Beware Of Bijan Robinson
October 26th, 2024
Where is the Bucs defense?
Todd Bowles likes to pride himself on his defense’s ability to stop the run. It’s paramount for the third-year Bucs head coach.
This year, that hasn’t been the case. The Bucs are third-worst in the NFL in yards per carry allowed at 5.3. And here comes healthy Dixie Chicks running back Bijan Robinson.
Per Seth Walder of BSPN, a guy who never met a number he didn’t like, the matchup of Robinson’s skillset against Bowles’ struggling run defense tomorrow is a combustible blend, and not in a good way for the Bucs.
Bold prediction: Falcons RB Bijan Robinson will rush for over 100 yards. No one uses more outside zone runs than Atlanta (77%), and the Bucs are allowing 5.4 yards per carry to outside zone runs, the third most in the league.
The way Joe looks at it, the Bucs need their defense to step up in a major way with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin getting hurt.
Bowles’ defense has struggled. Badly. And it’s not like he doesn’t have talent to work with. He has an All-Pro safety. He has Pro Bowlers on every level of the defense. He has three first-round picks in his front seven.
If a defensive guy with plenty of talent (how many defensive coordinators in the NFL would love to have the Bucs’ defensive personnel?), who salivates at stopping the run, has a bad defense and in particular gives up the booty on the ground, what does that say?
October 26th, 2024 at 8:04 am
“Todd Bowles likes to pride himself on his defense’s ability to stop the run.”
That’s funny!
October 26th, 2024 at 8:04 am
The players Love him but since taking over as head coach the defense has slipped. It’s early but what a dream it would be to promote Coen- especially if he keeps the offense cooking with the injuries we have had and hire Saleh…only one can dream.
October 26th, 2024 at 8:04 am
“what does that say?”…….Bad Coaching.
October 26th, 2024 at 8:14 am
Bowles keeps certain teams under wraps with the run. The Falcons are one of them. They’re going to probe the defense and see if they can find some juice against Bowles. But they will retreat to the pass anytime they feel threatened. Because they’ll chew us up. They don’t have to worry about significant pressure on their statue and he’ll just chew up Funderbunk and Britt. Whitehead has been made to look better by McCollums skills. If Whitehead is alone deep he will get exposed too. This won’t be as high scoring because they’ll take some pressure off Cousins with running. But they’re not worried about a shootout… our receiver core isn’t impressive/experienced. Those guys will be learning Sun afternoon. Probably a couple fumbles. A couple INTs.
October 26th, 2024 at 8:39 am
Can we have a poll on who we would all like for a new head coach.
October 26th, 2024 at 9:13 am
Just keep blitzing. Cousins cant run. But give him time he will destroy you.
October 26th, 2024 at 9:26 am
Unfortunately this D can’t stop a runny nose…
October 26th, 2024 at 10:50 am
Joe says, “…has a bad defense and in particular gives up the booty on the ground, what does that say?” He’s not very good?
October 26th, 2024 at 10:54 am
Joe says.
“Bowles’ defense has struggled. Badly. And it’s not like he doesn’t have talent to work with. He has an All-Pro safety. He has Pro Bowlers on every level of the defense. He has two first-round picks in his front seven.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Never a more true paragraph. Here’s an idea, let’s do what most commentators here do: Blame it all on Mayfield!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 26th, 2024 at 11:19 am
If there was ever a time for Coach Bowles to show us Buc Fans he is a Defensive coach? Its Sunday. If we cannot get some key stops against the Facons, we will be run through and over. This is a must win for the division. Bowles loses this one? And Buc fans will make him walk the plank blindfolded with an anchor tied to his feet. He’s done and can pack bags.
October 26th, 2024 at 11:47 am
LVMYBUCS
Ben Johnson. Robert Saleh as DC.
October 26th, 2024 at 12:23 pm
Thank you, Joes.
What does it say?
It says unless he changes his scheme and how he coaches it and they practice it during the week, he will be teaching at a community college this time
next year.
October 26th, 2024 at 12:25 pm
Watch the game.
Brit is not a sideline to sideline LB.
He’s a great special teams captain. But not a starting MLB.
I keep saying. Switch to a 1 LB defense. Bring another safety into the box.
Whitehead looks hurt. I think we need to let Izien start alongside Winfield. I know it’s a short duo at safety. They lack length. But they are smart. Which makes up for their stumpy bodies.
Zion is 6-2. Dean is 6-2. So we would have tall corners and short safeties. Okay.
Tykes Smith is great at nickle.
Put Whitehead at ILB with David. Let him stay in the box.
October 26th, 2024 at 3:33 pm
Maybe we should put Tavierre Thomas in as ILB or extra safety…. Yea, he ran around like a chicken with his head cut off in preseason BUT he always brings the juice and has some speed 🤣
Not sold at all on Funderburk. Big opportunity for him but….
Tykee being out sucks for us too.
Kancey could be an X factor, along with Yaya and company.
October 26th, 2024 at 5:47 pm
You realize when the defense started to suck, right? It was right after Britt became the full-time ILB. In the Detroit game the defense played lights out. Against Philly they looked great too, but then Dennis got hurt and since then our defense got absolutely cooked. People don’t realize how Important ILBs are. Also, as much as I love LVD, his age is starting to show. And when both your ILBs aren’t good in coverage, the middle of the field is open all day, there’s not much you can do as a DC. Cut Bowles some slack guys. Yeah he sometimes is a little to afraid to go for it, but as a DC he still does a great job, if there aren’t huge skill issues in the middle of the Field
October 26th, 2024 at 6:27 pm
agree Luis ^^^
but i don’t think LVD is losing it……yet
he’s trying to probably do a little too much to make up for britt’s play and yes he will run out of steam that way…
2 tackles last week…i bet if you look at the all 22 he’s prolly floating around, in zone, into britt’s area a bit, trying to make up for deficiencies in the middle of the field
britt’s the issue and the bucs need to sub him out for a linebacker who can over…
who is that guy…?……….my guess is as good as yours…
maybe that’s the trade coming up for trask…if we aren’t trading for a receiver, we are trading for at least a part time coverage ILB…
getting the extra edge rusher is on the back burners now…
our needs are at WR and ILB before the deadline
October 26th, 2024 at 6:28 pm
for a linebacker who can cover…***
October 27th, 2024 at 6:42 am
I didn’t think about that Adam, you’re most likely right. If we find a new ILB we’re gonna be a good, maybe even great defense again