Turning The Corner
November 30th, 2018
Influence taking over?
On Oct. 15, Bucs Bit-O-Honey-snacking, Ozark-watching, yams-eating coach Dirk Koetter relieved then-defensive coordinator Mike Smith of his duties.
At the time, the defense redefined the term “miserable.” The Bucs, coming off the worst defense in the NFL in 2017, were well on their way to setting 99-year NFL marks for ineptitude. Smith, good guy that he is, fully earned his dismissal.
In his place, Koetter installed veteran defensive coach Mark Duffner, promoting him from linebackers coach. It’s rare to turn around a unit in the middle of a season. However, could Duffner’s influence be starting to improve things significantly?
In the past three weeks, twice the Bucs defense has held opponents to less than 17 points, including limiting the 49ers to nine points last week — the same defense that was on pace to allow an NFL record for points scored.
No, this year’s 49ers will never, ever make the folks in San Francisco forget the 1984 juggernaut 49ers. But still, holding any NFL team to nine points is strong.
Additionally, the Bucs have held each of their opponents to under 200 net passing yards in the past three games. This despite a secondary not just green as grass but injury-riddled.
Also, the Bucs have had at least four sacks in the past two games. Just based on last year’s woeful sack total (22), that’s 36 percent of the total the Bucs racked up all of last year.
Not to be forgotten, the Bucs had two picks Sunday, the first time the team recorded an interception since Week 3.
Now Joe isn’t about to knight this defense as the second coming of the 2002 Bucs. However, is this just a fluke the past three weeks or has Duffner found a solid combination of playmakers amid all the injuries?
Or is it that Duffner’s guidance, a different voice, is starting to sink in and produce results?
November 30th, 2018 at 8:15 am
too little too late
November 30th, 2018 at 8:18 am
Just a reminder…….The Players have not Quit !…
November 30th, 2018 at 8:19 am
Regardless of how we finish, it is clear to me they are responding better to Duff. I like the blitz packages and trying to constantly mix things up. Allowing Davis to challenge the WR’s at the line of scrimmage has also helped him tremendously. I like seeing coaches scheme toward what he has not forced players to fit a scheme. I still think at the very least the entire defensive staff is gone but Duff hasn’t embarrassed himself.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:27 am
I agree with this. Haven’t seen as many wide open receivers, wrap-ups seem a little better and more people flying to the ball.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:33 am
He is Blitzed Mullen because he wasn’t scared of him. If he keeps throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at these QBs, we have a chance. If he goes into a shell like his predecessor, we are dead.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:38 am
Let’s see how they look against Carolina, and New Orleans the next two weeks. I bet we find out they are who we thought they were, bad.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:41 am
I have no doubt that if Smith had coached last week, Mullens would have likely sweet some franchise records against us. That’s what we did, we made backups and nobodies look like Hall of famers. I was truly shocked that didn’t happen this time.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:50 am
I don’t get it, the Bucs bullied a pitiful, two-win team and now they are world-beaters, in the playoff hunt and have turned the corner…..
November 30th, 2018 at 8:51 am
Completely agree Conte – I was shocked, we saw Smiths squad shat the bed time and again against has been’s and never were’s
Not sold on the unit yet, but certainly a step in the right direction
November 30th, 2018 at 8:52 am
We will see Sunday
November 30th, 2018 at 8:53 am
the opponents have been the Beat up Redskins, and the inept Giants and 49ers. So, if they are clobbered by the Stinking Panthers and the Saints, it was fools good. However, if they hold Cam, RunCMC and Brees and Co to modest point totals, I’ll believe …..
November 30th, 2018 at 8:54 am
Yeah its pretty simple. Doesnt matter if its Mullens or Breees. Gota get him off his spot. Presssssssure, no matter how ya get it. Smitty didnt believe in it. Duffner does.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:58 am
redskins and 9ers lack weapons….lol…..
this defense needs a coach that can put players in position to be successful and play to their strengths…..
we need a coach who can develop players….we need a coach who is aggressive and pays attention to technique and detail……
KRIS RICHARD 4 HC!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
November 30th, 2018 at 9:05 am
most of us have already committed to fishing.
can’t wait for the NFL alternative. these guys are lil bit*hes
November 30th, 2018 at 9:13 am
If this D line and Jameis play at the same level as Sunday we are going to be fun to watch.
I do not see why they can’t and we have some backups like Curry who should be playing soon shouldn’t they. I love our front four…JPP and Nassib from the ends with GMC and Vea up the middle. I think these guys might be able to wreak some havoc over the next five games.
