Takeaways Would Sure Help The Offense
November 23rd, 2022
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
If you think about it, even though the offense has been mostly underperforming, the Bucs defense has played pretty strong.
The Bucs rank in the top six in the NFL in both points per game and first downs allowed. Usually, if a defense pulls that off, you have a good team.
The offense has dragged the Bucs down, No. 29 in points scored per game (18.3)
You know what would help the offense out? Getting more takeaways. Since Todd Bowles took over the Bucs defense in 2019, the Bucs have led the NFL in points off turnovers with 368 (the Belicheats are No. 2 in that same span).
The Bucs currently are in a takeaway drought. Outside of a fumble recovery against Seattle, the Bucs hadn’t had a takeaway since Sean Murphy-Bunting picked off Pat Mahomes back in the first game in October.
One way to help a struggling offense is providing them short fields. For the most part this season, the Bucs’ defense hasn’t done that.
Football coaches like to say turnovers come in bunches. With just two takeaways since Oct. 2, the Bucs are due, long overdue, to rack up some takeaways through the next seven games (or more).
November 23rd, 2022 at 1:14 am
Waiting for Logan Ryan. Just read Goedeke was starting and Julio is number three WR.
November 23rd, 2022 at 1:15 am
But, what have you done for me Lately?
November 23rd, 2022 at 1:17 am
I think if the offense lets the defense rest Then the defense can cook.
November 23rd, 2022 at 1:29 am
All we have to do is watch Whites play the first series and second series to determine if the defense will be playing with 10 or 11 guys.
November 23rd, 2022 at 2:22 am
Oh sheeeeeet!
Say it ain’t so that Godeek is starting.
November 23rd, 2022 at 2:28 am
Goedonkey. Instead of Leverett.
Bowelswich.
Stupid is as stupid does.
These morons can’t be fired soon enough.
November 23rd, 2022 at 3:04 am
Goedeke….Really?!?
If this turns out to be true and Goedeke continues to stink it up… I am gonna be some kind of Raging Lunatic to get Bowles and Leftwich … maybe even Licht on the next bus out of town!
November 23rd, 2022 at 4:08 am
Is Leveret hurt?
November 23rd, 2022 at 5:10 am
I think that lack of takeaways was a major factor in our losses, and that having BOTH Vea & Hicks in there is the reason why. Vea has played in all 10 games; Hicks has only played in 4 games … ALL VICTORIES. Coincidence?
Looks like a 60%-40% split (INTs vs FRs) is a consistent number for Todd Bowles defense. In 2020 we had 25 takeaways; 15 INTs & 10 FRs, so 60% of our takeaways were INTs & 40% were FRs. In 2021 we had 29 takeaways; 17 INTs & 12 FRs, so 58.6% were INTs & 41.4% were FRs. Now in 2022 we have 10 takeaways; 6 INTs & 4 FRs, so again 60% INTs & 40% FRs. IOW that part is consistent.
But look at the takeaways per game averages. it was 1.56 takeaways/game average in 2020; 1.71 in 2021; but only 1.00 in 2022. That even though our sack rate is UP in 2022. BUT … our pressures rate is way down, and got a hunch that pressure (sacks PLUS knockdowns & hurries) is what causes most INTs & fumbles by the QB. Our best pressure has been applied when Vea AND Hicks are both playing (duh). Coincidentally that’s when we’ve gotten 4 of our 5 wins AND when we’ve gotten 7 of our 10 takeaways. And no Joe, I don’t believe in coincidences either.
BTW, opposing QBs have only lost ONE fumble thus far this season (lack of pressure?). In 2021 they lost 5; in 2020 they lost 5 also. Get PRESSURE on the QB and he’ll make mistakes, some of which will turn into takeaways. Lack of PRESSURE = fewer takeaways.
November 23rd, 2022 at 5:24 am
BucsfanFred … Thought I remembered reading earlier that Leverett was hurt (he did play 100% of the offensive snaps in the Seattle game though). After he & Mason, we’ve got Goedeke & Molchon as our reserve Guards (Molchon was just called up from the PS at the beginning of Nov). Again DEPTH isn’t what it’s been in years past.
November 23rd, 2022 at 8:45 am
Let’s see how Smith handles Garrett, if Leverett isn’t hurt that is a very, very, bad move, Goedeke is somebody’s cousin.
November 23rd, 2022 at 9:10 am
“Do we gotta score too?”
-Michael Bennett
November 23rd, 2022 at 9:41 am
Dooley Says:
November 23rd, 2022 at 9:10 am
“Do we gotta score too?”
-Michael Bennett
*************************************************
The whole point of the game is to put more points on the board than the other team so……….. YES!
November 23rd, 2022 at 9:44 am
Sorry Dooley
Had to give the obvious answer (to Michael Bennett).
November 23rd, 2022 at 9:52 am
@GP
All good, you missed the context though. I can remember Michael Bennett barking those words into a camera after a heartbreaker against the Eagles back in 2012, that effectively ruined our slim playoff hopes and Michael Bennett didn’t come back re-sign with us going into 2013 cuz Dequan Bowers lol
November 23rd, 2022 at 11:49 am
NEfan … ‘if Leverett isn’t hurt that is a very, very, bad move, Goedeke is somebody’s cousin.’
Does anyone really believe that Goedeke would start if Brady wanted Leverett in there instead? Me neither.