December 1, 2025 • 50 mins
Team Reporter Casey Phillips sits down with Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles & Pass Game Coordinator George Edwards following the Week 13 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. They discuss managing situational football, the responsibilities of a Pass Game Coordinator, and players making the most of their opportunities.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
That's what's not three?
Speaker 2 (00:01):
What's the three?
Speaker 1 (00:05):
This is Buccaneers Total Access with head coach Todd Bowles.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
That the hell of the job, going back, come back, Robin,
make up those a sideline route.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
It is pot Paw, Pop Paul, my Cabots or the
guy try call over it touched down.
Speaker 4 (00:22):
Tampa Bay Fire the Cannons katup going.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Brought to you by Advent Health. Whether you're in the stands,
on the field, or celebrating with your greatest fan, Advent
Health make sure you're ready for game day and every
day feel home with advent Health Exclusive Hospital of the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Speaker 4 (00:40):
Fire the Cannons.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Now your host, Bucks team reporter Casey Phillips and head
coach Todd Bowles.
Speaker 5 (00:49):
Welcome into the Todd Bowles show Casey Phillips here with
head coach Todd Bowles. First of all, congratulations on that win,
and uh, tell me just a little bit about what
that meant to the team and the vibe in the
locker room afterwards.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Back in that wind column, the vibe was confident, yet
not satisfied. Obviously, we lost three before that, so to
get back in the wing column is important for us.
Speaker 6 (01:10):
It's huge.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
We know it wasn't perfect, but none of these games
gonna be perfect. It's gonna be hard fought all the
way till the end, and those guys gutted it out.
Speaker 5 (01:19):
I'm sure Baker being able to play was a huge
boost to everybody, not just from his play standpoint, but
just even the excitement of knowing he's fighting through it
to be out there with the guys. So what was
that like to see everybody's reaction when they knew he'd
be able to go, and then how his play also
lifted the.
Speaker 7 (01:34):
Team a bit.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
I think it was his first scramble that everybody took
a deep breath. But he slid one time, he got
out of bounds one time, and he made some plays
early on to keep some drives going. When everybody saw
he was fine, I think that picked everybody up.
Speaker 5 (01:47):
You know, what were your thoughts on is the sliding
and scrambling ability and what goes through your head when
he has been banged up a little bit and you
see him still take off occasionally.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
I think he's very smart. I think he's very competitive,
which you can't take away from him, but he's very
He knows what to do with the ball when he
has to, And how.
Speaker 5 (02:03):
Did it progress throughout the week in terms of, you know,
the practice reps and I know Teddy was getting some
of that, and just the way it affected the game
planning and preparation to be a little unsure, and how
they were able to still work cohesively offensively when there
was that uncertainty throughout the week.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Wednesday, we weren't sure at all because he was very sore,
so Teddy took most of the reps even though it
was the walk through. Thursday, Teddy took most of the
throwing reps, but Bega started throwing some and Friday he
looked great.
Speaker 6 (02:28):
He went through a whole practice and he.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Looked great out there, and we scaled some things back
and changed some things on offense, so he didn't have
to learn anything new once he started playing, So it
was kind of like a normal week as far as
him from a mental standpoint.
Speaker 4 (02:41):
I know.
Speaker 5 (02:41):
Baker also completed passes to nine players in the game,
which is his most in a single game all this season.
So how important was that to not only have him back,
but to have so many different guys get involved, and
why this game was the one that.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Called for that need to start spreading around a little more.
You know, when they started killing on Mecca with Chris
coming back and started killing on him, everybody else needs
to get involved. And the more we can spread the
ball around, the more dangerous will become.
Speaker 5 (03:04):
I know. Getting Bucky back also had to be a
pretty big boost for the team, for the offense and
how everybody felt. So what was that like seeing him
as he's been progressing through practice and then getting to
actually run out there and it be a home game
with the fans all, you know, chanting for him and
excited to see him back.
Speaker 6 (03:18):
It was great for him.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
It was great for the guys as well to see
him out there. He played like he never left. You know,
he really got the ball, moved around and there took
some hits, he passed protected, he understood assignments, and he
showed his quickness like he never left before.
Speaker 5 (03:32):
And what was the plan of was he going to
be on a pitch count of sorts or what was
the idea of how you I know you've been ramping
him up in practice for a while, but in terms
of the game itself, how many carries you were planning
on him having and just what he showed about how
fully ready he is to be one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
It was more or less game flow. We knew he
was one hundred percent, but it was a matter of
how the game was going then how he was running,
just to having his first time back out there. But
he made some good runs early on, so we put
him back in there and kept putting them back in there,
and he got warm take us.
Speaker 5 (04:02):
Through his touchdown that ended up getting to count. We
know there was another one, which I'm sure that had
to be so sad. As you know, we think we
get his favorite, his first touchdown back. So what was
it like to get that second one and what worked
well on that play?
Speaker 3 (04:13):
I think we blocked it but was supposed to go inside,
but when they Tristan ended up blogging it or Luke
end up blogging it coming around that he saw a
hole outside, he hit a crease and he can take
off from there. He has great vision and once he
saw that hole, he took off and win.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
During the game, he reached two thousand scrimmage yards in
his twenty second career game. He's just the third player
in franchise history to hit that in their first twenty
five games, and the only running backs drafted since twenty
eighteen that have hit that in the first twenty two
or save one Barkley, Jumior Gibbs, Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Taylor.
So he's in pretty elite company there in terms of
how fast he's come out early in his career. So
(04:49):
what is it about him that in terms of especially scrimmageyards,
being able to do it both ways? Why he's been
able to reach this so fast even when he did
already miss several games.
Speaker 6 (04:57):
He can make the first guy miss.
Speaker 3 (04:59):
He has a great knack and ability to make the
first guy miss no matter how clean they are, every
single time. And that takes a special skill set to do.
You can't just teach that. You got to have that
coming in. He has that coming in and he understands
or body language wise on the run, how the jump cut,
stop cut, when the takeoff, run somebody over and go
(05:21):
around them all the time.
Speaker 5 (05:23):
I know we mentioned there were some penalties that especially
came in some pretty key moments and removing a couple
of touchdowns. What's the message to the guys about what
you saw from the different penalties and what you felt
like cause that or the thoughts of you know, some penalties, again,
are more acceptable than others at different types of the game.
Speaker 7 (05:38):
So what did you see from those?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Two of them were tough. I thought the one on
Tristan was a bad call. That was completely a bad call.
And then the one on Taz that he ran up
the field, I thought that was questionable. You can accept those.
Those were tight and those were in play calls. So
you got to accept those and keep doing what you're doing.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
And then I know that Tristan let's even though maybe
there was that penalty, redeem himself a bit with a touchdown.
Tell me, I mean, go, he's already been one of
the only ones to ever be All Pro at right
in left tackle.
Speaker 7 (06:07):
We get an all Pro wide receiver now out here.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Well, if he dropped one hundred pounds next year, I
know why he's going to want to change positions and
he's going to want to become an All Pro tight end.
Speaker 5 (06:17):
Yeah, it sounded like he was asking for maybe that
tight end number moving forward. He's our first offensive lineman
and three hundred pounder to get a touchdown this season
across the NFL. He's the fifth in franchise history to
do it. Tell me about that play getting implemented the
decision behind calling it and just what it kind of
did for the team and the offense at that point
in the game.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Hag of a play call by gris very creative to
keep the two receivers off the line and make him
report eligible and put them on the line for him.
All week in practice we were running it and I
know we can't get his head an he's smaller right
now since he caught that touchdown, but it was a
hell of a play design.
Speaker 6 (06:52):
Great catch by him.
Speaker 7 (06:53):
Yeah, not going to fit in that helmet this next week.
Speaker 5 (06:55):
I also imagine that outside Grizzard's door now there's one
of those take a number of things as all the
big men on the team are now asking for their
chance for this Do we feel like all the.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Big men cannot catch so they cannot make that request?
Speaker 4 (07:08):
I like it.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
I like it, And then you know, man talking about catches.
Chris Godwin coming back and playing at this level now
in this game. I know he'd come back a little
bit before, but huge plays. Twenty five thirty one, twenty
two yards his first couple were setting season longs for him.
This was his most receiving yards since Week three or
Week six since of last season because of the injuries.
So why was this game the one where suddenly he's
(07:31):
just going off for these huge plays?
Speaker 7 (07:33):
And just how nice is it to see that Chris
Godwin back.
Speaker 6 (07:36):
He's a lot healthier.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
You know, he got his feet wet last week, but
he's a lot healthier now running in there, and then
he didn't think about too much. And he's a great
player when he's healthy. He was healthy yesterday and he
made some great plays.
Speaker 5 (07:47):
Casey Phillips here with head coach Todd Bowles having been
Bredison back as well, I'm sure it was a big boost.
So what did you see of how he looked and
just what we realized he has come to mean to
this offensive line of center guard whatever he's been and as.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
To do well.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
Ben is the key clog, key cogg in that whole
offensive line because he's very intelligent. He's got more years
on everybody else, but he can point out things and
help guys out more than anybody down there. So having
him back kind of settled everything down from a protection standpoint,
helping Graham out from a line stone point standpoint, helping
(08:22):
out Tristan, helping out Fieni, helping out Luke, so having
Ben back and he's very tough as well, so having
him back was a big plug for us.
Speaker 7 (08:32):
What did you see from the offensive line as a whole,
in both pass.
Speaker 6 (08:35):
And run past came? I thought we had some time.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
They showed us a lot of different looks from a
blitz standpoint that we have to get out of. But
they've sent him more than we could block, and we
had to get rid of the ball. But when we
had him four and five or five on five, I
thought they did a good job.
Speaker 5 (08:50):
Take us through Antoine's interception. I know already Burssett came
in with the NFL history's lowest interception rate for his
career at one point three percent of his passes. Now,
I know, you know he doesn't have necessarily the reps
with some other guys, but still he's thrown plenty of
passes in this league, so not an easy guy to intercept.
Take us through that play, and what the defense as
a whole known multiple guys were involved.
Speaker 6 (09:11):
So well, not at all. I was Dean actually who
tipped it. He should have caught it.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
Actually the ball was thrown behind him and he ald
have been a tough catch for him. But he got
it up in the air and wins always going to
the ball, and when he goes to the ball, good things.
Speaker 6 (09:23):
Happen for us.
Speaker 5 (09:24):
I know you guys now have eleven interceptions this season,
which is the seventh most in the league, and eighteen takeaways.
Speaker 7 (09:30):
Overall are the sixth most in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (09:33):
How do you feel hearing those numbers of where you
guys stand and knowing you know how much that's been
something you've emphasized.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Since last year, we've been emphasizing it, got to have more,
got to have more. We can get our hands on
more balls, and we can punch more balls out.
Speaker 5 (09:46):
That play, in particular, what did that do for you
the momentum of the game and the defense at that point.
I know at that point on that drive, they'd been
marching down fairly effectively until that point.
Speaker 7 (09:57):
So what did that do on that drive and just
what it meant to the game and the defense.
Speaker 6 (10:00):
I think it calmed everybody down.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
I think earlier on they were dinking and dunking us
and getting plays and guys getting frustrated. So to get
that play kind of selled everybody down and we played
ball after that.
Speaker 5 (10:11):
We talked about in recent weeks the need to limit
some of the bigger explosive plays. How did you feel
like that worked in this game and if it was
better or why was it.
Speaker 3 (10:19):
I thought for the most of the game it was fine.
I thought it was great most of the game. At
the end, they got two plays. They got some plays
in because we missed the quarterback a few times. We
got to get the quarterback on the ground. But the
overall scheme of it and how they executed it for
the most.
Speaker 6 (10:33):
Part was good.
Speaker 5 (10:35):
How about Yaya and Vita, They did both get a
sack and get him down. Tell me what worked on
those two individual plays.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
I thought this game, our four guys up front without
pressure got the most pressure they've gotten on a quarterback.
We missed about five or six and left out there,
but they were coming off the ball and they were
in the backfield and we just got to make the plays.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
Now, Vida now has the ninth most sacks in franchise history.
And on a day like that one where you're honoring
Sime and Rice and you see Warren Sap there and
you see all these different guys that this is a
franchise that's had a lot of sacks in its history.
What does that say about him and where he's at
at this point of just especially in that statistical category.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
To be up there in that top ten, well, you
hope to see him walk out there one day and
get retired. But Vita does everything for us. Like I said,
he's one of the key pieces on our defense, and
he's the main guy in the middle that helps everybody
else out, whether he's getting the sacks or whether he's
causing the sacks. He's always around the ball, and he's
always either he gets it or someone else gets it.
(11:32):
And he makes sure that you guys.
Speaker 5 (11:34):
Held the Cardinals to three of eight just thirty eight
percent on third downs.
Speaker 7 (11:38):
What went so much better in that category? In particular execution?
Speaker 3 (11:42):
You know, we won first and second down to get
him in third and longs. Everything wasn't third and short,
and everybody kind of executed and detailed their job.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
I know, Servasier led the team with ten tackles. That
was his third game with double digit tackles this season,
and he added a quarterback hit. Where did this rank
in his games that he's played so far the year?
Speaker 6 (12:00):
One of his better games.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
He played very solid football. He was really aggressive in
the run, game going downhill, he was where he's supposed
to be in his own game. He made the last
play on the fourth and two, fourth and three to
get the game over with, and he's really coming to
his own right now.
