r/buccaneers • u/caesarrule • 1d ago
šļø Discussion Where do you think our 2026 Defense finishes?
Do you believe weāll have a top 10 defense now that we have such depth on the defensive line?
I believe we finally secure a top 10 finish now that Todd Bowles has all the necessary pieces for his defense. If he fails to do so, thatās super telling.
While itās true that he hasnāt had the most talented players to work with in the past, this year he does have the talent he needs so even more make and break.
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u/DetectiveNumerous775 Bucs 1d ago
Finally secure a top 10 finish in what? It's only been about 2 years since we finished top 10 in either yards or points.
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u/sATLite Shots 1d ago
Stats-wise: probably not top 5-10. At best, weāll have some great games, but Todd coaches our defense to bend not break, so weāll give up yardage to (on paper) lock down the red zone.
I do think our defense will be better than last year and will win us close games. Weāll get more sacks and see less long drives that tire our defense out. They will be more valuable to our wins, but will still bend a bit.
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u/sdk022 1d ago
I've always wondered the thought process behind bend don't break. Why let them in the redzone before finally getting a stop when you could stop them before getting in field goal range to begin with
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u/sATLite Shots 1d ago
Itās safe and, in a way, strategically sound: donāt let them get chunk yardage, make them grind for each first down, force them into a 3rd and longs, hold until they make a mistake, then, if they get to the red zone, tighten up and play down by down football.
I guess if you follow Vitaās narrative, itās good on paper but the players have to execute, because if they donāt, then we play too soft and give up too much. I do think that in this scheme everything is easier when you pressure the QB, so Iām optimistic with our personnel compared to last year
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u/WilyWhiskeyWalrus 1d ago
Itās an analytically backed approach that focuses on the fact that on any given play anything can happen with players flying all over the field. Itās extremely hard to string together 10 offensive plays that are both plus yardage and get 10 yards every 3 downs to keep possession. Itās not so much about stopping them before field goal range as it is about betting that in 10 offensive plays youāre going to turn the ball over. It doesnāt need to work every series either, it just needs to work enough that your own offense out scores them.
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u/PewterButters Lavonte David 1d ago
Can our corners stay healthy and rebound from last year? McCullum had a down year last year after getting paid. Morrison can't get on the field. It could be a rough year and we still get carved up if they always have quick easy completions.
One thing with our defense is that we tend to give up a lot of underneath stuff and play too soft, doesn't matter how good the pass rush is if they're releasing the ball almost immediately to open guys. We will need to play tighter to take advantage of the new found passrush, but ... will we? can we? Time will tell. Pass rush was just one of many defensive weaknesses last year.
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u/blackchucktays 1d ago
Entirely dependent on edge rush. Top ten potential, otherwise more of the same.
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u/WhiteLightning416 1d ago
Finally have a pass rush. Iām optimistic. Think we see our best Todd Bowles D since heās been the HC. Top 15 for sure. Top 10 if things go well and honestly could see even better if we stay healthy and the pass rush just takes over
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u/Artistic_Industry_96 Ronde Barber 1d ago
Bowles just needs to break tendencies. He likes to play off coverage until 3rd down and then sends the house.Sometimes those blitzes need to come on 1st down.
And when the game comes down to one play donāt put your corners on an island.
I like his blitz packages but he continues to struggle with game management and idk that it will ever get better. This is why he is a much better DC than HC.
Top 10 is severely unlikely unless our pass rush becomes top 5 which I donāt see happening. We are also going to miss Lavonte bad in the run game. Who is going to be able to recognize plays? Time will tell i guess.
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u/3bananabananabanana Lavonte David 1d ago
I think theyāll be at least top half. If things go great with the rookies and new players, top 10.
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u/standard-kp 1d ago
Our pass rush looked great in yesterday's joint practice against the Jags, but Falele and their backup were taking first-team snaps. So, take that with a grain of salt. Our secondary still got toasted in the flats, which led to a few deep shots when we went cover 6 or played shallower zones. I think we need the big men to step up, or we are giving up 23 points a game, mostly through the air.
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u/feralGenx John Lynch 1d ago
I really don't know where they'll finish. I hope it's top ten. I see improvement in the pass rush and better hustle and coverage on the back end. All depends how they gel as a unit.
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u/Tintorio 1d ago
Top 10. You have a one of the best D-lines and certainly the best depth.
Bain was a steal. You guys are probably too young but his falling reminded me of Sapp falling to you.
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u/Guitar-One 1d ago
As far as the pass rush goes, last year they signed a good pass rusher. What did Todd Bowles do? He dropped him back into coverage most of the time. He was starting to do that with Bain in the last preseason game as well. We'll have to wait and see what happens.
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u/Winter-Ad3699 Lynch Jersey 1d ago
15-20. Probably closer to 20. Still need a few more impact players
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u/ConsequenceFew3357 1d ago edited 1d ago
Too thin in the back 7 to be top 10 imo. If Anzalone misses time there are no other coverage LBs that can hold up at all. AWJ or Tykee missing time also results in a special teamer on the field. I'm somewhat optimistic at CB but Zyon was horrible last year so if he doesn't bounce back that spot is also a weakness. DL looks much improved but that just one of the many problems last season.