Jason Licht Has Interesting Praise For Defensive Coaches
August 25th, 2025
So the Bucs had a bunch of interceptions through the first two preseason games, when teams generally play rather vanilla defenses.
One reason for not running complex defenses is to avoid showcasing looks on film when games don’t count. Aother reason is to get an honest read on what backup players can do without coaching potentially covering up their weaknesses.
But what about those preseason picks? The Bucs had six through the first two preseason games but only seven all of last season.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said he feels great about the big uptick and interestingly credited coaching.
“The combination of we’ve got some good players and some ballhawks with some of these young guys that we have, but a lot of it I tip my cap to Coach Bowles and his staff making some changes on defense that are forcing some of these turnovers,” Licht told the Buccaneers Radio Network before Saturday’s game. “So hopefully that carries over [to the regular season]. I’m very confident that it will.”
Joe wonders what these defensive coaching changes are that showed up largely with the backups — in preseason? Again, preseason.
Starting cornerback Zyon McCollum jumped a route and got an interception in his very limited August action nine days ago.
As much as head coach/defensive coordinator Todd Bowles has valued and stressed takeaways for years, it’s hard to believe he found a magic formula to force preseason interceptions, other than to demand tight coverage or else.
August 25th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
I think it has everything to do with, who was calling the defensive plays. I don’t know if Coach Foote, Coach Caldwell or Bowles was calling the plays the first two preseason games.
August 25th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
Bowles stated this summer that he was going to make an important change to the defense. It sounded as if he discovered something while going over the tape.
August 25th, 2025 at 12:07 pm
I’m begging for at least average coverage in the middle of the field; that’s the real test for the D staff!!! And please we need Tykee or AWJ to lay out Drake London early and often!! Go Bucs!!
August 25th, 2025 at 12:15 pm
Maybe those changes Licht refers to have been happening since underwear football started. Perhaps those changes are not being shown to media, during the close door parts or practice? Just a thought
August 25th, 2025 at 12:16 pm
Once again, it all comes down to pass rush. We succeed or fail on the front 4’s ability to get the job done. Failure means more blitzes, zone coverage, holes in the middle of the field.
August 25th, 2025 at 12:23 pm
“I don’t know if Coach Foote, Coach Caldwell or Bowles was calling the plays the first two preseason games.”
If I am not mistaken Coach Rogers/Edwards called the Titans game.
Coach Foote 100% called the Steelers game.
Don’t know who called the Bills game yet, but it seems as if Bowles gave up play calling duty for the preseason to his assistants.
Also prayers up for Coach Rapone our safties coach as he had a health scare that made him unavailable for the Titans game.
The unsung heroes fans don’t talk about much, until there’s time to complain or when the players do something well the credit goes right to Licht.
August 25th, 2025 at 12:24 pm
It could also be that they now have enough ‘speed’ at every DB position, so they can do the things they were ‘trying’ to do last year.
August 25th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
Helpful not having KJ Britt with his glacier-like speed in there
August 25th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
As long as our defense is healthy we have a chance. If we get some injuries on defense, at least our backups are being trained in a new way to create takeaways.
The preseason showed how our backups have embraced the new concepts.
Yes!
Hats off to Bowles for upgrading the scheme. That’s all we can ask from him during the off season.
We are getting good players and keep adjusting the systems.
Let’s see how Grizz brings the hammer. We still have plenty of healthy players to be in every game. If the oline stays on track, we will be BAKING WITH GRIZZ!!!
LFG!!!
August 25th, 2025 at 12:59 pm
If the Bucs face QB’s like Thompson, Woodside, Rudolph, Allen (not Josh), and Boyle all season they may have a lock down secondary.
It’s puzzling how a Joe can present the Preseason as meaningless and term the last game as the Backup Up Bowl but take something like that straight from Licht and put it out there. Certainly I would hope that Joe would have pushed back on that crap before reaching for his note pad.
If the coaching changes were putting his DB’s in front of the Jugs Machine for 20-30 minutes a day I might buy it.
August 25th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
The best way to get really good at catching is to cover one eye for a long time and catch, then cover the other and do the same. Finally use both eyes. It really teaches hand eye coordination. I hope they try it- especially Devin Culp. 🙂
August 25th, 2025 at 1:50 pm
i mean really what else is jason gonna say. “well i wish they tried harder”?? “well i guess time will tell. i hope we dont get smoked over the middle like last year”??
August 25th, 2025 at 2:33 pm
I really think the Bucs defense has not gotten much better. While the secondary is better, I am not convinced that the DL or LBs have gotten better. Guess we will see if the defense can stop Atl on third down? Bucs need 4 guys that can exert pressure on the QB w/o crazy blitz packages which leave huge holes in the middle of the field. Penix can just take off running and nobody will stop him in time.
August 25th, 2025 at 3:31 pm
The Bucs could lead the league in takeaways and be a top 5 defense and we all know that some people will find a way to give Todd zero credit for it.
I wonder when/if Foote is named D coordinator if the bigotry (I didn’t say racist) will transfer or if it’s only Todd that the poo crew is obsessed with 🤔
August 25th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
Vanilla preseason D produces 6 picks in 2 games. Seems what changed was vanilla vs overly complex.
August 25th, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Atlbuc yeah thats what bowles said….but under pressure he always reverts back to what hes comftorable with. Playing back and not giving up the home run. Playing back and giving up 10 minute time of posessions to the opposing offense in fear of giving up points, only to give up points.
He had balls when Brady was here, those have shriveled up and are tucked up far away now
August 26th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
Bowles will coach them down to the 2024 level. Bottom 5 pass defense again.