well spent. I am not sure there is a corner on the team, including Grimes, that could play well enough to implement the scheme Smitty wanted to run.” Bob, I’m convinced you’re right on BOTH counts right there. Other than JPP, I don’t see anyone on the defense coming even close to earning their keep.
Your other point about the Secondary is no doubt true, but I think that same rationale applies to the DLine & LB corps. Smitty’s ‘old-school’ defense was dependent on having a beastly DLine for starters (without that, his whole scheme fell apart). But even with a strong DLine, Smitty’s defense also needed aggressive LBs to plug gaps AND to cover short (that’s the only way I can even remotely understand his Secondary giving up so much space underneath).
Went back to 2016 and relooked at our 5-game winning streak (aah, those good old days). Bucs defense gave up a total of 64 points (13 PPG) in that span. We beat FIVE excellent teams … primarily with defense. What made the biggest difference IMO was the turnovers generated by the defense: 14 total in 5 games. Defense also had 13 sacks in those 5 games (about 2.5 per game), and only gave up 15 3rd-down conversions in 51 attempt (29%). But what equally interesting (to me at least) is that our offense scored LESS than 20 points in 3 of those games that we won, BUT … they played awesome COMPLIMENTARY FOOTBALL. Bucs’ offense only made 5 turnovers in that stretch, but more importantly, they absolutely dominated the TOP in EVERY game (our average TOP for that stretch was 34 mins, 12 secs). THAT’S COMPLIMENTARY FOOTBALL IMO … keep the other team’s offense on the bench & let our defense stay rested so they can ‘bring it’ when it counts.
October 19th, 2018 at 10:18 am
Ain’t nobody covering nobody! Classic truth from Sapp.
October 19th, 2018 at 11:12 am
If the MLB is supposed to be “the guy” who calls defensive signals and ensures front-7 alignment in Smith’s defense—he IS the guy with the headset, right?— someone please explain why the guy does not deserve to be embarrassed over his truly pathetic play.
I’m not sure the guy has enough upstairs to run an NFL defense. He’s a 4-year veteran? What was his Wunderlic?
I question the mentality of anyone who coins the term “li-ti-rilla” and applies it to himself. Can you imaging Brate or Fitzpatrick, brainiac Harvard boys, doing that?
His and McCoys sideline dance after a stop down by 8 really pi$$ed me off, and tells the story about this pathetic bunch.
I’ve never been so proud of an offense and disgusted by a defense on any Buc team in my fanlife.
October 19th, 2018 at 11:58 am
Deez Bucs Says:
October 19th, 2018 at 3:04 am
anyone else think Ronde could be the next great defensive coordinator of this league, our team?
—————-
Why would Ronde want to give up an easy TV job working 10 hours a week and turn around and work a much more grueling and thankless job for 80 hours a week for about the same money? Remember, Ronde doesn’t actually NEED the money.
October 19th, 2018 at 12:29 pm
Its somewhat funny that Sapp & McCoy are so tight. They are as different as day & night. Why do the Bucs continue to release players from there weakest positions. Tandy & Robinson come to mind. They also released a RB from the practice squad who had a much better preseason than Jones. And then they will sign wr’s which is our strongest position. Does anybody know what the hell their doing?
October 19th, 2018 at 1:23 pm
Cobra boy
I fear you may be absolutely correct about the red headed one, clown, I mean Kwon…..
October 19th, 2018 at 1:25 pm
Communication!
October 19th, 2018 at 1:51 pm
But,But, But DR that was a fluke, some people just don’t know how to aqppreciate a winning formula. Gotta say the defense of the last two weeks wrote Smitty’s
Swan Song, but it also highlighted a roster that is not ready or experienced enough and a good part of the blame is on Licht.
@D1 Keep the posts coming. Your point about spending on the offense is on point. I have been wondering how we are going to keep all of our better when
Jameis’s contract is up for negotiation.
October 19th, 2018 at 2:48 pm
Sapp was an awesome player. A Buccaneer great. But please Mr. Sapp, get lost.
October 19th, 2018 at 2:53 pm
Joe Says:
Reminds me of Tony Dungy’s “We were out of sync” multi-year excuse.