Sheridan Not Worried About D-Line
September 13th, 2013
All offseason, aside from the constant chatter about embattled Bucs franchise quarterback Josh Freeman, the main topic that made Bucs fans sweat was pass rush, or lack thereof.
The Debacle in the Meadowlands didn’t do much to soothe Bucs fans’ fears that Bucs defensive linemen can breathe on opposing quarterbacks.
Granted, it was just Week One and the next day was “Overreaction Monday,” where Bucs fans were lined up to jump off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, or are still prone on their couches, their minds numb and ears ringing from chugging Bushmills in a desperate effort to wipe the Jets loss from their memory cards.
If one is to average how many sacks the defensive front will get this year based on the results against the Jets, it comes out to 16, which is downright sinful for a team that actually has legitimate desires to make a playoff run this fall.
Bucs defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan, though, was not on suicide watch after the Debacle in the Meadowlands. In fact, in his weekly press conference yesterday, he admitted he is fine with the production (or lack thereof) from his defensive line.
“If you look at the plays that we did get the sacks [on], I thought we were creating pressure with our down guys [defensive linemen],” Sheridan said. “They may have been chewing up the protection and allowing some of the second-level guys to come clean. Maybe our numbers didn’t show it, but I thought we had a very aggressive, up-the-field push on the pocket last week. Those guys did a good job. They can do better, but [they did a good job].”
Good job? Well, Joe won’t touch that. Maybe the defensive line did do a good job with the constant cute stunts the Bucs run.
Joe touched on this when he appeared on the air with his good friend, “The Big Dog,” Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620, this week. Joe wishes he would have documented one second-half play. The Bucs called a stunt where tackle Gerald McCoy looped so far to his left, he completely took himself out of the play. GMC could have been sitting on the bench and been just as productive.
Joe must wonder; if a stunt completely takes your best defensive lineman out of a play, perhaps said stunt may not be so wise and the theory of using these tactics should be revisited.
September 13th, 2013 at 9:25 am
While I think a couple of the stunts are bad, for the most part they are resulting in sacks.
The Bucs got 5 stacks. Average that out over a season and you get 80!
I know…unrealistic to expect that. But honestly, Joe…I think the average you provided is unrealistic as well.
The play you’ve pointed out was a bad one, but I also see the reason they gave it a try. The hope was likely that because GMC is double-teamed often it would force an adjustment that would give the Bucs an edge. It didn’t work so I doubt we’ll see it again.
September 13th, 2013 at 9:26 am
Ahhh, the stench of organizational rot is in the air. In the week following 60 minutes of kick-off weekend’s atrocious football, the cork has been pulled on the rancid bottle of muck that is Greg Schiano’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Swirling around in there with “Trust, Belief and Accountability” are damning questions about our “franchise” QB along with dissention, disorganization and mistrust…not to mention a little bit of MRSA for good measure.
“Send these coaches back to college.” Oh, it almost seeped out last year but for a win against Atlanta to cap our embarrassing collapse. Almost. But it was patient. It waited. It knew it’d be worth it. Now, it’s out. It’s in our pores. It’s seething, growing in all of us. It knows its strength will continue to grow week after week–with every fumble, penalty, bad read, interception and loss.
As fans we’ll try to fight it, to deny how bad things really are. We’ll struggle to disavow all of those insidious rumors about a QBs lifestyle, a head coach who has already lost his locker-room and the reality of how poor the offensive and defensive schemes really are.
What we don’t realize is that the outcome is more than inevitable–it’s already here. The season is dead after one game. The franchise again the laughing stock of professional sports. In the immortal words of Denny Green, “They are who we thought they were.” A head-case QB. A GM out of his league. A coach unprepared to lead in the NFL. Owners who failed to land the coach the wanted, again. Fans suffering the humiliation of it all.
September 13th, 2013 at 9:27 am
Also, at some point teams will have to plan for that second level. That’s when our linexwill start getting sacks.
I don’t personally care how we get the sacks so long as we get them.
September 13th, 2013 at 9:28 am
Per Steve White, McCoy stunted around 3 gaps…THREE.
How do they expect McCoy to be effective when he is to run straight to the sideline on the snap of the ball?
September 13th, 2013 at 9:29 am
“their minds numb and ears ringing from chugging Bushmills in a desperate effort to wipe the Jets loss from their memory cards.”
Joe I thought I’d get over it by Tuesday. It lasted until Thursday and it’s still kind of lingering in my mind. If they beat the Saints I hope it will go away. I’m not so sure though because 2-0 is a lot better than 1-1. It might take a decent win streak or getting ahead of myself back to back wins vs the Saints and the Pats. That probably would do it. Go Bucs!
September 13th, 2013 at 9:30 am
As a fan the only humiliation I’m suffering is that fans like FrankPillow even exist.
