Defense Exploding
December 2nd, 2016
Kwon Alexander and the Bucs defense are on a roll.
How dominant has the Bucs defense been of late? Well, so much so, their defensive rankings have skyrocketed.
In the past three games, the Bucs resemble nothing like the team that got napalmed by Derek Carr and Matty Ice in a span of five days. In fact, it is almost like Joe is watching a totally different team.
Consider some numbers the media relations department of the Bucs dug up:
The Bucs have 20 takeaways, tied for the third-most in the league. Pretty damned good. Also, as Joe has stated, third downs have become “Bucs downs.” The Bucs own the third down, especially on defense, ranking third in the NFL in preventing third down conversions, currently holding opponents to 33.6 percent (45-of-134). That’s the third-best rate in the NFL.
Whatever the hell has been spiked in the drinking water at One Buc Palace, Joe sure hopes it has been bottled for future use. This is some impressive turnaround.
December 2nd, 2016 at 9:10 am
It’s almost like there was a new defensive coordinator who brought in an entire new scheme that needed some time to gel…..
December 2nd, 2016 at 9:11 am
Wow! An improving offense that has show signs of being explosive and a developing D that has been shutting people down. So glad Lovie is gone.
December 2nd, 2016 at 9:15 am
Cmon Bucs let’s punch chargers in the jaw then put them away early
December 2nd, 2016 at 9:20 am
We Bucs fans love us some good “D”!!!!
December 2nd, 2016 at 9:24 am
Now is the time to talk with coach Koetter about having a co head coach. If an arrangement can be made, having both Koetter and Smith would be huge…Their ability to work together and continue to build the bucs would be monumental. They both have whole team aspects but their own specialty… It very well may happpen…I would hate to loose Smith so soon in the development phase of our growing defence
December 2nd, 2016 at 9:28 am
Spiked drinking water. Kwon and Hey Juse could of used this as an excuse for their PED susp.
December 2nd, 2016 at 9:59 am
getting healthier on the DL helped too, worried about the Chargers TEs this week without Conte out….
December 2nd, 2016 at 10:26 am
Akers is back and Spence is figuring things out. Defensive line is everything. You can get by with average everything else with stellar D line play.
December 2nd, 2016 at 10:28 am
Hey Joe, did you see Noah Spence got awarded defensive rookie of the month? If he has a strong December you think he has a chance at droy? Who else defensively is having a decent year? Man, that would be awesome for him to bring in that award.
December 2nd, 2016 at 10:29 am
The ability of the front 4 to bring pressure without additional help as totally changed the defense’s effectiveness. It’s super fun to watch defensive football return to Tampa.
December 2nd, 2016 at 10:34 am
I hope Ryan Russell continues to develop. They seem to use him on in what I like to call the NASCAR package straight up speed rush: Spence, Akers, GMac, Russell.