Stylez White Almost Blames Loss On Defense
November 7th, 2010
Though Jason Snelling and the Falcons gashed the Bucs defense in the first half, Cody Grimm and the Bucs did a solid job defensively in the second half.
On the Bucs radio network after the game, Bucs defensive end Stylez White came “this close” to calling out his fellow defensive teammates for the Bucs loss today.
In Joe’s eyes, the defense kept the Bucs in the game. Yup, that’s right. Keep reading.
Stylez admitted the Bucs were “this close” to a win but believed the Bucs defense could have done more.
“We had the chance. We have to get off the field ealier and give our offense a chance with better field position. We need to get off our blocks. When we got off our blocks, we made tackles. That’s what we were doing in the second half,” White said.
“Next time, maybe we make it a little easier on ourselves.”
Let’s look at that defense. Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman threw two ugly interceptions, both giving Atlanta short fields, and still Atlanta could only muster 10 points the entire second half.
In Joe’s eyes, that’s strong defensive play.
Yes, the defense was its typical smelly first-half self. But the defense played pretty damned strong in the second half. In the NFL if you give up two turnovers in the enemy’s territory in one half and still only get dinged 10 points, that’s not too shabby.
No, the loss can’t be pinned on the defense today.
November 7th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
If there is such a ting as a GREAT loss this was it. We’re getting better. Good job guys.
November 7th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
If there is such a thing as a GREAT loss this was it. We’re getting better. Good job guys.
November 7th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
You can pin it on the defense. How many games do teams win when the defense gives up 14 points in the first quarter? Obviously Freemans picks hurt but I still think the offense did more to try and win the game than the defense. The defense got their asses handed to them again in the first half and came up with no turnovers. I still think they improved because their second half play was the most solid they played since Carolina. But still you gotta blame the defense for only playing 30 minutes.
November 7th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Why are you apologizing for the defense? They were absolutely GARBAGE in the first half!
I know things have changed around here, but I’m actually more depressed by our defense this year than I am impressed by our offense.
Our defense allowed them to move up and down the field in the first half. And yes, they were pretty good in the second half, but they can’t keep doing that every game.
Yes, this loss IS on the defense as much as it is the offense.
November 7th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Yeah, you are right, in the first half as you point out.
Not apologizing for the defense. Just rightly pointing out the game could have very easily been a Falcons blowout. The Bucs defense manned up when the team needed it to the most.
November 7th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
I understand. But the problem is they’ve played pretty badly in MOST first halves, causing our offense to continually come from behind.
We need to figure out a way to play that way the whole game, or else we’re going to start losing games that some are starting to mark down as wins.
November 7th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Well written.
November 7th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
It would be nice to see the defense play an entire game the way they’ve played the second halves. Yes, I’d say it was partially on the defense (99 yd TD drive) but all phases contributed. Still, as was stated earlier, if a loss can be good, this might be one. At least they hung and had a shot at the end. Go Bucs!
November 7th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
yeah the defense manned up when it needed to…guess joe wasnt around for the final drive when we had a small oppertunity to get the ball back when the whole damn stadium knew the falcons were gonna run on third down..way to man up guys..come on joe all the stuff u can write about and after that defensive performance your gonna write how the bucs defense kept them in the game..yet again we give up about 400 yds pass and 100 yds rush..this happens every week its not a one week thing..forgive me if im still laughing
November 7th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
The only thing I’m laughing at is the fact that Barrett Ruud still has a starting job in the NFL. Keep in mind that this is his contract year and this is the best he has to offer. He looks and acts like a professional Volleyball player.
November 7th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Nice visor there Ruud; must have been too much sun there on the sideline
November 7th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
On an unrelated note, anyone know why Dakota Watson was in the game today? Did Hayes or Black get hurt, or was he just getting snaps for some reason?
November 7th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
He was in there for Black. Don’t know if Black was hurt but I know Watson immediately made more of a splash then I have seen from Black since that one sack where no one blocked him in Carolina. If Watson can rush the passer at all he can have the job. If not the Bucs need to draft a linebacker who can blitz.
November 7th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
When the Falcons wanted to, they scored. I don’t think the D should get a pat on the back for giving up 27 points. If they would have stiffened against the Falcons after the first pick, they would have forced a longish FG. They didn’t and the Bucs were all of a sudden down by 10. Then on the next possession in the 2nd half, the Falcons had the ball at their 18. This was another opportunity for the D to play better, but the Falcons had the ball for 6 minutes and got a FG. After that the Falcons played conservatively with the lead. So I don’t give the Bucs D too much credit for allowing 26 first downs, 27 points, over 50% 3rd conversions and getting 0 sacks. If the Bucs scored that TD near the end of the game, I didn’t have much confidence at all that the Bucs would have stopped the Falcons from getting a FG.