New Bucs head coach Todd Bowles has an issue on his fingers. It’s not a type of “dangerous” issues. It’s positively extra of a “is an excessive amount of of an excellent factor a foul factor” downside.
I think about he is perhaps feeling like a child in a sweet retailer. I do know I’d be if I have been him.
What’s the issue, you ask?
Effectively, Bowles has lots of actually good gamers on his protection. And final I checked, the NFL is barely going to let him put 11 of them on the sphere at one time. Now he could also be interesting that, and I want him nicely if that’s the case. However till that hypothetical enchantment is gained, Bowles will nonetheless have to make some robust choices.
Or will he?
A number of gamers on this Bucs protection present a powerful quantity of versatility that may permit Bowles to maneuver gamers round like chess items.
What would possibly a few of these personnel groupings appear like? Let’s begin with the straightforward and work to in direction of extra unique appears to be like later.
Bucs’ Base Protection
Is sensible for us to begin with base. The Bucs function out of a 3-4 base. Almost definitely that look goes to characteristic Vita Vea, Akiem Hicks, and Will Gholston because the beginning down linemen. Shaq Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka will lineup as get up exterior linebackers. Devin White and Lavonte David will man the within backer spots. Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean are my bets to be the beginning exterior corners with Antoine Winfield Jr. and Keanu Neal lined up as safeties.
I’m going out on a little bit of a limb projecting Neal for the beginning security spot reverse Winfield. My argument is predicated on Neal being the very best suited participant to fill out the standard robust security position in opposition to 12 personnel (one again, two tight ends). He can match up nicely in opposition to most tight ends in protection and lays the growth within the run sport. In base units I feel Neal is the best complement to Winfield for these appears to be like.
Nickel (Three Security Units)
This would be the package deal the Bucs will line up in most. From the bottom set you will notice Gholston come off the sphere. This may depart the go rush as Vea, Hicks, JTS, and Barrett. Changing Gholston can be an additional defensive again within the type of Logan Ryan. Provided that the Bucs are closely that includes Winfield within the slot throughout coaching camp I feel it’s protected to say that Bowles can be using extra three security appears to be like this 12 months. There’s an excellent probability this may very well be the Bucs’ customary nickel look. I see yet one more substitution to finish this grouping. Security Mike Edwards changing Neal.
Edwards brings extra of a ball-hawking ability set to switch Neal’s superiority in opposition to the run. The attention-grabbing a part of this package deal can be how Bowles deploys every of his safeties. I’ve famous previously that I feel Ryan is best within the slot. Edwards performed 191 snaps within the slot final 12 months as nicely. Throw in Winfield and all three might lay a declare to the position. I might see Bowles taking part in every of them there relying on particular matchups.
Now Let’s Get Bizarre
Now let’s get into some extra unique appears to be like. One I’ve been salivating over because the Bucs assembled this Avengers-like crew is a 5-1-5 look. Think about if you’ll, the Bucs lining up in opposition to 11 personnel with 5 down linemen within the type of Barrett-Logan Corridor-Vea-Hicks-JTS. Behind them Lavonte David or Devin White manning the center of the sphere. Lastly, rounding out the protection within the secondary you may have a nickel package deal of Dean-Winfield-Edwards-Davis and say Neal to maintain a little bit of a run-defense ingredient.
We’re not giving something away, as we haven’t seen this package deal in camp practices. However this package deal would undoubtedly pressure the offense to maintain a again or tight finish in to dam or danger having their total offensive line run one-on-one in opposition to a significantly formidable go rush. This might additionally permit Bowles to lean into his creativity. JTS or Barrett might drop right into a hook or a flat zone whereas Neal or White/David are available on a zone blitz. The choices really feel limitless. And Bowles has to have thought of this look this offseason.
For Bucs, Versatility Is The Key
While the Bucs publicly spoke about getting younger and faster alongside the defensive position this 12 months it seems they’ve prioritized versatility as nicely. Final 12 months’s main slot nook Sean Murphy-Bunting is specializing in being a boundary nook throughout coaching camp whereas free security Winfield is getting lots of reps within the slot. Neal can man up tight ends, work within the field, whereas nonetheless providing some means as a two-high security. Ryan is adept within the slot in addition to up prime.
From a strain standpoint, White has proven he could be an efficient go rusher. Each Corridor and Tryon-Shoyinka have expertise dashing inside and outdoors, as does Gholston. Bowles has proven a willingness to take his huge inside guys like Vea and Hicks and have them push leaner offensive tackles round. Add on prime of that stunt and twisting and sudden go rushers and it turns into thrilling for followers and analysts alike.
This versatility can permit Bowles to mix-and-match primarily based on particular matchups or just to create sudden appears to be like that may pressure opposing offensive coordinators to regulate in-game. Finally Bowles hopes it should permit him to raise his protection into the NFL’s prime protection.