Bruce Arians On Why Bucs Pass Defense Is Getting Torched
September 21st, 2021
Bucs coach Bruce Arians winces referencing mistackles.
In consecutive games to open the 2021 season, the Bucs’ pass defense has coughed up 391 yards to the Cowboys and 293 to the Dixie Chicks.
Meanwhile, the rush defense is as stingy as ever allowing 60 and 55 yards, respectively.
Jason Pierre-Paul, Vita Vea and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka are looking for their first sacks. What in the name of pistol-packing, guitar-strumming Da’Quan Bowers is going on here?
Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians discussed this yesterday. He is focused on two factors. The biggest one is, teams have just about given up trying to run on the Bucs.
“I think it’s just the hundred-and-some passes we’ve had thrown against us because they’re not running the football anymore,” Arians said of the Bucs’ suddenly vulnerable pass defense. “It’s one of those things.
“I thought our front four played really, really well. We got a lot of pressure, tipped a lot of balls. We got three interceptions, two of them off tipped balls. I think it’s just the volume of passes that we’re seeing. …
“We’ve got to tackle a little bit better but, no, those numbers, I think for 100 and whatever passes we’ve seen now in a couple weeks, yeah, we’re going to give up some yards.”
The number of passes the Cowboys and Dixie Chicks put in the air against the Bucs is certainly an issue. The other is the type of passes.
Both the Cowboys and the Dixie Chicks were mostly throwing short passes against the Bucs. It doesn’t take five- or seven-step drops to throw short passes, meaning it is much harder for pass rushers to get to the quarterback.
Joe fully expects this trend to continue Sunday in Los Angeles.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:03 am
Exactly, we’re gonna have to win games 42-38 every week unless the Secondary gets it going. No need to run vs Bucs
September 21st, 2021 at 8:04 am
Coach knows-
Just make opponents settle for FG’s , keep pressure on and get turnovers.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:06 am
The “tackling “ is shameful!
They need to watch film of the 2001 Buccaneers or ANY other NFL team from back in the day.
Absolutely NO hit a wrap up!
September 21st, 2021 at 8:14 am
Medicated Pete Says:
September 21st, 2021 at 8:03 am
Exactly, we’re gonna have to win games 42-38 every week unless the Secondary gets it going. No need to run vs Bucs
^^^^^^^^^^^^
What team has scored 38 on the Bucs? The average is 27 points per game vs. the Bucs, so far.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:16 am
Bucs need to find a way to slip some of @Medicated Pete’s pills into Stafford’s pregame protein shake.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:19 am
I watched the Ram game, the Colts had 1st and goal twice and got 0 zero points, Wentz had a goofy interception, it was shovel pass thrown directly to a Ram D lineman. And other ClusterF plays too
Glad to see that, so the Rams are not some super team yet anyways.
With just 2 field goals the colts win by 3.
Again 1st and goal 2 times, and the Colts crapped the bed.
Last year McVey called short quick passes for most of the game that the Rams played last year against the Bucs.
So the Secondary will get a ton of short passes from Stafford. But also 20 yard lasers too.
Also lets not forget Brady still looked a little shaky at the time of the Ram game.
And as we know, Brady admittely did not real have a full grasp on the play book.
45-42 type game I believe, but we will see.
GO BUCS!!!!!!!
September 21st, 2021 at 8:21 am
The DBs and the playcalling need to step it up a bit. There were a few blitzes called mostly in the Dallas game that would have resulted in a sack if the DBs werent 10yards off the WRs. You cant give 5 to 6 yards for easy completion every snap. Mixed it up a bit play some snaps in tighter coverage. The Defense is not where i was expexting them to be. Go Bucs.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:22 am
Bowles will find a cure for this. The great run defense kind of dictates the way the teams have to attack the Bucs..
September 21st, 2021 at 8:22 am
Throw it to Bert Emanuel
September 21st, 2021 at 8:28 am
Points are the only statistic that I really care about.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:29 am
Well the first game of the season set the short passing trend for Bucs opponents. It pretty much negates the Bucs excellent pass rush. And it attacks our defense at its weakest point. However, I hope all the focus against the Bucs secondary will gradually improve their play. The more you play against a system the more you can anticipate and defend against it. If you can’t get to the qb as often then drop JPP back into pass coverage. Move Shaq and Tyron around to confuse blocking assignments. I am not a coach, but the Bucs should be able to adjust for the short drops and short passes.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:30 am
@BA … ““I think it’s just the hundred-and-some passes we’ve had thrown against us because they’re not running the football anymore,” Arians said of the Bucs’ suddenly vulnerable pass defense. “It’s one of those things.”
