In fact the Bucs finished the season with 13 INTs in 17 regular season games vs the 7 INTs in 17 regular season games last year. During the SB season of 2020 the Bucs had 15 INTs in 16 regular season games.
But I do not remember the 2020 season having so many blown coverages downfield even with the Bucs playing heavy zone or 2 safeties sitting in a high shell. Smith and Winfield are not bad players but it seems to me the issue are purely around boundary players not understanding off and quarters coverage. Morrison is still prone to giving up the long ball like Dean and McCollum.
Parrish is the only CB on the boundary that looks smooth and comfortable planting and driving with off coverage to make plays on the ball or interceptions. Bucs need another CB next season IMO. Morrison still has a chance to develop as well as McCollum but if a new coaching staff comes in they will for sure consider that or change the schemes to favor Morrison and McCollum's ability to play bump and run far more.
I mean I see the CBs playing okay but from a pass defense standpoint we can't rely on Smith at safety
Nobody wins their 1 on 1 pass rush except Diaby once or twice a game. It’s beyond bad and it’s causing all kinds of issues in the back end.
It's 3 things. Our defense is willfully awful. We make same mistakes repeatedly never adjust. 2nd our pass rush sucks and the 3rd our dbs suck too. Start over on defense. There's a few players you can build around and the rest you see if you can get better. If not adjust. Don't do the same things that don't work. I've watched other teams play defense and they do not get beat like we do. It's embarrassing.
Nobody wins their 1 on 1 pass rush except Diaby once or twice a game. It’s beyond bad and it’s causing all kinds of issues in the back end.
Vita wins a decent amount and/or draws the double
I do not think pass rush can hide the mistakes of boundary CBs not playing off coverage/quarters correctly. Also two high safeties should never let a receiver behind them so these are situations where it isn't about talent but discipline and understanding positioning on the field.
As we saw in this game when the Bucs played gap discipline they can stop the run. Yeah Vea is talented creating pressures and stuffing the run but you have to be in position to make a play in the first place.
So, that is the problem with these boundary CBs.
You could have elite edge rushers but if your CBs are out of position they can not deflect or intercept a pass. When a rookie Parrish shows how it is done playing off coverage and snapping up INTs that is enough evidence for me to conclude the Bucs do need a new CB to play opposite of Parrish.
Improving edge and ILB is important but if you have DBs that can not play disciplined ball it doesn't matter how fast or talented they are.
In fact the Bucs finished the season with 13 INTs in 17 regular season games vs the 7 INTs in 17 regular season games last year.
Despite having less sacks this season over last? Not sure about the actual stat but that is how it feels. I know less sacks by Vea (-3), zero sacks from Kancey due to injury (-7.5), zero sacks from Reddick. Diaby maybe -1. Thats a lot of lost sacks to make up in other ways.
Partly because of injury but the Bucs played with a reverse design team this season. Both lines were the weakness, so to get the INTs with such limited pressure is pretty good.
Last nights INT by Parrish was just a good defensive play on a late and inside throw.
