Sounds Like The Buccaneers’ Soft Zone Will Return For The Super Bowl
January 27th, 2021
Is this look coming back in the Super Bowl?
Following the Taylor Heinicke mess, the Bucs’ attack-dog defense returned against New Orleans and Green Bay, and it had Bucs fans high-fiving from Temple Terrace to Tarpon Springs.
But per Bucs cornerback Carlton Davis, it seems those wildly aggressive days are over.
Davis spoke on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week and was asked how the Bucs will approach the Chiefs offense after seeing them in late November.
“I think one of the first things we’re going to have to do is stop the deep ball and not allow them to get balls over the top of our heads. Just kind of play our coverage top down,” Davis said.
“You know, make them drive the field on us. Make them throw those checkdowns and not allow them to have those explosive plays that kind of allow their offense to get going.”
Perhaps Davis was speculating, perhaps not.
Regardless, the Bucs defense has had issues this season when it goes soft. So the Davis comments made Joe queasy.
Patrick Mahomes is certainly capable of carving up the Bucs, in addition to his quick-strike skills.
As for aggressive defense, Davis shared an interesting nugget about being a press corner.
The nation watched officials let defensive backs be physical in the Bucs-Packers game. Davis explained that he knows how officials will call pass interference by the end of a game’s second drive.
If the flags come out without a warning, per Davis, it lets him know the game will be called tightly. A shoulder tap from the zebras telling you to “watch the holding” in the first quarter, Davis said, means the game will be called more loosely.
Joe sure hopes Davis gets a chance to play tight coverage early, meaning the Bucs stay aggressive on defense.
January 27th, 2021 at 4:50 pm
I’m sure we’re announcing what we’re planning to do… especially since that plan is exactly what Buffalo was going to do…
January 27th, 2021 at 4:56 pm
I hope it’s just a smokescreen. The thought of soft coverage makes me wonder why even play the game? It won’t be pretty
January 27th, 2021 at 5:02 pm
Nothing said by any player or coach over the next week and a half can be trusted.
January 27th, 2021 at 5:02 pm
Davis is terrified to get burned again.
He was scared to death to get physical with Davante Adams in Green Bay. He let him get free releases constantly.
He’ll definitely need over the top help in this game, but that doesn’t mean they need to play 10 yards off. The best thing they can do against Hill and Kelce is jokey them as much as they can inside the five yard limit and give the rush a chance to get to Mahomes.
January 27th, 2021 at 5:05 pm
In the second half of the first meeting with the Chiefs we played a 3 deep man under coverage. That allowed us to be physical and didn’t allow anything over top. It also allowed our pass rush to get to mahomes. I think we will do something like is what David might be suggesting. That allowed the defense to double both Hill and Kelce at the same time. We only allowed 7 points and really won the 2nd half 17-7.
January 27th, 2021 at 5:05 pm
Ohhhhhh noooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!
January 27th, 2021 at 5:32 pm
I can understand not allowing them over the top so double Hill and man up the rest. You’ve got fast enough backers for the TE and you can keep up with the rest of the receivers. Nothing to it. One last thing… watch how the Raiders beat the Chiefs. Good game plan
January 27th, 2021 at 5:32 pm
Perhaps he is just plain lying so not to tip off the chefs
January 27th, 2021 at 5:35 pm
Yeah, they can cover deep in cover 2 or 3 and still play aggressive below. If we play single high, they’ll kill us. If we play ONLY soft zone they’ll kill us, only slower. But the coaches know more, i hope they aren’t tripping next week.
January 27th, 2021 at 5:36 pm
I don’t want the Bucs to give up any info here about how we will win the Super Bowl. I know BA wants a Super Bowl Ring bad so I doubt he is candid on his plans to win that game now!
January 27th, 2021 at 5:36 pm
the game plan should be hit PM all day long….simple as that…
GO BUCS!!!!!
January 27th, 2021 at 5:37 pm
I think this is just a smokescreen. Nothin to see here
January 27th, 2021 at 5:39 pm
right ! I am sure all our players and coaches are announcing all our game plans 10 days ahead of the game ! Fornette will run 60% of the 1st downs, Miller will try some slants, when he’s covered 1 on 1, he will always run a post.
January 27th, 2021 at 5:40 pm
Just do whatever we did in the second half of that regular season game
January 27th, 2021 at 5:40 pm
I didn’t see Davis say they were playing zone…getting a little anxious, Joe? Bucs defense will be fine.
January 27th, 2021 at 5:46 pm
Liar’s Poker.
The next 10 days will be worse than the draft.
