“These Two Freaks At Linebacker Will Come Clean It Up”
October 30th, 2020
Talkin’ defense.
Joe is just going to take a stab here and guess that a quarterback knows how to break down a defense. Because if he couldn’t, the dude would get lit up left and right.
So in his recent edition of “Unbuttoned,” Simms, the former Bucs playoff quarterback, discussed the Bucs defense during the podcast.
The Bucs rank second in the NFL in sacks with 25 (the Steelers lead with 26). Simms believes the front-three down linemen of the Bucs are dominating because inside linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White are playing so damn good.
This, Simms said, allows the Bucs defensive coordinator to be like Eddie Van Halen in his home studio. Todd Bowles gets to tinker with all sorts of wild stuff for his front-three that normally would be either reckless or something a sane coordinator would never do because it would would leave chuncks of real estate vulnerable.
[David and White], “they are like erasers,” Simms said. “Because it gives them scheme flexibility. They can tell their defensive line to do crazy sh!t. ‘Slant this way; do this crazy twist. Yeah, there may be a big gap in the run game here but don’t worry, these two freaks at linebacker will come clean it up.'”
Because of this, Bowles can try all sorts of wild things on passing downs (and maybe running downs) that an opposing offense either hasn’t seen, hasn’t practiced against or just plain cannot handle.
And the result is the opposing quarterback picking dirt out of his face mask.
As for the Bucs as a whole, Simms is buying.
“Man, I’m telling you: This is the best team in the NFC,” Simms said. “They really are.”
What a time for a Bucs fan to be alive!
October 30th, 2020 at 7:04 am
This year has sucked a big one, so the positive stories about the Bucs are great. If this is the new normal, I can live with it!!
October 30th, 2020 at 7:09 am
Now you see why Bridgewater was a higher priority then Winston. This team had the talent and ability, it just needed some basic game management skills at QB where we didn’t give away points, field position and momentum 2x per game.
Bring in Tom Brady, now both sides of the ball have faith in one another….the coaches can call the game to win vs trying to not lose. Brady allows us to keep our foot on the gas because he protects the football so well….we could never do that with Winston. It was a game of statistics….if you keep dropping him back, the probability of bad things happening kept working against you.
October 30th, 2020 at 7:33 am
There are no Cupcakes in the NFL, but there are Pancakes, like what is about to happen to the G-men In NY on Monday night. Clean Jersey again for Tom + awesome Defense = Seal clubbing at the Meadowlands. GO BUCS!!! AND THE BEAT DOWN GOES ON!!!!!!!
October 30th, 2020 at 7:36 am
Awesome stuff and Simms is as knowledgeable as can be outside of his wide receiver rankings.
October 30th, 2020 at 7:52 am
Wow, last time I “Unbuttoned” “two freaks” it allowed me to do some “crazy sh!t” and “wild things” too!
This is like some kind of sexy madlib or something? #footballtalk
October 30th, 2020 at 8:13 am
It is said that you can’t coach Speed, and our Linebackers can flat Fly.
October 30th, 2020 at 8:22 am
@ Joe: Nice nod too the late great Eddie Van Halen.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:13 am
I don’t like the extreme over-confidence. Please – one game at a time. Or we’ll get hijacked on the way to the SB. Take care of the Giants. Focus.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:30 am
suck it simms!!!!!!
you claimed bucs would finish 8-8…after week1 you doubled down on your prediction….
now you want to sing praise….EAT CROW!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 30th, 2020 at 9:39 am
45 and 54 at linebacker are causing quite the defensive Eruption. :). Always like the VH reference when you throw it in, Joe.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:46 am
There is no doubt this is a game the Buc’s should/must win.
Not only are the Gmen less talented than the Bucs we are catching them at the right time…in a horrible slump…Covid effecting their team on and off the field with Jones getting PR flack for being out partying maskless.
To use a Sam Wyche comedy device….hey the Giants may suck but at least they are in massive disarray.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:18 am
joe i am super excited but tell me i am wrong here. whatever happens this weekend (and i am cheering like hell for the bears), next week is a must win. we cant have an 0-2 record to new orleans because we almost have practically the same final schedule aside from a couple games. they also get atlanta twice more and if we lose i worry we will be tied end of year with same record and lose out based on head to head. next week is must win. a dream would be saints lose and we win this weekend and then next sunday night we crush them to 4-4 and 2.5 games back of the south all but wiping out any chance they have.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:24 am
It is time to start dreaming chris. lol The Saints are about to be taken behind the woodshed on Sunday night. The victories will stack up. The only team so far to beat the Bucs is the Bucs. The Saints are about to run into the New Normal in Tampa and leave after getting a beatdown. Fun times by the bay. GO BUCS!!!!
October 30th, 2020 at 10:29 am
August 1976 buc! i agree with you we are the better team. years of getting pushed around and heartbreak has made me like this lol
October 30th, 2020 at 10:42 am
chris lol yes we all understand how it has been lol for me like others here I became a fan in 1976, but now — New Normal lol Wooohoo!! GO BUCS!!!!
October 30th, 2020 at 10:44 am
The LB’s for the Bucs are definitely on another level in terms of moving in space. No doubt. I wonder when we are going to see the rookie DL Khalil Davis? Supposed to be a quick penetrating type DL. If he can get on the field on passing downs, the Bucs could be even more dangerous!
October 30th, 2020 at 11:12 am
This is a refreshing year. Adversity builds character for our Country and those that can adapt and overcome. The worst year living in the USA is still better than the best year living anywhere else.
October 30th, 2020 at 11:15 am
Speed Kills.
October 30th, 2020 at 11:32 am
I’m still scared of the Seahawks
October 30th, 2020 at 11:38 am
Maybe David was miscast as a 4-3 OLB…
October 30th, 2020 at 12:49 pm
No more Den of Depression, it’s a shame its 2020, been A LONG TIME since I been to a packed stadium. LOT 14 used to be the sh!t back in the day, and the gas station right next to the front…. good memories, can’t wait for no restrictions.
October 30th, 2020 at 1:35 pm
Agree Chris, Bucs have to beat the Saints.
October 30th, 2020 at 1:53 pm
Chris Simms had his spleen destroyed in a cheap shot hit when he was the Bucs QB. So, that he’s high on the team is a compliment. It is also the truth. This is the best Bucs team talent-wise in all 3 parts ever assembled. Go Bucs on MNF!
October 31st, 2020 at 4:18 pm
Been a fan for too long. Yeah, these guys are for real. One fame at a time