“Attack The Ball”

October 24th, 2018

Talks takeaways.

As Joe pointed out earlier, the Bucs defense is sorely lacking in takeaways and good teams simply don’t do that.

So with the Bucs at 3-3 and woefully low with takeaways, Bucs defensive coordinator Mark Duffner said turning around that statistic is a key focus of his. Especially interceptions. The Bucs have just one all season, a Justin Evans pick in the first quarter against Pittsburgh.

“Turnovers are probably the No. 1 factor to winning or losing a game, there’s no doubt,” Duffner said. “People talk about statistics and sacks and that type of thing. But I can prove to you it is about takeaways.

“We’ve got to attack the ball. The ball in the air? we have to catch the ones that are thrown to us. We have to attack the ball in flight.”

Duffner believes the Bucs are close to doing so. He noted on pass defense players have been in position to make picks.

“We had a number of pass breakups,” Duffner said. “I’d like us to come back down with the ball.”

Since America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, has gotten into the Christmas-giving mood early this year, it is critical the Bucs defense start racking up picks.

19 Responses to ““Attack The Ball””

  1. Dooshlarue Says:

    How does he feel about what really matters….. our dancing ability?
    Not gonna have too much fun if we can’t be bustin a move now!

    So happy Softie is sitting out!!

  2. FreeTheSecretWeapon Says:

    Ahhhhhh, it has been revealed….

  3. BucEmUp Says:

    Make sure the defense doesn’t start playing scared in the fourth quarter quarter
    like they did against the Browns.

  4. FreeTheSecretWeapon Says:

    Note to the loser mentality… You have been put on notice… The time has arrived…

    The favorite for of pirates… 🐅

    Complete game equals PLAYOFFS…

  5. FreeTheSecretWeapon Says:

    Note to the loser mentality… You have been put on notice… The time has arrived…

    The favorite FOOD for of pirates… 🐅

    Complete game equals PLAYOFFS…

  6. Mike Johnson Says:

    Bucs have talent. They always have. Getting that talent to respond has been a problem. 31 other teams have Woes just like us. And about 15 of them find ways to win..extract that talent. Lets see if the Bucs continue to play inspired ball under their new Defensive leader. I gotta admit, it sure felt good actually seeing our defense get off the field qand really make plays last Sunday. It was almost like we were watching a Mirage of sorts. Hope it can continues. If it does, we will win some games.

  7. Darin Says:

    I like our chances much better with Duff. Cant spend that much time with LaBeau n not be aggressive. Attack the ball is right.

  8. Doug Says:

    #trade93

  9. joestang Says:

    Lack of talent and playmakers will doom this team. We will end up with less than 5 picks this year.

  10. SOEbuc Says:

    We had some good tight coverage and pass deflections against Cleveland. Carlton Davis is going to be a stand out CB with time and MJ Stewart made a crucial first down stop and broke up two back to back throws to the end zone inside the red zone with great coverage.

    Hmm…Wondering why???…Oh maybe it’s because we were playing more man and blitzing instead of the former 20 yard CB and 40 yard S cushion defense. We’re going to be playing tighter with Duff Man and I can envision more turnovers and deflected passes.

  11. BigMacAttack Says:

    Davis and Stewart both played better. Imagine if they had a real position coach.

  12. Not there yet Says:

    Well the browns are one of the top teams in terms of taking the ball away but they still suck with a good defense. Dirk 9-7 team that was just players happy to get rid of Lovie, now they know who he is, a coach who wanted to invest heavily into to offense only to pin their hopes of wins to an inconsistent kicker each and every year. Wasted weapons for Winston, lol no wonder they drafted a kicker in the second round. This regime is finished

  13. BUC IT Says:

    I like his mentality. Lets see if this defense can back it up.

  14. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Dooshlarue Says
    “How does he feel about what really matters….. our dancing ability?”

    You know, I realize you are trying to express frustration in a sarcastic manner, but the truth is, there was absolutely nothing wrong with them dancing. In fact, it was a good thing.

    As a whole, the defense has done poorly, but we all want them to become more aggressive to get better results. Aggression is generated by effort and confidence. If a unit loses confidence, they lose games. The curl up into a ball and constantly get kicked around.

    I know your next thought…the defense has been getting kicked around.

    But those players who were dancing? They have actually been playing well.

    So, I pose you this question to ponder: Would you rather they generate and maintain confidence or would you rather they quit?

    If you are a true fan and not a troll, I know what your answer will be. If you are a troll, nothing said matters because you don’t live and breathe Bucs like the rest of us.

  15. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Not there yet Says: “This regime is finished.”

    Maybe…but probably not. It would depend on a few things, if I were making the decisions (neither of us are, so stating it as a fact is silly).

    1. Throughout the rest of the season, does the offense remain high-powered?

    2. Throughout the rest of the season, does Winston take that next step in his development?

    3. Throughout the rest of the season, do the players continue to fight for Koetter?

  16. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    If the above conditions are met, instead of firing Koetter and Licht, it may be smarter to focus on the defensive special teams staff.

  17. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Defensive AND Special Teams staff.

  18. Dooshlarue Says:

    Oh Bonzaii…….

    It’s like you’re inside my head.
    The dancing I sarcastically referred to was GMC dancing during a LOSS and I’m more excited now that the Dancin Queen is sidelined with his annual boo-boo. We are better without him.
    We play harder without him.

    I’m far from a troll, more of a Doosh really, and I have loved my Bucs since 1976.

    I want my old tough defense Bucs back.

    Go Bucs!!!

  19. Bucsfanman Says:

    It’s like Duff took a page out of the Fanman Playbook: See ball-HIT ball!!!
    It’s not complicated