Observations Of The Sorry Bucs Defense
October 22nd, 2024
Can he fix the defense?
As a commenter on this here site typed on Monday night:
“The Bucs got rolled.” And specifically, the defense got curb-stomped by the Crows.
Here are a few of Joe’s thoughts watching the defense get their arses handed to them on Monday night:
* For maybe the first time, Lavonte David looked old. He had two tackles — two! One was a tackle for loss. He also had a pass defensed.
* Jordan Whitehead made some business decisions, specifically late in the game. Next week when the Bucs host the Dixie Chicks, if Whitehead plays like he did Monday night, he needs to remember to bring his muleta.
* Zyon McCollum may have had his worst game as a starter. He got toasted too often.
* Having typed that, McCollum was one of the few Bucs players who played with heart. How he dragged three Crows on a would-be scoop-and-score some 20 yards downfield to score a touchdown (that was called back) was one of the wildest things Joe has seen from a cornerback. No one can say McCollum played half-hearted Monday. He didn’t play well. But he played with passion and desire. Not all his teammates can say that.
* Is there some sort of coded secret why Bucs coach Todd Bowles didn’t have Crows stud tight end Mark Andrews covered? Dude was open over the middle more than Waffle House. Why? How? Speak!
* YaYa Diaby played with heart. He blasted Lamar Jackson so hard in the first quarter Joe seriously was looking for a flag.
* This mistackling (or outright non-tackling) was galling. Even All-Pro Antoine Winfield, who led the Bucs with 10 tackles and a beautiful sack of Jackson, was getting caught out of position by the Crows on running plays, which caused him to whiff.
* Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Calijah Kancey were busting their tails, too.
* K.J. Britt: Why? Why the dumb penalty?
* Joe hates to say it, but with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out, the defense may have to carry this team. Right now the defense, as a unit, cannot carry its own human waste. Good coaches are able to find solutions. In the coming weeks, we will find out how good of a defensive coach Todd Bowles truly is.
Current results suggest Bowles either doesn’t know how to use the talent he has, or he grossly misjudged the talents and skillsets of said players.
October 22nd, 2024 at 1:07 am
It is PAINFUL to watch this defense with so many receivers wide open on demand…the offense was cooking at the start and even the defense was on point for that first series…then the defense we are used to seeing came out….PAINFUL to watch.
October 22nd, 2024 at 1:09 am
There were MASSIVE miscommunications in the secondary in this game….
I really saw only 1 bad play from Zyon. He wasn’t the issue….
Safety play was GARBAGE!!!
I think Tykee Smith injury hurt them too.
What the hell has happened to Whitehead? He looks like a shell of himself. Winfield was missing tackles too…..
Defenders were not staying in their gaps and seems like Raven players like Henry & Jackson were cutting runs back where our defender shoulda been to contain some of this stuff…..
October 22nd, 2024 at 1:18 am
Well, many here said we’ll find out what we’re made of after this game against the Ravens…Our guys tried…yeah some stupid here and there, expected, BUT TODD….
when are we going to end this thing Jason? We can find another DC…Promote Coen to HC.
October 22nd, 2024 at 1:23 am
My shoutouts for the night:
1. Jack Daniels whiskey. It really numbed me from the abuse I knew the Bucs were about to take.
2. My wife. She made an amazing dinner anticipating a very bad night while I watch my Bucs.
3. Again, Mr Daniels, for his supporting role tonight.
4. Chris Godwin. I hope this isn’t the last time I see you in a Bucs uniform. I hope you’re able to come back strong as ever! I know you will!
5. The chargers/cardinals game. That was a very close and exciting game.
6. Last but not least, my miller lites I had at the end of the night. You were cold and enjoyable.
Thanks to those mentioned above. You guys are my true MVP’S.
October 22nd, 2024 at 1:27 am
Not happy about this game but not going to panic unless we lose Sunday. Beat Atlanta and we’re in the nfc south drivers seat.
