At a glance: Tampa Bay's new coaching staff is trying to turn back the clock to its glory days in Arizona. There, defensive coordiantor Todd Bowles ran a Top 5, blitz-happy defense that could become more formidable with Tampa Bay's linebacker corps. Meanwhile the offense has a head coach that can get the best from it and quarterback Jameis Winston. The Buccs will be at a tough crossroads if they don't show signs of life in 2019.
New defensive coordinator Todd Bowles quickly landed himself a head coaching position after leading a Top 5 defense in Arizona between 2013-2014. Things didn't go to plan in New York for the coach but now Bowles finds himself in the perfect spot to again be competitive. Tampa Bay's linebackers are perfect for Bowles' up-the-middle-pressure scheme. The team's first round selection Devin White, along with former Cardinals first round pick Deone Bucannon, are the safety-like prototypes Bowles adores. That he has Lavonte David outside them is a bonus, as is a secondary that got three new members on Day 2 of the draft.
The very defensive heavy draft comes as no surprise seeing as the Buccaneers had already put together a balanced offense. Like in Green Bay, the head coaching appointment is expected to turn fortunes around just as much as the odd offensive line addition (Tampa Bay's O-Line was middle of the pack last year). Bruce Arians' big play scheme has options with Tampa Bay's wide receiver corps, although it seems a dual threat running back away from being fully-functioning. A lot of the onus will lie on quarterback Jameis Winston too as he goes into a contract year.
DRAFT PICKS (per ESPN)
1.05 Devin White ILB
2.07 Sean Bunting CB
3.30 Jamel Dean CB
3.35 Mike Edwards S
4.05 Anthony Nelson DE
5.07 Matt Gay PK
6.35 Scott Miller WR
7.01 Terry Beckner Jr. DT
ORIGINAL COVER PHOTO: USA Today
Comments