Speaker 5 (12:15):
Yah. One of the biggest ways you've seen him grow
over the course of the season being asked to do
a lot for your defense in this starting role.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Just mentally, I really think Levonte's helped him out a
great deal just understanding his job and being where he's
supposed to be and not trying to do everyone's job.
It's great to tell everybody where to go and what
to do, but at the same time, just do your
job and everybody else.
Speaker 6 (12:35):
To do theirs.
Speaker 5 (12:36):
Someone who's been doing his job all years, Tyke Smith.
He was on recover the fumble that was forced by
Logan Hall. That was Tyke's second fumble recovery this season
in the first force fumble of Hall's career.
Speaker 7 (12:48):
What did they do well on that play?
Speaker 3 (12:50):
Well, Logan got the strip, he went down, took a
double team on, came off and got his hand in
there and punched it out and Tyke got the recovery
along with wins interception. Ronically, those two are around the
ball all the time in practice, so it's fitting that
those two come up with the turnovers.
Speaker 7 (13:06):
So I know that we knew going in McBride.
Speaker 5 (13:09):
That's quite a tight end they have over there, and
incredible to be leading the league and the team in
a lot of different categories. And tell me what you
feel like you guys did well facing him and then
what happened on his touchdown.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
I thought we really limited him in the first half.
Obviously we had some coverages that went very well for us.
In the second half, I thought between the quarterback getting
out scrambling, I thought we played the wrong leverage as
far as where we should be on him when he
got the touchdown. But he's a great receiver and he's
gonna make a play or two.
Speaker 5 (13:38):
How do you feel like the defense has done overall
against titands this year and what would be something that
you hope would get a little bit better throughout the
rest of the season against them.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
Who I'm trying to remember, a lot of people, a
lot of tight ends. For the most part, I don't
think they got down the field on us from that standpoint.
If somebody got open, it was more or less probably
his own coverage or anything that he liked to clamp
down on our receivers.
Speaker 6 (14:03):
A little bit more.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
The tight ends inside are a little easier to take
care of, just because you have more people around them
as opposed to the outside guys. But they had some
great tight ends coming up in this league that run
like receivers and they block like tackles, and they're very
hard and they're very big to come by. So we
just got to do our due diligence to make sure
we know where they are.
Speaker 5 (14:23):
You know, it's been nice to ask so many different
questions about how cool it's been to get different guys
back after so many other shows. It was about how
many people we'd lost, and then so we already talked
about you know, Bucky and Brettison and all these guys,
and now you know Hassan, you were able to get
him back as well. What did you see from him
in his first game back in the hopes of and
expectations of him throughout the rest of the year.
Speaker 6 (14:41):
I thought he got off the ball well.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
I thought he got off the ball well for his
first time back in pads, and he got back there.
Speaker 6 (14:47):
He just got to finish and close the deal.
Speaker 5 (14:49):
I know Anthony Nelson got a nice stop to cause
a turnover run downs in the fourth quarter. How did
you see he and just the rest of the outside
linebackers played, particularly.
Speaker 7 (14:56):
In the run game.
Speaker 6 (14:57):
That was huge for us. That was fourth and one.
Speaker 3 (15:00):
Obviously it got through about midfield to make that stop.
It's just like having a turnover. So Nelly always comes
up with the play and you rely on him to
come up with plays, and he had to take on
the block one with Bride and he got off and
made a play. I thought Braswell played very hard. I
thought he made some plays in the run game as well.
And Yah yah who started us off with the sack.
(15:20):
He gets going, So those guys contributed.
Speaker 5 (15:23):
I know that the special teams had some big moments.
I know the pun coverage seemed to be pretty solid
for most of the game. And we'd love to hear
your thoughts on just overall special teams and Chase and
Riley Dixon's games as well.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Riley gave us a chance. He did a great job
punting him inside the twenty. Chase got the long field goal.
He seems to be an expert at kicking fifty something
yard field goals, and I thought the covers unit had
gotten better from the past two weeks.
Speaker 5 (15:48):
And then, as we briefly mentioned earlier, Simeon Rice got
inducted in the Ring of Honor. I know you were
a little bit busy at halftime so didn't quite get
to hear his speech, but would just love to hear
what you remember of Simeon in his playing days and
how cool to see a.
Speaker 7 (15:59):
Guy like him go in the ring.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
I know he was a sack specialist, and I know
he could come around the edge all the time. Every
time you looked up, he could come around the edge
and he was getting the sack, and that he was
making plays.
Speaker 6 (16:09):
And I was like, who is this guy?
Speaker 3 (16:10):
And I started watching Tampa more as I got to
see him. He was a great player. I mean, he
was a very good player. He should be Hall of
Fame worthy.
Speaker 7 (16:18):
Cac phelllips here with head coach Todd Bowles.
Speaker 5 (16:19):
So looking ahead now to these remaining games, four of
the final five are division and I know that it
is fairly typical to try to backload some of those
division games, but four or five is quite a load
here at the end when it's going to be what
comes down to the playoff situation. What are the sort
of the unique pros and cons of that many that
close together at the end of the season.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
I don't think the vision matters as much as playing
them at the end or in the beginning.
Speaker 6 (16:44):
The fact is you got to win them all.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
Whether you're playing in the division or out of the division.
Speaker 6 (16:48):
You got five games left. We have to win them,
and we got to take them.
Speaker 3 (16:52):
One by one. They happen to be division games. We
control our own destiny, and that's what we're focused on
right now. We're going to go day by day and
we're gonna take them one at a time.
Speaker 5 (17:01):
So when you look back at the first matchup against
New Orleans, what are some of the things that you
learned from that that would still apply.
Speaker 7 (17:06):
This second time.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
Well, the quarterback's different. He played in the second half. Obviously,
he's gotten a lot more experiencing games since we've last
played them. We know they played tough on defense and
we got turnovers to win that ball game. We have
to win the turnover battle for us to make this
game look the same.
Speaker 5 (17:23):
And then I know Alvin Kamara has had a bit
of an injury recently. Overall, what do you see is
their rushing game. They've got other threats like Govin, Neil
Taysom Hill as to me, like, what are some of
the things that you feel like rushing wise, whether or
not he's in there, how much that affects what.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
They might be able to do or not well with
kamaraut Neil and Tayson's taking the bulk of the work. Obviously,
we know Taysam we can do it from the quarterback
position or the full back position, and Neil is the
other one that carried the ball quite a bit, so
they create quite a tandem with those two.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
How different do you feel like we are now than
the first matchup? We talked about some of the ways
that they're different in terms of now their quarterbacks had
a little bit more time. Do you see us being
different than we were in that first matchup.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
I think we're getting some guys back that we didn't
have in the first matchup, and we kind of know
how they're going to play us, they know how we're
going to play them, and we just got a battle.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
I believe that Chris Olave is one of the most targeted,
if not the most targeted wide receiver in the league.
What are the ways that you've seen them use him
and the threat.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
That he can be when they move him around. He
plays all three positions. He plays X, he plays Z,
he plays slot, he runs shallow routes, he runs deep routes,
and they're really moving them and getting them the ball
every way possible, trying to expose his ability that way.
Speaker 6 (18:33):
So we got to make sure we know where he
is at all times.
Speaker 7 (18:36):
And how about the trenches on both sides of the
ball for them.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
Defensively, they're very tough, they're hard to move. They're very
prideful group, and they play like that. Offensively, they got
some big linemen and they try to out muscle you
and then take it from there.
Speaker 5 (18:50):
Knowing that also you then have a Thursday night football
game after that against another divisional team. How does that
affect the timing and game planning and what you guys
are trying to do. Maybe this week, how do you
make sure that you try to spend the time to
maybe look ahead to that, but not look over this
next game.
Speaker 7 (19:05):
That's also so important.
Speaker 3 (19:07):
Through everything you can to prepare for the Saints. Then
toward the end of the week, when it lightens up
a little bit and you get a start on.
Speaker 5 (19:12):
Atlanta, and what have you noticed about their secondary from
this last matchup, and just in general some of the
challenges that they pose.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
Very good at covers dis guise. They don't give up
a lot of plays, So we got to be very
smart where we're putting the ball at understanding, they make
the ball go over the middle and I got a
lot of guys in there that try to get the ball,
So we got to be very smart.
Speaker 5 (19:31):
And looking at now these games again, you have this
one and then there's a shorter week on Thursday night football.
How does that affect which guys might be available when
and how you try to ramp guys up from injury,
things like whether it be you know, Mike Evans or
Jalen McMillan, and how that.
Speaker 7 (19:44):
Might affect it.
Speaker 3 (19:45):
Just might see how they doing practice, you know, it's
all about how they're doing practice and how they're coming
along and how they're feeling then how they're fitting in,
and then we make those decisions as they come.
Speaker 7 (19:54):
All right, well, coach, thanks as always for the time
and good luck.
Speaker 3 (19:57):
This next week.
Speaker 6 (19:57):
Thank you.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
Coming up next to on Buccaneers total access is pass
game coordinator George Edwards brought to you by Advan Health.
Speaker 7 (20:03):
This is Buccaneers Radio.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Buccaneers Total Access, brought to you by advent Health, Exclusive
Hospital of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dropping back the vote,
We've threatened the blitz of coming after the home Fussy
Sacked from the backfield at the forty two yard line,
Vitavea has his fourth sack of the season. Now more
with Bucks team reporter Casey Phillips.
Speaker 5 (20:24):
Welcome back into Buccaneers Total Access brought to you by
Advan Health. First half of the show, we had head
coach Todd Bowles. Now I'm so excited to be joined
by past game coordinator George Edwards.
Speaker 7 (20:34):
Coach, Thanks for being with us, Thanks for having me.
Speaker 4 (20:36):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (20:37):
So great to have you on after a win always
makes everything better. Tell me just some of your big
picture takeaways.
Speaker 7 (20:43):
From the game.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
I think the big thing was being able to come
away with some turnovers, getting some critical stops, and fourth
down doing a good job, and third down so handling
some of a situational football that we were facing the
last two minutes. All those kind of things, seeing guys
rise up and recognize being in those situations and being
able to handle the adjustments and make plays in that
situation was a big plus for us.
Speaker 5 (21:06):
Yeah, and I mean you're facing a backup quarterback, but
Brissette's not a typical backup. He's had a lot of
starter type reps in this league. So what was kind
of the unique challenge of him and facing a backup
that doesn't really qualify.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Yeah, I mean, he's got a lot of experience in
this league. You're not going to really fool him with
too many looks. I mean, he's seen a lot of
football over his career, and just seeing him operate the
offense over the last couple of weeks and seeing the
things that they've adjusted schematically, you know, from making a
quarterback change, and you know, just seeing him handle those situations,
you kind of knew you know what you were going against,
(21:39):
and you know, those guys rally around him and play
hard for him and get where they need to be.
Speaker 4 (21:43):
So it was good to go out and be able
to execute and have success.
Speaker 5 (21:48):
How incredible to get that interception when I think I
read that he is the lowest interception rate of any
quarterback like in NFL history, at one point three percent
of his passes. So to get an interception against a
guy like that's pretty impressive.
Speaker 7 (22:01):
Tell me what worked on that play?
Speaker 4 (22:02):
Yeah, no doubt about it.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
We were in his own coverage where pattern matching and
guys were good with their eyes and able to you know,
we were insulating the receiver underneath and on top, and
we're able to get a hand on it, get it
tipped up, and Win came up with the interception. So
it was a good job really by everyone with the
pass rush. I mean, he was under pressure at the time,
so we had to release it and guys came through
(22:25):
and being where they're.
Speaker 4 (22:25):
Supposed to be and making a play.
Speaker 7 (22:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (22:27):
You guys now have eighteen takeaways this season, which is
the sixth most in the NFL, and eleven interceptions, which
is the seventh most in the NFL. I know that's
been just a huge point of emphasisis from Bowls this
last year.
Speaker 7 (22:38):
I'm sure from all of you guys to the players.
Speaker 5 (22:41):
Why do you think those stats have been able to
improve after last year and really put more of an
emphasis on that.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
I think the big part was there was something that
we emphasied, like you said, this offseason. It was something
we emphasized in training camp, and I think guys having
a total understanding schematically what we're trying to do defensively
and where we needed them, And anytime you're getting picks
like that, it's a part of the pass rush, it's
a part of everything. So you know what our pressure packages, guys,
(23:08):
you know, being accountable where they need to be in
that situation. So it's a credit to those guys of
going after the football and being where they're supposed to be.
Speaker 5 (23:17):
Yeah, is there a line to walk as a coach
where you're wanting guys to make the big play but
you're not wanting them to do it at the expense
of being where they're supposed to be.
Speaker 7 (23:25):
Or trying to do too much. Is that kind of
a tough line to walk? Sometimes that's a tough line.
Speaker 2 (23:30):
But you don't want to play this game scared. I mean,
you want to go out there confident and you know
understand what it is that you're trying to do and
understand how to take educated risks. So at the end
of the day, if you're able to play within this
game and being able to go make a play, we
want you to challenge it and go make the play.
Speaker 4 (23:46):
Take the opportunity to go try to make a play.