October 22nd, 2024 at 1:31 am
Regarding how good Bowles is? Let me help you out…. He’s not. The defense has failed to adjust far too many times and it’s obvious that when he’s facing a good OC they out maneuver him and Bowles never adapts.
Regarding the offense… tonight was rough. As long as the line stays healthy and one or both Palmer and Macmillan step up along with the continued growth of Otten and the backfield…maybe. But I doubt it. The defense will ultimately hold us back.
October 22nd, 2024 at 1:33 am
Damn.
What a disheartening night.
Just…… damn.
To all my brother & sister BUCS fans…
…. I hurt with ya.
And Chris.
That just f***ing hurts.
October 22nd, 2024 at 1:34 am
^you realize Godwin and Evans wont be playing right?
I hope we win sunday but im already chalking it up as a loss. Let Evans heal, plus Tykee and whoever else. Save what we can for KC….
October 22nd, 2024 at 1:34 am
You have no depth at corner after trading away Davis – so what do you think happens when you now lose Dean?
You’re down to your #3 corner last year who is now your #1, and you lost your #4 corner as well, plus lost Smith during the game.
How many guys can you miss and just think it’s no big deal when you already have very poor depth?
Also, if you have a garbage player like Britt on the field, a guy who has no speed, who is ran over in the run game (go watch that long Henry run), who can’t cover anyone, why is he still on the roster? Trash players like Britt, Ryan Smith, Chris Conte, Ryan Neal – they kill your defense.
October 22nd, 2024 at 1:35 am
That was @Arn, sorry
October 22nd, 2024 at 1:55 am
Sorry guys, this is Todd Bowles, aka Mr .500. He lacks the ability to get his team fired up to play important games. Everytime we have the opportunity to rise above, we fall short. It is what it is and it starts with our coaches ability to inspire the eye of the tiger. It’s just not there.
October 22nd, 2024 at 1:57 am
I’m having Mike Smith flash backs. This might even be worse.
October 22nd, 2024 at 2:31 am
“Promote Coen to HC.”
You want to be the Panthers or Titans? Mainly Panthers as promoting a 1 time OC to HC is not going to work. like Coen a lot and would hope if they get a new HC he sticks around. Chances are if they fire Bowles the whole staff is going and the team is getting blown up. That is why LVD was 1 year, Baker was basically a 1 year with option, Evans is basically a 1 year, Godwin was not given a new deal, Dean is a 1 year, Ghoulston 1 year, White not given a deal. Winfield and Wirfs are extensions so they had to be signed and cornerstone guys. This team will be rebuilding and likely draft a QB possibly in the Arch Manning race.
October 22nd, 2024 at 2:38 am
The sky is not falling.
October 22nd, 2024 at 2:55 am
Its better than what we have….and i meant to say temporarily promote him….this crap show has to end at some point!
October 22nd, 2024 at 3:17 am
Bucsfan951:
Well done, sir!
October 22nd, 2024 at 5:07 am
Two words.
Tood.
Bowels.
October 22nd, 2024 at 7:30 am
Joe – 100% right! Todd is the defense guru and I guess we are about to find out. Can’t wait to hear more about Chris and Mike’s injuries after more testing.
Bucsfan951 – Great comment!
October 22nd, 2024 at 7:40 am
that is by far the best offense in the league, ravens will be one game from the super bowl again, maybe will meet them again like the chiefs in 2021
October 22nd, 2024 at 7:45 am
Todd Bowles is just outdated as a DC. You can see it with his blitz packages.
We send 7 but at least 2 are coming from a mile away. Literally a corner 7 yards off the ball and 10 yards to the side. Players were open because we had nobody covering due to the blitz, and the blitz was hopeless. Of course he can throw to Andrews 10 yards down the field when a blitzer has to run 17 to get there.
October 22nd, 2024 at 7:49 am
Joe … ‘Current results suggest Bowles either doesn’t know how to use the talent he has, or he grossly misjudged the talents and skillsets of said players.’
