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Buccaneers Roundtable, Week 2 : How do the Bucs stop Tarik Cohen?

By David Harrison

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 10: Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears carries the football ahead of Duke Riley #42 of the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Soldier Field on September 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 10: Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears carries the football ahead of Duke Riley #42 of the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Soldier Field on September 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 31: Punter Bryan Anger #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers punts during the third quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins on August 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 31: Punter Bryan Anger #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers punts during the third quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins on August 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Ren Daxt

The writers here at The Pewter Planks have been charged this week with coming up with a game plan to stop Chicago Bears rookie Tarik Cohen.

The do everything back carved up the Falcons for 158 total yards while leading his team in rushing, receiving and punt returns.

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The easy answer is nothing.

Cohen gained 66-yards on only five carries, but 46 of those were tallied when he spun 180` five yards deep in his own backfield and broke containment from a defensive end that ran a 4.68 40, seven years ago.

It should also be pointed out the Atlanta had 9 men in the box on that play. 9.

Leaving only two remaining Falcons to make the play, one of which was being blocked and the other ran Cohen down from behind to make the play.

That still gives Cohen a 5-yard average but he only had four other carries.

Cohen is only 5’6″ 181 lbs so he won’t take away the inside runs from the 6’1″ 224 lbs, and second leading rusher in the NFL last season, Jordan Howard.

Simply, Cohen isn’t going to get more rushing attempts than he did in week one and as long as he doesn’t pull off another figure eight, whoopee dupe his rushing numbers should be pedestrian.

Cohen also had 8 catches on 12 targets for a whopping 47-yards. Which averages out to a very paltry 5.9 yards per catch.

Cohen did have a 19-yard touchdown grab but his other 7 catches average out to exactly 4-yards per. These are not the type of numbers that opposing defenses look at and feel they have to game plan against.

Still Tarik Cohen did also contribute another 45-yards on 3 punt returns.

Now, these are very good numbers. Numbers that Bryan Anger and the Bucs punt coverage team will try to eliminate.

Anger is one of the best in the league in pinning teams deep in their own end, inside their own 10-yard line.

Must Read: Buccaneers Talk: Week 2 Preview

When Anger isn’t close enough to drop a mortar kick inside of Chicago’s 10, look for a punt about 40-42 yards long but very high. Letting his gunners get down the field and into Cohen’s face, forcing him to call for a fair catch.

The Buccaneers speed at the linebacker position should more than nullify what Cohen brings to the Bears run and pass game. If you ask me, so far, the rookie running back out of North Carolina A&T is much to do about nothing.

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