What Surprise Will Todd Bowles Spring Next?
December 15th, 2024
Zyon McCollum has learned to expect the unexpected with Todd Bowles.
So what kind of defense will Bucs coach Todd Bowles hatch for today’s game in the City of Angels, where the Bucs play the Chargers?
Based on last week, it could be a doozy.
Bucs corner Zyon McCollum said Bowles likes to use exotic defenses. And sometimes Bowles’ hand is forced like last week, when he was down three inside linebackers and needed to rely on a dude that Bowles himself said wasn’t ready until recently despite being on the roster for some 11 months (Vi Jones).
So Bowles decided not to play a shaky practice squad guy when he could instead play defensive backs with a lot of experience.
So for 25 plays (at least), the only inside linebacker Bowles used was Lavonte David.
McCollum told Joe last week that’s what’s so fun playing for Bowles. His assignment is a mystery from week to week, especially when injuries crop up.
“It’s exciting for me because you never know what to expect,” McCollum said. “If we don’t know what to expect, I know our opponent doesn’t know what to expect.
“So it is exciting to go into every week with a new gameplan and to find out how Bowles is going to put us into position.”
So, for the one-linebacker defense, how long did McCollum and the Bucs practice that?
“Not too long,” McCollum said. “But we trained and cross-trained a lot of positions. A lot of our safeties can play linebacker. And they can play nickel. A lot of our corners can play safety if they need to.
“Having that versatility allows Bowles to be able to put in a lot of packages in.”
So what can we expect today with the Bucs down so many linebackers (again) and safeties? Only Bucs coaches and players know.
December 15th, 2024 at 1:09 am
vita playing safety jys playing linebacker and nelson at corner they will neverknow what to do
December 15th, 2024 at 5:50 am
Go Bucs
December 15th, 2024 at 5:55 am
I mean we kind of know one thing we can expect…..
Coverage to be 10yds off the receivers.
Go Bucs
December 15th, 2024 at 6:55 am
All to often our defense looks like it doesn’t know what to expect. Think it’ll be a low scoring hard fought game. Who thought we’d be missing Britt? Bowles better come up with something, his job depends on it.
December 15th, 2024 at 9:23 am
It looks like no one knows what to expect with Todd’s defenses, other than teams will have their best passing game of the year against it.
December 15th, 2024 at 9:47 am
Watch out for a Woody Hayes clothes line tackle if Baker gets intercepted and a Charger runs down the sideline past Bucs bench. Gentleman Todd will just snap.
December 15th, 2024 at 10:22 am
I know….put our receivers in at safety. No one would expect that. And maybe we can get an pick or two. Go Bucs!!
December 15th, 2024 at 12:20 pm
Well at least we should be faster on defense with all these D backs on the field. But we’ll be a little light in the a$$ against the run.
December 15th, 2024 at 12:32 pm
Hopefully, we never have to see Britt again, Hodad. I’d rather lose some other way than watching him chase guys he’ll never catch. Special teams player only and just barely. He needs to stay on the bench even if he gets healthy. Clear target for every team we play.
December 15th, 2024 at 1:23 pm
This explains the frequency of busts in zone.
Play more man, Coach.
December 15th, 2024 at 1:24 pm
Prediction for the “10 yards off guys”.
Clearly Herbert on bad wheels is going to be looking to unload the ball QUICKLY!
Soft coverage will allow some completions and then, as planned before the game, either Zyon or Dean “fake” the soft coverage and jump the quick out for a pick six!!!
December 16th, 2024 at 10:07 am
defense successful