A More Physical Team?
September 12th, 2022
Joe was highly intrigued hearing Father Dungy talk last week on NBCSports.com about his sitdown with Todd Bowles and how one of his takeaways was the Bucs would be more physical this season.
Joe didn’t write about it but it stayed on Joe’s mind. What was Dungy trying to say? It wasn’t like the Bucs were a bunch of softies under Bucco Bruce Arians. Just look at how beastly the offensive line was in 2021, and the Bucs played with a lot of fire in the defensive trenches last season.
Regardless, Joe had to assume Bowles told Dungy that he thought physicality was lacking, so Joe was focused on that last night against Dallas.
And look what happened.
Tampa Bay humiliated the Cowboys in their own crib with physical pass defense on all levels of the defense, and the offensive line bullied its way to a huge night rushing the ball, 31 carries for 153 yards by guys not named Brady.
The Bucs won the wars in the trenches and just about everywhere else. Dak Prescott was knocked out of the game. Hell, even the coverage teams looked more physical than usual.
Joe sure hopes Bowles is on to something. And if he has found a way to get the Bucs more physical consistently, combined with all their raw talent, Joe can’t imagine the Bucs losing many regular season games.
September 12th, 2022 at 12:26 am
thought the secondary was fun to watch! never has it been fun to watch except 2020 superbowl
September 12th, 2022 at 12:27 am
That looked like the Super Bowl defense
September 12th, 2022 at 12:29 am
Physicality + running + time-of-possession + defense + win turnover ratio = winning
September 12th, 2022 at 12:29 am
I love that Brady always goes out of his way to praise the defense and run game. Yes, the media can go overboard in their nonstop praise, and it’s turned some fans off, but how can you fault Brady because the media are obsessed with him. I’ve followed that man’s entire career, and not once have I heard him take all the credit.
After the game, told Melissa Stark he was giving his game ball to the defense. Now that’s a leader and why his teammates love him.
September 12th, 2022 at 12:29 am
Shaq Barrett had a great night including knocking Dak out of the game. He looks like he has big plans for this season.The LB’s we’re amazing as a group
September 12th, 2022 at 12:30 am
This isn’t Brice Arians’ team anymore.
It’s Todd Bowles’.
No more “no risk it, no biscuit”.
Rather, “Here we come, stop us if you can”.
September 12th, 2022 at 12:41 am
I’m pretty sure Bowles directed the offense to run more. Brady was asked that question in the offense, and he gave a weird answer. I think he’s happy. His 45 yr old arm can’t handle 50 passes a game.
September 12th, 2022 at 12:43 am
Remember, last year Brady threw 713 passes — not counting playoffs. His arm was damn fine against the Rams.
September 12th, 2022 at 12:46 am
TAKE NOTE…
Notice how much better the secondary plays with Murphy-Bunting on the bench?
They covered better and TACKLED much better. SMB needs to go.
September 12th, 2022 at 12:54 am
Brady didn’t have to throw 50 times tonight, the running game was working and it seemed pretty sure Dallas was going to have trouble scoring. Last year we would have forced the pass. There will be games the passing will have to carry us.
September 12th, 2022 at 12:58 am
Think SMB gets a little too much hate, but it does look like with all of these safeties we have he’s been bumped from.yhr slot
September 12th, 2022 at 1:11 am
I felt like I was watching 1999 or 2002 but with a much better offense.
Go kill the Saints. Defense wins championships, but sign some depth on the OL and make room for two by releasing Rudolph and DardOn.
DardOn had his chance on the reverse and absolutely got the least he could out of it. But I suppose he’ll get more chances until he costs us a game.
September 12th, 2022 at 3:18 am
@Goatfarmer. Darden is trash!! The man plays with rolling skates for cleats. Miller would’ve had more success on that reverse, and he would have been better than Perriman. Let Scotty cook!!
September 12th, 2022 at 5:43 am
I’d say let Perriman n Darden go. Bring in “Devin catch the ball at its highest point Thompkins” from the practice squad. This guy is small but plays big. He’s a jump ball specialist, that has a beast mode mentality. The pass to Perriman would’ve been caught had he reached for the ball at its highest point, duh. As for Darden, no different than last year. Too timid n passive. If given the chance, DThompkins gon prove to the world what it means to be a playmaker.
September 12th, 2022 at 5:57 am
Only one game! So pump the brakes!
Having said… physicality was up over last year!
Overall better roster! IMO!
Way to go Mr Licht!
September 12th, 2022 at 8:20 am
@trask to the future
You nailed it.
SMB is a diva and a pretty boy model.
He’s soft and pretty.
Our defense is way better with him on the bench.
September 12th, 2022 at 9:58 am
Great win. The Bucs had there way with the cowgirls last night. Defense played great but there will be a huge challenge next week. The Saints have at least three receivers who can stretch the field and Kamara. The Bucs will have to out physical the Saints, not turn the ball over and score touchdowns instead of field goals if the want to win.
September 12th, 2022 at 10:05 am
Special teams coverage impressed me glad to see that this game wasn’t too worried about anything else but that going into that Dallas game
September 12th, 2022 at 11:25 am
The D was definitely solid but I would have liked to see a little better against the run. They were good against the run, but seemed like most tackles were well into the second level. Fortunately the cowgirls didn’t run it as much as they probably should have.
Our Oline was beastly in the run game and so happy to see them utilize Ko’s ferocity as a lead blocker. Lenny was Lenny. Great game! Brady may not have been hit much and only sacked twice, but he didn’t look too comfortable back there and seemed to rush his throws a lot. I expect.that to improve..
“These new o-linemen are inexperienced” was the chatter before the game. Well last night they began their journey to experience, made some plays and got coached up (jawed at) by Brady when needed. A good start to be sure.
As for physicality, anyone else hear what Von Miller said about Lenny blasting Micah Parsons on that deep ball to JJ? He thinks hits like that should be banned because Parsons was engaged with another blocker. He didn’t hit him low or anything like that. It was a good, clean hit and aside from whiplash or bruised ribs (and ego) it’s about as safe a play in a contact sport as blasting a kick returner. Maybe safer since it’s not a full-speed head-on collision.
September 13th, 2022 at 10:24 am
Secondary never looked better. I got sick of soft zone cover , other QB looks like a hero and our corners arrive way too late. Didn’t see that once Sunday. Some close call on DPI but they were all smart plays. We’re on to NOLA!!