Plans Against The Bucs, Marshon Lattimore And Mike Tyson
January 11th, 2025
Channeling Mike Tyson.
You have to have a plan, says a BSPN X’s and O’s guy.
The Bucs are the favored team, currently giving three points to the Commandos as of midnight on Hard Rock Bet. So Chicago area high school football coach Matt Bowen hatched a plan for Commandos to upset the Bucs. And that plan is, to develop a plan to stop Mike Evans.
Evans has 11 touchdown receptions on the season, with seven of those coming inside the red zone. Overall, he has 16 end zone targets, tied for the fifth most in the league. So from a defensive perspective, Washington knows where Tampa quarterback Baker Mayfield wants to go with the ball once the Bucs advance inside the 20-yard line. Now it just needs a matchup and scheme answer to win.
If Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) is healthy, then the Commanders have the matchup. This is why they traded for him. He’s still a Pro Bowl-caliber cover corner, and we’ve seen him compete at a very high level against Evans in the past. Match him with Evans on the perimeter and have him travel when Evans bumps inside to the slot. But I would also use a safety — especially in the low red zone — to cut/bracket Evans on any inside releases as a counter.
Well, “scheme” is a two-way street. The defense isn’t the only side of the football that can come up with schemes.
Look, Joe thinks we can all agree Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen is a sharp guy. He knows defenses will be trying to stop Evans. That’s just common sense.
And Joe also has confidence that Coen knows the Commandos will try to get Marshon Lattimore on Evans as much as possible.
Therefore, Joe thinks Coen will be able to scheme up ways to get Evans the ball away from Lattimore.
As for the Commandos developing a plan to stop Evans, well, Joe will just quote the great Iron Mike Tyson about plans.
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”
January 11th, 2025 at 12:17 am
We won games earlier in the season without Evans so even if they were to double team Evans and successfully take him out it won’t stop the Bucs from scoring 30+ points. We’ve got other guys who can do what’s needed.
January 11th, 2025 at 1:12 am
Pink Floyd has already laid out the game plan.
“You better run all day
And run all night.
Keep your dirty feelings
Deep inside.
And if you’re taking your girlfriend
Out tonight
You’d better park the car
Well out of sight.
Cause if they catch you in the back seat
Trying to pick her locks,
They’re gonna send you back to mother
In a cardboard box.
You better run.”
January 11th, 2025 at 1:22 am
Take what the defense gives you. Let them double Evans in the red zone. Throw it to McMillan and the tight ends and the backs. If they want their resources on Evans it means less on everyone else.
January 11th, 2025 at 1:30 am
@BucsFanSince1996 – we lost every game this season while Mike was out.
But to your point- we have won games where didn’t have a big day. We’ll need to be able to win like that. My guess is he’ll still have about 42 – 58 yards, but maybe no TDs. Irving, White, Otton, Durham, J-Mac should be able to get open if they double him in the red zone.
Pound the rock. Play action. Please reduce the amount of throws behind the LOS that aren’t screens- teams have been teeing off on those in recent weeks.
January 11th, 2025 at 1:46 am
Love the PinkFloyd plan
January 11th, 2025 at 2:00 am
Free Culp
January 11th, 2025 at 2:57 am
Yes… Free Culp. He’ll outrun linebackers and even safeties all day. No one expects that speed from a TE
January 11th, 2025 at 4:11 am
D can win this one for us.
“Pull me under, Im not afraid” Dream Theater….
January 11th, 2025 at 6:17 am
Great reference Ken
Run like Hell!!!
January 11th, 2025 at 7:34 am
There was once a very smart man who lived in Greensboro Alabama who played for the great bear Bryant . When he was a young boy they said he had a crooked spine & they put braces on his legs ! Kind of like Washington wanting to put braces on Mike Evans. That boy grew up & everywhere he went he was RUNNING ! his name was Forrest, Forrest Gump . Be like Forrest bucs , run run run make them stop it ! Then hit them with a heavy dose of Evans, McMillan & white on screens ..build a.good lead and play keep away ! Go bucs
January 11th, 2025 at 7:36 am
Plan would work if Evans was the only competent red zone target. Dude must not have seen Payne Durham score the past couple of weeks, the Bucky shovel pass, as well as Otton and White earlier in the season
January 11th, 2025 at 8:02 am
I’m more worried about Todd’s defence against the type of QB that gives it fits. Bucs 38, Todd’s defence gives up 44.
