Tampa Bay Defense - any lessons for Bama Defensive Coaches?

[Jkl0802]

So Tampa Bay wanted to prevent Mahomes from scrambling and they wanted to pressure him too; Thought their DL played great (Also thought the 2 deep zone defense was brilliant). So does this mean when Alabama plays a running / scrambling QB and the “mush rush” talk begins, that containing a QB doesn’t necessarily mean equal pressure up the field? The Tampa Bay defensive line was attacking Mahomes, and I think it got to Mahomes and changed the way he played most of the season. Sacks may not be a critical statistic but I believe slobber-knocking a QB certainly does appear to be one.

 

[81usaf92]

Different game with different rules. College football rules favor heavily to offense while the NFL is more pure classic football. Then you also have to see the amount of talent on those teams.

I guess we can take concepts, but putting up this type of production that Tampa did tonight is probably never going to happen vs good offenses in college.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Dominate the line of scrimmage with four guys. There’s still not an offense wrong that can beat the kind of disruption Tampa did last night.

 

[81usaf92]

Dominate the line of scrimmage with four guys. There’s still not an offense wrong that can beat the kind of disruption Tampa did last night.

True but other than 2018 Clemson where have we seen a truly great D line? Even then 3 of the 4 Dlinemen had 1st round grades in 2017 but were talked into returning by Dabo. D lines like what we saw last night are rarely that intact for a year in college because most leave the second they get a high draft grade.

 

[Padreruf]

Dominate with the front four and have 2 outstanding ILB's...they really played about as well as one can...

 

[seebell]

Wasn't KC missing their two starting tackles?

 

[81usaf92]

Wasn't KC missing their two starting tackles?

Yes. But Tampa was whipping their guards as well. The inside pressure was just as effective as the outside

 

[Padreruf]

Yes. But Tampa was whipping their guards as well. The inside pressure was just as effective as the outside

The inside pressure kept him from stepping up into the pocket...the game hasn't changed in regard to the truth that it is won at the LOS.

 

[81usaf92]

The inside pressure kept him from stepping up into the pocket...the game hasn't changed in regard to the truth that it is won at the LOS.

The OP’s original question was could we take anything away from the game to implement it to our defense (I think). Yes a dominating d line can wreck any offense at any level, but it is so much more difficult to have 3 experienced and highly talented d linemen at the same time in college. There is so much turnover on the rosters. In the NFL you can buy and plug those positions.

 

[Tenntiderman]

So Tampa Bay wanted to prevent Mahomes from scrambling and they wanted to pressure him too; Thought their DL played great (Also thought the 2 deep zone defense was brilliant). So does this mean when Alabama plays a running / scrambling QB and the “mush rush” talk begins, that containing a QB doesn’t necessarily mean equal pressure up the field? The Tampa Bay defensive line was attacking Mahomes, and I think it got to Mahomes and changed the way he played most of the season. Sacks may not be a critical statistic but I believe slobber-knocking a QB certainly does appear to be one.

No question about that. You could see it in his eyes. Credit to Mahommes. He is a winner if all he needs to worry about is his own performance. The pass rush got it done...all night. And I am no nfl fan. I had guests anf they wanted to see the game in hopes that Brady would be humbled. He was not.

 

[Tenntiderman]

Not saying he will..but I hope that young Mr Mac Jones has every bit the success that young Mr Tom Brady (yes..he is still young) has had and will have next year.

 

[81usaf92]

I think the biggest takeaway that isn’t getting talked about is that the Bucs were selfless and had fun. The team chemistry was very much like Alabama this year, and probably the biggest factor in the ball game that isn’t getting talked about.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Talk about affecting the QB:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1358628748082429952

 

[BamaMoon]

I just think it proves what we already know. If you can get your defense to play at a higher level than the opposing offense, defense can still win a championship in a one game takes all.

Last night TB's defense was just better than KC's offense (and yes, missing starting OL tackles contributed).

