Expectations are high for the Buccaneers as they make improvements at every level of their defense, but with the additions, the team still has a lot to iron out.
For example, KJ Britt will be the full-time starter at inside linebacker, safety Jordan Whitehead returns to Tampa after a two-year hiatus and the rest of the secondary will have a ton of new faces, including rookie third-round pick Tykee Smith and several undrafted free agents looking to acquire the position, along with veteran free agents Bryce Hall and Tavierre Thomas.
They’ll need to put the pieces together with new faces before the season starts. As we’ve learned, when the Buccaneers get hurt on a big play, Todd Bowles usually says it was a “failure to cover” — in other words, a miscommunication in the secondary or among the linebackers.
Thankfully, that hasn’t been a big issue for the Bucs so far in camp – certainly, a lot of defensive backs have been banged like a drum. Wednesday’s joint training camp They lost to the Jaguars, but that was because they lost individual games, not because of a lack of communication, and they’ll need to make some adjustments and get help from other players to make sure that doesn’t become a regular thing.
Where the Buccaneers’ defense has improved the most
Defensively, the Buccaneers can yell. You can hear inside linebacker KJ Britt yelling all the time and you can hear All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. making calls on the back end. Winfield, in particular, feels that while there are a lot of people who need to get the message across, the message is getting through. He said one of the biggest strides this team has made is knowing how to play together to accomplish a common goal.
Buccaneers FS Antoine Winfield Jr. and SS Jordan Whitehead – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
“I think it’s about being comfortable with each other, even with the new guys that are coming in,” Winfield said. “Being comfortable and confident in what you’re doing, and communication goes along with that. Overall, I feel like we’re getting better in all areas.”
A big area the Buccaneers need to improve on this year is interceptions. Tampa Bay has had a lot of them so far in training camp. It’s a byproduct of what they’re doing as a team from a communication standpoint.
“The ball is money,” said defensive back Tavierre Thomas, who led the Buccaneers with three interceptions. “Anytime the ball is around me, anytime I have the ball in my hands, I’m trying to take it. Every single play. [I try] “You either punch the ball out or you get the ball. Lovie Smith taught me that, so I stuck with that. Even on special teams, my goal is to get the ball, that’s my goal.” [I will] We will continue to work hard.”
Buccaneers starters treat practice like a game
Winfield and many other starters likely won’t play in Jacksonville to ensure they’re healthy for the regular season, meaning Wednesday and Thursday Practice with the Jaguars It’s a real time for them to bring extra energy to their endeavors.
Buccaneers ILB KJ Britt – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
“100 percent,” Winfield said. “You don’t play every preseason game, but this is a game for us. Game speed, game mentality, so we’ve got to come out here and really execute what we do.”
Winfield acknowledged that the Bucks played a mediocre game, but by the end of practice they were where they wanted to be. Of course, their team’s turnaround was a result of Winfield gets sacked on a blitz. Then KJ Britt scored on a tackle for loss and the defensive line rushed and forced Trevor Lawrence to scramble for a small gain, and that’s exactly what we’re hoping for tomorrow.
Tampa Bay’s defense then began to attack Lawrence with regularity, with defensive tackle Vita Vea getting a sack, rookie outside linebacker Chris Braswell getting two sacks and fellow outside linebackers Jose Ramirez and Jay Person also getting sacks.
“I think we got stronger physically and mentally towards the end of practice,” Winfield said. “I feel like we got more energized as practice went on, so we’re just going to try to bring that here first thing tomorrow and [until] It takes a third or fourth period to get to that mentality.”
