“One Thing That People Always Forget”
September 8th, 2023
Devin White speaks.
Bucs opponents scored a combined total of 27 points against Tampa Bay through the first three games last season before the defensive wheels started coming off.
By the end of the season, the final six games, teams were rolling 27 points per game against the Bucs defense.
Injuries had piled up and some older players were feeling the toll of a long season.
Devin White was asked about the potency of the current Bucs defense yesterday and noted how fresh, good legs make a huge difference.
“I definitely agree we got a lot of smart players, healthy players, I think that’s one thing that people always forget. Without health, you know, it’s kind of hard to have a great defense,” White said. “We’re just trying to get back to the standard.”
White was among those banged up players that saw the Bucs defense take an unhealthy step backward last season. “The standard,” as White called it, is suffocating run defense with playmakers in the front-7.
Now, White healthy along with many others, and the Bucs have added young depth, rookies and younger veterans like Ryan Neal and Greg Gaines.
Joe likes the Bucs defense and thinks it’ll be a soundly above average group this season, perhaps great if the edge rush develops.
September 8th, 2023 at 12:32 pm
IF and it’s a BIG IF we can get a pass rush this defense will flirt with greatness. Health and pass rush will be key. They have the pieces in place and Bowles is a really good DC.
September 8th, 2023 at 12:41 pm
Just win games
September 8th, 2023 at 12:42 pm
We need a defensive minded HC
September 8th, 2023 at 12:42 pm
LOL…looking at yesterday’s injury list, we seem to have the longest one heading into week friggin’ one.
September 8th, 2023 at 1:03 pm
If we give up a combined 27 points through 3 games this season we will be 3-0
September 8th, 2023 at 1:28 pm
This defense is great when healthy. This secondary doesn’t seem to be able to stay healthy for long. I guess we will see.
September 8th, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Every team is tired and injured by the end of the season, these just sound like excuses. Plus, aside from Shaq, who were the significant players in D that were injured long term last year?
September 8th, 2023 at 2:09 pm
We have certainly gotten younger. Maybe too young. The rookie wall is very real.
September 8th, 2023 at 2:31 pm
The issue on defense this year is the complete lack of depth at corner. One injury and they’re in some big trouble. Same thing at safety.
September 8th, 2023 at 2:44 pm
Last year this defense wore out. To many three, and outs by an offense that could only score 18 points a game. White was being nice to the offense, that didn’t help their defense with long time consumming drives. Hopefully with a more balanced attack that won’t be the case.
September 9th, 2023 at 3:53 am
Our offense kept them on the field too much and it took a toll. Pretty simple. We could not score in the red zone and combined with the 3 and outs? Not a good recipe.
We also allowed too many big plays on third down that I do not attribute to tired legs. Poor play from the D Line and OLB not getting enough pressure to help the back end was apparent.
Go Bucs
September 9th, 2023 at 6:01 am
How do you not attribute a lack of pass rush to tired legs?
At the end of the season Anthony Nelson and JTS were literally playing the whole game.
Why?
Injuries.