Susceptible To The Run
September 30th, 2023
Stopping the run.
Joe never dreamed of reading these words to describe a Todd Bowles defense.
“Susceptible to the run.”
Those came from BSPN’s Katherine Terrell who covers the slimy Saints for the four-letter. Is that the impression the slimy Saints have?
The Bucs currently rank No. 16 in run defense allowing an average of 4.2 yards a carry.
True, Alvin Kamara returning from a suspension over his hassle in Las Vegas is bad timing for the Bucs. But Joe isn’t sure if Kamara is the same guy the Bucs feared for so many years.
Joe does know that Kamara is the focus of Bowles. This week when Bowles was asked about facing Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback Jameis Winston, Bowles quickly turned the talking point focus to Kamara, almost dismissing the threat of Jameis saying of the slimy Saints, “The offense is the offense.”
Joe thinks Terrell is overplaying one bad game by the Bucs’ run defense. The Eagles gouged the Bucs for 201 yards on the ground. Prior to that, the Vikings and Bears combined for 108.
Since Bowles took over the Bucs’ defense in 2019, only twice have the Bucs allowed 200 or more rushing yards in a game. Both came last season when the Crows and the 49ers ran all over the Bucs.
Given how Bowles prides himself in stopping the run, is almost obsessed with it, and how the Bucs got stomped by the run Monday night, Joe expects Bowles to have his defense locked in on Kamara and the slimy Saints’ run game.
September 30th, 2023 at 10:16 am
The Saints offensive line is not nearly as strong as the Eagles offensive line.
But the Saints OL is better than the Vikings and Bears for sure.
So, this is a good test against a solid but not elite offensive line.
September 30th, 2023 at 10:26 am
Bucs need to work on their individual tackling skills badly. I love the look of a swarming defense, but tactical defense needs to stay in their lane, until the runner is wrapped up.
That wrapping up was really missing last week, it like a Devin White tackling class from last season.
September 30th, 2023 at 10:34 am
Logan Hall needs to step it up and plug up the middle
September 30th, 2023 at 10:44 am
This is probably pretty obvious, but I don’t think our run defense will be quite right until Vita Vea is healthy again. He is the number 1 factor in what makes it strong.
September 30th, 2023 at 11:13 am
Just stop Taysom Hill……..don’t let him beat us. Kamara can be contained.
September 30th, 2023 at 11:41 am
Devin White has to be the worst tackling LB in the league. Never a firm tackle, always top of the shoulder pad grabs.
DBrooks must get sick to his stomach 🤢
September 30th, 2023 at 11:41 am
*form Tackle.
September 30th, 2023 at 11:50 am
Sounds like, once again, there will effectively be no change to the game plan that we used in game 1, game 2, and game three.
Guessing that Bowles thinks that predictability is a good thing.
September 30th, 2023 at 11:53 am
“Joe thinks Terrell is overplaying one bad game by the Bucs’ run defense.”
Or maybe, she is projecting a carryover from last year when the Bucs’ defense ranked 23rd in ypc (4.5) and 15th in total rushing yds allowed (2052).
Same defense, a lot of same players (except a yr more seasoned), and trending toward the same rankings/results as last yr.
The Saints game should provide a lot of clarification.
September 30th, 2023 at 11:53 am
Devin White threw down every runner week 1, including Cousins.
His injury is taking it’s toll for sure.
I agree about Vita Vea being the true Cog in stopping the run because he consumes the double team.
Yaya is way better than JTS at run stopping and Will Golston is boderline elite.
Gaines needs to have a monster game.
Hall has looked good to me except against the Eagles.
Hopefully Jameis gives us a few.
Gonna need it IMO
September 30th, 2023 at 1:06 pm
They are overplaying it and saying we’re susceptible to the run is because Winston is the quarterback and he’ll throw three picks if he has to throw.
September 30th, 2023 at 1:10 pm
Joe … ‘Since Bowles took over the Bucs’ defense in 2019, only twice have the Bucs allowed 200 or more rushing yards in a game. Both came last season when the Crows and the 49ers ran all over the Bucs.’
Great observation Joe, and I think there are 2 reasons: Suh & JPP. Both anchored the defense 2019-2021 and we ranked #1, #1 & #3 in Rushing Yards Allowed in those years. Fast forward to 2022 (and not re-signing Suh or JPP) and we ranked #15 in Rushing Yards Allowed. Coincidence? Me thinks that neither one of us believe in those.
We effectively replaced Suh, JPP & RNR last year with oft-injured Hicks, JTS & Hall. Doubt that was an even exchange. No one could run on us when we had Vea, Suh, RNR, Gholston, JPP & Shaq manning the front lines. We’ve still got Vea (when he’s healthy) plus Shaq & Gholston (both older), but Suh, JPP & RNR have been replaced by Gaines, Kancey (broken down for now), Hall (hopefully improving), JTS (hopefully improving). Several others (Greene, Diaby) have yet to make substantial impacts. Our youngsters can hold their own against average teams, but they leave a lot to be desired when going against elite running teams.
