Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp 2010: The Defense

CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE STOP THE RUN AND RUSH THE QUARTERBACK?

The above message is a directive for Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris, who also serves as the team's de facto defensive coordinator, and his charges.

The Bucs were unable to do either last season, which ended in a dismal 3-13 record. 

Today we leave behind those horrendous memories and take a look at the new defense, the defense that will most likely have to carry the team this season.

SECONDARY:  Tanard Jackson (FS), Sabby Piscitelli (SS), Sean Jones (SS), Corey Lynch (SS), Other safeties:  Cody Grimm, De'von Hall, Matt O'Hanlon; Aquib Talib (LCB), Ronde Barber (RCB), Other corners: E.J. Biggers, Elbert Mack, Myron Lewis, Derrick Roberson, Brandon Anderson.

The Scoop:   This is the strength of the football team. The suspension of Jackson hurt last year. It improved after he returned. Morris took over and began to get a feel for what players fit his scheme. There's a huge battle brewing between Piscitelli and Jones for the starting free safety position. Piscitelli was unreliable as both a tackler and deep coverage guy to protect the corners last season. He was the weak link of the secondary and will have to either live up to his potential or lose his spot to Jones. Look for Lewis to emerge as the nickel back.

LINEBACKERS:  Barrett Ruud, Quincy Black, Geno Hayes, Adam Hayward, Niko Koutouvides, Dekota Watson, Jon Alston, Rico McCoy, Lee Robinson.

The Scoop: This group needs better play from the defensive line to improve as a unit. Ruud is the middle linebacker and led the team in tackles last season. You have to wonder if the team feels that strongly about him as they haven't even considered giving him a contract extension. Black is the starter at strong side and is the most athletic of the three. Morris has gushed over his ability, but it's time for Black to show that he's worthy of all that praise. Hayes is the starter on the weak side. He started to show progression last season but like Black, needs to step up his game. Problem with this group is a lack of depth. Injuries to any starter will prove a problem. There was a lot of buzz about Watson in the minicamps and it's obvious that Morris likes his abilities. Hayward was a reliable backup last year but hasn't proven a capable starter if someone goes down.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES:   Gerald McCoy, Brian Price, Roy Miller, Michael Bennett, Dre Moore, Ryan Sims.

The Scoop:   Here's where the Bucs spent some money in the draft. McCoy is slated to be the starter at under tackle, Price is expected to push Miller for playing time at nose tackle. This is the group that needs to perform along with the defensive ends. The capability of pass rush and run stop will start with these guys. Put simply, they need to perform.

DEFENSIVE ENDS:   Stylez G. White, Kyle Moore, Tim Crowder, Brandon Gilbeaux, George Johnson, Erik Lorig, James Ruffin, Carlton Powell.

The Scoop: White is slated to start at one end and Moore the other. Not sure how Moore earned the starting job. He really hasn't proven much and don't look for Crowder to simply concede that position. With the upgrades inside, it should be an easier task for these guys to pressure the opposing quarterbacks and help stop the run.

There you have it. The biggest battles will be at strong safety and for defensive line positions. The corners are a given, the linebackers are set. The competition in camp will be for supporting cast on defense and some needed depth.

NEXT INSTALLMENT:  Special Teams