SB Nation - Warren Sapp

Hangover City; Time to set our sights, expectations, on Gerald McCoy

Niko Houllis — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:00:27 -0000

McCoy's ability to line up in the three technique could have Bucs fans forgetting all about Ndomekong Suh, unless the Lions win again.

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Now that the Bucs are probably picking third, its time to get over the idea that Ndomekong Suh will fall to our laps. Its very possible that the St. Louis Rams will pick a Quarterback, as a franchise guy is needed there in an age of Quarterbacks league wide. Not only that, but the Rams have taken 2 defensive linemen out of the last three drafts. But slip one past the Lions too? Detroit is coached by former Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who understands the importance of a dominant DT, see Albert Haynesworth. It is unlikely Detroit will pass on Suh, and it is equally unlikely the Bucs will pick ahead of Detroit in the first round in the event of a tie.

But it is not all bad news. Gerald McCoy is considered a cant miss defensive tackle too, one who also, like Suh, excels at running out of the Three Technique, something needed to play the DT position with the Tampa Two like Warren Sapp used to.

Check out this video of McCoy, then the write up your comments on it. Keeping in mind with all the juniors entering this years draft because its probably the last chance for rookies to get huge paydays, the draft is considered RICH in legit defensive talent, and WRs. Several teams will score Big, the Bucs probably among them with three picks in the first two rounds, including a second round pick from the Bears for Gaines Adams, a move now looking sheer genius.

Our own draft guy Craig T will be starting his draft coverage soon! So expect even more info on three guys that will be asked to help rebuild the Bucs into winners again!

- Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, the No. 3 overall ranked prospect for 2011 by NFLDraftScout.com, will forgo his senior year of eligibility and declare for the NFL Draft. The 6-4, 298-pound McCoy is ranked behind only Tennessee strong safety Eric Berry and teammate quarterback Sam Bradford, who are both expected to declare for the draft as well. "I made the decision around mid-season when I knew that I would have enough credits to graduate," McCoy said through the school's website. "Graduation was my main goal and once I knew I had that accomplished, I wanted to look at playing in the NFL." McCoy was scheduled to go through graduation ceremonies Friday night and plans to graduate with a Human Relations degree after completing online courses this spring. His play is reminiscent of former Oklahoma State defensive tackle Kevin Williams, who is now a Pro Bowl player for the Minnesota Vikings. McCoy lines up at the three-technique position when Oklahoma plays a four-man front and moves out to shade either side of the right tackle in a 3-4 alignment. That sort of versatility endears him to NFL defensive coordinators relying on either front as their base look. McCoy also plays nearly every snap, constantly pushing his man toward the quarterback on pass plays and chasing down ballcarriers against the run. His combination of size, stamina and agility are hard to find at his position. If there's one negative to his game, it may be that McCoy plays too tall on occasion, losing leverage against double teams or when man-up against stronger interior linemen. But that can be improved through work and coaching at the next level, and won't prevent him from being picked early in the first round. With Detroit, Oakland, Tampa Bay and others looking for defensive line help, it would be hard to see McCoy drop out of the top 10. - Chad Reuter, The SportsXchange, NFLDraftScout.com

Luke Links: The "Clark Judge Hearts Jim Irsay" Edition

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:31:09 -0000

With homefield locked up, the discussion can now truly shift to what the Colts should do the next three games. Prior to last Sunday, it was premature. Now, it makes sense. It also makes sense that Jim Caldwell addressed the subject of this Thursday's game against the Jaguars, and ONLY this Thursday's game against the Jaguars. It keeps with the theme of "one game at a time," which is what Caldwell (and former head coach Tony Dungy) sells to this football team.

Here are the links:

Clark Judge at CBS Sports writes a well-deserved "fluff" piece on Colts owner Irsay, calling him the "block that Colts' winning engine is built on.
Why did Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels seem to stubbornly defend his rather silly decision to defer the ball to the Colts after winning the opening coin toss?
ESPN's Paul Kuharsky seems to very much want Peyton Manning to clinch MVP Thursday against the Jaguars.

