Bucs Saw Same Attack Plan
January 18th, 2025
An assistant coach weighs in.
So what was the key to beating the 2024 Buccaneers defense?
No, cynical and sour Bucs fans, “showing up” is not the answer.
There is no single answer, of course, but fans paying attention saw too often that short passes and feeding on the Bucs’ soft, soft, ,soft zone defense was a key to opponents’ success.
Joe found it noteworthy how Bucs defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers responded when asked to name the Bucs’ challenges when they struggled to get off the field against the Commanders on Sunday.
The Bucs, he said, saw nothing fresh in Washington’s approach.
“The way Washington attacked us, if you really look at the last three teams kind of did the same kind of game plan,” Rodgers told the Buccaneers Radio Network. “It was short passing game, run it, keep third down very manageable — 3rd-and-3 is really hard to stop in the National Football League because so many aspects [so many ways to attack it]. This past team (Washington), they had the aspect of not only running, but the quarterback running. So you had to keep him in the pocket where you’re kind of outnumbered. If you blitz him, you leave a bad matchup. It’s just, mobile quarterbacks pose a lot of problems.”
So the Bucs sort of knew what was coming and couldn’t stop it. The Commanders had five drives of 10 plays or more (a rare total) and did not punt.
January 18th, 2025 at 9:22 am
Going to be interesting to see how a team that mostly implements man coverage (Lions) is going to fair against JD. My guess is they will not be able to control the pocket and he will have a big game running the ball. We did good limiting their points, bad keeping their offense off the field which ultimately lost us the game
January 18th, 2025 at 9:30 am
The Lions are also good at possessing the ball and they don’t make timely mistakes like the Bucs did throughout the season.
January 18th, 2025 at 9:38 am
One more indictment of the Coach. Sloppy, undisciplined and unwavering. Force Coach to hire a full time DC and let the defensive genius label fade into the bay. Also hire a real Quality Control coordinator to measure practice, record mistakes and red flag repeated mistakes and repeat offenders.
Of the 8 Buc losses in 2024, 6 were Bucs shooting themselves in the head, particularly Atlanta first game, SF, KC, Dallas, and especially the playoff loss.
Dan Campbell would have had this Bucs team 15-2.
January 18th, 2025 at 9:41 am
We don’t currently have the personnel to run any defensive scheme well, but even if we had all the right pieces, I don’t know if I trust this coaching staff to put them in the right position to make plays.
January 18th, 2025 at 9:43 am
What a cop out. Please get rid of Rodger’s.
Bucs need to get a new DC and go back to a base 4-3 and get real DE’s. LB’s need to be fast and be able to tackle and cover. Bucs also need guys in the secondary that are not so injury prone. Basically the defense is weak, slow and needs a total overhaul.
January 18th, 2025 at 9:48 am
Bucs offense produced 3 points on their 1st 3 possessions.
Then in 2nd half, they turned the ball over in their own red zone and screwed up a 2nd and 1 on Washington’s 12 yd line – only got a FG.
The D giving up long time consuming drives to Washington that only produced 13 points in regulation pales compared to the offense’s ineptitude.
January 18th, 2025 at 9:50 am
“Dan Campbell would have had this Bucs team 15-2”
No, 14-3. They would have lost to the Lions.
January 18th, 2025 at 9:55 am
Another admission of Bowles ineptitude and inability to adapt.
Coaching philosophy actually does matter.
Dan Campbell will show the Joes what a winning game plan looks like.
In the meantime, we get to enjoy the non stop shielding of Bowles from the Joes.
“The defense is terrible, but Bowles must stay!” – The Joes
January 18th, 2025 at 10:00 am
I just love it when I hear people say ” We don’t have the personnel to run any defensive scheme well”! Then you take a look at Detroit & what they’ve managed to do with 19 players on IR. They’re using practice squad guys & guys off the street and yet somehow their defense is just as aggressive & just as effective. This my friends is called coaching! When you simplify things to the point that a guy off the street can come in and be effective it means you have an understanding of what that guys skillsets are and how to best utilize him. I truly believe teams have figured out Bowles & his defensive schemes. They simply adjust and attack the inherent weaknesses. No team has pro-bowlers at every position & it’s silly to suggest that a lack of talent is our problem!
January 18th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Is it factual to say that a younger inexperienced team statistically will make more mistakes than an older more experienced team? I’m not sure. It is more just talent and coaching? I wonder what the stats say. Goooooo Bowles
January 18th, 2025 at 10:05 am
Keep Bowles if you must. The players like Bowles & that is important. However, please hire a DC & several new defensive coaches, including our Special teams coach. He has proven to be subpar as well.
January 18th, 2025 at 10:26 am
Gonna be an interesting matchup against the Lions D. The Redskins can definitely move the ball on them but the physicality of the Lions D will win out.
