I’m reading from some of the local outlets insinuations that the Tampa Two defense is an old defense, one whose time has past it by. They will point to Monte Kiffin’s hapless Dallas Cowboys last year who set a record for feable defense on a record level. They will point to the last time the Bucs ran the Tampa Two under Kiffin, (incorrect on two counts) the Bucs were giving up record yardage and points, unable to stop offenses.
The points couldn’t be farther from the truth; for starters Kiffin wasn’t calling the defense the last few games, Raheem Morris was. Neither was 2008 the last time the Bucs played the Tampa Two, as Morris switched to it mid year 2009 and it was in effect for Tampa Bay’s best season in the last 9 years: the 10-6 record of 2010.
To say the Tampa Two has gone by the wayside is silly, the West Coast offense is far, far older, and every team has figured out how do defend against it, that doesn’t mean they can, and that is because sometimes it’ a case of Jack’s and Joes, not X’s and O’s.
Running any system requires good players who know the ins and outs of the system. Tell me, do you think this Bucs team is playing with 11 great players? Even 4? Who know the system’s ins and outs?
Last years (and this) Carolina Panthers run a base Tampa Two with a one gap 4-3 over defense , they were ranked no.2 last year. Lovie coached the Bears to a 5th ranked defense 2 years ago. Don’t tell me the game changed that much in 2 years. This is a fundamental shift in safety rules, nothing compared to the rules changes of 1978 where pass interference was created. In 1977 you could mug a WR, they would say “get more physical if you want to be able to run a route deep”. …plus learn how to play two less preseason games and two more regular season games. That’s how tough 1978’s rule changes were… It led to the passing attacks of the 80’s…Marino, Elway, White, Montana, Kosar, Moon, etc. But still running the ball survived, and always will when you want to beat a team by keeping their offense on the sideline.
So which is it? Better players? Or more time?
Probaly both. The Bucs players named Sapp, Brooks, Nickerson, Lynch gave up almost 28 points per game for the first three games under Tony Dungy. It got better.
…so did the players.
WHAT’s UP THIS WEEK?
We’ll dig up some Pittsburgh memories including two really bad Bucs teams going to Steelers country to try to get better. its never worked, and one of the most embarrassing moments As a Bucs fan: and it was only over a Field Goal.
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