John Oehser continues to do the yeoman's work, scripting the highlights from last night's Bill Polian show.
I very often enjoy 18to88's Horse Sense.
With the Colts coming to town, the Jaguars game will not be blacked out locally in the city of Jacksonville.
NFL Network's Mike Martz and Warren Sapp "debate" the Colts and Saints and how they might rest starters down the stretch.
When the 2009 season ends, Jim Irsay will probably make Peyton Manning the highest paid player in the NFL.
Yahoo! Sports' Shutdown Corner weighs in on the Colts playing starters this Thursday against the Jaguars.
And finally, NFL.com's Vic Carucci breaks down the current AFC playoff picture.

Throwback memories; A Video History of Green Bay vs Tampa Bay

Niko Houllis — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:26:17 -0000

The games were many, some decided in overtime, some blowouts like the 55-14 beat down the Packers put on us in 1983. That game was 49-3 at half time. Of course this is all before the days of Warren Sapp and Brett Favre having their play time on the screen. Before the return to Monday Night Football where Dilfer threw two perfect slants to Green and Emanuel, there was the very last Monday Night game for Howard Cosell, who didn't want to take the trek to San Francisco for game 16, thus making the Bucs snoozy 12-9 OT loss to the Packers his last, and our last for 15 seasons on the prime time show.

There were Back to Back last second winning FGs in Tampa Stadium in 88 and 89, the last of which was a result of a super weak penalty after the Bucs stopped the Packers on 4th down. Funny how you never forget bad calls like that one!

There is Ricky Bell, and only a few years later, Ricky Bells tribute game. There is a lot of history to this Green Bay & Tampa Bay Buccaneers series before they stopped playing each other and ended their relationship as division opponents. Who knows, maybe one day when a few more teams are added to the NFL, the league may realign again someday and the Bucs may find themselves back with their NFC buddies. Until then, we will remember the days, the Bay of Pigs, because after all, what other teams could end a game in a 14-14 tie with 3 missed Field Goals??

NOTE: Ive invited a bunch of Packer fans to come check out our video....lets make them feel....um, Welcomed???!!

Detailed list of video clips...

1) 1977 GB at TB- First ever meeting between the teams. Chester Marchol's FG are the first points ever scored in series.

2)1978 TB at GB, Long Doug Williams pass to one yard line, and TD by Ricky Bell

3) 1979 GB at TB, Williams pass to Ricky Bell for TD, announcers were still calling football games as of 2008, Dick Stockton, and John Madden.

4) 1981 GB at TB- Cedrick Browns 81 yard pick 6

5) 1983 GB at TB on Monday Night Football, Jack Thompson to Adger Armstrong, is Howard Cosell's last game in the Booth. This is also the last appearance for the Bucs on Monday Night Football until 1998's Bucs at LIons. Its the last MOnday Night game in Tampa until 1998's Green Bay at Tampa Bay game...what a coincidence huh?

6) 1984 TB at GB- Tribute to Ricky Bell on Bucs helmets

7) 1985- TB at GBThe snow bowl game, 14" of snow fell during the game, you could not even see Bucs QB Steve Young running the ball! Wisconsin Ch. 7 weather report goes across the screen.

8) 1988- GB at TB, Donald Kicker IGGY kicks the game winner

9) 1989 - GB at TB- Chris Jacke repays the favor a year later...however a holding penalty which was BS was called against Tampa Bay on 4th down, thats how the Packers won.

10) 1991- TB at GB- one of the longest TDs in Bucs history, WR Willy Drewery wasnt even the target WR... the ball was overthrown, then through the hands of the DB, into Drewerys on the sideline, then he ran in for a TD. Bucs ended up losing anyways!! We wouldnt win in Green Bay until 2005.

11) 1992 GB at TB- Brett Favre's very first completion. If you dont know this trivia, your new to the site, because I think I bring it up every month. Guess who catches Brett Favre's first pass completion?

12) 1994- GB at TB Bucs won 4 games in a row, but ran into a Green Bay team playing for a playoff birth.

13) 1995 GB at TB- End of the double digit losing seasons. The win put the Bucs at 7-7, unheard of in those days, and still alive for playoff birth! This was a great upset on TNT football.

