“They Don’t Make Mental [Mistakes]”
December 3rd, 2021
The numbers show the Bucs of the Bucco Bruce Arians era have perhaps the greatest rushing defense in the history of the NFL.
But why?
It’s no exaggeration. The run defense is that dominant, better than it was during the Buccaneers’ glory years. There has been no weakness or a single catalyst.
And don’t tell Joe it’s all Vita Vea. The guy missed 13 of 20 starts last season. Fans know the players and the coordinator, but what’s the difference between this run defense and so many other great ones.
Falcons offensive coordinator Dave Ragone weighed in on that this week, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“They are physical,” Ragone said. “They play tough. They play fast. They are very aware of what their calls are, and they don’t make mental (mistakes). … There are some pretty impressive guys up front who are hard to move with some great linebackers, with great speed with a secondary that knows how to fit the run.”
Joe is dialed into the mental errors aspect of the Bucs success in run defense. It’s a veteran front-7 that rarely screws up. That part of their dominance is almost never mentioned.
So why was the Falcons offensive coordinator talking about the Bucs’ run defense? Because Atlanta finally had a good day rushing the ball (Sunday versus Jacksonville) and now they’re going to try to punish the Bucs on the ground.
LOL! Good luck with that.
December 3rd, 2021 at 12:24 pm
It’s a combination of factors. Our DC is solid at designing game plans that stop the run. Suh, Gholston and Vea (when healthy) are nearly impossible to push off the line. Our inside LBs are extremely fast and very good tacklers and our safties are also good against the run.
December 3rd, 2021 at 12:46 pm
Marine Buc … You hit all positives but I think that 2 more are worth adding: our OLBs. JPP & Shaq almost never come off the field. Both are excellent when it comes to sealing the edges & keeping teams from running outside. Thus the preference for passing to negate our defense?
December 3rd, 2021 at 12:46 pm
With the secondary once again on life support, it’s a bluff. Even with Carlton (and Carlton hasn’t played in weeks) ) and SMB at CB and Antoine prowling the deep middle, Bucs are vulnerable. We’re going to be forced to watch Desir and Delaney get torched in dime packages. Adams is just OK.
Man does the pass rush need to step up more than ever. C’mon guys, get pressure without blitzing so Bowles can focus on the secondary calls.
December 3rd, 2021 at 1:23 pm
@ DR
I agree. JPP is a little bit of a “loafer” at times but when the play heads his way he is still effective at setting the edge… Shaq is such a solid player all the way around we are so lucky that Denver’s GM was incompetent enough to let him go.
December 3rd, 2021 at 1:49 pm
The falcons are the worst team in football, top to bottom. Anything less than a blowout is a terrible sign
December 3rd, 2021 at 4:13 pm
Ben green … “Anything less than a blowout is a terrible sign.”
You’re a new fan. Welcome.
A little history lesson: With the exception of a five year stretch (1997-2002) the Bucs have been one of the worst teams in the NFL every year since 1976. The Bucs still own the longest losing streak of all time (14). Pre-Brady, the Bucs had 1 winning season in the last 10 years.
Any win is a good sign.
December 3rd, 2021 at 6:58 pm
“And don’t tell Joe it’s all Vita Vea. The guy missed 13 of 20 starts last season.”
AND I will say it again. Shaq got more sacks in the 7 games Vea played than the 13 he didn’t!
December 3rd, 2021 at 6:58 pm
Sly…….he isn’t a fan.
December 3rd, 2021 at 9:59 pm
Get tired of this great rush defense schpiel. Not many teams rush against us because they shred us thru the air, but when teams decide to run they are actually successful. Atlanta put 25 on us the last time we played them. As long as they have Ryan they will always give us fits. He kills us because we can’t pressure him or cover their receivers. Don’t forget about Cordelle Patterson he’s an all around great player and will kill us. I never understand why Atl and Saints always Gibbs those 1 or 2 great vets and draft some good players Like Kamara but we are always so hit and miss on it.
December 3rd, 2021 at 10:00 pm
gets those 1 or 2 great players
December 4th, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Sly do not forget the Bucs went to the playoffs 3 times in 4 years from 1979-82, So at least there was something more lol.
I watched it and was glad it happened. At the time it was all they had until 1997 happened. A long 13 year stretch of garbage in between. 1983-1996
GO BUCS!!!!