“Angles And Want-To”
November 14th, 2024
At the least the Bucs are open about their tackling woes.
Joe still can’t believe the missed tackles lately from Antoine Winfield, Jr. He can’t be healthy. It’s got to be his Week 1 foot injury.
There are other offenders.
Head coach/defensive coordinator Todd Bowles keeps saying the Bucs’ subpar tackling is correctable, but is it in mid-November?
Most teams have tackling challenges early in a season because there is no tackling — or little tackling — in training camp and starters nowadays play less in preseason. However, it’s Week 11. Excuses have left the building.
Bowles gave a short tackling lecture on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week. There was a slight hint of frustration in his voice.
“It’s more or less angles and want-to. You gotta understand, you gotta wrap up in this league. Nobody’s going to go down if you just push him,” Bowles said. “We understand that. We gotta be better at that.”
The “want-t0” element is so underrated. Does anyone watch the Bucs defense and think it looks like the hungriest unit in the NFC? Joe doesn’t see that. Why not?
“Want-to” does not require talent.
When the Bucs defense returns on Nov. 24 against the Giants, Joe will be looking to see if every member of the Bucs defense is willing to play aggressively on every snap.
What do they have to lose?
November 14th, 2024 at 11:43 am
I just don’t trust Bowles anymore.
Even when we had the lead vs the 49ers, I just knew we would figure out a way to lose.
And wouldn’t you know it, the scarecrow snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Not saying that scoring a TD late in the 4th quarter guaranteed victory.
This defense is like a block of Swiss cheese after a cannon fired on it.
But our chances are way better if we were aggressive versus timid.
Two carries up the gut into the waiting arms of the defense.
Then another failed easy throw at the goal line for Faker.
Another loss by one score. Rinse and repeat.
November 14th, 2024 at 11:44 am
If they want some more aggressiveness on D, maybe they could find some defensive snaps for Tavierre Thomas – the guy is making plays on special teams
November 14th, 2024 at 11:50 am
Slot corner I believe. Doesn’t play outside where we are thin at CB.
November 14th, 2024 at 11:59 am
While many discount/dismiss the importance of a coach having the ability to motivate and drive his players, believe we’re witnessing Bowles declining ability to do so in real time. Looking at the way Detroit and Pittsburgh play D, they are the embodiment of the intensity and attitude of their HC. Seems like a new voice might be needed to reenergize that side of the ball here in Tampa.
November 14th, 2024 at 12:19 pm
I’m begging for a couple of Splash plays from this Defense against the Giants!!! Something, anything Please!!! I can’t count more than 3 all year by this squad!! I have to deal with all these Giants fans in the south end zone. C’mon Winfield make me proud. Go Bucs!!
November 14th, 2024 at 12:34 pm
Gee, I wonder if having the softest training camp in the entire league had anything to do with our defenders being incapable of tackling?
I wonder if having the softest bubble-wrapped preseason of any team in the entire league has led to more tackling woes?
I wonder if having the softest, least-amount-of-contact-possible in every practice every single week of the regular season has continued the trend of no one on defense being capable of tackling?
Todd Bowles: “Well since we can’t cover or tackle, I’m gonna give the team some extra days off from practice. When did practice ever help anyone?”
November 14th, 2024 at 12:34 pm
Bowles is stupid u really think ur players don’t know all this already
November 14th, 2024 at 1:11 pm
Todd makes it REALLY EASY for the fans to tune out his plodding message. I wonder what his players think or if they just roll their eyes too…..
November 14th, 2024 at 1:35 pm
Some fans say that the bucs players want to play for bowles but if they are not playing with the “want to” are the players really playing for the coach.
November 14th, 2024 at 1:49 pm
Someone please tell Winfield to go back to watching tape with his dad. It seems like he’s a shell of himself this year. Hate to think he got paid and now doesn’t care. Even if he’s hurting it doesn’t explain the lack of desire we’re seeing from him so my next thought is that he and others have lost faith in Bowels when it comes to in game stuff. They can still respect him as a man and coach but feel he’s not calling a game that puts them in the best position to be successful so they’re not going hard.
I remember seeing something maybe before or after the Superbowl when they were saying they got amped up when Todd announced the strategy for the game and it was getting after the QB and man coverage. Time to simplify things on defense or try letting someone else call the defense
Nothing he’s done has worked.
November 14th, 2024 at 1:57 pm
Another #31 missed tackle…add it to the list! He’s been the biggest disappointment this year!
The defense plays uninspired football and it shows in their rankings across the board!
November 14th, 2024 at 2:13 pm
You know the answer. A franchise once known for defense, particularly dominant defense, has regressed to laughing stock status, and gotten soft because of the scheme and the way they are uncoached.
To quote Brian Billick, the reason is as “simple as a screwdriver.” Fire the reason.
November 14th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
It must be hard for a player to play aggressively when the play call is always passive. Playing quarters and cover 2 basically a prevent defense.
November 14th, 2024 at 3:58 pm
I never thought I’d say this but do we need to get Tavierre Thomas on the field more? The dude looked lost in pre-season but he plays with 100% effort and high energy unlike some of our starters.
November 14th, 2024 at 4:15 pm
Anyone can see the player on this defense that has the “want to” is Lavonte David. He never ceases to amaze me, always goes for the tackle. Winfield was that guy up until this year. Now he freezes up in hesitation which allows the player to escape. He is certainly the most disappointing player on the team.
Vea is also a “want to” guy. Plays well and is physical. The rookie Smith has a desire to ball out. McCollum too. The rest of this defense is crap and so is the defensive scheme and execution of it.
November 14th, 2024 at 4:21 pm
Any player that doesn’t “want to” shouldn’t be on the team, much less the field.
November 14th, 2024 at 6:25 pm
Mike Edwards is back! It was announced a bit ago.
November 14th, 2024 at 7:57 pm
I read that StretchOMatic, hopefully it will allow the Bucs to run more dime packages with an extra DB in passing situations. Anyone would be better than a slow footed and thinking KJ Britth plodding around back there.
November 14th, 2024 at 11:44 pm
Hate to break this to you. But poor tackling has been an issue for a long time.
Not just this season. Noticed this after Arians left. He would not stand for it.
Sloppy early season play has become the normal regular season play. Lack of hitting in camp is part of it for sure, but just being weak and not having the want to?
Hard for me to believe that any NFL player fears hitting someone. Apparently I am wrong.
Go Bucs!