14) 1996 Week 1- GB at TB, Tony Dungy's first game as a coach. Green Bays superbowl year.

Clip 2, end of game hugs, respect given to Dungy.

On This Day Recap- 10/26/2003- Proof Jon Gruden lost his mind

Niko Houllis — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:41:00 -0000

Ellis Wyms gets in on the Sack Action.

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Things were on the downturn.

The Bucs were losing games they normally win. Not anymore.

In what would be the last year for John Lynch and Warren Sapp, the Bucs shutout the Dallas Cowboys 16-0.

The funny part was...most stars were not on the field. Bucs front office got a chance to look at Jermaine Philips at Safety as Lynch was hurt, Ronde Barber missed practice all week, and Tim Wansley got to start at corner.

Someone may want to pass the offensive coordinators phone number to Jon Gruden when he sees him. The Cowboys starting receivers ON THIS DAY? Joey Galloway and Antonio Bryant.

I kid you not.

Bucs on the verge of a Top 10 Pass Defense!

Niko Houllis — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:45:10 -0000

More photos » by Reinhold Matay - AP

One of the reasons the Bucs have improved in pass defense.

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Before you go down your own "Life on Mars" checklist of possible causes of this unbelievable headline, know one thing. It is NOT a misprint or typo. Use whatever reasoning you want to in coming up with an explanation, (like the fact we have the 31st rushing defense) but the numbers do not lie. We are currently the 11th Passing defense, at 198.5 yards per game, and that's not the only statistic that the Bucs are better than the average bear in.

In what is exclusively an offensive catagory, the Bucs are tied for 14th in sacks allowed. This is easy to understand, as Josh Johnson is not easilly sacked, and the fact that our Offensive Line is one of our biggest assets.

Then you have probably the only catagory that both sides have to contribute to, the turnover margin. In this realm, the Bucs are a respectable 16th (Tied) at -1, meaning with one more interception by a Tanard Jackson or so, the Bucs will have given the ball away as often as they have taken it.

So what does it all mean? Well speaking of T-jack, it may be no mystery that since his return the Bucs pass defense has improved (along the lines of Jimmy Wilkerson and Styles White increased results in rushing the passers) in passing stats. Rushing stats however, the Bucs are virtually dead last, 31st, at 171.7 yards per game, absolutely absurd for an NFL team. Clearly the Bucs need to invest in their interior defensive line, somthing has really has not been news for several years now, going back to the weekly requests by former Head Coach Jon Gruden calling for more effort from his D line. One by one the stars on the line have gone, and have not been replaced adequately.

Simeon Rice ---> Gaines Adams---> Styles G White...

Warren Sapp--->Chartric Darby---->Anthony McFarland--->Ellis Wyms---->Jovan Haye---->Ryan Simms....

Brad Culppeper---->Anthony McFarland---->Chris Hovan....

Greg Spires---->Kevin Carter---->Jimmy Wilkerson

as you can see, only one, and that is probably debatable, is close to the same level as the guys who rushed the passer in the heyday of Franchise. Luckily, the 2010 draft of which the Bucs are stacked with an ultra high #1 and #2 pick, as well as an extra #2 pick of the Bears for the trade involving Gaines Adams. Expect youngsters like Roy Miller to get serious playing time for the rest of 2009 as Raheem Morris looks to see what he has from the latest picks.

BUCSHOTS! Midweek edition- Power(less) Rankings, Clayton rantings, and T-Jack sightings!

Niko Houllis — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:26:34 -0000

More photos » by Don Heupel - AP

Clayton has asked to be a bigger part of the offense. Comments?

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PowerRankings meter still has the Bucs at the near bottom, and despite playing a more competitive game, continue to sink in the minds of the NFLs writers.

CBS Pete Prisco - #27 - Bucs can forget about the playoffs. Really Pete? Thanks, I was starting to print tickets.

Fox's Adrian Hasenmayer- #31- The only feel good story is Cadillac Williams. Yo Adrian, we feel good kickin Nugent to the curb!

