I don't know if I'm the only one who has beef with the linebacking corp, but its clear the squad needs some adjustment. We've had years of shallow play after the release&retirement of Derrick Brooks, and no Buc Linebacker in recent memory is worthy of mention, unless you argue in Barrett Ruud's favor.

We've continuously handed in poor rush defense stats year in and year out, as Tampa plays a soft LB game. Anyone can see that their linebackers are almost always ten yards behind their defensive line, in a passive - looking scheme. There are no disguises with this squad. There is no fake movement or constant audibles, as rookies now make up 2/3rds of the squad and my guess is, it will remain this way until Mason Foster can properly audible. Tampa is noted for blitzing the least out of the entire league and use their linebacking squad not for pass rush, but for pass defense, in conventional Tampa 2.

But I ask? Why is our guys in a passive stance, plenty of yards off the spot of the ball? How come we don't disguise and gamble with cover1's and 0's that is more aggressive and is less zone, and more 1-on-1 across the board? These scheme's, which include the LB corp, could free up atleast two more blitzers on passing downs. Will we continue to see a squad that is neglected from the expectations that the Dline and secondary is under? Somebody in the umbrella needs to make this a 3-faceted defense and maybe our 31st ranked defense will thrive.