January 27th, 2021 at 5:48 pm
Double Hill, put White as a spy on Mahomes, and then I’m not really sure who will be able to handle Kelse, but I thought we would beat NOLA and GB and I believe we’ll handle KC. Bucs are a team of destiny!
January 27th, 2021 at 5:56 pm
Aaron Rodgers on the Pat Mcafee show said that the Bucs were playing a lot of 2 man while getting edge pressure. I hope that what we try to do vs KC because soft zone coverage reeks of Mike and Lovie Smith Swiss cheese defense.
January 27th, 2021 at 5:58 pm
Hey Davis, you’re not a frickn phyciatrist. I had to read this headline 2-3 times. If you are throwing a smoke screen, dear Lord make it something remotely believable
January 27th, 2021 at 6:00 pm
Have to make contact with Mahomes, as in make him feel the turf. He can’t throw darts laid out on the turf. Devin White when he escapes pocket
January 27th, 2021 at 6:01 pm
Jamel Dean should be put on Hill he his the speed to match up not Davis.
January 27th, 2021 at 6:01 pm
Stop playing safe–it will not work Blow them up every play till they are submissive
January 27th, 2021 at 6:02 pm
and no I have never played football
January 27th, 2021 at 6:16 pm
You guys are hilarious and joe is the ring leader. Nothing this man said implied they were going to play soft. Jesus christ stop trying to read into things. No defense whether you play man or zone wants to get beat deep. That play miller scored on, every db analyst said king’s technique was horrible and thats why he got beat and not because they were in a man to man. U think buc players are out here giving up their game plan to the media? Tell me you guys are not that slow
January 27th, 2021 at 6:39 pm
If they keep making ferocious hits like they have been, intimidation will play a key role in the mind of that receiver.
January 27th, 2021 at 6:40 pm
Cmon man. Pretty much clickbait.
So let’s see, Carlton Davis talks about the Bucs defense on national radio and their likely defensive approach. Quotes not seen elsewhere, and you think it’s clickbait. Ok. –Joe
January 27th, 2021 at 6:43 pm
You cannot effectively play press man against Hill. He’s too fast and will blow right by the CB. They will probably play a combo of zone and man.
January 27th, 2021 at 6:50 pm
“Joe sure hopes Davis gets a chance to play tight coverage early, meaning the Bucs stay aggressive on defense.”
Carlton Davis playing ‘tight coverage’ on Tyreek Hill sounds like an invitation to repeat what happened to us in the 1st qtr of our 27-24 loss to the Chiefs when Hill racked up 203 yds & 2 TDs. The Bucs’ defense pretty much figured him out after that 1st qtr (we pressed & got embarrassed), although Hill still caught 6 more passes out of 8 targets. Unfortunately that was a little late though; spotting last year’s SB champs a 20-7 halftime lead is really not a good look. We can’t afford to do that again. Nor will we.
Several have already said it, but the key to a Bucs’ victory will be our pass rush. As of now it looks like the Chiefs will be without their 2 starting tackles, Eric Fischer (Achilles) & Mitchell Schwartz (back), and Mike Remmers has a groin issue. PLUS we have Vita Vea back in our lineup and JPP & Shaq getting better pressure. It’s all fitting together … we got this.
January 27th, 2021 at 6:59 pm
The Saints have played a hybrid defense at times. I’d double up on Hill and at times on Kelce. I think a linebacker always needs to spy Mahomes. Stop those 3 for the most part and slow their offense.
January 27th, 2021 at 7:04 pm
Soft zone means we lose by 24 points.
Yes, you will absolutely get burned being aggressive, but that’s better than going out like cowards where you just let them march up and down the field at will. At least with pressure you have the chance of creating turnovers. Soft zone is why the defense went from one of the best in the league early in the season to being one of the worst defenses in football down the strech. I just find it impossible to believe Bowles isn’t aware of what has changed the last couple of weeks.
January 27th, 2021 at 7:04 pm
If we go soft zone I will puke!
January 27th, 2021 at 7:07 pm
they go soft and they will get killed
January 27th, 2021 at 7:11 pm
Mad scientist Bowles is going to dial up the madness.
January 27th, 2021 at 7:20 pm
57 points with very few flags. Plenty of offense with a pleasant lack of stoppages. Give me more of that.
January 27th, 2021 at 7:28 pm
People need to go back and look at that game. Hill was killing us in press coverage with single high safety.
January 27th, 2021 at 7:28 pm
Like it or not, this is how you have to play to beat the Chiefs. Play two deep safeties and dare them to beat you with the run. Luckily for the Chiefs, few teams can stop their rushing attack without bringing extra help down, opening up their passing game. HOWEVER, the Bucs have the best run D in the league, they will not be running all over us!
