“We Had 20 Unblocked Blitzers That Didn’t Get There”
December 14th, 2021
It sounds like the Bucs might be drafting an explosive tackler next spring.
The emotion in Bucco Bruce Arians’ voice this evening was telling. He didn’t like a big chunk of what he saw on defense Sunday against the Bills.
“We had 20 unblocked blitzers that didn’t get there!” Arians said on his streaming show at Buccaneers.com.
Arians went on to praise the “blitz plan” of defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
No NFC team blitzes more than the Bucs. They’ve sent the dogs 208 times this season. Next in the conference is Washington at 159. So it’s critical for Tampa Bay to have success there.
Hearing Arians say the Bucs had 20 dudes with a free shot that didn’t get home, that tells Joe how elusive Bills QB Josh Allen is. But it also is a tip-off that the Bucs might need to invest in a new blitzer.
Arians has said over and over again this season that guys getting after the quarterback haven’t closed the deal. Joe doesn’t recall hearing that as often in 2020.
Lavonte David told Pat McAfee today that he didn’t realize how fast Allen is. Still, Joe thinks the Bucs have to finish better on their blitzes. So does the head coach.
December 14th, 2021 at 5:59 pm
Gotta finish boys! Pressures good but a sack is a drive killer, get the ball back into Tommy’s hands .
December 14th, 2021 at 6:06 pm
Maybe we should hire another coach to teach tackling…Generally our blitzes just run by the intended target, waving their hands. Sad.
December 14th, 2021 at 6:09 pm
First of all, Cockrell, Davis, Adam’s and Bunting are too small to bring him down so why send them? I did notice over pursuing quite a bit. I will say one thing I didn’t recall seeing any big guys dropping back into coverage last game. Once again from BA, coaching was awesome players sucked. If they’re not getting there stop sending them. Allen is known for making mistakes in the passing game. Their #1 receiver Diggs was gassed and their # 2 got hurt early leaving Beasely, Knox and #13. Rush 4 why blitz?
December 14th, 2021 at 6:10 pm
This is 20% bad technique….80% Josh Allen
December 14th, 2021 at 6:14 pm
Josh Allen is just that elusive.
December 14th, 2021 at 6:15 pm
Tampa, can you say Tysum Hill?
December 14th, 2021 at 6:16 pm
Josh Allen is just that elusive.
December 14th, 2021 at 6:17 pm
Sorry Taysom, damn autofill
December 14th, 2021 at 6:19 pm
Names. We need names.
December 14th, 2021 at 6:24 pm
“First of all, Cockrell, Davis, Adam’s and Bunting are too small to bring him down so why send them?” Wait, are these the same guys who are expected to tackle wide receivers, running backs and tightends… but are too small to take down a QB?
December 14th, 2021 at 6:26 pm
And LVD is correct, Allen doesn’t LOOK that fast lmao…..
December 14th, 2021 at 6:27 pm
Mike C. go back and watch the game. The answer is yes.
December 14th, 2021 at 6:29 pm
You think he’s fast? Then I hope Bucs don’t face Murray, he’s FAST!
December 14th, 2021 at 6:30 pm
The dude isn’t Big Ben or anything, he is quick, which a couple should be able to handle smh
December 14th, 2021 at 6:30 pm
CB*
December 14th, 2021 at 6:34 pm
We need a ligit CB with coverage skills and blitzing ability if Bowles is gonna blitz DBs all the time. Allen is crazy good escaping, but its too easy to drop the ball off five yards with a not so great secondary. That’s been happening all year.
December 14th, 2021 at 6:44 pm
The blitzers all looked like they were trying to arm tackle…with one arm. Maybe too concerned about getting a roughing the passer call?