Speaker 5 (23:48):
So can you tell me a little bit about for
people who are wanting the past game coordinator but some
people might have thought it meant offensive passing game, but
the defensive passing game coordinator. Tell me a little bit
about what this role entails for people who don't know.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
I think it's just a part of trying to help
make sure that we all stay on the same page
with what we're doing coverage wise, and you know what
we're doing schematically from you position a position, whether it's
underneath coverage or you know, corner safeties, whatever that may
detail from week to week, and it's just a matter
of keeping everything organized and making sure conceptionally we're doing
(24:22):
everything on the right page as far as everybody understanding
the concepts we're trying to get taught.
Speaker 5 (24:27):
What do you think it is from your coaching background
that has helped you in this role of the fact
that you do have to have such an understanding of
every level because, like you said, everyone out there is
a part of the past game defense. How challenging is
that to be able to have the knowledge of all
those different positions and how you were able to kind
of have that background for it.
Speaker 2 (24:44):
Yeah, it's been a blessing for me throughout my career
being able to work with different positions, whether it's been
up with the front or in the back end. So
I credit that to just having an opportunity has been
blessed to have the opportunities to work with the front,
work with the linebackers, work with the secondary throughout the
course of my career, and have a total understanding of
what Coach Bowls wants to get done.
Speaker 4 (25:05):
From week to week.
Speaker 5 (25:06):
We're talking to past game coordinator George Edwards. Tell me
what you've seen so far this season about maybe what
some of the biggest improvements in the past game have
been since Week one to now.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
I think the continuity as we've gone through the course
of the season. I mean, we're started off with a
new nickelback this year or Parish, who's a rookie that
came in and did an outstanding job in the offseason
and training camp and getting him involved and understanding the
different things that happened during the course of a game
where the stacks, bunches, whatever that made detail from week
to week and just all the things that we have
(25:38):
call wise and being able to adjust to him as far.
Speaker 4 (25:41):
As leveraging coverage and those kind of things.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
I think our coaches have done a good job of
expressing at to them and getting him to understand those
situations and just the different situations that come up in
a game.
Speaker 4 (25:51):
But then also you.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
Look at veteran guys that we have, I mean Tyke
moving from the nickelback to safety, a win who's been
in the scheme for a while and you know what
we're asking him to do. And then our corners, you know,
like you know, just guys from week to week, they've
been in and out of the lineup, and you know,
guys that have come in don't have as much experience
in it. So it's always a challenge to just make
(26:13):
sure that everybody's on the same page. Understand what we're
trying to do defensively, understand not only from a schematic standpoint,
but from a situational standpoint and matchups from week to week.
Speaker 5 (26:24):
What are some of the unique things about being a
pass gave coordinator under a Todd Bulls defense of what
separates his past game defense from maybe other teams.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
I think the biggest thing is the multiples. I mean,
there's a lot of multiples. There's a lot of different
concepts that we throw a people from disguising their coverages
to where we're going to end up and how we're
going to get to the final solution of what we
need to get to. So, you know, it's a lot
of volume, but I think our guys understand when you
break down the fundamentals and the techniques of it, that's
(26:55):
what it's about.
Speaker 5 (26:55):
At the end of the day, what are the biggest
things that you're working on with the different units overall
as you look forward of the passing game as a whole,
where you'd like to see some improvement in these ever
important games coming up.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
I think the biggest thing and the biggest challenge for us,
like coming out of the game yesterday as for example,
is just when we get in position to make plays,
making sure guys leverage and tackle leveraging the routes up
the field, make sure we keep our proper leverage, and
then you know, seeing the quarterback when the ball's.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
Thrown to go finish on the play. I mean, at
the end of the day, that's what it boils down to.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
You're going to get in these one on one matchups
and we've got to win those matchups.
Speaker 5 (27:32):
We've talked about Angoline getting his interception. Overall, just how
great has it been to have him be healthier this
year and available more and what you've seen of what
that's offered him in a consistency standpoint.
Speaker 7 (27:42):
And his role on the defense this year.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Yeah, it's really benefited us a lot. You know, his
availability each and every week is is good. He does
a great job with communication. I think guys look to
him for leadership for calls and stuff in the secondary
and having him out there with the experience that he
has in our system has just been great for us
out the course of the season.
Speaker 5 (28:01):
How have you seen he and Tykee make each other
better back there now that Tyke has moved into that role,
Because it's very important who you're playing next to and
what that that allows you to do and the strengths
and weaknesses it might bring out and you depending on
who's with you. So how have you seen the two
of them influence each other?
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Just watching them day to day work together, communicate together,
being on the same page. I think they hold each
other to a certain standard because they both understand what
it's supposed to look like from their position, and just
seeing them day in and day out, you know, as
they work, you know, whether it's in a classroom, whether
it's on the field, and the expectations that they have
(28:40):
put on themselves of what they're supposed to look like,
and they wear it on their sleeve.
Speaker 4 (28:45):
I mean, they'll tell you exactly what it is that
they think.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
They're very confident in the calls and communications that we
have to make, and I think the guys you know,
are very confident with them when they make a call
that they're going to.
Speaker 4 (28:54):
Get us in the right situation.
Speaker 5 (28:56):
What do you think it is about Antwine that lets
him get such huge plays? It feels like when he
makes a play, it's at such an important moment, it's
such a big play. You know, of course we're about
to play New Orleans and thinking about all the ones
that whether or not they counted, we don't even need
to get into that from the last game. But just
the way he's able to make such big, huge, important
game changing plays. What about the way he practices, prepares
(29:19):
his physical aspects. If you were to try to explain why.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
He's that guy, I would have to say one of
the main things with them is consistency. He's consistent every day. Well,
it's a good bad way. The one thing you can
count on him is his preparation. It's going to be
non flawed. His you know, physical preparation for the game.
All of those things are gonna be from week to week,
from day to day, are going to be on par
(29:45):
for what you want. And I think you see that
he goes into the game prepared and then he's able
to just go play when he gets in the game.
Speaker 5 (29:53):
And then when it comes to Tykee, why do you
think he works so well as a safety in particular?
Speaker 7 (29:57):
I mean, he did a great job at Nicol.
Speaker 5 (29:59):
What is it about safet that he's really built for
and his experience in the past of what all that
has added up to why that's his position. You guys
have decided he's going to excel at the most.
Speaker 4 (30:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
I mean he's got a unique skill set where he
can you know, he can match on receivers underneath and coverage,
which Win did early in his career too. A lot
of similarities you look at Tayke, you know, playing in
a half field, play in quarters, all of those things,
or whether he's down and covered three or down in
man coverage. I mean having a skill set to be
able to be that multiple and matchup player, you know,
(30:32):
especially within our scheme of things, is a big benefit
for us, and I think that's what he brings to it.
And then he accepts every challenge and is willing to
go and match up against anything, and we asking him
match up against and does a good job with them.
Speaker 5 (30:45):
All Right, We're gonna take a quick break here on
Buccaneers Total Access brought to you by advent Health. We're
talking to past game coordinator George Edwards. This is Buccaneers Radio.
Speaker 1 (30:53):
You were listening to Buccaneers Total Access with head coach
Todd Bowles and Bucks team reporter in case he Philip.
Brought to you by advan Health, Exclusive Hospital of the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Speaker 5 (31:06):
Welcome back into Buccaneers Total Access, brought to you by
advent Health. We are talking to pass game coordinator George Edwards.
So right before the break, we were talking about Tyke
and he got his twelfth pass defense off the year
versus the Rams, which in the top you know, five
or six in the NFL this season, and that and
six tackle for a loss tied for the fourthmost by
(31:26):
a defensive back this year. Tell me those particular stats,
what that says about him and why he's able to
make those kind of plays.
Speaker 2 (31:33):
Again, his versatility, like I said, whether it's back you know,
deep in coverage or down Airlana scrimmage you know, and
coverage and then the run fits as a blitzer, I mean,
he brings a unique skill set to that position for
what it is that you know, we try to get
accomplished and him went both. I mean their skill sets
allow us to do a lot of different things. You know,
(31:53):
with all the blitz packages and all the different packages
that we use. Personnel, weise having chess pieces that you
can and go match up TAKEI is a great guy
to match up with what it's underneath or deep, and
then I.
Speaker 7 (32:06):
Know also the safeties and corners.
Speaker 5 (32:08):
You know, there are two different position groups have two
different position coaches obviously have to work incredibly close with
each other. What does that look like in meetings on
and off the field of the way that their communication
we hear about like the O line and how important
it is that they have that chemistry or quarterback and
wide receivers. What does that chemistry need to look like
amongst all the different dbs.
Speaker 4 (32:27):
Yeah, I coach.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
Rapone and coach Ross, they both meet together every day,
so have an opportunity to send in those meetings and
you know hear you know them discuss different things that
they're doing, to make sure that everyone's on the same page.
Where there's corners, where it's the safeties, whether we're in reduction,
splits by receivers. Okay, what are we going to do
in this covers this week? Well, this guy's on the ball,
(32:50):
this guy's off the ball. Well, how we're going to
play us this week? Just making sure everybody is in
tuned to exactly you know, what we're trying to do
from covers to coverage and match up.
Speaker 4 (33:00):
You know, from week to week.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
It's critical for those guys in the meetings to make
sure that we're all on the same page and go
out and execute that way. I think it just expedes
that confidence amongst the players, say we're on the same page,
this is how we're going to do it, and this
is how we're going to adjust it.
Speaker 5 (33:15):
I know we briefly mentioned Jacob Parrish earlier and you
guys getting him up to speed. Tell me what you
remember about him coming out of school and the tape
you guys had seen and him joining the team of
what your expectations were.
Speaker 7 (33:25):
Of what he could be.
Speaker 2 (33:26):
Well, you know, looking at him coming out in the draft,
you projected that he would be able to you know,
be able to handle the physical and the matchup presence.
You know, he really did a great job at college
at Kansas State. When you watched him on tape and
his versatility to play inside, to play outside, you just
didn't know, you like, coming in is the transition from
(33:47):
college and pro balls. I mean, everybody's got a different
learning curve with it. But he came in and embraced
the opportunity and just never look back. And you can
just see his confidence has built throughout the course of
you know, from training to the preseason to the regular
season and just seeing him continue to grow and just
understand the different things that people are trying to do.
(34:07):
I think he understands the pro game now. You know,
we're in what week thirteen now, so I think he's
got a good understanding and what that's like and just
what it takes to be a pro. And he's got
great examples in that room. I mean when we talked
about the two safeties, but then you look at Dane
and you look at Zion, I mean another two probs.
I mean they come to work every day locked into
(34:30):
what we're trying to get accomplished. So he's got some
good examples in that room, and I think he's just
file suit, came in and just going to work.
Speaker 4 (34:37):
He always comes in.
Speaker 2 (34:38):
He's very consistent with his time and all of those
things as far as its preparation.
Speaker 5 (34:44):
And how about the potential of Benjamin Morrison. I know
he's had to deal with a lot of injuries, which
that's tough for anybody coming in as a rookie in
the NFL, but especially I think as a corner, what
are the big the biggest challenges of when you're having
to miss that much time in the preseason and training
camp and the ways you guys are working you bring
him into the fold and what you know he could
be in the.
Speaker 7 (35:03):
Future as well.
Speaker 2 (35:04):
Yeah, I mean it's it's always tough when you're injured
because you know, just the consistency from going out there
every day and getting the muscle memory work that it takes,
you know, to play the position, and just understanding the
different concepts because we never really sit stille. I mean
it's always changing, it's always moving, and it's always evolving.
So you know, anytime you've got to miss time through that,
(35:24):
through that process, it kind of you know, makes you
feel uncomfortable. And you know, the big thing is he
missed all the time that he ended up missing an
off season and training camp. But I'll tell you what,
he really has worked hard and we really look forward
to getting them back out there and getting them going,
you know, on a consistent basis. Injuries are part of
the deal and there's nothing you can do about it.
(35:46):
And that's what we try to express to him. Don't
get too down, don't get too frustrated. Your time will come.
I mean, that's one thing about the NFL. It's about
being available and the opportunities will come and when they come,
you just got to make the most of them. So
you know, he's he's done a good job throughout the
process of learning all the new concepts of what we're
trying to get accomplished. And like I said, I think
with you know, just being inconsistent with being out there,
(36:08):
I know it gets frustrating for him, but we'll just
try to keep encouraging him.
Speaker 5 (36:12):
Hey, the time will come in time that someone who's
been making the most of their opportunities. Jamel has been
having an incredible year. Tell me a little bit of
what you've seen about him for why this is the
year of the interceptions and you know, just a lot
of we've seen a lot of stats about when quarterbacks
are you know, throwing in his direction, how little success
they're having, and just why this has been one of
(36:32):
Jamal's best years.
Speaker 2 (36:34):
Well, you know, one thing about and you've always known
is just how tough a competitor he is. And I
think he accepts the challenge. I think you know from
week to week, you know, with the matchups, the different
matchups that we have, you know, on part each week,
He's been in the system for a long time. He understands,
you know, what needs to happen and what it looks
like and what leverage he needs and coverage and those things.
(36:56):
I think it's just a part of him just you know,
season each opportunity and take them one at a time.
I think been a vet in this system, it slowed
down for him as far as the all process and
now he can go play and I think that's a
big part of it. And like again, you addressed it
before being on the same page and Guy's communicating and
being sure that this is what's going on in this
(37:16):
particular situation. I think has been a plus. But he's
done an outstanding job of making the most opportunities when
he gets them. That's the big thing. I mean, balls
are coming away. It's just, hey, I gotta make the
play when the time comes to make the play.
