“We’re Not Attacking The Ball Like We Need To”
December 1st, 2022
Big-money Super Bowl cornerback Carlton Davis.
The Bucs have forced 11 turnovers this season, that’s tied for fifth-worst in the NFL.
More specifically, the Bucs are in the bottom third of the league when it comes to interceptions.
Head coach/defensive coordinator Todd Bowles had a goal of 30 turnovers this season. That’s not going to happen. But why? Cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross had an answer for the Buccaneers Radio Network this week.
“We’re not attacking the ball like we need to,” Ross said, noting multiple opportunities downfield against Cleveland on Sunday. “We’re still not playing the ball like we need to be playing it.”
Highlighting the Bucs’ woes forcing turnovers is cornerback Carlton Davis’ 20-game streak without an interception. Fellow starting corner Jamel Dean had two picks in Week 2 but nothing since.
There’s an element of luck when it comes to turnovers, but the Bucs certainly should have more, considering how they are among the league leaders in sacks and have established defensive playmakers.
Ross added interesting takes when it comes to the Bucs’ softness and mentality. He said the Bucs’ troubles against AFC North teams this season (they’re 0-3) is tied to how physical those clubs are and the Bucs need to tackle better against them.
And regarding leading the NFC South, Ross said the Bucs don’t look like a division leader. “We need to start acting like a first place team now, that’s the difference.”
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Flash poll posted at 6:12 a.m. Poll closed at 9:05 a.m. Last week’s poll results linked here.
December 1st, 2022 at 12:04 pm
its called playing not to lose….something tb has now embeded in this team, and apparently the other coaches are falling in step with tb, bl….
imagine what they would say after not having to depend on them for a job… or they that stoopid as well?
seriously, how could tb and bl have coaches under them that are dumber than them. must have been a requirement to be on board.
December 1st, 2022 at 12:11 pm
This is pointless. We are a sinking ship with Captain Bowles and First Mate Leftwich. The defense is not the problem. Where’s the accountability from the coaches? I’ve head poor excuses from Bowles. He’s starting to sound like Lovie Smith.
December 1st, 2022 at 12:12 pm
We’re playing mediocre because the coaches are mediocre. Bowles preaches accountability in a video two weeks ago, then this week says the players can’t keep p!ssing away games. Bowles completely shat himself by not burning those timeouts, not trusting Brady to do what he’s done for two decades, which is execute in clutch moments.
The players have tuned Bowles and Leftwich out….all these players only meetings/dinners are a direct reflection of that. They’re trying to fix themselves because they don’t have faith in the coaches ability to game plan.
December 1st, 2022 at 12:13 pm
Davis been playing scared all season and still be getting beat.
December 1st, 2022 at 12:20 pm
Too scared to make a play on the ball. Too scared to pass the ball downfield. Too scared to call time out.
This team does have an identity. Scared.
December 1st, 2022 at 12:27 pm
If you look at the first 3 games of the season this Defense was flying around and making plays. Its not only the turnovers but if you look at the tape during these 3 games many passes were contested. Defensive backs and Linebackers got their hands on some passes and broke them up. After that the in the vast majority of the opponents receptions the receiver is open and not a defender within 2 or 3 yards, which also results in YAC. They stopped being aggressive and started to look more soft, probably because it got into their heads and think they can win by showing up. This Defense has to be aggressive because there is not constant pressure with only a 4 man passrush
December 1st, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Frankly, I don’t think the defense has been that bad…all things considered. They’ve had some bad moments, but overall they have played much better than the offense.
They’ve been spending far too much time on the field.
December 1st, 2022 at 12:33 pm
That said…since the Bucs cannot demote Bowles…they still need to fire him.
The Glazers and Jason Licht need to show Brady that keeping him around is the most important thing. Even though he’s not at the top of his game, he’s still among the best…much better than we can draft.