December 14th, 2021 at 6:48 pm
Lol we need Ronde Barber
December 14th, 2021 at 6:51 pm
In any defenders defense…. It’s the one thing they can’t really practice. No hitting of QBs in practice. And dummies don’t count. But no excuses. I see it, too. Guys just missing or getting there a hair to late. This is BA motivation tactics. Unfortunately it’s got as good a chance of leading to penalties as it does sacks.
December 14th, 2021 at 6:57 pm
Remember 1 play where Devin White got to Allen quickly, jumped on his back, and pretty much got carried around for awhile. Allen’s listed as 6’5″ & 237 lbs, but I think he’s probably heavier than that. Big boy, strong, fast & not easy to bring down.
December 14th, 2021 at 7:08 pm
Listnfrmafar
“You think he’s fast? Then I hope Bucs don’t face Murray, he’s FAST!”
Don’t worry, they would be ready for him, he LOOKS fast.
December 14th, 2021 at 7:09 pm
Blitz was working perfectly in the first half, Allen was completely off his game, then 2nd half comes and we rolled our Safeties back 25 yards, Corners playing at 10 yards, and just let them play pitch and catch over and over again.
Whatever is wrong with Devin White right now, they need to limit his snap count these next 4 weeks. No way should Josh Allen be allowed to run for 100+ yards when you have a MLB that runs a 4.3 40 yard dash.
I think everybody also is really underestimating how much Jordan Whithead and Mike Edwards mean to this defense.
December 14th, 2021 at 7:20 pm
Winfield is usually the blitzing safety, but with injury and suspension it was Adams. And Adams is no Antoine.
December 14th, 2021 at 7:49 pm
Allen is a great talent and was playing out of his mind at times. He’s a 4.7 40 guy, that’s built like a tight end, so I have to give him credit for making our guys look like little kids at times. I trust Licht to go after what we need in the next draft and for our excellent coaches to coach em up when they get here because as if now, outside of Winfield, there’s no one remotely close to Barber.
December 14th, 2021 at 7:53 pm
lol Mike C.
The reality is that White hasn’t been as effective on blitzes. Winfield and Whitehead are both good at it, but doesn’t seem like they’ve been asked to do it very much this season for whatever reason (obviously Whitehead has been out the last 2 games).
I’m most disappointed in JTS and JPP. Tryon was starting to show some flashes but he has been completely MIA the last few weeks. And JPP just isn’t the same guy right now, whether that’s injury or age or both. At best, he is slightly slowing things down in the run game to give other defenders a bit more time to make a play. But that’s not gonna cut it for a SB run.
December 14th, 2021 at 8:16 pm
If we can get another year from TB then I see a substantial D rebuild starting soon.
Keep a few pieces but start the process.
It’s time.
December 14th, 2021 at 8:18 pm
Adams isn’t that bad though. He’s aggressive and he gets his hands up to block passes.
But yes, he’s no AW.
December 14th, 2021 at 8:33 pm
BEAT THE SAINTS.. For Buc fans everywhere!
Our Brady who art in Tampa, hallowed be thy arm. Thy bowl will come, it will be won, for Tampa as it was in New England. Give us this Sunday, our weekly win, and give us many touchdown passes, but do not let the Saints pass against us. Lead us not only over New Orleans, but deliver us to L.A. For thine is the GOAT, the best of the NFC, and the glory of the Buccaneers, now and forever…… Amen!
December 14th, 2021 at 8:49 pm
Jmarkbuc, well done.
December 14th, 2021 at 9:01 pm
Arians has already drafted two guys who are supposed to get there.
When the there is Josh Allen, it is different than Mattie Icecube.
We do need some better DBs, but drafting them is a mixed bag, their game transition from college is a shaky thing to figure.
Might as well draft6 a passel of them, maybe one or two will work out.
Beat the Saints and we have a chance at top seed, so make it work.
December 14th, 2021 at 9:56 pm
Sometimes the blitzer is just like a bull. Just sidestep and they run past him. I notice that in Devin White from time to time.