Speaker 5 (37:29):
We're talking to pass game coordinator George Edwards. Tell me
about Zion this year. I know there have been a
few tough plays or games for him, but there's also
a lot that we don't always see during the game
of what he's doing. So overall, what would you say
have been his biggest strengths and in the areas that
you guys are working on with.
Speaker 7 (37:44):
Him this year?
Speaker 2 (37:45):
Yeah, I think the biggest thing had really started off strong,
and you know, there's a lot of ebbs and flow
to the season.
Speaker 4 (37:52):
There's a lot of ebbs and flowing games.
Speaker 2 (37:54):
And the big thing is when something good or something
bad happened, Hey, you got to line back up and
sounding like it didn't have and then just you know,
keep playing it, especially out there on their runway.
Speaker 4 (38:02):
You've got to have a short memory with it.
Speaker 7 (38:05):
You know.
Speaker 2 (38:05):
He had some injuries as we went through the course
of it with his thumb and those kinds of things.
Speaker 4 (38:10):
But he's fought through it, worked through it.
Speaker 2 (38:12):
So the big thing we talk about is just consistency,
and that's the big thing, is just working on those consistencies,
especially when it comes to leveraging coverage, understanding what people
are going to try to do to you with the splits,
I mean, all of those different things. So we look
for I think he played better this week and will
continue to get better as we progress through, you know,
the last part of the.
Speaker 5 (38:33):
Season, and tell us a bit about the role of
the outside linebacker in the past game. I think that
it's you know, I mean, I think about the pick
six by Anthony Nilson and seeing, you know, there's a
moment maybe a week ago where Yah Yah played the
screen pass really well. That they're getting asked to do
things in the past game that I think can surprise
us sometimes when you really do think of those guys
as being your past rushers and then they're dropping back,
(38:56):
you know, in coverage, and so they are what an
incremental instrum middle part of it of both the pass
rush and sometimes being asked to cover.
Speaker 7 (39:04):
How unique is that for an outside linebacker.
Speaker 2 (39:06):
Yeah, I mean it's it's really a challenging position, especially
with the multiples of defenses and schemes that we use,
where they can be a rusher, they can be a dropper,
and you know, just understanding where they fit in the
puzzle as far as different coverages and different aspects of
you know, what we ask them to do and coverage
and then you know, to go rush to the ball,
(39:28):
which is as hard as anything in this league is
to go rush every day. So it's a unique, you know,
uh position to play. Those guys have a unique skill
set because that is what we ask them to do,
and it just requires a lot of work on their
part as far as understanding, you know, the different matchups
from week to week, because all of a sudden, they
can get matched up on a back that you know
(39:50):
that's a real good receiver coming out of the backfield,
or they could get matched up on a receiver coming
across in a pattern match. So all of those things
are are very challenging, but you know, all of those
guys have a unique skill set to be able to
match those things. As you look at it, and like
you mentioned some of the plays that they've been able
to make you can see the very instinctive and in
tune of what we're trying to get accomplished.
Speaker 5 (40:12):
And how would you rate just the pass rush overall
this season, whether it be from your your kind of
front four, whether it be we know Bulls likes to
send anyone and everyone from all over the place to
do it. So at each kind of different level of
the of the team that's asked to pass rush at
different times, how do you guys feel like it's looked
both from just a sack standpoint and then just overalls
affecting the quarterback.
Speaker 2 (40:33):
Yeah, I think that's the big thing everybody always gets
captured up on is you know, sack numbers, and right
now we're about middle of the of the pack when
you're talking about looking at the number of sacks, but
you know when you're talking about pressional quarterback and at
dis point that it takes to you know, keep the
rush lanes for the quarterback. Can't run, you can't scramble.
I mean, all those things makes it a challenging job.
(40:55):
You know when it comes to the pass rush, I
think our guys have embraced you know that we are
where we do go four man rush and we got
good pressure on the quarterback yesterday with four man rush,
but we also add a lot of pressures to it,
and when you start adding pressures to it, those are
different rush lanes. So understanding you know what we're trying
to do as far as confusing the protection and being
(41:16):
able to get out to the quarterback, and then some
of those guys having to drop in the coverage like
you're talking about the outside backer. So it's a culmination
of all a good I've always said this good pass
rush is good coverage, and good coverage is good pass
rush because they're such an integral part of each other
as far as how close we are to the routes
and being able to get to the quarterback and vice versa.
(41:37):
I mean getting to the quarterback and now all of
a sudden when we were able to look back and
you know, intercept the football. So they're definitely integral parts
of each other, and those guys do a good job
of working together and understanding what we're trying to get accomplished.
Speaker 5 (41:49):
All right, We're going to take another break here on
Buccaneers Total Access, brought to you by Aving Health. We're
talking to pass game coordinator George Edwards. This is Buccaneers Radio.
Speaker 1 (41:57):
Buccaneers Total Access with head coach bulls Now Continues, brought
to you by advan Health, Exclusive Hospital of the Tampa
Bay Buccaneers.
Speaker 5 (42:07):
Welcome back into Buccaneers Total Access, brought to you by
advent Health. We have pass game coordinator George Edwards here
with us. So we were talking about some of your
outside linebackers and I want to hear a little bit
more about Yah Yah this season and what you've seen
from him, both in terms of a pass rush, standpoint coverage,
run game, his game just overall, in the progress he's
made in recent years.
Speaker 2 (42:28):
Yeah, I think he continues to get better. I think
his pass rush is really you know, taking it off.
He got a sack the other day. I mean, his
effort that he's playing with is tremendous. He does a
great job of set and a run set in the
edge in the run game. So he's a complete player.
He's got a full skill set and we're able to use,
you know, his skill set a lot of different ways
(42:48):
rushing dropping in the four man rush category. He does
a good job of coming off the edge and understanding
the up and unders and those kinds of things. So
I think he's progressed well throughout the course of his
time here. He's in the year three and understand schematically
what we're doing. I think he's a lot comfortable with
what we're trying to get accomplished.
Speaker 5 (43:07):
And then how about getting his son back. I know
that was a bright spot to have him back from injury.
After just losing people on here, it's been nice to
get some people back in this last week or two.
Tell me what he brings when he's healthy, you know,
whether it be before the injury and then now what
you're excited to have him back for right again.
Speaker 2 (43:23):
Hassan has a tremendous skill set to be able to
play off the ball, on the ball, dropping the coverage,
rush off the outside edge. I mean, just the speed
and athleticism that he brings to the position as a
big plus for us. So it was great getting him
back out there yesterday. And we look, you know, for
him to continue to get better as we keep going
(43:43):
through the course of it, or comfortable with you know,
what we're doing with the time that he's had off.
But it was great having him out there yesterday.
Speaker 5 (43:51):
And then I know Servasier had to take on a
much bigger role this year in terms of even what
he's asked to do from the mental standpoint of the
game and the role back there tell us a little
bit about what he has asked you in the importance
of that idea of we're in the mic and being
in charge of that for the defense.
Speaker 2 (44:08):
Yeah, you know, communication is a big key todaything that
we're doing, and we ask everybody to communicate, but especially
that position has to do a good job of communicating
not only what the huddle call is, but you know,
just understanding the personnel, getting the front declared right, getting
the cupboags right, the safeties, communicate what the rotations and
all those things are, but them understanding because it affects
(44:30):
them with their alignments and from week to week, the
different tight ends, the different areas that we use to
get lined up with is really a critical part. And
this year what he's stayed healthy and has really gained
a lot of experience at the you know, at doing
what we're asking him to do. And you can just
see that he's gotten better throughout the course of the year.
(44:50):
I think he's felt real comfortable with it, and you know,
just look for him to keep growing in that role
and the communication and playmaking ability that he brings to
the table.
Speaker 7 (45:00):
You know, what is that going to look like?
Speaker 5 (45:01):
Hopefully of that there is you guys are still working
on him with and where what that growth could.
Speaker 7 (45:05):
Kind of look like.
Speaker 2 (45:06):
Yeah, like anything else, you know, each experience is different,
Each player grows at a different rate faster, slower, you know,
depending on what that experience looks like. But I think
he's made a big jump from you know, since he's
been here of just like I said, the number of
plays that he's played this year and understanding conceptionally what
we're trying to do. And I think he's gained confidence
(45:28):
and will continue to become more confident with that role
and making all of those calls. That's a lot to
be doing. I mean, not only do your job, but
you know, communicate to everybody else to make sure that
they're on the right pace to get their job done.
Speaker 5 (45:41):
Also, I'm sure it is helpful to him be on
measure to have Levonte in the room and alongside him
on the field of if you're going to be having
to learn how to do all this, there's no one
better than to have him next to you on that
How have you seen Levante help him, and then just
what Levante still means to this defense at this point
and explaining the the experience level, the leadership level, and
(46:02):
what that manifests like on the field and in meeting rooms.
Speaker 4 (46:05):
Yeah, I mean that goes well. So you did a
great job of saying it.
Speaker 2 (46:09):
I mean his experience not only for us within you
know what we do schematically, but just as a person
in the locker room, as a person outside the locker room,
and to have him in your meeting room every day
and to be able to lean into that experience, you know,
as a man, as a father, as a brother. I mean,
it's it's just tremendous because he he has all the
(46:31):
attributes you want, you know, as as a football player
and what he brings to the table.
Speaker 4 (46:36):
You know what it takes to do with that position.
Speaker 2 (46:38):
As far as you know, playing, to run, plan the pass, communication,
getting lined up, you know, holding guys accountable. All of
those things. He he exhibits them every single day. So
from that aspect of it, I think he's got a
great sounding board to answer any question that he's got
that comes up with you know, what's he's working through.
Speaker 5 (46:57):
His career as for sure, we're talking past nator George Edwards.
So tell me about losing Callajrah at the beginning of
the season, what that meant, particularly from a pass game standpoint,
and just how amazing he's been doing in that area
in his couple of years here.
Speaker 2 (47:13):
Yeah, I mean, you know, it's tough when you lose
a player of his unique skill set, especially a three technique.
Speaker 4 (47:21):
It's you know, hard to block inside.
Speaker 2 (47:23):
I mean offenses, you know, be able to move on
guards and making them feel uneasy, to be able to
play the run, to be able to play the pass.
Just with his unique skill set. I can just think
of different packages the last two years we able to
use him where we even dropped himself in coverage. I mean,
Elijah is a unique skill set player and we you know,
(47:44):
we've missed him since the Star season, but Gossip stepped up.
You look at Logan and Robinson have stepped up, and
you know he's got that experience and hopefully at some
point in time, once we get him back, it'll be
you know, a blessing to have him back inside because
he does create a a challenge for a lot of
guards and centers inside with just his ability to be
(48:04):
able to move and his pass rush, understanding the pass
rush and just helping guys when they're running games and
all those things.
Speaker 4 (48:11):
So we look forward to whenever we're able to get
him back, that's for sure.
Speaker 5 (48:16):
Yeah, Elijah Roberts has been an interesting one to see
the way he's come in as a rookie and done
a great job and even at a slightly maybe different
role than what he had in college. So what is
he brought to this defensive line and the potential you
see for.
Speaker 7 (48:29):
Him in the future.
Speaker 2 (48:30):
Yeah, I thought he came in and he's done a
good job of grasping what we're trying to get accomplished.
Speaker 4 (48:36):
I think it was a lot for him.
Speaker 2 (48:37):
I mean a college game, especially at that position, is
totally different from what we're asking him to do now.
Speaker 4 (48:43):
And he's lining up a lot more inside.
Speaker 2 (48:46):
We're in college he played a lot more outside and
just understanding blocking schemes that people are trying to use
against him. And you know, whether he's a three technique
while he's a four technique, while he's a five technique.
I mean, he's got a lot of different things. He's
even down there as a two technique and a shade sometimes,
So We've asked him to learn a lot of different things,
(49:07):
but he's got the skill set to do it. It
was just a matter of him gaining the confidence of
doing it. And I think, you know, guys like Vita
and Logan have really helped him, you know, come through
this process as he's come through, and Clouds have been
around and being able to advise them as he's working through.
All those guys have helped in that learning process. That's
the unique thing about our guys defensively is that they
(49:28):
will extend that hand and try to help the younger
players understand, you know, this is what the standard is,
this is what the expectation is, and to help bring
them along quicker.
Speaker 5 (49:38):
Now looking ahead, four of the last five games here
division opponents. I mean, it's fairly typical to have a
backloaded division schedule, but four or five is quite.
Speaker 7 (49:47):
A lot here.
Speaker 5 (49:48):
So what are the unique kind of pros and cons
of that or the challenges and opportunities when it is
that and you're having so many repeat matchups against people.
Speaker 4 (49:56):
Yeah, that's the thing.
Speaker 2 (49:57):
I mean, you feel like you know your opponent when
you play them, I mean especially you play them twice
a year every year, so from that aspect of it.
But you know, just like anything else, as you go
through the season, things change, matchups change, So we've got
you know, like with New Orleans this week, there's you know,
they've had some changes in personnels to different matchups and
different things that we've got to adjust to as we
(50:19):
go through, as we're looking to prepare for that.
Speaker 4 (50:21):
That's what it's going to detail down to.
