Its no secret that Tampa struggled in rush defense last year ranking near the bottom of the NFL at 28. As much as one would think that the Bucs havent improved much in that category from 2009 to 2010, surprisingly, they did.
In 2009, Tampa ranked dead last in rush defense at 32nd and and allowed a staggering 170 plus rushing yards per game. Now, compare that to the 28th ranking in rush defense of this past year and the 132 yards per game, 28th doesnt look so bad.
Even though there was small Improvement in 2010, a lot more improvement is still needed and it all starts with the big boys up front on the defensive line with; Gerald McCoy, Brian Price, Roy Miller, Al Woods, and Frank Okam.
All five DT’s are extremely talented and each bring something to the table in terms of physical tools. If the rush defense is to get better this season, all five players must contribute as the Tampa heat is nothing to fool around with and a rotation will be necessary in order to keep everyone fresh.
I recently named 6 players that fans should keep their eye on in the 2011 season, and one of those players was 2nd year DT, Al Woods. I really like him, and he may be the sleeper of all the DT’s this year in terms of helping with the run. Brian Price had a surgery done to his hip area that has been successful for ordinary people who dont play sports, but it has yet to be seen if it can hold up for someone who is constantly going against massive lineman and one really has to wonder if Price will be able to make it through the season with no lingering effects. I am, however, optimistic about Price and feel that he will be able to over come such an injury, but time will tell.
Price wasn’t the only DT to go down to injury last year, 2010 first round pick Gerald McCoy also went down last year due to a biceps injury. McCoy, however, is supposedly recovered 100% from his injury and is now concentrating on adding more strength (which he needs). McCoy played extremely well for a 22 year old rookie DT last year. He was constantly being double teamed, with no help from the ends in both rush and pass defense, and for someone who was playing “lost” for most of the season, he looked pretty darn good. I only see great things ahead for McCoy. All he needs to do is continue working hard and studying film on what offensive lineman like to do with technique and other little things that will help him get an edge against them.
Roy Miller and Frank Okam need to take their game to another level this season. While Miller had a solid season and was Tampa’s most effective run stopper, he needs to make sure that he is starting the season and ending the season on a high level, especially since he is entering his 3rd season. Both are former Texas Longhorns and both were very productive while at Texas. Its time to translate that to the NFL. Okam is huge weighing in at 358 lbs, but at 25 years of age, is considered a draft bust, while Miller may not be as big as Okam, he is quick, strong, and brings a blue collar work ethic with him every day.I would like to see both players recapture there Texas playing days and give the Bucs more insurance along the defensive line just in case someone is to go down due to injury. Both players have a lot of talent, its just time to bring it out.
The defense overall must improve this coming season, and I believe it will. I remember one of Buccaneers GM, Mark Dominik’s press conferences, and he was talking about how he loves to collect defensive tackles. I couldn’t agree more. The more “Big’ins” you have, the fresher they are going into the fourth quarter, and with teams like Atlanta, Chicago, Minnesota and others on the schedule this year, it will be essential that we have a big time rotation in order to keep everyone fresh and on their toes.
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