“That’s All We’ve Been Focusing On”
December 18th, 2024
The 2024 Bucs defense has gone from real to fake and back to real again.
The latest reincarnation was a second-half smothering of the Chargers and QB Justin Herbert on Sunday. Los Angeles didn’t convert a third or fourth down all game.
The results seem to be coming from a fresh approach by Todd Bowles: ignore the opponent.
“We saw before the bye week the things we were messing up as far as missing tackles, taking bad angles, not doing the little things right,” Bowles told the Buccaneers Radio Network. “And we really wanted to focus on that and we stopped focusing on the opponent. And we thought if we could focus on that part and just do that right, we had a chance to win some ballgames.
“And we’ve cleaned a lot of that up. And it’s got to be week by week and it’s definitely got to be week-by-week and it’s definitely got to keep on going. But that’s all we’ve been focusing on.”
Joe was intrigued to hear Bowles share these details. It represents one value of having defensive coordinator in his sixth season with the same team.
Nearly every player knows the complex defense so darn well that Bowles can relentlessly drill fundamentals late in a season without worrying about it affecting game preparation.
December 18th, 2024 at 2:58 pm
Love when guys are flying around and Bowles goes back to being blitz happy
December 18th, 2024 at 3:01 pm
Joe, one of the biggest holes on the D is whoever is playing next to Lavonte (all three of them) in pass coverage.
Is there any thought that SirVocea might be able to come back if we make the playoffs?
December 18th, 2024 at 3:02 pm
A little more aggression can go a long way in football. The young DBs should be gaining confidence!
December 18th, 2024 at 3:12 pm
Hopefully Deon Jones is a positive in the playoffs.
If he is this defense can be special like we said early.
Everyone needs reps and these backups have gotten them.
Now we see the opposite side.
December 18th, 2024 at 4:09 pm
I hope KJ Britt stays on the bench.
December 18th, 2024 at 4:12 pm
Merriweather looked awesome out there on Sunday.
December 18th, 2024 at 4:25 pm
I love the strategy of bringing a safety or corner up to play linebacker next to LVD. That’s truly “players over plays.”
December 18th, 2024 at 4:31 pm
I’m wondering the same Timbucs2. Dennis was playing so well and he got hurt really early. And it was a shoulder injury right? So his legs should be fresh. We haven’t heard any update on him and if he could come back for the playoffs or even a week before the defense would benefit big time.
December 18th, 2024 at 4:41 pm
The thing that Nick Saban mentioned repeatedly this year, and while he was at ‘Bama – the team and each player needs to play consistently to their own “A” game without regard to the other team. The Bucs still aren’t very good at it – look at the Carolina game.
The Bucs basically have a 1/2 game lead over ATL and need to win out. LFG!
December 18th, 2024 at 4:43 pm
@Timbuc2 and BigPoppaBuc – it’s been reported here many weeks ago that SirVocea likely won’t return unless there is a deep playoff run.
December 18th, 2024 at 4:48 pm
JJR looked pretty solid out there Sunday.
I heard Ryan Neal was playing but never heard about him. A win for the Bucs.
December 18th, 2024 at 4:54 pm
Sirvocea has been injured since the minute he walked thru the door.
December 18th, 2024 at 5:49 pm
Any time you shut out an opponent for a full half of a game, that’s a great thing.
But let’s be real – we’ve played the Giants, Panthers, Raiders and Chargers with a hobbled Herbert and missing their biggest offensive weapon. That’s a bunch of scrub offenses (though the Panthers can look okay at times).
December 18th, 2024 at 5:49 pm
whoa whoa whoa
Do not count the chickens before they hatch
December 18th, 2024 at 6:44 pm
How about focusing on the DBs being closer than 10 yds off the WRs.
Or being next to the receiver when he catch the ball and heck put a hand out and try to break some passes instead being 3 yds off and try to make the tackle after an easy catch.
That would be something to see.
Go Bucs
December 18th, 2024 at 7:02 pm
One game does not make up for the putrid defense this year. Let’s see how the rest of the season plays out.
December 18th, 2024 at 7:03 pm
It would be nice to have some sessions where pass rushers (especially edge) were called on to actually rush the passer, and then get coached up to do it better.
Also, some sessions where pass coverage guys got coached up on how to cover better. It’s possible that’s a reason for the improvement we’ve seen.
Regardless, taking away CeeDee Sheep with double coverage seems wise, as Cooper Rush doesn’t really have anyone else of note to throw to.
Time to eat the JerryCows raw.
December 18th, 2024 at 7:04 pm
PS – another humiliation of Michelle Parsons would also be sweet.
December 18th, 2024 at 8:16 pm
Love the positivity. I’m still not buying the defense. Too many bad games against really bad QBs. I think Herbert was hurt and it changed his game a bit. Offense is the strength of this team(running).
December 18th, 2024 at 8:19 pm
If we beat the Cowboys will the Bucs suddenly become “America’s team”? Youth wants to know! 😁 🤓
December 18th, 2024 at 9:17 pm
Ironically IMHO it’s the “Asskickers” who make the difference this year, even on defense.
The OL has improved so dramatically they can know begin to eat clock with an almost unstoppable run game. How exciting is it for the Bucs D to come off the field and watch the “Asskickers” do their thing, blasting holes for RB’s and giving Baker just enough time to pull another pass out of his backside.
This OL is the real difference maker in this year’s team. ME still a star, Baker solid QB, Bucky, Rachaad and Sean all good RB’s, Coen creative OC who designs great plays and calls them at the right time in the games…but above all of that…the freaking OL has set the mood and it’s a physical get that weak spit out of here mood. Asskickers indeed.
December 18th, 2024 at 9:34 pm
Some of u posting on this site r truly pathetic playing scrub offenses so the eagles,lions,redskins,taking kc to overtime & truly in contention on game this year WTF is wrong with u jokers
December 18th, 2024 at 10:33 pm
timbucs – a month or two ago the word was Dennis could return ‘for a long playoff run’ so it sounds like not expected for first round or two
December 18th, 2024 at 11:20 pm
“Nearly every player knows the complex defense so darn well that Bowles can relentlessly drill fundamentals late in a season without worrying about it affecting game preparation.”
December 18th, 2024 at 11:47 pm
I’d say it’s just all “pressure works well against a qb who can’t move” but….Cousins torched us. Twice. It’s all so weird. I don’t know how people bet on these games anymore.
December 19th, 2024 at 1:16 am
The tough part is taking a long look in the mirror Todd. Looks like you did. There were some changes made beyond what the players where and where not doing.
Go Bucs!
December 19th, 2024 at 2:12 pm
Sorry, I’m not buying. Until this team can generate a pass rush without bringing pressure on the QB without sending the house on blitz packages it will never cease me from staying nervous in games.
December 19th, 2024 at 3:34 pm
I still come back here and hear the usual BS that the Bucs are a 3-11 team. You bozos are idiots. They are 8-6 and have won 4 games in a row. What’s stopping them from kicking the crap outta the Cowjerks Sunday night? They know they have to be on guard for the refs cos they’re playing in Dallas. They will win #5, and h3ll, why not win the last 2 games?