Kacy Rodgers: Defending Justin Fields “Is Very Scary”
September 15th, 2023
Bears QB Justin Fields.
It almost sounds like the Bucs defense has to be like the kickoff team.
Kickoff teams have lanes for each defender. If a defensive player stays in his lane, the chances of a good runback, short of shi*ty tackling, is minimized. But the defenders must be disciplined and and stay in their lanes.
(Think “spacing” in basketball.)
Bucs defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers made it sound like that’s the issue with defenses trying to defend runaround Bears quarterback Justin Fields. Fields as a passer has a ways to go. As a runner, he is a beast. So the Bears often encourage Fields to take off.
Rodgers made it sound like Fields’ scrambles lures defenders out of their lanes and then he burns defenses as a result.
Last year Fields led the Bears in rushing with 1,143 yards.
“It is very scary,” Rodgers said of stopping Fields when he takes off. “We were just looking at the scrambles today and just trying to make it an emphasis.
“It’s hard because you’ve got to rush him, but then you rush him, and you get out of your lane and now he is taking off. Then if you don’t rush him, you can’t give the receivers that kind of time.
“[Fields] poses so many problems and now you’re playing a chess match – when you rush, when you don’t. It creates a lot of problems for you.”
The Bucs defense is built to stop the run. The Bucs are tied with the 49ers in the fewest yards given up on the ground through the first week of the season.
Joe would be awfully tempted to use Devin White as a spy on Fields. Let’s face it, White in zone coverage is vulnerable. So put him where he can make a bigger impact, and that’s following Fields’ every step on the grass of The Licht House.
September 15th, 2023 at 8:20 am
“Fields as a passer has a ways to go. As a runner, he is a beast.” Mike Vick 2.0
September 15th, 2023 at 8:24 am
From Rodgers’ remarks, the Bucs are taking da Bears very seriously in this home opener next Sunday. I like that attitude. I’m no D expert, but I’ve followed a lot of ballgames over the years. This Fields dude definitely will need a D spy assigned to him. Looking forward to Sunday even if Buc Luck (injuries) is showing its rotten face. Go Mighty Bucs!!
September 15th, 2023 at 8:48 am
Devin White is drooling.
September 15th, 2023 at 9:06 am
This will be Mr. White’s downfall to not get the contract he wants to earn. “Let’s face it, White in zone coverage is vulnerable.”
Learn to be better at this and your contract will arrive Mr. White.
GO!!!!!BUCS!!!!!
September 15th, 2023 at 9:20 am
Maybe Bowles should look at some old Bucs games where they beat Michael Vick. Vick was afraid to play the Buccaneers defense bc they were so good.
Let’s make Fields just as uncomfortable on the field this Sunday.
September 15th, 2023 at 9:27 am
I hope Todd Bowles already knows what he needs to do to contain Fields. If not, I hope he reads JBF.
September 15th, 2023 at 9:37 am
I’m with Kacy and Joe, stay in your lanes and confine him to the pocket. Spy him with White or a safety.
September 15th, 2023 at 10:25 am
“White in zone coverage is vulnerable”
Thats certainly the understatement of the day….
“Liability” is more accurate.
September 15th, 2023 at 10:38 am
Pull out film from the Vick era to see how to contain a guy far more leg-gifted than Fields.
Most shadows are dark. I won’t be surprised if Field’s shadow is “white.”
September 15th, 2023 at 10:42 am
team was 3-14 last year. they were last in passing last year and 1st in rushing. they run between the RB and QB. no need to over think this one. force Fields to pass.
September 15th, 2023 at 12:26 pm
Just pull out tape of Derrick Brooks spying on Vick, he did a good job of containing Vick……
The Bucs’ Defensive mastermind Monte Kiffin had Brooks spy Vick the entire ballgame. When Vick scrambled – there was Brooks. When he looked to pop out of the pocket, Brooks was there. When he tried to set up to pass, Brooks was all over him.
September 15th, 2023 at 12:48 pm
Devin White LOVES these games. Watch him against Lamar Jackson. I know he sucked that game, but whenever LJ ran, White became a heat seeking missile. He ran him down!
White is focused this year. Bad news for running QBs.
September 15th, 2023 at 12:58 pm
Deff agree about DW45 spying. He’s a liability in coverage but also it will be good to switch it up on who spies. LVD can take a shot and same with AW31 to confuse and keep fields guessing. Chess match it will be. I fully expect fields to break a few and for DJ Moore to have some success
September 15th, 2023 at 1:10 pm
Since the Bears main threat is Fields, I’d keep White glued to him all game, since his weakness is in pass coverage and let his speed take Justin down if he tries to get loose! I Remember great clip of Vick mic’ed up on side line in his prime saying a “their too fast” after Brooks etc chased him down all game!
September 15th, 2023 at 3:44 pm
Fields can run and will do some helter skelter scrambling. D must play an even better game than they did against the Vikes. Lets hope our Special teams play and all-around kicking game is as good as it was last week. We can beat these Bears.
September 15th, 2023 at 4:11 pm
test. Last post would no post.
September 15th, 2023 at 4:11 pm
I guess I will be throwing sh*t at the TV every time JTS fails to set the edge.
September 15th, 2023 at 4:13 pm
I guess I will be throwing caca at the TV every time JTS fails to set the edge.
September 15th, 2023 at 4:21 pm
Two of the Bears 3 wins last year were against the 49er’s and Patriots. Belechik usually comes up with a good plan for his defense as he did week 1 against Hurts who is also mobile. Viking plan was to stop Hurts and Eagles rushed for 269. Pick your Poison. You cannot even try to simulate Fields in practice.
Upside for Fields is he will probably get Marvin Harrison Jr with their high draft pick in 2024. Until then Moore and Claypool have 82 and 84 yard TD receptions and are plenty of a deep threat should Fields get to the line of scrimmage and decide to launch one.
Part of those 3 Bear Wins could have been due to poor QB play or just a good Bears defense.
If Tampa is going to beat the Bears Red Zone trips have to end with TD’s. Bucs were 1-2 on TD’s in the RedZone last week and only because they got a second bite at the apple on the one they got. Seems like they were doing great in training camp. Didn’t hear Canales asked about Red Zone efficiency but I am sure it was addressed this week in Practice. Perhaps the press wanted to keep it light and fluffy Week 1.
September 15th, 2023 at 5:31 pm
This is DW45’s chance to earn his $$$.
September 15th, 2023 at 10:04 pm
He is a one read QB. Rush 3 and drop into coverage. Have 45 shadow him.
He will hit a couple of plays but play in play out??? No way
September 16th, 2023 at 1:00 am
Bowles will scheme for Fields for sure. My hope is that we can beat the Bears with just the front four, and spy with Diva. He got lost in zone coverage at least twice last week and it cost us some chunk plays.
Go Bucs!
September 16th, 2023 at 1:17 pm
Good idea Joe. I was thinking the same thing. Remember when DB55 used to shadow Mike Vick? We had Vick’s number