How Good Can The Defense Be?
June 15th, 2014
Alterraun Verner is confident
No, Joe is not the next Joel Buchsbaum, though Joe was right about Josh Freeman and Lavonte David, the Bucs did not draft Johnny Football. Oh, well, it’s not as if Johnny is moping because he’s not a Buccaneer.
But one thing Joe got right about the draft was predicting the Bucs would focus on offense. And that’s just what Bucs coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht did. Nothing but offensive picks in last month’s draft.
Joe figured the defense was fine was and whatever major holes were there, the Bucs filled in free agency. And it wasn’t like the 2013 Bucs defense made fans puke on their living room rugs; they weren’t so horrible (like in 2012). The Bucs were one of the best teams in takeaways last season. So the foundation was there. It’s all about turnovers.
It seems cornerback Alterraun Verner agrees. He told the “Custodian of Canton,” eye-RAH! Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune, the Bucs could be on the cusp of a special defense.
CB Alterraun Verner was asked if the Bucs will boast a Top 10 defense this fall: “No question, but why stop there? I’m thinking top 5.”
— Ira Kaufman (@IKaufmanTBO) June 12, 2014
The key here is sacks and quarterback pressure. It was simply galling how opposing quarterbacks had so much time to throw last year, they could have ordered a pizza — and eaten a slice — before a Bucs pass rusher even breathed on them. It was no less than shameful.
With Lovie having a solid resume on getting quarterbacks to eat dirt, Joe is confident the defense will be just fine. If the Bucs do indeed harass quarterbacks, then this defense could be scary for opponents.
June 15th, 2014 at 5:10 pm
Grass pies will be served by the slices…
…opposing QBs will leave Tampa well fed
June 15th, 2014 at 5:36 pm
I think anyone that expects this team with all the new players to come out firing on all cylinders right out of the gate really doesn’t understand football. It will take a while for this team to jell. By mid-season and beyond I feel we will be able to play with just about anyone. The key will be can we keep our head above water until that “jelling” happens so that we have a shot at the playoffs.
June 15th, 2014 at 5:42 pm
I agree the D may have some growing pains. In addition, I remember our old T2 having issues stopping the run up the gut then wearing down because we couldn’t get off the damn field.
The key is for the O to be able to sustain drives.
Tedford and Frazier need to work together here.
O needs TOP and the D needs takeaways.
June 15th, 2014 at 5:43 pm
Well said brandonbucsfan
June 15th, 2014 at 6:17 pm
Bucs have a number 1 Defense
June 15th, 2014 at 6:18 pm
Luckily defenses gel faster than offenses. We should be able to see what the defense is capable of by week 4 or 5.
June 15th, 2014 at 6:54 pm
A lot of the players brought in on defense have played in some variation of this cover 2 defense (aside from Fletcher.) I don’t see why they can’t come together quickly. I’m excited about the potential of this team this season, but I was also geeked about last years team (and the Rays this season) so I won’t hold my breath.
June 15th, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Far be it from Joe to post any “less than flattering” pictures of Johnny, but this is the kind of picture you should be posting when referencing Johnny https://twitter.com/Ekydoog_Cire/status/475279348107210753/photo/1
No Manziel’s not moping, he’s to busy getting wasted on a floating Swan. There’s your franchise QB Joe. This “hater” is so glad we didn’t draft him. I know you like to act like his party lifestyle doesn’t matter Joe, but just imagine that kind of pictures with Glennon in it instead. You and the rest of the local media would crucify him!!!
June 15th, 2014 at 7:02 pm
@brandonbucfan
I agree, Ron Rivera started out 1-3 before winning the division, wouldn’t be surprised if the same happened to us. (In terms of “jelling”)
June 15th, 2014 at 7:36 pm
This Bucs defense will get after the opposing QB’s good. Lovie will not settle for anything less. The defense will keep the games competitive and within reach for the offense.
June 15th, 2014 at 8:13 pm
Andrew 1, BAM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 15th, 2014 at 8:26 pm
I hope I never see those stupid stunt games like they tried to play last year on the D-line. They need to go old-school Tampa D. Stop the run on the way to the QB.
June 15th, 2014 at 8:40 pm
Agreed on the slow start being very possible. We may well be 0-5 before the lights come on and the team starts playing like they’re capable of. Rome wasn’t built in a day and Smith underneath it all probably understands that. He will never say though, and for that I applaud him.
June 15th, 2014 at 9:07 pm
One spot on the four man front is still a question mark. Will it be Claiborne or Gholston? Will Bowers improve enough to be a competent back up to Johnson? I am liking our defense, just wish this one issue was settled.
June 15th, 2014 at 11:10 pm
@ Andrew
Good point. I’m still on the fence w Glennon. One thing I will say is he has a great attitude and work ethic which we’ve obviously we’ve lacked for a long time.
June 15th, 2014 at 11:12 pm
I expect them to come out firing on all cylinders.
June 15th, 2014 at 11:32 pm
@ Ghost
Not part of the MGM, just pointing out the hypocrisy. Could have also said McCown.
June 15th, 2014 at 11:38 pm
AndrewHater:
Where ya been? Joe linked to this last week. Funny as hell! LOVE Johnny!
“Less than flattering?” Hell, Joe is jealous.
June 15th, 2014 at 11:43 pm
Hypocrisy??? BUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
You are assuming something Joe has never done to be “hypocrisy.”
How many shots have you had today?
As always, don’t like this site, there are other places you can go to be bored with Bucs news. Oh, that’s right, in a few days, only Joe will have daily content. Everybody else will be on vacation.
Guess you’re stuck, huh AndrewHater? 🙂
Speaking of Glennon, Joe has already referenced photos Joe was sent of Glennon and his girlfriend at a bar, and never used them. You know, if you would read a little, maybe you won’t be so angry. That’s two swings and misses you had in just one thread.
