The Bucs aren’t tackling.

But defensive coordinator Jim Bates knows they can.

Why? Because they did it so well in the preseason, Bates said yesterday at One Buc Place. Bates referenced strong preseason tackling multiple times.

Joe can’t disagree. The Bucs horrendous tackling wasn’t an issue in the preseason. Yes, they gave up big plays, but at least the tackling was largely sure.

Joe remembers when the first-team defense came off the field after its opening three-and-out series against Houston in the final exhibition game.  At no point after that game was Joe thinking, ‘They better fix their tackling before opening day.’

Bates talked about a few positives coming from his defense, including Buffalo going 0-4 in the red zone and the Bucs’ defense performing well on third down.

Yes, Joe is confident Bates knows those are largely meaningless stats when your team is getting torched deep and for huge chunks of yardarge on first and second downs.