Bucs Defense Bracing For “Hard-Headed” Packers Run Game
September 22nd, 2022
Bucs co-DC Kacy Rodgers.
Earlier this week, Bucs coach Todd Bowles said the NFL’s No. 5 defense (total yards allowed) needs to improve. Specifically against the run.
Normally a stickler for run defense, Bowles noted the Bucs appeared more vulnerable against the run than in recent seasons, especially last Sunday against the slimy Saints. The Bucs are currently tied for ninth in the NFL in rush defense allowing an average of 85 yards a game.
Last week in their 20-10 win, the Bucs gave up 100 yards on the ground, “led” by Mark Ingram’s 58 yards. The reason that number wasn’t higher is that the slimy Saints had to pass late (and turn the ball over).
Today, Bucs co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said that cannot happen this week, noting the run defense is not where it should be.
Rodgers said the Packers are “head-headed” about running the ball, not so much stubborn but that they are old school coming at defenses with two quality running backs and unafraid to play smashmouth football running between the tackles.
Expect the Packers to try to pound the ball against the Bucs, Rodgers said, and coaches have stressed to the defense the importance of tightening up against the run this week.
Of course, the run defense took a hit when defensive tackle Akiem Hicks was lost for possibly a month with a foot injury. So it will be imperative for Logan Hall to shake off his rookie rust.
Rodgers said that playing on the NFL level is “starting to click” for Hall and in part, this is why he has had an increase in snaps. The other part of that is Hicks’ injury.
Joe thinks if the Bucs can squash the Packers run game, which looked awfully strong against the bungling Bears, the defense will have something very special brewing.
September 22nd, 2022 at 3:14 pm
BEND DONT BREAK…
Keep them in 3rd and 5 or more and let’s see how committed to the run they really are.
September 22nd, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Since ou secondary is playing so well, perhaps we can use more resources on the run, like rub blitzing
September 22nd, 2022 at 3:23 pm
Write something about ko kieft.
We will be fine against the packers. We at home !
September 22nd, 2022 at 3:23 pm
Night and day difference between our defense and the Bears defense. We’ve also got homefield, and we’re much faster in terms of team speed than the Vikings or Bears are. It’s going to be, for lack of a better term a slobber-knocker(thanks JR) in the trenches and I think if we can get up on the Packers first and stay ahead on the scoreboard, the less and less of a threat that Green Bay rushing attack will be.
Gotta stay disciplined up front, but I’m actually looking at Devin White & Lavonte David to eat well. Also, Nassib, Gholston, Nacho. Nelson, all of those big bodied space eating OLmen we have up front that play the run well will have to be right there eating with our ILBs. Can’t wait!!!
September 22nd, 2022 at 3:38 pm
How come no one has called out Vea? He’s been invisible?
September 22nd, 2022 at 3:39 pm
It’s 2022, I don’t really care where the Bucs rank in terms of running defense. It’s such an insanely overrated stat. Hell, Schiano had the #1 run defense as well – because teams could pass at will and didn’t bother to run.
Passing defense is what matters, and right now the Bucs are playing remarkably well in that regard. If the Bucs pass defense can keep shutting QBs down, the Bucs offense will hopefully get healthy at some point and now you have the most dangerous team, by far, in the NFC.
As for the Packers, Rodgers wants his stats, so they’ll still throw the ball – and that’s what the Bucs need to worry about, not about their RBs getting 120 yards on the ground.
September 22nd, 2022 at 3:44 pm
SUH !!!
September 22nd, 2022 at 3:45 pm
@Listnfrmafar
Go watch Devin White & Lavonte David’s 4 combined sacks these last 2 games, and come back and tell me what you see Vita doing and how many bodies he’s occupying? He’s like our Mike Evans on defense.
September 22nd, 2022 at 3:49 pm
Hicks blew even before he was injured. Washed. Fail.
Suh.
September 22nd, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Dooley, go back and watch him during the run and you’ll see the Saints center knock him on his arse, and he wasn’t double teamed. GB watched the same game as we did, they will attack the D with Jones & Dillon same as they did the Bears. If they don’t Lafleur is an idiot.
September 22nd, 2022 at 4:24 pm
If I coached the Packers, I’d run and run and run and never give up on it, because they won’t beat the Bucs through the air UNLESS their run game starts dominating so much that we have to run blitz and/or play action becomes incredibly effective.
