Which aspect of the Bucs' performance will improve most in the second half?

[Hot Topic]

Don't tell us what area of the Bucs' game most needs improvement, but which area will improve the most.

Will the running game become more consistent? Will the team clamp down on the big rushing plays allowed on defense? Will it find big plays in the kickoff return game? Will a healthier Derrick Brooks have a greater impact on the second half of the season?

[JAyBuc]

All of the above........

As a fan, I think all areas will and must improve, that is, if we intend to make a run. The line MUST learn the dance, the dance of the big men, slowing down and stopping other big men. Dunn, must be Dunn, dart, be where they aint. Alstott must block, he also, must be the hammer he can be. Johnson must TRUST his receivers, eventhough they may not show it at times, he must let them try and make a play. The defense, MUST, get nasty. They must TACKLE, they must cover gaps, they must ATTACK!! All that being said, I am looking forward to a wild ride, it could a champion season, or an almost was...........Jay

TYOTB.........TIME TO GET WILD!!!!!!!

[stimeybuc]

Warrick Dunn will have a few breakout games on the ground, and the defense will improve with everyone returning to a healthy form.

[bucEbadger]

The defense will step it up a notch and play close to the level of last year. Sacks will occur more than once a game, and there will be more defensive touchdowns after interceptions.

[RUSHDOGG]

I think that the team as a whole will get a lot better over the second half of the season. I feel that the defense will find that intensity that they have been lacking so far. I feel that the offensive running game will finally step up to the plate and help take some of the pressure off of the passing game. Most of all I feel that the defense will step up and start hitting teams in the mouth like they have done the last few seasons. Once these things happen it is going to be trouble for opposing teams. Time to start playing ball like we are used to instead of falling in to another teams game set and lettig them dominate us, it is time to do some dominating.

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715 HUSTLAS
FOREVER

[True_BucsFan]

There needs to be a lot of improvement in the 2nd half if the Bucs expect to make it to the playoffs.But the first improvement needs to be in the play calling,why would you call a 4 yrd pass play when you need 12 yrs for first down.Why run Dunn up the middle 3 times when the defense knows he is running,just stupid calls have caused a lot of blown games,open up and score points it makes a difference at the end of the season even if the bucs should end up in second place.I know they can score points,remember the 41-14 win over minnesota..................GO BUCCANEERS

[garydunn]

Hope the Offensive Coordinator Clyde C., will improve on his player-selection/play calling. Like every game past the Buc's Coach Dungy drills into his organization to stick to the game plan game in and out. This is how you approach the start of a game and a big part of the cause why the Buc's haven't made a Superbowl birth yet. Improvement's need to be made after the game has initialized like in the running/passing game plan, player/selection-plays called and a good example is the last game Dunn was shut down and Alstott was having a good game. When this happens you need to stick with who is gaining the yardage on majority/crucial plays which Clyde failed to do (BIG MISTAKE). Also when plays repeatedly fail you then choose the alternative which is to do the opposite "simple logic" example: if you can't run up the middle then try the outside. Also mixing up the play calling is a major key to keeping the defense guessing and throwing them off, that one milli-second is what counts. Dungy the "Boss" eveyone on the team has to listen too. Dungy's philosophy sounds good but when the game starts the next philosophy takes hold (this is when Tony/Clyde is weak "live") which is to react, quickly make adjustments "changes" to any failures immediate in the game strategy. Chain of command has proven to be the Buc's demise in the past. Tony's control freak and Clyde C. inexperience both are guilty of offensive leadership decisions influencing "affecting" the teams final outcome.
Now to grind on the defense. They have improved, stepped up a notch so "Good job" for the increase but, the next notch up is needed. So called "Napping" seems to be a continued weakness that shows on the defense. Play hard we're ahead then it's "Nap Time". This napping has to stop!!!
I predict that the Defense will step up one more notch and start playing as they have in the past years improving on "stopping the run" 1,2,3 and out.
P.S. the Admin you want to talk down?

[This message has been edited by garydunn (edited 11-14-2001).]

