Challenging Start For Carlton Davis
October 7th, 2022
With stud Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts out injured on Sunday along with versatile running back/receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, Joe is very curious to see how the Bucs defend the Falcons’ remaining big-time weapon.
No, that’s not Marcus Mariota.
Joe’s referring to rookie first-round pick receiver Drake London. He’s a big dude who can beat you multiple ways. Joe has been impressed by the guy, who looks a little like Mike Evans.
Bucs No. 1 cornerback Carlton Davis is available to shadow London, but might the Bucs put cornerback Jamel Dean on him instead?
Dean is a little bigger than Davis and a little faster, and he seems to be having a slightly better season.
Davis has two official passes defensed and no interceptions this season. Joe’s friend D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution sees a Davis-London matchup as a key to the game.
Ledbetter also notes that offenses have been successful when targeting Davis.
Falcons WR Drake London vs. Bucs CB Carlton Davis: With tight end Kyle Pitts off to a slow start and slowed by a hamstring, the rookie London will be the focal point of the passing attack. He has caught 18 of 32 targets for 231 yards and two touchdowns. Davis has given up 21 completions on 35 targets (60%) for 298 yards this season.
Joe is not slapping Davis around here. He was an important piece of the Bucs’ superior defense before last Sunday’s meltdown.
Still, against Atlanta and Mariota is the perfect time for Davis to rise up, play well and find his first interception of the season.
October 7th, 2022 at 2:14 pm
Play pressman on the outside and crowd the line of scrimmage, dare Mariota to throw the ball.
October 7th, 2022 at 2:23 pm
Bowles will put Gholston on him man to man.
October 7th, 2022 at 2:24 pm
But seriously, Dean.
And Suh.
October 7th, 2022 at 2:28 pm
Drake London was big time at USC even with Clay Helton at the helm
October 7th, 2022 at 2:29 pm
This is the first truly mobile QB we face so it should be interesting.
Bowles group could be hungry, or they got exposed and you will see a ton of greyhounds chasing a rabbit.
Misdirection is the key to beating Bowles ultra aggressive style.
White is going to have to stay DISCIPLINED in this game.
They don’t have many stars which can really hurt a team like Tampa.
I predict a ton of roll outs off play action to create an run pass option for Mariotta. If we leave quick slants and curls to the middle of the field open like last game, they will dink and dunk and take periodic shots.
October 7th, 2022 at 2:34 pm
Double London and spy Mariota with Lavonte.
October 7th, 2022 at 2:39 pm
I am more worried about their two big backs, and their running game.
October 7th, 2022 at 2:45 pm
No Pitts, so I’m expecting the bucs defense to bounce back. Falcons are playing with house money. I’d watch out for trick plays. Get right game. Hopefully they can string together some wins after Sunday.
October 7th, 2022 at 3:22 pm
Julio Jines listed as questionable until 2025
October 7th, 2022 at 3:26 pm
If Bowles would let Davis play more man to man it would benefit the defense, BIG TIME.
October 7th, 2022 at 4:16 pm
Why was davis off los by 8yds on td to #88 from 8 yd line
October 7th, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Davis is good, not great.
October 7th, 2022 at 5:36 pm
Should’ve let this brittle human walk o plus he doesn’t know how to play zone and his man coverage is horrible.
October 7th, 2022 at 5:51 pm
Davis is just so Mid. Doesn’t make many obvious mistakes, does nothing spectacular. Not worth a big contract, but is worth a mid contract. He’s like Even-Steven.
October 7th, 2022 at 5:52 pm
Jones may have been a mistake. His best ability so far has definitely not been availability. “Best receiving corps ever!”. What a joke. Only a goofball would have thought that.
October 7th, 2022 at 6:12 pm
Falcons are gonna run and pound on the weak front seven, let Mariota scramble, and pass very little.
The two RBs that stepped in for Patterson battered the Browns to a bloody pulp.
October 7th, 2022 at 6:20 pm
The jury is still out on this secondary. Wish they gone after Gilmore. He’s older but he can cover.
October 7th, 2022 at 7:06 pm
After sputtering the last two games the Bucs need to be raging monsters this game and get their MOJO woiking !!!!
October 7th, 2022 at 10:45 pm
Double their best guy and their whole game plan is over !!! Say we can handle the fastest receiver with our corner one up well the Coaching Foolishness ……… Bowles leans slightly towards Coaches foolishness !!
October 8th, 2022 at 8:12 am
Davis and Dean are both physical press man cover guys. When we play them 7 yds off the line and let guys catch the quick slant or out it’s just giving up yards. Knock the rookie around, take him out of his game and don’t let him get into a rhythm.
October 8th, 2022 at 9:42 am
I think Dean is becoming CB #1 on this team! … He shuts his side of the field down!! I think he’s the only corner than held his own against the Chiefs and the dude is truly living up to his potential this year! I have always thought Dean was going to be a number one CB in this league coming out of college … Then when I saw him against Seattle in his first start everyone points to the catches he gave up but he knocked down just as many!! I’ve never seen a CB targeted as much as he was that game … Dean is strong, fast, smart and learning how to catch! The big guys don’t give him any trouble at all! It’s the small shifty guys that give him trouble … Davis is having an off year just a little bit but I think once they start playing as a team and just “do their job” then Davis will be ok … But I still think Dean is the better of the two
October 8th, 2022 at 9:44 am
Logan Ryan being out is bad! He’s been really good for this secondary! He’s what Sherman should have been … Hope he’s not out long because Neal is not near as good