ESPN- #31- Only the Chief's are converting third downs less frequently.

SI- Don Banks- #31- Leftwich sits and Josh Johnson gets his turn. Raheem says we're married to Josh Freeman. Sounds like Jon Gruden era never really ended!

Buccaneers.com has a great interview and awesome clips of Gene Deckerhoff, voice of the Bucs Radio! MUST CHECK THIS OUT Buc fans!

Excellent Gene Deckerhoff piece

More BucShots after the jump!

Paul Stewart of Bucpower.com remembers other 0-4 starts by the Buccaneers. 8 in all including two others this decade.

Paul Stewart's editorial on other 0-4 Bucs teams.

Bucs Center Jeff Faine is not quite ready to return just yet reports St. Pete Times' Stephen Holder.

Jeff Faine not ready to return

Michael Clayton wants to be more involved in the offense. Seems to me if you catch the ball, that involves you. I'll let you guys touch on this one in the comments.....

Clayton asks for more involvement

Associated Press reports Donovan McNabb is ready to start vs Bucs. Vegas is trying to set the odds on if it matters.

PennLive's AP report on McNabb

Pewter Reports Charlie Campbell and Jim Flynn discuss Tanard Jackson's return to the Bucs after a 4 game suspension.

PR's article on Tanard Jackson returning

And Finally, where do the Bucs rank vs the rest of the NFL in general stats?

Bucs Offense #27

Bucs Defense #31

Last time both units were down at the bottom together?

1995, the year before Dungy took over, with rookies Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks starting along with Brad Culperpper, John Lynch, and Hardy Nickerson. #27 on Offense and #27 on Defense, out of 30 teams. Rusty Tillman was the defensive coordinator.

More Bucshots Saturday!!

Ochocinco planning ahead (surprised?); Warren Sapp gets in on the act; Bengals need to bully Steelers?

Kirkendall — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:35:53 -0000

Speaking of loud mouth personalities (a topic briefly touched on Wednesday), Warren Sapp said "I don't see what Carson Palmer has done in this league that has everyone so enamored." A good analyst, will tell you why Palmer hasn't done enough to be enamored in the league. A good analyst will tell you why Palmer should be enamored. Either way, a good analyst will do a better job analyzing than sitting at a chair acting like a child sitting in the back of the classroom that even the teacher thinks to themselves, "You dumb mother...."

Chad Ochocinco has a spanish-theme touchdown celebration planned this Sunday. Speaking of that. James Walker provides a picture of this year's checklist. Walker also featured a piece on Antwan Odom.

Paul Daugherty writes that the Bengals "need to bully" the Steelers. However Daugherty predicts that the Steelers will beat the Bengals 20-17.

The Steelers are concerned about the Bengals.

The Steelers didn't face Palmer, who missed most of last season with an elbow injury, in 2008. Unfortunately for them, he fits the profile of the quarterbacks who have had success against the Steelers through the first two weeks of the season.

Like Kerry Collins and Jay Cutler, Palmer has a big-time arm, the size to stand tall and absorb hits in the pocket and a track record of success in the NFL.

The Bengals defense knows that they have to pound on Ben Roethlisberger on Sunday.

"You have to hang on and try to drag him down as much as you can," Odom said. "You have to get him on the ground, hit him as much as you can, wrap him up and hold on. Hold your will on him and make him fall."

While Keith Rivers is trying to move on after the hit by Hines Ward that ended his rookie season, Ward is adamant that he'd do it again.

“I’ll still hit him. I’ll just get fined,” Ward said. “I’d rather take a fine than try to end somebody’s career, so I’m not going to change. Me being the defensive guy, I’d rather get hit high than low. Because if I hit Rivers I probably would have blown out his knee and he never would have played football again."

Quan Cosby is "second in the AFC in average yards per punt return."

John Kiesewetter writes that 51% of "all available TV homes locally" watched the Bengals beat the Green Bay Packers. Kiesewetter continues that it was "the highest rated Bengals telecast since a Dec. 30, 2007, victory over Miami that had a 31.1 rating and 56 percent audience share."

