When You Have To Bank On Backups
September 26th, 2021
Ran out of bullets.
Joe was getting flamed on Twitter at halftime because the Bucs secondary was getting lit up like a bottle rocket on the Fourth of July.
What did people expect? The Bucs, because of injuries, had to rely on Ross Cockrell and Dee Delaney.
Cockrell is a veteran, sure, but a backup. Delaney is a borderline practice squad guy who has bounced on and off NFL powerhouse rosters like the Jags, Jets and Dolphins since 2018.
When Jamel Dean left in the first half with a knee injury, Joe just knew the floodgates were going to open. In fact, Matt Stafford targeted Delaney on his first snap.
The Bucs struggled with pass defense the first two weeks with starters. Put in two backups, this was fully expected.
It’s why these guys are backups.
And when the Bucs didn’t get pressure on Stafford, the only reason you knew this wasn’t Mike Smith’s defenses was because the Bucs weren’t wearing those ugly-arse Jameis Winston jerseys and the alarm clock font numbers.
September 26th, 2021 at 7:31 pm
Even the GOAT can’t overcome such a poorly put together defensive game plan. Bowles is not that great. He’s a coordinator for a reason. Granted he’s an improvement over his predecessors, but that’s a crazy low bar.
September 26th, 2021 at 7:33 pm
Someone explain to me why Davis doesn’t shadow Kupp? Why is Delaney and Bonnie cover him at times?
September 26th, 2021 at 7:34 pm
Ass kickings are never pleasant when it’s you getting your ass kicked.
On to New England
September 26th, 2021 at 7:36 pm
Welcome to Tampa Tom
September 26th, 2021 at 7:36 pm
Jason Licht thought we were good. This was a QB & Special Teams Draft
September 26th, 2021 at 7:40 pm
We got all our starters back but it seems they are all gone now.
September 26th, 2021 at 7:43 pm
Forget the backups. How about the 7 plays Winfield could have made? Lets look at our top players first. Devin White? Dude you have done noting in 3 games……….And Bowles stole one from the Rams before their FG and Winfield was 2 steps too late. Thats been Winfields theme this year, late to every play.
And where is Shaq? I know i need to find a way to keep things in perspective but this defense is falling apart out there.
All out DTs look like they are playing well to me. Vea standing out. Thats all I got.
I might start keying in on David. Maybe one of our key players is playing well.
September 26th, 2021 at 7:55 pm
Maybe give K.Davis, and Pat O’Conner some snaps see if they can get some penetration. We’re pushing the pocket, but nobody is breaking through clean. Got to get more creative with Davis, and White. Best MLB I saw today plays for the Saints. Dude blew up everything today. White might as well be riding Daisey. I think the Rams converted like 99% of their third downs today. Don’t let the plane leave L.A. without Richard Sherman. They need help! Help is on the way!!
September 26th, 2021 at 8:02 pm
Da Bucs were exposed! Outcoached! Dat microscope is coming out 4 U coaches!
September 26th, 2021 at 8:05 pm
Never fear, Trask can play CB.
September 26th, 2021 at 8:07 pm
PassingThru, what exactly would a 3rd round talent CB have solved?
September 26th, 2021 at 8:18 pm
If this defense does not improve before our game with the Patsies, Mac Jones will look like a hall of famer.
September 26th, 2021 at 8:22 pm
A late second round pick shouldn’t be spent on a backup QB who looked overdrafted during the preseason. If you cannot find a CB on the board that you like in the late second, and you know the CB depth is paper-thin, you should have a contingency plan in place like calling around to see who is available for the pick.
September 26th, 2021 at 9:11 pm
Watching nick bosa right now. That’s a $20m defensive end. Shaq Barrett is invisible
September 26th, 2021 at 9:21 pm
bUCS EARNED THAT a..wHIPPIN THEY GOT TODAY. I said we would lose. Out defense sucked to holy hell and beyond..Period.
September 26th, 2021 at 9:37 pm
todd bowles game plan was WEAK and is usually WEAK
September 26th, 2021 at 9:39 pm
Thank god we have Kyle Trask to help.
Oh wait.
September 26th, 2021 at 9:46 pm
PassingThru, you still didn’t answer the question. Making phone calls doesn’t solve anything. Drafting a 4th string CB or acquiring someone else’s leftovers would have been just another guy equally as overwhelmed.
Target your ire elsewhere man, this isn’t the right battle.
September 26th, 2021 at 10:38 pm
@Leighroy
I answered the question earlier in the thead, but to entertain you, I’ll answer it yet again:
A late second round pick shouldn’t be spent on a backup QB who looked overdrafted during the preseason. If you cannot find a CB on the board that you like in the late second, and you know the CB depth is paper-thin, you should have a contingency plan in place like calling around to see who is available for the pick.
Now whether you draft a CB or trade for one with the second round pick, you have three benefits:
1. You buttress the weakest position starters on the Bucs;
2. You provide the team with depth as CBs get injured;
3. You develop scheme versatility when the pass rush fails. When the front 7 are not delivering what you need, or when additional pass coverage is needed you have the quality available to go to a nickel or dime personnel package.
And of course items 1, 2, & 3 give you a helluva lot more than Kyle Trask as Super Bowl windows tend to slam quickly. Look at Seattle, the one year dynasty. They lost one member of the Legion of Boom and curled their toes.
September 26th, 2021 at 10:44 pm
Yeah, we could’ve put a rookie corner on Cooper Kupp, and he would’ve shut him down. Can’t argue with morons.
September 26th, 2021 at 10:45 pm
@Hodad
Read the post again, providing you’re not too thick to understand it.
But then looking at your posts on this board, I have my doubts.
September 26th, 2021 at 11:37 pm
That backup secondary lost by ten behind a front seven that has somehow not gotten close to the QB through three games. I didn’t like Sherman but they do need to pick him up or trade cus Dean is not a starter. If we can get Sherman, it’s just another FHOF to teach the kids. On the field, not off.
September 26th, 2021 at 11:55 pm
Drafting a CB does not guarantee it will work out. I remember Vernon Hargreaves III a bust.
September 27th, 2021 at 10:08 am
Richard Thurman isn’t here yet?