Punishing Defensive Numbers
December 29th, 2020
Eye-popping production
From downtown Lakeland to the shores of Lake Tarpon, standards have been jacked up for the Buccaneers’ performance.
Some fans even think the Bucs defense needs a lot of work.
A look at this season’s defensive data, therefore, is likely to turn a few heads.
First, the Bucs lead the NFL in every meaningful rush-defense statistic: yards per rush allowed, rushing touchdowns, total yards, etc.
As for total yards and points, the Bucs ranked seventh in fewest points allowed and sixth in yards. So it’s a lock that the Bucs will finish with a top-10 defense.
(Yeah, Joe supposes the Falcons could put up 45 points and 700 yards on the Bucs on Sunday, but that’s not going to happen.)
Tampa Bay ranks fourth in forcing turnovers and fifth in interceptions. They’re also third in sacks, which is music to Joe’s ears.
The weakness? Pass coverage. Joe believes that’s primarily a talent issue, one that will be addressed in the offseason.
Take a bow, Todd Bowles. It’s well deserved considering the defense you inherited.
December 29th, 2020 at 1:08 pm
Still way too much zone defense for my liking especially when your corners and LB’s struggle with it
December 29th, 2020 at 1:08 pm
To be fair, our pass defense has been an issue going all the way back to Schiano so this isn’t really anything new.
It’s temporarily improved in some years, and been bottom-3 during others. I do think we have some young guys with real talent / potential. Winfield is gonna be a stud. Davis and Dean are at least above average, with some flashes of greatness.
A consistent pass rush really helps, especially if you can get pressure from just rushing 4 guys. Vea is definitely missed.
December 29th, 2020 at 1:09 pm
Can you imagine if man beast aka: Tevita Tuliʻakiʻono Tuipulotu Mosese Vaʻhae Fehoko Faletau Vea aka: Vita Vea had not been injured….dang!!
December 29th, 2020 at 1:10 pm
no slight on the defense, but I would wager a good amount of their numbers are when games are out of reach and padding stats in the second half. Their average, and I say that with respect, when the game is early and the other team is in the fight. I blame it mostly on the scheme though.
They never let them hunt until the game is out of hand or at the tide has shifted.
They are, as the offense, still predictable and gaining the confidence to dominate.
December 29th, 2020 at 1:24 pm
most of our yards allowed probably came from the Aints games , and one quarter of tyreek hill, lol.
December 29th, 2020 at 1:46 pm
IMO… the success of the balance of the season will be run blocking… the post season success will live or die by the ability to run the ball at will…
December 29th, 2020 at 1:50 pm
Fix the pass D with Patrick Surtain II. Just like Antoine Winfield…Surtain’s father starred as a DB in the NFL.
Put two super talented kids of stars in that defensive backfield and you’d have one of the best safeties and one of the best CB’s…we have enough talent to fill out the rest.
December 29th, 2020 at 2:06 pm
Our defense would be even stronger if the players used the bathroom before the game instead of at halftime…..
Vs Detroit….players used it during the game and did big #2s on the Lions…..
December 29th, 2020 at 2:11 pm
Not necessarily a talent issue. Look at the stats on Davis and Dean. They’re still very good when targeted. SMB has been awful but improving. Winfield has really slumped regardless of whether people have e seen it or not. The biggest change might be getting Mike Edwards on the field more. QBs have something like a 32 rating when targeting receivers in his area. I like Whitehead and Winfield but QBs ratings are well over 100 in their areas. More talent? Not necessarily. More seasoning? Definitely. A young CB to battle for reps would be nice but not an early round priority.
December 29th, 2020 at 2:21 pm
Bowles has been great with the exception of the first quarter of the Chiefs game when he inexplicably tried to cover Hill with Davis one on one (maybe DPOY Gillmore could cover Hill one on one but I doubt it).
It is a young secondary, and some, particularly Dean, struggle with tackling at times. This means we really can’t play press man coverage, and are mostly going to play zone to avoid getting beat deep (which is the right thing to do).
December 29th, 2020 at 2:28 pm
Whether its coaching or talent, the Bucs corners appear many times to be out of position or running with receivers with no idea where the ball is. They are horrible in zone. Whats worse? Getting beat for the occassional big play or watching teams complete 15 yard passes and march all the way down the field and tire out defense?
I’d pick my poison and rush White and David far more often than they do. Barrett hasn’t been as much of an impact on the pass rush and its really been White who has made the key sacks so take the guy out of coverage and use him as a more than part-time pass rusher. You put more pressure on QB’s and playing man isn’t as scary.
