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Tension lower for defensive unit

With the offense doing a lot of the work early in the game, the defense almost is, well, bored.

By ERNEST HOOPER

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 19, 2000

It's something of a debate around One Buc Place.

Players and coaches are wondering what has been greater, the defensive unit's performance during the team's playoff run in 1999 or the current effort that has stifled Tampa Bay's first three opponents.

It's difficult to come up with a concrete answer, but there definitely is one truth: It's a lot less stressful for the defense. Thanks to an increase in production from their offensive teammates, the Bucs defenders are entering games with more confidence and less tension.

"Last year, you had the mindset that every game was going to come right down to the wire," safety John Lynch said. "We talked about playing for 60 minutes and it was almost that we liked those situations, and we still do and I think that will serve us well.

"But playing with these leads is certainly nice."

Not only is it nice, but Lynch had to catch himself when he almost said "boring." The past two weeks, the Bucs defense has fed off the big leads created by the offense. The late games have consisted of sitting in their Cover 2 zone and letting the defensive front go after the quarterback.

It was hardly like 1999, when the defense had to battle for an entire game, then come up with one last stand to preserve the victory.

"When you go into a fight knowing all the chambers are loaded, it's always going to do something to boost your confidence," defensive end Chidi Ahanotu said. "Our confidence is at an all-time high right now. Special teams, we need to do some things to correct things over there, but we pretty much feel like we have all cylinders firing."

One of the byproducts has been less time on the field. The Bucs are dominating in time of possession and held the ball 36:04 Sunday against Detroit. The Bucs offense staged a drive of nearly 91/2 minutes to begin the second half.

In real time, the Bucs defense had almost 40 minutes of rest. They also had a 14-point lead after Martin Gramatica capped the drive with a 24-yard field goal.

"Once they scored, and we're protecting a two-touchdown lead, it's pretty evident what the other team has to do with not a lot of time left," secondary coach Herman Edwards said. "That's when our guys can pin their ears back, we can play Cover 2 and make people dump it off and go tackle them.

"That's what the offense has done for us. They've taken valuable time off the clock and we're not on the field as long."

In 1999, the Bucs defense averaged 61 snaps a game. In the past two games, they've played 53 and 56 plays. Edwards said the difference is significant because the Bucs rely on speed instead of size. Fatigue becomes a factor if they have to stay on the field for more than 65 plays.

"If we can keep our guys on the field for 50 to 55 snaps, we're playing full-speed football," Edwards said. "We don't wear out. When we get into 65 or 70, we kind of wear out because of the way the guys play. They play so hard."

You certainly can't quibble with the results of spending less time on the field. The Bucs are allowing 228.6 yards a game and are on pace to have 96 sacks. That would more than double the team record of 44.

"It's keeping us fresher, not only physically, but mentally," Ahanotu said. "It's hard to think when you're out there sucking wind."

Though the defense recognizes the value of getting more offensive support, Lynch said the unit may be best served not to pay too much attention to the scoreboard.

"It's almost that we don't even think about the situation in the game," Lynch said. "Are we ahead, are we behind? If we're behind, we play the same way as if we're even or ahead, and that's relentless. I think if we continue to take that approach, things will go well for us."

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