Bucs Working On Three-Safety Looks
July 30th, 2017
Safety J.J. Wilcox
Who needs a nickel cornerback when you can have three safeties on the field?
That was a concept Tampa Bay fans could ponder reasonably during Day 3 of training camp this morning at One Buc Palace.
Call it the “sub-big-package,” says free agent safety J.J. Wilcox. (Man, Joe wishes he had one of those.)
Joe is confident this look all goes back to Mike Smith and Dirk Koetter being razor focused on always getting the most talented players on the field in whatever way possible. Call it the anti-Lovie approach.
Among the Buccaneers’ safeties, there is not one stud in the bunch, but there are big, talented athletes. A three-safety look could help counter teams that have two dangerous tight ends on the field, Wilcox said, or it could just be a wise approach with a versatile and talented safety corps.
Keep experimenting, Coach Smith, that’s what practice is for.
July 30th, 2017 at 6:43 pm
Multiple look defense to combat the spread offenses 4-2-5 and 3-3-5 dan quinn and will muschamp are masters of this im glad mike smith only shares a last name in commin with lovie
July 30th, 2017 at 6:44 pm
Whether they actually use it a lot or just now and then is just fine. It’s a different look opposing offenses have to deal with. And it’s nice having some stability at CB and S for a change…so the comms to make the “sub-big-package” work are possible.
July 30th, 2017 at 6:49 pm
That’s the difference between coach My Way and coach Why Not? Having an open mind is refreshing to say the least
July 30th, 2017 at 6:52 pm
Me too….joe…funny
July 30th, 2017 at 6:54 pm
Love it when coaches are open-minded enough to experiment with new ideas. Or … maybe Smitty’s experimenting with an old idea. Found this old (2014) article by Bucky Brooks (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000375711/article/big-nickel-package-emerging-as-nfls-hottest-defensive-trend) titled ‘Big nickel package emerging as NFL’s hottest defensive trend’ that talks to this exact defensive formation. Maybe we just now have the safeties with the talent to pull it off.
July 30th, 2017 at 6:54 pm
Wilcox is familiar with this also….from being with Dallas. So nothing new for him.
July 30th, 2017 at 7:20 pm
Defense rules,
Nice work on finding that article. The fact that both the Patriots and Seahawks employ a 3 safety look and both have been tops in the league defensively it’s not surprising to see more teams adopt this look.
Dusty Rhodes why do you continue to mistake scheme and package ? Btw, next time you want to reference a team that uses w 3-3-5 scheme, include Temple. They are “master’s”.
July 30th, 2017 at 7:31 pm
Safety Alex Gray and WR Sperbeck were released.
July 30th, 2017 at 7:46 pm
Let’s go 4 Safeties , 2 head coaches
On Offense, 4 RBs, 2 QBs. Hey why not.
July 30th, 2017 at 8:08 pm
Pawel… Go sit down
July 30th, 2017 at 9:05 pm
I like the idea in situations involving a deep pass as long as the middle guy knows when to drop deep. This formation exposes our linebackers to screens, quick outs and runs up the middle. Not necessarily the way for our D to impose their will on say 3rd and seven. Shades of Piscatelli!!
July 30th, 2017 at 10:11 pm
Not one stud in the bunch? I think Justin Evans will become that. Maybe not this year, but eventually he’s going to be a force for us.
July 30th, 2017 at 10:20 pm
Not sure we have the DL for a 33 or a 425. isn’t Wilcox a hitter? That may work if he can play a bit of will or Sam
July 30th, 2017 at 10:35 pm
Thanks, Defense Rules!
July 30th, 2017 at 11:51 pm
Good God…can I find any more reasons to like Koetter even more? Not afraid to try different things? Will easily become my favourite coach when we get to the playoffs..
July 31st, 2017 at 2:33 am
anti-Lovie approach LOL
July 31st, 2017 at 8:00 am
sub-big-package? That sounds like something less than a big package Joe. What are you wishing for?
August 1st, 2017 at 12:51 am
Can JJ Wilcox hit? Does smokey like one in the morning? Chris Conte can hit too. Keith Tandy has the ball skills. Safety is a position we are loaded.