Read-Option: Free or Strong?

On the previous page I sort of let my opinion on what I believe Justin Evans is for this team out of the bag. But, that doesn’t mean you should have an opinion of your own.

Bucs defensive coordinator, Mike Smith, is looking to get as creative as he can in 2017. Thankfully for him, Keith Tandy came on to the scene late in 2016 and proved that he can be reliable in some form or fashion. But, the question still remains how he’s going to be used.

Tandy, Chris Conte and Bradley McDougald were used interchangeably last year at the free and strong safety positions. The reason for this is because if both safeties can play parts of both roles, the defense doesn’t have to keep shifting, thus not tipping their formation to the offense in the pre-snap.

In comes J.J. Wilcox and out goes Bradley McDougald. But, even with Wilcox as more of a strong safety type, there seems to be a bit of a log jam at free safety. Regardless of whether or not there are shades of role reversal between the two safety, the fact is that most of the time one of them is going to play more of a shallow zone and the other is going to play deep. Evans would benefit most form playing that deep zone to get the most out of his range. But, if that’s the case, early playing time doesn’t seem likely.

So, what do you think should happen, and what do you think will happen?

I think fans have been pretty outspoken about Tandy getting the starting nod to begin the 2017 season, and I don’t blame you for that thinking. But, that would mean that most likely Conte is starting at strong safety with Wilcox behind him and Evans behind Tandy. If that’s the case, Evans might not see the field for a while barring an injury. Are you cool with that? Or, do you think he should be given the chance to beat out Conte at the strong safety position? That means he’d play closer to the box and would be asked to tackle more. That would mean more big hits, but more missed tackles.

Finally, do you even want Evans starting early, or do you think it would be wise for him to sit and polish up? That would leave a lot of athleticism on the bench, but it might be needed for him. It’s a decent debate when you talk about the speed the Bucs will be facing.

If Evans is like roulette, the question then remains: red or black?

The floor is yours.