 

[Tenntiderman]

So Tampa Bay wanted to prevent Mahomes from scrambling and they wanted to pressure him too; Thought their DL played great (Also thought the 2 deep zone defense was brilliant). So does this mean when Alabama plays a running / scrambling QB and the “mush rush” talk begins, that containing a QB doesn’t necessarily mean equal pressure up the field? The Tampa Bay defensive line was attacking Mahomes, and I think it got to Mahomes and changed the way he played most of the season. Sacks may not be a critical statistic but I believe slobber-knocking a QB certainly does appear to be one.

Suh is a beast. Period. He is such a concern to an OL that he creates opportunities and challenges for his opposite side teammates.
Tampa is talented on Defense to begin with..but their quickness on the edge is awesome.

 

[B1GTide]

In the NFL, in the first 5 yards the DB can do almost anything except hold and get away with it. Physical play by DBs in that 5 yards slows receivers and throws them off of their routes. Combine that with a dominant pass rush and the offense is forced to take the short passes and run plays. KC refused to do either.

Run the ball and force TB to bring up their safeties in run support while also slowing the pass rush. Then throw over the top to those burners at WR. Just a horribly called offensive game by KC. Not taking anything away from the Bucs, but some blame falls on Reid for refusing to adjust.

 

[81usaf92]

Suh is a beast. Period. He is such a concern to an OL that he creates opportunities and challenges for his opposite side teammates.

The scary thing is there is credible sources saying that the Bucs and JJ Watt are in talks about coming to Tampa next year and the Bucs have the 7th best cap space situation in the league.

 

[81usaf92]

In the NFL, in the first 5 yards the DB can do almost anything except hold and get away with it. Physical play by DBs in that 5 yards slows receivers and throws them off of their routes. Combine that with a dominant pass rush and the offense is forced to take the short passes and run plays. KC refused to do either.

Run the ball and force TB to bring up their safeties in run support while also slowing the pass rush. Then throw over the top to those burners at WR. Just a horribly called offensive game by KC. Not taking anything away from the Bucs, but some blame falls on Reid for refusing to adjust.

Andy Reid couldn’t bring himself to run Helaire or atleast dump it off to him. Tampa basically eliminated Tyreek with safeties playing back. The Chiefs just never committed to smart football.

 

[B1GTide]

Andy Reid couldn’t bring himself to run Helaire or atleast dump it off to him. Tampa basically eliminated Tyreek with safeties playing back. The Chiefs just never committed to smart football.

The game plan seemed to be, "let Mahomes win it playing sandlot football".

 

[gtgilbert]

So Tampa Bay wanted to prevent Mahomes from scrambling and they wanted to pressure him too; Thought their DL played great (Also thought the 2 deep zone defense was brilliant). So does this mean when Alabama plays a running / scrambling QB and the “mush rush” talk begins, that containing a QB doesn’t necessarily mean equal pressure up the field? The Tampa Bay defensive line was attacking Mahomes, and I think it got to Mahomes and changed the way he played most of the season. Sacks may not be a critical statistic but I believe slobber-knocking a QB certainly does appear to be one.

There's a lot to unpack in what Tampa did.

Schematically, they played in a 2-4 for most of the night. This is something that Bama has also started doing, but we still use our 3-3 look more often than not. That said, one of tampa's OLBs weights 275, so he's not much smaller than some of our DEs, but he gives them a lot of scheme versatility. The other OLB is right at 250. Our OLBs typically are in the 250 range, with a few a bit bigger, but this year we were pretty small with Allen at 250 and Anderson only around 235. Due to that, we have to play more 3-3 to help against the run and really only used the 2-4 in pass heavy downs. it also helps that White is really fast, so he can close down the QB effectively from his ILB spot

Stylistically, you hit two things. Mush rush and zone. Bama typically uses the mush rush because we play a lot of man coverage, so the LBs and short route DBs are not able to help contain the QB on a scramble. By playing more zone, Tampa is able to have the LBs and DBs help if a mobile QB breaks out. Bama has been zone averse for a while, but Saban has been pushing the DCs to call a more varied combination of zone v man coverages so that we can let the rush go full bore more often.