Aqib Talib, Bruce Arians Agree
October 29th, 2020
Former Bucs first-round pick Aqib Talib has 10 career pick-sixes, five Pro Bowl seasons and played in two Super Bowls. But perhaps more important, he has a new podcast.
Call To The Booth is a fun listen and, with Talib as host there’s plenty of talk about defensive backs and receivers. Talib also ranks the top-5 defensive backfields in the NFL each week and this week the Bucs’ No Fly Zone checks in at No. 4 overall, after ranking No. 3 following the Bucs’ thrashing of Green Bay.
What a stunning turnaround it’s been for Bucs corners and safeties. And it feels like it’s across the board, though Sean Murphy-Bunting has struggled a bit. Last week on a Buccaneers.com film review, Rondé Barber was gushing about safety Jordan Whitehead and how he’s underrated.
Bucco Bruce Arians was filled with pride for the unit last night on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“That young secondary, they took their lumps last year, but they really, really matured the second half of the season and they’re playing lights out right now,” Arians said.
Tampa Bay leads the NFC with nine interceptions, and the starters are all 24 and younger and seem to take a step in their growth every few weeks.
October 29th, 2020 at 9:20 am
pass rush and secondary go hand in hand….
very pleased with the secondary and the job the coaches have done developing these guys…
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 29th, 2020 at 9:33 am
A lead + Pass Rush = many more Int’s by this growing young secondary. GO BUCS!!!!
October 29th, 2020 at 9:37 am
I think most of us thought those 2 DB heavy drafts were a bad dream and had most of us scared/mad.
No big names and a couple of who the eff?
Here’s Licht trying to get cute again in the 2nd round.
SMB has regressed but otherwise very solid unit and
Winfield is gonna be great.
But congratulations are in order to those who had the balls to do it.
I know Jason got some input from Bowles and Biscuit, but at least JL listened.
Great job!
October 29th, 2020 at 9:55 am
Carlton Davis is absolutely a Top 10 corner this year. He may even be top 5.
October 29th, 2020 at 9:56 am
Joe, not sure if you’ll see this but I’m wondering if you think Talib did enough and accomplished enough to earn a call from the Hall of Fame one day (not first ballot).
Probably not, but he did play in an era where playing cornerback is more difficult than decades past. Then again, he has more INTs than Darelle Revis, more defensive touchdowns than Revis, nearly as many tackles, nearly as many forced fumbles, and nearly as many passes defended.
October 29th, 2020 at 10:31 am
SMB struggles a LOT. He is always getting torched, out of position and missing tackles. And he was the reason for two costly penalties last game. He really needs to tighten it up.
October 29th, 2020 at 10:42 am
Murphy Buntin is a liability. If I’m Daniel Jones I’m looking for 23 and throwing it where he’s screwing up.
October 29th, 2020 at 10:43 am
remember folks, SMB is playing the slot CB position for the 1st time….he played outside CB all last year….he’s still learning…he’ll be fine….
GO BUCS!!!!
October 29th, 2020 at 11:10 am
I believe Rhode was gushing about Mike Edwards.
October 29th, 2020 at 2:01 pm
SMB is a ball hawk but he guesses way too much and when he makes a mistake it can find him chasing an open receiver to the house. I like aggressive play but you have to balance it with knowing when to gamble.
Seems like Carlton Davis is figuring out how to slow his yellow fever or the refs are now giving him more vet benefit of the doubt…
This defensive backfield is incredibly exciting because they are not only playing lights out right now…the show the potential to get even better.
October 29th, 2020 at 3:06 pm
Where is 11 julian Edelman we need to go get him too I feel as though u left him behind
October 29th, 2020 at 3:36 pm
SMB has struggled since his injury. Last season he gave up 63% completions playing outside and in the slot (you’re wrong, BucBoi) while Dean and Davis were both 50% or below. Dean and Davis are allowing a slightly higher percent this year but SMB is allowing 85.7% lasy i checked. He really is struggling. Perhaps he moves inside full-time and Dean takes over outside?
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Whitehead and Edwards platoon down the stretch. Edwards on sure passing downs and Whitehead on run downs. Edwards is very instinctive and rangy vs the pass and Whitehead a force near the LOS.
October 29th, 2020 at 3:44 pm
Being a Patriots fan my whole adult life…I have to think that the only thing that is pulling the Buccs together is a motivated, mature QB that can teach them all how to becomes winners… like he has been for so many years. Go Buccs!
October 29th, 2020 at 4:00 pm
brandon
im wrong?…how so?…
vhg was our starting outside CB and flipped to playing slot on 3rd down….once he was released SMB took over outside with mj stewart and edwards rotating in the slot….stewart was canned and edwards moved to FS…now on 3rd down, SMB goes inside and Dean plays outside…
sure SMB had “snaps” at slot in 2019 but 2020 is his 1st time being a starting in the slot….that requires a different technique…things happen faster inside….
he’ll breakthru this year….
remember, if not for a penalty SMB wouldve gotta the 1st INT of the season vs the saints….he made a beautiful play on the ball and kept his feet in bounds….
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 29th, 2020 at 5:45 pm
^ i think what he was saying is that SMB plays outside except for 3rd downs when he moves into the slot and Dean goes outside.
I’d like to see Dean just starting on outside, personally.
But I also recognize SMB is injured, and his decline in play has definitely coincided with that injury.
October 29th, 2020 at 7:17 pm
cabbie-punching?
granny-hassling?
It’s seems like only yesterday.
How old is JBF now?
October 29th, 2020 at 7:18 pm
Davis is definitely top10 . Dean,Edwards,Whitehead ,Winfield Jr have all improved. The only weakness of the secondary right now seems to be SMB. Not sure if he’s nursing an injury or not but he’s not looking good.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:00 pm
They’re working as a team of Playing 5 yrs plus & new. They seem to have it together TB12 GO BUCS !!!!!