Speaker 7 (50:23):
Well, coach, thank you so much for taking the time
to be with us. We really appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (50:26):
Thank you for having me. I appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (50:28):
All right, there's been Buccaneers Total Access brought to you
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Speaker 7 (50:30):
This is Buccaneers Radio
That's what's not three?
Speaker 2 (00:01):
What's the three?
Speaker 1 (00:05):
This is Buccaneers Total Access with head coach Todd Bowles.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
That the hell of the job, going back, come back, Robin,
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It is pot Paw, Pop Paul, my Cabots or the
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Speaker 4 (00:22):
Tampa Bay Fire the Cannons katup going.
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Fire the Cannons.
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Now your host, Bucks team reporter Casey Phillips and head
coach Todd Bowles.
Speaker 5 (00:49):
Welcome into the Todd Bowles show Casey Phillips here with
head coach Todd Bowles. First of all, congratulations on that win,
and uh, tell me just a little bit about what
that meant to the team and the vibe in the
locker room afterwards.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Back in that wind column, the vibe was confident, yet
not satisfied. Obviously, we lost three before that, so to
get back in the wing column is important for us.
Speaker 6 (01:10):
It's huge.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
We know it wasn't perfect, but none of these games
gonna be perfect. It's gonna be hard fought all the
way till the end, and those guys gutted it out.
Speaker 5 (01:19):
I'm sure Baker being able to play was a huge
boost to everybody, not just from his play standpoint, but
just even the excitement of knowing he's fighting through it
to be out there with the guys. So what was
that like to see everybody's reaction when they knew he'd
be able to go, and then how his play also
lifted the.
Speaker 7 (01:34):
Team a bit.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
I think it was his first scramble that everybody took
a deep breath. But he slid one time, he got
out of bounds one time, and he made some plays
early on to keep some drives going. When everybody saw
he was fine, I think that picked everybody up.
Speaker 5 (01:47):
You know, what were your thoughts on is the sliding
and scrambling ability and what goes through your head when
he has been banged up a little bit and you
see him still take off occasionally.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
I think he's very smart. I think he's very competitive,
which you can't take away from him, but he's very
He knows what to do with the ball when he
has to, And how.
Speaker 5 (02:03):
Did it progress throughout the week in terms of, you know,
the practice reps and I know Teddy was getting some
of that, and just the way it affected the game
planning and preparation to be a little unsure, and how
they were able to still work cohesively offensively when there
was that uncertainty throughout the week.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Wednesday, we weren't sure at all because he was very sore,
so Teddy took most of the reps even though it
was the walk through. Thursday, Teddy took most of the
throwing reps, but Bega started throwing some and Friday he
looked great.
Speaker 6 (02:28):
He went through a whole practice and he.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Looked great out there, and we scaled some things back
and changed some things on offense, so he didn't have
to learn anything new once he started playing, So it
was kind of like a normal week as far as
him from a mental standpoint.
Speaker 4 (02:41):
I know.
Speaker 5 (02:41):
Baker also completed passes to nine players in the game,
which is his most in a single game all this season.
So how important was that to not only have him back,
but to have so many different guys get involved, and
why this game was the one that.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Called for that need to start spreading around a little more.
You know, when they started killing on Mecca with Chris
coming back and started killing on him, everybody else needs
to get involved. And the more we can spread the
ball around, the more dangerous will become.
Speaker 5 (03:04):
I know. Getting Bucky back also had to be a
pretty big boost for the team, for the offense and
how everybody felt. So what was that like seeing him
as he's been progressing through practice and then getting to
actually run out there and it be a home game
with the fans all, you know, chanting for him and
excited to see him back.
Speaker 6 (03:18):
It was great for him.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
It was great for the guys as well to see
him out there. He played like he never left. You know,
he really got the ball, moved around and there took
some hits, he passed protected, he understood assignments, and he
showed his quickness like he never left before.
Speaker 5 (03:32):
And what was the plan of was he going to
be on a pitch count of sorts or what was
the idea of how you I know you've been ramping
him up in practice for a while, but in terms
of the game itself, how many carries you were planning
on him having and just what he showed about how
fully ready he is to be one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
It was more or less game flow. We knew he
was one hundred percent, but it was a matter of
how the game was going then how he was running,
just to having his first time back out there. But
he made some good runs early on, so we put
him back in there and kept putting them back in there,
and he got warm take us.
Speaker 5 (04:02):
Through his touchdown that ended up getting to count. We
know there was another one, which I'm sure that had
to be so sad. As you know, we think we
get his favorite, his first touchdown back. So what was
it like to get that second one and what worked
well on that play?
Speaker 3 (04:13):
I think we blocked it but was supposed to go inside,
but when they Tristan ended up blogging it or Luke
end up blogging it coming around that he saw a
hole outside, he hit a crease and he can take
off from there. He has great vision and once he
saw that hole, he took off and win.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
During the game, he reached two thousand scrimmage yards in
his twenty second career game. He's just the third player
in franchise history to hit that in their first twenty
five games, and the only running backs drafted since twenty
eighteen that have hit that in the first twenty two
or save one Barkley, Jumior Gibbs, Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Taylor.
So he's in pretty elite company there in terms of
how fast he's come out early in his career. So
(04:49):
what is it about him that in terms of especially scrimmageyards,
being able to do it both ways? Why he's been
able to reach this so fast even when he did
already miss several games.
Speaker 6 (04:57):
He can make the first guy miss.
Speaker 3 (04:59):
He has a great knack and ability to make the
first guy miss no matter how clean they are, every
single time. And that takes a special skill set to do.
You can't just teach that. You got to have that
coming in. He has that coming in and he understands
or body language wise on the run, how the jump cut,
stop cut, when the takeoff, run somebody over and go
(05:21):
around them all the time.
Speaker 5 (05:23):
I know we mentioned there were some penalties that especially
came in some pretty key moments and removing a couple
of touchdowns. What's the message to the guys about what
you saw from the different penalties and what you felt
like cause that or the thoughts of you know, some penalties, again,
are more acceptable than others at different types of the game.
Speaker 7 (05:38):
So what did you see from those?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Two of them were tough. I thought the one on
Tristan was a bad call. That was completely a bad call.
And then the one on Taz that he ran up
the field, I thought that was questionable. You can accept those.
Those were tight and those were in play calls. So
you got to accept those and keep doing what you're doing.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
And then I know that Tristan let's even though maybe
there was that penalty, redeem himself a bit with a touchdown.
Tell me, I mean, go, he's already been one of
the only ones to ever be All Pro at right
in left tackle.
Speaker 7 (06:07):
We get an all Pro wide receiver now out here.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Well, if he dropped one hundred pounds next year, I
know why he's going to want to change positions and
he's going to want to become an All Pro tight end.
Speaker 5 (06:17):
Yeah, it sounded like he was asking for maybe that
tight end number moving forward. He's our first offensive lineman
and three hundred pounder to get a touchdown this season
across the NFL. He's the fifth in franchise history to
do it. Tell me about that play getting implemented the
decision behind calling it and just what it kind of
did for the team and the offense at that point
in the game.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Hag of a play call by gris very creative to
keep the two receivers off the line and make him
report eligible and put them on the line for him.
All week in practice we were running it and I
know we can't get his head an he's smaller right
now since he caught that touchdown, but it was a
hell of a play design.
Speaker 6 (06:52):
Great catch by him.
Speaker 7 (06:53):
Yeah, not going to fit in that helmet this next week.
Speaker 5 (06:55):
I also imagine that outside Grizzard's door now there's one
of those take a number of things as all the
big men on the team are now asking for their
chance for this Do we feel like all the.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Big men cannot catch so they cannot make that request?
Speaker 4 (07:08):
I like it.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
I like it, And then you know, man talking about catches.
Chris Godwin coming back and playing at this level now
in this game. I know he'd come back a little
bit before, but huge plays. Twenty five thirty one, twenty
two yards his first couple were setting season longs for him.
This was his most receiving yards since Week three or
Week six since of last season because of the injuries.
So why was this game the one where suddenly he's
(07:31):
just going off for these huge plays?
Speaker 7 (07:33):
And just how nice is it to see that Chris
Godwin back.
Speaker 6 (07:36):
He's a lot healthier.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
You know, he got his feet wet last week, but
he's a lot healthier now running in there, and then
he didn't think about too much. And he's a great
player when he's healthy. He was healthy yesterday and he
made some great plays.
Speaker 5 (07:47):
Casey Phillips here with head coach Todd Bowles having been
Bredison back as well, I'm sure it was a big boost.
So what did you see of how he looked and
just what we realized he has come to mean to
this offensive line of center guard whatever he's been and as.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
To do well.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
Ben is the key clog, key cogg in that whole
offensive line because he's very intelligent. He's got more years
on everybody else, but he can point out things and
help guys out more than anybody down there. So having
him back kind of settled everything down from a protection standpoint,
helping Graham out from a line stone point standpoint, helping
(08:22):
out Tristan, helping out Fieni, helping out Luke, so having
Ben back and he's very tough as well, so having
him back was a big plug for us.
Speaker 7 (08:32):
What did you see from the offensive line as a whole,
in both pass.
Speaker 6 (08:35):
And run past came? I thought we had some time.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
They showed us a lot of different looks from a
blitz standpoint that we have to get out of. But
they've sent him more than we could block, and we
had to get rid of the ball. But when we
had him four and five or five on five, I
thought they did a good job.
Speaker 5 (08:50):
Take us through Antoine's interception. I know already Burssett came
in with the NFL history's lowest interception rate for his
career at one point three percent of his passes. Now,
I know, you know he doesn't have necessarily the reps
with some other guys, but still he's thrown plenty of
passes in this league, so not an easy guy to intercept.
Take us through that play, and what the defense as
a whole known multiple guys were involved.
Speaker 6 (09:11):
So well, not at all. I was Dean actually who
tipped it. He should have caught it.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
Actually the ball was thrown behind him and he ald
have been a tough catch for him. But he got
it up in the air and wins always going to
the ball, and when he goes to the ball, good things.
Speaker 6 (09:23):
Happen for us.
Speaker 5 (09:24):
I know you guys now have eleven interceptions this season,
which is the seventh most in the league, and eighteen takeaways.
Speaker 7 (09:30):
Overall are the sixth most in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (09:33):
How do you feel hearing those numbers of where you
guys stand and knowing you know how much that's been
something you've emphasized.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Since last year, we've been emphasizing it, got to have more,
got to have more. We can get our hands on
more balls, and we can punch more balls out.
Speaker 5 (09:46):
That play, in particular, what did that do for you
the momentum of the game and the defense at that point.
I know at that point on that drive, they'd been
marching down fairly effectively until that point.
Speaker 7 (09:57):
So what did that do on that drive and just
what it meant to the game and the defense.
Speaker 6 (10:00):
I think it calmed everybody down.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
I think earlier on they were dinking and dunking us
and getting plays and guys getting frustrated. So to get
that play kind of selled everybody down and we played
ball after that.
Speaker 5 (10:11):
We talked about in recent weeks the need to limit
some of the bigger explosive plays. How did you feel
like that worked in this game and if it was
better or why was it.
Speaker 3 (10:19):
I thought for the most of the game it was fine.
I thought it was great most of the game. At
the end, they got two plays. They got some plays
in because we missed the quarterback a few times. We
got to get the quarterback on the ground. But the
overall scheme of it and how they executed it for
the most.
Speaker 6 (10:33):
Part was good.
Speaker 5 (10:35):
How about Yaya and Vita, They did both get a
sack and get him down. Tell me what worked on
those two individual plays.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
I thought this game, our four guys up front without
pressure got the most pressure they've gotten on a quarterback.
We missed about five or six and left out there,
but they were coming off the ball and they were
in the backfield and we just got to make the plays.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
Now, Vida now has the ninth most sacks in franchise history.
And on a day like that one where you're honoring
Sime and Rice and you see Warren Sap there and
you see all these different guys that this is a
franchise that's had a lot of sacks in its history.
What does that say about him and where he's at
at this point of just especially in that statistical category.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
To be up there in that top ten, well, you
hope to see him walk out there one day and
get retired. But Vita does everything for us. Like I said,
he's one of the key pieces on our defense, and
he's the main guy in the middle that helps everybody
else out, whether he's getting the sacks or whether he's
causing the sacks. He's always around the ball, and he's
always either he gets it or someone else gets it.
(11:32):
And he makes sure that you guys.
Speaker 5 (11:34):
Held the Cardinals to three of eight just thirty eight
percent on third downs.
Speaker 7 (11:38):
What went so much better in that category? In particular execution?
Speaker 3 (11:42):
You know, we won first and second down to get
him in third and longs. Everything wasn't third and short,
and everybody kind of executed and detailed their job.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
I know, Servasier led the team with ten tackles. That
was his third game with double digit tackles this season,
and he added a quarterback hit. Where did this rank
in his games that he's played so far the year?
Speaker 6 (12:00):
One of his better games.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
He played very solid football. He was really aggressive in
the run, game going downhill, he was where he's supposed
to be in his own game. He made the last
play on the fourth and two, fourth and three to
get the game over with, and he's really coming to
his own right now.
Speaker 5 (12:15):
Yah. One of the biggest ways you've seen him grow
over the course of the season being asked to do
a lot for your defense in this starting role.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Just mentally, I really think Levonte's helped him out a
great deal just understanding his job and being where he's
supposed to be and not trying to do everyone's job.
