“When We Tackled, He Tackled Well”
September 9th, 2020
We all know that in many ways, Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians is old school.
So it warmed Joe’s heart to know tackling was a difference in Mike Edwards losing a potential starting gig to rookie Antoine Winfield.
Joe was mildly surprised by Winfield being listed atop the Bucs’ opening day depth chart. Not because Joe doesn’t think he shouldbe . Joe’s been clear from the day the Bucs drafted Winfield that he was and is a baller. But while watching practices in training camp, Joe saw Edwards (and D’Cota Dixon) play at safety as much if not more than Winfield with the first-team defense.
To hear Arians speak about Winfield and Edwards yesterday, it came down to tackling, and it seemed like one tackle made the difference.
“He was around the ball every day,” Arians said of Winfield. “He was creating fumbles. he was getting interceptions. When we tackled, he tackled well. He showed his multiple position flexibility.
“Mike did a heck of a job too. Mike just missed a tackle. But that’s what happens right now.”
Joe is has never heard of a guy losing a starting job because of one missed tackle in practice. That’s razor-thin competition.
It also tells Joe that second-year Edwards should be good depth, if he lost the battle of starting safety over one missed tackle.
And thankfully, Arians and the Bucs are emphasizing a fundamental that has all but wilted away in the 21st century: tackling.
September 9th, 2020 at 11:50 am
We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact a depth chart doesn’t always equate to who plays the downs once the whistle blows, and can change in one game, one play even. Lack of preseason to really evaluate guys will make these depth charts much more fluid than usual. While I like that Winfield and guys like RoJo are currently at the top, I’d be surprised if that lasts long, especially with the talent behind them. Still, I hope it does because it means they are playing well, especially key for the high picks, younger guys.
September 9th, 2020 at 11:58 am
well you can see it like that joe….
imo, it sounds like he’s right behind mj stewart….
GO BUCS!!!!
September 9th, 2020 at 12:31 pm
Roy T Buford says: “While I like that Winfield and guys like RoJo are currently at the top, I’d be surprised if that lasts long, especially with the talent behind them.”
RoJo is our starting back. Nothing Joe, or anyone else for that matter, says will change that. RoJo is better player than Leonard Fournette. Fournette accumulative stats was a result of use, no skill. I willing to get when the last game of the season is played, when ever that is, RoJo and Winfield will still be the starters at their position, minus some kind of extended injury.
September 9th, 2020 at 12:34 pm
At very worst, Mike Edwards can be a descent backup safety.
September 9th, 2020 at 12:58 pm
Pretty sure there will be a rotation between the 3
Whitehead , edwards and winfield
After a game or two the cream will rise to the top.
September 10th, 2020 at 12:25 pm
injuries are inevitable and what we lack in proven elite play\players in the secondary we make up for in athleticism and depth. winfield’s ability as a nickel CB means that any injury to a CB or safety puts Edwards back on the field
September 10th, 2020 at 12:26 pm
if there is a safety rotation, let’s just hope it’s handled better than Mike Smith handled it. As a former Safety, i think Todd Bowles can be trusted to do the right things with the group he’s got