Larry Foote: Haason Reddick Was The Catalyst For The Defense
September 15th, 2025
Smiling over Haason Reddick.
No matter how you slice it: use Jamel Dean for a punching bag, call out SirVocea Dennis for getting schooled two or three too many times, the defense getting only one sack. At the end of the day, the Bucs defense only gave up 20 points last week.
Any game when the defense only allows 20 points, the Bucs should be in the game or winning.
So the defense, while it had warts, got the job done. And Bucs outside linebackers coach Larry Foote believes the defense revolved around one man last week.
That would be outside linebackers coach Haason Reddick.
“He was fast,” Foote said of Reddick last week. “We know he’s a mismatch for a lot of guys with his speed and his power.”
Reddick had three tackles, a sack (!), a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit. In other words, the Dixie Chicks felt Reddick on the field.
“I’m impressed – he’s a little man, but he has power,” Foote said. “He did a good job, brings juice and energy, and I think guys are feeding off it.”
After self-scouting himself in Week 1, Reddick didn’t grade himself as highly as Foote.
“Decent,” is how Reddick described his play in the Bucs’ win. “But there is always room for improvement which I am looking to do — everybody is looking to do with this week coming up.
“Be better than we were in Week 1.”
Well, the Texans have a beat-up offensive line and it’s only the second week of the season. So if YaYa Diaby and Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea could chip in and Reddick matches his output, that should help the Bucs in their quest to start the season at 2-0.
September 15th, 2025 at 5:26 am
Only gave up twenty? Koo left 6 points out there.
Sorry but I do not see that as a stellar performance. Nether side of the ball really impressed this fan. Plus to me was that we forced some punts, Buka showed up, and AWJ made another All Pro play.
Go Bucs!
September 15th, 2025 at 6:02 am
Dear Jason Licht,
The Cleveland Brown are about to implode. Do the league a favor and do a crazy trade for Myles Garrett.
With all the othe pieces you have, this will make your team a feared opponent.
It is worth it! Even giving up your whole 2026 draft. You’ll find enough talent as UDFA.
September 15th, 2025 at 6:20 am
One game in and Reddick could be even better tonight.
Kancey, Ya Ya, and Vea! Oh my! Go Bucs!
September 15th, 2025 at 6:29 am
@ Edward: These aren’t the 1999 Saints looking to bag Ricky Williams.
September 15th, 2025 at 6:42 am
Limit mistakes and capitalize on other teams’ mistakes.
Giants lost yesterday because of penalties.
Eagles keep winning largely because they’re +30 in turnover differential in last 19 games going back to last year.
September 15th, 2025 at 6:47 am
Yeah agreed @garro. They have to be better. Although I do think, and especially after last night (not a great Vikings team, but they grinded it out) that the Falcons win in Atlanta could end up being the difference in the division. Such a huge win against a Falcons team that seemingly has our number every year regardless of talent.
I’m not letting last week determine my optimism for the defense. Until tonight. I want Bowles to adjust. I want to look like the NFC Champ team I think we are. Grinded out a division win, show me 2-0 and maintain sole #1.
I believe in Reddick, Yaya did well but needs to finish, Vea and Kancey need to stop Chubb (Chubb is on my fantasy bench, so double motivation). Dennis, I want to believe in taking a step up. Keeping a ‘good’ offense to 20 or less today could be a statement.
September 15th, 2025 at 7:19 am
Both Tampa & Houston have decent defenses this year. Not overwhelming, but decent. Tonight will be largely about how well the 2 offenses respond to being beaten up a bit.
Personally I think the Bucs’ offense has the advantage because of our OLine and our WRs. Whether we can convert that advantage to sufficient points to win is anybody’s guess right now IMO. It’ll be another close game me thinks.
September 15th, 2025 at 7:31 am
Just give me Ws and the Trophy, Baby!
1-0
LFG!!!!
September 15th, 2025 at 8:06 am
Reddick is a very nice addition! And Winfield and Kancey healthy. Parrish is a dawg. Izien being back is great! Dennis won’t have opening day brain farts. I hope. Our corners are good and we have some depth now. Houston being the favorite tells me that we still have alot to prove. Lavonte and Vita will keep these guys focused and I wouldn’t want to be Stroud this evening. I don’t know about 6 sacks but I know Houston is going to have to play their a$$es off to score 17 points. And when that happens we win the game. Great way to start a season with 2 road wins against good teams. Crossing my fingers. Okay, the truth. I’ll be shocked if we don’t score 30 points or more. 34-13 Bucs.