It's great to tell everybody where to go and what
to do, but at the same time, just do your
job and everybody else.
Speaker 6 (12:35):
To do theirs.
Speaker 5 (12:36):
Someone who's been doing his job all years, Tyke Smith.
He was on recover the fumble that was forced by
Logan Hall. That was Tyke's second fumble recovery this season
in the first force fumble of Hall's career.
Speaker 7 (12:48):
What did they do well on that play?
Speaker 3 (12:50):
Well, Logan got the strip, he went down, took a
double team on, came off and got his hand in
there and punched it out and Tyke got the recovery
along with wins interception. Ronically, those two are around the
ball all the time in practice, so it's fitting that
those two come up with the turnovers.
Speaker 7 (13:06):
So I know that we knew going in McBride.
Speaker 5 (13:09):
That's quite a tight end they have over there, and
incredible to be leading the league and the team in
a lot of different categories. And tell me what you
feel like you guys did well facing him and then
what happened on his touchdown.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
I thought we really limited him in the first half.
Obviously we had some coverages that went very well for us.
In the second half, I thought between the quarterback getting
out scrambling, I thought we played the wrong leverage as
far as where we should be on him when he
got the touchdown. But he's a great receiver and he's
gonna make a play or two.
Speaker 5 (13:38):
How do you feel like the defense has done overall
against titands this year and what would be something that
you hope would get a little bit better throughout the
rest of the season against them.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
Who I'm trying to remember, a lot of people, a
lot of tight ends. For the most part, I don't
think they got down the field on us from that standpoint.
If somebody got open, it was more or less probably
his own coverage or anything that he liked to clamp
down on our receivers.
Speaker 6 (14:03):
A little bit more.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
The tight ends inside are a little easier to take
care of, just because you have more people around them
as opposed to the outside guys. But they had some
great tight ends coming up in this league that run
like receivers and they block like tackles, and they're very
hard and they're very big to come by. So we
just got to do our due diligence to make sure
we know where they are.
Speaker 5 (14:23):
You know, it's been nice to ask so many different
questions about how cool it's been to get different guys
back after so many other shows. It was about how
many people we'd lost, and then so we already talked
about you know, Bucky and Brettison and all these guys,
and now you know Hassan, you were able to get
him back as well. What did you see from him
in his first game back in the hopes of and
expectations of him throughout the rest of the year.
Speaker 6 (14:41):
I thought he got off the ball well.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
I thought he got off the ball well for his
first time back in pads, and he got back there.
Speaker 6 (14:47):
He just got to finish and close the deal.
Speaker 5 (14:49):
I know Anthony Nelson got a nice stop to cause
a turnover run downs in the fourth quarter. How did
you see he and just the rest of the outside
linebackers played, particularly.
Speaker 7 (14:56):
In the run game.
Speaker 6 (14:57):
That was huge for us. That was fourth and one.
Speaker 3 (15:00):
Obviously it got through about midfield to make that stop.
It's just like having a turnover. So Nelly always comes
up with the play and you rely on him to
come up with plays, and he had to take on
the block one with Bride and he got off and
made a play. I thought Braswell played very hard. I
thought he made some plays in the run game as well.
And Yah yah who started us off with the sack.
(15:20):
He gets going, So those guys contributed.
Speaker 5 (15:23):
I know that the special teams had some big moments.
I know the pun coverage seemed to be pretty solid
for most of the game. And we'd love to hear
your thoughts on just overall special teams and Chase and
Riley Dixon's games as well.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Riley gave us a chance. He did a great job
punting him inside the twenty. Chase got the long field goal.
He seems to be an expert at kicking fifty something
yard field goals, and I thought the covers unit had
gotten better from the past two weeks.
Speaker 5 (15:48):
And then, as we briefly mentioned earlier, Simeon Rice got
inducted in the Ring of Honor. I know you were
a little bit busy at halftime so didn't quite get
to hear his speech, but would just love to hear
what you remember of Simeon in his playing days and
how cool to see a.
Speaker 7 (15:59):
Guy like him go in the ring.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
I know he was a sack specialist, and I know
he could come around the edge all the time. Every
time you looked up, he could come around the edge
and he was getting the sack, and that he was
making plays.
Speaker 6 (16:09):
And I was like, who is this guy?
Speaker 3 (16:10):
And I started watching Tampa more as I got to
see him. He was a great player. I mean, he
was a very good player. He should be Hall of
Fame worthy.
Speaker 7 (16:18):
Cac phelllips here with head coach Todd Bowles.
Speaker 5 (16:19):
So looking ahead now to these remaining games, four of
the final five are division and I know that it
is fairly typical to try to backload some of those
division games, but four or five is quite a load
here at the end when it's going to be what
comes down to the playoff situation. What are the sort
of the unique pros and cons of that many that
close together at the end of the season.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
I don't think the vision matters as much as playing
them at the end or in the beginning.
Speaker 6 (16:44):
The fact is you got to win them all.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
Whether you're playing in the division or out of the division.
Speaker 6 (16:48):
You got five games left. We have to win them,
and we got to take them.
Speaker 3 (16:52):
One by one. They happen to be division games. We
control our own destiny, and that's what we're focused on
right now. We're going to go day by day and
we're gonna take them one at a time.
Speaker 5 (17:01):
So when you look back at the first matchup against
New Orleans, what are some of the things that you
learned from that that would still apply.
Speaker 7 (17:06):
This second time.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
Well, the quarterback's different. He played in the second half. Obviously,
he's gotten a lot more experiencing games since we've last
played them. We know they played tough on defense and
we got turnovers to win that ball game. We have
to win the turnover battle for us to make this
game look the same.
Speaker 5 (17:23):
And then I know Alvin Kamara has had a bit
of an injury recently. Overall, what do you see is
their rushing game. They've got other threats like Govin, Neil
Taysom Hill as to me, like, what are some of
the things that you feel like rushing wise, whether or
not he's in there, how much that affects what.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
They might be able to do or not well with
kamaraut Neil and Tayson's taking the bulk of the work. Obviously,
we know Taysam we can do it from the quarterback
position or the full back position, and Neil is the
other one that carried the ball quite a bit, so
they create quite a tandem with those two.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
How different do you feel like we are now than
the first matchup? We talked about some of the ways
that they're different in terms of now their quarterbacks had
a little bit more time. Do you see us being
different than we were in that first matchup.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
I think we're getting some guys back that we didn't
have in the first matchup, and we kind of know
how they're going to play us, they know how we're
going to play them, and we just got a battle.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
I believe that Chris Olave is one of the most targeted,
if not the most targeted wide receiver in the league.
What are the ways that you've seen them use him
and the threat.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
That he can be when they move him around. He
plays all three positions. He plays X, he plays Z,
he plays slot, he runs shallow routes, he runs deep routes,
and they're really moving them and getting them the ball
every way possible, trying to expose his ability that way.
Speaker 6 (18:33):
So we got to make sure we know where he
is at all times.
Speaker 7 (18:36):
And how about the trenches on both sides of the
ball for them.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
Defensively, they're very tough, they're hard to move. They're very
prideful group, and they play like that. Offensively, they got
some big linemen and they try to out muscle you
and then take it from there.
Speaker 5 (18:50):
Knowing that also you then have a Thursday night football
game after that against another divisional team. How does that
affect the timing and game planning and what you guys
are trying to do. Maybe this week, how do you
make sure that you try to spend the time to
maybe look ahead to that, but not look over this
next game.
Speaker 7 (19:05):
That's also so important.
Speaker 3 (19:07):
Through everything you can to prepare for the Saints. Then
toward the end of the week, when it lightens up
a little bit and you get a start on.
Speaker 5 (19:12):
Atlanta, and what have you noticed about their secondary from
this last matchup, and just in general some of the
challenges that they pose.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
Very good at covers dis guise. They don't give up
a lot of plays, So we got to be very
smart where we're putting the ball at understanding, they make
the ball go over the middle and I got a
lot of guys in there that try to get the ball,
So we got to be very smart.
Speaker 5 (19:31):
And looking at now these games again, you have this
one and then there's a shorter week on Thursday night football.
How does that affect which guys might be available when
and how you try to ramp guys up from injury,
things like whether it be you know, Mike Evans or
Jalen McMillan, and how that.
Speaker 7 (19:44):
Might affect it.
Speaker 3 (19:45):
Just might see how they doing practice, you know, it's
all about how they're doing practice and how they're coming
along and how they're feeling then how they're fitting in,
and then we make those decisions as they come.
Speaker 7 (19:54):
All right, well, coach, thanks as always for the time
and good luck.
Speaker 3 (19:57):
This next week.
Speaker 6 (19:57):
Thank you.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
Coming up next to on Buccaneers total access is pass
game coordinator George Edwards brought to you by Advan Health.
Speaker 7 (20:03):
This is Buccaneers Radio.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Buccaneers Total Access, brought to you by advent Health, Exclusive
Hospital of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dropping back the vote,
We've threatened the blitz of coming after the home Fussy
Sacked from the backfield at the forty two yard line,
Vitavea has his fourth sack of the season. Now more
with Bucks team reporter Casey Phillips.
Speaker 5 (20:24):
Welcome back into Buccaneers Total Access brought to you by
Advan Health. First half of the show, we had head
coach Todd Bowles. Now I'm so excited to be joined
by past game coordinator George Edwards.
Speaker 7 (20:34):
Coach, Thanks for being with us, Thanks for having me.
Speaker 4 (20:36):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (20:37):
So great to have you on after a win always
makes everything better. Tell me just some of your big
picture takeaways.
Speaker 7 (20:43):
From the game.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
I think the big thing was being able to come
away with some turnovers, getting some critical stops, and fourth
down doing a good job, and third down so handling
some of a situational football that we were facing the
last two minutes. All those kind of things, seeing guys
rise up and recognize being in those situations and being
able to handle the adjustments and make plays in that
situation was a big plus for us.
Speaker 5 (21:06):
Yeah, and I mean you're facing a backup quarterback, but
Brissette's not a typical backup. He's had a lot of
starter type reps in this league. So what was kind
of the unique challenge of him and facing a backup
that doesn't really qualify.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Yeah, I mean, he's got a lot of experience in
this league. You're not going to really fool him with
too many looks. I mean, he's seen a lot of
football over his career, and just seeing him operate the
offense over the last couple of weeks and seeing the
things that they've adjusted schematically, you know, from making a
quarterback change, and you know, just seeing him handle those situations,
you kind of knew you know what you were going against,
(21:39):
and you know, those guys rally around him and play
hard for him and get where they need to be.
Speaker 4 (21:43):
So it was good to go out and be able
to execute and have success.
Speaker 5 (21:48):
How incredible to get that interception when I think I
read that he is the lowest interception rate of any
quarterback like in NFL history, at one point three percent
of his passes. So to get an interception against a
guy like that's pretty impressive.
Speaker 7 (22:01):
Tell me what worked on that play?
Speaker 4 (22:02):
Yeah, no doubt about it.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
We were in his own coverage where pattern matching and
guys were good with their eyes and able to you know,
we were insulating the receiver underneath and on top, and
we're able to get a hand on it, get it
tipped up, and Win came up with the interception. So
it was a good job really by everyone with the
pass rush. I mean, he was under pressure at the time,
so we had to release it and guys came through
(22:25):
and being where they're.
Speaker 4 (22:25):
Supposed to be and making a play.
Speaker 7 (22:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (22:27):
You guys now have eighteen takeaways this season, which is
the sixth most in the NFL, and eleven interceptions, which
is the seventh most in the NFL. I know that's
been just a huge point of emphasisis from Bowls this
last year.
Speaker 7 (22:38):
I'm sure from all of you guys to the players.
Speaker 5 (22:41):
Why do you think those stats have been able to
improve after last year and really put more of an
emphasis on that.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
I think the big part was there was something that
we emphasied, like you said, this offseason. It was something
we emphasized in training camp, and I think guys having
a total understanding schematically what we're trying to do defensively
and where we needed them, And anytime you're getting picks
like that, it's a part of the pass rush, it's
a part of everything. So you know what our pressure packages, guys,
(23:08):
you know, being accountable where they need to be in
that situation. So it's a credit to those guys of
going after the football and being where they're supposed to be.
Speaker 5 (23:17):
Yeah, is there a line to walk as a coach
where you're wanting guys to make the big play but
you're not wanting them to do it at the expense
of being where they're supposed to be.
Speaker 7 (23:25):
Or trying to do too much. Is that kind of
a tough line to walk? Sometimes that's a tough line.
Speaker 2 (23:30):
But you don't want to play this game scared. I mean,
you want to go out there confident and you know
understand what it is that you're trying to do and
understand how to take educated risks. So at the end
of the day, if you're able to play within this
game and being able to go make a play, we
want you to challenge it and go make the play.
Speaker 4 (23:46):
Take the opportunity to go try to make a play.
Speaker 5 (23:48):
So can you tell me a little bit about for
people who are wanting the past game coordinator but some
people might have thought it meant offensive passing game, but
the defensive passing game coordinator. Tell me a little bit
about what this role entails for people who don't know.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
I think it's just a part of trying to help
make sure that we all stay on the same page
with what we're doing coverage wise, and you know what
we're doing schematically from you position a position, whether it's
underneath coverage or you know, corner safeties, whatever that may
detail from week to week, and it's just a matter
of keeping everything organized and making sure conceptionally we're doing
(24:22):
everything on the right page as far as everybody understanding
the concepts we're trying to get taught.
