Tampa Bay Buccaneers Lovie Smith’s Chicago
Bears were a consistent contender because they played strong defense. Tampa
Bay Buccaneers The coach will try to get the same result with the Tampa
Bay Buccaneers, and the ingredients are there for that to happen. Tampa Bay
Buccaneers Smith inherited some special talent in defensive tackle Gerald
McCoy and linebacker Lavonte David. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Both are
just reaching their prime. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Smith has compared McCoy to
Warren Sapp and David to Derrick Brooks. Sapp and Brooks were the keys to the
defense during Tampa
Bay’s glory days. Tampa
Bay Buccaneers The Bucs believe McCoy and David can fill the same roles in the
new generation and that a strong defense will help make the franchise relevant
again. McCoy and David are going to be good for years to come and they
form a strong foundation. But the Bucs will need some complementary players to
come through for this defense to be really good. Defensive end Michael
Johnson was brought in as a free agent because the Bucs believe he can
bring pressure from the outside. If he does, that’s only going to help McCoy
and Clinton McDonald in the middle. A strong pass rush will
only help a secondary that has good potential, Tampa Bay Buccaneers but hasn’t
hit it yet. Alterraun Verner was brought in to be the No. 1 cornerback,
but the Bucs need Johnthan Banksand Mike Jenkins to
step up as the other cornerback and nickelback. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Safeties Dashon
Goldson and Mark Barron have talent and can form a nice tandem. Tampa Bay
Buccaneers Middle linebacker Mason
Foster is going to get a chance to play a more significant role
than he has in the past. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foster will call the defensive
plays and be asked to drop into coverage more than he did in his first three
seasons. Tampa
Bay Buccaneers This defense will be the key factor in
determining if Smith’s regime will succeed. Tampa Bay Buccaneers The offense
can be average, but the defense has to be special, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
