Defense Breaking Its No. 1 Commandment
September 26th, 2024
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
For a defensive coordinator, there’s no good time to face Saquon Barkley. For Todd Bowles, there couldn’t be a worse time.
Bowles doesn’t normally get much sleep during game week. He’s busy thinking up blitz packages designed to confuse opposing quarterbacks and put them on the ground.
Those schemes aren’t working very well through three games as the Bucs have registered only two sacks, both against Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels in Week 1. Consistent pressure has been a major issue and now Bowles has to be concerned about a run defense that has suddenly gone soft.
Barkley leads the NFL in rushing and he’d be a major problem at any time. But now he’s facing a Buc rushing defense that ranks 25th, allowing 137.7 yards per game and 4.9 yards per rush.
That’s got to be galling for a unit that finished No. 5 last season and No. 1 in both 2019 and 2020 — the first two years Bowles was placed in charge of this defense.
While it’s true Daniels and Denver rookie quarterback Bo Nix gashed Tampa Bay with some scrambles, even when you take Daniels, Nix and Jared Goff out of the picture, Tampa Bay is still yielding 4.7 yards per rushing attempt.
And for a defensive guru whose No. 1 commandment is “thou shall not run on us,” Bowles is mortified by the early numbers.
Saquon Barkley leads the NFL with 351 yards rushing.
You can point to the absence of Vita Vea for much of the first three weeks as a factor, but the Bucs have played stout rush defense in the past without their massive defensive tackle, who has missed 17 games since Bowles arrived in 2019.
These Buccaneers have done a poor job of swarming to the ball. Bowles preaches hustle and effort every week, but an injury-riddled defense hasn’t responded particulary well so far.
And here comes Barkley, who looms as a huge challenge for a struggling run defense.
“Saquon is looking pretty good in those Eagles colors,” says Tom Brady, in his first year as a FOX analyst. “I’ve got them Sunday in Tampa and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Jalen Hurts has thrown more picks (4) than TD passes (3) and Philadelphia’s wide receiving corps is crippled by injury. It would be no surprise if Hurts hands off to Barkley 25 times and throws him a half-dozen passes.
Barkley just ripped the Saints for 147 yards and a pair of scores in a 15-12 victory that leaves the Eagles tied with Washington atop the NFC East.
“I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve just really shook my head like, man, that was an unbelievable cut,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni says, referring to Philadelphia’s big free-agent addition from the Giants. “And he’s making those cuts at 230 pounds. On top of that, he’s making those cuts at 4.3 speed. Who is like him, you know what I mean?”
Practicing with a knee brace this week, Vea could be back in the middle for Bowles against Philadelphia. That would certainly help defend Barkley’s inside bursts. It would also help if K.J. Britt shakes off a middling start and lives up to his reputation as a run-stufflng linebacker.
Hurts also remains a dangerous threat with his legs, so Bowles has multiple concerns — even if A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (concussion) don’t suit up for the Eagles.
The Bucs certainly don’t want to head into Atlanta on a short week with a 2-game losing streak. The schedule is about to stiffen, so Tampa Bay needs to approach this game with a heightened sense of urgency.
The Bucs need to at least match Philadelphia’s physicality … and it starts with keeping Barkley in check. Sacks won’t matter as much as run stuffs Sunday.
It’s time to swarm.
Ira Kaufman Talks Vibes At One Buc, A Necessary Todd Bowles Move, Tom Brady’s Return, Chances Versus Eagles, And Much More
September 26th, 2024 at 5:32 pm
Put five DL on the front like he did in the playoffs although none of them not injured are really any good.
September 26th, 2024 at 5:45 pm
It’s time to accept that the “defensive genius” reputation gifted upon the Todd is a myth. Without BA scoring 30ppg, Todd can’t stop the run, but at least his pass defense makes Blow Nix look like John Elway.
September 26th, 2024 at 5:57 pm
Nothing worse than watching Britt picking up his jock strap off the ground after being shook out of it by a mobile qb
September 26th, 2024 at 6:10 pm
Stopping Barkley is Bucs D job #1. Stopping Hurts is #2.
Scoring 25+ is Bucs O job 1.
September 26th, 2024 at 6:41 pm
The Sad Sacks
September 26th, 2024 at 6:44 pm
Bowles will have a good game plan against Philly. It’s week to week with him. The same guy that comes up with stellar defensive game plans also lets Dean get torched underneath all game long by a rookie QB who hasn’t thrown it deep all year. I was begging for man all game and Todd sat back and let it happen. It really is a mystery to me how Bowles can’t make an in game adjustment. The offense in this one would have just had more 3 and outs anyway because Baker was terrible. I think Bakers wife just sacked him again.
September 26th, 2024 at 6:49 pm
Pear … ‘It’s time to accept that the “defensive genius” reputation gifted upon the Todd is a myth.’
Ya if only Todd knew as much about defense as you apparently believe you do Fruit Loops. Really dislike broken records, and your constant bitches about Todd Bowles are broken records extraordinaire.
Just about all JBFers moaned this off-season when the Bucs didn’t pick up a bonifide pass rusher, ignored the LB corps in the draft, and didn’t do a damned thing to improve the depth of our DLine. Well guess what, it’s come back to bite us in the a$$. To throw the blame on the DC because the powers that be didn’t ‘stock the cupboard’ properly is disingenuous.
