Buccaneers preparing for Chicago: Studying the tape on ‘Da Bears

Going Deep? Doubt it.

The Buccaneers secondary was without a doubt, the weakness of the defensive unit in 2016. While they got better as the season moved deeper towards the playoffs, some of the early mistakes doomed them ultimately.

As first games go, this is probably the right offense for the Bucs defense to face then.

Mike Glennon went deep against the Atlanta Falcons once.

Not only did they go deep just once, it was also a trick play. Not a double reverse pass or flea-flicker trick play, but one nonetheless.

Maybe some will be more comfortable with calling it a gimmick play. Either way, the fact of the matter is, the one play which the Bears tried to hit deep against Atlanta’s secondary was to a running back.

Tarik Cohen lined up wide in a shotgun formation and made his way completely across the field in an attempt to get past Atlanta defenders.

So the good news is, the Bucs deep secondary players will likely have a fairly uneventful afternoon if this trend continues. The bad is, it almost worked.

As you can see from the illustration above, Cohen did in fact get behind the Falcons defense.

Not only this, but Glennon put the ball right where you’d want it as a receiver, if you weren’t a running back.

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Once Cohen gets some more experience, I’m sure this will become a viable play. Until then, it’ll fall to the field just like this one did in Week 1.

Now, some of this is chemistry. Glennon simply hasn’t been with these receivers long enough to truly trust them. Losing Cameron Meredith and Kevin White doesn’t help.

I praised Glennon for his smart play and willingness to take what the defense gave him. The Buccaneers should be well aware of their former quarterback’s tendency to take the check down and intermediate routes.

This will likely lead to some aggressive play from the safeties and corners, but if they aren’t staying a little true to their assignments, it could lead to a big play over the top when they aren’t expecting it.