Defending Middle Of The Field
April 11th, 2021
Patroling the middle.
There is an old football axiom, “You are only as strong as you are up the middle.”
This came to mind reading a Twitter from former NFL defensive back, front office suit and current BSPN talking head Louis Riddick.
It seems Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians started a trend in college football from his perch in the NFL — that is just now bubbling to the surface in the draft.
Arians is big on speed at slot receiver. He had Hines Ward play there when Arians ran the Steelers offense. When Arians flipped to Arizona, he often had Larry Fitzgerald line up at slot. And when Arians took over the Bucs, he moved Chris Godwin to slot, and Godwin totally blew up.
Riddick seems to suggest this is now a big thing in college football based on the tape of draft prospects.
The number of wr’s that r primarily used as slot players, but also r home-run hitters in this draft really is ridiculously good. If you can’t defend between the numbers defensively, you always were going to have problems, but even more so with the talent coming into the league.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) April 11, 2021
After Joe read, Joe smiled and pulled a drink from his glass of Crown Royal Reserve. This is almost music to Joe.
Why is that? Well, let’s look who the Bucs have defending the middle of the field. Up front there is Vita Vea. On the second level is Devin White. On the third level is Antoine Winfield, Jr.
When it comes to defending the middle, Joe is content starting with those three studs — all still on rookie contracts — and letting them dish out justice.
What’s up, Cheetah?
April 11th, 2021 at 8:08 am
Hines Ward and Larry Fitzgerald were definitely not known for their speed at slot! Both ran 40s in the 4.6 range. Godwin is much faster than both having run in the 4.4s, though he isn’t necessarily known for his speed either. I agree though with the “middle of the field” being our strength….probably the best in the league by far.
April 11th, 2021 at 8:17 am
Just thinking of all the time Louis Riddick has saved in life typing R instead of typing the other two letters in ARE just makes me rethink my purpose on Earth.
April 11th, 2021 at 8:18 am
The middle of our D is similar to the old Ravens D. It’s a beautiful thing
April 11th, 2021 at 8:20 am
ncbucsfan Says:
April 11th, 2021 at 8:08 am
Hines Ward and Larry Fitzgerald were definitely not known for their speed at slot! Both ran 40s in the 4.6 range. Godwin is much faster than both having run in the 4.4s, though he isn’t necessarily known for his speed either. I agree though with the “middle of the field” being our strength….probably the best in the league by far.
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Fitz and Ward weren’t known for their blazing speed but Fitz ran 4.48 and Ward was 4.55. Your statement is wrong.
April 11th, 2021 at 8:21 am
We are as solid in the middle as it gets…..
April 11th, 2021 at 8:26 am
Sapp , Brooks and Lynch!!!!! Same philosophy. Go. BUCS!!!!
April 11th, 2021 at 8:29 am
Rondale Moore or Elijah Moore would sure look good in our offense. And Jacob Harris with a late round pick. 4.29, 4.35 and 4.39 40 speed speed speed.
April 11th, 2021 at 9:33 am
@Brandon: Fitzgerald in FACT, ran a 4.63 at the NFL Combine and a 4.48 at his pro-day!! A 4.27 was posted that same combine so it is whatnit is. EVERYBODY knows, except Brandon apparently, that the combine time is used as the standard due to notoriously faster pro day times (see 2021 40 times due to no combine). Do your research Brandon, smh! And 4.55 is in the 4.6 RANGE, as I said….and the point was that neither of them were remotely known for their speed or being a home-run hitter as Louis Riddick stated, which was highlighted
in the article!
April 11th, 2021 at 10:05 am
That picture with the caption “Go for two” is this season’s motto
April 11th, 2021 at 10:19 am
The Bucs were dominating being so strong up the middle. The last three games resembled a little of that great Bears defense.
April 11th, 2021 at 10:38 am
I’ve been evangelical about the “stout in the middle” theory forever.
April 11th, 2021 at 11:25 am
Tampa town
😂. That should be “ going for two “ and bucs should mAke shirts
April 11th, 2021 at 12:22 pm
Joe can tell someone doesn’t use Twitter.
April 11th, 2021 at 12:24 pm
Tryouts no to remember when Joe last heard a coach flip positions on a starter because of his 40 in college.
smh Can’t. 🤷♂️
April 11th, 2021 at 1:07 pm
Bird
I agree! AWJ31 needs to trademark that image and make the money himself.
April 11th, 2021 at 3:07 pm
✌️
April 11th, 2021 at 3:54 pm
I am from New England. A Patriots fan my whole life. Tom Brady was the Pats. Now an
April 11th, 2021 at 6:00 pm
I’d be super happy if we picked up one of those fast slot guys in the first three rounds.
April 11th, 2021 at 9:02 pm
Speed kills. But only if great hands come with it. Godwin has both and toughness as well. Hella slot receiver.