December 1st, 2022 at 12:46 pm
@LVMYBUCS
Carlton Davis has been playing scared most of his career, last game has been one of the worst if not his worst….The only thing Brisett had to do was run the ball and form time to time throw it where CD was covering, and he would be late or slip or miss the tackle
December 1st, 2022 at 12:56 pm
Identity=Scared. I like it and it fits.
FINALLY WE HAVE AN “IDENTITY!!!!”
December 1st, 2022 at 12:59 pm
the secondary has been solid imo Dean is having a borderline All-Pro season.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:19 pm
Teams are averaging 33 passes per game against the bucs. Indistinguishable from the league average. So, you’d expect them to be right in the middle for INTs. It doesn’t work that way though. From year to year, ints are a mystery. I’m assuming they do all the drills in practice. Tip drills, jump ball and the like. I don’t hardly ever see our DBs driving on the ball. No route jumping, stuff like that. IDK it’s an enigma wrapped in a riddle.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:21 pm
It is embarrassing to listen to these athletes complaining about what they don’t do during the game. They are supposed to be professional & well paid. Stop complaining & start producing. Bad management & coaches. Coaches not held accountable, so why should the players be accountable for their horrible play, game after game.
December 1st, 2022 at 2:22 pm
I’ve got no issues with C. Davis. He is a solid corner. A pick or two here and there would be nice for what he is getting paid.
But overall – he is pretty solid.
I hope we can re-sign J. Dean and reduce the concussion risk for Winnfield and we would have one of the best back 4 in the NFL…
December 1st, 2022 at 2:28 pm
Thing with being aggressive in seeking INT’s is that someone often needs to jump a route to get it, leaving an assignment behind. Great if it works, not so great if they guess wrong for where the ball is about to go. Delicate balance here. Agree with previous post, Defense has been generally good, so the lack of turnovers are not overly concerning.
December 1st, 2022 at 2:31 pm
Buy CD, go elsewhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 1st, 2022 at 3:22 pm
no you need to be attacking the coaches hahahaha
December 1st, 2022 at 4:48 pm
It’s fine to be aggressive. It’s far more important to be smart and disciplined…and have coaches who know how to get players into position to execute smart game plans.
Individually and collectively, this team is flailing. Because the problem starts at the top. Leadership, lack of. Direction, lack of.
Put guys out there without the right preparation, and you get exactly what you see. Freelancing, frustration by individuals, blown assignments, blame game.
Rewind to the playoff collapse vs. Rams. Bowles has not fixed what we all saw on those sequences.
December 1st, 2022 at 5:45 pm
I hate the 10 yard off the line soft coverage – Todd’s weakness is every blitz has the same backend coverage and every coach on the planet knows them by heart
Our first and forth quarter D is our Achilles heal
They know us going in and anything new we do over and over so by the 4th qtr they know how to beat us and routinely do
December 1st, 2022 at 6:36 pm
Where are you Logan Ryan?!!! Resign Dean next year, not SMB, and hire Ryan as secondary coach or DC.
December 1st, 2022 at 7:53 pm
Brian Flores or Eric Beinemy.
December 1st, 2022 at 9:32 pm
Lets see, off coverage/ Soft/ scared/ = nulifys your pass rush,
The whole mentality is soft and scared
It starts at the top of the Coaches. Todd Bowles
He cannot get out of there fast enough.
Billboards Billboards Billboards across the region, Schiano 3.0
Pitchforks and Torches at your nearest walmart.
“Time to siege the day” and run Bowles out of town
“SIEGE THE DAY” Never thought of the slogan that way till just now, but it works.
SIEGE THE DAY THROW AND THROW BOWLES IN THE BAY”
I can remember back when John McKay was coaching and heard so many times, to throw McKay in the Bay. lol
Well, its time again to throw this guy, Bowles in the Bay
GO BUCS!!!!! SIEGE THE DAY AND THROW BOWLES IN THE BAY
Yep Billboard material there