September 30th, 2023 at 1:15 pm
If we can stop the run we win. Jamie’s cannot beat us through the air. Even Jalen Hurts threw two picks against us. Our secondary will eat on Sunday if we make them throw the ball. Winston is a turnover machine. Hopefully D. White knocks him out of the game again. I hate Winston. He is trash
September 30th, 2023 at 1:30 pm
The word in the Times Picayune is Carr participated in practice Friday with the 1st team and is officially listed as “Questionable”. I look for Carr to play , because the Aints know how important this game is also.
September 30th, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Stopping the run and screens or short passes to karmara will be the biggest key. Idk if he is still as dangerous as he use to be but let’s not find out the hard way. Put DW45 or LVD on him and ground him. MT has bin injured the last 2 years but prior to that dude is a beast. He always lit up the Bucs. If CD111 plays he should ground him. No slants those have always killed us. Olave is the real deal someone is gunna have to guard him closely. If Carr plays doubt he will try to beat us with his arm being jacked up especially deep. If Winston plays that’s deff concerning. He has all the talent to be 1 of the best. He really does but he lacks a lot upstairs so he will never reach his full potential but make no mistake if he has a good game which he’s had in the past he could beat us especially if our offense plays like it did Monday
September 30th, 2023 at 2:48 pm
not to worry –we have logan hall..
September 30th, 2023 at 2:59 pm
IDK if we will have Winston but he has learned a lot over the years and does not throw as many INTs. We need to be on our game in any event. GO BUCS!
September 30th, 2023 at 3:18 pm
Defense Rules Says:
September 30th, 2023 at 1:10 pm
Great observation Joe, and I think there are 2 reasons: Suh & JPP. Both anchored the defense 2019-2021 and we ranked #1, #1 & #3 in Rushing Yards Allowed in those years. Fast forward to 2022 (and not re-signing Suh or JPP) and we ranked #15 in Rushing Yards Allowed. Coincidence? Me thinks that neither one of us believe in those.
So basically we were good at stopping the run because of talent and not Todd Bowles coaching?
September 30th, 2023 at 3:43 pm
The Bucs fell from 2nd – 16th after facing the leagues best rush office, that by the way, has an unstoppable 1-2 short yardage play. They will bounce back up the stat ladder if that’s what you want to see but, I think they can play sound run defense.
September 30th, 2023 at 4:05 pm
Jack Clark … ‘So basically we were good at stopping the run because of talent and not Todd Bowles coaching?’
Troll much? I would hope that you know it takes both talent AND coaching to win.
September 30th, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Defense Rules Says:
September 30th, 2023 at 4:05 pm
Troll much? I would hope that you know it takes both talent AND coaching to win.
LOL but according to your post it was more about talent than coaching that made our run defense good
September 30th, 2023 at 4:47 pm
Go back and view the video that got Kamara suspended! 3 or 4 guys with him all take on ONE guy and then stomp on him when he’s lying on the floor.
Kamara is an animal. I hope somebody lights his sorry arse up bigtime. Since it’s not a hotel hallway the Bucs won’t be allowed to repeatedly stomp on him when he’s down but they are permitted to gang tackle him just like he and his posse did to that poor dude in Vegas. Light him up! He deserves it.
September 30th, 2023 at 5:16 pm
I am sure he has Crickett sitting the bench he has hardly played since he left us.
September 30th, 2023 at 5:59 pm
#16 is just not good enough…
coach gotta tell them to go in there and “eat a W”
#EatAyeWinston
September 30th, 2023 at 6:31 pm
Jack Clark … ‘according to your post it was more about talent than coaching that made our run defense good’.
The coaching has been the same all 4 years Jack; the talent was just better IMO when Suh & JPP were here and each played a ton of def snaps. Both were also top-half high 1st-Rnd selections and are potential HOFers who had mega-years of experience when they signed with us. Replacing them with newbies & expecting the same results would probably be overly optimistic?
September 30th, 2023 at 7:45 pm
Defense Rules Says:
September 30th, 2023 at 6:31 pm
The coaching has been the same all 4 years Jack; the talent was just better IMO when Suh & JPP were here and each played a ton of def snaps.
So since the coaching is the same and the only difference is the talent then doesn’t that mean our top ranked defense wasn’t due to Todd Bowles coaching? Even Bill Belichick won 6 super bowls with Tom Brady
September 30th, 2023 at 7:57 pm
Interesting: (BSPN) “Mayfield has never gone the first four games of a season without throwing multiple interceptions”
September 30th, 2023 at 8:05 pm
If Vea and Devin White both continue to have lingering injury issues, then suddenly our run defense does become a very real concern.
September 30th, 2023 at 9:38 pm
WE are suddenly susceptible to the run because we played the Eagles. Outside of THEM, else the Niners, we are fine. To improve on that, JTS has to go (watch Baldy’s Breakdowns on tweeter, he was erASED on several wide running plays
September 30th, 2023 at 10:27 pm
If the vita isnt playing the dline gets run over…
October 1st, 2023 at 3:18 am
Wow Joe! Really out in the weeds with the esteemed BSPN Whats her name here.
Go Bucs!