Saints At Bucs Preview
October 15th, 2011Derek “Old School” Fournier of WhatTheBuc.net peels off the onion skins on the Saints-Bucs game this Sunday. As “Old School” points out, virtually everyone is expecting an ugly game. But should they? Find out by watching the video below.
October 15th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
Im not expecting an ugly game. The Saints will surely score some points but their rush defense has been as bad or worse as the Bucs run D under the “Jim Bates experiment” as Joe pointed out earlier. In addition their pass defense is also very suspect. They have a couple of decent starting corners(when healthy)in Greer and Porter. However, safety Roman Harper, while being good in the box and as a blitzer is competing with Sabby Piscitelli for title of worst pass coverage safety in the NFL. If Olsen can draw up the proper gameplan and Freeman can execute it then Harper can be exploited easily and often. Just see how brutally Aaron Rodgers picked on Harper in game 1 of the season. It was truly brutal. The Saints linebackers are the smallest and weakest linebacker core in the NFL. middle and SAM backers Vilma and Dunbar are both in the 220-230 lb range and it shows in rush defense. Vilma is a undersized overhyped joke of a middle linebacker who has been pretty awful since a decent 09 super bowl season. Their starting Will Scott Shanle is decent sized at 245 but might be the most talentless starting Will in the NFL. Its a miracle how the monument to mediocrity that is Scott Shanle has been a starter for so long in the NFL.
Honestly folks, New Orleans linebacking core makes ours look like great in comparison. The only thing that keeps this from being the absolute worst defense in the NFL is the fact that with such a high scoring offense they can afford to blitz non-stop. If the Saints didnt have Brees this current D of theirs might end up being historically bad. They might end up being so anyway.
The upshot of all this is that the Bucs should have easily their best offensive game of the season, even with Earnest Graham as our starting tailback.
October 15th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
For the record im not guaranteeing a Bucs win or anything. I just highly doubt the Saints will win in a blowout.
If the Bucs offense can’t keep the score close vs. this defense then there is something SERIOUSLY wrong.
October 15th, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Also the other reason im not too worried about this game is that I think it may very well be DaQuan Bowers coming out party. Bowers has quietly stayed completely healthy throughout this season and been a reliable player in limited reps without having any real standout splash plays but this Sunday Bowers will get to showcase a different side of his game which is his ability as a 3 technique d-tackle. Bowers was used EXTENSIVELY as a 3 technique during his junior year at Clemson and was effective. Bowers will bring an X-factor to Tampa’s 3 technique which we haven’t had with GMC. Bowers has an uncanny ability to swivel his hips and redirect on a dime in traffic to make tackles on backs and QB’s. He won’t bring the raw power of GMC but he will bring a little bit more speed and that uncanny finishing ability that could result in a sack or two. Yes New Orleans has two of the better guards in the league in NIcks and Evans but their center Olin Kreutz has been washed up for a couple of seasons now and hasn’t gotten any younger this year.
October 15th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
Our offense has really been boring to watch so far this year, and they are not playing anywhere near as good as last year. Freeman is playing like he did in 2009 again, making careless throws and missing throws. Our “youngry” receivers aren’t getting it done either. This is the first time I’ve ever called out our receivers, and I support them all the way. But given the fact, that we spent a 2nd rounder on Benn, and a 4th rounder on Mike W. (not a high pick, but we’ve put a lot of hope in him), they should be playing consistent and making big plays for us. They’re not doing that right now. I’m almost fully confident that Freeman will bounce back, but the receivers are my concern right now.
As for tomorrow’s game, I think this should be the game where Freeman and the O regroup and get it back together. It’ll probably be tough to stop their offense, like it is for every defense, but their defense is pretty weak from what I’ve read on here and heard on the news.
@BecklesHeartsRuud
I agree with you, if the offense continues to struggle even against the Saints, we should start worrying. The crappy first halfs need to end. The penalties need to end as well. No excuses for this team being so undisciplined.
Rumors are that Reggie Wayne is on the trade block. Just a thought to keep in mind. We could use a veteran at receiver who’s still playing at a great level.
