“Faster” Defense; Hands Off The Offense
April 12th, 2022
When former offensive lineman Max Starks talks Bucs, Joe pays attention because Starks claims he’s friends with Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and happily notes that co-defensive coordinator Larry Foote is his former teammate.
The cerebral Starks, the former Florida Gators beast, also played for Bucco Bruce Arians in Pittsburgh and Arizona, and he’s a regular analyst in Arizona since he retired after the 2014 season. So Joe assumes Starks has some inside knowledge.
He was on SiriusXM NFL Radio last night, Late Hits with Alex Marvez, talking about how Todd Bowles will task Foote with getting the Bucs defense to play faster. And he Starks said the relationship between Byron Leftwich is fantastic and Bowles would be wise to leave the offense alone completely.
Overall, the message from Starks was that Arians left such a great team and staff for Bowles — in a such a lousy division — that Bowles’ No. 1 priority should be to not change/tinker too much.
Joe agrees wholeheartedly. Joe hopes Bowles devotes a lot of time to special teams and player development.
April 12th, 2022 at 10:55 am
Agree, the need ….focus on special teams!
April 12th, 2022 at 11:20 am
he should focus on Defense and special teams – the offense works great with Brady and Leftwich
April 12th, 2022 at 11:36 am
I feel Armstrong should be replaced. His Special Teams sucked with the Falcons and they have sucked since he’s been here.
April 12th, 2022 at 11:39 am
Totally agree with him concentrating on Defense and Special Teams but he’s gotta have a working knowledge of Offense especially due to the fact that we’re not sure if Brady will be here next year and if we win another Superbowl or make it far then BL is probably gone next season and will no doubt take some of the staff with him.
April 12th, 2022 at 11:41 am
And, while playing faster, work on basics like tackling.
April 12th, 2022 at 11:59 am
Those things. And teaching the DBs how to cover when in zone, and who to cover in man, and how to tackle, and if Cooper Kupp is on the other side, ferchrissakes someone cover him. And if the QB you are facing eats the blitz like a hungry dog, then maybe don’t blitz every down.
And if there’s 30 seconds left and you’re tied……oh fuggit.
April 12th, 2022 at 11:59 am
I truly hope that BA spends a generous amount of quality time whispering to Trask.
April 12th, 2022 at 12:01 pm
Focus on ensuring the defense is ready. I don’t like hearing how the coaches didn’t prepare well enough in the post game interviews.
April 12th, 2022 at 12:37 pm
I don’t care who you hire/fire but get the damn special teams to at least look competent for once. It’s nothing short of an embarrassment for years.
FIX IT OR GET OUT.
April 12th, 2022 at 1:15 pm
Focus on a proper tackling technique for both the defense and special teams, Add a player or two to the offense, and let it roll.
April 12th, 2022 at 1:19 pm
ACTUALLY …
I’d like to see Bowles improve the team’s ability to execute situational football better. You see the Chargers, 49ers, and Rams really focused on specific game changing moments. The Bucs could improve dramatically in this area on offense.
April 12th, 2022 at 2:45 pm
I would imagine a D lineman and DB in the draft and the DBs being healthy and Neal coming in will all have a hand at being faster.
But the main way to play faster is knowing your assignment, reading a play and knowing where to go.
April 12th, 2022 at 3:42 pm
Sign suh number one priority..trade up for Jordan Davis if possible
Pick up bailey zappe in later rounds..win games
April 12th, 2022 at 6:24 pm
Master, agree on signing Suh, but I doubt Licht trades up for anyone.
April 12th, 2022 at 6:59 pm
Pass defense was poor last year. Can’t win championships like that
April 13th, 2022 at 12:01 am
If Bowles worked for Bill (discipline) Parcells in the past, expect an immediate improvement in penalties this year (& turnovers).
April 13th, 2022 at 7:34 pm
BUCS WIN – I agree 💯 !! We should have tried to get Rich Biccaia back after the raiders let him walk. One of the best S.T. coaches ever.. Go Bucs