Nearly Flawless Run Defense
August 21st, 2018
Manned up
Preseason games are funny animals. Reality and fantasy cross lines based on personnel and playcalling and overall effort.
For example, the Titans had cornerback LeShaun Sims covering DeSean Jackson when Jameis Winston and Jackson connected for a monster 50+ yard bomb Saturday. Sims is not projected to be a starter and Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said after the game he was glad some of his second-tier defensive backs got to work against a first-tier QB like Jameis.
Joe’s not taking away from the huge completion, just illustrating that perspective can be hard to find in preseason.
One thing Joe is fully fired up about, though, is the Bucs run defense standing tall in the first quarter against Tennessee’s first unit. The Titans had seven carries for only eight yards in the opening quarter before Marcus Mariota left the game. It was impressive — and it was something Gerald McCoy had said a week earlier was critical for the team to tighten up.
Next up is the Lions and LeGarrette Blount running behind a nothing-special Detroit offensive line.
Joe expects to see another strong showing.
August 21st, 2018 at 11:04 am
It’s because they can throw on them. Don’t you know anything Joe? Seriously haven’t you watched a bucs game in the last 3 years?
August 21st, 2018 at 11:13 am
maybe and hopefully some of JPP’s tenacity, spirit, and competitive nature, will rub off on GMC, after all JPP has said he is here to win!!! and what has this franchise won with GMC being the big dog on the defensive front? what’s that? i can’t hear ya, still waiting oh i gotcha, NADA, ZILCH, ZERO, NOTHING, ok maybe he has not had the backup or proper help required to make it happen in what 9-10 seasons now, we will see and right quick like, i reckon so!!!!!
August 21st, 2018 at 11:15 am
Joe– are you at practice? We just lost a good O line man and our best safety to bad injuries!
August 21st, 2018 at 11:17 am
Casey 2 posts down Joe addresses that
August 21st, 2018 at 12:39 pm
don’t read too much into it….no game planning….no scheming….Cleveland went 4-0 in the PS with stout defense and great offense…how’d that translate….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
August 21st, 2018 at 1:43 pm
You and I think alike when it comes to the DLine Joe … we’re both fired up about “the Bucs run defense standing tall in the first quarter against Tennessee’s first unit.” And that was without Vea or Unrein (not sure if Allen was in there or not now that I think about it). Stopping the run is Job #1 against the Saints, Eagles & Steelers. If our defense slacks off there, we’ll lose. Was very happy with what I saw from our DLine against the Titans, and from the LBs for the most part (all except Kwon … he’s still getting blocked out of plays too easily). Seems to be the big backs that give us the most trouble year-in and year-out for some reason (perhaps because our LBs & Secondary aren’t the biggest guys in the NFL?).
August 21st, 2018 at 2:16 pm
What they lost today was a very good safety & a average tackle.
August 21st, 2018 at 5:15 pm
I read all the idiotic remarks about GMC which keep whining over and over again that GMC is the reason our defense has played poorly. That this single guy…according to TMAX and others has infected the entire team and turned them into losers.
Yeah the Bucs haven’t reached the playoffs because of ONE player!!!!
Think about it you morons! If what you say is true that’s the best news a Buc’s fan has ever had! Follow me now you mouth breathers…if GMC has SINGLE HANDEDLY caused the Bucs to fail to reach the playoffs…why then we are just ONE player away from the playoffs eh? ONE PLAYER.
Listen I get some folks here do not appreciate GMC…fine…but stop insulting our intelligence with your idiotic hyperbole. NO single DT…not even Aaron Donald can make or break and ENTIRE TEAM!
As D.R. likes to point out to us…football is still a team sport! It’s bad enough to believe that JW will be the ONLY way we can win. At least he’s a QB who touches the ball more than any other player…but a freaking DT determining that…
IF..GMC has made the entire team “soft”…that’s as much a indictment of 52 other guys who ALLOWED that to happen as it is GMC!
August 21st, 2018 at 9:19 pm
Hmmmm. Only 8yds rushing but a simple screen turns into a 47 yard TD. Its way to early for any big accolades for the defense.