The “No Fly Zone” Lives
December 8th, 2013
This summer, the Bucs’ marketing department started pimping the “No Fly Zone” slogan for the Bucs secondary in response to the big-money acquisitions of Dashon Goldson and Darrelle Revis.
It sounded good, but now it’s actually reality.
The Bucs added to their NFL lead in interceptions today with four picks of EJ Manuel. They came in various ways, two by Lavonte David (one punishing assist to Darrelle Revis), one by Mason Foster and a jumped-route pick by rookie Johnthan Banks.
That gives Tampa Bay 21 picks with three games to play this season. Consider that’s the highest single-season total since 2008, when the Bucs had 22. You’d have to go back to the Glory Years Bucs for more seasons with 21+ interceptions.
While the Bucs’ pass rush was stout today, that surely hasn’t been the case all season. The high interception total is a great testament to the Bucs’ efficiency in pass coverage. They don’t drop many chances, and they’ve been hunting in bunches for much of the season. You better believe the rarely-tested presence of Darrelle Revis is a factor.
Joe can only imagine what could be next year if the Bucs actually score a true edge rusher in free agency or in the draft.
As Joe wrote this morning, the entire opening-day Bucs defense is healthy. Today was exactly what it was supposed to look like, much like it did in the first few weeks of the season.
Bucs fans can put a lot of hope in the Bucs pass defense. It’s deserved.
December 8th, 2013 at 5:37 pm
LD is elite!
December 8th, 2013 at 5:39 pm
Good game by Bucs defense overall. Buffalo, well that’s the Bills.
December 8th, 2013 at 5:42 pm
Definitely exciting to watch
And the sad part for LD is that a couple days ago in the probowl ballots he was 9th in the polls for OLB’s. It’s going to be such a robbery if he doesn’t make the probowl.
December 8th, 2013 at 5:45 pm
Great defense today and just enough offense.
Just like the good ol’ days.
Que the “we’re still only 4-9 and it was against the Bills” comments.
December 8th, 2013 at 5:46 pm
With those stats he should make the All-Pro List, screw the pro bowl.
December 8th, 2013 at 5:49 pm
It was only a “No Fly Zone” because the Bills only had a paper airplane
December 8th, 2013 at 6:00 pm
If only we could just schedule crappy teams, Gregory might get this team to .500 one day in the distant future.
December 8th, 2013 at 6:01 pm
What can you say, the defense was just awesome! The key is can we continue to play that way in the next 3 games, if we do then win or lose I think Schiano is back next year if they are close games. If we win one more then yes he is back. The offense overall played subpar, take away the 2 big plays in the 1st half and this would have been a much closer game. It seems clear that it’s the offense that needs the attention next year regarding FA acquisitions and the draft. We need another big play WR or 2 if we can get them plus some oline help.
December 8th, 2013 at 6:03 pm
I like Watkins and Benjamin, if we can get one it would be spectacular.
December 8th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
Offense was sloppy today….but the defense was fantastic. I don’t count the Bills being weak against them….this was a big game for the Bills also and we dominated them.
December 8th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
A DE and a corner for depth.
I love Joyner from FSU but I don’t think there’s a way for us to land him.
A lineman is necessary too.
Sears won’t be here for long if he can prove he can be healthy next year.
He makes too much money to sit.
December 8th, 2013 at 6:13 pm
Arron Sears?
December 8th, 2013 at 6:15 pm
Bwahahaha wow
I meant nicks.
Damn that was just sad.
December 8th, 2013 at 6:16 pm
IMHO we still need a quality LT. I know its never the sexy pick. I just don’t see away around it.
December 8th, 2013 at 6:17 pm
It’s crazy weird everytime I picture nicks face he reminds me of Sears for some reason and I do that a lot mentally but that’s the first time I typed it out Ahahahaha.
December 8th, 2013 at 6:20 pm
I think maybe his future replacement might not be a bad idea to grab.
Cause once a LT starts to lose a step there’s been success in moving them inside.
December 8th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
Lol, Happens to the best of us brotha. I do the same with Brandon Scherff & Riley Reiff..smh.
December 8th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
Ahahaha
December 8th, 2013 at 6:31 pm
If health, this D definately dominanates next year
December 8th, 2013 at 7:01 pm
A win is a win. Remember a week ago how bad everyone felt after the loss to Carolina? Another loss this week to a team like the Bills would have been much worse. I think everyone can agree on that.
December 8th, 2013 at 7:54 pm
The Little General will guarantee mediocrity and 4th place divisional finishes.
Now if he can just schedule the service academies once or twice a year, he’ll break that .500 mark some day. That’s the Rutger’s way.
December 8th, 2013 at 7:56 pm
How nice is it going into the draft this year with only one hole to fill in defense. And seeing how Wright has stepped up, a slot reciever …..hmmmmm Barr or Watkins?????
December 8th, 2013 at 9:09 pm
I don’t care who we beat. We won and I’m tickled.
December 8th, 2013 at 9:12 pm
Our D is not far from really being able to dominate, today even Goldson showed what he can do when given the reps on the line, GMC is a YOUNG beast that should man the middle for years to come, Revis has been playing really well, and doing so without being 100% healthy, but our LB’s are studs, LD is a phenom that was made to play this game at a high level, and we have 2 safeties that bring the wood, I think Banks will also be a solid player the more he plays. All things considered on D, things are looking up!
December 9th, 2013 at 7:39 am
My fav was the Johnthan Banks pick. For the first time he looked like Barber.