Will the Bucs' secondary continue to be among the league's best in 2002? [Archive] - Official Bulletin Board of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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07-02-2002, 05:21 PM

Judging from their efforts in this year's mini-camps, Buccaneer defenders are determined to keep their unit among the league's elite this year. To do so, they will need to continue to play tight pass defense. Do you believe the Bucs' secondary is as strong, stronger or not as strong this year as it has been in recent seasons? Consider that nickel back and former starter Donnie Abraham is now with the Jets, but that all four starters from 2001 return. Will a year of starting for Brian Kelly and Dexter Jackson translate into even better results for those two players? Will John Lynch continue to be one of the league's best strong safeties? And can Ronde Barber match or come close to matching his outstanding 2001 effort?

GulfWarriors99

07-02-2002, 05:31 PM

At this point I'm really not sure. I certainly hope so. Although I think our defense will be better this year even though we had a few starters leave, because with the offense finally staying on the field for more than 3 downs a drive the defense will be well rested, and that will play a huge part. I CANT WAIT ANY LONGER!!!!!!!!!

Hawxter19

07-02-2002, 05:49 PM

I can't wait either, but we are gonna have to. I certainly hope they can still be one of the top in the league. I also hope Gruden picks the right QB for the job.

Got O-Line?

07-02-2002, 06:41 PM

As much as losing Donnie Abraham may hurt us, I don't see our secondary becoming any worse because of it. Lynch will be Lynch as usual, and Barber will still be there to grab a good amount of interceptions. Both Dexter Jackson and Brian Kelly will be improved, with another season under their belts.

The strength of this defense has always been the defensive line, however. The reason the secondary always looks so good is because the defensive line can always get pressure on the QB without the need to add a blitzer and put the secondary in man to man coverage. We've kept all of our defensive line starters, and Simeon Rice is much more comfortable in Kiffin's system now. Plus, as mentioned in a previous post, having an offense that produces points and keeps the defense off the field will always help.

So, I would say that they the secondary will probably stay about the same as last year, maybe better.

rochesterbucs

07-02-2002, 07:35 PM

I agree - the majority of the defense is the same as last year. The biggest difference is they now have a year playing together under thier belts, which always helps team perform better.

Also, as it's been said already, with an improved offense the defense will only get better!

GO BUCS!!!!!!

Chucky

07-02-2002, 08:42 PM

yes

NZBuccFan

07-02-2002, 09:35 PM

I think the Secondary will be about the same as last year, Lynch and Ronde will be about the same (ie really good) and the others like kelly, smith and jackson should improve too.

TRiFE

07-03-2002, 01:09 AM

Hard to predict -- with the way hes been performing in the offseason so far, id say smith should start oppisite from ronde at corner; kelly is better suited as a nickel defender anyway...lynch will be be solid as usual and finally, we'll see dex becoming the fs we always new he could. i really hope this class of rookies turns out well for us, i certainly see jermaine phillips as having potential. i dont really think the bucs need another seasoned defensive back at this point, but having one on the roster going into the playoffs could prove beneficial when facing high profile offenses like the rams. i say in the top ten d's again; and thats all that really matters cuz the gulf coast offense will demoralize the weak! peace

A Bucs Best Freind

07-03-2002, 09:12 AM

BUCS D will be strong the D-line will make the 2ndary look great. With rice continued success and Sapp and Booger pushing the O-line into the QB's face Its going to be GREAT. GO BUCS!

JAyBuc

07-03-2002, 09:46 AM

First off, the Bucs ranked FOURTH in TOP. If they improve on that stat, great. But, our CB's have played another year together, so my answer, yes they will be better...........J

sugarray

07-03-2002, 10:02 AM

I think that they will be improved simply because they have a year together. Smith will push Kelly pretty hard to win the starting job as well. It should be fun to watch.

bucsnfcc

07-03-2002, 10:42 AM

I think the cornerbacks will do just as good as long as everyone on the D-line plays the way they can the whole season, I think Dwight Smith will get people to let go of Donnie Abraham and hopefully well have a surprise cornerback again this year in J. Phillips.

marshmallow12

07-03-2002, 12:03 PM

first off, Im sad to see Donnie go and i wish him the best in NY.

This year, Dexter Jackson and Dwight Smith will make or break the secondary. Last year, the bucs finished with 28 int (2nd in the NFL). 10 came from ronde and 6 came from Donnie. Our offense relies on the turnovers created by our defense. Somebody(s) have to fill in Abraham's shoes and get a handful of interceptions. We can't rely on Ronde to get 10 every year.

Dexter has enormous potential and Dwight looks like he could take the spot from Brian Kelly. (Personally, I'm not a big B. Kelly fan. I don't think the bucs should have swapped him and Abraham). John Lynch is the best safety in football. period. And Ronde should have another good season.

The two hardest games for the secondary this year will be, obviously, the rams game and the vikings game. We have to keep Holt, Bruce, Moss, and Alexander in front of us because if they get passed us, I don't see Brian Kelly running anybody down.

GOOOOOOOOOOOO BUCS!

skinny

07-03-2002, 12:08 PM

Losing Donnie Abraham is a bit of a hit, but we'll get over it.

