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Getting Defensive - Tampa Bay Bucs


Zod
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Many fans are ready to start celebrating the Panthers having their first winning record since Jake Delhomme was the starting quarterback. Veteran Panthers fans know better.

The Panthers are on the road against a division rival in prime time during a short week. Everyone on that field is a paid professional football player and the creme of the NCAA crop. The Panthers could lose this game. Here are the key points on defense to make sure that does not happen.

- Force rookie mistakes. So far this season Bucs rookie QB Mike Glennon has actually looked pretty decent. Against the Falcons last Sunday, he had a 90.7 passer rating and completed 59% of his passes. Not bad for a rookie forced into a starting position. Glennon's passer rating has improved every week. Clearly he is learning. The Panthers defense will attempt to confuse Glennon with disguised coverages and blitzes. These tricks probably would not work against Drew Brees, but against Glennon could yield great results.

I never thought Brad Johnson would lose the title of Bucs QB with the longest neck.

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- Don't relax on run stuffing. Tampa Bay RB Doug Martin is most likely out for this game, even though they are playing coy about confirming it (not a bad strategy in a short week and fewer injury reports). Still, the Panthers should not overlook the Bucs rushing attack. We have seen long and sustained drives given up by the Panthers defense when they lose focus. It is up to Sean McDermott to keep his unit hungry and unwilling to allow a single yard on the ground. Backup RB Mike James has looked average at best, the Panthers should be able to shut him down.

The game Thursday night has all the makings of a trap game. Although I do feel the Panthers will win this game, I am not convinced it will be the blow out many are predicting.

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The Rams helped to light any fire in the Panthers that was not yet lit.  There seems to be a new attitude on the entire team. Certainly RR becoming more aggressive has helped the team believe.

 

Now there is the little thing about the last time the Panthers played on Thurs nite.  The team has something to prove on national TV. Becoming relevant is just around the corner and the players can almost taste it.  They want it. They want it as a team and are playing together and for each other.

 

Cam has become a leader, Ron has become a head coach.  My fellow Huddlers, this team is playing to win.

 

I have only one concern about the D.....it involves the health and safety of Glennon.  He looks a bit fragile. The Panther Welcome to the NFL Wagon of Hardy, Davis, Johnson, Luke, et al will not make him feel warm and fuzzy.  Just hope they don't break anything other than his spirit.

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This is one game that has me cautious about. For one it is a divisional game and Tampa really doesn't have anything to lose. We just have to stay focused and disciplined. I am loving the "new" attitude that this time has seem to put on and I believe it starts with RR. I am excited about the game as well because this would put us over .500 since 2008. Thats a pretty long time. Lets go panthers!

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These types of games always scare me... We should win, but...

I hope they don't Panther it up.

These types of games always scare me... We should win, but...

I hope they don't Panther it up.

One thing about Rivera, with the exception of the Chiefs last year (who played a very emotional game at home btw) we do tend to win these games against horrible teams we are supppose to win. Jags and Colts in 2011, Eagles last year and Giants Vikings this year. I really cant think of a game we lost under the Rivera era were it was to a terrible team.

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One thing about Rivera, with the exception of the Chiefs last year (who played a very emotional game at home btw) we do tend to win these games against horrible teams we are supppose to win. Jags and Colts in 2011, Eagles last year and Giants Vikings this year. I really cant think of a game we lost under the Rivera era were it was to a terrible team.

Guess you missed the Arizona game a few weeks ago.

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