Historic Run Of Elite Run Defense Ends
January 2nd, 2022
The Bucs’ run of truly legendary run defense is over.
In 2019 and 2020, the Bucs led the NFL in many run defense categories, including yards per attempt.
For 2021, they’ve officially taken a giant step backwards.
The Bucs entered the game ranked 10th in the league in yards per carry allowed. Then the Jets — the Jets! — churned out 26 carries for 150 yards. It was hard to watch this afternoon because the Bucs had set such an incredibly high standard of run defense over the past two seasons.
Of course, the defense held strong when it mattered most — the Jets’ run to win the game on 4-and-2 with just over 2 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. But overall, Joe is very concerned.
Why the concern? Because Bucs coaches are quick to say everything revolves around the run defense. And seasoned NFL observers know run defense usually matters just a little bit more in the postseason.
It’s hard for Joe to fathom how today happened with savior Bucs linebacker Devin White and the gut of the Bucs front line intact. But White wasn’t shedding blocks well and Kevin Minter, in for Lavonte David, sometimes looked like he was running through mud.
Also, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is a step down from injured Shaq Barrett in that department.
Plenty of time for the Bucs to tighten things up, but look for the Bucs to address the run defense in the offseason.
January 2nd, 2022 at 4:53 pm
Plan 9 thinks his position is ‘observer’.
January 2nd, 2022 at 4:53 pm
You’re missing 3 starting LBs… your run defense is going to suffer.
January 2nd, 2022 at 4:54 pm
White hasn’t been as good as last year. LVD has played half the season it seems. Minter is good but not as good that’s why he’s a back up.
JPP has been a shell of himself all year due to needing surgery.
SUH seems to have aged, I only recall two games where he stood out.
The good news is the draft is loaded with D lineman and DBs.
January 2nd, 2022 at 4:54 pm
Also, I said all year, this wasn’t an ‘elite’ rush defense, I think it’s still a ‘good’ rush defense, if everyone is healthy, but they have not been elite all year. In fact today, on that 4th and 2, that’s the first big rushing stop I remember them making this entire season.
January 2nd, 2022 at 4:54 pm
On another note, I just saw that the Rams barely won, that would have been huge!!
Need the Cardinals to beat the Cowboys today
January 2nd, 2022 at 4:55 pm
I’m a huge Devin White fan….but today I was disappointed.
January 2nd, 2022 at 4:56 pm
I think you have to consider all the injuries this year. Many games this year, the team has been a revolving door of players. We had everything line up last year. Hasn’t so far this year. We live to play another game…and that is the bottom line.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:01 pm
No LVD. Enormous difference there. Minter is serviceable but a far cry from LVD’s skills. Mostly that D Line was underperforming. JTS was hardly seen but and this is a big but JTS started creating some pressure along with that D Line in the 4th quarter when we needed stops. They got the job done at the end of the day but a stud receiver is no longer on the team and Godwin is out. Coaching was unacceptable. It’s a big difference between being able to have our way throwing the ball to what this offense is now.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:03 pm
JTS needs to pick it up man, played on fire first half of the year. Use your speed and length. You aren’t going to bull rush tackles
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:04 pm
Uhm. They won. Stats are for losers.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:06 pm
Let’s face it. Every dawg has its day. Today the jets had their day…. Almost😁
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:07 pm
The Jets were very successful running on the edges but not so against the interior. That call for a QB sneak on a 4th and 2 was a head-scratcher.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:07 pm
Our defense is far less effective when we camt stop the run. If you notice we didnt get our hands on many passes and didnt get many good looks at creating turnovers like we normally do.
I like our chanses to get better at the run stop and get back to attacking defense if we get healhy with Shaq, JPP and David……..but Im gulping as I type that because I belive 2 of the guys I named are on IR.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:09 pm
@JJ. I believe only LVD is on IR but your point is still valid.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:11 pm
Austin I agree but Im guessing JTS cant handle a bigger snapcount.
He has flashed quite a few times this year and it seems like its been from a limited role. He cant bring it everdown like a Shaq can.
