EXPECTATIONS: DEFENSE
You needed a special eye to see it (or some red/pewter/orange colored glasses as found here on Bucstop!) but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers started taking a turn for the better last year after the 2nd debacle against the Baltimore Ravens. As if the Atlanta game wasnt bad enough, the Bucs got blown out twice last year, proof positive that even a good defensive system will not work unless the parts work perfectly. The Tampa Two requires perfection to work right, and it if is run perfectly, like the Bucs did in 1999, 2002 and 2005, its a thing of beauty.
The improvement was slight, only one team got 30+ points after the Baltimore game, most scored at or less than 21. It finished with a 25th ranking which is a miracle considering the bottom feeding it did up until November. The jettisoning of Safety Mark Barron basicallly left the Bucs without a first round draft pick other than Gerald McCoy and Mike Evans.
This season safety is by far the deepest position on the defense, with Bradley McDougald, DJ Swearinger, Major Wright and Chris Conte, the first two are more than likely the starters, but nothing is written in stone. Corner the bucs have 3 guys in Jonathan Banks, Alterraun Verner, and Mike Jenkins, but the 4th spot will be the big competition for the camp and preseason to solve.
Linebacker is a mystery at every position, and yes that includes Lavonte David, who could suffer if he allows contract snaffus to affect his play. The Mike Linebacker is the most crucial part of the Tampa Two, because he has to drop back into coverage and defend the middle third of the field in between the safeties. He also has to muscle up and defend the run too, which is why Barrett Ruud struggled to do the latter but dominated in coverage. Hardy Nickerson and Shelton Quarrels were the quintessential Middle Linebackers for the Tampa Two, and the Bucs got Bruce Carter from the Dallas Cowboys to fill in that role as he knows it well. Knowing is one thing, dominating is another. The Bucs expect Kwon Alexander to take over the Mike down the role, and hopefully excel at it. Either one will be an upgrade over Mason Foster who was a good linebacker, but never played the Mike in his life before being drafted for the position by Mark Dominik and Raheem Morris.
On the Defensive Line, the Bucs could be on the verge of the first double digit sacker since Simeon Rice did it in 2005. Will it be Gerald McCoy as DT? George Johnson, whom the Bucs once had, but are not betting on his 6 sack season like they did No.90 last year? Jacquise Smith? Either way, McCoy has Clinton McDonald now next to him and Henry Melton with Akeem Spence will provide the rotation late in games. Larry English and Da’Quan Bowers with TJ Fatinikun will try to get to the QB from the sides too.
POSITIVE EXPECTATION: Year two is always the season the Tampa Two takes off; usually because the players now get it, and because auxiliary players can be had to fill gaps. It’s not too much to ask for a double digit sacker, as long as a few people come close as well. The secondary should be a plus for Tampa Bay, but there is still going to be a question at DT and Linebacker until they prove everyone wrong. If the Bucs are in the top 10 in sacks by midseason, you should expect that secondary to come down with interceptions too. Its the cornerstone of the Tampa Two defense, get to the running back on the way to the quarterback, and shut down passing by getting pressure and picks.
NEGATIVE EXPECTATIONS: The Bucs in going after George Johnson like he is going to double his lifetime sacks in one season, could be foolish. Its a mistake just made last year with Michael Johnson, and its being made with more than one player. Pressure is important in the Tampa Two, its everything in fact, and the Bucs did not go out and get a proven bonafide pass rusher. Linebacker Carter from Dallas is a good pick up, but only if he knows the system as well as Lovie’s.
MORE THAN LIKELY the Bucs will finish with a top 10-14 defense, if they can get the sacks and picks, the Bucs can go back to BUCBALL and run the ball, control the clock, and use Winston to his strengths.
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