Speed Kills
August 22nd, 2014
Bucs MLB Mason Foster talks about the main trait of the 2014 Bucs.
Consider Mason Foster a survivor. The Bucs’ middle linebacker was overwhelmed as a rookie, thrown into the fire with no help on either side of him and playing a new position. It showed.
Foster survived the Raheem Morris mess and improve greatly under then-commander Greg Schiano. With his third coach in four years, Lovie Smith, the new Bucs leader thought so much of him he handed him the playcalling duties.
When Joe had a chance to chat with Foster earlier this week, Joe asked what is different about the current Bucs defense and what can fans expect when the Stinking Panthers come to town in a little over two weeks.
“Definitely that we’ve got a fast team,” Foster said. “There are a lot of guys on offense that stretch the field. We’ve got fast guys on defense. But just how much everybody is competing. Everybody is close. We’ve got a great chemistry on this team. Guys are competing – we’re pushing each other. We’ve got high expectations for this year.”
It almost brings a smile to Joe’s face when he hears Foster talk about the speed of the defense. You simply cannot coach up speed. And speed can get you out of trouble, can compensate for some mistakes. Speed also screws with an offense’s mind.
Remember the glorious Super Bowl season when the Dixie Chicks and Michael Vick were flying high? They came to Tampa and mostly Derrick Brooks simply wore down Vick and got in his head. There is an NFL Films clip of that afternoon where Vick is on the sidelines saying, “I can’t get away from these guys,” or something along those lines.
That’s what speed does. It closes holes quicker. It takes away space quicker. And if the Bucs could ever get a pass rush from someone not named “Gerald McCoy,” it would blows up plays quicker
That, is Lovie’s goal. Speed. He wants guys with speed. If players like Da’Quan Bowers and Jeff Demps survive the cuts, then it is because of their speed and nothing else.
August 22nd, 2014 at 6:18 pm
Speed is great. Touchdowns are better.
August 22nd, 2014 at 6:37 pm
Joe
Speedy Bucs Touchdowns are best
August 22nd, 2014 at 6:59 pm
We’ll know about this time tomorrow…
August 22nd, 2014 at 7:24 pm
“Lovie Smith, the new Bucs leader thought so much of him he handed him the playcalling duties.”
___________________________
Lovie has always had the Mike call plays for his defense. It’s more a systemic thing than something Foster earned.
Why would you take that responsibility away from LVD? He was given the helmet as a rookie after it was taken from Foster.
August 22nd, 2014 at 7:29 pm
because…LVD….will be free and fast to play the play he sees….#55
August 22nd, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Bucs speed kills opponents chances of victory. Bring on the speedy Buccs in high gears.
August 22nd, 2014 at 7:37 pm
I just hope Foster has gotten faster. I know from watching the two preseason games that both he and Lansanah have struggled getting adequate depth in their pass drops and have been burned over top because of it. Is it a lack of speed or poor instincts? He needs to improve.
August 22nd, 2014 at 7:38 pm
Vick says “I don’t even have time to setup.”
Great game by the Bucs that day. Offense and defense.
August 22nd, 2014 at 7:58 pm
YES, PLZ KEEP THAT PLAY CALLING HELMET OFF OF LVD biff barker ;)…I want his eyes and ears on the field making plays…not having to call them before hand as well.
August 22nd, 2014 at 8:11 pm
Joe,
To this day I remember the “clip” or words of what Vick was saying, and his actual words were: “I can’t even set up….I can’t even set up and throw!”
Love it, here’s hoping that Brees/Ryan/Newton feel the same way as Vick did but about our current D!
AC and MJ, SICK’EM !! HELP McCoy WREAK HAVOC !!
August 22nd, 2014 at 8:11 pm
I remember the days of our old D…… Vick and McNabb would be baffled at how we were able to shut down their rushing attacks. I see the same type D in the near future shutting down the likes of Newton, Wilson, etc……. Damn! September 7th cannot come quick enough.
August 22nd, 2014 at 8:21 pm
Just a shout out to the late 70’s Buc Defense…except for the Gruden Offensive Miracle….all of best Buc ball historically has been played with punishing DEFENSE…..should be fun to watch…
August 22nd, 2014 at 9:15 pm
The offensive starters DID score a touchdown, so there is that.
August 22nd, 2014 at 10:19 pm
Anyone questioning why we got rid of Donald Penn? Just watch him playing against first AND second stringers in Green Bay tonight. He is simply getting OWNED!
August 22nd, 2014 at 10:20 pm
I’m a big Foster fan… This kid plays his guts out and he’s going to have a great year.
August 22nd, 2014 at 10:25 pm
Carolina first team offense totally shut down by New England tonight. Newton 88 yards passing and sacked three times. Panthers offensive line woeful and defense shredded by Brady. Their cornerbacks couldn’t start for most any other team.
August 23rd, 2014 at 12:18 am
We’ll see about Foster.
In Lovies Defense- middle line backer spends waaay more time in coverage, than he does in the box.
And that would be Fosters weakness- not his strength. He has always struggled in coverage.
Time will tell
August 23rd, 2014 at 12:21 am
I think he’s right about defense having speed. Also from his statement, I extrapolate that our offense is slow.
August 23rd, 2014 at 5:15 am
i love mason
hé just isnt fast enough
i wish we had drafter
RYAN SHAZIER