If we get some passrushers back Tryon might be able to give us more in a roration.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:16 pm
The biggest thing I saw today was the number of times that Vea was NOT double teamed and did not collapse the pocket. Normally he drives two offensive linemen almost in to the QB. One man should NOT be able to stop that beast. The whole D just seemed out of whack today from front to back. They need to get that crap cleaned up fast as we are the Bucs. We NEED good defense
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:16 pm
Winfield saved so many touchdowns today. He’s an excellent player.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:17 pm
This is complete definition of nitpicking……. What more do you want from this depleted team. Damn joe give the guys a break. These guys played 20 games last season and has gotten every teams best shot this entire season with more defensive injury’s and you expect them to be better…… We are lucky to be division champs
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:18 pm
Vea did not look like Mt. Vea today.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:19 pm
ME13 ain’t a stud receiver? Really.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:21 pm
JimmyJack
LVD will be back and so will SHAQ, I just don’t know if they’re going to be 75% or 95% healthy. JPP isn’t going to be himself until next year after shoulder surgery. He’ll play in the playoffs but he hasn’t been effective all year unfortunately.
My other problem, and it needs to be addressed in the draft, is SUH. I have seen him have 2 good games. Otherwise he’s pretty much been invisible this year. As far as I know he’s not hurt, I think age got to him. If they get a lead and can go all out pass rushing, then he can be very effective still.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:24 pm
Missing 3 of 4 starting linebackers…wasn’t unexpected
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:29 pm
Great! Other teams can now run and throw against us. The legacy of Todd Bowles. smh 🤦♂️
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:29 pm
The defense looked bad today but they will come back against the run. I refuse to give up on our defense just because of a few games with us missing defensive players. Goooo Buucccss!!
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:35 pm
For those who are going to judge us by stats lets be sure to quantify another figure.
Part of our starting lineup on D out of action…25% 1/4 of the D did not play and clearly it showed. But I wouldn’t argue those would add yeah but the Bucs never played with their hair on fire till the 4th Q.
The Bucs wouldn’t be the first team to get overconfident and lay an egg. Fortunately they have enough talent to erase the stupidity.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:46 pm
I need to see it again but did Devin White move out of the way of the Jets RB intentionally?
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:50 pm
What I saw was a whole lot of holding penalties that didn’t get called. The one big run to the right by the Jets, White was being held big time and just looked like he was getting taken for a ride and trying to get a ref to notice the ridiculous holding, but no flags flew.
January 2nd, 2022 at 6:06 pm
No LVD no party
January 2nd, 2022 at 6:44 pm
JTS has no pass rush moves and does t know how to use his hands. He’s got good athleticism, but once a guy gets his hands on him, it’s over
January 2nd, 2022 at 9:54 pm
White is awful right now.
January 2nd, 2022 at 10:04 pm
Minter is terrible. We need to see what the rookie linebackers can do. They have to be better then Minter.
January 3rd, 2022 at 2:00 pm
I just don’t understand it looked like ever run behind the line of scrimmage the defense could of stopped the offence if they would of took a shorter route they over ran all of them
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:39 pm
If anyone has bothered to really watch and dissect the problems on the run defense it starts with our vastly overrated and ineffective Devon White. He was just terrible today, he’s been terrible the entire season. His coverage skills are non existent, he cannot shed a block, ever, he is still confused by motion and shifting by the offense, he hasn’t made a splash play all year, his blitzes are constantly ineffective and his enthusiasm comes mostly after someone else makes a play. As it stands now he is not even an average LB in this league. Why hasn’t anyone called him out? Why hasn’t the press delved into the problems his poor play has created? Someone needs to find out if he’s hurt or just totally underperforming. Could it be that he’s just not as good as he’s been made out to be?
January 4th, 2022 at 11:13 am
Let’s face it, “elite run defense” is an overrated statement in a pass happy NFL nowadays. Even if it is partially accurate, who cares. Its ONE facet. Its like a good baseball team that leads the league in HRs but also strikes out the most and hits .209 as a team. We are such a ridicously undisciplined defensive team. YES injuries are the main reason, but penalties and the fact that some teams completely gave up running against us most games, that skewed the stats. These defensive injuries allowed teams to get creative and exploit other matchups along our front line and LB corps. Garbage time runs etc. Stats are flawed and dont paint the ENTIRE picture. Just a guide. Wins and Losses is it! I would much rather play SMART football and be 10th in the league. 13-5 . Good News is we have time to turn it around the next week and get healthy. Go Bucs.
January 4th, 2022 at 1:34 pm
The Bucs have beaten up on bad teams all season and looked bad against elite teams. Now they’re looking bad against pathetic teams.
Anyone who thinks this team will win in the playoffs is delusional. This team was barely good while healthy, now the offense and defense are ravaged.
January 4th, 2022 at 3:57 pm
You’re Crazy Buccaneer Haters. Many of you wish your team had these players! Any Brady haters in this discussion? I’m sure there are. If anyone knew the roles of a d-line you would know that the d-ends push the rush back inside. We did not have that against the running, misdirected Jets. What did they rush for their last game?