Dave Wannstedt Talks Defense, Three-Man Rush

February 5th, 2013

Joe has no doubt Greg Schiano wanted Dave Wannstedt in town to not just coach special teams but to be another defensive voice in game planning.

Wannstedt has yet to talk to Tampa Bay media about his somewhat bizarre — for him — new role in Tampa. But before scoring the Bucs job, Wannstedt spoke to “Miller and Moulton” on 770 AM in Fort Myers and dove deep into interesting Xs and Os relating to his defensive philosophies on rushing the passer and cornerback play, two things the Bucs need desperately.

What made Joe cringe in the audio (hear below) is Wannstedt embracing the three-man rush, which doomed the Bucs against the Saints this season in Tampa, and at other times.

“You cover the great ones and you rush the ones that aren’t as experienced or aren’t as good,” Wannstedt said, referring to his philosophy on stopping quarterbacks.

Wannstedt went to explain how his Bills defense stifled Tom Brady that way but still lost.

However, even Schiano admitted the Bucs underestimated Drew Brees’ ability to be patient against a three-man rush. And frankly, the Bucs in recent years have not had any success with that worthless three-man rush.

Joe’s just no fan of Wannstedt’s defensive brain joining the Bucs.

You can hear the audio below. It’s very interesting stuff, especially for those who crave Xs and Os. Wannstedt delves into how teams will stop the read-option next season, and how he’s got a home base in Naples (likely part of the reason he came to Tampa.)

21 Responses to “Dave Wannstedt Talks Defense, Three-Man Rush”

  1. Keith Says:

    Schiano’s got more family-style advisors than Don Corleyone

  2. rachelWatson'sthong Says:

    In that pic he looks like”….The most interesting man in the world,,,on Vodka”.

  3. BKNYfootballhead Says:

    @ rachel’s thong

    Actually, it’s Dennis Farina.

  4. stevek Says:

    We couldn’t get to Brees or stop Brees because our pass rush lacks, and so does our secondary talent.

    If we can get some better talent in here this year, then you will see the Defensive schemes working.

    Bottom line, Mike Bennet is not worth 10 million per a year. We can better utilize that money for a more talented, proven player.

  5. Have A Nice Day Says:

    lmao Weekend at Bernie’s

  6. thegregwitul Says:

    Just stick to the special teams, Dave. Living in Buffalo, the fan base was ready to crucify the guy during the season. Vanilla defensive scheme and seemed to take more (the Bills free agents and draft picks on defense) and turn it into less.

  7. 4everBucsFan Says:

    Let’s just hope he was brought into run the ST and that’s it. It’s a jump to think he carries any weight on the defensive strategy while Sheridan and Schiano are collaborating. Maybe an extra strategist in the meeting room, but he is not going to be the be all end all decision maker on our defensive strategy.

  8. Saskbuco Says:

    In light of this recent “genius” output from Wanny, It’s easy to see where the Bills Defense failed this season. Also my feelings on drafting a CB at 13 is also changing, sign a decent starting CB and concentrate on best pass rusher availble or penetrating DT. Of the playoff teams Denver was #1 in sacks, Bengals #3, Packers #4, Texans and Vikings tied #5, 49ers #11, Pats and Ravens #15. Other than Seahawks, Redskins, Colts being in the bottom half and the one anomaly Falcons #28 its easy to tell what wins games, makes defenses better= PASS RUSH. Our CBs were not great but without pass rush, not many secondaries can succeed. Drafting a CB will not help if the pass rush doesnt’ improve, a decent QB with a lot of time will pick apart a Defense, never mind pro bowl QBs. So pash rush and more pass rush is where Bucs should focus on, by the way bottom 4 teams in sacks in the NFL……..#29 KC (drafting 1st overall) and TBAY (drafting 13), #31 OAK (drafting #3) and #32 Jax (drafting #2), the only way to compete in pass happy NFL is get to the QB….

  9. tmaxcon Says:

    I get and respect loyalty that being said i just want to see the picture Wannstedt is using to get his jobs. He was a great support cast member working for Jimmy Johnson but he has no business being anything more than graduate assistant at USF.

  10. AtlBucsFan Says:

    Don’t understand why we hired this guy. His progression DOWN the ladder speaks volumes to me.

  11. Have A Nice Day Says:

    @Saskbuco – Playing devil’s advocate, what you wrote in favor of pass rushers, to me, shows me that there were 5 teams in the tops in sacks and 7 either average or worse. The drop off from first place Denver(52) to San Fran(38) is larger than the drop off from San Fran to Atl(29). Your post actually had the opposite impact on me. Not saying you are wrong and I am right by any means. Just saying it seems to me that there is likely much more to it.

    Here is something kind of related: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/02/05/the-overrated-sack/

  12. NJBucsFan Says:

    Have you seen the Josh Freeman as Michael Jackson for BSPN Magzine pics floating around twitter?

  13. Macabee Says:

    NJBuc,

    You mean QBTHRILLA? lol

  14. BigMacAttack Says:

    I voted for him before I voted against him.

