Front Four Revival A Key Priority
May 10th, 2012
For the Bucs to turn around their defensive line, it's critical that Gerald McCoy stay healthy.
Anyone whose eyes have finally recovered, after they were singed watching what was disguised as a Bucs defense last year, knows that if the Bucs are to sniff a .500 record the Bucs must somehow stop the run.
The critical element in this is the Bucs’ front line. And eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune explains improvement on the defensive front has been a priority for the Bucs since the ghastly loss to the Dixie Chicks, extending the grotesque losing streak to 10 games last season.
Collectively, the group up front was ravaged on the ground as opposing clubs averaged 5.0 yards per carry. The defensive line failed to occupy blockers and running backs routinely broke through to the second level.
And when opposing running backs got to the second level, it was nothing less than a jailbreak. The way running backs ran through the Bucs’ second and third levesl, it reminded Joe of Steve McQueen on his motorcycle in “The Great Escape.”
The first step towards improved rush defense is for the front line to stay healthy. No matter how talented guys like Gerald McCoy and Brian Price are, if they can’t get on the field or are hobbled, it doesn’t help the team.
May 10th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
McCoy needs to restructure his contract after he gets hurt again this year (he’s been stealing money for too long now)
May 10th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
Open competition at Tackle is the key. Okoye is coming here to make plays, and rumor has it that he doesn’t expect anyone to evaluate him other than how every other tackle is evaluated.
Okoye will disrupt while making tackles and pressuring and sacking the quarterback.
May 10th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
Say good-bye to Miles Wade, the workout “beast” everyone was talking about. And say hello to Tiquan Underwood who just signed a 2yr contract who everybody said would never see the field. Oh well, it was just opinions anyway! Everybody knows they don’t count!
May 10th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
NAME FAILLLL!! There is no “P” in Hamster. LOL
May 10th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
That DT’s name is Myles Wade. Lion may be lurking for me! LOL
May 10th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Does anyone remember Steve McQueen’s movie “On Any Sunday”?
Great Bike Movie. Damned I’m old MF’r.
“Hell Ride” by Quentin Tarantino is another good one. Leonor Varela is super hot in that one.
May 10th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
And I thought it was the coaches fault…excuses for the so hyped Schiano
May 10th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
The defensive line will have to stop trying to arm tackle and be more physical. Gerald McCoy has shown that he can get through the offensive line and be disruptive but yet to prove that he can stay healthy. Regardless of how dominant you are when you play, if you hardly play that means nothing. With that said the Buccaneers will stay healthy this year and have made insurance moves by grabbing Akoye and Gibson this offseason.
May 10th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
Any news on Price?
May 10th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
You can count on the fact Coach Schiano is not dumb enough to go into the season with the history of GMC and Price without a backup plan. I am sure he knows he can’t count on them.
May 10th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
If its critical for McCoy to stay healthy in order to turn around the defensive line play, then we’re pretty f-ed.
If he plays more than 10 games, I’ll be happy. And shocked.
May 10th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
If there was, Joe would have it.
May 10th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
News on Price? If there is, Miguel’s got it.
He was last seen in Hollywood auditioning as Drew Carey’s replacement. Drew got a torn bicep on his TV Show and went on injured reserve.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/20284412/ns/today-entertainment/t/drew-carey-injured-price-right-set/
May 10th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Our front 4 is key. They go, we go. They suck ass again, 10 straight defeats and counting.
100% agree with “Muscle Hamster”, McCoy better be open to re-negotiating his deal of he can’t stay on the field. He, alone, accounts for 10+% of our 2012 salary cap. He is arguably our most “important” player.
May 10th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
BigMac
I agree On Any Sunday was a great motorbike documentary. McQueen could really race/ride!
Quentin did only produce Hell Ride but again another good one.
Did you know in 1976 McQueen, out of boredom and after not being in a movie for several years, took on an uncredited role of a stuntman motorcyle racer in the movie Dixie Dynamite?
May 10th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Thanks Joe
May 10th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Aaaaaand down goes Bowers. Well this article is already outdated!!
May 10th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
there goes that
May 10th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Bowers just tore his Achilles…oh well
May 10th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Except the bucs did not have a barbed wire fence…………
May 10th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Horrible news. Bowers just went down with a torn achilles.
May 10th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
Hows that whole healthy D-line thingy looking now. Ugh!!
May 11th, 2012 at 4:41 am
if the run defense is still as it was last year we could easily be looking at a 26 game losing streak. that run d would make the 08 lions look good