Overview
- Head Coach: Lovie Smith
- Defensive Coordinator: Leslie Frazier
- Defensive Back Coach: Gill Byrd and Mikal Smith
- Base Defense Scheme: Tampa 2 4-3
- Transactions: Signed FS Chris Conte , Traded Dashon Goldson to the Redskins
- Draft Picks: CB Jude Adjei-Barimah and Al-HaDeshazor Everett signed; S Kimario McFadden and Derrick Wells
Projected Starters
| CornerBack # 1: | Alterraun Verner | |
| CornerBack # 2: | Johnthan Banks | |
| Strong Safety : | Bradley McDougald/ D.J. Swearinger | |
| Free Safety : | Chris Conte | |
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The Numbers
Total Fantasy Points Allowed to WR: 413.76 Average Fantasy Points Per game against to WR: 25.86 Total Receiving Touchdowns Allowed: 20 Total Receiving Yards Allowed:2,736 Average Receiving yards per game against: 171
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Strengths
The Tampa 2 returned to the Bucs in 2014 to mixed reviews. Although Lovie refers to his base d as the Tamp 2 he does implore a number of different coverage looks. Not a lot went right for this secondary in 2014 as injuries mounted and a number of guys were traded away or let go. The one notable signing for 2015 was Chris Conte who is reuniting with Lovie from his days in Chicago. Alterraun Verner is a corner two years removed from a Pro Bowl bid with the Titans. When healthy he flashed signs of his playmaking ability in 2014. The other bright spot from 2014 would be Bradley McDougald who got the chance to start and play after the Bucs traded away Mark Barron. He is an undrafted free agent in 2013 so although it appears like the Bucs coaching staff is high on him, his measurables do not add up to a pro bowl caliber strong safety. Still his play at the end of 2014 was very encouraging so only time will tell if he has the ability to make a name for himself in this league. Other reports are coming in that D.J. Swearinger may have locked up the starting strong safety position. If that is the case I believe he will be starting over Chris Conte and not Bradley McDougald.
Weaknesses
Johnthan Banks will be the key to this defensive backfield in 2014. He had an up and down second season in 2014. He is a big bodied corner in the mold that Lovie covets. If he can take a step forward then this backfield could morph into a solid unit with the only real question mark being at the starting free safety position. Chris Conte has been banged up for all of the preseason and has yet to be available. Although some point to his history with Lovie as being the reason for slotting him into the starting free safety position, I think his window to win that job is closing by the day. D.J. Swearinger could be overtaking him and winning a starting safety position.
Overall Outlook
After getting thrashed by injuries and inconsistent play it is expected by most that this secondary could take a step forward in 2015. Like I stated above the key will be Johnthan Banks in his 3rd year. If he can be the long playmaking corner that Lovie needs then this could be a unit that starts to turn some heads in 2015. Starting off in 2015 I will probably avoid this unit in week 1 against the Titans. I will have some exposure to Saints players in week 2 and judge them on their first two weeks when deciding on the Texans and Deandre Hopkins in week 3. From there we should have a pretty good idea if this is going to be an up and down year again for this secondary or if they really have turned into a solid unit in year 2 under Lovie Smith.
