It’s no secret that the Buccaneers secondary is by far the weakest link in their chain. They got torched this past Sunday by a rookie quarterback and were, yet again, unable to finish out a game. While Tampa Bay's seven losses can’t all be blamed solely on the secondary, the majority of the games have ended with their failures.
In the Giants game, the defensive backs gave up over 500 yards and the team was only able to stay in the game because of errant Eli Manning interceptions in the first half. When the Bucs needed a stop at the end of the game, they came up short. Two weeks later against the Redskins, Tampa Bay allowed rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III to easily drive down the field setting up the game-winning field goal.
In the Giants game, the defensive backs gave up over 500 yards and the team was only able to stay in the game because of errant Eli Manning interceptions in the first half. When the Bucs needed a stop at the end of the game, they came up short. Two weeks later against the Redskins, Tampa Bay allowed rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III to easily drive down the field setting up the game-winning field goal.
Then, in their first meeting with the Saints, quarterback Drew Brees threw for four touchdowns and over 300 yards in the first half alone. After that tough loss against their division rival, the Bucs went on a four game winning streak but still had terrible issues in the secondary. If it wasn't for the strong play of quarterback Josh Freeman and running back Doug Martin’s breakout performances during that stretch, the Bucs wouldn’t have stood a chance in those games. In fact, the team caught another lucky break in the Chargers game when Philip Rivers threw the worst pass of his career right to cornerback Leonard Johnson. Prior to that, Rivers was having his way with the Tampa Bay's defensive backs.
During the team's three-game losing streak the secondary hit a season low. It is understandable to be unsuccessful against the league’s elite quarterbacks in Matt Ryan and Peyton Manning, but when they gave up nearly 400 yards to rookie Nick Foles it became clear that this secondary has been killed by the loss of Aqib Talib and Eric Wright.
Talib and Wright may not be the greatest cornerbacks in the league, but at least they brought experience. There is no way that duo would have allowed a rookie quarterback to convert on fourth downs and make a game-winning throw they knew was coming. Those players had their troubles over the season, but have excelled against non-elite quarterbacks like Cam Newton and Tony Romo.
But Talib is gone and Wright won’t be back until the final game of the season. E.J. Biggers, who has been criticized for the past couple years, has actually been the bright spot in their secondary and has made some good plays in the past three losses. But young players like Leonard Johnson, Anthony Gaitor, and Mark Barron will need to step it up this week against Drew Brees and the Saints dynamic offense.
But Talib is gone and Wright won’t be back until the final game of the season. E.J. Biggers, who has been criticized for the past couple years, has actually been the bright spot in their secondary and has made some good plays in the past three losses. But young players like Leonard Johnson, Anthony Gaitor, and Mark Barron will need to step it up this week against Drew Brees and the Saints dynamic offense.
“The quarterbacks are a lot smarter [than they were in college],” Barron said. “They’re able to read defenses better, so there’s a lot more to do as far as disguising and trying not to show your hand.”
Barron has had trouble making the impact plays fans expected him to make going into the season. But people are forgetting that he is still a rookie and is probably being asked to do more because of the weak play at cornerback. When head coach Greg Schiano or defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan are asked about Barron they have nothing but positive things to say and truly believe that he is improving every day and will continue to improve going into next year.
“He is only going to get better,” Sheridan said. “I think some of the things that he sees are new for him. It’s not like he’s seen them for three or four years or seen them for weeks and weeks and weeks coming out of college. He is doing a good job and he is only going to get better.”
Barron will have his work cut out for him this week when he faces Saints Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham. Graham missed the last meeting with the Bucs and Barron is really looking forward to finally competing against him.
“I was looking forward to facing him the first time even though he didn’t play,” Barron said. “Once again I’m looking forward to it. I love competition so you know anytime I get to go up against somebody who’s considered to be one of the best I enjoy that.”
Sunday’s game against New Orleans will most likely be another shootout. But if the secondary can make a play, or at least prevent the Saints from making too many plays, then maybe they will get their confidence back up and finish the season strong. If the game comes down to the wire, Tampa Bay's secondary will need to make the play they haven’t made in three weeks. If not, what looked like a successful season for the Bucs could turn out to be another long season-ending losing streak.
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