Buccaneer fans have been waiting a very long time for a defense that could at least remind them of the glory days. Finally, that wait appears to be over. The 2016 Buccaneers aren’t going to be the 2002 Buccaneers, but they are going to be the best unit we’ve seen since then.
Yes, I know. It’s just training camp. It’s just preseason. It’s just the Eagles. It’s just the Browns. Trust me, I know. We’ve all fallen into the hype trap countless times with the Buccaneers and bit hook-line-and-sinker into the mirage of preseason football. Perhaps no team in the league is less trust-worthy in this regard than the Bucs…but this time is different.
The talent, the coaching, and the experience are all in a good place. Most of all this defense feels different than previous groups. That’s a hard thing to quantify, but I suspect that most observers of the Bucs this off-season/preseason detect the same thing. The vibe is different around this group and you can tell they’re not going to settle for anything less than success.
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The strength of this defense is exactly where you want a defense to be strong: the front seven. Mike Smith and company are practically drowning in defensive line depth, which feels strange to type considering how thirsty they were just two season ago. Capable, versatile players litter the defensive line depth chart and it really showed versus Cleveland, where the team registered eight sacks and numerous pressures on the quarterbacks. Coach Koetter went down the list of linemen with glee in his post-game presser.
"“We’ve got a good group. Jacquies Smith showed up. Will Gholston had a sack. Kwon had a sack. Howard Jones had a couple plays. Kourtney Brown had a sack there at the end.”"
Coach Koetter went on to say that it was the goal of defensive coordinator Mike Smith to see how well the secondary could hold up in man coverage behind the attack of their front seven. Judging by the results, mission accomplished. The leader of the defense, Gerald McCoy, was similarly pleased. While Koetter talked about individuals, McCoy liked their ability to play together.
"“Just guys rushing as a unit. Playing together, feeding off each other. When you rush as a unit, not as individuals, that type of stuff can happen.”Duke Johnson (29) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports"
This reborn defense won’t be without its challenges. The safety group is among the least appealing in the whole league. Depth behind the starting three linebackers is paper thin. Some of the cornerbacks are perhaps a bit too old (Grimes), and some perhaps a bit too young (Hargreaves). As a unit they showed some questionable run fits in the preseason that will need work before September 11th, something Gerald McCoy mentioned after the Cleveland game. They’ll be relying heavily on the strength of their front seven, but that seems like a challenge that they’re willing and capable of taking on.
The time for a defensive turn-around isn’t going to get much more opportune than it is now. The Bucs have veteran stars in Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy who are both smack-dab in the middle of their primes. Robert Ayers is enjoying a late-career renaissance. Kwon Alexander shines bright enough to blind every time he steps on the field. Perhaps most importantly they have an over-qualified defensive coordinator in Mike Smith who will be a head coach again sooner rather than later. The stars have seemingly aligned and the Bucs absolutely must seize (or siege) the opportunity this season.
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Because of their documented weaknesses nobody will confuse this defense with the 2002 Bucs, but because of their strengths people should finally be able to get legitimately excited about defense in Tampa Bay once again.