“One True Guy That Could Command A Double-Team”
November 2nd, 2022
Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett is gone.
The Bucs truly are living on the edge.
Tampa Bay is a miserable Dirk Koetter 3-5, despite a sea of Pro Bowl talent, Tom Brady and quarterback and a massive coaching staff.
Into Tampa comes the Super Bowl champion Rams on Sunday, and the Bucs will play their first game of the season minus Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett. He blew out his Achilles on Thursday night.
It’s a nightmare scenario. What team loses its best edge rusher midseason, doesn’t replace him, and then wins a Super Bowl?
Head coach/defensive playcaller Todd Bowles talked about the on-field impact on the Buccaneers Radio Network yesterday. Offensive coordinators around the league will get a breather.
“One true guy that could command a double-team [was Shaq],” Bowles said. “So we gotta do it by committee now.”
The Bucs blitz a lot regardless, so it’s not like blitzing if foreign territory to make up for the loss of Shaq, but it’s always better to not have to rely on blitzing. Can Joe Tryon-Shoyinka or Anthony Nelson beat a double-team? Don’t bet on it.
November 2nd, 2022 at 1:34 pm
The Bucs have the General Custer mentality. We can do it with what we’ve got. We all know how that turned out.
November 2nd, 2022 at 1:37 pm
Even with a healthy Barrett….we need to see more Anthony Nelson!!! Talking about someone who actually applies himself and gets better at his game and has a perfect sack form.
November 2nd, 2022 at 1:44 pm
Agree, Lamarcus. Let’s see what Nelson truly has and see if he can hold up being the starter and given an occasional double-team. He’s our best pass rusher now since Shaq went down.
November 2nd, 2022 at 1:48 pm
D-Rok
Yea man. I have all the confidence in Nelson. Much love
November 2nd, 2022 at 1:52 pm
I like nelson too but he isn’t close to what shaq is this feels like a season that doesn’t want the bucs to win whether its effort coaching or injury just alot not going the bucs way this season.
November 2nd, 2022 at 1:53 pm
With how terrible he is in coverage would it be crazy to move Devin White to OLB? The Cowboys did it with Micah Parsons
November 2nd, 2022 at 2:30 pm
Get ready for plenty of blitzing, since it worked so well in the past against the Rams & Stanford?!
November 2nd, 2022 at 2:31 pm
“Stafford” -sp check
November 2nd, 2022 at 2:54 pm
How nice would it be to have Von Miller right now… 🙁
November 2nd, 2022 at 2:55 pm
The Bucs’ defense played all of the Ravens’ game without Hicks, Winfield, Davis, Ryan & SMB, then lost Shaq part way through the game. That’s at least 5 players just on defense who started the season as STARTERS. That’s like almost half the defense. Then we’ve got several players who aren’t playing even close to their potential, plus a couple of relative newbies who are probably struggling to learn the intricacies of Bowles’ hybrid 3-4 defense.
Personally I think this defense is dazed right now (and yes Chris, they’re not vey well conditioned). Lots of new guys starting who weren’t expected to be starters. Team chemistry takes a big step backwards in situations like that. And without good field leadership (like Logan Ryan was finally providing?) this Bucs’ defense is shaken.
I think there’s some things that coaches could do to help the situation (simplify things, more emphasis on fundamentals, etc) but they can’t play the game for the players. Devin White hasn’t proven to be the leader that they so desperately need. Neither have LVD or Vea or Davis for that matter. I have trouble seeing things turning around this season, and very likely next season too. Maybe all we can hope for is small victories here & there.
November 2nd, 2022 at 3:02 pm
Forever!
November 2nd, 2022 at 3:05 pm
@Defense Rules
Yes, we are surely missing a leader on Defense!
People can say what they want about JPP but he was a leader, and a real DOG.
I too have trouble seeing things turning around this year, but because of the crap division we are in, we may be able to sneak into the playoffs.
Of course, we will be one and done in the playoffs.
Next year is going to be an absolute disaster, and Brady will surely be gone.
November 2nd, 2022 at 3:11 pm
Nice to see the Bucs were so active by the trade deadline. Apparently we are so stout at pass rushers we won’t even miss Barrett.
November 2nd, 2022 at 3:11 pm
Nelson might step up we will see
November 2nd, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Shaqs alright a little overpaid 2019 19.5 sacks 2020, 2021 and 2022 a total of 21 sacks just saying.
November 2nd, 2022 at 3:22 pm
Not to worry. JTS will pick up the slack.
He’ll be stood up and pushed around by a single blocker as always.
Anypne else notice how Jane always shows up after the play is over?
Bust.
November 2nd, 2022 at 3:27 pm
Nelson is the best pass rusher now. Only need a TE to block JTS. Might be worth trying Logan Hall at DE.
November 2nd, 2022 at 3:50 pm
Shaq was a bum had 1 good yr I hope he gets well but this was a good thing for us now we can injury settle with him and cut that thieving loss
November 2nd, 2022 at 4:06 pm
Considering everything that our team has been through this year, I would consider a wild card berth, win or lose, one hell of an accomplishment. If that’s not in the cards, a nice consolation prize would be ridding ourselves of Todd and Byron while securing a top five pick.
November 2nd, 2022 at 4:54 pm
Shaq is a good guy, and a good football player.
I never heard anyone claim he was athletic, but he obviously is.
November 2nd, 2022 at 5:26 pm
Shaq wasn’t exactly stellar this year. Most players are overpaid, it’s more to do with when you come to market than anything. He was invisible in the biggest games last year. I think one sack in 4 games against NO and the Rams. Ironically, he was playing his best game in a while against the Ravens.
November 2nd, 2022 at 5:57 pm
Wisco Joe, I thought the same thing. Line Devin White up at OLB and let
Him just rush the passer and use his speed.
November 2nd, 2022 at 6:39 pm
We had one pass rusher.
Shaq
Now we have none.
November 2nd, 2022 at 7:41 pm
Get in position to draft that QB from Jackson State …SS396!
November 2nd, 2022 at 7:51 pm
Tap-Out, no one is going to call Deion’s son “SS396” as it doesn’t make sense even with his initials being S.S. Just because it’s an old car reference is meaningless. His jersey number is 2 and not 3, 9, nor 6. Again, makes ZERO SENSE to call him that.
So stop posting that nonsense on this site please.
November 2nd, 2022 at 11:30 pm
Shaq was a competent player but nothing special since his big 2019 season. Nelson has shown himself to be capable of getting sacks so let’s see what he can do with more reps. This is his big opportunity so may be a pleasant surprise .
November 4th, 2022 at 12:21 am
Damnit why didnt we make some.moves before trade deadline????? Lfgo bucs come on!!!!!!