June 15th, 2014 at 11:49 pm
There was no way on hell Lovie was gonna pick him, Joe knew this no matter how hard he tried to sell it otherwise lol.
And by all means give us the photos of Glennon wasting it up ahahaha.
June 16th, 2014 at 1:00 am
Johnny Who? Johnny U…perhaps the only good Johnny Football!!!
As for our defense….I have no doubt it will be very Stout!!!!
June 16th, 2014 at 1:28 am
@ Joe+Johnny
WOW! dont get me wrong, meant every word I see, but I had no idea I would get that kind of rise out of you lmao. I’ve actually had nothing to drink today my good sir, but judging by how defensive you just got, I would say it’s you who is in his drink. It’s either that or you really do have some kind sick obsession about Johnny boy to be getting that defensive over someone you really don’t even know, and who doesn’t give a crap about you or any one of us really.
And dont give that BS, if Glennon was sh!t faced riding a Swan, you’d be the first one in line calling him “the drunkin cannon” or some other “witty” nickname. That’s were the “hypocrisy” comes, because when you’re boy Johnny does it, you’re almost kind of proud (weird).
Also if being a hater means that I dont want the face of the team I root for wasted riding a swan, then you got me pegged right, I would in fact be a “hater.” As always, spin it way you like. You also might want to stop living vicariously through Johnny, though funny it’s pretty pathetic.
June 16th, 2014 at 1:43 am
@ PresidentoftheJohnnyfanclub
And yes, you probably with be the only place to offer bucs content, but If I have to come back by default, then what does that really say?
June 16th, 2014 at 2:05 am
AndrewHater:
1) Manziel plays for the Browns, not the Bucs. Yes, Joe linked to Manziel’s photo in a Morning Cup edition. You clearly don’t read enough or you would have seen that.
2) If any Bucs player was sh!tfaced and had a photo, he may use it. Or he may not. Not sure how this is “hypocrisy.” May want to look up the word in a dictionary. So Joe should have posted photos of Glennon and his girlfriend in a bar? Is that what you want?
Joe ain’t changing, sorry. This site is what Joe is. Been doing it for almost seven years now. This shows Joe knows what he is doing. If this site irritates you that much, you can be bored with other sites that don’t update regularly.
June 16th, 2014 at 4:01 am
Again go ahead Joe, by all means post Glennon’s photos, enough talk/insinuation more action lol.
Funny how sometimes it comes off as if the readers didn’t dictate your success.
How ironic..
June 16th, 2014 at 7:41 am
It’s funny how people read a blog, not just this one, and take the attitude that the writer is lucky his content is being read by such intelligent people and who bless him by not taking their eyes elsewhere.
Why do so many people need to feel important?
I find it quite entertaining when Joe tells angry readers to hit the road if they don’t like it. It’s refreshing honesty in this PC world
June 16th, 2014 at 8:37 am
I thought this was about the defense? I like it. It will be better than last year. You know it will. Can’t wait. Joe will get us through the next 5 1/2 weeks.
June 16th, 2014 at 11:12 am
All things being equal I think we’ll be fine right out of the blocks. It’s not like other teams have maintained their entire squads and we are the only ones needing to jell. Carolina lost their entire receiving corp. Nearly every team in the NFL sees upheaval every year with new coaching, Free Agency taking players and the draft replacing others. We won’t be at any particular disadvantage. Our coaches are not rookies.
June 16th, 2014 at 2:13 pm
Keith:
Thanks. Joe knows he is not everyone’s cup of tea. Those trying to concoct some conspiracy are welcome, but if this site irritates them so much, they shouldn’t come here. Life is too short to be miserable by reading things/sites that constantly send them to CVS for another refill of blood pressure meds.
There are tons of writers and sites Joe hates. Guess what, he doesn’t go there.
June 16th, 2014 at 6:32 pm
Even discounting the entertainment of Joe vs Andrew 1, I really can’t see what the big deal. OMG, to quote the valley girl set, a twenty-something likes to party. Even without my experience straining my stomach contend they the screen over the bus windows, my time partying in Olongapo City did no lasting harm. Far be it whatever Andrew 1’s pushing, it is possible to party like hell , in your time off, and be ready to rock & roll, when it’s time to. This puritanical belief that ANYONE has to be a saint, to succeed in the NFL, is nothing short of dead wrong. Guess he never read about Broadway Joe, or any of the other party animals that have populated the NFL’s past. OF COURSE Johnny Football could fail, but he could also be a star. It will, of course depend on how he handles things. I doubt, seriously, an occasional party will be the telling problem, my guess is that being in a big city market, with hundreds of talking heads telling him he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, will have more of an effect. As usual, ‘Time will tell’, meanwhile , leave the kid be.
June 16th, 2014 at 6:33 pm
Contents through..sorry
stoopid auto correction
June 16th, 2014 at 7:22 pm
No it has nothing to do with the readers intelligence or who the readers are for that matter without readers he would have no one to write to nor anyone to profit off of.
It’s logic 😉
June 16th, 2014 at 11:13 pm
Fritz50:
Good thing there were no cell phone cameras and video recorders when Sapp was playing. Or when Alstott knew every bartender in St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach by their first name. Hell, during the Super Bowl week in 1990, Jim Kelly didn’t miss a Tampa strip club.
Shoot, before he knocked up a Playboy playmate, there wasn’t a watering hole on Fourth Street in St. Petersburg than Evan Longoria hadn’t got hammered in.
Oh, and then there’s the stories about Aqib Talib and J.P. Howell (former Rays pitcher) that Joe has been told by managers/owners of said bars in St. Petersburg.
If people think NFL players are monks who only leave the house to go to practice and games, well, that is a very, very, very naive concept.