September 13th, 2013 at 9:30 am
Clayborn and McCoy did a good job , they were beast
September 13th, 2013 at 9:30 am
I am getting sick of all these “so and so isn’t worried” stories.
Jesus tap dancing Christ did you WATCH that game? If you’re NOT worried you should be FIRED!!!
September 13th, 2013 at 9:33 am
Buc1987 Says: September 13th, 2013 at 9:29 am
“their minds numb and ears ringing from chugging Bushmills in a desperate effort to wipe the Jets loss from their memory cards.”
Joe I thought I’d get over it by Tuesday. It lasted until Thursday and it’s still kind of lingering in my mind. If they beat the Saints I hope it will go away.”
I know you are a solid fan…but you do know what a bandwagon fan is, right? Think about that and reread what you posted. Dangerously close!
September 13th, 2013 at 9:35 am
FrankPillow …your right…poor you.
September 13th, 2013 at 9:37 am
Adam
“I am getting sick of all these “so and so isn’t worried” stories.
Jesus tap dancing Christ did you WATCH that game? If you’re NOT worried you should be FIRED!!!”
I realize you are entitled to your own beliefs but please respect the beliefs of others by not using our Lords name in vain.
As to being worried, of course fans have reasons to be concerned. But being concerned does not mean you give up.
September 13th, 2013 at 9:37 am
Bonzai…I am not one of the pisssed off ones….I’ve been depressed over it is all that I’m saying.
September 13th, 2013 at 9:38 am
I’d like to see us stunt WAY less but I get it.
Outside of GMC, we’re not talented enough upfront to straight rush. I went back to watch the game on NFL Rewind and we got penetration on a bunch on stunts. What I want to see them do is set up McCoy more. As bucfanjeff said, they had him stunting around gaps. We tailored our defensive line around Warren Sapp while he was here. Can’t we do the same thing with our best defender?
September 13th, 2013 at 9:48 am
BuccaneerBonzai …I can tell you one thing about how depressed I have been about it since Sunday. On a scale of 1-10 in depression ten being the worst. Sunday it was a 10, Monday a 10, Tues a 9, Weds 7, Thurs 3. Today still lingering at around a 2. That’s what I getting at.
September 13th, 2013 at 9:48 am
Is sheridan really the DC or DC in name only? I mean you have butch davis and wannstedt who are superbowl winners on defense and schiano and bryan cox on defense? So that is a pretty good defensive staff right there to bounce things off of. Now get joshey poo some of the same coaches and we may be doing something
September 13th, 2013 at 9:49 am
AC played decent, so did Gerald. Spence started well but disappeared at times. The other DE spot whether it was Teo, bowers, or scott was very inconsistent. Wish bennett was still on the team. Scott looked like he got the most penetration of the 3 though. It should continue to get better though. That O line is pretty good and we still put plenty of hits on Geno. Better get to Brees quicker though on Sunday as he wont sit there all day waiting to get smacked like Geno did a couple of times.
September 13th, 2013 at 9:55 am
I’m worried about why AC was limited with a hip problem in practice. Hope its minor, we kind of need him.
September 13th, 2013 at 9:55 am
Pillow talk? Someone in the know?
September 13th, 2013 at 9:58 am
@ Buc 1987
Depressed is my feeling also…mixed in with a dash of pissed & hope.
September 13th, 2013 at 10:03 am
Dear Mr Sheridan-would you please rush more then 3 damn linemen when the game is on the line and you’re facing a rookie quarterback or any quarterback for that matter.
September 13th, 2013 at 10:04 am
Bonzai, I’ve been a fan for all 37 years of this franchise’s existance. As a kid, I remember the wonder of the 1979 season and excitment of the playoffs. After the 1982 season it took the franchise nearly 15 years to dig out from being dead-buried. I went to every single one of those home games in between and every single one up to and including that glorious night in San Diego. We’ve been sliding backwards for YEARS now. YEARS. I’m not going to rehash what Gruden/Allen did wrong or what Raheem couldn’t do right…anyone following this team for the past decade has a good idea (or opinion). Let’s talk about the here/now. The team’s performance through training camp, their penalty-riddled, unpreparred performance last weekend and the circus that has ensued. From allegations of micro-management to over-sleeping, to ballot-stuffing, to the reasons why our QB isn’t wearing a C on his jersey…you can’t tell me that you’re feeling good right about now…that everything seems like sunshine. Are the roster holes going to get filled? Is trust going to be restored? How about faith? What happens when Freeman throws 3 picks on Sunday? If they win do you really feel better about what we are? I’m not sure I do. Maybe that’s the difference between us. I grant that. I don’t want to see this thing come off the rails…but this week, it sure feels like its headed that way. Can they right it? I hope so. There’s talent. But does this team beleive in its QB, its coach? Doesn’t seem like it.
