Why The Defense Could Be Damn Good This Year
September 6th, 2023
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
Joe has been harping for months how the Bucs defense can be quite good this year. If it can develop an edge rush, this defense could be lights out.
Look at the defense objectively. Isn’t there a real chance the defense could be much better than last year?
Joe could go position-by-position to show it’s realistic to expect improvement from last season. The Bucs certainly have added pieces and gotten more athletic if not quicker. This is why Joe has faith in the defense.
From Rich Hribar of Sharp Football Analysis, two stats really jumped out at Joe regarding last season’s Bucs defense.
* 39.8% of the drives against the Buccaneers ended without a first down or touchdown, the highest rate in the league.
* Tampa Bay allowed a league-low 27.0 yards per drive in 2022.
Those are two fantastic stats. And again, Joe thinks the defense that accomplished those things could be better this fall.
So yeah, Joe is stoked to see what this Bucs defense can do. It might have to carry the team like the old Bucs. And it may be good enough to do just that.
Join Ira Kaufman and Bucs fans on opening day at the Big Storm Brewing Co. taproom in Clearwater, on 49th Street just south of Ulmerton Road.
Beautiful covered patio with strong sightlines and audio. Indoors, too! Cocktails, a great menu, Florida’s best craft beer and more.
SEE YOU SUNDAY!
Huge covered and comfortable outdoor patio at Big Storm Brewing Co. in Clearwater.
Click on through to check out their website.
Fun time ahead.
Indoors too! Joe highly recommends the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich and fries.
September 6th, 2023 at 7:07 am
OLine will also be better this year
September 6th, 2023 at 7:08 am
Hahaha
Man it’s hard to post on here when ever post is in moderation
Positive comment SOOO what did the “computer” pick up on
Obviously once your in moderation You stay in
September 6th, 2023 at 7:21 am
Clueless Todd’s defense will underperform. Mark the tape.
September 6th, 2023 at 7:30 am
3 and outs on Offense Killed the team last year .
September 6th, 2023 at 7:34 am
Only if our offense can move the ball.
Only if our offensive line came help the running backs.
We had 1 one of the worst offensive lines in NFL history last year. With one of the worst rushing attacks in NFL history.
We could be in serious trouble if Hainsey plays like he did last year.
September 6th, 2023 at 7:45 am
Mr. Cousins and Mr. Jefferson will show us how good, or not so good this defense is in a few short days.
September 6th, 2023 at 7:49 am
A couple of stats indicate a very good defense, yet in the most important stat, points allowed, the Bucs dropped to no. 13 in the league (still not “bad” but just middling). So what gives?
One possible explanation is the matter of complementary football. When a team’s offense is not completing long drives and putting points on the board from the red zone, it puts a lot more pressure on the defense defending short fields and playing from behind, when a defense is forced to take more risks such as blitzing more often leaving single coverage in the defensive backfield. That was clearly the case last season when our offense dropped to no. 25 in the league in points scored, and our defense regressed from its excellent performance the two prior seasons.
So if there was zero change to the defense, it’s more likely than not that an improved offense that scores more points will result in fewer points allowed by the defense.
Now that does not mean the defense needs no improvement this season, because Coach Bowles cannot depend upon an improved offense – though we’re trying very hard to do that with the new Canales offensive design and some quality skill players backing up our new quarterback.
Obviously the Bucs are attempting to improve all phases in the game.
But if the offense does improve to say middle of the pack or better, then I would expect the defense to also allow fewer points.
September 6th, 2023 at 7:52 am
What happens when Vea misses 4 games?
Without him this DLine is in shambles and we will not stop the run with Logan Hall and Gaines at DT
One injury away from about 200 yards a game rushing versus most of the league
September 6th, 2023 at 7:58 am
“Jeff says” is the clueless one, not Todd Bowles – everybody in the league acknowledges Todd Bowles as one of the top defensive coaches in the league.
Even the legendary Monte Kiffin, DC for the historically great defenses of the Bucs in the late 1990s through the mid 2000s had a couple of off years, with one year ranking #$12 in scoring and in another year dropping all the way down to #21 in the league.
September 6th, 2023 at 8:37 am
I thought our defense needed an edge rusher to be damn good
September 6th, 2023 at 8:53 am
It will have to be.
September 6th, 2023 at 9:05 am
Offense wins championships in the NFL these days, not defense.