Sorry, teams did exactly the same thing last year & the year before (pass as opposed to run on the Bucs), but thus far in 2021 we’re giving up over 72% completions. Granted that both Dak Prescott & Matt Ryan are very good QBs, but that’s no excuse IMO for letting receivers run wide open in the middle of the field.
If you look at the defensive standings after 2 games, Bucs are overall #24 in Points Allowed & #23 in Total Yardage Allowed. Bad as that sounds, we’re worse in terms of total 1st downs surrendered (#29). Just as bad, we’re 3rd in the league in blitzing percentage (29.5%) but we’ve only got 9 total Pressures to show for it (2 sacks, 1 Hurry & 6 QB Knockdowns) … for a #19 ranking there. Our blitzing isn’t being effective obviously, and it seems likely that it’s negatively-impacting pass coverage.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:33 am
@BA … ““I think it’s just the hundred-and-some passes we’ve had thrown against us because they’re not running the football anymore,” Arians said of the Bucs’ suddenly vulnerable pass defense. “It’s one of those things.”
Sorry but teams did exactly the same thing last year & the year before (pass as opposed to run on the Bucs), however thus far in 2021 we’re giving up over 72% completions. Granted that both Dak Prescott & Matt Ryan are very good QBs, but that’s no excuse IMO for letting receivers run wide open in the middle of the field.
If you look at the defensive standings after 2 games, Bucs are overall #24 in Points Allowed & #23 in Total Yardage Allowed. Bad as that sounds, we’re worse in terms of total 1st downs surrendered (#29). Just as bad, we’re 3rd in the league in blitzing percentage (29.5%) but we’ve only got 9 total Pressures to show for it (2 sacks, 1 Hurry & 6 QB Knockdowns) … for a #19 ranking there. Our blitzing isn’t being effective obviously, and it seems likely that it’s negatively-impacting pass coverage.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:35 am
Teams do not even try to run the ball because it is SO easy to pass! Run stats are misleading. Teams take what you give them.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:35 am
Well it’s nice to watch people play with numbers. But that is all BS. Dallas Could and should have if their kicker was worth a damn that night. People score what they score . They were close to doing it. The way this defense is letting teams walk up and down the field 38 points is not hard to imagine.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:40 am
The DBs played much better against Atlanta. A lot of short passes, a lot of dp offs. It still needs to tighten up more
On another note, GMF… Kyle Brandt is fantastic with ANGRY RUNS ! LoL
September 21st, 2021 at 8:47 am
If teams are going to abandon the run game vs the Bucs and throw 50+ times a game don’t you think this will only help the Bucs learn how to handle this strategy and become even a more compete defensive team.
Todd Bowles is outstanding and will make this team even better.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:48 am
You’d think that if the opposing offenses are throwing a lot of short passes, that would allow Bucs’ defenders to tighten up coverage and not be as worried about the bomb. But even on short passes, there always seems to be receivers wide open. Mike Edwards’ first pick-6 was tight coverage, which allow him to jump in front of the receiver. I haven’t seen that very often in the first two games.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:50 am
There is no way to sugarcoat this…..we are a sieve……..
Without a better pass rush (we just don’t quite get there)…..there is only one thing we can do.
Play much tighter pass defense on the line….but that risks longer passes. We need to play 3 safeties & 2 CBs constantly.
On another note….maybe I missed it but has anybody discussed the horrendous coaching and clock management at the end of the half……BA called 2 time outs unnecessarily, leaving 47 second on the clock….then pooched kicked giving them the ball on the 35. We are lucky they only got a field goal.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:50 am
Throw all you want between the 20s. Its what happens in the Red Zone that matters on both sides of the ball.
What are the numbers in the Red Zone? That will tell you if we have a issue or not in the secondary.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:52 am
They should consider dropping JPP Barrett & Tryon back a little more if that’s what offenses are gonna start to do to them.
September 21st, 2021 at 9:04 am
Think Bowels knows his DBs are garbage and is scared to get torched for 60 yards a clip so he takes the 1000 paper cut mentality on defense; so he is not putting them out there 1 on 1 on that island…then the front 4 or 7 needs to get there. D White is a tremendous player and blitzing machine in this defense
September 21st, 2021 at 9:09 am
Ah, we’re back to the coulda/woulda/shoulda when it comes to points the Bucs have given up. Kickers miss kicks, you don’t get points when you don’t make it. The DBS quote is “They were close to doing it”!! You’re joking, right?
September 21st, 2021 at 9:15 am
Yes the short passing game is the way to attack this team ….. the underneath coverage and tackling are crucial here . Not gonna run on the Bucs and pressure the front is getting not allowing the deep passing game to flourish . The short pass game is the lesser option . So you will give up more completions and yac yards . Still this D has the talent to reign it all in .
