The Bucs must have really been sick of reading my posts about not winning in San Francisco since 1980, because they took it out on those 49ers. And they did it in convincing style, not only did they not allow a score by the 49ers. but they did not even allow them to enter the red zone once. Frank Gore was completely shut down, from so much penetration that not even AL Gore would have been able to talk his way for more yardage. With Gore getting 23 yards on 12 carries (1.9 ypc avg.) the Bucs defense completely controlled the clock and time of possession (36:24 Bucs to 23:36 49ers) because the Bucs running game is clicking on all cylinders. Ever since LeGarrett Blount has taken over as the main ball carrier, Cadillac Williams has become effective again rushing for 113 yards in the last two games, he only had 235 yards in the previous 8 games. OF course this is also keeping the passing game smooth too, as Josh Freeman is continuing to throw touchdowns without interceptions. The defensive effort has come from what was the weakest part of the unit, the defensive line. Coming into the game, the Bucs defense only had 8 total sacks. The D-line on Sunday got 5 itself, and the only mystery surrounding the performance of the line was who got the last sack? Gerald McCoy is claiming it, however statisticians gave given him two half sacks. Perhaps a contributing factor could be the newcomers to Buc-land; Al Woods and Alex Magee. They were in on the pressure from the line the likes of which we havn’t seen in 2010. This continues the masterful roster manipulating that GM Mark Dominik and Head Coach Raheem Morris are doing with the Bucs.
Click Here to Watch the Video FULL size The victory was as old school as a Ronde Barber pick, and as new and fresh as a Donald Penn TD reception! And with that suprise TD we have to look at the seriousness of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers position in the NFL. People give young QBs and Wide Receivers time to develop before they expect any level of production from them. So how come defensive linemen aren’t treated with the same patience? Gerald McCoy has been getting better and better each week, and now its obvious that the D line’s poor stats are a result of major youth movement there.
Click Here to Watch the Video FULL size Last year Chris Hovan and Ryan Sims were the Defensive Tackles. This year its McCoy with Roy Miller and/or Brian Price when he was healthy. That influx of youth takes time, just as it took time for Arrelious Benn to get up to the same speed Mike Williams is using. If the maturation of the other areas of youth on the Bucs roster is any indication, the Defensive line should be a bit more consistent like the rest of the team.
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