Buccaneers: Time to Let Vernon Hargreaves Get Aggressive

Fast forward to just a few lays later. This time, Anderson is lined up under center with two backs behind him in the “I” formation. In the large circle is our focus matchup, Hargreaves vs. Kelvin Benjamin. Safety Chris Conte is in the smaller circle.

The Bucs appear to be in “Cover 2 Man Under”. In other words, the cornerbacks have man to man coverage underneath and to the sidelines, while the safeties have deep middle responsibility. Benjamin makes a move to the post, and then breaks back to the corner.

Again, notice the gap Hargreaves is allowing. Let’s watch as we roll it forward.

Take a look here as we have come just a few seconds off of the snap. Again, Hargreaves is completely in a back pedal, giving Benjamin all kinds of room. Giving him five yards of space provides no challenge on the short pass. There is five yards between Benjamin and any defender.

Here, Benjamin has made his move to the inside, towards Conte. Do you notice how Hargreaves’ back is to us, and we can fully see the #28 on his back? He has committed to the inside move, assuming he is Conte’s problem now.

Now, Benjamin has broken back to the sidelines towards VHIII territory. Now look at Hargreaves, specifically at his feet. See how he is leaning towards his back foot? He is so committed to compensating deep, he is leaning the wrong way. He has no chance to come back to Benjamin on any type of short pattern

By the time Hargreaves and Conte can get there, Benjamin has made the catch and picked up 15 yards.

Especially on this one, we see where the team is holding Hargreaves back. As a rookie, he doesn’t know the league like the staff does. They should be telling him how Benjamin isn’t a deep threat. He is a possession guy, similar to his teammate Mike Evans. In 2014, Benjamin averaged 13.8 yards per catch.

This is not a guy that is going over the top on you very often. With his vast size disadvantage, the only way Vernon is going to have a chance against a guy like Benjamin, he must press. He must get his hands on him and disrupt his route.

It’s how a smaller corner can make up for his size.

Next: Louis Murphy Happy to Return

We know that Vernon Hargreaves can make a play on the football. We have seen him do it. It’s time to let him go after it, Bucs’ fans. Let’s see him get aggressive.

Tune in next week for more from the “Eye in the Sky”.