How much can be attributed to having to cover up for Britt/other ILB who were barely NFL practice squad level talent.
That’s a really good point. You might be right that. some of it could be that.
It's never one thing. The LBs around him (that Licht drafted late) were awful AND David was slow as fuck in coverage.
Grading on a curve for is age I give him a B+.
Grading him on the season I give him a C- and I think that's pretty generous.
Love David but he's toast dude. He can provide some depth and leadership and support on run plays but I don't wanna see him covering Kamara in space.
How much can be attributed to having to cover up for Britt/other ILB who were barely NFL practice squad level talent.
That’s a really good point. You might be right that. some of it could be that.
It's never one thing. The LBs around him (that Licht drafted late) were awful AND David was slow as fuck in coverage.
Grading on a curve for is age I give him a B+.
Grading him on the season I give him a C- and I think that's pretty generous.
Love David but he's toast dude. He can provide some depth and leadership and support on run plays but I don't wanna see him covering Kamara in space.
Toast is a strong word. He still ranked in the top 1/3rd for linebackers this year while having no help around him.
How much can be attributed to having to cover up for Britt/other ILB who were barely NFL practice squad level talent.
That’s a really good point. You might be right that. some of it could be that.
It's never one thing. The LBs around him (that Licht drafted late) were awful AND David was slow as fuck in coverage.
Grading on a curve for is age I give him a B+.
Grading him on the season I give him a C- and I think that's pretty generous.
Love David but he's toast dude. He can provide some depth and leadership and support on run plays but I don't wanna see him covering Kamara in space.
Toast is a strong word. He still ranked in the top 1/3rd for linebackers this year while having no help around him.
No way he's a top 11 LB. No effing way.
There are teams that have 2 LBs better than him.
Top Third of LB's does not mean top 11...How much can be attributed to having to cover up for Britt/other ILB who were barely NFL practice squad level talent.
That’s a really good point. You might be right that. some of it could be that.
It's never one thing. The LBs around him (that Licht drafted late) were awful AND David was slow as fuck in coverage.
Grading on a curve for is age I give him a B+.
Grading him on the season I give him a C- and I think that's pretty generous.
Love David but he's toast dude. He can provide some depth and leadership and support on run plays but I don't wanna see him covering Kamara in space.
Toast is a strong word. He still ranked in the top 1/3rd for linebackers this year while having no help around him.
No way he's a top 11 LB. No effing way.
There are teams that have 2 LBs better than him.
Just one outlet, but I think LVD's overall grade with PPF put him right at the bottom of the top 3rd. The problem is that his role has traditionally been coverage and his coverage grade was often near the highest in the league, but it sank some in 2023 and then this year down to 92nd out of 189.
So, I guess hypothetically Bucs could go with SVD and LVD, but that is really the trap they fell into this year, meaning that LVD has so much experience he can be a pretty decent run stopping LB, but once SVD gets injured its all over. Only as strong as your weakest link. teams will just throw short and middle over and over . . . doesn't matter if you get that big shiny edge player
Short and middle passing was the big killer for the 2024 Bus defense, so I am guessing they make changes with th LB corp and part of that is probably NOT relying on LVD or SVD as a starter by default
Bowles once again alludes to the defense being a reflection of the available players, not a choice by him
“It’s not so much about deploying a defense as it is about executing what we call,” Bowles said. “I thought those guys, for the most part, did a good job of coming in and executing what we called, with what they can do well. That was the defense we were going to play.
“We had a chance to be successful if they executed the defense and they did a good job after the Bye Week of coming in and doing that, so I was proud of them for that.”
Just one outlet, but I think LVD's overall grade with PPF put him right at the bottom of the top 3rd. The problem is that his role has traditionally been coverage and his coverage grade was often near the highest in the league, but it sank some in 2023 and then this year down to 92nd out of 189.
So, I guess hypothetically Bucs could go with SVD and LVD, but that is really the trap they fell into this year, meaning that LVD has so much experience he can be a pretty decent run stopping LB, but once SVD gets injured its all over. Only as strong as your weakest link. teams will just throw short and middle over and over . . . doesn't matter if you get that big shiny edge player
Short and middle passing was the big killer for the 2024 Bus defense, so I am guessing they make changes with th LB corp and part of that is probably NOT relying on LVD or SVD as a starter by default
Agreed- they absolutely need to upgrade the room, especially depth. SVD going down and having to roll out there with Britt was a death sentence.
I'm usually against free agency but is this the year to go out and buy edge rushers, an ILB and Asante Samuel Jr? I actually like this edge rusher free agency group.
Bucs tried rookies on defense with Braswell and Smith and they had mixed results. This is because playing defense in the NFL is a hard learning curve so I expect the Bucs to trade or sign a veteran edge, trade away/cut Dean to sign a veteran boundary CB and a veteran ILB that can play three downs. Along with re-signing Godwin and one guard that allows the Bucs to go best available player in the draft.
And because the draft is soft with QB talent it will force teams to gobble up other offensive positions quickly like OTs and WRs which will push defensive talent down. Just like the 2024 draft which is where the Bucs will land a top flight defensive player at their draft spot.
Buc strategy is easy if they do not screw it up.
Bucs tried rookies on defense with Braswell and Smith and they had mixed results
think that was Bowles choice?
:-)
Top Third of LB's does not mean top 11...
Ok so we'll say top 32 and give every team 3 LBs to judge?
Out of 96 qualified LBs you think he's top 32?
Pff has him as 64th.
Bucs tried rookies on defense with Braswell and Smith and they had mixed results
think that was Bowles choice?
:-)
He's the head coach so... Someone has to take responsibility. I doubt he has zero input on the draft.
I'm usually against free agency but is this the year to go out and buy edge rushers, an ILB and Asante Samuel Jr? I actually like this edge rusher free agency group.
Kiss of death. Draft it is
Bucs tried rookies on defense with Braswell and Smith and they had mixed results
think that was Bowles choice?
:-)
He's the head coach so... Someone has to take responsibility. I doubt he has zero input on the draft.
Fire, come on. One reason you would RELY on rookie draft picks is . . . the CAP. Bowles control the CAP?
This season we STARTED . . . . STARTED . . . a position in PLATOON . . . Brit and SVD. You think any HC wants to platoon a position?
What about a DC who is known for wanting "CHESS PIECES" (guys who can do multiple things)
This kind of stuff is why I mentioned the "Bowles=bad" approach of fans. This topic is the logical equivalent of "mayfield is sending the RB the wrong way."
Bucs tried rookies on defense with Braswell and Smith and they had mixed results
think that was Bowles choice?
:-)
He's the head coach so... Someone has to take responsibility. I doubt he has zero input on the draft.
And he has full control of the defense so he has final say.