September 13th, 2013 at 10:12 am
I’m not sure how you can say all of the news out of One Buc this week doesn’t seem like a black cloud?
That all being said, #5 isn’t right. I’ve been a Freeman fan since his first start. The trouble is, he never looked good in the pocket. Could never effectively scan the field fully and/or quickly. He has always been at his best using his feet and improvising. Somewhere along the way, perhaps through bad coaching, Josh has become a cement-footed pocket passer.
I remember reading somewhere that Olsen only had him reading 1/2 of the field…and this wasn’t just during his rookie year. I think part of the problem is that he simply can’t process info/what he’s seeing fast enough and Sully’s offense is predicated on reads.
Listen, the arm is there…along w/all of the physical tools. The head is not. Neither is the confidence. He is not handling the pressure well. Remember how he played during the 10-6 run? Today’s Josh=deer in headlights.
Sure, the drops have made the stat-line look a lot worse than his actual performance but I’m tired of even having to type a line like this one. He’s the starting QB on the most talent-filled offensive roster we’ve EVER put together but he’s simply not capable of emoting/leading anyone to greatness.
On D, the stunts/scheme aren’t doing these guys any favors. No kidding, this thing resembles ran the same tilted nose/stunt games Saban’s Michigan State D from the early 90s ran. Also, the flip-flopping of DE’s to strong/weak-sides is laughable at this level. Plus the stunting eliminates the one thing all of these guys have–power/quick first step.
September 13th, 2013 at 10:43 am
its a shame were in a small media market and this media is doing everything to kill this team, its horrible. one game and their making it seem like the season is over. idgaf who is the captain as long as they are winning. freeman needs to step up, the only way this team will have a chance is if he plays at a goood level
September 13th, 2013 at 10:45 am
I don’t get this article… last week was the best pass rushing performance this team has put out in years.
September 13th, 2013 at 11:17 am
You’re offended, Bonzai? P|$$ off. You’re obviously NOToffended because you cut-and-pasted my post and published it a SECOND time.
DC Jim Johnson (RIP) who worked for the Eagles during the McNabb/Reid years. He was a notorious blitzed. But he could do it because he had Brian Dawkins and Troy Vincent at DB. I can see this D being run in the same vain.
September 13th, 2013 at 11:17 am
You’re offended, Bonzai? P|$$ off. You’re obviously NOToffended because you cut-and-pasted my post and published it a SECOND time.
DC Jim Johnson (RIP) who worked for the Eagles during the McNabb/Reid years. He was a notorious blitzed. But he could do it because he had Brian Dawkins and Troy Vincent at DB. I can see this D being run in the same vain.
September 13th, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Thank you Ander! So tired of the effort to undermine the organization and staff by Most of the local media!
September 13th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Joe “coach” fan… SMH
September 13th, 2013 at 2:17 pm
This is all the more reason I think the GM and Coaches should be gone if this season don’t end in playoff. How many 3rd and 15-20 an offense need to complete in order to get rid of stunts and very conservative 3 man down set. The d line played well…. Really!?!?
September 13th, 2013 at 4:48 pm
Joe said – “Granted, it was just Week One and the next day was “Overreaction Monday,”
OK.. How many times are we gonna excuse the d-line, o-line, Schiano, the offense, even Free, and say:
“Granted, it was only training camp”
“Granted, it was only a scrimmage”
“Granted, it was only preseason”
So when the bullets are for real, “Granted, it was only week 1”. This paves the way for you to come out after a horrible 4 game start to say “Granted, its only the 1st quarter of the season..”
The bullets are real. And the time is NOW. A spade, is a motherfu(kin spade. our d-line cant rush. our o-line cant recite the alphabet. our running back hasnt been given ANY preseason time to get a rhythm. and that goes for Freeman and his WRs. And our HC thinks he’s God and/or doesnt trust his assistant coaches that he has to call their shots.
Jesus Christian Bale as Batman!
September 13th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Regardless of what are expectations for this season now are, after the loss to the jets…the truth is we are in the season and the only thing that would change between now and then MAYBE is the qb position. I think the jet’s showed us how bad our offense looked but also how good our defense looked. As depressed as we all are from the start of the season, there are still 15 games left and it’s always a possibility we start a little rough and get better through the season, unlike last year. Either way this is Tampa’s team for 2013 and all we can do is watch. I’m tired of bitching and complaining. It is what it is. I’m not against Schiano just yet…I like his style, but this may be Freeman and MD’s last ride in Tampa. I would like to be wrong though.
September 13th, 2013 at 10:28 pm
No more stunts.. no more freeman… no more schiano… bring in derick brooks as a coach please….