Aqib Talib is the lone Bucs defender earning his paycheck.

There’s not a whole lot to defend with the Bucs.

Sure, Donald Penn is one of the best offensive tackles in the game. Aqib Talib is having a great year — on the field.

Outside of that, the Bucs are putrid. Tom Balog of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune absolutely crucifies the Bucs defense, specifically the rush defense, as the main reason the Bucs are still searching for their first win, and will likely have to wait a while for it.

All too frequently the defensive secondary allows long passes for easy touchdowns.

The rest of the time, the defensive line gets pushed all the way down the field, like they did Sunday, resulting in a 28-21 loss to Carolina in a home game.

Early indications are the defensive line did not get any better by trading Gaines Adams, and replacing him with Stylez White.

Because it still is manned by three castoffs from other NFL teams and a former Arena League player, opposing running backs have averaged nearly five yards per carry this season.

All rookie head coach Raheem Morris can do is what he did Monday, talk around the issue, without admitting how much of a liability it is for the defense to be ranked last against the run in the NFC and 31st — next to last — in the NFL, giving up 171.7 yards rushing per game.

The Bucs are ranked 28th in the league in yards allowed per carry, with a 4.9 yard average.

Rotten defense, just rotten. So piss poor is this defense it makes Mickey Andrews defense up in Tallahassee look like the 2002 Bucs. The fact the Bucs couldn’t stop an 80–yard, shove-the-ball down your throat drive for a chance to win the game last week simply gutless.