September 21st, 2021 at 9:18 am
Other teams are wise to the delayed blitz up the middle. Not all teams have a blocker like Zeke waiting for it, but they know it is coming.
Bowles needs to vary it (the delayed blitz) and do some safety blitzes from the outside. Not all QBs can torch a blitz like Brady, so it will help.
We need to hurry their QB more.
September 21st, 2021 at 9:24 am
Where is the D on Yards Per Attempt Against? Only stat that matters.
September 21st, 2021 at 9:27 am
I remember during the Warren Sapp era, he told Brad Johnson, “just put up 7 points out there and we will take care of the rest….” Now, we have to put up 30+ points to win the game
September 21st, 2021 at 9:27 am
Our defense plays great football in the 4th quarter. Todd Bowles plays off coverage till he has to tighten things up. It’s not a bad philosophy. A couple of those touchdowns in the Atlanta game we’re simply Gimmes. Those of you that think our defense is a sieve would be wrong. They do what they need to do to win and other teams know it.
September 21st, 2021 at 9:51 am
Losing to the Rams wouldn’t be totally bad. I’m almost certain we’ll see them again.
September 21st, 2021 at 10:00 am
Joe in Michigan. I see you you don’t like the answer to your “Average” I did the same thing. You asked a question. You don’t like the answer. See you did not like BS either. Face it. They came that close to 38 and that close to losing. Use real numbers. Not something to try to make them look better then they are. Not they only give up about 27 to teams.
September 21st, 2021 at 10:02 am
Lets Roll … “What are the numbers in the Red Zone? That will tell you if we have a issue or not in the secondary.”
I agree; the bottom-line number is Points Allowed IMO. And the Bucs have been very good over the past 2 years at holding opponents to FGs as opposed to giving up TDs.
Thus far in 2 games however we’ve given up 5 Passing TDs, 1 Rushing TD & 4 FGs (on 6 attempts). Interestingly we rank #13 in Net Yards Allowed per Pass Attempt (6.3 yds) which isn’t all that bad, BUT … we rank dead last in terms of total 1st downs given up via the pass (36). THAT’s bad, but our opponents have thrown 106 times against us & so that equates to 34.0% (36 in 106 attempts). Not great, but quite a few other teams have given up a higher percentage (Colts for instance have given up 27 passing 1st downs on 53 passing attempts for over 50%).
The big question I think comes down to how do we reduce the effectiveness of these quick, short passing attacks. We’re putting our DLine priorities into stopping the run first & foremost, but that’ll be irrelevant I think UNTIL we start really pressuring the QBs & stopping the short pass (in 2 games our opponents have rushed against us on only 26% of their plays). We’ve for the talent in LVD & White to defend the middle much more effectively than we have. I’d think that if we blitz them less, keep them in coverage more, and keep our DBs in tighter coverage that we can throw opposing QBs off of their game plan and maybe even start getting more takeaways.
September 21st, 2021 at 10:10 am
Our CB’s are terrible plain and simple.
September 21st, 2021 at 10:17 am
All you guys that never coached football at a high level just really crack me up with your simplistic fixes, like: Todd Bowles needs to do this, BA should try this…” Y’all are dreaming and have NO CLUE as to what you are seeing and thus no idea what you are talking about. These coaches have pissed more football than you can even dream about. BTW, we are 2-0. GO BUCS! In BA and staff we trust!
September 21st, 2021 at 10:22 am
DBS: In the first 2 games, the Bucs have given up 29 and 25 points. That’s an average of 27 points a game. That’s not 38 points per game. All facts. Does the defense look good? No.
September 21st, 2021 at 10:59 am
I remember during the Warren Sapp era, he told Brad Johnson… “Just put 7 points on the board and we will take care of the rest..” BUt now, we have to put 30+ points to win a game…
September 21st, 2021 at 11:03 am
@DR: the way to stop that short passing attack is to MAKE THE TACKLE ON THE SPOT.
IMO, DB tackling is the net net weak spot, way too many YAC in short passes.
That metric is what the 2001 team excelled in: DB tackling.
September 21st, 2021 at 11:04 am
Henderson is banged up, we’re going to see some Sony Michel. So I don’t see the Rams trying to hard to run the ball either. Secondary needs to step up, but more so the pass rush.
September 21st, 2021 at 11:08 am
Cobraboy
Dead on. And when you do tackle them, make them feel it (as much as today’s game allows)
September 21st, 2021 at 11:23 am
This was Atlanta’s super bowl. They played hard and were well prepared for what the buccaneers were doing. Sometimes you have to give credit to the other guy. The difference between the haves and have-nots in the NFL is not so great except perhaps for a few teams with rookie quarterbacks.
