Shifting Defenses
September 21st, 2016
News of Doug Martin being lost for three weeks isn’t just about change to the Bucs’ offense.
After the Week 1 victory against Atlanta, Dirk Koetter talked about how stopping Doug Martin was the Falcons’ defensive priority. And Koetter said Monday on his Buccaneers Radio Network show that Arizona loaded up on stopping the run by shooting in a safety so fast and furiously that tight end/fullback Luke Stocker was getting hit in the backfield.
But without Martin, how will defenses approach the Tampa Bay offense?
Joe thinks Bucs fans often forget Martin was the clear MVP of the offense last season. But defensive coordinators don’t, and now the Bucs’ offense is much more unpredictable without Martin.
This could be an advantage for Dirk Koetter. He still has weapons, especially if Vincent Jackson can awaken from his 2016 coma and Charles Sims is tough enough to shoulder a heavy load.
September 21st, 2016 at 8:31 am
Well Simms will get those extra touches he raved about in the off season.
September 21st, 2016 at 8:51 am
Man, the first series we were moving the ball well with roll outs and slants, and then we took that deep ball to Evans and it got intercepted. That was the turning point in my opinion. Koetter got too greedy to go deep early on and team fell apart after that INT, specifically inston.
September 21st, 2016 at 8:51 am
Any word on Luke Stocker’s injury?
I wish they would have cut bait with him and kept Vitale. Dan needs work in some areas, but nothing works better than experience.
September 21st, 2016 at 8:52 am
@Pawel Chrobak
Jameis will never get better at deep balls if he doesn’t try them, but you are right.
September 21st, 2016 at 9:05 am
DK needs to do more slants, screens, short passes, etc. He’s got the personnel. It also slows down the game and allows the D to rest longer when it’s off the field. This will be a very interesting game Sunday. It will show how far along Bucs are in developing under DK and MS. Anywho, Go Bucs!!
September 21st, 2016 at 9:06 am
Rattle Jameis with the blitz. And Koetter better prepare for it.
September 21st, 2016 at 9:19 am
Dinks & Dunks and then some dinks and dunks added to a few dinks and dunks….and just when they think you’re done….hit them with some more dinks and dunks.
September 21st, 2016 at 9:26 am
Charles Sims is tough enough to shoulder a heavy load.
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Well he proved last week that he’s not as the running game was virtually non existent in the second half. Sims had 6 carries for 12 yards in the second half. Once again, sims is our best slot WR. I hope Rodgers can pick up the slack for dougie.
September 21st, 2016 at 9:42 am
I think sims might be the next one injured
September 21st, 2016 at 10:02 am
Our new FANDANGLED STAFF will make adjustments and move on!! I’ll allow Tmaxcon to give you all the X’s and O’s and the Realist can give the play by play! Ha ha ha! 18 more games to play and 8 more games to win! Go BUCS!!
September 21st, 2016 at 10:02 am
Fans do not allow the Dink & Dunk plays in Tampa. If that is done it is time to run the coach and QB out of town. So if that is ordered you better hope the receiver can run 20 yards after the catch.
September 21st, 2016 at 10:39 am
It’s sad that people have personal allegiances that are bigger than just being a Bucs fan.
I liked Gruden, but, I didn’t complain after he was gone. I didn’t then try to be critical of the next regime simply because the team went in another direction.
Again, I am Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan first. Not a fan of a specific coach, player, or GM first. It’s pretty obvious to which of you are the other way around.
If you want to talk about back stabbing and true allegiance, I say it’s YOU whose fan priorities are not in order.
GO BUCS.
September 21st, 2016 at 11:05 am
Not buying the spin that Martin’s injury is somehow a positive for the Bucs, so I’ll pump the brakes on that crazy train and say Rodgers will do okay but will be no Martin. Sims will do nothing whatsoever carrying the ball but will continue to be a weapon on short passes and screens. Martin will be missed and the Bucs run game will be a severe shortcoming, and Freeman, oops I meant Winston, will be hit hard numerous times.
September 21st, 2016 at 11:28 am
The sleeper is Jaquizz Rodgers. This guy will find himself making the plays we expect Martin n Sims to make.
September 21st, 2016 at 11:40 am
This is what the Bucs Hiearchy pay these new star spangled coaches for…Find a way to win. I don’t want to hear any of it. Talk to the hand! Time for Koetter and Smith to work that magic all of you said they possessed. That’s why they were hired right? The dawning of a new Buc age! Well..Welcome to the world of Head coaching Doctor Koetter. Your operating room has been sterilized and the nurses are waiting. Surgery time baby! Good Luck. We’re rootin for ya. But we also got…the rope ready! If you don’t beat LA, I see a big…Mayday call comin.
Now having said all of this, I do think LA is very beatable if..we show up.
September 21st, 2016 at 12:43 pm
So Sad!! I pledge allegiance to THE TAMPA BAY BUCS, and within that pledge i exercise my right to be critical of the front office all the way to the person that cuts the field grass and everything in between, including fans, but I have no criticism for you (L/W Dunn) sir at this time!!
September 21st, 2016 at 3:13 pm
Our o line has been pretty solid with pass protection but their run blocking is not good. Doug had a great year last season because HE was making stuff happen. Do you guys not remember how many times he was jump cutting and and reversing direction because his primary route was blocked?
He made our run game, NOT the oline. And they are worse at run blocking this year without makins. So unless Rodgers and Simms can channel some Dougie and break tackles, our run game will be non-existent. Gonna be tough sledding these nex few weeks.
September 21st, 2016 at 9:38 pm
Sims is talented but he can’t carry the load !! Rogers is ok but man is it scary with Jameis throwing to him ,that is tip drill written all over it. You are opening yourself up to losing sims and increasing Jameis’s picks , scary if you ask me.