Sports Illustrated: Bucs secondary the best

Sports Illustrated's season preview hits newsstands this week, and we stumbled across an interesting nugget that is to appear in the mag.

NFL writer Peter King did an exercise in which he ranked the best units in football -- the best groups of quarterbacks, running backs, etc.

King selected the Bucs' defensive backfield as the top secondary. He makes a compelling argument and I'm inclined to agree. Here's his rationale:

"Without a falloff, the Bucs have rebuilt on the fly and continue to do so with '08 first-round pick Aqib Talib, who is slated to eventually replace Ronde Barber. In the last two years coordinator Monte Kiffin and tough-as-nails secondary coach Raheem Morris have slotted three new players, corner Phillip Buchanon and safeties Tanard Jackson and Sabby Piscitelli, into impact roles. The safeties attack. The corners cover. On nickel downs Barber moves inside and becomes the game's best blitzing corner. In '07 the unit allowed a measly 76.2 passer rating. Expect more of the same for years to come."

Some other interesting choices were the Jaguars at running back (Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew), the Ravens at linebacker (Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Bart Scott) and the Vikings at defensive line (Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, Jared Allen). All good choices, I think.

Comments

[Mike J]

King seems to watch & like the Bucs. He voted for Trueblood for All-Pro last year.

[Matt]

ESPN have a 15 person panel picking division standings and no-one has the Buc's winning the NFC south. 14 have the Saints and 1 guy has the Panthers.

When a Category 4 Hurricane hits New Orleans within the week and there are 30,000 people living in the Superdome again, are they going to be playing the season opener at Ray Jay? How are the Saints going to go then?

[DR]

There is no question the Bucs have a great group of DBs. I just hope they don't have to carry the defense all season. The defensive line needs to step up. They put pressure on a consistent basis, the DBs will make huge plays. This will have to happen if the Bucs are to make the playoffs because the offense looks old and decrepit.

[Jeff]

Matt, c'mon, that's bad karma. I would prefer the Bucs to crush the Saints at their house and make the pundits eat crow.

[James]

DR, outside of Galloway, Hilliard and Garcia can you provide us with these "old and decrepit" offensive players you're speaking of.

I see an Offensive Line who's average age is an amazingly young 25 years old. I see a stable of 26 year old or younger WR's. I see a few 26 year old TE's and the average age of Dunn, Graham, Caddy and Bennett is just 29.

So again DR The Incompetant, please expell your logic.

Oh and btw, wasn't it like 11 Pro Bowlers and 0 playoff wins in 2007? Hasn't it been since 1995 that the 'Boys have won a playoff game?

I think you should be worried about your own teams inabilities son.

[Tom]

Matt, those are pretty insensitive comments. Many lives were lost and turned upside down in New Orleans.

Strangely, there was no mention of Philips. The writing is on the wall for Flip. Look for Sabby to start by the 4th game of the season. Once that happens, I'd like to see them play Quarters to get those athletic safeties up in the action.

[Stephen]

I think this defense is going to be solid as it always is. That's always been the most consistant part of this team. The problem is the offense inability to put up points or finish drives. You have to be able to take a demension away from the other team and force them into certain situations. If this defense gets the opportunity come 4th qtr to pin its ears back and come after you that plays right into our strength. Not saying we have to have Colt type numbers but it would be nice to see this defense defending a lead going into the 4th qtr. If health permits this team will compete quit nicely.

[Matt]

Tom - no insensitivity intended. I'm just asking the question. You know they are evacuating the city now?? Where would we be playing next weekend?

If you want insensitivity, talk to the "Rock me like a hurricane" Buc's cheerleaders.

[Oliver]

Phillips is an awesome safety. he should have gone to the Pro Bowl ahead of Roy Williams last year.

[Ben]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projected Finish: 1st in NFC South

good call si

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/28/naturaldisasters.usa?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront

[Jay]

Tom, I disagree about Flip being on the way out. I think he'll play out the season, but be used as trade bait afterwards to make room for Sabby. It's funny because I used to dog on him all the time about his horrible coverage, and since last year, he's really stepped up.

[Stephen_Holder]

I don't know what the plan is for Phillips, but I will say the Bucs haven't even talked to him about a contract extension even though he's entering his last year. I think unless he lights it up right out of the gate, they may let him become a free agent. Not saying I agree, but if he hits the market, you have no control over whether he returns, even if you really want the player back. It's out of your hands at that point. I'm very curious to see how it plays out.