December 14th, 2021 at 10:43 pm
I think it may of been a josh allen specific issue–he is very quick and our guys whiffed at times.
December 14th, 2021 at 11:09 pm
I notice a lot of our blitzes don’t turn the qb into harm’s way. All they need to do is sidestep the defender, and they’re free for 2 or 3 seconds. We didn’t have this problem last year. But these guys keep finding different ways to win. We’re not perfect, but no one plays harder.
December 14th, 2021 at 11:39 pm
Whoever said “we need a tackling coach was right on.
Oh, jmarkbuk.
Damn fine idea.
December 14th, 2021 at 11:41 pm
I mean, LOOK!
TACKLING IS 50% OF THE GAME!
December 15th, 2021 at 12:13 am
Sorry but I do not want to see a rookie corner in coverage on this defense which would be a recipe for disaster, it took the three dudes we drafted long enough to develop. JTS will replace JPP and if we draft a rusher…..hope there is a guy on the board who could be a replacement for Suh
December 15th, 2021 at 12:13 am
D. White has a way about him of not just tackling but injuring opposing QB’s. I’m not saying that I mind this as it is the chance you take by having the QB run with the ball. I have the feeling he has competed at rodeo events before. He should pull out a rope and hogtie him after he brings them down.
December 15th, 2021 at 12:16 am
White needs to get healthy. He’s a step slower.
JPP needs to get healthy.
JTS needs to step up.
Cam Gill needs to get on the field.
December 15th, 2021 at 12:17 am
Jmarkbuc..outstanding LD
December 15th, 2021 at 12:54 am
The defense is uber-vulnerable. JPP should be in traction. Suh is playing like he’s hurt. DW is hipped and ankled. LVD looks like Derrick Brooks 2008. The backup CBs look like it and Brady goes into prolonged stretches where his accuracy is reminiscent of Shaun King.
But everything is great ! No worries! Yay!
The Saints may not attempt 10 passes on Sunday, and might still beat us.
December 15th, 2021 at 1:09 am
Allen had a foot injury after the game. all these running qb not gonna last long
December 15th, 2021 at 1:30 am
They definitely need to do a better job at getting home
but it was obvious throughout the game that Josh Allen was more elusive and definitely faster than they gave him credit for. There were a lot of times when a bad angle was taken because they didn’t expect the speed he had
December 15th, 2021 at 2:11 am
JTS is a bust. Come at me. It has NOTHING to do with being a rookie. When JOP was a rookie with the Giants he tore the League a new a hole from the very first week. Another first round bust from our idiot gm.
December 15th, 2021 at 2:11 am
JPP
December 15th, 2021 at 6:34 am
Someone please help me understand why tackling shoelaces is good technique. I notice Antoine Winefield does not do this, and he stops a lot of dudes bigger than himself. Could it be his Dad discussed this with him?? Maybe Bowles could use a certain guest speaker for pregame talking points? Just sayin..
Go Bucs!
December 15th, 2021 at 6:47 am
yeah discuss it all you want, but we miss tackles often and don’t get home…
not getting home is something we actually do really really well…
it’s been a problem a bit last year and they’ve really kicked it up a couple notches this year…
it’s one of the main problems that they should hyper focus on…
#OneOfTheBiggestTeamIssues
December 15th, 2021 at 9:35 am
Adam, I see them tackling too high, even White does that which allows the runner/receivers to gain yards after the catch. It was more than obvious in Bill’s game.
December 15th, 2021 at 10:01 am
This is on the coaching these guys are high tackling all the time and the 4 th down convert comes up short with a low tackle ……. Now you do have to be a touch careful with the lower qb hit ………..
December 15th, 2021 at 10:48 am
Eckwood, all Bunting had to do was knock the receiver out of bounds. Game awareness and that is on the coaches.
December 15th, 2021 at 10:59 am
I think white is playing a lot more hurt than he is saying… He even looks like he’s limping while running… Need more safety blitzes from Winfield