Mike Edwards: Defenders Don’t Frighten Good Quarterbacks
July 12th, 2022
Bucs safety Mike Edwards.
Joe has no idea how much or in what way Todd Bowles and his defensive coordinators will use Mike Edwards this fall.
But given how Edwards has become a crazy good ballhawk and he’s a veteran of Bowles’ defense, Joe would think Edwards’ snaps will jump this year, especially after starting safety Jordan Whitehead left in free agency.
Joe spoke with Edwards during underwear football season and Edwards’ confidence is clearly growing, even with free agent safeties Keanu Neal and Logan Ryan on the roster.
And Joe asked Edwards if with his growing reputation of being a ballhawk (seven interceptions including postseason), do quarterbacks avoid targeting him as a result. Edwards basically said good quarterbacks do not pass up opportunities no matter who the defender is.
“Good offenses with good quarterbacks, they do what they have to do to find open spots,” Edwards said. “If I’m there [in that spot], I am sure they won’t throw it. Good quarterbacks, they know where to throw the ball.”
However, this is where the chess game begins. Can Edwards fool the quarterback into thinking he has an open receiver?
“I try to disguise and try to bait a little bit,” Edwards said. “But yeah, I try to come up with a few interceptions.”
A third-round pick in 2019, Edwards has gotten better each season. If he takes yet another step with his speed and his ball-hawking abilities, the Bucs may be as great of a secondary as some folks believe.
July 12th, 2022 at 11:05 am
Edwards has a good feel for the game and will get plenty of reps at free safety. Will be really interesting to see how Neal and Ryan get added into the mix.
July 12th, 2022 at 11:46 am
Edwards, like his draft mate Anthony Nelson, has been trending upward since coming into the league in a reserve role with us and it’ll be interesting to see how he responds to the opportunity get more play at either safety spot. It’s hard to not expect good things, considering he’s playing alongside two of our smartest defenders(my opinion) with Winfield & Ryan.
July 12th, 2022 at 12:00 pm
It’s his time to shine! Hope he makes the most of it!
July 12th, 2022 at 12:12 pm
It’s all up to Todd. When he calls a zone coverage, too often someone blows an assignment. Either coach better or simplify. And double cover Cooper Kupp.
July 12th, 2022 at 2:00 pm
Ryan is incredibly versatile. He has over 200 snaps at three different positions. I expect him to mostly be the nickel corner. Edwards will definitely benefit from Ryan’s presence. He’s like a coach on the field. I expect the alignment problems they had last year, will be much improved
July 12th, 2022 at 3:47 pm
I always thought Edwards was a better coverage safety than Jordan. He just needed to refine his tackling.
July 12th, 2022 at 4:48 pm
The addition of Neal and Logan will help the defensive backfield tremendously.
Edwards will soak up that experience, I hope others can as well. Expecting good games from our defense this season.
July 12th, 2022 at 7:26 pm
Dude is a ballhawk and plays the passing game like Ronde with instinct
Needs to tighten up his open field and gap fill tackling though
He is the opposite of an in the box SS – better in coverage than against the run
Doesn’t have the speed to be the deep S over the top
Blanket rb’s and inside TE routes and watch him shine
July 12th, 2022 at 11:38 pm
QB always try to avoid a great defender, You should ask TOm about that. TB12 and Bills discussed about how to avoid the best safety of Baltimore win one video clip.