Buccaneers DE Robert Ayers believes defense can pick up where they left off
By James Yarcho
Defensive end Robert Ayers was one of the reasons the Buccaneers defense transformed in the second half of the season. Now, he wants to ensure they maintain that level of play.
Robert Ayers brought a certain level of nasty to the Buccaneers defense last season – a defense that transformed overnight midway through the year after an embarrassing Thursday night loss to the Falcons.
Now, Ayers believes the team can pick up where they left off on that epic stretch and put together a formidable defense for the entire season, not just half of it;
More from Bucs News
- Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
- Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
- Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
- The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023
- Todd Bowles admits he only looks at three things on Bucs schedule
"“Yeah, I definitely thought things got a lot better. Things definitely got a lot better. We got to the point where we started to figure out what we needed to do, and we had to hold each other accountable. We had to overemphasize the importance of communicating because if I’m thinking one thing and Gerald [McCoy] is thinking another, it makes our job a lot harder. When we’re both thinking the same thing and we’re both on the same page, and so are the linebackers and so is the secondary, things just go smoothly and we can execute on a higher level.You start to win those third downs, you start finishing games off in the fourth quarter. We definitely took steps last year. I think we sort of tailed off a little bit at the end against Dallas and New Orleans, but we want to hit the ground running this year. We want to pick up where we kind of were in that period where we were playing pretty good. We want to come out in Week One and dominate. That’s the goal, that’s what we want to do and that’s what we strive for.”"
If the Bucs can put things together on defense all season long the way Ayers, Mike Smith, and Dirk Koetter expect them to, this team will be a force. Given the offensive additions, a solid shut-down defense could make the Bucs true contenders. Not just for a playoff spot, but for the NFC crown.
Next: Mike Smith Discusses Growth Of The Defense
All we know is, the Buccaneers season can’t get here soon enough so fans can start seeing this new look team that has them dreaming of a playoff berth.