Don’t Forget The Run
September 14th, 2013
In an effort to stop Drew Brees, the Bucs cannot ignore Saints running backs like Pierre Thomas.
With future Hall of Famer quarterback Drew Brees and his high-flying Saints offense coming to town Sunday, it seems simple to stop the Saints, in theory.
Stop Brees and you have cut the head off of the snake.
It may not be so simple. As Bucs commander Greg Schiano said yesterday, nobody stops Brees. It’s not just that it appears that Saints coach Sean Payton is trying to get the Saints ground game going, as documented by Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
The Saints had only 78 yards on 29 carries against the Falcons, averaging 2.7 yards per attempt. New Orleans also was stuffed on a fourth-and-inches near midfield by Atlanta. Not exactly a good argument for Payton to remain steadfast in his commitment. Evans said the results have to change for Payton to maintain confidence in the ground game going into Week 2 at Tampa Bay on Sunday.
“When your number is called, you want to step up to the plate and get it done,” Evans said. “We kind of didn’t do that. We didn’t rush for 100 (yards) like our game plan was, even though our number was called numerous times. There’s always plays you wish you had back Week 1.”
Everyone knows that the Bucs are good against the run. Joe has a hunch, maybe inaccurately, that perhaps the Bucs may shake a little more to the pass defense this time because Brees and company are so lethal.
But if the Saints are able to effectively get off a big run here or there, it really could throw the Bucs defense off, almost like a pick-your-poison deal.
Below, Saints running back Pierre Thomas, who has been a headache for the Bucs in the pass, discusses trying to get the Saints running game on track.
September 14th, 2013 at 8:15 am
It will be our ‘prevent defense’ that allow the Saints to win.
September 14th, 2013 at 8:32 am
Nope it’ll be our magician QB pulling a disappearing act for 3 Qts of the game that will allow the Saints to win.
September 14th, 2013 at 8:41 am
It’s usually QB yardage that gives us trouble. I’m more concerned with screens & swing passes than the run.
September 14th, 2013 at 8:44 am
14-13 Bucs win
September 14th, 2013 at 9:07 am
Saints 24 Bucs 16
Bucs just do not have enough offense. The Ryan brothers are one a nice two game kick against Freeman where he is 25-59 (42%) for 320 yards (5.2 YPA) with 2 TDs and 2Ints. They know what bothers Freeman and Rob will exploit that. The Dougernaut needs to have a huge game for the Bucs to be in position to win, and after the line’s performance last week I’m not sure that can happen either. Once again I expect the defense to do enough and the offense to hold us back. Sounds like 2001 again doesn’t it?
September 14th, 2013 at 9:12 am
Lol man, everyone here needs a breath of fresh air. We gonna go 0-16 guys?? XD
September 14th, 2013 at 9:52 am
So many comments on the negative articles but barely any on the ones u know talking about actual football. Wonder why?Geez I would hate to see us get smacked this weekend this site would explode. I think we win this week freeman comes out and finally defeats a Ryan defense our d hold breed just enough to pull out the win 27-23 bucs.
September 14th, 2013 at 10:01 am
Relax people. Anyone that thinks that Doug Martin will have a bad game because the jets front four is outstanding and oh yeah, THEY HELD BRADY TO UNDER 200 YARDS. ya I said I want Bridgewater earlier this week but like Joe said numerous times. Win Sunday and were in 1st. Does anything else matter.
September 14th, 2013 at 10:05 am
It will be good to have another look at what our new D can do. Did anyone notice how the Jets D shut down the Patriots? Everyone needs to chill a little and see how the season unfolds. Last weeks loss maybe more a reflection of the jets not sucking as bad as people thought than the Bucs are totally inept.
I suspect this is going to be a year in which the Bucs get better as we go along. That is if they can block out our a*hole news media who seem hell bent on tearing the team apart and creating controversy. They just need to win to get these yapping hyenas off the backs. Unfortunately that may take a few weeks. Go Bucs!
September 14th, 2013 at 10:29 am
Win or lose, no chance they run the ball successfully on our elite penetrating run defense. In the past we’ve had to rely on turnovers to stop the Saints offense and outscore them. Tomorrow should be no different.
September 14th, 2013 at 12:11 pm
A real defense doesn’t give up rushing yards to a running back named “Pierre.”
You might as well put on some blush, eyeliner, and a mop wig and start walking Nebraska Ave.
September 14th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
BUCS WIN, BUCS WIN, BUCS WIN !!!!!!! STAY STRONG BUC FANS !!!!!!!