January 27th, 2021 at 7:38 pm
It is interesting.
January 27th, 2021 at 7:44 pm
Bucs gonna wear White jerseys for SB. Guess they want to keep that road mojo going (3-0) so far in playoffs with White Jersey/Pewter Pants combo.
January 27th, 2021 at 7:50 pm
The biggest worry is stopping Tyrek Hill. I got a feeling our agressive mindset from Bowles will plan to do exactly what we did last time. Carlton manned right up on him…….Yall probably think that sounds crazy since Hill destroyed Davis last game. Maybe it is……I just get the feeling we step right up and challenge them again. They just lost their LT it might be a different story this time.
If the Bucs try this they gotta figure out real quick if its not gonna work and have a Plan B ready to go…………Carlton can take a #1 WR out of a game. He has proven this. If he can take out Hill its a huge deal. I dont think its a bad pkan at all.
January 27th, 2021 at 7:54 pm
I can also think back to many Patriots SuperBowl wins and their defense was allowed to conpletely manhandle the recievers. If Davis can pkay a similar way as those Patriots DBs he has a real chance to take away Hill.
Our defense scheme may very well depend on how the refs let them play. Nice article Joe.
January 27th, 2021 at 7:56 pm
We wore Red jerseys @ Redskins, my bad. I guess maybe they figure they’ve sucked a$$ at home in Prime Time wearing the Reds? We whooped up on the Raiders in the Battle Reds in SB37. Doesn’t matter, wish they could wear the orange throwbacks.
January 27th, 2021 at 7:57 pm
Somebody enlighten me. Is it still within the rules to stand directly opposite the cheetah and chuck the ever loving sh*t out of him, as long as it’s within five yards?
What am I missing?
We have gone up against two of the best QBs in the league the past two weeks and played very little, if any, off coverage and won both games.
January 27th, 2021 at 8:03 pm
JimmyJack, I worry more about Mahomes making plays with his legs. I have faith they’ll figure the coverage out and manage to contain their playmakers, for the most part anyways. It will be a long night though if Mahomes keeps moving the chains on 3rd down with his legs. I’d like to see D. White spy him early and get crushing hit on him (like Brooks did to Vick that home game in 02’). Make him fear leaving the pocket. Alot to ask for, Mahomes is the real deal. In the end, our offense must show up and score damn near every drive.
January 27th, 2021 at 8:04 pm
Jmark……I think the quote by Davis above kinda answers your question. The rules on that kinda vary game to game depending on the refs.
January 27th, 2021 at 8:10 pm
Colonel…….That is a weakness of this defense stopping those big runs by QBs. Scarry to look at the opposing coach. Ya gotta think he will see that and design something for it.
But I dont think you will see White spy. We havent seen Bowles ever do that to my recollection…….If you going to hope for something you might wanna hope White,or maybe a somebody else can read it and make a huge play. We have seen it before……We get burnt more then not on thise runs but thus is ine game. We only need one play.
January 27th, 2021 at 8:19 pm
Joe do you know anything about Lavonte Davids hamstring?
January 27th, 2021 at 8:29 pm
OddsShark computer’s score prediction
Tampa Bay 31.5, Kansas City 23.2
January 27th, 2021 at 8:32 pm
You mean the win over Taylor Henieke? Man you’re drinking too much depressant. Trying to take the jam out of our donuts a week n a half out.
January 27th, 2021 at 8:37 pm
JMark: Something about Tyrek Hill makes me want to line up against him and just plain punch him in the face. Then kick him in the ribs. I’ll take the penalty. As he’s laying there groaning in pain, I’d yell back “Don’t worry help is on the way” that’s right a$$hole, you’re gonna pay for that comment.
January 27th, 2021 at 8:43 pm
Bottom line is no pressure = getting beat. Cannot let Mahomes slice them up at will. The Bucs need at least 40-45 points to win this game even if they slow down the Chiefs. GO BUCS!!!!
January 27th, 2021 at 8:46 pm
Sounds precautionary.
January 27th, 2021 at 8:47 pm
Jimmy Jack
Has something changed? There is still a five yard chuck rule, no? So it’s not PI or holding to chuck somebody inside of five yards?
Or if you’re Tampatown… punch him in the mouth😂
January 27th, 2021 at 8:49 pm
August76
Exactly. Holding up receivers for even a second can screw up timing and allow rushers to get home. Seems simple.
DR what am I missing?