    3 man rush??? AYFKM???

    You’re FIRED!!!

  15. BigMacAttack Says:

    He looks a little like the Joker, Cesar Romero to me.

  16. Zack Says:

    Special teams coaches have their hands in everything so it’s always a bonus when you can get a guy with head coaching experience for the job, even if it is a washed up bum like Wannstedt. Not sure what the picture of Geraldo Rivera has to do with this story…

  17. Albuco Says:

    When Wannstedt was head coach at Pittsburgh he let Flacco sit on the bench. Flacco transferred to Delaware. An obvious glimpse into Wannstedt’s eye for talent.

  18. BadNewsBucs Says:

    Yes more 3 man rushes, we’ve got the speed on our front-7 to run in effectively and if it means more 3-3-5 than yes let Wanndstedt into the Schiano-Davis braintrust and get this thing moving.

    And the notion that Mike Bennett hasn’t earned a new contract from the Bucs is ridiculous, if not outright moronic. We tried a more proven signing on defense in 2012, any clue as to how that worked out? Bennett needs to be paid, by Dom & The Bucs, why you ask? Because he came off waiver 3 seasons ago and has earned every red cent he’s got coming to him. There are no other DEs in F/A worth pursuing and charity usually starts at home.

  19. Saskbuco Says:

    @ Have A Nice Day thanks for the follow and very good points you make. I enjoy talking all things bucs with smart, knowledgable fans like yourself. I see your point saying half the teams were average of worse….. However one cannot deny the ones at the bottom. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the top 3 drafting teams were all at the bottom of sacks. Also it can relate to which teams blitz more due to deficiencies in the seconday, I should researched a little more on percentages of blitzes versus straight up man coverage. A defense will play to its strengths, I still think the bucs pass defense was the worst in the NFL, not question. The main point I was trying to get across was at number 13 I don’t think the answer to the secondary is to draft a CB unless Milliner is there, either DT or DE. Best way to help the DBs is to get more pressure, I’m truly believe the game is won and lost on the front lines. No CB will be a pro bowler if the opposing QBs have all the time they need to throw. The Baltimore Ravens just won the Super Bowl in large part to the Oline shutting down other teams Dline and not giving up sacks. Joe Flacco took blood game to the next level mostly due to the fact his Oline kept him upright, there pass blocking was amazing. Great coverage in the secondary stems from pressure, I look forward to your response as I too I’m not saying I’m right just my opinion that pass rush is essential to overall defense and one of the biggest factors in winning and losing in the NFL.

  20. Have A Nice Day Says:

    @saskbuco – Thanks for not freaking out like many posters on here do so often lol

    I agree with almost everything you are saying, though, if the 49ers, who are one of the better pass rushing teams in the league, can be shut out by a superior OL, wouldn’t it be a better investment to have a couple CBs that can still cover even without consistent pressure?
    Think of like the Jets? The Jets had only three more sacks than the Bucs, yet they they were 2 in the league in passing yards allowed. I know some of that is certainly due to the Jets anemic offense, but they still allowed the second lowest completion percentage and 5th lowest yards per attempt whilst being 5th from last in sacks.

    The way I see it, great pass rushers don’t always get pressure, but great CBs always cover.

  21. Saskbuco Says:

    @Have A Nice Day, great Rebuttal. Excellent point about the pass rush being neutralized. Great Corners should able to cover no matte what the pass rush is dictating or not, I just think with the rules in the NFL today its easier for QB and WR to make plays, alot of that based on the spread as well. I think its easier to turn the defense around by bringing players that can pressure the QB, I don’t feel there is any true shutdown corners in the NFL that can eliminate the best WR (See Johnson, Calvin) due to the way game is played now and the rules. I would love to have great CBs that can cover anyone and this is our biggest NEED, I just think its more about fitting the proper CB with the proper team system. Does the CB excel in Man, Press, Zone and due to this how does the pass rush “force” the CB play to their strengths. Who would you like the BUCS to sign in FA or take in the draft to help the defesne. I would like to see a signing of mid-quality starter I don’t think there is any sure fire CB worth the dollars they will demand, we missed out big time on Finnegan last year. As for the draft I have said the whole time if Milliner is there take him in a second, other wise if no good pass rush is available at 13 (Richardson, Hankins, Jordon) player I’m very high on is Ezekiel Ansah would love to see BUCS snag him at 13, if none are available trade down and draft BPA, either a Lane Johnson or Banks or Eifert, I also would have no problem getting more picks and drafting in late 20’s and looking at a Tavon Austin or Quinton Patton or Alec Ogletree. WR may not seem like a need but in couple years VJAX will be getting older and other than Mike Williams are depth at WR is very thin. Again just my random thoughts, I don’t pretened to know more than an NFL front office or scout or media people, this all just my IMO and like any opinion it changes based on new information and from different perspectives that great bucs fan enlighten me to just like Have A Nice Day.