Third Down Shut Down
November 12th, 2017
Lavonte David and the Bucs defense was strong on third down today.
Third downs have been a problem for the Bucs this year, both on offense and on defense.
But it has been the defensive conversion rate which has absolutely killed the Bucs. Opponents were converting 49 percent of third downs entering today’s win over the Jets. Even worse, on road games, the Bucs are coughing up 54 percent of third downs on defense, which is simply obscene.
Well, today the defense, which plays much better at home, had six sacks, damned near as many as they had in the previous eight games (seven). Nobody saw that coming. But also, the third down numbers were stellarr. The Jets converted just 3-of-15 third downs today, a paltry 20 percent.
For the Bucs, that is more than half of what they were giving up.
That is damned impressive, no matter who the quarterback is on the other side of line.
November 12th, 2017 at 6:59 pm
That is impressive but what isn’t impressive is the Jets converting a 3rd-16 a 4th-16 and a drop bailing us out of a 3rd-12.
I would like to say they need to clean that up but it’s been two years of this. It’s beyond a cleanup job…….Maybe I’m harping on a negative here but these are very easy plays to defend and it going unaddressed for two(actually longer) freaking years is something that should never happen at a pro level.
This team is either unaware or incapable of fixing problems. They will never win in this league like this.
November 12th, 2017 at 7:02 pm
I absolutely cannot understand why it’s 3rd and 1 and the Bucs clean out the backfield of any RBs. If it’s not 3rd and long, there should be someone back there to at least PRETEND like they’ll run.
I was hoping Barber would come in today and tear it up. No such luck. Not thrilled with the run game at all. But it’s not much worse than the passing game.
I agree though, Fitz’s low “slings” over the O line won’t work…could have had three that popped up picked off today…got lucky. Next week? Maybe not so lucky.
November 12th, 2017 at 7:13 pm
Holy cow. It’s a Bucs life for sure. I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
Adrian Clayborn just got his 6th sack of the game against the falcons. 6 Sacks. 1 game. Adrian. Clayborn.
What is life?
November 12th, 2017 at 7:14 pm
excuse me, against the Cowboys.
November 12th, 2017 at 7:21 pm
Hey, I’m just glad we got rid of Adrian Claiborne. That guy had a horrible day today for Atlanta. (Roll eyes)
November 12th, 2017 at 7:28 pm
Roy all I can tell you is that since Dirk has been here he hasn’t figured out how to convert 3rd &1. He has tried so many different things and nothing works.
Good teams get 3rd&1……..Gruden fixed it when he got here and it took him one game.
Maybe Dirk needs 4 years.
He wants a badass team……..What a joke
November 12th, 2017 at 7:34 pm
@bobby
Have you been waiting 7 years to tell that one?????? It would seem impressive until you realize that Dallas was playing a backup guard at Tackle!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!
he does have 2 sacks in the previous 8 games though!!!!!!!!
November 12th, 2017 at 7:38 pm
JimmyJack, I do think Dirk is just doing too much. Can’t be HC and OC/playcaller. I know this isn’t new on anyone…I’m just surprised I don’t see the media hit him between the eyes with the question more often. I agree, nothing works.
I’m not one of the folks calling to fire him. He’s got ONE season and it was 9-7…and they beat some good teams. If they fix their locker room squabbling I think they end up 6-10, maybe a little better, and then climb on the horse again and get back to 9 or better wins next year.
Yeah, Gruden fixed that…and broke some other things. Decimated any hopes of building though the draft. Yeah, he costs a lot of picks, but he didn’t draft well either.
November 12th, 2017 at 7:38 pm
Only the bucs. Wait until youre 2-6 n out of it to start blitzing. Boooooo
November 12th, 2017 at 7:45 pm
I have a horrible feeling that this team will win enough to save the coaching staff and end up with a 13th-17th draft pick…..
November 12th, 2017 at 7:46 pm
Plus now the Jameis doubters will be louder than ever….
November 12th, 2017 at 7:50 pm
@joeypoppems
Good!!! That is what we want!!!!!! Keep good coaches and then fix the roster!!!!!!!! Should find some help for the trenches there!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#fix_the_roster!!!!!!!
November 12th, 2017 at 8:22 pm
Whatever Dirks problems have been there is no excuse. The problems are mounting up this year with his players missing assignments all year. The pentalties are starting to bite us this year and getting worse each game……and why all of the sudden is this team having issues running a huddle? Same players and coach and all of the sudden they don’t know how to relay plays? Cost us at least once today, what the hell is going on?
Again, Dirk sat on two timeouts at halftime. He is part of the offensive problem when his timeouts are losing us possessions……….especially when Jamies was in cause he has been good in the 2-minute offense.
This team should already be able to do all that stuff and be working on other issues. Dirks team is not accomplishing anything and is hopeless they ever will……It feels like Tamp is clinging to Dirk because of a measly 9-7 record from ages ago. Do you realize how pathetic that is?
November 12th, 2017 at 8:22 pm
@Realist
Be honest now, is that really what you want?
Me personally I’d prefer to come away with the most talented Running back prospect since Adrian Peterson. Or the Most talents Pass rusher in the draft.
Or to trade down and get a butt load of picks from an over achieving QB needy team like the Jets.
Seems to me the best way to “fix the roster” would be to make sure that we’re picking at not only the top of the 1st, but at the top of each round of the draft.
But hey let’s just win some meaningless games and keep Koetter as HC despite the fact that he is proving to be another Coordinator that can’t “cut” it as the guy in charge.
November 12th, 2017 at 9:00 pm
@Blake_Bucsfan
if I wanted the Bucs to draft at the top every year, I would have rooted for lovie smith to stay for 5 years!!!!!!!!!!
I would rather keep good coaches and add to the roster and make a run in year 3, then to start over, purge the roster and draft at the top!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 12th, 2017 at 9:00 pm
@blake I literally lost it when you said what is life. Great stuff
November 12th, 2017 at 9:26 pm
@Realist
What is your definition of a good Coach? Because from where I’m standing right now, This coaching staff has gotten off to an absolutely abysmal start 2 seasons straight.
Dirk is an offensive HC, yet is not any where close to getting the most out of a talented group of players. And his offense is incapable of starting a game hot. When was the last time we scored a touchdown on our opening drive?
Don’t get me wrong guy, I like Dirk Koetter, but he aint cutting it. He is just better suited as an OC.
November 12th, 2017 at 9:45 pm
You guys are the worst.
Lavonte is the man. Filthy.
November 12th, 2017 at 11:28 pm
Lavonte David is the best player on this team.
This was a nice overall performance from the D today though. I was at the game, and it reminded me of true Buc Ball. Give ’em the flats and checks between the 20’s, then lock it down. Mike Smith called a pretty solid game overall. Those LB blitz packages should be a staple in this defense.
And for the naysayers, GMC was a force for the duration of the game. He flashed all day.