Chris Steuber ranks Rey Maualuga 12th in his his 2009 NFL Rookie Rankings. While Maualuga is trying to start a new tradition, he's starting to fit that mold of AFC North linebacker.

Vic Carucci was impressed that the Bengals were able to put forget about the Denver loss, go to Green Bay and beat the Packers.

Hall of Fame quarterbacks John Elway, Dan Mario and Joe Namath talked about today's quarterbacks.

Getting to know the Seahawks part 2

VanRam — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 11:59:32 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

Seattle Seahawks' Aaron Curry is expected to play a key role today. Let the message board chatter begin!

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Here's the second part of my question swap with Doug Farrar, of Scout.com's Seattle Seahawks site and Football Outsiders. Today is THE day...the St. Louis Rams kick off their regular season - did we mention it's a new era? - with a road trip to Seattle. The game starts at 3:15 p.m. Central time. We'll have more throughout the day.

TST: What are the early returns on the change from Mike Holmgren to Jim Mora?

DF: I was at one of the first minicamp practices of the Mora era, and the first thing you notice with this team now is that everything moves faster in practice, Players, position groupings, drills - Mora obviously wants a team with drive and intensity, and he uses speed in practice to weed out the guys who don't get it. I don't think he's quite as manic about execution as Holmgren was, but I also think he has a sharper eye on the overall picture. Holmgren tended to run the offense with an iron fist and defer a lot to his defensive coordinators. Mora's a defensive coach with an offensive coordinator he knows and trusts in Greg Knapp, and he's not shy about pointing out when something isn't working offensively.

Still, Mora's facing an uphill battle in the comparison. Mike Holmgren was the greatest coach this franchise has ever seen, with Chuck Knox a close second, and the team isn't good enough for Mora to have the kind of success that Holmgren did during his peak here

TST: How do opponents game plan against Seattle's front seven on defense?

DF: The best way used to be to run right at the tackles - the Seattle defense has been too small between the tackles over the last few years, which is common among Cover- and Tampa-2 defenses, unless you happen to have the odd Tommie Harris or Warren Sapp hanging around. That's not too common. With Brandon Mebane and Colin Cole, the hope is that there's enough stoutness to stop long gainers. The differences this year are the addition of linebacker Aaron Curry, who looks dominant already, and the new schemes implemented by new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Bradley runs some very creative zone blitzes - against the Chiefs in the third preseason game, he lined up Nick Reed, a 250-pound end, as a wide-three-technique tackle and had him drop into coverage. I think you'll see for formation diversity, which will make the defense a little tougher to scout.

TST: Last year's injury to Patrick Kerney aside, the defense didn't seem to respond well to the situation on the other side of the ball. Will that be different this year?

DF: To a point. Curry provides the combination of edge rush ability, string tackling in space, and coverage skill that the Seahawks always hoped they'd get from Julian Peterson. But if kerney can't stay healthy or isn't what he used to be, ends Darryl Tapp and Lawrence Jackson seem to be more complementary in nature - they're maybe better off as the run-stopping ends on the other side, and Jackson has some potential rushing inside. The linebackers are unbelievable. The front four is still a work in progress, and it generally doesn't work without Kerney.

TST: Without Trufant, is the Seattle secondary suspect to a strong vertical passing game?

DF: The Seattle secondary is vulnerable with or without Trufant. Last year, they gave up far too many big plays. Safety Brian Russell, one of the biggest coverage liabilities in the NFL, has been mercifully released, and he is now the Jaguars' problem. Bringing Ken Lucas back from the Panthers (he was a Seahawks DB from 2001 through 2004) was a great move, as he brings two things the other Seattle defensive backs don't have - size, and coverage acumen. Team president Tim Ruskell took Kelly Jennings and Josh Wilson with the team's first pick in previous drafts, but neither player has proven anymore than nickel coverage ability.

TST: What matchups, either units or players, will be the most important and interesting for this game?

DF: Seattle's receivers against St. Louis' back seven: T.J. Houshmandzadeh will be an intermediate matchup nightmare for corners and safeties, Nate Burleson has some big-play ability, and rookie Deon Butler is the speedy wild card. They need to take advantage of St. Louis' weak (O.J. Atogwe aside) secondary.

