Nickel Fit
September 1st, 2021
Sean Murphy-Bunting
A Wolf has spoken.
Who are The Wolfs? Well, Pulp Fiction fans know. One classic from the Raheem Morris era came before the implosion of 2011, when Raheem explained how his starting safeties, oft-injured Cody Grimm and serial loafer Sean Jones, were “The Wolfs” on the Tampa Bay roster.
Grimm, 34, is now in his third year as a Bucs assistant coach on Bucco Bruce Arians’ giant staff.
Speaking to Booth Review at Buccaneers.com, Grimm talked about the current Bucs’ nickel position.
He explained that Sean Murphy-Bunting fits it very well.
“You need a guy that has a good understanding of the game, a good feel,” Grimm said. “Pressure-wise, you know, he can come. Because you’re going to blitz him, [the nickel] is closer to the ball. He’s going to do a lot of zone coverage, passing with the linebackers, so you kind of want someone who has a good skillset, that can match up with shiftier guys. Obviously, Bunting can do both. But he just has a good feel for the game and is good at passing off and working with the linebackers. He’s good at blitzing, timing his blitzes, and that’s what makes him have some success in there.”
Good stuff from Grimm. Joe had a chat with safeties coach Nick Rapone, who confirmed the Bucs haven’t blitzed their nickel nearly as much as they expected because Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul have been so effective, as well as Devin White on the blitz.
But that could change this year (hopefully not), which would mean more looks at Murphy-Bunting coming after the quarterback.
Grimm added that Antoine Winfield, Jr. and Mike Edwards are well cross-trained at nickel.
September 1st, 2021 at 11:51 am
I am hoping Carlton, Dean and SMB are top tier like Evans, Godwin and AB at WR.
September 1st, 2021 at 1:31 pm
I love this defense …
Great DL Pressure Great DB Coverage
With experience, confidence, and an offense that will keep them fresh, the Bucs Defense will be special in 2021.
September 1st, 2021 at 1:33 pm
SMB has been tested in the crucible of high stakes. I think he showed up when we needed him to. I love how he battles through the adversity, and he surely has more upside as his particular skillset is that he is crafty. Is he getting recognition because the secondary is getting better as a whole? Davis seems to be quietly putting in some work as well. They are definitely not the liability that they were a few years back.
September 1st, 2021 at 1:50 pm
Not one of our CBs had a sack last year….ZERO….here’s hoping that changes as early as game 1.
September 1st, 2021 at 3:08 pm
I like the idea of changing things up a bit. Don’t want to be too predictable, on offense or defense.
September 1st, 2021 at 3:26 pm
AlabamaBucsFan,
SPOILERT ALERT: LOL
Davis/SMB/Dean are not elite. They’re average cover guys.
September 1st, 2021 at 3:28 pm
Duane,
“They’re definitely not the liability they were a couple years back.”
HAHA really? Go watch last season’s games. They were TERRIBLE until the playoff stretch when our Pass Rush stepped up against beaten up O-Lines.
September 1st, 2021 at 4:17 pm
Why so much negativity on our secondary ?
Think some are trying hard to find weakness in this complete complete football team
The final 8 games of 2019 they looked very good as the defense started to gel
Last year they played well enough to … let’s see….win the Super Bowl !
End of discussion
September 1st, 2021 at 4:19 pm
Because our secondary is our biggest weakness and will get exposed.
September 1st, 2021 at 4:35 pm
Davis did better than average against everyone he faced last year except for Hill.
September 1st, 2021 at 5:14 pm
Brady..this secondary will be better than last year, so don’t be concerned. With JTS added to the mix, the pressure on opposing QB’s will be unbelievable. Suh, Vea and Gholston will clog up the running lanes. LD will eliminate the TE…and Devonte will hunt the QB. Should be a field day for the DB’s and safeties. Truly gravediggers at that point.
September 1st, 2021 at 5:15 pm
Excuse me Devin… name from the past.
September 1st, 2021 at 6:02 pm
Would love to see a corner blitz, Barber style, featuring Davis or Dean this year.
September 1st, 2021 at 7:11 pm
I’m a believer in having players do what they do best. Let SMB cover people, let White do the blitzing.
September 1st, 2021 at 9:38 pm
Brady Bucs has to be a troll.
No true Bucs fan would look at our secondary and say they will get exposed.
Beaten up O Lines? LMAO
Last I checked NO has 2 of the top 5 OTs.
I’m guessing Baktiari is a slouch.
Tour life is awesome