Shaq Indirectly Helping
September 24th, 2020
Not invisible.
Shaq Barrett may not be getting sacks but others are because teams are so freaked out by him.
This was a talking point for Bucco Bruce Arians yesterday. Last year’s NFL sack king has been shut out through two games. This is sort of expected. Only really, really stupid coaches would not key on the defending NFL sack leader.
But there are only so many blockers for each offensive play. If an offense is throwing two or three guys at Shaq every passing down, that means someone isn’t getting blocked. And Arians said that is exactly what is happening.
The Bucs are getting sacks from their interior defensive linemen, where that really wasn’t the case last year. And Arians said that’s because Shaq is drawing blockers.
“That helps a bunch,” Arians said of the attention Shaq draws. “Those guys [in the interior] worked their tails off in the offseason to get bigger [and] stronger, working on their toolbox [and] getting better moves.
“The attention that Jason [Pierre-Paul] and Shaq [receive] is sometimes going to open it up for those inside guys. They’re going to pressure that pocket and those outside guys are going to continue to get their sacks, also.”
So far Jason Pierre-Paul has been able to get loose for two but none yet for Shaq. Will that change in Denver where the Broncos are beat up and also starting a backup quarterback?
September 24th, 2020 at 2:51 am
“Only really, really stupid coaches would not key on the defending NFL sack leader.“
Oh man, which Bucs coach is this referencing?
September 24th, 2020 at 5:37 am
The only stat that matters is the final score.
All these losers worrying about Gronk not getting passes or Shaq not having a sack or Brady not having 400 yards: Check yourself.
September 24th, 2020 at 6:42 am
Complimentary football. Ahhh….so refreshing…
Go Bucs!
In BA I Trust!
September 24th, 2020 at 8:42 am
Joe,
Remind me, in the past how many back up QB’s have had a field day against our Bucs?
Let’s not count our chickens just yet
September 24th, 2020 at 8:59 am
SACK PARTY IN DEN!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 24th, 2020 at 9:05 am
I’d take sacks and pressure up the middle vs. sacks and pressure from our end’s any day of the week.
QB’s are trained to “step up” into the pocket when facing a rush from the ends. Having pressure right up the middle changes all of that, and forces a QB to move laterally, which dramatically impacts how they the locate and throw to targets downfield.
September 24th, 2020 at 10:28 am
Shaq is still coming off like a bat out of hell from the edge. He’s been close to a sack and has had a few QB hits. Sacks from him will come.
It can’t be denied that JPP and Shaq cause havoc for the QB. It’s not like Teddy B. is incapable of being mobile in the pocket. He was running for his life and relying heavily on his arm strength/talent last week. One example was the potential sack turned to pass/toss/flip to CMC as Teddy gets creamed and CMC goes for a nine yard gain to lead to 3rd and short.
September 24th, 2020 at 11:30 am
@BucMinister, I started putting together a list the other day. Off the top of my head:
Kellen Clemens
Matt Moore
Teddy Bridgewater
Casey Keenum
Nick Foles
Derek Anderson
Kyle Allen
Kurt Cousins
Brett Huntley
Mason Rudolph
Daniel Jones
And I’m sure there are others I’m forgetting
September 24th, 2020 at 11:39 am
Not seeing offenses ‘throwing two or three guys at Shaq’ every play. He’s being handled one-on-one most plays. Heck, I saw him easily blocked by a TE against the Panthers. Step it up Shaq!
September 24th, 2020 at 11:48 am
Sacks are great but I was digging the turnovers in CAR. I’m curious if the Bucs can continue the trend of forcing fumbles and getting INTs.
September 24th, 2020 at 12:15 pm
Don’t remember three sacks in a game from Bucs interior linemen in a very long time. Hope this continues. Shaq and JP are disruptive which should result in more sacks for the other guys on passing downs. But stopping the running game is first priority.
September 24th, 2020 at 1:25 pm
As I have said before. This is the defense that will become the yardstick of all defenses. They just simply have to realize it themselves.
Most of the components in the end will be Hall of Famers.
Brate is a luxury by the way. Most teams would have pawned him off by now but the Buccaneers wisely still have him.
September 24th, 2020 at 3:10 pm
Do you even watch the games? Or do you just pick the guy your most attracted to and wait for their stats so you can talk them up?? Dude, Shaq as much as I love him, has been getting one on ones like 70% of the time and can’t beat it!! He’s looking more like the come in player Denver (who btw obviously know how to spot good linemen) thought he was… I hope that changes but by actually watching the game you can see he was an afterthought for the Panthers after the 1st quarter…. Even Bridgewater successfully blocked him dude!! That is pathetic!! Start rotating him with Nelson more and Shaq will maybe find that mojo again!!!
September 24th, 2020 at 3:14 pm
Unbelievable… Good list!! Lol …. Look at how many of those players got their start by destroying the bucs!!! 🤣 …. Some of them went on to be pretty good QBs!!! Playing the bucs is a spring board for up and coming QBs …. Hopefully the beginning of changing that starts Sunday!!! Then on to the next rookie QB who is looking to have a field day!!!