St. Louis' front four against Seattle's offensive line: Here's where the Rams might have an advantage. Steve Spagnuolo knows how to surprise with defensive formations, and the Seahawks offensive line is vulnerable, especially on Hasselbeck's blind side.

Patrick Kerney, Aaron Curry, and Cory Redding against Alex Barron and Jason Smith: If the Seahawka are to win this game, this is where it will happen. Seattle's defense needs to play off the Qwest crowd noise, take the lead, and apply constant pressure on the Rams' Quarterback Du Jour.

Zone Cover and No Pass Rush Make Seahawks Something Something

John Morgan — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:42:08 -0000

More photos » by Elaine Thompson - AP

Want zones to work? Get pressure.

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Tony Dungy and Monte Kiffin built the Tampa 2 around Simeon Rice, Warren Sapp, Ronde Barber, John Lynch and Derrick Brooks. All five could make the Hall of Fame. The Tampa 2 spread like wildfire, but Tampa Bay's talent did not. Very few attempted Tampa 2 defenses have succeeded. The two most successful are Indianapolis and Chicago. Both have fielded great and mediocre defenses depending on the season. Both are stacked with great defensive talent.

The Tampa 2 worked because Dungy and Kiffin adapted their scheme to their talent. Any team that adopts a Tampa 2 is violating the very principle that made the original Tampa 2 work. Rod Marinelli forced Detroit into a Tampa 2. He went so far as to trade the team's best player, Shaun Rogers, because he didn't fit. By forcing his team into a system it couldn't execute, he ran the Lions into the ground worse than almost any coach in history. He took a 21^st ranked defense by points allowed and turned it into a 30^th ranked, 32^nd ranked and 32^nd ranked defense. The 2008 team allowed 32.3 points a game.

It's unclear how committed Seattle is to the Tampa 2. Against the Broncos, it seemed committed to generating pressure with its front four and flooding the secondary with zones. The pressure wasn't there and the zones were picked apart. It couldn't stop a drive. Seattle allowed Denver to dink and dunk it's way 78 yards for a score. Then it was gifted first and 25, forfeited 20 yards and allowed Denver to get back into field goal range. Denver's fourth drive it bested even that.

7. A good punt by John Ryan backed Denver to their 14.

6. They picked on Kelly Jennings for 14.

5. They picked on Josh Wilson for 13.

4. They overloaded Leroy Hill's zone with Lamont Jordan and Brandon Stokely and Kyle Orton passed to Stokely for seven.

3. Then Peyton Hillis picked his way around right end for five and the first. The defensive line jammed the middle, but D.D. Lewis lost contain on the right and then lost the tackle when Hillis swatted him away. This is probably the least worrisome play of the drive.

Kyle Orton is called for delay of game.

2. It's first and fifteen. A gain of six yards or more is a success. The Broncos spread Seattle by putting three wide receivers left and two wide receivers right. The Seahawks are in a 4-1 dime. Seattle's front four "pin their ears back" and generate some pressure, but the Seahawks are in a zone. Eddie Royal streaks underneath and then curls roughly opposite the center. Orton finds him. Seahawks surround him. Josh Wilson closes from the left. Lofa Tatupu closes from the top. Jordan Babineaux closes from the underneath. Royal turns, attempts to do too much and loses ground before being tackled by Babineaux. It's a gain of six. A success. Had Royal plunged forward, he could have gained an additional yard or two. Seattle had its pass rush. Its zones surround the eventual receiver. But Kyle Orton found a man underneath and completed a successful pass.

1. So Seattle blitzes. It blitzes six from a 4-3. It blitzes six against Denver's two wide receiver, tight end, I formation. The blitzers don't strike, but they do limit Orton's time. Orton finds Hillis hooking into the flat and completes a pass that streaks up the sideline for 18 and the first.

