The Good And The Bad Of The Bucs’ Pass Defense
October 3rd, 2021
Todd Bowles’ tall task.
In the past couple of days, Joe has been typing about how bad the Bucs pass defense has been. It’s appalling and needs to be corrected fairly soon if this team hopes to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
Joe cannot believe a team that allows an average of 29 points a game and a 72 percent completion percentage can win many playoff games much less a Super Bowl.
Yes, Joe believes Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will figure out a way eventually. First, guys have to get healthy.
Can Bowles get this solved by Halloween? Thanksgiving?
The latter holiday might be the latest to save a Super Bowl run. But again, Joe has seen Bowles’ defenses tighten up in December and there is no reason to believe he cannot do that again.
Still, despite the Bucs winning the Super Bowl, fans are still going through bouts of PTSD from Mike Smith’s defenses. Currently, the Bucs’ defense is coughing up equally appalling numbers.
The Bucs are allowing an average of three touchdown passes a game. That’s tied for the worst in the NFL.
That’s the bad news. The good news? The Bucs are tied with the Packers. Both teams are 2-1.
The thing is, playing so much football last year and this year with an older roster (there’s an early bye, which history says is not a good sign for Super Bowl chances) Joe is scared the Bucs’ defense won’t be able to turn things around in time to get a playoff bye.
With the new playoff format, only the top record in each conference gets a bye. And currently, the Rams have the tiebreaker over the Bucs.
Yeah, there’s a lot of football to be played. Through three weeks, there are glaring warning signs on defense, however.
October 3rd, 2021 at 9:03 am
The Return of the King……#LFG
October 3rd, 2021 at 9:06 am
Am I the only one to whom it seems LD and White have been rendered irrelevant?
October 3rd, 2021 at 9:07 am
High scoring games each week is better to watch than blowouts anyways you want to watch 20-13 games go root for the Browns
October 3rd, 2021 at 10:32 am
Keeping my fingers crossed that our corners get healthy and learn how to be at least competent again. Losing JPP for a couple of games is a massive blow too and Shaq needs to start living up to his contract. He’s played well without JPP before, so we know he can do it. I’d also draft at least three corners next year in the hope that one of them turns into a keeper.
October 3rd, 2021 at 10:41 am
Richard Sherman will reportedly get the start.
Let that sink in. Sherman hasn’t played football in 10 months will be starting. He’s only practiced with the team for 3 days. That’s how critically short the Bucs are in terms talent at CB. Talk about baptism by fire. You know Josh McDaniels and Bill Belichick are going to have Mac Jones test him early and often.
October 3rd, 2021 at 12:38 pm
This should be a decent game but we are the better team and should win, however any given Sunday. #GoBucs
October 3rd, 2021 at 12:41 pm
Upset on the way! 2-2 after today
October 3rd, 2021 at 1:17 pm
Why bother with Sherman when the other corner sucks far worse? He’ll get tested but no need to fool with him. The ENTIRE secondary is awful.
October 3rd, 2021 at 8:02 pm
Bowles better dial it up and Shaq and the Rook NEED to bring it!!!
There’s no doubt in my mind the O will put up 30+
The patriots have absolutely no answer for a big receiver like Michael Evans.
I would not be surprised to see OJ Howard having a bit of a break out game
Need to see the defense getting after that rookie QB!!