“The Best Pass Defense Is A Pass Rush”
September 7th, 2022
Father Dungy seemed to uncover the method to Todd Bowles’ madness during their NBCSports.com sitdown.
Bowles tried to sell Dungy that he is more about coverage than blitzing. Dungy countered, “I don’t believe that.”
Astute Bucs fans know Bowles may run the most blitz-heavy scheme in the National Football League. Dungy pushed Bowles, a former safety, and said it feels like he’s just and old defensive backing channeling his playing days You know, DBs want a pass rush more than anything else.
Bowles laughed, “That’s exactly right. The best pass defense is a pass rush.”
It’s no surprise to Joe that the Bucs’ first picks in the last two NFL Drafts were pass rushers, and they went out and paid for an aggressive interior rusher in Akiem Hicks.
They may not be finished shopping.
September 7th, 2022 at 10:34 am
Even the best DBs cannot hold out for more than a minute or two; so I agree with Bowles, the best pass defense is a pass rush.
September 7th, 2022 at 10:39 am
A Pass Rush is a lot like a Home Run Hitter. Home Run Hitters are praised for hitting Home Runs, but what is often overlooked is, how often they strike out!
We all saw the Rams beat us, on an all out blitz, that left Cooper Cupp basically uncovered.
I like a defense with a 4 man rush, because it leaves enough defenders to cover, in case the pass rush does not get there.
September 7th, 2022 at 10:41 am
Who will lead the bucs in sacks this year?
September 7th, 2022 at 10:47 am
And the best O to nullify a strong pass rush is short/quick/screen passes. Sometimes our DBs don’t seem to be ready for that response.
September 7th, 2022 at 10:52 am
I hope Todd keeps doing what he has been doing. It has led us to a Division Title and a Super Bowl the last two years.
It’s the other side of the ball that needs to step up earlier in games.
Did we actually get a game last year where the O played all 4 quarters? I highly doubt that Playoff Rams game comes down to one bad play by the D if the O hadn’t stunk it up for 3 Quarters.
September 7th, 2022 at 11:02 am
I may have an erection for sacks. But probably I just watched a segment with Kay Adams.
September 7th, 2022 at 11:36 am
Who will be our leading pass rusher?
Shaq Barrett
Who will be second on the team?
Thats the question.
Bucs are hoping its JTS.
I dint put much faith in Hope.
After all- they “Hoped” Noah Spence would be a sack leader.
I absolutely agree that the best pass defense is a great Pass rush.
I just dont think we have enough pass rushers.
And no, Akeem and Vea will collapse the pocket. But without edge rushers, all QBs are gonna do is roll out. That neutralizes an interior pass rush
September 7th, 2022 at 11:44 am
I’m still more interested in JPP than Suh. If he were healthy, he was a beast outside against the pass and run. If we are all in, I don’t see why not, but I trust Bowles. Maybe JTS is ready. I didn’t think so last year, but we’ll see soon.
September 7th, 2022 at 11:47 am
The offense was handicapped by bad luck injuries leaves alot out of context when you just say the offense stunk it up for three quarters when you don’t factor in how many starters were missing or injured that game.
September 7th, 2022 at 11:50 am
Anthony Nelson will be second in sacks.
September 7th, 2022 at 11:56 am
Nelson has increasingly shown a knack to get to the QB. Hope he gets an adequate number of snaps this year to continue that trend.
September 7th, 2022 at 11:58 am
Goat Farmer- I bet yiu are right.
Nelson is the one guy who has stood out as a pass rusher, behind Shaq.
Slim pickings after those 2
September 7th, 2022 at 12:03 pm
I hope you’re right Joe that the Bucs ‘may not be finished shopping’. Our defense has taken some pretty debilitating injuries in the past few years. And unfortunately during the season, there’s usually not many quality replacements available. You can never have enough quality DEPTH going into the season … especially in the trenches.
September 7th, 2022 at 12:38 pm
@Ash
Last I checked, only guy injured was TW at right tackle. Everyone else had either been out a while or had quit.