Speaker 5 (24:27):
What do you think it is from your coaching background
that has helped you in this role of the fact
that you do have to have such an understanding of
every level because, like you said, everyone out there is
a part of the past game defense. How challenging is
that to be able to have the knowledge of all
those different positions and how you were able to kind
of have that background for it.
Speaker 2 (24:44):
Yeah, it's been a blessing for me throughout my career
being able to work with different positions, whether it's been
up with the front or in the back end. So
I credit that to just having an opportunity has been
blessed to have the opportunities to work with the front,
work with the linebackers, work with the secondary throughout the
course of my career, and have a total understanding of
what Coach Bowls wants to get done.
Speaker 4 (25:05):
From week to week.
Speaker 5 (25:06):
We're talking to past game coordinator George Edwards. Tell me
what you've seen so far this season about maybe what
some of the biggest improvements in the past game have
been since Week one to now.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
I think the continuity as we've gone through the course
of the season. I mean, we're started off with a
new nickelback this year or Parish, who's a rookie that
came in and did an outstanding job in the offseason
and training camp and getting him involved and understanding the
different things that happened during the course of a game
where the stacks, bunches, whatever that made detail from week
to week and just all the things that we have
(25:38):
call wise and being able to adjust to him as far.
Speaker 4 (25:41):
As leveraging coverage and those kind of things.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
I think our coaches have done a good job of
expressing at to them and getting him to understand those
situations and just the different situations that come up in
a game.
Speaker 4 (25:51):
But then also you.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
Look at veteran guys that we have, I mean Tyke
moving from the nickelback to safety, a win who's been
in the scheme for a while and you know what
we're asking him to do. And then our corners, you know,
like you know, just guys from week to week, they've
been in and out of the lineup, and you know,
guys that have come in don't have as much experience
in it. So it's always a challenge to just make
(26:13):
sure that everybody's on the same page. Understand what we're
trying to do defensively, understand not only from a schematic standpoint,
but from a situational standpoint and matchups from week to week.
Speaker 5 (26:24):
What are some of the unique things about being a
pass gave coordinator under a Todd Bulls defense of what
separates his past game defense from maybe other teams.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
I think the biggest thing is the multiples. I mean,
there's a lot of multiples. There's a lot of different
concepts that we throw a people from disguising their coverages
to where we're going to end up and how we're
going to get to the final solution of what we
need to get to. So, you know, it's a lot
of volume, but I think our guys understand when you
break down the fundamentals and the techniques of it, that's
(26:55):
what it's about.
Speaker 5 (26:55):
At the end of the day, what are the biggest
things that you're working on with the different units overall
as you look forward of the passing game as a whole,
where you'd like to see some improvement in these ever
important games coming up.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
I think the biggest thing and the biggest challenge for us,
like coming out of the game yesterday as for example,
is just when we get in position to make plays,
making sure guys leverage and tackle leveraging the routes up
the field, make sure we keep our proper leverage, and
then you know, seeing the quarterback when the ball's.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
Thrown to go finish on the play. I mean, at
the end of the day, that's what it boils down to.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
You're going to get in these one on one matchups
and we've got to win those matchups.
Speaker 5 (27:32):
We've talked about Angoline getting his interception. Overall, just how
great has it been to have him be healthier this
year and available more and what you've seen of what
that's offered him in a consistency standpoint.
Speaker 7 (27:42):
And his role on the defense this year.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Yeah, it's really benefited us a lot. You know, his
availability each and every week is is good. He does
a great job with communication. I think guys look to
him for leadership for calls and stuff in the secondary
and having him out there with the experience that he
has in our system has just been great for us
out the course of the season.
Speaker 5 (28:01):
How have you seen he and Tykee make each other
better back there now that Tyke has moved into that role,
Because it's very important who you're playing next to and
what that that allows you to do and the strengths
and weaknesses it might bring out and you depending on
who's with you. So how have you seen the two
of them influence each other?
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Just watching them day to day work together, communicate together,
being on the same page. I think they hold each
other to a certain standard because they both understand what
it's supposed to look like from their position, and just
seeing them day in and day out, you know, as
they work, you know, whether it's in a classroom, whether
it's on the field, and the expectations that they have
(28:40):
put on themselves of what they're supposed to look like,
and they wear it on their sleeve.
Speaker 4 (28:45):
I mean, they'll tell you exactly what it is that
they think.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
They're very confident in the calls and communications that we
have to make, and I think the guys you know,
are very confident with them when they make a call
that they're going to.
Speaker 4 (28:54):
Get us in the right situation.
Speaker 5 (28:56):
What do you think it is about Antwine that lets
him get such huge plays? It feels like when he
makes a play, it's at such an important moment, it's
such a big play. You know, of course we're about
to play New Orleans and thinking about all the ones
that whether or not they counted, we don't even need
to get into that from the last game. But just
the way he's able to make such big, huge, important
game changing plays. What about the way he practices, prepares
(29:19):
his physical aspects. If you were to try to explain why.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
He's that guy, I would have to say one of
the main things with them is consistency. He's consistent every day. Well,
it's a good bad way. The one thing you can
count on him is his preparation. It's going to be
non flawed. His you know, physical preparation for the game.
All of those things are gonna be from week to week,
from day to day, are going to be on par
(29:45):
for what you want. And I think you see that
he goes into the game prepared and then he's able
to just go play when he gets in the game.
Speaker 5 (29:53):
And then when it comes to Tykee, why do you
think he works so well as a safety in particular?
Speaker 7 (29:57):
I mean, he did a great job at Nicol.
Speaker 5 (29:59):
What is it about safet that he's really built for
and his experience in the past of what all that
has added up to why that's his position. You guys
have decided he's going to excel at the most.
Speaker 4 (30:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
I mean he's got a unique skill set where he
can you know, he can match on receivers underneath and coverage,
which Win did early in his career too. A lot
of similarities you look at Tayke, you know, playing in
a half field, play in quarters, all of those things,
or whether he's down and covered three or down in
man coverage. I mean having a skill set to be
able to be that multiple and matchup player, you know,
(30:32):
especially within our scheme of things, is a big benefit
for us, and I think that's what he brings to it.
And then he accepts every challenge and is willing to
go and match up against anything, and we asking him
match up against and does a good job with them.
Speaker 5 (30:45):
All Right, We're gonna take a quick break here on
Buccaneers Total Access brought to you by advent Health. We're
talking to past game coordinator George Edwards. This is Buccaneers Radio.
Speaker 1 (30:53):
You were listening to Buccaneers Total Access with head coach
Todd Bowles and Bucks team reporter in case he Philip.
Brought to you by advan Health, Exclusive Hospital of the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Speaker 5 (31:06):
Welcome back into Buccaneers Total Access, brought to you by
advent Health. We are talking to pass game coordinator George Edwards.
So right before the break, we were talking about Tyke
and he got his twelfth pass defense off the year
versus the Rams, which in the top you know, five
or six in the NFL this season, and that and
six tackle for a loss tied for the fourthmost by
(31:26):
a defensive back this year. Tell me those particular stats,
what that says about him and why he's able to
make those kind of plays.
Speaker 2 (31:33):
Again, his versatility, like I said, whether it's back you know,
deep in coverage or down Airlana scrimmage you know, and
coverage and then the run fits as a blitzer, I mean,
he brings a unique skill set to that position for
what it is that you know, we try to get
accomplished and him went both. I mean their skill sets
allow us to do a lot of different things. You know,
(31:53):
with all the blitz packages and all the different packages
that we use. Personnel, weise having chess pieces that you
can and go match up TAKEI is a great guy
to match up with what it's underneath or deep, and
then I.
Speaker 7 (32:06):
Know also the safeties and corners.
Speaker 5 (32:08):
You know, there are two different position groups have two
different position coaches obviously have to work incredibly close with
each other. What does that look like in meetings on
and off the field of the way that their communication
we hear about like the O line and how important
it is that they have that chemistry or quarterback and
wide receivers. What does that chemistry need to look like
amongst all the different dbs.
Speaker 4 (32:27):
Yeah, I coach.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
Rapone and coach Ross, they both meet together every day,
so have an opportunity to send in those meetings and
you know hear you know them discuss different things that
they're doing, to make sure that everyone's on the same page.
Where there's corners, where it's the safeties, whether we're in reduction,
splits by receivers. Okay, what are we going to do
in this covers this week? Well, this guy's on the ball,
(32:50):
this guy's off the ball. Well, how we're going to
play us this week? Just making sure everybody is in
tuned to exactly you know, what we're trying to do
from covers to coverage and match up.
Speaker 4 (33:00):
You know, from week to week.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
It's critical for those guys in the meetings to make
sure that we're all on the same page and go
out and execute that way. I think it just expedes
that confidence amongst the players, say we're on the same page,
this is how we're going to do it, and this
is how we're going to adjust it.
Speaker 5 (33:15):
I know we briefly mentioned Jacob Parrish earlier and you
guys getting him up to speed. Tell me what you
remember about him coming out of school and the tape
you guys had seen and him joining the team of
what your expectations were.
Speaker 7 (33:25):
Of what he could be.
Speaker 2 (33:26):
Well, you know, looking at him coming out in the draft,
you projected that he would be able to you know,
be able to handle the physical and the matchup presence.
You know, he really did a great job at college
at Kansas State. When you watched him on tape and
his versatility to play inside, to play outside, you just
didn't know, you like, coming in is the transition from
(33:47):
college and pro balls. I mean, everybody's got a different
learning curve with it. But he came in and embraced
the opportunity and just never look back. And you can
just see his confidence has built throughout the course of
you know, from training to the preseason to the regular
season and just seeing him continue to grow and just
understand the different things that people are trying to do.
(34:07):
I think he understands the pro game now. You know,
we're in what week thirteen now, so I think he's
got a good understanding and what that's like and just
what it takes to be a pro. And he's got
great examples in that room. I mean when we talked
about the two safeties, but then you look at Dane
and you look at Zion, I mean another two probs.
I mean they come to work every day locked into
(34:30):
what we're trying to get accomplished. So he's got some
good examples in that room, and I think he's just
file suit, came in and just going to work.
Speaker 4 (34:37):
He always comes in.
Speaker 2 (34:38):
He's very consistent with his time and all of those
things as far as its preparation.
Speaker 5 (34:44):
And how about the potential of Benjamin Morrison. I know
he's had to deal with a lot of injuries, which
that's tough for anybody coming in as a rookie in
the NFL, but especially I think as a corner, what
are the big the biggest challenges of when you're having
to miss that much time in the preseason and training
camp and the ways you guys are working you bring
him into the fold and what you know he could
be in the.
Speaker 7 (35:03):
Future as well.
Speaker 2 (35:04):
Yeah, I mean it's it's always tough when you're injured
because you know, just the consistency from going out there
every day and getting the muscle memory work that it takes,
you know, to play the position, and just understanding the
different concepts because we never really sit stille. I mean
it's always changing, it's always moving, and it's always evolving.
So you know, anytime you've got to miss time through that,
(35:24):
through that process, it kind of you know, makes you
feel uncomfortable. And you know, the big thing is he
missed all the time that he ended up missing an
off season and training camp. But I'll tell you what,
he really has worked hard and we really look forward
to getting them back out there and getting them going,
you know, on a consistent basis. Injuries are part of
the deal and there's nothing you can do about it.
(35:46):
And that's what we try to express to him. Don't
get too down, don't get too frustrated. Your time will come.
I mean, that's one thing about the NFL. It's about
being available and the opportunities will come and when they come,
you just got to make the most of them. So
you know, he's he's done a good job throughout the
process of learning all the new concepts of what we're
trying to get accomplished. And like I said, I think
with you know, just being inconsistent with being out there,
(36:08):
I know it gets frustrating for him, but we'll just
try to keep encouraging him.
Speaker 5 (36:12):
Hey, the time will come in time that someone who's
been making the most of their opportunities. Jamel has been
having an incredible year. Tell me a little bit of
what you've seen about him for why this is the
year of the interceptions and you know, just a lot
of we've seen a lot of stats about when quarterbacks
are you know, throwing in his direction, how little success
they're having, and just why this has been one of
(36:32):
Jamal's best years.
Speaker 2 (36:34):
Well, you know, one thing about and you've always known
is just how tough a competitor he is. And I
think he accepts the challenge. I think you know from
week to week, you know, with the matchups, the different
matchups that we have, you know, on part each week,
He's been in the system for a long time. He understands,
you know, what needs to happen and what it looks
like and what leverage he needs and coverage and those things.
(36:56):
I think it's just a part of him just you know,
season each opportunity and take them one at a time.
I think been a vet in this system, it slowed
down for him as far as the all process and
now he can go play and I think that's a
big part of it. And like again, you addressed it
before being on the same page and Guy's communicating and
being sure that this is what's going on in this
(37:16):
particular situation. I think has been a plus. But he's
done an outstanding job of making the most opportunities when
he gets them. That's the big thing. I mean, balls
are coming away. It's just, hey, I gotta make the
play when the time comes to make the play.
