Iron Sharpens Iron
September 7th, 2021
Todd Bowles explains.
Earlier this week, Bucs cornerback Carlton Davis said one reason he has grown into such a good NFL cornerback is he goes against the best in the NFL each and every day.
He’s not wrong. Think about it: Davis is tasked with shutting down Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, foot-rubbing Rob Gronkowski and/or furniture-tossing, bicycle-throwing Antonio Brown.
If you can hang with them, you can hang with just about anyone, no?
Yes and no, Davis’ defensive coordinator said.
Yesterday, Todd Bowles took his weekly turn at the podium and was asked how much better the Bucs defensive backs are because they practice against Evans, Godwin, Gronk and Brown? Bowles said it doesn’t hurt but that like snowflakes, each NFL receiver is different.
“I think it only helps going against great receivers,” Bowles said. “All great receivers are different. Dallas is different from our [receiving corps] but from a competitive standpoint it helps us get ready.
“You have to study all the tendencies for all the other guys to really, for that to help you.”
Joe has a hunch the compromised Dallas front line will negate the deep passes of Dak Prescott. If the Bucs can get pressure, especially with Zach Martin out, Prescott and his gimpy ankle won’t have time to set up and throw.
The more the Bucs can get Prescott to move on that rebuilt ankle the more likely he is to throw picks.
Damn, nothing gets Joe jacked more than thinking Thursday night’s game might be a repeat of Pat Mahomes running for dear life.
September 7th, 2021 at 10:04 am
Great point and insight from Coach Bowles. Just because two players are both great doesn’t mean they play the same way and have the same tendencies. You still have to study your opponents! Not just the physical but the mental to get fully prepped!
Go Bucs!
September 7th, 2021 at 10:15 am
Those pics of Mahomes being chased all over RJ were great to see. I was amazed how accurate his passes were while running for his life. Few connected though. Look for a repeat of those chases on Thursday.
September 7th, 2021 at 10:18 am
It would be nice to see a “85 Bear – 46 defense” all out assault on QB Dak Prescott by the Bucs.
Force Dak to have to move around, you know Dak is wondering how his knee is going to hold up. That is how any player is, they just do not know how it will go. So run Dak over, let him run for his life.
Being a Buc fan it was never fun watching the Bucs against the Bears in their mid 80’s heyday.
But as a fan, it was fun watching them run over QB’s.
GO BUCS!!!!
September 7th, 2021 at 10:22 am
@Todd Bowles … ““All great receivers are different. Dallas is different from our [receiving corps] but from a competitive standpoint it helps us get ready. You have to study all the tendencies for all the other guys to really, for that to help you.”
September 7th, 2021 at 10:23 am
That says it all and clearly shows why Todd Bowles is such a fantastic DC.
September 7th, 2021 at 10:51 am
Don’t be surprised to see us down two scores early on long bombs from Dak. We’ll be playing the run and he’ll play action us deep twice before our slow starting Bucs have a chance to get a lead and make them one dimensional.
Those of you who are already penciling in a massacre, be ready to have big time cramps. This is gonna be a close win – if the Bucs win.
September 7th, 2021 at 11:15 am
There will be a lot of dump-offs to Zeke and others. The pressure will be on our front seven to stop the run in the short passes. I am confident they are up to the task.
September 7th, 2021 at 11:30 am
I’ve seen Dak move but I haven’t seen a clip of him running and cutting.
With Martin and his backup out, the rush is coming up the middle.
If Dak is hampered in any way, he’s a dead man.
September 7th, 2021 at 1:11 pm
I don’t expect them to shut Dallas down completely, the Cowboys have too many good skill players to stop them from getting yards. What I do expect to see is the defense to stiffen up the closer to the end zone they get.
It’s the first game of the year. Dallas will get a couple deep passes to fall, but their offense won’t be able to keep pace with ours. Dallas doesn’t have enough at cornerback to slow us down, by the 4th quarter we’ll be throwing at will all over the field.
September 7th, 2021 at 2:57 pm
sounds like we should gameplan just as we did for superbowl
Intense pressure up the middle and sides and and tight coverage and lots of chasing until he limps off the field.
September 7th, 2021 at 7:47 pm
Do you have any images of Brady running around to try and find a play like Mahomes did? I don’t have any about Dak, either. Hope I get one though.
September 8th, 2021 at 11:18 am
Uh, the other problem with this scenario is that don’t the first treat guys usually go against 2ns stringers in practice?
So our starting DBs are going up against Jayden mickens type players more often than Mike Evans, no?