Radical Secondary Use Looms?
July 3rd, 2019
Bucs DC Todd Bowles.
Yes, yes, yes. Joe knows Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was not the defensive coordinator of the Jets when he ran the show in New Jersey.
However, Joe is going to guess that then-Jets defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers (now Bucs defensive line coach) wasn’t going to run a defense that would make Bowles bristle in his briefs.
Bryan Knowles over at Football Outsiders did some research into what type of defense teams ran last year in the secondary, whether it was a standard two-corner/two-safety set (“base”), a nickel package with three corners and two safeties or a dime package that utilizes six defensive backs.
Last year, per Knowles’ digging, the Bucs, under disgraced defensive coordinator Mike Smith for five games, ran a base package 31 percent of the time, that was sixth-most in the NFL. Only two teams (Rams and Seahawks) made the playoffs running “base” that often or more.
The Bucs used a nickel defense 57 percent of the time, near the lower end of the ladder at No. 22. Dime package? The Bucs used that 10 percent of the time, or 15th in the NFL.
The Jets, under Bowles and Rodgers, ran a nickel defense far more than the Bucs.
Some 21 percent of the time (22nd) the Jets ran a base defense. The Jets used nickel 75 percent of the time, seventh-most in the NFL. The Jets rarely ran dime, which accounted for 3 percent of their defensive calls, 22nd most in the NFL.
So per last year’s numbers, the Bucs will be in a nickel defense far more often in 2019.
This may also explain why the Bucs drafted two corners on the second night of the draft.
July 3rd, 2019 at 9:07 am
I suspect that unpredictability of the D formation/strategy on each play is key. I think that is the plan here. Seems that they have the players to make it work. Cannot tell where the (now more frequent) blitzes will come from. Tough for opposing offenses.
July 3rd, 2019 at 9:07 am
i dont care if they run a quarter defense, just be effective and look like an NFL defense instead of a PAL league defense……
GO BUCS!!!!
July 3rd, 2019 at 9:15 am
So it sounds like we can probably expect to see a lot of 3-3-5 this year, with some 4-2-5 and 4-3-4 thrown in. This could be fun.
July 3rd, 2019 at 9:30 am
I’m really beginning to like the way the Bucs defense is shaping up. I’ve started celebrating the 4th early so let’s have a little fun with it. Lol.
The D-Line in the Todd Bowles 3-4 defense is essentially gap control. With Beau Allen at the nose position and Suh and Vea at the DE positions – either one will attack depending on which one draws the double team. William Gholston will be in rotation. Brutal!
The attack and electricity will come from the LBs and safeties. The draft makes that fairly obvious. OLBs Noah Spence and Shaq Barrett will come steaming off the edge with speed or when power is needed Nassib and Nelson will man the ramparts and patrol the perimeter invoking fear.
ILBs Lavonte David and Devin White will thrive and eat attacking the middle with the money backer Deone Buchannon sitting in the box for added security. Look for LVD to have his best days blitzing reminiscent of the Schiano defense.
Coming in low at altitude is the 94th aero-squadron of CBs Murphy-Bunting, Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis playing man-to man giving the D-Line time to do its damage. Meanwhile, Safeties Kentrell Brice, Justin Evans, Mike Edwards and Jordan Whitehead as post-apocalyptic bounty hunters are roaming the outback looking for any interlopers that may have escaped the first line of defense.
I may have to take a few extra drops of CBD oil to calm down. Lol. But I can’t wait to see this nine-headed Hydra in full effect. Go Bucs!
July 3rd, 2019 at 9:38 am
Yup with how many dbs we selected and the seemingly lack of edge rusher and olbs I’m assuming we will run a lot of 5 and even 6 db formations. We are fairly stout in the middle with sun, vea, David and white.. but assuming we will be rushing corners and safeties from all different parts of the field and just trying to confuse and put speed out there.
July 3rd, 2019 at 10:02 am
It is certainly in the hands of a coaching staff who have loaded resumes in the NFL. Lots to be hopeful about even if there is a slew of rookies on board now. At the same time, Lovie had a pretty good resume too. Not jumping into this pool head first this time.
July 3rd, 2019 at 10:03 am
Awesome analysis Macabee. Reference to the ’94th Aero Squadron’ threw it over the top. Loved it. To me, it’s all about OPTIONS. The more options a DC (or OC) has, the better. Bowles seems to be very skillful at creating ‘situations’ for our defensive personnel to thrive in. He’s supposedly very good at creating OPTIONS that allow players to maximize their skillsets & take advantage of situations as they develop. I’m excited too to see this ‘nine-headed Hydra’ in operation (although I am wondering now what happened to the other 2 players … is there such a thing as an 11-headed Hydra?).
July 3rd, 2019 at 10:26 am
Macabee—
That was better than porn! Thanks!
July 3rd, 2019 at 10:27 am
Be patient folks. There’s a plan.
July 3rd, 2019 at 10:43 am
They won’t show all that in preseason but will unleash it when the season starts. They then will devise new wrinkles for each adversary just like the Patriots have done successively for many years, so studying our tendencies won’t help our opposition.
