Injury Bug

[Defense5599]

SMB
Dean
Miller
Gronk
Bernard

Five key guys go down in three games. The Bucs got lucky last year, not so much this year

[King Bootz]

Godwin
Vea
Marpet
RoJo
OJ
Cappa
CD3

Oh wait, that was 2020.

We had injuries last year as well. The major difference is we had more guys step up last year in response to the injuries.

[13F11B]

Godwin
Marpet
RoJo
OJ
Cappa
CD3

Oh wait, that was 2020.

We had injuries last year as well. The major difference is we had more guys step up last year in response to the injuries.

You left out Vea.

[acmillis]

SMB
Dean
Miller
Gronk
Bernard

Five key guys go down in three games. The Bucs got lucky last year, not so much this year

Everyone was complaining about Dean's play, but now were putting him on the "oh no, the injury bug has hit us, look at all the players who can't play for us" list...okay
Gronk isn't missing any time, so you can take his name off the list
Miller didn't even have a target until Sunday, so he really has no role and will not be missed.
IMO, Bernard will not be missed as he does not do anything much better than LF.

[King Bootz]

Godwin
Marpet
RoJo
OJ
Cappa
CD3

Oh wait, that was 2020.

We had injuries last year as well. The major difference is we had more guys step up last year in response to the injuries.

You left out Vea.

Yea, how could I forget the most significant injury of all.

[King Bootz]

The more I think about it, people highlighting injuries this year as opposed to last year, when we actually had more, is a way to rationalize the poor play from the defense. It might have a bit of truth to it as we’re seeing our corners struggle a bit more than they did last year. But honestly, the defense is getting out played on the field. That’s a fact. I don’t know why but it’s clear and obvious on tape. Defense ain’t playing well. Sometimes it’s that simple.

[Primeminister]

SMB
Dean
Miller
Gronk
Bernard

Five key guys go down in three games. The Bucs got lucky last year, not so much this year

Everyone was complaining about Dean's play, but now were putting him on the "oh no, the injury bug has hit us, look at all the players who can't play for us" list...okay
Gronk isn't missing any time, so you can take his name off the list
Miller didn't even have a target until Sunday, so he really has no role and will not be missed.
IMO, Bernard will not be missed as he does not do anything much better than LF.

Disagree on your Bernard vs Lenny comparison. Bernard catches and run routes much better than Lenny & it’s not even close.

[Snake]

Yeah, that’s an interesting take on LF. The guy has stone hands and is shitty in pass pro.

[Noles1724]

we're miles away from inquires being a huge issue in terms of the end of season/important time of the year. I have all the faith in the world that the team will peak at the right time.. we'll be a-ok

[Cheb]

The more I think about it, people highlighting injuries this year as opposed to last year, when we actually had more, is a way to rationalize the poor play from the defense. It might have a bit of truth to it as we’re seeing our corners struggle a bit more than they did last year. But honestly, the defense is getting out played on the field. That’s a fact. I don’t know why but it’s clear and obvious on tape. Defense ain’t playing well. Sometimes it’s that simple.

Injuries are a legit cause for the poor play in the secondary. it doesn't explain everything, but it's a major contributor.

The front 7 has no excuses though. They've been pathetic across the board save for Vea. Shaq got paid and has gone MIA. White has been a non-factor. JPP hasn't done much and is dealing with an injury but whatever. Suh and Gholston were never world beaters on the defense.

We're getting zero pressure from the front 7 and there's nothing to blame but poor play/playcallling/scheme.

Edit: I almost wonder if there's something systemic causing an issue for the defense. We're seeing an across the board regression by basically everyone. You see guys like Diggs for the Cowboys that has taken a massive leap forward. Then you see AWJ who somehow looks worse than he did last year. Nobody seems to be improving at all.

Did the team just buy into their hype and feel invincible because they shutout the Chiefs and have Brady on offense? Is this a case of a team not handling success very well?

To address the play of our front seven a bit, while they haven't been stellar they've been pretty good. But by and large, the front seven can do very little against the quick passing game on the perimeter. Maybe you'll get a free rusher for a hurry or a batted ball at the line if you're lucky, but the secondary is doing them absolutely no favors.

I would argue that a big part of our defensive issues is the lack of unity between front and coverage. As a general rule over the first three games, the fronts are playing aggressively and the coverage is passive. If we send five or six guys into the backfield on the reg but the coverage doesn't match offensive numbers on the outside (particularly with trips formations), and plays super off even when they DO match up smartly, it's an easy pitch-and-catch for the offense on those cutesy rub routes and screens that we have been annihilated by thus far.

Just my opinion though.

[acmillis]

Yeah, that’s an interesting take on LF. The guy has stone hands and is shitty in pass pro.

I'm not saying Bernard isn't better at those things, he's just not THAT much better to where we'll see a noticeable difference while he's out, IMO.

So far, LF has 14 targets, 12 catches for 77 yards, 6.4 YPCatch.
So far, Gio has 15 targets, 13 catches, 79 yards, 6.1 YPCatch.

They'll provide very similar quality of play in similar situations.

I also like that when LF is in, who knows if it's going to be a run or pass. When Gio's in, it's a pass play.