fact is that we often bring blitz packages while playing cover 3 behind it.
He is often playing cover 3 as a base - like much of the ngl- but altering it as part of a pressure package. This is why he has traditionally loved "joker" type players ie someone who can start in the S role but then cover because that pre-snap CB blitzed.
like every decent DC Bowles is trying most often to show one thing to a QB presnap that is different from what they are actually running. That is very effective - multiple seasons top 10 in scoring - when you have talent and less so when you do not.
we just reloaded on defense
I think the Bucs last season were 5th in scoring offense and 17th in scoring defense. That would mean they were roughly a 11 team - (5+17)/2. The Eagles were something like a 3, number one defense and 5th offense, I think.
The 2025 most likely scenario for the Bucs is a slight regression on offense and a slight impatient on defense. Injuries etc can change ACTUAL performance but assume the Bucs at 7th offense and 10th defense so they are an 8 team.
Look at 2024 teams. An 8 should be a division winning playoff team?
just a guess
Not worth correcting the autocorrect.
point is the Bucs should do well, barring injuries Pressure on Bowles
My personal expectation is 11 wins and making the NFCCG.
Agreed.
Anything less is a failed season.
....Dean is not a m2m corner. Zion can play some man. He didn’t draft them to play man. Now I hope he has drafted Morrison and Parrish to play more man.
Great post(s) as usual.
Only thing I would disagree with you on is your summarization of Dean.
He has proven to good at m2m throughout his career. He's also proven to be highly effective when pressing (it was one of his strengths in nearly every draft profile).
That being said, I think we'll see a more physical style with Morrison, and especially Parrish.
My bigger concern is with Todd and his "explanations" of pressing vs. off coverage, man vs. zone, etc.:
- A few seasons ago, his 2 starting corners voiced their frustrations that they weren't playing enough man, and weren't playing enough press.
- Then the next season, Todd came out and said it was up to the corners (play dependent)
- Now, this season, Todd is saying he doesn't like off-coverage and he prefers press.
Multiple instances of him absolutely contradicting himself.
And, going what we've all seen and Bowles' history of stubbornness, I'd agree with the aforementioned players.
You want to play more press, Todd? You want to play more m2m, Todd?
Then shut up and do it. Stop talking about it.