Speaker 5 (37:29):
We're talking to pass game coordinator George Edwards. Tell me
about Zion this year. I know there have been a
few tough plays or games for him, but there's also
a lot that we don't always see during the game
of what he's doing. So overall, what would you say
have been his biggest strengths and in the areas that
you guys are working on with.
Speaker 7 (37:44):
Him this year?
Speaker 2 (37:45):
Yeah, I think the biggest thing had really started off strong,
and you know, there's a lot of ebbs and flow
to the season.
Speaker 4 (37:52):
There's a lot of ebbs and flowing games.
Speaker 2 (37:54):
And the big thing is when something good or something
bad happened, Hey, you got to line back up and
sounding like it didn't have and then just you know,
keep playing it, especially out there on their runway.
Speaker 4 (38:02):
You've got to have a short memory with it.
Speaker 7 (38:05):
You know.
Speaker 2 (38:05):
He had some injuries as we went through the course
of it with his thumb and those kinds of things.
Speaker 4 (38:10):
But he's fought through it, worked through it.
Speaker 2 (38:12):
So the big thing we talk about is just consistency,
and that's the big thing, is just working on those consistencies,
especially when it comes to leveraging coverage, understanding what people
are going to try to do to you with the splits,
I mean, all of those different things. So we look
for I think he played better this week and will
continue to get better as we progress through, you know,
the last part of the.
Speaker 5 (38:33):
Season, and tell us a bit about the role of
the outside linebacker in the past game. I think that
it's you know, I mean, I think about the pick
six by Anthony Nilson and seeing, you know, there's a
moment maybe a week ago where Yah Yah played the
screen pass really well. That they're getting asked to do
things in the past game that I think can surprise
us sometimes when you really do think of those guys
as being your past rushers and then they're dropping back,
(38:56):
you know, in coverage, and so they are what an
incremental instrum middle part of it of both the pass
rush and sometimes being asked to cover.
Speaker 7 (39:04):
How unique is that for an outside linebacker.
Speaker 2 (39:06):
Yeah, I mean it's it's really a challenging position, especially
with the multiples of defenses and schemes that we use,
where they can be a rusher, they can be a dropper,
and you know, just understanding where they fit in the
puzzle as far as different coverages and different aspects of
you know, what we ask them to do and coverage
and then you know, to go rush to the ball,
(39:28):
which is as hard as anything in this league is
to go rush every day. So it's a unique, you know,
uh position to play. Those guys have a unique skill
set because that is what we ask them to do,
and it just requires a lot of work on their
part as far as understanding, you know, the different matchups
from week to week, because all of a sudden, they
can get matched up on a back that you know
(39:50):
that's a real good receiver coming out of the backfield,
or they could get matched up on a receiver coming
across in a pattern match. So all of those things
are are very challenging, but you know, all of those
guys have a unique skill set to be able to
match those things. As you look at it, and like
you mentioned some of the plays that they've been able
to make you can see the very instinctive and in
tune of what we're trying to get accomplished.
Speaker 5 (40:12):
And how would you rate just the pass rush overall
this season, whether it be from your your kind of
front four, whether it be we know Bulls likes to
send anyone and everyone from all over the place to
do it. So at each kind of different level of
the of the team that's asked to pass rush at
different times, how do you guys feel like it's looked
both from just a sack standpoint and then just overalls
affecting the quarterback.
Speaker 2 (40:33):
Yeah, I think that's the big thing everybody always gets
captured up on is you know, sack numbers, and right
now we're about middle of the of the pack when
you're talking about looking at the number of sacks, but
you know when you're talking about pressional quarterback and at
dis point that it takes to you know, keep the
rush lanes for the quarterback. Can't run, you can't scramble.
I mean, all those things makes it a challenging job.
(40:55):
You know when it comes to the pass rush, I
think our guys have embraced you know that we are
where we do go four man rush and we got
good pressure on the quarterback yesterday with four man rush,
but we also add a lot of pressures to it,
and when you start adding pressures to it, those are
different rush lanes. So understanding you know what we're trying
to do as far as confusing the protection and being
(41:16):
able to get out to the quarterback, and then some
of those guys having to drop in the coverage like
you're talking about the outside backer. So it's a culmination
of all a good I've always said this good pass
rush is good coverage, and good coverage is good pass
rush because they're such an integral part of each other
as far as how close we are to the routes
and being able to get to the quarterback and vice versa.
(41:37):
I mean getting to the quarterback and now all of
a sudden when we were able to look back and
you know, intercept the football. So they're definitely integral parts
of each other, and those guys do a good job
of working together and understanding what we're trying to get accomplished.
Speaker 5 (41:49):
All right, We're going to take another break here on
Buccaneers Total Access, brought to you by Aving Health. We're
talking to pass game coordinator George Edwards. This is Buccaneers Radio.
Speaker 1 (41:57):
Buccaneers Total Access with head coach bulls Now Continues, brought
to you by advan Health, Exclusive Hospital of the Tampa
Bay Buccaneers.
Speaker 5 (42:07):
Welcome back into Buccaneers Total Access, brought to you by
advent Health. We have pass game coordinator George Edwards here
with us. So we were talking about some of your
outside linebackers and I want to hear a little bit
more about Yah Yah this season and what you've seen
from him, both in terms of a pass rush, standpoint coverage,
run game, his game just overall, in the progress he's
made in recent years.
Speaker 2 (42:28):
Yeah, I think he continues to get better. I think
his pass rush is really you know, taking it off.
He got a sack the other day. I mean, his
effort that he's playing with is tremendous. He does a
great job of set and a run set in the
edge in the run game. So he's a complete player.
He's got a full skill set and we're able to use,
you know, his skill set a lot of different ways
(42:48):
rushing dropping in the four man rush category. He does
a good job of coming off the edge and understanding
the up and unders and those kinds of things. So
I think he's progressed well throughout the course of his
time here. He's in the year three and understand schematically
what we're doing. I think he's a lot comfortable with
what we're trying to get accomplished.
Speaker 5 (43:07):
And then how about getting his son back. I know
that was a bright spot to have him back from injury.
After just losing people on here, it's been nice to
get some people back in this last week or two.
Tell me what he brings when he's healthy, you know,
whether it be before the injury and then now what
you're excited to have him back for right again.
Speaker 2 (43:23):
Hassan has a tremendous skill set to be able to
play off the ball, on the ball, dropping the coverage,
rush off the outside edge. I mean, just the speed
and athleticism that he brings to the position as a
big plus for us. So it was great getting him
back out there yesterday. And we look, you know, for
him to continue to get better as we keep going
(43:43):
through the course of it, or comfortable with you know,
what we're doing with the time that he's had off.
But it was great having him out there yesterday.
Speaker 5 (43:51):
And then I know Servasier had to take on a
much bigger role this year in terms of even what
he's asked to do from the mental standpoint of the
game and the role back there tell us a little
bit about what he has asked you in the importance
of that idea of we're in the mic and being
in charge of that for the defense.
Speaker 2 (44:08):
Yeah, you know, communication is a big key todaything that
we're doing, and we ask everybody to communicate, but especially
that position has to do a good job of communicating
not only what the huddle call is, but you know,
just understanding the personnel, getting the front declared right, getting
the cupboags right, the safeties, communicate what the rotations and
all those things are, but them understanding because it affects
(44:30):
them with their alignments and from week to week, the
different tight ends, the different areas that we use to
get lined up with is really a critical part. And
this year what he's stayed healthy and has really gained
a lot of experience at the you know, at doing
what we're asking him to do. And you can just
see that he's gotten better throughout the course of the year.
(44:50):
I think he's felt real comfortable with it, and you know,
just look for him to keep growing in that role
and the communication and playmaking ability that he brings to
the table.
Speaker 7 (45:00):
You know, what is that going to look like?
Speaker 5 (45:01):
Hopefully of that there is you guys are still working
on him with and where what that growth could.
Speaker 7 (45:05):
Kind of look like.
Speaker 2 (45:06):
Yeah, like anything else, you know, each experience is different,
Each player grows at a different rate faster, slower, you know,
depending on what that experience looks like. But I think
he's made a big jump from you know, since he's
been here of just like I said, the number of
plays that he's played this year and understanding conceptionally what
we're trying to do. And I think he's gained confidence
(45:28):
and will continue to become more confident with that role
and making all of those calls. That's a lot to
be doing. I mean, not only do your job, but
you know, communicate to everybody else to make sure that
they're on the right pace to get their job done.
Speaker 5 (45:41):
Also, I'm sure it is helpful to him be on
measure to have Levonte in the room and alongside him
on the field of if you're going to be having
to learn how to do all this, there's no one
better than to have him next to you on that
How have you seen Levante help him, and then just
what Levante still means to this defense at this point
and explaining the the experience level, the leadership level, and
(46:02):
what that manifests like on the field and in meeting rooms.
Speaker 4 (46:05):
Yeah, I mean that goes well. So you did a
great job of saying it.
Speaker 2 (46:09):
I mean his experience not only for us within you
know what we do schematically, but just as a person
in the locker room, as a person outside the locker room,
and to have him in your meeting room every day
and to be able to lean into that experience, you know,
as a man, as a father, as a brother. I mean,
it's it's just tremendous because he he has all the
(46:31):
attributes you want, you know, as as a football player
and what he brings to the table.
Speaker 4 (46:36):
You know what it takes to do with that position.
Speaker 2 (46:38):
As far as you know, playing, to run, plan the pass, communication,
getting lined up, you know, holding guys accountable. All of
those things. He he exhibits them every single day. So
from that aspect of it, I think he's got a
great sounding board to answer any question that he's got
that comes up with you know, what's he's working through.
Speaker 5 (46:57):
His career as for sure, we're talking past nator George Edwards.
So tell me about losing Callajrah at the beginning of
the season, what that meant, particularly from a pass game standpoint,
and just how amazing he's been doing in that area
in his couple of years here.
Speaker 2 (47:13):
Yeah, I mean, you know, it's tough when you lose
a player of his unique skill set, especially a three technique.
Speaker 4 (47:21):
It's you know, hard to block inside.
Speaker 2 (47:23):
I mean offenses, you know, be able to move on
guards and making them feel uneasy, to be able to
play the run, to be able to play the pass.
Just with his unique skill set. I can just think
of different packages the last two years we able to
use him where we even dropped himself in coverage. I mean,
Elijah is a unique skill set player and we you know,
(47:44):
we've missed him since the Star season, but Gossip stepped up.
You look at Logan and Robinson have stepped up, and
you know he's got that experience and hopefully at some
point in time, once we get him back, it'll be
you know, a blessing to have him back inside because
he does create a a challenge for a lot of
guards and centers inside with just his ability to be
(48:04):
able to move and his pass rush, understanding the pass
rush and just helping guys when they're running games and
all those things.
Speaker 4 (48:11):
So we look forward to whenever we're able to get
him back, that's for sure.
Speaker 5 (48:16):
Yeah, Elijah Roberts has been an interesting one to see
the way he's come in as a rookie and done
a great job and even at a slightly maybe different
role than what he had in college. So what is
he brought to this defensive line and the potential you
see for.
Speaker 7 (48:29):
Him in the future.
Speaker 2 (48:30):
Yeah, I thought he came in and he's done a
good job of grasping what we're trying to get accomplished.
Speaker 4 (48:36):
I think it was a lot for him.
Speaker 2 (48:37):
I mean a college game, especially at that position, is
totally different from what we're asking him to do now.
Speaker 4 (48:43):
And he's lining up a lot more inside.
Speaker 2 (48:46):
We're in college he played a lot more outside and
just understanding blocking schemes that people are trying to use
against him. And you know, whether he's a three technique
while he's a four technique, while he's a five technique.
I mean, he's got a lot of different things. He's
even down there as a two technique and a shade sometimes,
So We've asked him to learn a lot of different things,
(49:07):
but he's got the skill set to do it. It
was just a matter of him gaining the confidence of
doing it. And I think, you know, guys like Vita
and Logan have really helped him, you know, come through
this process as he's come through, and Clouds have been
around and being able to advise them as he's working through.
All those guys have helped in that learning process. That's
the unique thing about our guys defensively is that they
(49:28):
will extend that hand and try to help the younger
players understand, you know, this is what the standard is,
this is what the expectation is, and to help bring
them along quicker.
Speaker 5 (49:38):
Now looking ahead, four of the last five games here
division opponents. I mean, it's fairly typical to have a
backloaded division schedule, but four or five is quite.
Speaker 7 (49:47):
A lot here.
Speaker 5 (49:48):
So what are the unique kind of pros and cons
of that or the challenges and opportunities when it is
that and you're having so many repeat matchups against people.
Speaker 4 (49:56):
Yeah, that's the thing.
Speaker 2 (49:57):
I mean, you feel like you know your opponent when
you play them, I mean especially you play them twice
a year every year, so from that aspect of it.
But you know, just like anything else, as you go
through the season, things change, matchups change, So we've got
you know, like with New Orleans this week, there's you know,
they've had some changes in personnels to different matchups and
different things that we've got to adjust to as we
(50:19):
go through, as we're looking to prepare for that.
Speaker 4 (50:21):
That's what it's going to detail down to.
Speaker 7 (50:23):
Well, coach, thank you so much for taking the time
to be with us. We really appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (50:26):
Thank you for having me. I appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (50:28):
All right, there's been Buccaneers Total Access brought to you
by event Help.
Speaker 7 (50:30):
This is Buccaneers Radio
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