October 15th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Patrick- Reggie Wayne on the trade block? Why? Giving up on Peyton’s chances at returning next season and deciding to start cleaning house for draft picks? Wayne would certainly be a welcome addition but the price would almost assuredly be too high. This GM isn’t giving up high draft picks for a 30+ year old reciever. You can take that to the bank.
October 15th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Patrick- Besides Wayne is not a true speed reciever. He’s more along the lines of guys the Bucs already have in Williams and Benn. I guarantee that the Bucs will be looking to add pure speed next at WR. The Bucs are in the same position the Falcants felt they were in last year. Without a pure deep threat to back secondaries up. I imagine they address that need in the draft.(But not by mortgaging the house like the Falcants did to get Julio).
October 15th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
@BecklesHeartsRuud
True. But still, he gets yards and touchdowns. I’m not saying we should go crazy and trade for him right now. Just saying that it’s something to keep in mind if our receivers continue to struggle and be ineffective.
Speed is really the thing we lack most on offense, both at WR and running back. We need a DeSean Jackson type of guy.
October 15th, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Old SKool- What do you think about Bowers at the 3 tech? My only issue with GMC is that while being an outstanding penetrator he isn’t a great pass rush finisher yet. I think Bowers may have better finishing technique at this point even though he’s a rookie and playing inside may actually give him some different looks at the o-line that may result in more splash plays than he’s had on the edge so far.
October 15th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Steve White apparently thinks Bowers playing the tackle position is a huge mistake and waste. He knows more about the D line than any of us will ever, so i’ll take his word.
October 15th, 2011 at 11:57 pm
K2- Steve White isn’t god. Take it with a grain of salt. Bowers wrecked shop when Clemson used him as a 3 tech.
October 16th, 2011 at 3:22 am
I like moving Price to the 3 spot better. Then throw Okam at nose. Let Bowers stay at the DE, he is starting to come on there.
October 16th, 2011 at 3:35 am
Steve white isn’t God. But the Man knows his football- especially the D-Line.
October 16th, 2011 at 8:06 am
This should be a tough game, and hopefully the Bucs can keep it close until the end for a victory. If Bowers is having difficulty inside I don’t think Raheem will hesitate to move him back outside. This Bowers’ move really doesn’t say much for Roy Miller, who needs to step it up. If anything TJax may be the X-factor this week and should be very hungry to lay the wood.
October 16th, 2011 at 9:06 am
@Joe
Would it be possible to post the times and viewing/listening options the night before games? Would help planning my day 🙂
If not, that’s cool. If so, thanks!
October 16th, 2011 at 9:08 am
I agree. And he is much better than Ian Beckles, who completely sold out to whatever gods Ron sacrifices to.
October 16th, 2011 at 9:09 am
I agree with Steve here and we talked about it at length on the show Tuesday. I think that Bowers is too small for the 3 (or at the very least, not powerful enough. He seems to get washed out.) I love what I have seen out of him on end (you know, his real position) and think he should stay there. I think you use Price as long as he can physically handle it at the 3 and Oakn / Miller Rotation at nose. If they have to spell Price you move Bennett in (since I think he would be better on the swap) and move Watson down into the Redskin package that Ra seems to like so much.
Thanks for all the feedback guys! The beautiful thing about this game we love is we get to see it play out today!
October 16th, 2011 at 11:24 am
I agree, Bowers is too small for the 3. Yes, Clemson did use him there in his Junior year, but moved and kept him at end later, where he excelled.
October 16th, 2011 at 11:54 am
sigh… Bowers is not too small to be an effective pass rusher inside. There are smaller guys than him doing it. Do you guys not remember the Bucs using players like Ellis Wyms and Chuck Darby as 3 techs?
October 17th, 2011 at 9:35 am
sigh (I guess that does add dramatic effect after all) It is not simply size. It is size and power. For various reasons including those, I happen to thing Bowers should not be inside. Tuesday night we will review his efficacy at that position.
And yes, I remember both of those players. That makes about 14 people who do.