Defense's hope: halt third-down struggles

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
Published October 21, 2007

TAMPA - Three and out is a series seldom enjoyed by the Buccaneers defense.

In the past two games, the Colts and Titans have combined to convert 21 third-down situations. Peyton Manning and company moved the chains on 12 of 16 situations, a sizzling 75 percent. The Titans, with and without quarterback Vince Young, converted 9 of 16 situations (56 percent).

"That's not good enough," coach Jon Gruden said. "We're not getting off the field. At least in the last game we kept them out of the end zone except for the one time, but we have to create field position. You have to get some three-and-outs.

"Field position is a big part of winning football. What can I say? Twenty-one third-down conversions in two games is not going to give you a lot of time of possession. Clearly, that's something we've got to clean up and get better at."

Overall, the Bucs have allowed opponents to convert 47 percent of third downs. That's an alarming rate for a defense that prides itself on being one of the best in the league.

The easy thing to do is point the finger at the lack of a pass rush.

The Bucs are tied for 17th in the NFL with 11 sacks. Third down is often a passing down when pass rushers should thrive.

But Gruden insists it's not that simple.

"I wouldn't say that. It's an easy excuse. 'Gee, the pass rush is at fault,'" Gruden said. "But we've had some coverages that need to improve. We've had some short-yardage situations where they've broken tackles and gotten through there and made the necessary yardage. There's been some third-and-15s, third-and-1s and miscellaneous third downs.

"We need to get off the field, we need to tighten up our third-down defense, and we're capable of doing that."

As much as anything, third down is the money down. It's when a play has to be made on defense, whether it's making an open-field tackle or deflecting a pass.

"We're talking about it a lot because it's been our nemesis," linebacker Barrett Ruud said. "We haven't gotten off on third down. Especially against Peyton Manning. We forced 16 third downs, which is great, but I think he converted like 12. It's like going to work all week and forgetting your paycheck.

"That's when you've really got to make plays. A lot of times it's man-to-man coverage, the blitzes got to get home. That's when you've got to make plays. There's a line they've got to cross, and you can't let them do it."

JUMP BALL: One concern the Bucs have today is the size of the Lions' receivers. Rookie Calvin Johnson is 6 feet 5. Roy Williams is 6-3. Both run extremely well and have big vertical leaps.

Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber, generously listed at 5-10, is giving up nearly half a foot to them.

"They have rare size. They're tight end bodies, really," Gruden said. "They're 6-5, (6-3), freak athletic ability. These guys are specimens. They create matchup problems in the NBA."

[Last modified October 20, 2007, 18:32:37]