If you’re wondering where all the sexy defensive stats went to in the Buccaneers match-up against the Jaguars, look no further than the linebackers.
Lavonte David and Adarius Glanton each had a team high four tackles.
Fitting, because they each also had one of two total sacks for the defense as well.
The top four tackle totals for Tampa’s defense came from the linebacker group as Kwon Alexander and fan-favorite Riley Bullough each turned in three stops.
Kendall Beckwith got the start as the strongside linebacker in place of injured – um – starter Devonte Bond.
He finished the game with two tackles and not much else.
Jacksonville’s running game never got going, and the linebackers made sure of it.
Starter Chris Ivory took seven carries in the first half and netted just four yards.
His longest carry of the game was just three-yards.
For the entire game, no running back had a single touch go over eight-yards. Corey Grant got the eight-yard carry against them, but even he only totaled five more on three other carries.
Remember the consistency factor we talked about with Peyton Barber? The Jaguars had none of it.
If I have to nit-pick somewhere it’s fumbles.
Through two preseason games, the Buccaneers defense hasn’t forced a single fumble, and I’m putting most of it on the linebackers.
No other team with two preseason contests has yet to poke one loose, although ten teams still haven’t forced one, and also haven’t played their second game.
We all know the Bucs have aggressive linebackers, now it’s just time to see their aggressiveness convert into turnovers.