Once Again, Sacks Are Better Than Pressures

December 5th, 2021

Tormented Matty Ice.

Look, quarterback pressures are nice. But they do not always get the job done.

Sacks? They get the job done. Especially on third downs.

Sacks end plays. Good quarterbacks are not fazed much by pressure, if at all.

Today was a perfect example. The Bucs’ third-down defense was absolutely horrendous for much of the game. If not for sacks (and a forced fumble) the Dixie Chicks may have converted 80 percent of their third-down chances, which is Mike Smith-worthy of being slapped in the face.

Old man Ndamukong Suh got two sacks (does this guy ever age?). Vita Vea, with a new capped tooth, got two himself. Reserve Cam Gill came through with a sack. The Bucs, per the Buccaneers Radio Network, had 11 pressures overall. Despite all the pressures, Matty Ice never threw a pick (see second paragraph).

If the Bucs were not putting Matty Ice on his back today with sacks, this game is much closer. Much closer.

Don’t let the stat guys try to tell you differently: Sacks end plays and often drives. Pressures look cool on a spreadsheet.

16 Responses to “Once Again, Sacks Are Better Than Pressures”

  1. DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:

    With this defense sacks are only good on 3rd down. Any other down and other team will pick it up. Have to give them props they played tough in the 2nd half

  2. Bird Says:

    Mattie ice gonna be icing his whole body today and tomorrow

    I mean vea just put his entire weight on him
    And suh is a big boy too

  3. ElioT Says:

    Suh is a total beast.

    G-McCoy can’t even hold Suh’s jock.

  4. brooks Says:

    thank goodness for vea and suh where was are big money backers??????

  5. JimmyJack Says:

    Our DL completely owned Atlanta today. Evern Gholston and Nachos were destroying blocks all day long.

  6. JimmyJack Says:

    Suh owes Matt Ryan an apology

  7. Rico210 aka wutdaBucisthis Says:

    I agree, sacks are what I’m looking for
    Go Bucs

  8. firethecannons Says:

    against Matty Ice has to be a sack he is always under pressure and it has only minimal effect and he will just throw to an open receiver

    Suh and Vea had an outstanding game–took the game over at times!

  9. Coburn Says:

    My man, the darkhorse cam gil with another and I saw him flash with a couple other pressures. Seems coaches see same and are getting him on field more. Tyron had a couple he couldn’t finish on.

    Man white really needs to learn how to tackle QBs. Definition of pressures without sacks.

  10. sauron's eye Says:

    Matty Choke was feelin us today.

  11. Listnfrmafar Says:

    This is NO difference than last season the front 7 carried the secondary.

  12. Buczilla Says:

    QBR, pressures, blah, blah, blah. Touchdowns, interceptions, sacks, yards, and receptions are all we need.

    Suh is playing playing well and I hope that we resign him. He’s easily the second best defensive tackle to play for us and has fully supplanted McCoy who was damn good, but never great.

  13. Thisisouryear!! Says:

    I think the sacks happened because the secondary is getting healthy. We were able to drop our secondary back in coverage and Marty Ice held the ball longer. We weren’t blitzing as much today either. More defenders in coverage made a difference.

  14. Rob In Land O Lakes Says:

    Overall, a good day…particularly second half by the defense, BUT……. a disturbing trend remains. Today, our defense gave up first downs on:

    3rd and 10
    3rd and 9
    3rd and 7
    3rd and 14 (defensive holding)
    3rd and 14

    They just can’t rely on turnovers to stop teams. Most defense would salivate to get the opposition in these down and distance situation and I want to say the average league conversion rate on 3rd & 7+ is about 15%-20% if that.

    If they do that against a good team, the outcome is likely different.

  15. adam from ny Says:

    the d wasn’t that good last year, but at the end they tightened up the ship…

    once again the d isn’t that good this year either…they’re not bad…

    but if they’re gonna repeat, the d is gonna have to level up a couple of notches moving forward and into the post season

  16. bucschamp Says:

    intimidating pic of Suh. he’s thinking which part of your body should he rip first.