It's the preseason, but this looks awfully familiar. From Ray Rhoads to John Marshall and now seemingly Jim Mora and Gus Bradley, Seattle has again and again constructed fast, bend but don't break defenses that rely on turnovers. There is no consistent way to force turnovers. Teams can rarely bend without eventually breaking. If the Seahawks think that can lose the battle of yards but win the battle of points, they are creating a flawed system likely to fail. It's the preseason. I hope that's not so.

Tampa was a great collection of defensive talent. The Tampa 2 tapped into the talent. But it was the talent and not the system that made Ruskell's Bucs great. This time, it might be the system and not the talent that makes the Seahawks bad.

2009 Colts Training Camp: Starting Three Technique DT

BigBlueShoe — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:03:39 -0000

Image: www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com

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We discussed the nose tackles last week. This week, we focus on the "under" tackle, or the "three technique" defensive tackle battles that will have the attention of fans and coaches alike at training camp, which opens in just three days.

As we stated last week, the "over tackle," or nose tackle, in a Tampa-2 is usually a player weighing at or around 300 pounds. This player needs to have power at the point of attack and able to engage multiple blockers. Players on the Colts who fit this mold are Ed Johnson, Antonio Johnson, and possibly newly signed rookie Terrance Taylor. By engaging the offensive line and "engulfing" multiple blockers, this frees up the defensive ends to shoot gaps and work angles to get after the QB.

It also enables the under tackle DT to do the same thing: Line up over and attack gaps in the offensive line rather than engage linemen and hope to overpower them.

In the nine years the Indianapolis Colts have run Tampa-2, they have never had a dominant under tackle. Warren Sapp made a living killing QBs as the UT in for the Tampa Bay's Buccaneers. Players like Tommie Harris, John Randle, and Kevin Williams have also played dominant football during their careers at UTs in a Tampa-2 system. The best UT Indy has ever had is Raheem Brock, a defensive end converted to DT who is now re-converted to defensive end.

Under tackles are typically smaller than the nose tackle. They can weigh anywhere from 255-300 pounds. They use quickness, speed, and technique to penetrate the gaps in an o-line and knife into the backfield in order to create havoc. Girth and power are not the premium. It's all about speed.

This past off-season, the Colts and Bill Polian worked hard to bring in players can could finally lock down the starting UT position. This preview (or training camp primer, so to speak) will breakdown who those players are and who has the best chance to win the starting job.

Under tackle DTs currently on roster: Fili Moala, Eric Foster, Keyunta Dawson, Adrian Grady, Raheem Brock

Under tackle DTs competing for the starting spot: Fili Moala, Eric Foster, Keyunta Dawson, Adrian Grady

Unlike the nose tackle position in 2008, the under tackle position was not an unmitigated disaster. While many like to bash, berate, and dismiss Keyunta Dawson (Indy's 6'3, 254 pound DT), the fact of the matter is that when Dawson worked alongside a good, consistent over tackle (like Ed Johnson) the Colts run defense was one of the better ones in the league. Last year, while playing mostly alongside a rookie DT who was undersized himself (Eric Foster), Keyunta Dawson struggled.

As we often state here at Stampede Blue, size and girth are two very over-rated attributes when evaluating players. A "big fatty" is not going to solve your problems stopping the run. And even though Indy went out and drafted USC's Fili Moala (6'4, 300 pounds), it is not Moala's weight or size that will help him. It's speed, and speed, and more speed with the right technique that will give the starting UT the edge he needs to succeed.

Necessary attributes: Quickness;speed; good understanding of gap penetration, angles; good pop and burst off the snap; pass rushing skills; hard hitter with solid tackling skills; does not need to be 300 pounds; light feet and quick-footed

Fili Moala

Moala was drafted specifically to play (and start) as the three technique under tackle in the Colts defense. Anything less means he is a bust, and a waste of a first day pick. So, saying this job is Fili's to lose is an understatement. If Fili does not start Kickoff Weekend against the Jaguars, Colts fans will wonder why he was drafted in the first place. It is literally that simple, fair or unfair.

At 6'4, 303 pounds, Moala is much bigger than traditional under tackles. When considering Moala and the UT position, I can understand it when people say the Colts have "beefed up" their defensive line. The Colts have never deployed a 300 pound under tackle for the simple reason that most 300 pound tackles cannot pressure the QB. And an under tackle must pressure the QB.