January 18th, 2025 at 10:33 am
“Did not punt.” Disgusting
January 18th, 2025 at 10:48 am
“It was short passing game, run it, keep third down very manageable — 3rd-and-3 is really hard to stop
The last 3 teams? Maybe teams play you that way because of the deep zone and who wouldn’t follow a game plan like that for any team? There are at least 20 starting quarterbacks minimum that can hurt you with their feet. Damn no wonder this defense is trash the coaches are over the hill. When Mike smith was fired from Bucs he couldn’t coach anymore same as lovie smith and Bowles will probably follow that trend he’s really outdated
January 18th, 2025 at 10:48 am
This defense has been figured out. It really hasn’t changed. It is what is is and they do what they do. 70% completion rate and the less experience your qb has the better he will look. Sad really. The scheme needs an overhaul but the scheme is the baby of head coach, so we are stuck with the same thing next year.
January 18th, 2025 at 11:09 am
They knew it was coming and still couldn’t stop it. I understand injuries but this makes me want to puke.
January 18th, 2025 at 11:15 am
When the opponent never punts it is a perfect recipe for losing.
January 18th, 2025 at 11:22 am
If you really want to be sick go look at the stats of our d line and OLB in coverage. QB completion percentage so high we would have been better off just sending the OLB and D line after the QB.
January 18th, 2025 at 11:57 am
YES!
Sometimes it worked but they kept pounding away
January 18th, 2025 at 12:09 pm
Drunk Fan — you’re probably right I stand corrected!
January 18th, 2025 at 12:09 pm
the defensive strength seems to make a few plays now and then to keep the score within reach.
the coming infusion of draft capital and cap room should help us improve our pass coverage at linebacker. obviously the devin white implosion hurt us. Cant blame the coaches, white had a really good start to his career. JTS was the best bet at the time too. linebacker has always been a strength of the franchise, maybe jason isnt as good there as he is in other places
January 18th, 2025 at 12:15 pm
Bowles need to, Blow His Defense UP. Add some players, find a DC and some new Defensive coaches. Your defense stinks Todd Bowles. Your defense is the reason..for us not completing the playoff Season!!
January 18th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
Everyone keeps bringing up offense did this and offense did that, yeah the fumble happened, it wasn’t good, but this game was tied with over 4 and a half minutes left in the game. If defense gets one stop Bucs win this game
January 18th, 2025 at 12:44 pm
Joe’s… Trying to stir up the simpleminded again with the no punts info again ?
It’s (one of) the stat(s) they’ve latched onto as an indictment of the defense BUT does it really reflect badly on the defense?
Am I missing something? What makes a punt better than a 4 down stand?
January 18th, 2025 at 12:54 pm
of course they did. if only someone had predicted this
January 18th, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Chad-
Knowing that all year long, the Bucs D couldn’t stop any decent team from rolling up yards against them, do you think 20 points was going to win the game for the Bucs?
January 18th, 2025 at 1:51 pm
I understand playing DBs soft, bend don’t break, not my philosophy, but I get it. However, you need ILBs that can fly, we know we didn’t before the season started. Major hole that must be fixed in Round 1 or 2.
January 18th, 2025 at 1:57 pm
Alanbucsfan, no I didn’t think 20 points would be enough to win the game, did I think the Bucs offense would only have 7 possessions the whole game, or run only 44 plays for the whole game. Do you realize how many games the Bucs ran 44 plays before halftime. I also didn’t think Washington would convert 60% of their 4th downs and not punt the ball one time, I didn’t think that Washington would have almost 12 minutes more time of possession than the Bucs. This loss was a team loss, defense and offense didn’t do enough to win this game
January 18th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
“So what was the key to beating the 2024 Buccaneers defense?” Uhhhh – showing up?
January 18th, 2025 at 3:27 pm
This is all on Bowles. Without a competent DC – free from Bowles interference – 2025 will be a repeat of ’22, ’23, ’24. Another wasted season.
January 18th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
Can’t cover the short zones when you only have 1 good inside linebacker who is pushing 35.
January 18th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Did someone really ask if there is a difference between a punt which is normally in your opponent’s territory and a 4th down stop, which is generally in your territory meaning you’ve been surrendering yards like a street pro giving out freebies? Challenges Joes and then references simple minds who rightly view never forcing an opponent to punt as a negative?
Cue Forrest Gump.
January 18th, 2025 at 5:29 pm
The offense knew what defense they’d get and couldn’t score sooo
January 18th, 2025 at 8:06 pm
7 possessions 20 points. Could have been 24 if the turtle goes for it on 4th and 3 instead of FG. Regardless it’s not a bad percentage. I guess you guys expected 49 points. This offense is fine. Not perfect but certainly good enough. Defense couldn’t get off the field but they kept the score close. It all came down to the mistakes once again. Lack of discipline and execution. Pick your favorite coach or scapegoat to blame it on. Not a superbowl team or coach.
January 18th, 2025 at 9:49 pm
Detroit 7 possessions 21 points. Better fire the OC.
January 18th, 2025 at 9:52 pm
Halftime in Detroit, the score is making Bowles defense look like they did pretty well holding Washington to 23….