September 26th, 2024 at 6:53 pm
It don’t matter what game plan you have if the players don’t come to play!!
September 26th, 2024 at 7:17 pm
I don’t know if I can have any faith in them against Philadelphia after the way they looked against Denver. They’re still getting LA, KC, Baltimore, Dallas & SF & who knows about the division either. I’m sure they’ll probably lose at least two in the division.
September 26th, 2024 at 7:47 pm
Dennis should play over Britt. He’s faster n brings the hit stick
September 26th, 2024 at 8:31 pm
The MAIN EVENT!!!!
Everyone knows, you come here for the BS undercard articles that the Joes put out.
Only cause it just a matter of time before the Ira throws down.
I never agree with everything, BUT DANG is it not nice to taste the sweetness of OLD SCHOOL sports writing.
LFGSage!!!!!!!!!!
September 26th, 2024 at 9:01 pm
Defense Rules Says:
September 26th, 2024 at 6:49 pm
……………………………………………….
I think upper management/Glazers has set a line in stone of NO high-priced free agents, and NO huge deferred contracts, come what may
September 26th, 2024 at 9:21 pm
It’s concerning that Bowles had been leading this defense for 6 years and it only seems to be regressing. Our 1 consistent stat, stopping the run is tanking. Our usually high number of sacks is now worst in the NFL. I know injuries are a factor, but if we can’t lean on Todd as the HC for energy, enthusiasm, vocal leadership, or anything to with the offense, at the least, he should be fielding a competent defense.
September 26th, 2024 at 9:44 pm
We held the commandos to 20 and the Lions to 16 (short 3 D starters), who are both 2-1. Yea I think our D sucks, lol.
September 26th, 2024 at 9:46 pm
It’s no cliche that the only stat which matters, is your record.
September 26th, 2024 at 11:33 pm
The broken record is the long winded excuses for a “defensive genius” who as a coordinator only succeeded with BA’s 30ppg. Now that he’s trying to do both, he does neither.
At least he has the team ready to make a pancake look mountainous in a game where you have the chance to get up on your division rivals and be in the hunt for a top playoff seed. That was reminiscent of last year’s second Saints game with a chance to clinch, Brady’s last game in the playoffs against Dallas, who played poorly against everyone else but Todd.
Jeenius Crines.
Loyalty is admirable, and also blond.
September 26th, 2024 at 11:37 pm
So there is no confusion, Todd is great.
September 27th, 2024 at 12:27 am
Fruit guy. How many points did we need to win the Super Bowl against one of the greatest QBs of all time?the correct answer would be 10. Yup the only game in machines career in which he didn’t throw a TD.How many division titles won since?the correct answer is 3/3.Its almost as if you wish us back to the lost decade, dabbling in the coaching carousel every 2-3 years. Yea, I’m good with Todd, lol
September 27th, 2024 at 12:28 am
Mahomes*, but it is pretty much a machine
September 27th, 2024 at 12:38 am
OR Buc. How many red zone trips did the Chiefs have with two cocktail waitresses at OT? Without BA’s 31, Butker is kicking FGs and the game becomes a coin flip, and also thanks for recognizing the point, BA was HC and acting like one. Todd was just the coordinator.
Now that Todd is both, he’s neither.
September 27th, 2024 at 12:41 am
But Todd is great. And of course, losing to the Donkos so thoroughly could be really good or really bad for the Bucs. Or neither, or both.
Someone actually posted that. LMAO.
September 27th, 2024 at 4:05 am
Hey Fruit Loops … Love ‘fans’ who rewrite history. Bowles’ defense was the 1 constant since he arrived here in 2019 to take over a horrendous defense. Rebuilt that puppy in 2019, but was doomed by an offense … under BA … that turned the ball over a ridiculous 41 times in only 19 games. Then BA got Brady … and Gronk, Brown, Fournette & several others. Yes, the offense improved. Duh. Whodathunkit?
In the meantime, here’s what Todd’s defense did:
o. 2020: 355 pts in 16 games … 22.2 PPG
o. 2021: 353 pts in 17 games … 20.8 PPG
o. 2022: 358 pts in 17 games … 21.1 PPG
o. 2023: 325 pts in 17 games … 19.1 PPG
Since Points Allowed is the real bottom-line measurement of a defense’s performance, I’d say that his defenses have been remarkably consistent over the years here … despite some very significant fluctuations in talent levels. Right now the defensive talent level is the lowest its been during Bowles’ time here IMO, and in particular up-front. I’d say remember who stocks the cupboard, but in your case it’s much easier to just keep rewriting history while searching for scapegoats.
September 27th, 2024 at 6:13 am
“These Buccaneers have done a poor job of swarming to the ball.”
Ira you are correct sir. Monte Kiffen would be losing his mind!
I was yelling at the big screen last week. Where the heck is everybody!”
Its like nobody but Nelson knew where the ball was on the TD run. Not the only time last week that the back end was MIA. I know todd likes to send guys which leaves us vulnerable but….Damn!
Go Bucs!