“Candy-ass Excuses For The Most Porous Buc Defense In Franchise History”
November 19th, 2018
BY IRA KAUFMAN
When this Buc season of despair mercifully concludes, some misguided souls will argue that a slew of injuries on defense derailed a promising start.
Some will point to the absence of Mitch Unrein, Vernon Hargreaves, Chris Conte and Kwon Alexander as key factors in Tampa Bay’s demoralizing collapse. And they would be wrong.
Dead wrong.
Don’t go there, because those are candy-ass excuses for the most porous Buc defense in franchise history. These players aren’t good enough and this scheme isn’t good enough to mask the weak links.
Let’s expose this injury excuse for what it is: fake news.
Even when Alexander started the first six games, the Bucs were getting shredded and he wasn’t playing particularly well.
More than a few Buc fans weren’t happy with Conte to begin with, arguing he was a mediocre safety at best. He’s been gone since Week 4 and suddenly he’s John Lynch?
Unrein was signed as a backup on an overhauled defensive line. He wasn’t considered a difference-maker by anyone except his agent.
Hargreaves has one interception in 26 NFL games, hardly the ball magnet Jason Licht envisioned when he selected the former Gator corner in a 2016 haul that is looking more and more like one of the worst drafts in team annals.
Let’s flip the coin.
To The Trenches
Tampa Bay’s best defensive player, Jason Pierre-Paul, hasn’t missed a game. Gerald McCoy has started 8 games and Lavonte David started the first 9. Brent Grimes returned in Week 3 and Justin Evans has played every week, even if you don’t notice him very often.
Vita Vea
A team that added five defensive linemen in the offseason is somehow last in scoring defense.
On his few snaps, Noah Spence is now relegated to special teams Vita Vea’s rookie season has been forgettable. When Beau Allen and Vinny Curry have been healthy enough to play, they’ve been largely ineffective.
How bad has it been?
When Tampa Bay opponents are forced to punt, Buc players party like its 1999, when this franchise actually had a defense worth cheering for. The Giants couldn’t stop the Bucs in the second half Sunday, but let’s remember that New York scored on two long TD drives in the final quarter to blunt the comeback bid.
The Bucs are no longer on pace to allow the most points in NFL history, but that dubious achievement is still within their slippery grasp. And if it happens, it won’t be because of the guys who weren’t there.
It’ll be because the guys who are there just aren’t good enough to succeed in this sorry scheme.
Enter your Bucs question IN THE FORM below for Derrick Brooks and Ira Kaufman, hosts of the new TAMPA TWO show right here twice a week and at The Identity Tampa Bay. (Yes, that Derrick Brooks!) Or send your Bucs question to The Identity on Twitter, @TheIdentityTB.
November 19th, 2018 at 1:00 pm
I like Irate-Ira!
November 19th, 2018 at 1:05 pm
Who is Justin Evans?
November 19th, 2018 at 1:11 pm
Amen Ira, amen!
Piss poor production at EVERY level on this defense has led us here, not injuries, and not talent.
The sad part is that we were just here LAST year though it seems not quite as bad. So, here we are again, failure at every level. It makes no sense for this team to be this bad.
November 19th, 2018 at 1:13 pm
I knew we were screwed once they started saying part of the reason they liked vea was because he lifted up some big rock, meanwhile we could have chizzeled super athlete Derwin James we got a big slow Hawaiian dude who could lift big rocks
November 19th, 2018 at 1:13 pm
bad drafting gets you this
November 19th, 2018 at 1:14 pm
But everyone continue to brag about the talent on this roster
November 19th, 2018 at 1:15 pm
You mean Grimes is on the field?
November 19th, 2018 at 1:17 pm
Coach made the call to stay the course and stick with Smith going into the season. That may be one of many topics that will come up during his exit interview in a few weeks.
November 19th, 2018 at 1:18 pm
I saw 3 guys on our defense that came to play yesterday and looked like they were prepared.
November 19th, 2018 at 1:21 pm
And I would have put #41(Minter?) In after that big hit. Don’t care his position I would have gotten him onto the field for one of our unprepared LBs.
At least 41 looked prepared and aware. That was better then any LB that played for us this game.
Our defense is unprofessional. Frauds
November 19th, 2018 at 1:23 pm
Yea why doesn’t the media take blame for the perception in the town when every chance you get you overhype a guy based on a few random plays. Buc players don’t have to actually be consistent at playing to earn praise just consistent at flashing every now and then
November 19th, 2018 at 1:26 pm
JPP……Whitehead…..and who was the third?
We should get rid of everyone making over $1mil…….except JPP
November 19th, 2018 at 1:27 pm
Straight talk with the resumé and stones to back it up. Hard not to live this multi-media maven. The Unrein comment is hilarious. Who exactly was competing with the Bucs to sign him? Wisely he claimed vertigo and shut it down before he even started.
November 19th, 2018 at 1:30 pm
Yet, some ignorant people out there want Jason Licht back for another year.
At this current pace the Buccaneers will have a worse record under Jason Licht than they did under Mark Dominick.
