“They Kind Of Slowed It Down A Lot”
January 31st, 2016
You want perspective on the Buccaneers’ defense under Lovie Smith?
It was provided at a Pro Bowl event a few days ago.
Falcons fullback Patrick DiMarco will play in the Pro Bowl this evening at 7 p.m. (ESPN). He had just one carry all season, but made the Pro Bowl courtesy of his punishing blocking and ability in the passing game, 13 catches and two touchdowns.
Joe asked DiMarco to name the two toughest run defenses he faced this season.
“We actually had a tough time with Carolina’s defense. They’re pretty stout all over the place,” DiMarco said. “Our second game against the Bucs, they kind of figured out our run game and slowed it down a lot.”
Yes, the Bucs had a superior run defense for nearly all of 2015. But it fell apart in their final two games. The Bears ran against Tampa Bay with ease, and Carolina chewed them up in the season finale. Team Glazer was surely taking notes.
If you think it’s a coincidence that the run defense collapsed while defensive tackle Akeem Spence missed the last few games, then Joe suggests you pay attention. Spence is a monster in run defense.
January 31st, 2016 at 9:18 am
Ive always liked spence. Mcdonald as well. Id really like to see mccoy put on the edge for one entire game….just one to see what happens.
January 31st, 2016 at 10:08 am
Spence and Kwon.
Those two being out hurt the run defense.
Regardless, others need to step up. They have good DTs but like everywhere, teams always need more depth
January 31st, 2016 at 10:14 am
I seem to remember some Houston Texans backup dancing and running all over the defense!!!!
January 31st, 2016 at 10:24 am
Spence is great. Perfect size and strength to execute at the 1.
January 31st, 2016 at 10:58 am
Akeem Spence did not play in the Houston game. A great defense starts with the defensive line in particular the DT and NT. It is about time we compliment Gerold McCoy with an elite NT who can not only stop the run but rush the passer and demand double teams. Jason Licht needs to draft the fastest riser among this years draft class, Andrew Billings Baylor. The way this kid (he is only 19) is taking off and after he blows away the combine, he may not even be there at nine when the draft rolls around. Future All-Pro elite player. If you had the chance to draft Aaron Donald two years ago, regardless of team needs, would you?
January 31st, 2016 at 11:42 am
@dave…Mcdonald too
January 31st, 2016 at 12:11 pm
IMO, Spence is the reason we can run a 3-4 hybrid scheme. McCoy we’re told is a pure 3T. Does anybody else believe he has the quickness and the push to be a tale a few snaps at DE?
Hey, I’m desperate to see anything different from the last two years D.
January 31st, 2016 at 1:56 pm
Spence has been a solid 4th rounder. No 1st in ’13 draft and in the 2nd rd they passed up Kawaan Short who everyone had them taking to get CB Banks, then Glennon over Jorden Reed or Keenan Allan which was another surprise. But overall it turned out to be a pretty good draft, especially if M. Smith can resurrect Banks career.
January 31st, 2016 at 3:14 pm
Banks will be a stud corner….so glad lovie is gone. So glad the made the right choices
January 31st, 2016 at 3:25 pm
McCoy can’t play edge he doesn’t have the gas…
Dirk better put McCoy on a treadmill give him some wind..
STOP taking plays off McCoy and that straight up rooster fighting. Learn some arm sweeps you aren’t blocking
January 31st, 2016 at 3:35 pm
Kevin-Lets hope the choices were right. Still a literal ton left to be proven. I’m optimistic but that will go right out the window if this team can’t catch tackle block or kick next year.
February 1st, 2016 at 12:10 am
You are criticizing the defense for not stopping Carolina, a team nobody has stopped all season?
February 1st, 2016 at 2:40 am
I hope you are right about Banks. I had high hopes for him last year and he actually was looking good until he injured his knee in Houston. He never looked the same after the knee injury? Yes, the 2013 draft could go down as the one that set this franchise back three years. No number one pick, could have, would have drafted DT Star Lotulelei. 2nd round passed up DT Kawaan Short and Tyrann Mathieu. Third round TE Jordan Reed over MG8. Steven Means and Mike James were our last two picks. To top it off we let Darrell Rivas walk after giving up a 1st and 4th round draft pick. Notice how the stinking Panthers drafted two DT’s back to back in round one and two? At least we got Spence and Gholston. The problem is when have first and second round picks either traded away or don’t work out, it is unacceptable. IMO the jury is still out on ASJ and even ME if he continues to drop em.
February 1st, 2016 at 3:19 pm
Godzilla if you picked those guys you are in the playoffs with a qb that could not beat the top defenses in glennon