The Tampa Bay playoff drought is one of the longest playoff droughts in the NFL. Not due to the Florida heat, but because the Buccaneers haven’t made it to the playoffs in 12 years. Tampa has only come close once in the last five seasons. That was in 2016 when they won 10 games and missed out due to a tie breaker to the Green Bay Packers.
What Caused the Tampa Bay Playoff Drought?
The reason behind the Bucs drought isn’t a secret. Tampa’s defense has been one of the worst for years. In fact, Tampa had statistically the worst defense in NFL history last season. They gave up nearly 400 yards a game to opposing teams. So bad, in fact, they went eight weeks without forcing any turnovers and negated anything their leagues-best passing offense put onto the scoreboard. The offense dissected defenses for over 320 pass yards a game, and 400 yards of total offense. This was in part was due to the coaching staff, play calling and turnstile of players coming in and out of positions. Mike Smith’s defense on the other hand posted 10 yards off the line of scrimmage in 3rd and 5. They constantly had predictable play-calling get sniffed out. There was a refusal to commit to a rushing attack, and far more questions than answers. A puzzle with most of the pieces, and a few that didn’t fit.
What Changed?
Fast forward to today, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are almost an entirely new puzzle. At the centerpiece is a proven winner in Head Coach Bruce Arians, who came out to coach a team he’s described as the “most talented roster” he’s ever had. Already big pieces of the puzzle, a 25 year old 6 foot 5 monster of a WR who has rightfully deemed himself “Godzilla”, and a QB who looks to prove himself worthy of a second contract after a rocky start to his career. Arians took those core pieces and completely revamped the secondary this offseason to address Tampas biggest areas of weakness. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers now have everything they need to make a playoff run.
Offense
Tampa already had the biggest thing needed to win games: an offense that can score and score often. In 2018, the Buccaneers offense was lethal, holding the crown of top passing off for most of the season and ranking in the top half of the NFL in points scored per game with 25 a game, good for 12th best across the league. While the Bucs aerial attack was surgical, its rushing attack could be compared to the surgical-based game for kids, Operation, where you try and remove pieces without touching the sensitive edges that would sound an alarm.
Tampa hit a lot of those edges in 2018, with their offensive line edge protectors struggling to keep defenses at bay to spring running back Peyton Barber. Injuries as well as using players such as Caleb Benenoch, naturally a Tackle, at Guard created a weak link that opposing teams noticed almost immediately. This weakness created little to no space for Tampa’s rushing attack. Arians has since addressed this issue, replacing the Offensive Line coach and bringing in Earl Watford who has worked for him before and knows his playing style, re-signing anchor and blind-side protector of Jameis Winston, reinforcing the line and the weakest link.
The Buccaneers also added WR Scotty Miller and Breshad Perriman to their already stacked receiving core to replace the loss of Desean Jackson who was traded to the Eagles, bringing more speed and size to compliment Mike “Godzilla” Evans, slot man Chris Godwin, and BOTH 6’6 TE’s OJ Howard and Cameron Brate, who look to pick up right where they left off now that both are healthy and cleared to play. Tampa’s surgical offense looks to become sterile, erasing any doubt about their capabilities.
Defense
Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) works out prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
The Buccaneers defense took on a whole new look, with Arians hiring former Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles. They also drafted the award winning, and unanimously the best LB in college football, Devin White to pair up with stud Lavonte David to kick off his tenure. Shortly after, Tampa added three more secondary pieces, one safety and two cornerbacks that all ran a 4.40 yard dash or better, focusing on the speed and physicality the “old” Bucs did.
This wouldn’t complete the defensive transformation, however, as the Bucs would add the definition of nasty, DT Ndamukong Suh after releasing Gerald McCoy. The once “soft” defense that allowed offenses to plow through them now anchored with big bodies who love contact at the line of scrimmage. While the “old” Bucs played prevent, Bowles defense is all about attack now, ask questions never. Switching to a 3-4 will allow Tampas veteran defensive players, now down to a handful, a chance to showcase talent hidden away in years prior such as Lavonte David’s blitzing ability, and Vernon Hargreaves bait and bite corner routine, playing to the players strengths.
While the puzzles still not fully completed, make no mistake, this is not your same Buccaneers team. This is a team that is all about reloading, attacking and hitting you straight in the mouth. While the roster is young, the teacher is wise and experienced, with some of the best talent in the NFL. There is now no reason the drought should continue. Tampa has found its missing puzzle pieces. It’s time for the Tampa Bay playoff drought to end.