You might want to add Option 3 Joe: Jason Licht stocked the defensive cupboard with too much marginal talent. KJ Britt as our starting MLB? Really? Add in several undrafted 1st or 2nd year players who were starting last night. How exactly is that gonna turn out good when playing a beastly team like the Ravens?
Baltimore has averaged over 33 PPG in their last 4 straight wins.
Their offense is firing on all cylinders. Everyone knew our only chance of beating them was to outscore them in a high-scoring game.
Bucs offense acquitted itself VERY WELL in my opinion. We scored 31 points on a defense that’s only given up an average of 14 points this season. Looks like we put up 480 yards of total offense, to include 125 yards rushing against the NFL’s #1 ranked run defense. We won the TOP Battle 35 to 25 minutes. But we shot ourselves in the foot with turnovers & penalties, and it cost us the game.
Yes our defense stunk last night … against a Top-5 offense that’s built to beat the crap out of you. And they did exactly that. The defensive talent that we put on the field last night is but a shadow of the talent we fielded back in 2000 & 2021. No amount of Todd Bowles’ scheming is gonna make up for that. tart putting the responsibility for that lack of talent squarely where it belongs.
October 22nd, 2024 at 7:54 am
Rod Munch … ‘Trash players like Britt, Ryan Smith, Chris Conte, Ryan Neal – they kill your defense.’
Excellent analysis Rod. Well, until you picked on Chris Conte that is (wish I knew how to add a smiley face here). It’s OK to pick on Britt though.
October 22nd, 2024 at 8:16 am
Bowles is not terrible. He is no Mike Smith. But he is a .500 coach.
Everyone has known since the Falcons game that the middle and the tight ends covered by our LBs has a weakness in the passing attack.
McCollum got burned a couple times. I say thank god it wasn’t Carlton Davis. THANK GOD! I didnt think McCollum would be worthy of a no 1 Corner. Now I cannot imagine the D without him. If he were to get hurt…
The longer the game went the more it looked like guys started to free lance. Slide a little here, get a little deep there and then they’d get burned.
David is getting old. It’s inevitable, Evans is getting old, it’s inevitable, Chris being out there…damn…I get it. But I hate it.
The Offense is good. But it doesn’t sustain past the shock and awe 1st quarter against good teams. And again, they look so good in hurry up why doesn’t that get mixed in before they’re down 20 points?
Running game looked improved…wow! Who thought that would be the best takeaway from this game?
October 22nd, 2024 at 8:22 am
You reap what you sow, you get what you pay for Bowles is one of the lowest paid head coaches in the NFL so his lack of coaching ability is to be expected.
October 22nd, 2024 at 9:49 am
Go get Max Crosby please!!
October 22nd, 2024 at 11:40 am
The bucs didnt cover Andrews or the middle of the field becuase they physically cant.
Are you guys watching?
Whos going to cover them? David? Birtt?
You realize were giving up like 500 yards a game, right?
The middle of the field is wide open. We dont have NFL linebackers on the roster. Every team in the league sees it and exposes it. Every week.
this isnt new, guys.
October 22nd, 2024 at 1:49 pm
Evans should not have started in the game. let him suit up -but play him when he’s needed-not from the get go . And to leave CG by that point in time was a mistake.
October 22nd, 2024 at 3:08 pm
Look Buc fans..We have depended on our high-powered Offense all year to win games. And they have come through for us. Last night they ran into a buzz saw. An offense that was better than them. They took our initial blows and delivered greater ones. Their defense is better than ours. In order to outscore a good team like the Ravens, you must have more stops than them. And they stopped us more. this is what happens when your defense is average like ours. Get ready for the falcons.
October 22nd, 2024 at 5:19 pm
Makes next week a must win . Now BUCS GOtta win it wolithout a top WR or several top defensive stars. Bucs seem to be one of the most injury prone teams
October 22nd, 2024 at 6:02 pm
Myles Garrett can be had. Go get him.