[WIZARDS_23]

Our defense is start to stepping up a little bit.But our offense is still inconsistent.We've been trying to mix it up for the past few games,but our playcalls are too predictable.Theres nothing wrong being conservative,but please open up a little.Go for a bomb once in awhile,and of course offensive line protect Brad.I give my props to Brad,even though hes been sacked for 50 or more now.But hes still delivering the ball accurately.Go Bucs!!!!!!

[Dunn21]

better be the defense thats all that really needs to be said. so far, our defense has been a pile of **** since Edwards and smith left...it hurts more then you think...if we get our dominating D back, we should be able to make a ncie run.

[MvpAlstott]

2 Things have to Happen:

1. Defense has to get back to their old ways in which they are known for: SACKING THE QUARTERBACK!!!

2. And we have to stop with the conservative Offense Bulls**t, i'm sick and tired of seeing teams come back late in a game and tie it up. Clyde you have the weapons blow teams out like we do against the Vikings every year.

I'll still see a 10-6 record.
Fans we've been through this for the 4th year now. 4-4 is a normal thing to us whci hshould not happen with this team.

GO BUCS!!!

[LewBoB1022]

I think the passing will. I think Brad will start to get a rythym going.

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No one likes to lose

[chaosman]

I think that the passing game will improve because once Green is healthy we can open it up to a 4wide set and spread the field more.

[bucEbadger]

Originally posted by MvpAlstott:
2 Things have to Happen:

1. Defense has to get back to their old ways in which they are known for: SACKING THE QUARTERBACK!!!

2. And we have to stop with the conservative Offense Bulls**t, i'm sick and tired of seeing teams come back late in a game and tie it up. Clyde you have the weapons blow teams out like we do against the Vikings every year.

I'll still see a 10-6 record.
Fans we've been through this for the 4th year now. 4-4 is a normal thing to us whci hshould not happen with this team.

GO BUCS!!!


"Clyde has the weapons to blow teams out like we do against the Vikings every year."

The St. Petersburg Times has repeatedly reported that they suspect a pact exists between Dungy and Dennis Green that each lets the home team win at home. Are you implying more secret pacts exist? Whatever it takes to win, but if that were really possible Daniel Snyder would have bought an undefeated season as well as the Superbowl Championship last year.

[Buck_N_A]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JAyBuc:
[B]All of the above........

As a fan, I think all areas will and must improve, that is, if we intend to make a run. The line MUST learn the dance, the dance of the big men, slowing down and stopping other big men. Dunn, must be Dunn, dart, be where they aint. Alstott must block, he also, must be the hammer he can be. Johnson must TRUST his receivers, even though they may not show it at times, he must let them try and make a play. The defense, MUST, get nasty. They must TACKLE, they must cover gaps, they must ATTACK!! All that being said, I am looking forward to a wild ride, it could a champion season, or an almost was...........Jay

I concur!

[Y2A]

We have been having rough starts for a number of years now, and I attribute it to the fact that there are new KEY players each year, and it takes time to develop chemistry. I look for a HUGE (7-1 or 6-2) second half for our team, we are just too good to be in the stands rather than on the field in the postseason.
Ill be looking for the defense to step it up in this half of the season, to take it upon themselves regardless of what the offense does, like the Ravens did last year. No, we dont have the 2000 Ravens' defense, but we also dont have the pitiful offense either.

GO BUCS!!

[TopDAWG]

With as tough a schedule as the Bucs have I think it's preety safe to say that the defense has to step it up and start putting teams away. You can always point the finger at the offense but altimately it comes down to a ferocious defense that us fans are use to seeing.Tampa Bays defense leads them on a 9 game winning streak and into the playoffs.Memories of '99. GO BUCS!

[bucs-metal]

At this point in the season, I believe all teams have shown enough of their game for others to gauge.

Teams at .500 or better will tend to maintain status quo and modify or add to existing strategy playing to an opponent's tendencies. Teams at less than .500 will be working on fundamentals in trying to execute any strategy...usually an existing one. New stuff may just confound basic execution.

I see the Bucs taking advantage of this by playing to an opponent's "playing the tendencies". Offensively, I see the 2-minute drill showing up early in every quarter or immediately after establishing a running attack. Buc opponent's seem to expect the run first then a few token passes. Defensively, I expect the same Cover-2 and DB blitzing with slight changes in personnel rotation: Opponents may play to the name rather than the position.
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