“That’s Just Kind Of A Bedrock Principle Of Ours”
November 18th, 2020
Bucs DL coach Kacy Rodgers.
Although it may not seem like it in recent weeks, the Bucs are still pretty darn stingy against the run.
The Bucs still lead the NFL in run defense allowing 3.3 yards-per-carry, tied with the slimy Saints. Speaking in a Zoom call this afternoon, Bucs defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers said you can thank/blame Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles for the focus on stopping the run.
Rodgers has worked with Bowles for years and was his defensive coordinator when Bowles ran the Jets. He said the first thing Bowles does when he sits down with defensive assistants to develop a game plan is find out how to stop the opponent’s run game.
The rest of the defense falls into place after that task has been established, Rodgers said.
“Stopping the run is not a one-week thing, it is an all-week thing,” Rodgers said. He explained it’s a mentality the team gets from Bowles.
“It’s a total defensive mentality that starts with Todd,” Rodgers explained. “The first thing we’ve got to talk about [in coaches meetings weekly to craft gameplans] is, ‘How can we try to slow down the run?’ [That comes] before we get to coverages or pass blitzes or anything like that.
“We hark on that a lot with the guys about ‘How can we take care of the run?’ That’s just kind of a bedrock principle of ours.”
So far, the Bucs have been able to survive defending the run despite one of the best nose tackles in the game, Vita Vea, being out for the season.
Two of the last three games (Giants, Saints) the Bucs haven’t been so great against the run. Those two games may have been the worst the Bucs have played and in both, they coughed up over 100 yards on the ground, the only times they’ve done that this season.
And here come the Rams on Monday night, a team that only once this season has rushed for under 100 yards.
November 18th, 2020 at 1:38 pm
Suh needs some rest. We miss Vea.
November 18th, 2020 at 1:47 pm
I agree bojim.
November 18th, 2020 at 2:22 pm
Well of course you know what this means………………..
November 18th, 2020 at 2:30 pm
I have this feeling that we are gonna Stomp a Mudhole in the Rams.
If we can keep Donald off of Brady then i am Sure we will!!
GET OUT THERE AND DO YOUR PRO BOWL VOTING BUCS FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 18th, 2020 at 2:47 pm
Vea is the best nose tackle in the league. He didn’t just hold the line he would push it two yards back almost every play. Hope he heals well and comes back strong next year.
The Bucs have done some good things to cover his loss but we are seeing it for sure.
November 18th, 2020 at 3:03 pm
The missing Rams all-pro LT should help.
November 18th, 2020 at 3:04 pm
now learn man coverage
November 18th, 2020 at 4:24 pm
Vita Vea absence is starting to take its toll. But as Joe always says:Vea is not special.
November 18th, 2020 at 4:32 pm
An extra day off this time of year is a very good thing.
November 18th, 2020 at 4:40 pm
How lame to keep whining about Vea. He’s out. Period. And all these clowns talking about Suh as if he’s playing poorly, watch the tape. I don’t need Suh running at top speed when he can’t make the play because he’s too far away. That rah rah, every man to the ballcarrier crap is great for HS and college. But in the pros, we need smart players who know when to hold em and know when to fold em.
Shut your yaps about Suh.
November 18th, 2020 at 5:08 pm
ModHairKen….do you feel like talking about Suh? 🙂
November 18th, 2020 at 5:36 pm
Just saw a promo for NFLN’s “Total Access” tonight.
JW eating W. I kid you not. And it still looks ridiculous.
November 18th, 2020 at 6:24 pm
We should take a flyer on Vic Beasley. I’m sure he would come here in a heartbeat at minimum salary. And if he comes in and lights it up you get that extra pass rusher we need and a complete pick if it turns into a big contract from another team in the offseason. I’m sure he has to be a step up from the backups we have. Seems like everyone loves playing here and are having fun. And that is when players play there best. When they can just get after the qb. The dude had 15.5 sacks not to long ago and is still youngly and extremely athletic even for nfl standards
November 18th, 2020 at 6:24 pm
Compensatory pick
November 18th, 2020 at 8:23 pm
Compensatory picks are stupid and should be done away with. The Pats would win Super Bowls and get a 3 & 4 extra pick every time. It makes zero sense, the formula is flawed. As long as the defense does their individual jobs and doesn’t get caught out of position, they’ll be fine. The DB’s can really play well but they sure make boneheaded moves at times that lead to big plays and scores.
November 18th, 2020 at 8:24 pm
Agree with the above about Suh needing rest. Hopefully having the extra day this week, and not having to travel will give the big guy some extra juice.
November 18th, 2020 at 9:25 pm
I am not high on Bowles. He sent too many guys close to the box resulting more long catch. So his strategy can help to win the so so team it cannot win the elite team even with good players.
November 18th, 2020 at 10:17 pm
Matt Gay signed with the Rams…..
November 18th, 2020 at 10:51 pm
We’ve been giving up almost 90 rushing yards a game since Vea was hurt.
November 19th, 2020 at 2:18 am
Hey saints co-lead the league because we chose to not even attempt to run at them for an entire game! Thank Leftwhich and BA for that, Mr. Bowles and crew!
November 19th, 2020 at 2:23 am
I hate to put this out there but sometimes when guys begin to fatigue from the grind they have a tendency to pace themselves and limit the amount of full contact. I guess it’s a form of autopilot. This explains why they can go from hero’s to chumps and back to hero in a 3 week swing. Only really good and talented teams can possibly cruise into their division championship basically playing at a .500 record. I don’t know if the Bucs can play .500 ball, play less physical and expect to win a wildcard. But then again, if the do cruise in and make the playoffs totally healthy surely gives them an edge and increases their chances to take it deep. …and with Tom, I love my chances after that!