Great Josh Q breakdown
https://www.pewterreport.com/todd-bowles-improved-bucs-pass-rush-2025/
Although he doesn't address Diaby's coverage stats :-)
Bowles ability to find "non-traditional paths for his second-level defenders while mixing in stunts, loops and waves is creating chaos in the best way. And with a secondary that can hold up and force quarterbacks to hold on to the ball just a hair longer, it is all coming together for a defense that now ranks seventh in EPA/play and looks to be only getting better."
For all his coverage struggles " SirVocea Dennis is a better blitzer than his predecessor K.J. Britt. Britt only created pressure on 13.0% of his pass rushes last year, totaling just half a sack. Contrast that with Dennis’ 23.9% pressure rate and two sacks this year in just under half the games"
@bucsbits Yeah I dont care about Dennis and his blitzing. Hes been so bad in coverage that it doesn't mean squat. Hes been better that past 2 weeks, but he has killed us on defense so many times. FBI should investigate him for gambling on games.
Yeah I dont care about Dennis and his blitzing. Hes been so bad in coverage that it doesn't mean squat. Hes been better that past 2 weeks, but he has killed us on defense so many times. FBI should investigate him for gambling on games.
Agreed.
PFF overall ranking:
70th out of 80 LB’ers (Devin White is 78th out of 80….lolz)
PFF coverage ranking:
80th out of 80 LB’ers
He’s the biggest liability on our defense.
We’re gonna need 2 new starting ILB’s next season. Dennis can be depth.
@bucsbits Yeah I dont care about Dennis and his blitzing. Hes been so bad in coverage that it doesn't mean squat. Hes been better that past 2 weeks, but he has killed us on defense so many times. FBI should investigate him for gambling on games.
haha well yes I agree that's why I wondered if they think he's going to get better or are they maybe thinking of him in LVD's limited role?
When we win the SB at least 9 sacks came from the LBer position. Bowles seems to value that even when there is a coverage weakness
Bowles doesn't covet LBs that are very good in coverage. Other teams are okay with a Barton type LB as a starter while other teams don't want nothing to do with Barton starting at LB. LBs that can cover and hit an A gap are just as rare as top tier edge rushers. That is what made Mr. Derrick Brooks special.
I think the coverage LB has a bit more complexity in Bowles defense. It’s seems pretty clear that Dennis is not a fit in that role. I think they’re stuck into thinking they’ll be able to get that addressed in the draft. I don’t expect any trades before the deadline. We’re going to role with what we have this season.@bucsbits Yeah I dont care about Dennis and his blitzing. Hes been so bad in coverage that it doesn't mean squat. Hes been better that past 2 weeks, but he has killed us on defense so many times. FBI should investigate him for gambling on games.
haha well yes I agree that's why I wondered if they think he's going to get better or are they maybe thinking of him in LVD's limited role?
Like the EDGE position, It’s a glaring weakness in our defense. Pressure is still being applied, but it will be exposed in the playoffs by teams like the Lions who have the ability to do so. I think the answer was supposed to be a juggernaut offense, but that seems to be a struggle with the injury hits on the o-line, WR, and RB1.
Maybe we’ll start being pleasantly surprised by the offense after the bye.
It’s our best defense since 2020. Need this offense to get some pieces back.
Tampa is top 3 in the following defensive categories, Defensive TDs, tackles for loss, strip sacks, sacks, QB pressures, takeaways, fumble recoveries, and have had five games with multiple takeaways.
We have 15 sacks in the last 3 games which ties us for the best over a three game stretch in the past 25 years in the entire league.
We took Egbuka instead of addressing the LB spot. I’m good with that.
I think Bowles mentioned that he had been in the film room to tweak his defense, prior to the draft, to match the roster talent. Have to say that it has been successful, but the offensive struggles with injuries has likely not put his defense in the best down & distance/number of snaps for which they’re on the field. It has been effective in the few games where we get a lead. And it has also been flexible enough to get stops when we need them.
Secondary talent is obviously better, and seems to have allowed Bowles to play more man.
Better offensive performance could help the defense, a lot.
as much as some here would hate to read this, the defense right now is still a work in-progress. Going with a 35 yer old LB and your 5th round pick for LBers is more consistent with a rebuild underway, than a SB team
the defense is doing particularly well IF you look at it from that perspective and a big part of the success so far is the back end. . . WHERE THEY FOCUSED THE TALENT ACQUISITION
LBers is more consistent with a rebuild underway, than a SB team
Tampa as is, if these WRs ever come back and we get another serviceable OLman who can stay healthy, can win the super bowl as is. Every team in season, is a work in progress.
Tampa has as good a shot as anyone two months from now.
