"In zone coverage, they've surrendered 10 touchdowns on 207 dropbacks this year - more than any other team in the league. In man coverage, they've given up three touchdowns on 123 dropbacks - tied for the best mark in the league"
The dumb bastard has no idea this annihilates the point he attempting to make.
One of the many reasons he isn’t worth it.
"In zone coverage, they've surrendered 10 touchdowns on 207 dropbacks this year - more than any other team in the league. In man coverage, they've given up three touchdowns on 123 dropbacks - tied for the best mark in the league"
The dumb bastard has no idea this annihilates the point he attempting to make.
One of the many reasons he isn’t worth it.
i would say you should re-read, but we both know …
Bucs defense primarily relies on blitzes as that is Bowles style. Now, if the edge rushers can generate pressure like the super bowl squad that is even better. As for the backend the Bucs improved at outside CB because McCollum is a more flexible CB in that he can play all over the backend in zone or m2m while Davis was purely a m2m press CB. As for Dean I am not sure why people are calling him a zone corner because he is purely the best m2m corner on the roster when healthy. Davis was too expensive but he lost his role on the defense because McCollum outshined him and Dean was always the better pure m2m corner back. Davis' only calling card was press but Bowles isn't doing that anymore because defenses are using disguised looks and rotating zone coverages now. I mean Bowles was using disguised coverages and fire zone blitzes for a while where he was featuring OLB dropping into coverage has been his staple. Also don't forget the improvements at inside nickel and safety over the top too so I expect to see more coverage sacks this year and INTs.
My main concern last year was offense and that is still the main concern because they were not consistently NFL average. The defense was for the most part average to above average and sometimes in the good category.
But the offense struggled bad last year and it cost the Bucs at least 2 more wins which is why I had them pegged to win 10 games last season.
This year with a tougher schedule I have to downgrade them down to 9 wins but that could change if I see progress from the offense.
@alldaway - thank you. What I’ve been saying about the defense for a long time. I just don’t argue with certain people on here that can’t even grasp it.
My only disagreement is that I think both will struggle. On offense it will because it is learning a new system, but it will come on strong as the season moves on. On defense it will be because of the system and not having consistent pass rush from 4. We will have to bring more and many the offenses we will be facing this year will take advantage.
@alldaway - thank you. What I’ve been saying about the defense for a long time. I just don’t argue with certain people on here that can’t even grasp it.
My only disagreement is that I think both will struggle. On offense it will because it is learning a new system, but it will come on strong as the season moves on. On defense it will be because of the system and not having consistent pass rush from 4. We will have to bring more and many the offenses we will be facing this year will take advantage.
If the offense struggles the defense will have to be light outs for this team to reach 8-9 wins. But if the offense and defense are firing all cylinders they can easily win 9-10 games.
For the defense Kancey and Diaby are going into year 2 so I expect them to improve. Now, if anyone else breaks out along with Vea, Kancey and Diaby then the Bucs have a fierce foursome once more up front. I think Vea, Kancey and Diaby are given, but Bucs need that FOURTH player to really step in and claim the prize as the fourth key ingredient.
Offensively, White and Otton really showed me more than I thought they had. This is because I had pegged White as a purely third down specialist but he showed he can be more than that. And Otton showed an extra gear where he might emerge as a #1 TE in the offense but I want to see more in line blocking at the point of attack from him.
Improvement from Mauch, and rookie Barton will really dictate how far this offense can go. Palmer was underrated in a limited role last year and the Bucs added McMillian which I feel will make WR group sneaky good like they were last year. Evans and Godwin as players went under the radar last year but this year will be different with a more seasoned Palmer and the ultra smooth McMillian.
Evans and Godwin as players went under the radar last year but this year will be different with a more seasoned Palmer and the ultra smooth McMillian.
If they come up with a reliable running game the offense could be a real handful.
On defense, i think they beliweve they upgraded overall by the addition of DBs, even with the subtraction of Davis. Ryan Neal was getting torched last year, so Whitehead and Tykee Smith hopefully turn that around. And they must believe Braswell/JTS in a contract year improves the rush when compined with improvement from Diaby and Kancey.
I agree with ehinote that there ss ZERO substitute for a killer 4 man pass rush though, so we will have to see.
These DB's need to step up their game. As really they have very much needed. They say defense wins you the game and it does!!
Which is why I think the Bucs went out and added four new DBs to the total roster. While the front seven should try to improve sacks, pressures and QB hurries the backend should play better for coverage sacks and INTs.
The interesting questions heading into training camp for me is a bit more detailed:
1. Can Barton really generate push on the inside? Because if Barton can hold his own against Vea and Kancey that is exciting because it means the Bucs can grind it out to keep leads or seal games which they had a hard time doing last season. It is also known as imposing your will.
2. Palmer and McMillian stepping up instantly makes the offense harder to defend. Teams will double up Mike Evans and shade a safety over the top of Godwin but that mean that Palmer or McMillian will have to make teams pay. Can they do it? Because if they can the passing offense will be unstoppable and you figure that Otton will be part of that equation too.