December 29th, 2020 at 2:42 pm
I agree with Ed!
December 29th, 2020 at 3:38 pm
When you boast the league’s best run defense and the offense is able to score at will, the opposing team is going to throw the ball a lot. So pass defenders typically take a hit in the stats. So, you really have to focus on overall defensive stats, and I feel pretty good about the numbers Joe laid out in his post. Top-10 defense and an all-star offense. IF everyone plays to their potential, no reason why we shouldn’t make it at least to the Conference championship and, hopefully, to the big show. GO BUCS!
December 29th, 2020 at 3:52 pm
Do a lot of blitzing against a Brees, Rodgers or Mahomes, and they will pick apart a weak zone D.
Blitz a lot against a Wilson or Hioll, and he will hurt you with their legs.
Not worried about that Rams guy who had thumb surgery on his throwing hand…
To make it to the SB this team better tighten the pass D bigly.
December 29th, 2020 at 4:07 pm
I agree, this defense is much better than I thought it would be. It’s still maddening seeing how basically every pass opposing qbs throw is completed. Good thing we no longer have VH3. That poor guy sucked so much he probably wont have a job next season, it’s great to see him being bad for another team. Remember when he got released and signed with Houston and said it was great to play games that mattered again? lmao
December 29th, 2020 at 4:29 pm
The issue is that the Bucs defense is running up its stats against bad offenses. Outside of the Packers game, the Bucs defense has sucked against good offenses, and I think it’s mainly due to Bowles coaching cowardly and just playing soft. In that Packers game they were aggressive, I think it’s the last time we saw David blitzing (J Watson has more sacks than David since that game – which is a disgrace). Against the Chiefs at the end of the game when the Bucs had to get the ball back, what did Bowles do? He played a soft zone, brought no pressure, just let them run the clock out. In pressure situations Bowles chickens out because he’s more worried about making mistakes than making plays. NO that doesn’t mean he should play a cover 0 on the last play of the game like the Jets – but when it’s 3rd and 6 and the game is over if you don’t get the ball back, bring pressure – don’t sit in a soft zone and give up an easy 10 yards.
December 29th, 2020 at 4:38 pm
our weakness is the nickle cb imo….SMB isnt quick enough to play inside….keep SMB and Dean outside….we need to draft a cb like asante samuel jr….a small lighting quick cb that can cut on a dime and drive on the ball…..
GO BUCS!!!!
December 29th, 2020 at 5:01 pm
This secondary is trash.
December 29th, 2020 at 5:29 pm
DBs are not a talent issue but rather a technique issue. I can count on my hands how many times they are in man and two yards off the receiver. They need to be on the line of scrimmage and get their hands on the receivers knocking them off their routes and forcing them into favorable coverages on the back end.
December 29th, 2020 at 5:40 pm
Giving up tds at 67% rate in the red zone will hold this team back as well as not bring able to get themselves off the field on 3rd and long and 4th down as well. Teams run to keep us honest they know the way is thru the air.
December 29th, 2020 at 5:47 pm
There’s a lot of talent in the secondary like Whitehead, etc. But, he’s disappeared. Why’s that as he isn’t injured. This defense is maturing. Bowles has only been here for TWO seasons.
December 29th, 2020 at 7:21 pm
Sometimes I’m amazed of all the on-line “coaches” that come to this pages to tell Arians what to do. Its hilarious . Like if he doesn’t know what to do. Guys, he got us to the playoff. Have been coach of the year . Lmao.
December 29th, 2020 at 7:39 pm
@Wesley … “This secondary is trash.”
And yet, this Bucs defense is ranked #7 in Points Allowed and #6 in Total Yardage Allowed. Yup, pure trash Wesley.
December 29th, 2020 at 8:56 pm
Get a shut down corner in free agency and with Vea coming back next year they’ll be set. Davis is a physical corner who makes splash plays , his weakness is lack of speed.
December 29th, 2020 at 11:14 pm
What is a “shut down” corner? A totally meaningless phrase. Like “gameplan” and “leadership.”
Is the other corner not a shut down corner?
December 30th, 2020 at 12:24 am
They have some talent at safety and cornerback. They definitely need another DB who can cover though.
At this point, in no particular order, I would say the priority in the first few rounds of the draft are DB, DL, OL, QB.
Personally I would like to see them take Kyle Trask to sit for a year behind Brady. Then in the second round whatever is best out of those 3 other positions.
My guess would be DB & DL in rd 2-3 with OL in 4. It seems easier to find good 0L in the middle rounds.