Question for the Huddle experts.

[koolkatluke]

I only saw a little bit of the game last night between (bucs-Phins) but from what I saw and the final score. Is their a reason their Defence did better against the Phins then our Defence? They lost their D coordinator and their defensive leader but still was holding the phins down into the 3rd qt. They don't have the talent nor the stars we have on D but they still seem too have that swagger that we have not shown yet. Plus their Offence sucks but they still held up too the Phin's attack better then we did. I guess my question is why is that? Why does a team with less talent and a new coaching staff look better on D then we do?

[Sam Mills Fan]

Raheem Morris isn't going to be a coach that lets players just go through the motions on a nationally televised game like John Fox. Also, don't forget that it was a very wet, sloppy game. In preseason especially that's going to benefit the defense.

[Jangler]

It was wet for our game too. But this is an apples and muffins Q.

[Sam Mills Fan]

Hmmmm....good point!

Probably goes to the attitudes of the coaches involved. Or who knows, maybe the Tampa D is better than people are giving them credit for. I doubt that though.

[tim]

It's pre-week 3. The Bucs went into their game against Miami with a plan. We did not.

[tim]

I'm just happy they've settled on Byron Leftwich. I was worried for a minute that they'd actually be able to get the ball to Winslow.

[CRA]

that is easy....Carolina plays a scheme of defense to prevent things from occuring and others try to attack and make plays. We don't blitz much (and when we do it is obvious and predictable), CBs play 75 yards off WRs, etc. That is just a little amplified during the preason......instead of Fox's normal lame safe schemes we kick it up a notch to not reveal how vanilla we will be when the season starts.

when you play a conservative defensive scheme and hope to take advantage of others mistakes.....you are gonna get punched in the mouth some.

[Kyle82]

The 3rd and 4th preseason games have much more game planning involved....lots of guys are gonna be without jobs come Monday.

[koolkatluke]

It's pre-week 3. The Bucs went into their game against Miami with a plan. We did not.

They looked stout the 1st 2weeks too. I look at their roster and look at our and I don't see why we look so (pardon my french) Pussy! It has too be attitude our defensives coaches can talk about being more aggressive going too the ball. I haven't seen it. We can't say it's just the DT position because who do the Bucs have. They still punished Brown while we gave him early pro bowl consideration. Are our D coaches a bunch of punks or are the players just wussies that can talk a good game about how this new defence will make them better? Right now I don't see it. I'm willing too hold judgement until I see them plan for a game but attitude don't doesn't have to be plan. You can be mean and aggressive without tape.

[scpanther22]

when you have

one all pro DE who thinks its just practice with a score

one DE thats a run stopper in a heavy pass rush scheme

one DT thats about 60 pounds too small for his postion

one DT thats better in rotation but is starting because we have no one better

what do you think is going to happen...lol..

[Fireball77]

Bates>Meeks

Having watched the Fins with Bates @ DC & interim HC, I believe this.

I also noticed that when the Fins were getting beat on D they changed things up a bit and started getting off the field.

Fox haters: I thought of you all last night when I saw Sparano clapping after bad plays quite often!

[panthers55]

The Bucs came out aggressive and ready to play, the phins not so much. The fish looked like night and day compared to last week on both sides of the ball. We gave up a few big plays last week and had miscues and fumbles but at other times on defense were pretty solid. We also played our backups most of the game unlike Tampa who played their starters at least through the first half. But the reality is that the Tampa defense is probably ahead of ours at this point. That doesn't mean they will be 6 games into the season. This is like a marathon, the early leaders aren't necessary there at the end.

As for our offense, it shows how much we miss Jake and Moose. I surely hope we can find our version of Stovall this year. I had hoped Jarrett would be that guy but I am still waiting.

[koolkatluke]

The Bucs came out aggressive and ready to play, the phins not so much. The fish looked like night and day compared to last week on both sides of the ball. We gave up a few big plays last week and had miscues and fumbles but at other times on defense were pretty solid. We also played our backups most of the game unlike Tampa who played their starters at least through the first half. But the reality is that the Tampa defense is probably ahead of ours at this point. That doesn't mean they will be 6 games into the season. This is like a marathon, the early leaders aren't necessary there at the end.

As for our offense, it shows how much we miss Jake and Moose. I surely hope we can find our version of Stovall this year. I had hoped Jarrett would be that guy but I am still waiting.

I see what you are saying 55 but i was more on the attitude. They not only played more aggressive they looked more aggressive. They actually look like they want too tackle.

Offence I won't judge till smith is in the line up. He changes alot of things plus we have still been able too run against 8-9 men fronts. So I'm more confident with the offence. The D is concerning.

[panthers55]

I see what you are saying 55 but i was more on the attitude. They not only played more aggressive they looked more aggressive. They actually look like they want too tackle.

Offence I won't judge till smith is in the line up. He changes alot of things plus we have still been able too run against 8-9 men fronts. So I'm more confident with the offence. The D is concerning.

I will be interested to see if we crank up the pressure coming from the defensive line tomorrow night or not. I will agree that we haven't been very aggressive and frankly we are trying to pinch everything in to the point the DEs aren't holding the edge and we getting beat on the outside. Our secondary has seriously blown some coverages as well. If the first string continues to tackle poorly then I surely hope some of the backups can step up and pressure them for a job. Nothing makes a player perform like having someone breathing down their neck.