Let that sink in…
November 19th, 2018 at 1:48 pm
I will say this……as bad as Ryan Smith is……at least he will tackle and hit someone……he and Whitehead are unafraid…..
November 19th, 2018 at 1:51 pm
Dec. 31st should look like a massacre (figuratively) happened at One Buc Place. No one should survive it. I’d even fire the the receptionist just to get the stench on losing completely out of the building.
November 19th, 2018 at 1:52 pm
How in the world are they not on track to give up the most points in league history. I mean teams score at will on them every game except for Washington and opponents are basically batting 1000 when making it to the red zone.
November 19th, 2018 at 1:53 pm
This is why the Bucs need a president of operations immediately or at least a special consultant to come in and provide some guidance to the glazers. Look at the players/coaches for the rest of the season. This way the rebuilding starts now. Why wait until after the year to start?
November 19th, 2018 at 1:58 pm
I have a really hard time making any kind of argument for Licht, other than the team is in a really good cap situation. I can make no effort for Koetter. I have never called for any coach of a team I supported to be fired, until know. I wanted Koetter/Smith gone last year.
November 19th, 2018 at 1:58 pm
Water boy, no defensive coach would be able to do anything with the garbage players that are out there. Buddy Ryan, Monte Kiffin, Vince Lombardi, etc would not be able to do anything with the talent, or lack thereof, that is out there right now. They basically look like the players that play late in the 4th quarter of preseason games 1 and 4. This is not a legitmate NFL defense the Bucs are trotting out on Sundays.
November 19th, 2018 at 2:04 pm
Ira, is it that the Bucs defense lacks talent or that the leadership of the Bucs D (coaches and players) is non-existent?! We see it all the time in the NFL….players go on to other teams and magically become good again. I think defense has given up and isn’t playing hard. Damning to all the players on the team who are professionals and shouldn’t let this happen. But I can’t imagine that we’re THIS bad on paper. Some of these players won a Super Bowl last year and made big plays. Now they’re garbage?! Doesn’t make sense. Kwon Alexander on a winning team would be a superstar. Justin Evans on a winning D with great mentors would be a pro bowler. Can’t blame Licht, in my opinion…
November 19th, 2018 at 2:04 pm
TampaBayBucFan…..Carlton
November 19th, 2018 at 2:04 pm
per NFL.com:
Offense: Tampa
TD: #7 > 34 Top 10.
FG: #28 > 11 bottom 10.
Rush: #27 > bottom 10
Rec: #1 > best
TO: #32 > -23 worst
Defense: Tampa
TD: #32 > 42 worst
FG: N/A
Rush: #14 > average
Rec: #29 > bottom 5
Best passing offense
Top 10 scoring TD’s
Bottom 10 kicking FG’s
Bottom 10 rushing
The worst in turnover margin by far (8)
The worst in TD’s allowed
Average rush defense
Bottom 5 in receiving yards allowed
Out of 8 categories
1 Best
1 Top 10
1 Average
2 Bottom 10
1 Bottom 5
2 worst
This is not a winning formula.
November 19th, 2018 at 2:12 pm
I said it back in January when Koetter was told he was coming back:
‘F#%K YOU GLAZERs!!”
November 19th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
It appears that many of the players have jumped the sinking ship. Where is the pride at least? This season has been a crap fest ever since Roger Goodell passed down his sentenced on JW. The fact is that’s where the needle should point, and start at. Too much drama and controversy. Every year it seems like something derails this teams focus and confidence. This year so many want to ignore the fact that Jameis was the culprit. Koetter was betting on him, the team was ready to rally behind him, then the let down. The defense was doing OK the first 2 games then the QB drama sprang to life. It doesn’t excuse the defenses awful play but you could hear the deflation. The locker room divided.
November 19th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
does not matter who the coach is.
talent is not there
November 19th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
I still struggle with how much of this is talent and how much is scheme. We have turned over the entire defensive roster, but the results are the same. It seems to me that we are running a passive scheme that allows opponents to do precisely what modern NFL offenses want to do – pass the football with ease. Weve wasted $88M of payroll and any talent we have accumulated to build the worst defense in franchise history around a scheme that can’t succeed in the modern NFL.
Oh, and it’s architect was the highest paid coordinator in the NFL.
Wow.
November 19th, 2018 at 3:00 pm
Vita Vea will go down as the worst defensive pick in Bucs history. Same effect on the game as Gaines Adams (2018 Gaines Adams).
November 19th, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Everyone keeps talking about James. He would be garbage in this defense. They should’ve took Davenport the best d-lineman drafted
November 19th, 2018 at 3:03 pm
Even though he has missed time
November 19th, 2018 at 3:03 pm
Vita Vea will go down as the worst defensive draft pick in Bucs history. At this point, he would have the same effect on the game as Gaines Adams (current day Gaines Adams).
November 19th, 2018 at 3:03 pm
Sapp would argue Eric Curry.
November 19th, 2018 at 3:04 pm
Re injuries and the Buc’s porous defense – “It’ll be because the guys who are there just aren’t good enough to succeed in this sorry scheme.”