July 3rd, 2019 at 10:45 am
All I know is that I won’t have to watch Brent “I’m not paid enough” Grimes sit back on his heals 12-15 yards off the LOS, back pedal for another 15 yards, then attempt some weak tackle on a receiver 35 yards down field! Nor will I have to listen to Mike “Pressbox” Smith talk about how it’s up to the players to decide where they line up. It’s up to the players? Ummm…. Sir….put down your sandwich and get the hell out of the pressbox! No – not down to the field, to your car. Head north and don’t stop until you see snow!
July 3rd, 2019 at 10:53 am
“2 words describing our stout defense
BLOWN COVERAGE
We bring in a coaching staff that was worse than us?
the Jets and Cardinals? coaching staff from losers?
Kobe believes the Gullible Bucs fanbase deserve the Glazers and Gump
They keep believing this laughable nonsense year after year. They repeat the same joke and the Bucs fanbase keep laughing
end of 2019 season we will hit rock bottom
3-12-1 (tie with Arizona but they get the #1 pick) ”
Kobe Faker
July 3rd, 2019 at 10:56 am
That is why BA threw a lot during practices at our rookies and players to learn who were smart enough to pick it all up quickly. It also forces our players to learn to focus at all times and play just as fast as they will have to play in our games that count. Right now our Rookies are in classes daily making sure they
learn all the plays so when it counts they can play very fast without thinking about it. Everything that BA is doing makes very good sense and will give him an advantage over our opponents. He is not developing just backups but so everyone can play as well as the starters so if there are a few injuries this year we won’t miss a bit!
July 3rd, 2019 at 11:01 am
Just the fact that Mike Smith being gone will make the defense much better. No more same defensive coverage called play after play.
July 3rd, 2019 at 11:24 am
I taught macabee everything he knows LOL, just kidding, been following this guy for years. Good vibes, looking forward to TC now. Go BUC’s
July 3rd, 2019 at 12:20 pm
Great strategy my Mike Smith. The league is wide open to passing because of rule changes and instead of loading up on DB’s he stays in a base defense and we wonder why we sucked so bad.
July 3rd, 2019 at 12:29 pm
@Macabee
I like the way you think!!! Got me so worked up I needed more than just CBD oil. LMAO
July 3rd, 2019 at 1:40 pm
great work Joes!
July 3rd, 2019 at 1:53 pm
Thanks Lester!
July 3rd, 2019 at 2:30 pm
mac
I love the picture you paint. Thanks for adding a bit more clarity. It is going to be a challenge to try to actually see what is going on during each play even on my 38 inch video screen at home. I am expecting the unexpected until I have seen the it over at least the first 10 games or so. Watching the plays unfold and the positive results of our new improved defense will be a joy. Of course seeing improved results is going to be best of all.
___________
Go Bucs!!!
July 3rd, 2019 at 2:52 pm
Bowles knows what he is doing.
He may not have the most talented or experienced defensive roster in the league to work with this year…
But I guaran-damn-tee that Todd Bowles is about to show us all how to make some delicious chicken salad out of Mike Smith’s chicken sh!t.
July 3rd, 2019 at 4:19 pm
Wonder when the 2020 draft stuff starts coming out?
July 3rd, 2019 at 9:48 pm
Guys with this attack style defence and the situations bowled will be putting our defenders in , I can really see us by the end of the year with 25+ INT’S & honestly 12+ FF’S….THAT is a hell of a turnaround compared to what we have been used too over this past decade..both outside starting corners get over 5 each our free safety gets 4+ our strong saftey gets 3+ our linebackers as a whole gets 6+ and throw in a couple d-lineman getting those mitts on a couple INT’S…and i really don’t think I’m stretching here..with a multi look d + pressing the QB’S into making rash mistakes , it can be done..also just wait and see , our special teams are going to be Stout for a change and I truly believe that the opportunity to make the opposing team start deep on thier side of the field will be a welcome change..jameis Winston really needs to play more like Brad Johnson and less like Vinny testaverde ! I am still really afraid that our run blocking and our running backs are going to struggle but let’s all keep a close eye on that situation because if we all see during the first 4 games that they can cut the mustard running the ball , then my friends you can count on us not folding this year and playoffs here we come ! Go bucs..still wish we would have drafted Henderson dammit !
July 4th, 2019 at 5:00 am
@maccabee
Best post in years!
Im blazing freely in Holland this week.
Until we can blaze freely, stop saying America is “free.”
George Washington grew Cannabis.
Fact.
July 6th, 2019 at 1:08 am
@Kobe Faker
You do know that ya don’t have to sign your nonsensical drivel, right? We can all see your name – and everyone elses names for that matter – at the top of your post… That’s some narcissistic stuff right there bud lmao.
And in response to your comment about our new coaching staff – Idk where you got your info from, but I’m pretty darn sure that they don’t give Coach of the Year Awards to “losers.” And it just so happens that our new head coach has 2 of those on his resume. And Todd Bowles is one of the most respected and revered defensive coaches of this decade. Do your homework before you start spewing b.s.
I’ve never understood how some people call themselves fans, yet they continuously bash and put down the team they supposedly root for… I’m a die-hard Bucs fan, through thick and thin, and I have and always will root loudly for them and be optimistic about the present and future. I love this team no matter what, and while I hate losing, you’ll mever hear me go into a season talking about how crappy our team is and how we’re gonna lose 70% of the games we play…
Take that ish elsewhere bro. Where the real fans at? These trolls out here are lame AF!!! Let’s get it Bucs! Fire the cannons! We comin!