I think our safety play continues to improve and Whitehead appears to be the real deal…get him some more experience and pretty soon it’ll be Derwin who?
November 30th, 2018 at 9:21 am
Robert Says:
“most of us have already committed to fishing.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Speak for yourself, my friend. Most of us are still completely dialed in at 1pm, ready to watch our Bucs, whether they are 7-3 or 3-7.
November 30th, 2018 at 9:49 am
If this defense turned the corner they will run into a brick wall with Carolina.Lets see how good we are against a good offense. I think Carolina will score more than 9 points this week.
November 30th, 2018 at 9:50 am
Lol you’ve either wasted your time with this article or you’ll have to write it again after this Sunday. The last 3 games and in two of them in the giants and panthers game they looked like amateurs I don’t care what the stats say
November 30th, 2018 at 9:50 am
“Matt Brieda ran the ball 14 for 106 yards at over 7 yards per pop and caught 3 passes for 34 yards…
The only thing that stopped Brieda was he had to get off the field because he was winded from all that running
Christan Mccaferty vs Duffner linebackers”
“White chocalate goin to do dirty in Tampa”
Kobe Faker
November 30th, 2018 at 10:06 am
I don’t know Joe, right when I want to think this defense is finally getting it they have a game like the Giants game and I just shake my head. If they had just stopped Eli once we would have won. And lets face it this years version of Eli Manning is no world beater. So I am not ready to think we have turned any kind of corner until we get a new defensive coordinator. Duffner did have one of the worst ranked defenses as DC of Cincinatti and was run out of town for it.
November 30th, 2018 at 10:07 am
The last three games have been against sup-par offenses, and the Giants lit them up.
The Kitties may tear these guys up. I’m not sure how this poor set of LB’s can hope to match McCafferty without felony indictments.
November 30th, 2018 at 10:27 am
The Bucs will find out who they really are after the Panthers & Saints games.
November 30th, 2018 at 10:39 am
Bucs are Outstanding at implementing changes and making them sorta work After..the season is lost and playoff hopes are out of reach. Its a..BucLife baby!
November 30th, 2018 at 11:06 am
Study the Carolina injury report and you will see why the Panthers have lost three straight games. They are not now the team that whipped Smith’s Defense in Carolina’s Home Stadium. I believe Duffner can come up with a game plan now that will negate the strategy that the Panthers used to dominate our Defense last time. I also think Vea is strong enough to break through even Carolina’s impressive OL and make it easier for JPP, McCoy, and Nassib sack Their QB who has a hurt leg but will still start. I just hope Duff uses Whitehead near the LOS to spy and take down any runs so they have to pass. Their TE didn’t even practice and Funchess is hurt too and likely out.
The proof will be on our field this Sunday. Don’t count us out!
November 30th, 2018 at 2:13 pm
Uhhhh…Joe you been knockin back ole’ grandpa’s cough syrup? Wow. We’ve held Washington (#2 QB), NYG (ole man time), and SF (worst team in the league with #3 QB) to 17 or less points and you want to say this guy is making a turnaround of this worst defense in the league? Tell him to keep his bags packed.
November 30th, 2018 at 2:33 pm
Owlykat
Thanks for that scouting report.
November 30th, 2018 at 5:56 pm
Its a shame that joe has to use the two softest, and horrible teams to put out this fake news to try and backup his opinion!!!!!!!!! We heard the same garbage after the cleveland game as well!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
November 30th, 2018 at 5:57 pm
The Carolina injury report? They are one of the healthier teams in the league! No one has been ruled out against the Bucs I am aware of, and only one questionable.
December 1st, 2018 at 12:18 pm
Cobraboy, apparently you did not read the Panther injury report published the other day by the Pewter Report. Nobody says in the injury report whether the player will play or not in the report but they have just as many injuries as we do. I would love to hear your explanation why the Panthers have gone 3 loses in a row if it wasn’t for their injuries.
December 1st, 2018 at 12:19 pm
You are most welcome, StBucsFan.
December 1st, 2018 at 12:42 pm
When you’re the worst defense ever it doesn’t take much to improve. They are improving. That’s incouraging. Next season should be much better with the return of the injured plus additions in free agency and the draft. Fix the right side of the OL, add a decent RB, and we should be competitive with anybody. Blowing up the team and starting over from scratch is a mistake. Change a few position coaches and build on what we have.