September 6th, 2023 at 9:20 am
Won’t be long now!!
September 6th, 2023 at 9:40 am
we shall find out. They better be top 5 to represent properly given the talent and lovie is a defensive guru
September 6th, 2023 at 9:41 am
That’s the blueprint for success this year.
I’m stoked for a very good shot at an upset week 1. Vikings defense is suspect and we should have an advantage of no film on Canales/Mayfield/etc.
We were able to hold Jefferson under 40 yards 2 years ago. This is a chance for Davis to back up the offseason talk. Although Jefferson is a beast that is hard to contain for anyone lol. I have him in 2 fantasy leagues where i had the #1 pick.
September 6th, 2023 at 9:41 am
bowels….bowels I meant. that is if he can stop the horrendous in game calls and learn clock management and when not to blitz
September 6th, 2023 at 9:50 am
Yes, if we can manage to generate a pass rush, look out!
September 6th, 2023 at 10:20 am
Get Lucky with injuries and Turnovers.
September 6th, 2023 at 10:27 am
Teacher man,
Hainsey was rated fairly high last year. Don’t think he’s going to get worse. If he improves it’s possible he ends up as a top 12 center in the league. Last year, I think he graded at 17. Either way, he wasn’t horrible
September 6th, 2023 at 10:45 am
Once the offense sputters, and the defense has 1 injury, they will fold like lawn chairs.
September 6th, 2023 at 11:01 am
I keep seeing people say that Hainsey was highly rated by PFF last year.
Do those people even consider their own eye evidence. How many times did he lose gap control on run plays. I can’t even count that many times.
So, he may have not given up a lot of sacks or had a lot of penalties.
Don’t forget what your eyes showed you on every single 3rd and short and 4th and short. If the NT is gaining clear advantage every single time on those plays, then the guy is not fairly highly rated IMO.
I tend to be a glasses half full guy. But I saw nothing on Hainsey run blocking last year to like.
September 6th, 2023 at 11:20 am
Wow, considering the lack of an edge last year, that’s amazing. How putrid was Leftwich? Wow.
September 6th, 2023 at 12:05 pm
Dave, can you come back and play this year? 🙂
September 6th, 2023 at 12:44 pm
IMHO the table is set it will largely come down to health. One can say duh it’s the NFL but in the Buc’s case health questions loom LARGE!
The obvious recovery of Shaq is foremost on most minds I’m more focused in the backfield. If the two stud DB’s play healthy all season long…something they’ve yet to accomplish…IF Winfield can also stay healthy…questionable as well at this point…if those 3 guys remain healthy enough to play to their potential this is a stud defense! They can cover and tackle…IF they can play.
Add in Devon White returning simply to rookie form and fire…and then if the kids play as they’ve flashed…indeed this D could be damn special.
September 6th, 2023 at 1:15 pm
FireBowles, did u even watch our last Super Bowl win!? Held a high powered Mahomes led team to 3 FIELD GOALS! Yeah defense’s don’t have anything to do with winning Super Bowls
September 6th, 2023 at 9:10 pm
Bowles defense was only special during the Super Bowl run. When they were special, they got sacks, forced fumbles, and Diva picked passes off. Not sure how anyone is predicting special when none of those are even close to certain. The defense just needs to be solid and consistent, which is what they did last season. There is room for improvment particularly, with just stopping the run.
September 7th, 2023 at 3:19 am
Wow are those stats real?
Watched every play and that does not seem to jive with what i saw.
If so I agree with your statement wholeheartedly Joe.
“It might have to carry the team like the old Bucs. And it may be good enough to do just that.”
Go Bucs!
September 7th, 2023 at 6:44 am
With the Sack King back and the new pieces up front on D if we can go back to dominating the ground game, I believe that the secondary could start forcing more turnovers instead of just breaking up the pass. (Which are corners are studs at doing)
September 7th, 2023 at 1:27 pm
Bucs defense could be top 5 defense easily. I know the bucs want to run the ball but are you going to sacrifice your bread and butter passing game just to run the ball? NFL has changed over the years , ever heard the passing game can open up the running game? The Bucs have quality receivers that need to be included in it’s offense. If the receivers get their quality touches the running game will prosper. If you sacrifice the passing game for running game it’s going to be a long season. The Bucs don’t need a great quarterback to win in this league they have quality receivers and any quarterback can pick a deep initial part with these receivers they just have to protect the ball.