Besides that, it didn’t stop them from coming back in the 4th QT. Face it, the D is not what lost the game for us against the Rams. We should have never been in that situation to begin with.
My point remains, the D game plan is not what concerns me.
September 7th, 2022 at 1:02 pm
Capt.Tim – I’m not sure Shaq will lead for some reason. I think he’s going to see many more double teams and chips with an unproven pass rusher on the other side. At least early on.
Although, I agree with @Goatfarmer and you that Nelson could very well be 2nd on the team or even the best if he earns that opportunity. Nelson’s development and play style reminds me a lot of Trey Hendrickson. He’s just a little bit taller.
September 7th, 2022 at 1:34 pm
Let’s go.
Suh for $2.5 million.
September 7th, 2022 at 1:55 pm
I have a serious question for everyone on here. Who did JPP sign with? Who did Suh sign with? If these guys were still as good as you believe. Are you telling me not one of the 31 other GMs and coaches wouldn’t have snatched them up by now? It’s time to realize, they are done. Why aren’t they here? I have a strong feeling our staff knows them very well, and also realize who we have is better for our team. I think its time we notice how NOBODY else signed them either.
September 7th, 2022 at 2:06 pm
JTS is the future of Bucs Pass Rushers.
I bet he has 12.5 sacks and leads the team.
September 7th, 2022 at 2:14 pm
A Bucs fan.
Agree. Shaq is our most( only) proven pass rusher. He should be our sack leader.
But in the past, when JPP was out- double teams made Shaq near invisible.
And that is my biggest concern about our pass rush.
Who is gonna draw enough attention, to give Shaq a chance.
I hope Nelson. But hope doesnt usually win games.
Ive been a fan since season one. 90% of that time the Bucs have sucked.
Historically- the worst loss record of any professional team, in any sport.
Most of that time- its because we lacked pass rushers.
Jpp was our first real pass rusher in decades.
Once again- we are down to one established pass rusher.
If he sprains an Ankle- Bradys last season will be wasted.
I thought we are all in this year? Starting JTS and Goedeke, at CRITICAL POSITIONS, sure doesnt look like it
September 7th, 2022 at 2:20 pm
My money would be/has to be on JTS. But yeah, Nelson too
September 7th, 2022 at 3:12 pm
MP … ‘I think its time we notice how NOBODY else signed them either’.
Guessing that you don’t follow JBF very much MP, because that’s been ‘noticed’ about 1,000 times on this site already.
And if you noticed, several teams have tried to get Suh to sign for what they were offering, but he hasn’t bitten, yet. And MAYBE he won’t; MAYBE he’s perfectly content to retire at age 35 with meg-millions in the bank. I sure would be.
Or MAYBE he’s just waiting for a starting DT on a contender to go down so he can swoop in & get paid for playing part of a season. Wouldn’t it be ironic if Suh ends up filling in for the Rams this year as they try to repeat as SB champions, and they end up playing the Bucs for the NFC Championship. Guess we’d find out then if he has anything left in the tank.
September 7th, 2022 at 3:29 pm
DR – I hate that nightmare scenario. Makes me want to drink
September 7th, 2022 at 4:45 pm
My bet is on JTS rocking our world this year. I agree with ABucsAway.
September 7th, 2022 at 7:08 pm
Remember all the crap we heard about Chase Young? Had ONE sack in 9 games last year
September 7th, 2022 at 8:20 pm
Goatfarmer … Feel free to use that ‘nightmare scenario’ as your excuse to drink. I won’t even ask for a gratuity.
September 7th, 2022 at 9:05 pm
A killer pass rush. Of course. Absolutely.
If delivered smartly, not predictably and stupidly.
And if the personnel are in place for it. Who besides Shaq Barrett and Hicks, if healthy? JTS so far looks the same as last season. Great first step, but consistently gets stopped short of the QB, still lacking the final power and technique needed. Nassib? Forget it. Nelson? Still need more proof from him.
They had countless opportunities these past months to load up on edge in free agency, and for modest cost. Legit pass rushers, ignored. They did nothing except get Carl, overpaying for JAG.