Bucs have been home in the dome-Look we’ve all heard it- the Saints lost to the Bucs the last two years in New Orleans because they werent playing for anything. That is rediculous, Drew Brees was in those games! Last year the Saints supposedly sat starters- really? Bush had 70 yards rushing, Ivory had 7 rushes, Id go as far as to say 95% OF the Saints starters who could play were in this game until the Saints found out they had nothing to play for anymore.
Then the Saints sat starters, down already by 10 going into the 4th quarter. In 2009, the Saints were still fighting for home field advantage, so say they were motivated to win. They just got complacent by being up 17-0 going into the 4th quarter. Sorry if that wasnt enough for the Saints.
This year, New Orleans isnt playing with that great a defense this year and even though they plastered the Colts.
Angry Clayborn has been a hulking presense for Bucs Adrian Clayborn has been a pleasant surprise, and could very well finish the year doubling last seasons sack leader Stylz G White.
So lets take a look at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Half Way Grades.
DEFENSE
The D line is a far improved unit from lsat season. Led by Adrian Clayborn, who needs only 1.5 sacks with 9 games to go to beat last years Sack leader- Stylz G White with 4.5; a pathetic number. In 7 games, the Bucs have held 3 teams in 3 games to under 100 yards total rushing, and sometimes not even close to 70. With the return of Gerald McCoy who is only in his 2nd year, and Brian Price who is starting his rookie year all over again.
Please click the READ MORE BUTTON to finish our Half Way Grades on Defense.
LINEBACKER- C+
Mason Foster has been a huge improvement over Barrett Ruud as far as physical play. But Foster lacks Ruuds experience in the passing game. Foster is catching up, and fast. By next year, he will be a 100% improvement over the best Rudd had to offer. Quincy Black is better in pass coverage than his backup Dekoda Watson, who is, like Foster, more physical at the point of attack. Geno Hayes is still a little unpredictable, but better overall than Adam Heyward, but sometimes its the formers inspired play that make him the better option at times.
SECONDARY B
The return of Tanard Jackson greatly increases the grade on this unit. Correy Lynch is strong at run coverage but not the pass. Ronde Barber is still semi-solid, and Aqib Talib, who by way was NEVER shown to have committed a foul against the Bears Roy Williams (Oh did he? Which hand did he use? Please send me the video clip of the occurance, Id like to see it. You cant, because it doesnt exist.). Talib’s Pass Defense is not as strong as it has been, but he has given up a few plays in the first half of the year before, and much like the Bucs in general, play better later on in the season. Jones is a mystery at safety- Is he good? Is he poor? Most people can answer one or the other. But all in all, this unit is the best on the Bucs defense.
Special Teams A+
The Addition of Michael Koenen to the team has had a major impact on the Bucs special teams. Thought to probably slip due to the loss of long time coordinator Richard Bisaccia, it has instead gone ‘up a notch’! The Bucs are the top team in kickoff and punt coverage. Not only that, But Connor Barth has picked up where he left off, he is one of the most solid kickers in the NFL. His two misses this year have been from long distance, one missed by a few feet, the other hit the upright.
The unit even converted an onsides kick attempt in Minnesota at start of the 2nd half after the Bucs scored a TD. There is little room for improvement here. The hopes are the Bucs to continue their excellent achievments on this side of the ball.
Check out our OFFENSE GRADES later on Bucstop.com
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