Tampa Bay's New-Look Bucs Hope To Hit the Ground Running

er to funnel opposing offenses toward the middle linebacker—in Tampa’s case, standout tackler Barrett Ruud.

The middle linebacker has run responsibilities on almost every play, and the system aims to herd ball carriers toward the heart of the defense—the ultimate goal being to force opposing offenses to throw the football and become one-dimensional.

Having the right personnel is key to execute the run contain system, and while the Bucs may not be a perfect fit in 2009, the team seems to be putting the pieces together.

The Bucs have moved veteran strong safety Jermaine Phillips to linebacker, and also acquired free agent Angelo Crowell. Crowell recorded 126 tackles with the Buffalo Bills in 2007 before electing to sit out the 2008 season to surgically repair an ailing knee.

Having released the team’s second and third leading tacklers in Pro Bowler Derrick Brooks and veteran linebacker Cato June, the coaching staff must believe Phillips and Crowell are a good fit for the new system.

Morris and company also chose not to take a linebacker in this year’s draft. Instead, the Bucs took a couple versatile defensive linemen with their second and third picks—Texas’ Roy Miller and Southern California’s Kyle Moore, respectively.

Defensive tackles are key to Bates’ defense, and thought to be the biggest weakness at the moment in terms of the Buccaneers’ personnel. In Bates’ system, the tackles must be especially big and strong in order to hold the line of scrimmage and free up the team’s linebackers.

Bucs fans will also see a change in strategy in the secondary. Bates’ defense calls for more aggressive bump-and-run coverage on the outside, as opposed to Kiffin’s cover two, which allowed corners to sit back in coverage and make plays on the ball.

At 6’1” and 205 pounds, the Bucs believe second-year corner Aqib Talib will fit the system nicely. Morris also likes seventh-round draft pick E.J. Biggers who showed promise with his ability to play the bump and run at Western Michigan.

Bates’ system often uses outside linebackers and defensive backs in blitz packages to complement the pass rush provided by the team’s defensive ends.

It’s no surprise that Bates will be looking for speed from his ends as well, and if everything goes according to plan, the Bucs’ Gaines Adams could be in for a big year in Bates’ scheme.

Altogether, between the coaching changes, the new playbooks, and the addition of a few new faces on both sides of the ball, Bucs fans will have a lot to watch for this season.

Whether Tampa Bay’s 2009 campaign proves to be an early surprise or a grueling rebuilding process, it should make for an interesting year in the franchise’s history.

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