What makes Moala unique is he is a tall, big DT than can pressure the QB.

Check out Moala's scouting report pre-draft:

Excellent athleticism...Very quick and agile...Good speed...Adequate size with long arms...Has a big frame with room to grow...Active and does a nice job in pursuit...Good range and mobility...Can penetrate and slice into the backfield...Productive pass rusher...Decent instincts and awareness...Versatile...Good bloodlines...Great program pedigree.
...

Real good player with some intriguing tools but has been overhyped... Could be a perfect fit for a Tampa 2 scheme.

Moala only had 5 sacks in his career at USC, but part of that was USC switching to a 3-4 defense last season. Prior to that, USC played a lot of Tampa-2. His size and long arms could help him give Indy the added dimension of batting down passes, and his frame could make it difficult for opposing QBs to see their receiving targets.

Durability and comfort-level are the two demons Moala must overcome. Rookies have a tendency to wear down as their minds and bodies adjust to the man's game, not the little boy's game they had fun playing in college. Moala has the physical tools to win this job and develop into a pretty good DT. If he doesn't win this job in camp, many people will question why he was drafted in the first place. The Colts are far to reliant on high picks making an immediate impact for Moala not to win this job.

Eric Foster

We talked about Eric Foster last week as a nose tackle, but for Foster's long term health and longevity in this league he needs to switch to UT. All off-season, he's talked about getting better at pressuring the QB and developing pass rushing skills. He's known for studying game tape of other players, and Foster himself plays with a passion and toughness d-line coach John Teerlick loves.

If Foster showcases some impressive pass rushing moves in camp and pre-season, he will push to start at DT once again. Only this time, he'll push to start at under tackle as opposed to nose tackle.

Keyunta Dawson

I am a staunch defender of Keyunta Dawson. I have been ever since he started his first game as a rookie back in 2007. He stepped in and replaced Raheem Brock at DT against the Chargers, and for the entire game he introduced LaDainian Tomlinson's face to the San Diego turf.

Dawson is one tough, durable SOB! At 254 pounds, he is a good 10-12 pounds lighter than Dwight Freeney. In fact, he is almost the exact same height and weight as Colts second year linebacker Philip Wheeler. Yet, despite playing at only 254, Dawson plays his position well by using excellent technique. When he has someone next to him who can occupy blockers, Dawson can attack his gap with excellent effectiveness and cause problems for offenses.

Unfortunately, this year I get the sense that Dawson will need a great camp just to make the team. With Moala drafted and Foster possibly switching to UT, Dawson is a bit expendable. But, Dawson is a hard worker who has risen to the challenge before. If he impresses at camp, maybe he sticks around.

Adrian Grady

The "wildcard" in the UT camp position battle is undrafted rookie Adrian Grady. If anyone looks the part this year's version of Eric Foster, or 2007's Ed Johnson, or 2006's Antoine Bethea, it's Adrian Grady. At 6'2, 290 pounds, he is the ideal height and weight for a Tampa-2 UT. He has great "pop" at the line of scrimmage, and he can attack gaps with strong force. He also uses a strong, low center-of-gravity to get leverage underneath blockers.

Grady's biggest problem in college was health. It seemed as if he was always hurt. His senior season, he shook off the injury bug and really started to shine as a defensive tackle. October of last year, he was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week. He had 7 tackles and 2 sacks against then #14 ranked University of South Florida.

Grady is definitely someone worth watching at camp. If he can stay healthy, he seems to have the physical tools to succeed at UT for the Colts.

Thoughts Prior to Camp: This is Fili Moala's job to lose (or win, however you want to put it) and anyone who says otherwise is pulling your leg. On a club that surrendered over 100 rushing yards a game in 2008, the DT drafted the first day is the guy who gets the job. If he can't win it, it is serious egg on the face of Colts management.

Fortunately, Colts management is pretty damn good. Foster and Grady will certainly push Moala, but in the end the rookie should win the starting job. Dawson is the odd man out, which is unfortunate. Baring a great camp, he will likely be cut.