Improving On Second Year
September 11th, 2020
Bucs NT Vita Vea.
A common saying among NFL types is that rookies make a big jump from their NFL baptism in their second season.
Can the same be said for veterans playing in a new defense, from the first year to the second year?
The Bucs’ defense wasn’t so great in the first 10 games under defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. But as the season wore on, the defense got better and better.
One reason was Jason Pierre-Paul missed the first six games of the season. Once he came on board, offenses couldn’t double- and triple-team current NFL sack king Shaq Barrett as much. Another reason was then-Bucs starting cornerback Vernon Hargreaves was launched after the 10th game of the year due to serial loafing.
So could the defense, playing under Bowles now in improve in Year 2 under bowles.
Manbeast nose tackle Vita Vea seems to think so.
“For sure,” Vea said this week. “I think that definitely helped a lot coming in under the same scheme as last year because you begin to learn more than what you knew last year.
“Obviously, you have to learn about your position, so I think that came second nature to the majority of us. I think when that happens, you begin to learn more about the defense itself, the game, the offense and all that.”
Joe is still of the mind that the offense won’t be well-greased until it’s played a few games. Therefore the defense has to man up and if not keep the Bucs in games, then fully shut down opponents.
It’s one thing to be dominant against the run. Can the defense, in a passing league, slow down the pass beginning Sunday at New Orleans?
September 11th, 2020 at 7:15 am
I could be wrong, of course, but I have been maintaining that it is our defense that will surprise this year.
All of the attention is on the offense because of Brady, Gronk, Shady, Fournette, Wirfs…..and SCOTTY!!!
But the defense returning all of it’s starters plus Winfield…..solid…
September 11th, 2020 at 7:24 am
I seem to recall reading somewhere that we haven’t really seen the entire defensive playbook yet. Bowles kept it simple to begin with, and added more as the season progressed. I’m curious if the effed up off-season will hinder that development.
September 11th, 2020 at 7:27 am
As much as I expect our defense to shine this year, I am tempering my enthusiasm for this first game against Drew Brees and the Saints. That’s a really, really tough match up for our defense to start the season.
September 11th, 2020 at 7:58 am
Predicting at least one timely sack of Brees and two picks, Anthony Nelson, get your hands up, tip drill… Will that be enough, if 45 and 54 contain Kamara, and Carlton H doesn’t get all handsy and gives them free yardage, it will be enough
September 11th, 2020 at 8:02 am
I think our defense could surprise the Saints…..particularly week 1 in a very bizarre offseason. Teams only have tape of a young, vanilla schemed defense….we are in year two with JPP back, White back and the secondary more experienced.
Also….When you look at our weapons, Rojo is by far the most unproven making him the least likely focal point. As much as we may want to see a Brady/Brees shoot out, I think we could see Rojo and McCoy run wild.
September 11th, 2020 at 9:07 am
I think playing along side Ndamukong and Paul has had an positive effect on V. V., this group plays hard. He has learned from some of the best, it’s time for him to be a dominating factor from week to week!!
September 11th, 2020 at 9:10 am
BobbyM…..and with Drew Bread on the ground a couple of times, I bet you… I’m pretty sure he’ll be on the ground a few times. I bet on our Defense!?
September 11th, 2020 at 9:35 am
defense will be strong the first half of the year….DOMINATE the second half of the year….
GO BUCS!!!!
September 11th, 2020 at 10:22 am
Vea, White and the young DB’s will all improve in their 2nd year in the system. It should be a top 10 defense.
September 11th, 2020 at 10:41 am
This has been a slow building process. We got the right players at the right time, right Coaches (and DC Bowels) at the right time. As long as our D stays healthy, #1 D in the NFL. And do you know what most all Superbowl winners had in common? Yeah.
September 11th, 2020 at 10:44 am
If Vea can stay healthy this year he’s going to reek havoc on offenses. One thing I noticed on the Saints injury report that nobody’s been talking about is their starting center Ruiz is dealing with a bad ankle. Brees hates pressure up the middle. I like the fact their wounded center has to contend with Vea, Suh, and Nacho all day. Keep an eye on that match up this Sunday.
September 11th, 2020 at 12:43 pm
Wow, i was unaware that their starting center Ruiz is dealing with a bad ankle.
That is great news for us!