[Duane]

Why not just wish a 1000 plauges upon the Saints' households. A mind is a terrible thing.

[DR]

James, do you know anything about football? The main guys in the passing game is Garcia 38, Galloway 37, and Hilliard 33 are old. Let's see, the top 3 RBs, Graham 28, Bennett 30, and Dunn 33...old. Football standards, these players are old. Graham isn't but the big reason he didn't wait for another year to sign a contract is because of his age. Not many teams want 30 year old RBs no matter how good they are. See former NFL MVP Alexander anywhere on a roster? You guys have expectations that are way too high for Dunn. I would like to see him excel but he isn't what he used to be.
It's always funny hearing a Bucs fan talk trash on the Cowboys, or any other team for that matter. You live in 2002, but forget to remember that the Bucs have lost their last 2 playoff games, at home, and guess who has a better record since 2002 between the Bucs and Cowboys? I'll give you a hint..it's not the Bucs.
Both the Bucs and Cowboys made huge mistakes resting their players in the last few games last year. Hopefully the 'Boys have learned from that. Who do you think the Bucs will get with the 11th overall pick next year?

[Jerry Jones]

and it's been HOW LONG since the Cowboys last won a playoff game?

Beat it DR ... you're a piece of shidt troll

[Adam]

Hey Doc... I wouldn't give two squirts for the Cowboys right now. They've got Yoko Ono Simpson putting the kaibash on that franchise. I don't need stats and science to see VOODOO at work!

If Romo would concentrate on his game and less on chasing skirt, maybe the 'Boys could win a a playoff game too.

[Tom]

I really like Flip's nastiness. However, he has very poor ability to change direction. He gets a full head of steam, and if you're in the way it's like getting hit by a MACK truck. But if you side step just a little, you'll make him whiff like a matador.

Sabby has fantastic agility. Look at his shuttle speed at the combines. This guy is way too good to sit behind Jermaine Philips.

[mkurbo]

Your inclined to agree ??? Stephen, you make me sick ! You and the rest of the local fishwraps should have been writing these stories and driving this point out to the national media long ago...

The media around here is unreal !

[Stephen_Holder]

Mkurbo... nevermind.

[kevinmills]

I wonder who helped restock the secondary. What was the name of that guy who brings in the players? Oh I can't remember. I'm sure if a player gets hurt or underperforms it's his fault though.

I'm excited for the season. I think we've got a pretty good squad. It really is hard to predict a teams success this early anymore. It seems like you have to see how they look after 3-4 games to get a feel for how the season may go.

I think best case scenario we win 11 games, 12 if we just have one of those magical seasons where everything goes right and people stay healthy. Worst case 8 - 8.

I think 10-11 wins is realistic and gives us a shot at the south title if we play well in the division.

Mkurbo,

The writers have been mentioning how strong our secondary is and Its depth most of the offseason. Being local writers they probably can't rave to much less they be considered homers with pewter colored glasses.

[Dave]

Watching the Saints this preseason I think we gonna get clobbered by these guys unless our defensive line stands up. I don't think the Bucs can stop the Saints run attack and I know for sure Brees will drill our secondary. Our best chance is the injury bug. They get hurt we don't.

I hope I'm wrong.

[Tom]

I didn't buy into the Saints hype last year and I'm not buying it again this year. Their offense depends on the health of Deuce. Without him, they are a predictable one dimensional offense.

On defense, they completely have no identity. Their secondary is still weak. They just don't have a scheme that they play well. No matter who's playing in our defense, our Buc 2 is completely solid.

The Saints have a chance to be good. But did heavily depends on the health of Deuce McCallister.

[BigBucFan]

The Saints have Drew Brees Period. He is the head of the snake. Key on Brees, pressure him, take him out of the game, & the snake dies. They have no running game. Shockey is a wuss. They have no secondary. Their D line hasn't faced a top notch O line. Gruden has only called simple plays this preseason. Look for Galloway & the Good Stuff in Game 1. The Bucs Defense will score & terrorize the Saints & Ellis learns the definition of Smashmouth. Waders, Mudd Boots, Baton Rouge, San Antone, Disney, Ray Jay, doesn't matter. Bucs #1

[Wally]

If it wasn't for Gruden and Allen, we'd be much better than first. Everything is their fault. I hate winning division championships. If you don't win the SuperBowl every single year, you are a catastrophic failure. More soft journalism here. Stroud needs to lay down the hammer on this one and tell it like it is.