Bruce Arians: Pass Rush Can Do Better
December 28th, 2020
Bucco Bruce Arians
My, Joe cannot begin to say how refreshing this was.
No, it wasn’t Joe’s shower of the day. But the words from Bucco Bruce Arians may as well been a soothing hot shower for Joe.
Regular readers here know Joe has an erection for sacks. Your defense could be average to below average, but with a pass rush you can win games.
A strong pass rush is the great equalizer.
So today Arians was asked about the Bucs having 47 sacks through 15 games. Arians said that’s nice but his defense can do better.
“I think it’s what we’re capable [of],” Arians said of 47 sacks. “But I think we’re actually capable of more. We’ve let some quarterbacks get away from us when we had hands on them. Again, it is multiple. When you’ve got Will [Gholston], [Ndamukong] Suh, the other three guys and [Jeremiah] Ledbetter getting one – whoever’s getting one-on-one, you better win.
“The multiplicity of that, I think, is what makes it dangerous. You can’t chip all five guys – you can only chip one of them – so they’re usually chipping JPP [Jason Pierre-Paul] or Shaq [Barrett]. That multiplicity of being able to bring different people makes you kind of unique.
“When you stop the run, you get the chance to rush the passer. That’s the whole point – stop the run and let’s get after them. It’s a two-handed fist.”
And this is why Joe is lobbying for more blitzing from inside linebacker Devin White.
White is damn strong against the run. He’s recently proven he’s good at blitzing the quarterback. As for pass coverage? So far it’s not White’s thing.
So if he struggles in coverage, why ask the guy to do something he’s not so good at? Let him rush the quarterback where he’s excelling?
Sure, offenses pay attention to JPP (9.5 sacks) and Shaq (eight sacks). But teams don’t have the manpower to double-team three guys if White (nine sacks) is blitzing too.
No such thing as too many sacks.
Just think, three years ago the Bucs had 22 sacks — total! Now they are on the cusp of having three guys with double digits.
December 28th, 2020 at 6:15 pm
Run blocking has to do better!
December 28th, 2020 at 6:23 pm
We are definitely missing Vita Vea……his push up the middle makes a huge difference…..A few more blitzes from Winfield would help…..Bring it.
So….Joe has had 47 erections this year…..or is that one erection that lasts throughout the game….just asking….
All of you at Big Storm…..be very careful.
December 28th, 2020 at 6:33 pm
I agree 1000%
Have devin white attack all game. Dude can fly. And bring winfield on the outside to mix it up.
December 28th, 2020 at 6:35 pm
You have an erection for sacks? The jokes write themselves.
December 28th, 2020 at 6:56 pm
lol
December 28th, 2020 at 6:59 pm
Exactly what TBBF said. Look at how much Suh’s production has dropped since Vea went out.
December 28th, 2020 at 7:09 pm
Yes, White will be the catalyst for a pass rush. If teams have to pay attention to where the Mike AND White is it’s gonna make it more difficult on them, PLUS getting off that super soft serve zone coverage that almost guarantees a completion against this defense!
December 28th, 2020 at 7:16 pm
Love the enthusiasm over sacks, but damn; they’re 3rd in the league!! I’m as greedy as anyone else but let’s be realistic here. How about we get greedier over INTs or forced fumbles or something else gamechanging that we aren’t already top-3 in?
December 28th, 2020 at 7:19 pm
Leroy, coach was answering a question, not saying those things aren’t important! Why u gotta piss in the punch bowl?
December 28th, 2020 at 7:52 pm
The Bucs will go as far into the playoffs as the pass rush earns them.
December 28th, 2020 at 7:56 pm
Agreed, big time. Pass rush needs to be better. Goff, Mahomes & Brees (twice) shredded this defense and the Bucs had four total sacks. It seems our front four can’t get to the QB consistently without blitzing. I’d dial up more blitzes against teams looking to throw the ball. If you’re going to be lit up anyway you may as well go down swinging. Even if you don’t get home, applying pressure and speeding up the QB’s clock becomes disruptive. Just saying in all those losses the opposing QB was way too comfy in the pocket.