September 21st, 2021 at 11:27 am
Cobraboy … I agree, but I thought LVD was doing a pretty good job of that most of the Falcons game. Overall though, our tackling hasn’t been all that sterling, as a team. It’ll get better fast I have a hunch.
What I still can’t figure out though is why the middle of the field was so danged open. I assumed that it was because we were blitzing, ineffectively. Might be the reason, but might not be.
For instance, against Dallas Devin White blitzed 8 times and came away with nada. Also was targeted 7 times, and allowed 7 completions. Atypical numbers for him. Against Atlanta, he blitzed 11 times and came away with 4 Pressures (3 Knockdown & 1 Hurry); better. Also was targeted 7 times, and allowed 6 completions. That means on the year QBs are averaging 92.9% completions against him, well above his career average. Maybe it’s not the blitzing, but something’s going on that needs to be improved.
September 21st, 2021 at 11:36 am
They also aren’t running because of the scoreboard. Our offense is red hot scoring 30 points a game. Teams and panicking early and abandoning the run.
This is what happens when you have a dominant, respected roster and are the defending champs. Every opponent is taking the Bucs very seriously looking for any possible advantage they can get. Teams are not playing us the same way they were playing us last year. The Bucs have to adapt to that. I don’t care what Vegas says, we are not considered underdogs to anyone. We can’t sneak up on anyone. The whole psychology and how teams approach us has changed. The offense seems more prepared for this probably because Brady is so experienced. But the defense still has to adapt.
September 21st, 2021 at 11:38 am
BamaRich Says:
“Losing to the Rams wouldn’t be totally bad. I’m almost certain we’ll see them again.”
WTH kind of talk is this?
All losses are bad. Thee end.
Bucs fans ….sheeesh!
I trust Bowles to fix the D.
September 21st, 2021 at 11:47 am
Expect a heavy does of short quick passes from the Rams. Then the occasional deep shot to Kupp. Front 4 needs to get home on the deep drops.
September 21st, 2021 at 11:58 am
The immediate problem is handing Cooper Kupp. Handing that problem is the best midterm report card imaginable. Kupp is savvy at adjusting his routes to the defense and has outstanding short-area quickness. If anyone can exploit the Buc defense in the short to intermediate levels of the field (particularly between the hash marks) it is Kupp. It’s better seeing that problem exposed now rather than later, so the Rams will be providing a much-needed diagnostic service.
September 21st, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Also doesn’t help the defense when you go 80 yards and score in 3 minutes
September 21st, 2021 at 12:07 pm
Devin White and LVD may be the answer. Direct them to the flats a little more to punish these receivers catching the short passes.
September 21st, 2021 at 12:08 pm
This already feels like a huge game, in week 3. The Rams are legit, led by an elite QB, and an all-time tackle. It’s going to be a knockdown-drag out thing. And we may we’ll cross a paths again in January.
September 21st, 2021 at 12:14 pm
Why not press the WRs at the line then to buy more time and hold the Safety’s over top in case the CB’s miss?
September 21st, 2021 at 12:16 pm
Not all losses are bad. In fact, some losses are good as they serve as teaching points. One of the reasons why Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl is that they were so badly exposed in the secondary by Ty Hill. The Bucs controlled Ty Hill with safety help after that early outburst which carried over to the Super Bowl.
On that note there’s a good chance the Bucs will see the Rams during the postseason. Let’s see what they exploit now so that Bowles and Arians know how to adjust to it later.
September 21st, 2021 at 12:26 pm
Yep that’s another thing to consider… our offense scores so quick we are losing the time of possession and the defense is out there all day. They were definitely winded in the Dallas game. When Brady and these receivers really go full throttle, they eat up huge chunks of yardage….20-25 yards a pop. They score and take less than 3 mins off the clock. That’s one reason I think Arians has been trying to get the running game more involved and get RoJo going. Try to give the defense a breather. But it’s hard to tell your offense not to score so fast when they are on a roll. You always want the points and don’t want to sacrifice downs if the run game isn’t consistent.
September 21st, 2021 at 12:58 pm
Not worried at all defense takes a few weeks to heat up… we are still stopping the run #1 priority we are getting pressure and getting turnovers we’re fine.