And there it is, “scheme.” Coaching, game planning, utilizing schemes that maximize a player’s potential. Although there’s still the issue of QB play, our offense is off the charts good. But, we’ll never have a winning team again, until we build a solid defense and develop a modern defensive strategy to combat the explosive passing game of the new NFL. Sure, we need to plug some gaps on the defensive side of the ball, but I firmly believe the overall talent level is sufficient to have at least an average defense with a better scheme and coaching. As has been noted many times on this site, our offense can win games, if we just had an average defense.
November 19th, 2018 at 3:06 pm
My comments weren’t posting so now i look like a psycho for commenting same thing multiple times
November 19th, 2018 at 3:14 pm
PSL Bob….Our offense can’t even get us leads let alone win games. If they can win us games they have a wierd way of prooving it.
November 19th, 2018 at 4:16 pm
Tampa Bay Offense
Turnovers. 1st
November 19th, 2018 at 4:58 pm
realist
come defend your booty partners dirk and smitty!!!!!!!!!
or are you still quoting U-HAULS for the 2 of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
November 19th, 2018 at 5:04 pm
cant call VV a bust just yet…..
and smitty wouldve had d.james looking like conte had we drafted him….enough with the d.james BS…….this organization and coaching staff has no idea what to do with a player like d.james……
had he been a buc, he wouldve had 25tackles, 0picks, 0FF, 0sacks and a boat load of penalties……
hire Kris Richard so he can develop our players…offensively and defensively…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
November 19th, 2018 at 5:31 pm
Saw not one reason to keep Dirk or Smith or any of them after last season. Dirk gave up in the first half of a football game last year. Makes poor decisions every week. Doesnt know how to be a leader. No unity. This stuff was evident last year. This all could have been avoided. Sone wanted continuity. Well ya got it. Continuous bad football and continuous lousy coaching. I hope the Glazers finally fire one in season! Tonight!
November 19th, 2018 at 6:20 pm
Dirky’s big claim to fame this year will be that they beat the 15-1 Saints on their way to their second Super Bowl. What’s really sad is that the Falcons are almost as bad as the Bucs. Tough division, yeah right.
November 19th, 2018 at 6:25 pm
I’ll be curious when real coaches get hired who is kept on defense
November 19th, 2018 at 6:25 pm
Been saying for 6 years this scheme is a joke. Wr’s are not even covered. Every single pass against our secondary is like playing catch with your kid in the backyard. These coaches are pathetic.
I’m telling ya, when Jameis has a strong defense supporting him its playoff and championship time. Peyton Barber is a beast love the kid, WR talent is good for years to come with Godwin, Evans, humph rate and howard. They need to draft press corners, pass rushers and hire a coach that isn’t clueless.
Do that and Jameis will thrive. I find it amusing how may people can’t put two and two together to see how a defense THIS BAD….not just any bad defense but WORST DEFNES EIN THE LEAGUE. HOW CAN YOU SERIOUSLY SAY THAT THAT IS JUST AN EXCUSE FOR JAMEIS. IT WOULD CAUSE ANY QB TO BE MORE TURNOVER PRONE.
Pair that with bad coaching and staff anyone would fail in his position on the team with this staff….ANYONE!!!!!
#DEFENSEFORJAMEIS2019!!!!!#
November 19th, 2018 at 6:28 pm
Joe Says:
November 19th, 2018 at 3:03 pm
Vita Vea will go down as the worst defensive pick in Bucs history.
Sapp would argue Eric Curry.
Ever hear of a guy named Booker Reese?
November 19th, 2018 at 6:28 pm
813bucboi Says :and smitty wouldve had d.james looking like conte had we drafted him….enough with the d.james BS…….this organization and coaching staff has no idea what to do with a player like d.james……
This is EXACTLY why I want licht to stick around. How much talent is being poorly coached and ruined and being automatically labeled a bust. Put flat tires on a cadillac and its gonna ride like SHLT!!!
This coaching staff are as worthless as a set of four flat tires ruining these players one by one.
November 19th, 2018 at 9:08 pm
You mean worst defense in NFL history.
November 20th, 2018 at 12:18 am
Tampa Bay defense has gone 7 games without forcing a turnover.
7 GAMES IN A ROW!
Saints: 2 fumbles lost
Eagles: 2 fumbles lost
Steelers: 1 int
Bears: NOTHING
Falcons: NOTHING
Browns: 1 fumble > special team fumble by Peppers on punt return
Bengals: NOTHING
Panthers: NOTHING
Redskins: NOTHING
Giants: NOTHING
and don’t get me started on the 42 TD’s allowed and 89% redzone TD % allowed.
November 20th, 2018 at 1:23 am
JimmyJack Says:
November 19th, 2018 at 1:21 pm
And I would have put #41(Minter?) In after that big hit. Don’t care his position I would have gotten him onto the field for one of our unprepared LBs.
At least 41 looked prepared and aware. That was better then any LB that played for us this game.
Our defense is unprofessional. Frauds
agree 100%. Lets reward players that are playing hard regardless of their salary or where they where drafted. Everyone has a different talent level but EVERY player can give 110% and you would see a big difference. Unfortunately some just want their game checks until they are on vacation in 6 weeks.