December 28th, 2020 at 8:04 pm
I just saw that snacks Harrison was waived by Seattle because he requested it. He would be a great pick up to replace Vita.
December 28th, 2020 at 8:22 pm
Sacks and pressure are the name of the game. Sorry for thinking about the future, I’m happy in the present in that the Bucs are playoff bound, but thinking of an even better pass rush in 2021…I’d take an edge rusher in the 1st (if a good one is still available), fatten up Anthony Nelson to be a DE, him and Nacho would be in the mix as backup DE’s. I’d draft a big NT (Vea big) in the 4th or 5th Round to be Vea’s backup and understudy.
1st: Edge Rusher
2nd: OT or QB
3rd: QB or OT
4th: NT
Sign a veteran CB to mentor the young guys (Patrick Peterson, please, if the Bucs can somehow fit him into the budget)
December 28th, 2020 at 9:45 pm
Any updates on Vita? Is there a remote chance he comes back for the SuperBowl ???
December 28th, 2020 at 9:52 pm
Zero. Joe asked Arians months ago if there was a chance Vea could return for the playoff. Arians said no.
(Joe has been in touch with Vea’s people. Not even sure he’s able to fully work out yet. So for that reason alone, forgetting the bum ankle, Vea seems quite a ways away from taking a football field.)
December 28th, 2020 at 10:23 pm
Watching Belichick meltdown on MNF while Brady and the Bucs are in the playoffs is so so sweet.
December 28th, 2020 at 10:33 pm
Yep, they are about to officially be losers, death of a dynasty.
December 28th, 2020 at 11:02 pm
You just dont know how much I hate Big V not being there, but is what it is….and I agree, use White more….he’s still a hidden commodity.
December 28th, 2020 at 11:34 pm
They should get to 50 as a team. That is outstanding.
Oddly enough though, there are times when it’s been frustrating because they do have a lot of talent upfront and there has been inconsistency.
I honestly think Shaq would be sitting at about 12 sacks right now if Vea was still in the middle demanding double teams.
They also had a stretch, when they lost 4 out of 6, where it seemed they stopped blitzing so much.
Maybe it was to try to drop back in coverage to help the young DBs, I don’t know, but they need to blitz. Consistent pressure is how you help the young DBs
December 28th, 2020 at 11:57 pm
We tried to get fat snacks earlier but he rejected us for Seattle.
December 28th, 2020 at 11:58 pm
Chipbuc
December 29th, 2020 at 2:37 am
The Bucs get very little pressure with 4 rushers, yet they rush 4 a lot. No idea why since early in the year when they were having success, it certainly seemed like they blitzed more. Their 5-man blitz is OK, but they tend to have success when they’re bringing 6. Yeah, that is risky, but no riskit, no biscuit. Also I’d rather die by blitzing than just getting taken apart sitting back playing a soft zone that lets teams go straight through the defense like it’s a plastic knife through a cupcake.
Also those delayed safety blitzes pretty much never work, get the guys on the line and let them rush. Except for White, he seems to have a knack for taking a moment and then exploding through the line.
December 29th, 2020 at 8:28 am
How good was the avatar piece last night on Monday night football? Brady in the Bucs uniform and Bill knocking on the door reminiscing and Brady slams the door. Best part was the GOAT door knocker. Epic! How do you like me now Billy?
December 29th, 2020 at 9:25 am
The one thing we did in 2002 was get after the QB man did sapp and rice terrorize QBs and make them sweat just thinking about playing us. That’s what this team has to get back to. We should have 60 sacks this season seriously. I agree with you joe send white in more but I also would like to see white work on his coverage skills. If your not good at something it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work at it tho and just do what your good at I think that’s just lazy thinking
December 29th, 2020 at 11:34 am
You’ve inspired me, Joe.
December 29th, 2020 at 11:37 am
Never thought I would ever be rooting for Dallas or Philly let alone both on the same day😳
Would be nice to get a playoff win in balmy Texas and then a home game against another wild card winner… Go seeds 6 and 7!