Defense shouldn't have to spend all day on the field because the offense will be able stay on a bit more. That will bring the individual stats down (INTs) but the team stats up (less yards, points against).

Besides, we're in a weak division now. (As in Saints...)

marshmallow12

07-03-2002, 12:11 PM

The falcons, panthers, and SAINTS reicevers shouldn't pose any problems for our defense... The out of division games will be the key to the season.

GO BUCS!!
DOWN WITH THE SAINTS!!!!

bjohnson1468

07-03-2002, 04:05 PM

Not as good but still among the best.

burtonhoff

07-03-2002, 05:07 PM

I hope they are as good as they were last year. The should get more rest, and have more enthusiasm this year. I just hope that we can contain the big play better this year. It seemed that several of our losses last year came at the hands of the big play. Bettis and Green broke of large runs on us, and Chicago torched us for big play after big play in the sky. I hope that with more enthusiasm and rest the secondary can step up and get the job done the way the are capable of.

Bucamaniac40

07-03-2002, 05:30 PM

With an offense that should carry it's own weight for once the entire defense should improve simply because they shouldn't be on the field 75% of the time!

Robert Fuller

07-04-2002, 12:07 AM

Well first of all who says the offense is going to be better? We'll have to see until the season starts. But back to the question here's how I see it. John Lynch will gradually slow down as his age is becoming a factor but we can expect another Pro Bowl appearence, so let's hope he doesn't get hurt. Dexter Jackson is going to be better than last year and looks pretty promising. I really don't think that Ronde Barber is going to get another 10 interceptions- it would be great if he does- but he will be good. I hope he doesn't fall into the sophomore slump if anything. At the other corner position it could be a toss up between Brian Kelly and Dwight Smith. Sure Kelly has more experience but he did not have a single interception last year and if Kelly starts Smith will be the Nickelback. Over all I think the Secondary will slowdown a bit but will be very good.

shadow13

07-04-2002, 12:46 AM

Only Marty Booker knows for sure.

jazzfan316@aol.

07-04-2002, 07:36 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by skinny
[B]Losing Donnie Abraham is a bit of a hit, but we'll get over it.

Defense shouldn't have to spend all day on the field because the offense will be able stay on a bit more. That will bring the individual stats down (INTs) but the team stats up (less yards, points against).

Besides, we're in a weak division now. (As in Saints...) [/B

i think well all be a little surprised with the saints i think we should be more scared of them than the rams. and bucs secondary wont be able to contain saints receivers. the saints are gonna shock the buc nakeds. we aint the aints no more

romanianbuccaneer

07-05-2002, 12:43 AM

:cool: As long as we have Monte Kiffin everything will fall into place! With Jon Gruden we finally have the right coach, instead of two defensive coordinators.

SLOBGOBLIN

07-05-2002, 10:06 AM

Well,i also hated to see the Iceman leave us,but i think we will still have a pretty solid durable unit as our secondary will again be among the best in the NFL.

LifesAir~TB

07-07-2002, 03:45 PM

i think if and when we get Terrel Buckley we'll be even better

Brooks #1 fan

07-08-2002, 11:56 AM

Yes, We lost some good players like Abraham but we still be among the best defense I mean we still got Brooks, Lynch, Barber, Sapp, and others I mean Sapp might do better this year and Brooks, Lynch, and Barber all did good last year Brooks had the most tackles for the Bucs and made some interceptions like the one against the Saints and almost ran it all the way and there's Lynch who had like the second most tackles for the Bucs and also made some good interceptions like the one in Dallas and Barber had the most interceptions for us and ran it in a couple of times and he covered good except like the minnesota game.Sapp didn't do that good last year but I think He'll get back to playing good and make more sacks and tackles then last year all the Bucs players gotta do is play harder.

A-Train

07-08-2002, 12:44 PM

With the departure of Donnie, i am not too sure. Lynch is still in prime, Jackson is improving, and Barber is stellar. I just hope kelly can push himself to everyone elses caliber

LifesAir~TB

07-10-2002, 02:40 AM

we got Buckely so I think we ought to be in more than alright shape.

RBarberFan20

07-18-2002, 04:12 PM

Absolutely! Lynch and Barber are one of the greatest CB/S tandems in the history of the game!

I loved Donnie, but I'm sure he's glad to be in New York with Herm. T-Buc has eased that pain a little.

Dexter dissapointed me last year. Hopefully, he will have a breakout year. If not, Jermaine Phillips will take the spot.

Still the best defensive backfield in the league.

Luke

dbucfan

07-18-2002, 04:44 PM

Keeping Dwight Smith on the bench is silly, he needs to be playing now - losing Donnie stung - but Dwight is a more than a able replacement.

Buclife

07-18-2002, 07:15 PM

They will be the best in the game. Am I out of line saying that with the addition of Buckley that our defense has gotten better. I for one am not concerned so much with losing Duncan when Nate has been waiting in the shadows.Our d-line is still the best and I belive that when it is all said and done, we will be hoisting the Lombardi trophy in JAN.