January 27th, 2021 at 8:52 pm
Colonel Angus/JimmyJack
All those feet getting tangled up in the pocket… if Vita could just step on Mahomies foot one time… just sayin 🤷🏼♂️
January 27th, 2021 at 8:52 pm
You can prevent the deep ball in a lot of ways. Man press cover 2, soft zone 3, heavy blitz, double teaming. It doesnt mean you will run an umbrella d with soft cushions.
January 27th, 2021 at 9:23 pm
Jmark the rules on that are very subjective. There are games where we clearly see the defense is allowed to play more physical without getting flagged(Like Joe mentioned the NFC Championship is a good example. Some of them Pats Super Bowls are good examples too)
Sometimes the refs call every ticky tack thing they see. Im sure its harder to “punch the reciever in the mouth” play after play when you know they are looking for contact. Playing physical is more then just trying to jam the line. If they let you play with some body bumping and arm bars its a much differt style. All depends of how the refs call it.
January 27th, 2021 at 9:25 pm
Yeah, just double Hill and Kelce from the first play this time – Vea is back to control the middle – let White and LVD attack early and often
January 27th, 2021 at 9:38 pm
JimmyJack
I understand how it refs work. Jamming them at the line seems like the best strategy to me … and if that’s still legal the refs shouldn’t have much to say about it… short of 🥊 in the mouth of course.
That’s the point I’m trying to make… if it’s legal, then do it.
January 27th, 2021 at 9:39 pm
Mahomes is the best QB in the league against the blitz. He knows how to blow that up.
January 27th, 2021 at 10:42 pm
It’s great to have articles to read but anyone who is giving out legitimate info at this stage whether it be offense , defense or injuries is either blowing smoke or they need to be reined in.
January 27th, 2021 at 10:53 pm
Will the surging duo of Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul disrupt and derail the Chiefs Offense?
January 27th, 2021 at 11:17 pm
Hope BA told all these guys to blow smoke cus there seems to be a lot of talk.
January 27th, 2021 at 11:57 pm
@ Joes & all Bucs fans,
Check out this Bucs Fight Song I wrote this morning…
@ Bucs Marketing Dept or whoever (Lol), please hit me up to license this Bucs Fight Song and I will get a studio version produced on-the-fly for use if a need arises, just fyi…
January 28th, 2021 at 1:25 am
Everyone plays zone against KC, and they’ve gone 16-1 so far (not counting the week 17 sitting everyone game). They’ve only been blitzed on about 18% of their plays. If you think you beat them by doing what every else did and just sit back in a soft zone, you’re an idiot.
You hit Mahomes on every single play – that is literally your only hope on defense.
If we’re going to be playing soft zone on defense and running up the gut on every 1st down on offense, then they might as well not even play the game and save the Bucs the embarrassment of losing by 20+.
I just find it impossible to believe that Bowles isn’t aware of what has been different the last two weeks.
January 28th, 2021 at 5:28 am
Jmarkbuc … I agree with you about nailing Hill at the line (within what the refs allow of course), but I think there’s much more to it than that. Watching some of Hill’s moves, he’s scary elusive, and if he gets even a step or 2 past our DBs, he’s gone. And Mahomes has proven to be a master at hitting him in stride from what little I’ve seen.
Todd Bowles has proven to be excellent at mixing things up IMO, and that’s the key. If we keep doing the same thing, the Chiefs will either keep taking advantage of it (hellow 1st qtr of our last meeting) or figure out how to deal with it. Lots of weapons & Mahomes is superb at extending the play (and he was their 2nd leading rusher with 308 yds). Hill (1276 yds & 17 TDs) & Kelce (1416 yds & 11 TDs) were both 1st Team All-Pro for a very good reason. But even if we control them, we’ve still got to deal with Hardman (560 yds), Robinson (466 yds), Watkins (421 yds) & CEH (297 yds receiving & 803 yds rushing).
I’m still convinced that the key to limiting the Chiefs offense is to keep pressure on Mahomes & keep him bottled up to keep him from extending plays. Easier said than done obviously. Yes Mahomes is very good against the blitz, but with Vea back I’m hoping that the Bucs can be more selective in blitzing (Bucs were getting excellent pressure through the middle early in the season before Vea went down).
I guess IMO it all comes down to feeling that yes, the Bucs are their best when they’re aggressive … but aggressive in controlled yet unpredictable ways (what my college ice hockey coach used to call ‘controlled aggression’). In that way it really is like a great chess match. And my gut feel is that Bowles with the defense & Brady with the offense would both be great chess players. We got this.
January 29th, 2021 at 3:47 pm
The bucs secondary is built to play tight man coverage, however, the Chiefs are a different animal entirely. Tyreek Hill have to be doubled to have a chance to win.