September 21st, 2021 at 1:26 pm
Here’s an idea adjust. I thought I was seeing things last game when Vea actually dropped back into coverage, now don’t get me wrong I am a Vea fan but not when he is in pass coverage. As much as we all love the Bucs LB’s but sometimes you got to add more secondary players and sacrifice some linebacker play. Adam’s seem to have a pretty good game against Dallas, didn’t see him much against Atl. I think Bowles and BA are in the mode of if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. The truth is the offense is what’s not broken.
September 21st, 2021 at 1:27 pm
Bucs will adapt as the season goes on. Just need to keep mixing blitzes and coverages and trying to keep the opponent’s offense off balance.
September 21st, 2021 at 1:38 pm
@DR: I am less concerned about LB play than I am about DB tackling.
Fact is the other teams can also scheme…and it shows.
September 21st, 2021 at 3:27 pm
Ryan played a great game Sunday.
Both teams we have faced thus far have QBs who are very good at getting the ball out quickly and accurately. That will not be the case with most of the Bucs opponents this year. After the Rams game – there’s a bunch of games in a row that will provide an opportunity for the Bucs Defense to gain ‘confidence’….
If the Bucs can get a win vs the Rams – there’s a good chance of running it to 7-0 heading into a Halloween matchup with Winston and the Saints.
September 21st, 2021 at 4:07 pm
Idk why no one mentioned Michel. He is a bear and seems very agile and competent. If we can stop him the Rams just don’t look better than the Bucs, to me.
September 21st, 2021 at 4:48 pm
Keep the ball in front of you and force field goal tries. It’s a winning formula
September 21st, 2021 at 5:04 pm
It’s just so damn frustrating seeing a receiver open without a defender within 10 yards.
September 21st, 2021 at 5:51 pm
Cobraboy: “@DR: the way to stop that short passing attack is to MAKE THE TACKLE ON THE SPOT.
IMO, DB tackling is the net net weak spot, way too many YAC in short passes.
That metric is what the 2001 team excelled in: DB tackling.”
Bingo! No amount of exotic blitzes will equate to holding these quick hitches to little or no gain, thus forcing opposing QB’s to take deeper drops to throw downfiled (no bueno with JPP, SB58, JT9, VV50, DW45 and LVD potentially bearing down on you. Make the damn tackle.
September 21st, 2021 at 5:54 pm
Sorry, but the logic just isn’t there. So, if teams want to abandon the run and just throw all day, then it’s just going to happen? That’s like if my kid just wants to sit home and play video games all day, well he’s just gonna do what he’s gonna do.
This is nothing more than an excuse by BA. We can certainly drop our backers into coverage or add extra DBs. What is needed is improvement in coverage, tackling, AND scheming/preparation. Teams have figured out how to attack Bowles and this defense and it has been working quite well.
How long can we depend on ole’ Brady to single-handedly win games for us? That’s not a recipe for another SB run, which is exactly what this team is physically capable of.
September 21st, 2021 at 6:30 pm
So let me get this straight
You guys wanted to make Todd Bowles President of the United States back in Jan Feb
Now u don’t have the confidence that he can adapt to what their coming at us with ?
That’s why Todd Bowles is the Defensive Coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
And you haters do whatever it is that u do for a living
Gravediggers
Keep sleeping on Dean and talk to me later in years !
September 21st, 2021 at 6:53 pm
I meant talk to me later in this season
September 21st, 2021 at 7:15 pm
@Crickett Baker
Sony Michael is a good but hardly great RB when he’s healthy. When healthy he runs fairly strong but a bit stiff, you don’t see a lot of wiggle.
September 21st, 2021 at 7:31 pm
First of all. it used to be that the team the won the SB was subpar/sucked the next season. Second, it’s the Bucs and the Cowturds held the D like nobody’s business. SOP in Bucs world. The Falcons came in here and played solid football for 3 quarters. 0- 2 team? Right. You can bet the refs will be crawling all over the Bucs next Sunday in Climate wildfire-ville. It will be interesting. I just hope Methusaleh’s luck doesn’t run out cos that Rams D will have their ears pinned back and going for him.
September 27th, 2021 at 12:17 am
It’s a good thing Brady wanted to play football today, and a very few others. Really got tired of our receivers trotting their routes. No blocking for the run, defense backs playing back most of the game, the ole let them catch it and make the sure tackle. Gronk got punished for making a lazy “ practice catch”. Thanks,Brady, for the “ real effort”. Hope his teammates don’t embarrass him next week against the Pats.
September 27th, 2021 at 12:32 am
I noticed the Buc coaches must be mad at Brady, they have number 25, the smallest back we have, picking up blitzes, getting himself and Brady crushed consistently . Good job. Brady passed for 400 plus yards at over 70% clip anyway. At least number 25 gave a a good effort today. He’s just not the person to protect Brady from blitzes.