Tampa 2

**josdin00** · 01-09-2006, 07:17 PM

With all the talk that Mike Tomlin will be our next D Coordinator, It's time we all educate ourselves on the "Tampa 2" version of the Cover 2. After all, we may all be raving/bitching/cheering/attacking it for the next few years.

Fortuneately, there's an article on it on ESPN right now. Here's some highlights:

That aggressive approach is the foundation of the Tampa 2, the style of Cover 2 defense made popular by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under Tony Dungy, starting in the mid- to late-1990s. Actually, it all started in the 1970s with Bud Carson's Steelers defenses, for whom Dungy played defensive back. Dungy learned the Cover 2 from Carson. In Cover 2, two safeties play zone (area) coverage, each of them responsible for half of the field. Dungy's Bucs had great success dropping a speedy middle linebacker (the "Mike") down the middle of the field to defend the pass, creating a three-deep look, while four often undersized but quick defensive linemen rushed the passer. And so, the Tampa 2 was born.

...

It seems the Tampa 2 is an ideal scheme with which to turn around a defense virtually overnight. In 2001, Smith's first year as St. Louis' defensive coordinator, the Rams improved from 24th the previous season to third. Meeks was Smith's secondary coach that year, before going to Indianapolis with Dungy in 2002.

...

"There's no magic formula," Dungy said. "We don't do a whole lot, other than play hard and play well. Whether it's Pittsburgh or Tampa or Chicago or here, we're going to be fundamentally sound and try not to give up big plays and play hard and play smart. It's that more so than the X's and O's."

...

They're always hustling in the Tampa 2, gang tackling ball carriers. It helps that the players have an idea where the ball is going. The Tampa 2 asks the corners to reroute the outside (also the most dangerous) receivers, delaying the release and buying the line more time to get to the quarterback.

"That's where the rush and the coverage come together," said Mike Tomlin, the Bucs' secondary coach and one of the league's top coordinator prospects. "The way you attack it is vertically. But in order to do that, you have to protect, or you have to get a bunch of people out to stress us. If you get people out, we've got one-on-one with the guys up-front. If you keep guys in to protect, we've got enough people in pass defense, and guys are in position to see the ball come out."

And attack.

"It allows them to play fast," Tomlin said.

...

What all of those players have in common is that they can move quickly. Along with an aggressive attitude, the Tampa 2 places a premium on speed. "I'm sure we don't emphasize [running to the ball] any more than anyone else does, but it's easier to fly to the ball when you have fast guys that can run," Dungy said. [...] (Lovie) Smith and defensive coordinator Ron Rivera grade their players on loafs, or how many times they don't hustle to the football.

I looked at the depth chart, and the players we have right now would, for the most part, fit this scheme well. The position where we will need the most help is at linebacker. More specifically, we need someone else at middle linebacker. The tampa 2 mike has to be quick enough to drop into coverage and take away the middle of the field. We don't have that right now.

**gregair13** · 01-09-2006, 07:19 PM

come to us arrington

**DCPologirl** · 01-09-2006, 07:22 PM

"gregair13" wrote:

come to us arrington

Ohhh Greg that is not going to happen

**Navycoach** · 01-09-2006, 07:24 PM

Well, he isn't very happy in D.C.

I've seen stranger things.

**Mr. Purple** · 01-09-2006, 07:31 PM

Lavar could easliy come here, as well as Julian. We need to get a good SS this offseason cuz I'm thinkin Chavous might be gone...and the Cover 2 uses two safties...Offord isnt bad...but I wouldnt mind drafting a Hard hitting saftie in the first if we quench our LB and RB needs in FA.

**michaelmazid** · 01-09-2006, 07:49 PM

I am so pumped about getting Mike Tomlin.

We got three bad azzz CB and two bad azz saftey's. We should have the best secondary in the NFL this upcoming season.

**Schleppy** · 01-09-2006, 08:01 PM

Dont forget this guy.....

Author: Mike Wobschall

One pleasant surprise for the Vikings this season was the play of rookie defensive back Devonte Edwards. Throughout the course of this season, Edwards emerged as a contributor on defense and special teams. You may remember Edwards most for his 51-yard interception return for a touchdown against Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. Edwards also had two tackles during that game at Lambeau Field. The interception helped the Vikings claim a 20-17 victory over the Packers in week 11.

"That play is definitely the highlight of the season for me," Edwards said. "Taking your first pick to the house is what you dream about."

Coming into the season Edwards knew he would have to earn any playing time that would come his way.

"I knew the bulk of my time would be on special teams. Being the headhunter on punts is one of the toughest positions in the league, and I just wanted to work hard at it and earn some playing time," Edwards said.

"I knew I was capable of playing in this league. I just needed an opportunity to show that, and I knew I would have to earn that opportunity.

Edwards has improved tremendously over the course of this season, especially as a defensive player.

"I think I have better recognition of offenses and my awareness is better," Edwards commented. "Sitting in meetings with coaches has helped me along, and I've been able to learn from guys like Darren Sharper, who is the ultimate professional and Cory Chavous, who is a very smart player and a film junkie."

Edwards attended North Carolina State University, the same school fellow defensive back Brian Williams attended. At NCSU, Edwards was four-year letterwinner, playing wide receiver and cornerback, as well as returning punts. Edwards was also a standout basketball player in high school. He played in NBA Players Association tournaments against current NBA starts Amare Stoudamire and Eddie Curry.

Edwards was signed by the Vikings on April 25, 2005