September 22nd, 2022 at 4:30 pm
Hicks, who never was a one-for-one replacement for Suh, goes out,and “next in-house JAG” up is all they will do for the next month? Hall doesn’t have rookie “rust”, it’s rookie “everything”. “That’s what we drafted him for” is all we will hear, as they put him out there way too soon.
I remain unconvinced that this is how you “all-in” for a final Brady season.
September 22nd, 2022 at 4:38 pm
The Packers want to make you load the box. The whole offense is predicted on getting those 1 on 1 matchups on the outside. The bucs must be able to hold up, without dedicating extra defenders to stop the run. I’m not advocating playing two deep safety, just tighten up and make them kick field goals in the red area.
September 22nd, 2022 at 4:44 pm
Listnfrmafar Says:
“How come no one has called out Vea? He’s been invisible?”
_______________________
Funny how a narrative comes out of nowhere. A few people have uttered this ridiculousness. Vita Vea is LITERALLY on pace to have over 12 sacks this season. Granted, only 2 games. But it is hardly “invisible”, lol.
September 22nd, 2022 at 4:46 pm
Dooley Says:
“@Listnfrmafar
Go watch Devin White & Lavonte David’s 4 combined sacks these last 2 games, and come back and tell me what you see Vita doing and how many bodies he’s occupying? He’s like our Mike Evans on defense.”
____________________________
So much better said than what I just contributed, lol. Nicely done, Dooley.
September 22nd, 2022 at 4:53 pm
I think the STORY of this SEASON will be how masterful our Coach is when coming up with unique game plans for each opponent.
Once Brady and the O start to click, Todd’s life will become ALOT easier.
Until then, EVERY GAME (during the first 4 especially) will be a dog fight.
After we dominate the PACK the narrative will be, yeah, The Bucs really haven’t faced a team that is clicking on Offence. The Chiefs will be the REAL TEST.
Let’s Roll BOOOOOOOOOY!!!!!
September 22nd, 2022 at 5:05 pm
Almost everyone said (IN PREVIOUS POSTS WHEN WE GOT Hicks) oops–that he had issues with staying healthy. He hardly even played before he proved that true. I am disappointed because seeing Vita and him beside each other would have been so fun to watch. Sigh
September 22nd, 2022 at 5:14 pm
@Cricket
I was one of those folks, but also said if he can give us 11-12 games this season at the price we acquired him and for what he does in terms of taking up bodies in trenches than it’s a success. Expecting superstar presence or production from him doesn’t line up with how his career trajectory over the last 2-3 seasons, BUT he’s a helluva contributor when in the mix of collective effort. Rather lose him now than later, we’ll miss his on-field attitude just as much as his impact on the stat sheet in my opinion.
September 22nd, 2022 at 5:18 pm
I don’t understand where Hicks is getting this label of being hurt all the time. Far as I could tell he has played 15 or 16 games every single year except last year and 2015. There was also one year where he played 13 games.
That’s pretty decent.
Hurting the plantar fasciitis has nothing to do with being “injury prone,” it’s just more prevalent with people who are larger and step a certain way. His seems to be more of just a fluke injury
September 22nd, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Some of these guys like Hicks and Jones are only needed for the playoffs so let’s manage their snaps, keep them in shape but get them lots of rest. We don’t need them to win games in the regular season. We will win our division with or without them. They are all here for one reason… to get rings
September 22nd, 2022 at 6:59 pm
How many games in his career has Suh missed again? What was Licht thinking? In a previous thread someone posted both Hicks and Suh’s stats and Suh was better. Am I missing something?
September 22nd, 2022 at 7:04 pm
Crackwise, well said. Folks I am not a Vea hater, I like the player but he used to be a major force.
September 22nd, 2022 at 7:40 pm
We still have enough coin available to sign Suh
September 22nd, 2022 at 9:17 pm
Oh theyre gonna run, because slap belt guy knows we’ll INT a few lol. Man are our DB’s showing up…keep it up guys! 🙂
September 23rd, 2022 at 3:27 am
Suh hates Rodgers.
Rodgers hates Suh.
Suh helped us win a Super Bowl.
I don’t know why we haven’t signed him.
September 23rd, 2022 at 7:49 am
Helped? Suh was an animal in the PO’s and a down right madman in the SB.