Keys to the game (Tampa Tribune)

Deberg_1990 · 11-07-2004, 10:01 AM

Sounds like some of this guys theories are a little outdated. He thinks our Run D still sucks and that Tony G is not physical??? Interesting to read what the other side thinks....

http://bucs.tbo.com/bucs/MGBKH60H81E.html

Get Solid Man Coverage From DBs
The Bucs aren't going to stop Chiefs RB Priest Holmes with their front seven alone. They're going to need an eighth and maybe a ninth defender in the box to get that done, and that means leaving the DBs in single coverage against WRs Eddie Kennison and Johnnie Morton.

It's always risky asking a defensive back to play man coverage all day, but the Bucs DBs shouldn't have much trouble today. Kennison runs poor routes and gets a little skittish in traffic, so CB Brian Kelly should be able to make him a non-factor. Morton has problems getting off the line against press coverage, and he's lost some explosiveness, so he also can be neutralized by a single defender.

Get Physical At Line With Tony Gonzalez
There is no arguing that Tony Gonzalez is the best tight end in the game. He's an incredible athlete who has the speed to beat most any linebacker and the size to win battles for the ball against most any defensive back. So to slow down Gonzalez, the Bucs will have to exploit his only weakness, a lack of true toughness.

Though he's 6-foot-4, 248 pounds, Gonzalez is a finesse player who seldom gets physical as a blocker or route runner. He can be knocked off his routes, so the Bucs need to commit to having an end or linebacker hit Gonzalez before he releases from the line. That will slow him down and disrupt the timing of plays designed for him, which is the only real way to defend him.

Use Rollouts To Avoid Chiefs' Blitz
Like many defenses this year, the Chiefs are blitzing a lot. To make up for the inability of DBs to make contact with receivers past the 5-yard zone, they're sending extra men after the passer and trying to harass opponents into mistakes. The ploy has so far proved effective, but it doesn't always work well against fairly mobile QBs, and the Bucs have one in Brian Griese.

Griese is no Michael Vick, but he can escape the rush, get outside the tackle box and make plays. He's become much better at rolling out and delivering the ball, so the Bucs need to call a lot of play-action rollouts and naked bootlegs. By getting Griese out of the pocket, they can create some openings downfield.

Control Clock With Rushing Attack
If you can limit the number of possessions for the Chiefs offense, you can also limit the number of points they score. So it's imperative the Bucs put together some lengthy drives, and the best way to do that is with an effective rushing attack.

The Bucs will be tempted to abandon the run if they fall behind early, but they can't afford that. Their rushing game may be a little less potent with Mike Alstott on the sideline, but it's still strong enough to move the ball against Kansas City's front seven. The key is to get Michael Pittman to the second level, because the Chiefs LBs do a poor job filling gaps. Another key is to keep Pittman fresh by utilizing Earnest Graham.

11-07-2004, 10:01 AM	Topic Starter
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $2524454	Keys to the game (Tampa Tribune) Sounds like some of this guys theories are a little outdated. He thinks our Run D still sucks and that Tony G is not physical??? Interesting to read what the other side thinks.... http://bucs.tbo.com/bucs/MGBKH60H81E.html Get Solid Man Coverage From DBs The Bucs aren't going to stop Chiefs RB Priest Holmes with their front seven alone. They're going to need an eighth and maybe a ninth defender in the box to get that done, and that means leaving the DBs in single coverage against WRs Eddie Kennison and Johnnie Morton. It's always risky asking a defensive back to play man coverage all day, but the Bucs DBs shouldn't have much trouble today. Kennison runs poor routes and gets a little skittish in traffic, so CB Brian Kelly should be able to make him a non-factor. Morton has problems getting off the line against press coverage, and he's lost some explosiveness, so he also can be neutralized by a single defender. Get Physical At Line With Tony Gonzalez There is no arguing that Tony Gonzalez is the best tight end in the game. He's an incredible athlete who has the speed to beat most any linebacker and the size to win battles for the ball against most any defensive back. So to slow down Gonzalez, the Bucs will have to exploit his only weakness, a lack of true toughness. Though he's 6-foot-4, 248 pounds, Gonzalez is a finesse player who seldom gets physical as a blocker or route runner. He can be knocked off his routes, so the Bucs need to commit to having an end or linebacker hit Gonzalez before he releases from the line. That will slow him down and disrupt the timing of plays designed for him, which is the only real way to defend him. Use Rollouts To Avoid Chiefs' Blitz Like many defenses this year, the Chiefs are blitzing a lot. To make up for the inability of DBs to make contact with receivers past the 5-yard zone, they're sending extra men after the passer and trying to harass opponents into mistakes. The ploy has so far proved effective, but it doesn't always work well against fairly mobile QBs, and the Bucs have one in Brian Griese. Griese is no Michael Vick, but he can escape the rush, get outside the tackle box and make plays. He's become much better at rolling out and delivering the ball, so the Bucs need to call a lot of play-action rollouts and naked bootlegs. By getting Griese out of the pocket, they can create some openings downfield. Control Clock With Rushing Attack If you can limit the number of possessions for the Chiefs offense, you can also limit the number of points they score. So it's imperative the Bucs put together some lengthy drives, and the best way to do that is with an effective rushing attack. The Bucs will be tempted to abandon the run if they fall behind early, but they can't afford that. Their rushing game may be a little less potent with Mike Alstott on the sideline, but it's still strong enough to move the ball against Kansas City's front seven. The key is to get Michael Pittman to the second level, because the Chiefs LBs do a poor job filling gaps. Another key is to keep Pittman fresh by utilizing Earnest Graham.
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