January 11th, 2025 at 8:05 am
What Stickinup4centers just said.
ME13 has his record which if we’re honest has effected play calling due to ME13’s injury and reduced number of games to hit his mark. There is no doubt that Baker was obsessed with getting the ball to HIS guy. It’s not just a professional bond and team deal either, although with Baker that may be tops, but all smart QB’s like the GOAT realize who butters their bread and strive to keep them happy.
Meanwhile I think the Bucs offensive success over the past TWO seasons not just this year which has been a marked improvement but recall last year went well enough to get Canales a HC gig has caught us ALL off guard!
From this time two years ago the Bucs have learned they have their QB..they’ve built a top shelf OL, young and getting better, THREE RB’s including one who is SPECIAL! They found the way to replace CG14, not just with McMillan but Otton and Devin Culp.
In two short years after reaching rock bottom from paying the necessary price to get a SB, the Bucs have dug themselves out of the stereotypical post SB slump and they still won the Division titles while doing it.
THIS IS A FREAKING AMAZING STORY!!!! ENJOY IT GUYS!!! IT DOES NOT HAPPEN LIKE THIS VERY OFTEN.
January 11th, 2025 at 8:08 am
HODAD
I hope you’ll forgive us if we decide not to join you in the worry warts club!!!
How about losing your obsession with BOWles and follow FDR’s great advice.
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”.
Does anybody here believe the team Baker is leading fears BOWles or anything else or are they simply going to go out and let er rip and let the bounces and breaks fall where they may.
January 11th, 2025 at 8:21 am
I’d like to see Culp as a hybrid WR, he’s almost the same as Mike, just faster
January 11th, 2025 at 8:22 am
Sorry to bring you down, but my heart has been broken to many times this season watching this defense let teams drive for winning scores. Atlanta, 49ers, Chiefs, Cooper Rush! St Pete, I’ll be interested to see what you have to say about Bowles when my fears come true.
January 11th, 2025 at 8:24 am
Perfect placement of the Tyson line Joe.
January 11th, 2025 at 8:24 am
Coen can’t make this game about Evans and Lattimore. Let’s see how the refs call this Evans matchup and see if he can draw penalties.
The Bucs have a lot of weapons who need to step up and do their job. The key will be the OL on offense and the secondary on defense. How will Dean and AW3 play after being hurt? Will Bowles scheme up a way to stop Daniels’ runs?
January 11th, 2025 at 8:25 am
11 touchdowns, #5 in the NFL in targets. Why is that?
Because Coen schemes ME open. He is no fool.
January 11th, 2025 at 8:26 am
I hope Coen does more than just come up with schemes to get Mike open. I hope he has some stuff they haven’t used this year….or ever. Like 3 running backs on the field at the same time with 2 tight ends or 2 receivers…….
January 11th, 2025 at 8:49 am
The best way to neutralize Lattimore is to grind the ‘Skins on the ground, pummel them with screens, toss in an occasional planned Mayfield sprint, and light them up with TEs.
Time of Possession.
Grind, grind, grind.
January 11th, 2025 at 8:51 am
Some have little faith, but honestly I’d love for the Commanders to double or even slide coverage to Evans side of the field. Problem with doing that is it opens up the running game & short passing game. Look for the TE’s to play a bigger part than normal and when they start creeping up go over top to Evans. Lattimore isn’t fully healthy and he’ll get caught cheating up to the line in press. When he gets beat several times he’ll act like he’s hurt.
January 11th, 2025 at 8:56 am
Cobraboy, I completely agree with you! My thoughts are though that they are going to sell out to stop the run. They know that’s what the Bucs want to do. Probably start the game with 8 men in the box. That will leave the WR’s one on one especially early in the game. McMillen my get open early and often if they take this approach.