Bucs’ Defense Must Get Better, Get More Sacks And INTs

The Bucs’ defense has had some interesting results this season. Despite not allowing many points on the scoreboard, it has been a different story for them allowing yards.

The team has seen some “unbelievable” play from safety Antoine Winfield Jr., while inside linebacker Lavonte David has been hitting the rewind button as the year has gone on. But besides them, Tampa Bay’s defense could use some improvement from just about everybody else if they want to avoid adding to the loss column in the coming weeks.

Bucs’ Front Seven Needs To Generate More Pressures, Sacks

On Monday, head coach Todd Bowles was asked plenty about the defense and their performance so far. It is evident that over the past couple of games, the pass rush has been nearly non-existent. Nose tackle Vita Vea did not play last week against the Bills, but he still holds a half-sack lead over outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and has held that position for a while.

Over seven games, the Bucs have just 18 sacks. Remove the six-sack showing against the Bears, and that total shrinks to 12 over six games. That has to change, and Bowles commented on if he has been satisfied with the production from the pass rush.

“We were,” Bowles said. “I think the last game was the first game I didn’t see the production from that position. We talked about that and we know we’ve got to be better there because that’s one of our premier positions.”

He further added, “We’ve got to be better from a pressure standpoint – not necessarily from a sack standpoint, but you’ve got to at least harass the quarterback.”

In recent weeks, opposing quarterbacks have been comfortable in the pocket and have posted efficient results to boot. Just look at the statistics:

Jared Goff: 30 completions on 44 attempts (68.2%), 353 passing yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions

Desmond Ridder: 19 completions on 25 attempts (76%), 250 passing yards, zero touchdowns or interceptions

Josh Allen: 31 completions on 40 attempts (77.5%), 324 passing yards, two touchdowns, one interception

Bucs DT Logan Hall – Photo by: USA Today

To keep quarterbacks from getting into a rhythm, that means that the front seven needs to generate more pressure. It should not require Antoine Winfield Jr. blitzing or Lavonte David wreaking havoc to increase the sack totals.

Instead, Shaq Barrett has to get going and make more than just splash plays here and there. Ditto for Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in what is a true make-or-break season for him.

After a dominant first start against the Lions, Calijah Kancey has to get back to utilizing his quick burst to get into the backfield and be disruptive more frequently. Other players – such as Logan Hall, YaYa Diaby, and Greg Gaines – are each vying for more playing time and increased roles up front, and it would serve them well to also get in on the action.

It is going to take a group effort not just from the front seven to make more plays, but also from the starting secondary.

Will Gholston 1, Bucs’ Starting Secondary 0

Another aspect of improving the Bucs improving its defense comes from the starting cornerbacks being schemed to play more press coverage and not being so far off the line of scrimmage that they are stopping wide receivers from gaining yards after the reception instead of breaking up passes.

Bucs CBs Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

As of now, Carlton Davis III, Jamel Dean, Antoine Winfield Jr, and Ryan Neal have a total of zero interceptions between the four of them. While Winfield has been contributing in every other facet, not making plays might screw him out of some accolades.

For the other three, it is quite telling that veteran defensive lineman Will Gholston has more interceptions than all of them. Not to slight Gholston, but that has to change.

“We can get a lot better,” Bowles said of the secondary lacking interceptions. “Any time Will Gholston has more interceptions than our starting secondary, you want to get better in that area. He has bragging rights right now. I don’t know if that’s a compliment or an insult.”

While Bowles mentioned that Gholston has bragging rights, there is a reason for that. A lot of it goes back to how the cornerbacks are utilized, but it extends to them making the most of the opportunities they do get to make a ball on the ball.

HC Todd Bowles On Defense: “Our Eyes Are Bad”

One statistic illustrates how the Bucs need to be better on defense more than any other. While they have been stingy and rank sixth in allowing points this season, they rank 25th in yards allowed. That is quite the difference, and that has played quite a role in recent games. For instance, look at the Bills game.

Bills WR Stefon Diggs and Bucs SS Ryan Neal – Photo by: USA Today

On one hand, the defense gave up 24 points to a high-powered Buffalo offense. On the other, they gave up 427 total yards. Even when the Bills did not score, they drove the ball down the field enough for Sam Martin to pin the Bucs inside the 20 on three of his four punts.

What is to blame for this season-long issue?

“It’s the red zone and the turnovers,” Bowles said. “Out in the field, the ball is not going over our head – it’s more of catch-and-run plays where we’ve got to be better from a zone-concept standpoint. Our eyes are bad and we’re working on that this week. Our eyes are bad. They can catch a 3- or 4-yard pass and go 15-to-17 yards. Those things add up. We’ve got to be better from a zone conceptual standpoint.”