3. Can Irving really handle inside tough runs like Edmonds but provide more juice? Teams will be targeting White in the passing game but if Irving can bring that dimension in the passing game while being a tough nosed runner inside that is sorely needed. White isn't the best inside runner because he is very indecisive but seems more comfortable with off tackle and zone wide runs because he is thinking less and cutting more in space.
4. Like I mentioned before the Bucs need a fourth defender to step up to bring pressure and sacks? Lets say Vea, Diaby and Kancey have it covered? Who is that fourth key piee of the puzzle? I feel like the Bucs kind of punted looking for an edge rusher throughout the off season but then they drafted Braswell. Maybe Braswell???
5. With Whitehead back there with Winfield and with two new nickel CBs will the Bucs employ more big nickel concepts?
6. Opeta and Bredeson seem to have the inside track but what is Coen looking for? Power in the run game or the ability execute pass pro? I do not think either player is in the good category at both run blocking or pass pro so Coen will reveal his hand quickly based on which player he rolls with.
7. Since Coen likes to run a lot of 3 WR formations does that mean the Bucs may keep 6 or even 7 WRs? Especially with the new KR rules? I felt that 6 WRs were a given but now maybe 7 is a possibility. I do not think Tucker has shown enough to be that 4th RB so far. Can he prove us wrong?
8. This is make or break time for Hall because Mike Greene is breathing down his neck. Gholston can step in a pinch as that is his old position and Gaines seems more athletic. Hall has to show he is better than Gaines, Greene and has eclipsed Gholston to stick around long term.
9. The competition between Bryce Hall and McCollum will be intense as both are very talented boundary CBs. I think the CB that shows turnover potential will start because the Bucs desperately need INTs. That is why the Bucs brought in FOUR NEW DBs this off season. We can talk about more sacks, blitzes and pressures from the front seven all day but if the backend isn't catching those INTs then it doesn't matter. Davis was shipped out because he was infamous for stone hands and Dean should worry about being shipped out the following off season if he can't generate INTs.
10. If more than one undrafted free agent impresses then Licht deserves some praise. Culpepper, DeLoach, and Funderburk all have a shot to stick if they show up when pads come on. Will they step up and solidify the depth at the bottom of the roster?
Those top 2 or 3 are great and really interesting stories for this season
Also is the team keeping Gregory around as a measuring stick for the young edge rushers on the squad? Sure feels like it but I have a feeling that Ramirez and Watts are going make cutting Gregory that much easier.
Had JTS not shown improved play as a situational player I would have said Gregory would be a lock to make the team. But I do not see that because JTS can play the run and Watts is just purely better at pressures than Gregory. Braswell is a given so I think Gregory really has to outplay Watts and Ramirez. Nelson is a special teams player but also knows the scheme so well that he is going to stick as Bowles respects players that understand his concepts.
There could be a surprise cut with JTS or Nelson but I feel that Gregory needs to really outplay the young guys to make the squad.
Love it or hate it, Bowles plays the bend-but-don’t-break defense
^^^^. Lmao. Now Bowles is Dungy/Kiffin????
Too funny to pass up when it comes from Mr. Football Acumen.
Bowles is known (to a fault) for his PRESS MAN BLITZING SCHEME. Lmao. Funnier even was that Biggs you offered that whopper as a defense of the "top 7" defense of 2023. This was Bowles himself quoted in ESPN reporting post 2023 EXANS loss:
"There had been no pressure from their front four, and no blitzing from Bowles, who built his reputation as one of the most aggressive defensive playcallers in the league. While his Cover 0 call at the end of the Bucs' 30-27 NFC divisional loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the 2021 playoffs was heavily scrutinized, Bowles has made it clear throughout his career that he's not one to lay down with a game on the line.
He even acknowledged that it was uncharacteristic of him not to blitz on that final drive.
"There's a lot of thought, and usually that's the type of person I am," Bowles said. "But with the way we were playing, and some guys in certain situations, you didn't want to do it."
HE WOULD GO ON TO EXPAND SEVERAL TIMES ON THE "SOME GUYS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS" . . . he felt he didnt have the players to handle his typical MAn. Even when this was the stats on the ATYPICAL "bend dont break"
"In zone coverage, they've surrendered 10 touchdowns on 207 dropbacks this year - more than any other team in the league. In man coverage, they've given up three touchdowns on 123 dropbacks - tied for the best mark in the league"
Bowles does NOT play the bend dont break defense, he is the Cover ZERO guy. LMAO. Last year he had a USELESS MLB, limited pass rush (the point of the OP) and liabilities at CB (after top 2) and Safety. This offseason they have brought back Whitehead and brought in CBs and safety. Clearly, Bowles wants to run HIS defense.
After this insane diatribe in June, it seems as if the gas bag may have changed positions. Here is a quote from yesterday's gameday thread:
last years D right there. Bend don’t break
Odd. I thought "Bowles does NOT play the bend dont break defense, he is the Cover ZERO guy. LMAO."
I have no doubt you'll be along to eat your crow and apologize, because that's just the kind of stand-up fella you are.
