Denver Fans know all about Jim Bates. While, he had some success in Miami, it was nowhere to be found in the Mile High City. The one time head coaching candidte after his stint in Miami, found himself coaching an already descent Denver Broncos defense (9th in scoring defense). When Bates took over in 2007 they went from 14th to 19th in Total Defense, from 9th to 29th in scoring defense and (hang on to you seats) from 12 to 30th in run defense.

It is no wonder he decided to “leave” Denver after an abysmal year like that. It’s also no secret that the Bucs got GASHED against the run at the end of the 2008 regular season, keeping us out of the playoffs. So why is Jim Bates defense so fickle? Let’s look at what it takes to make the Bates defense succeed.

The idea of Jim Bates defense is a system called the “run-contain.” It focuses much less on gaps and assignments as it does what Bates calls “vectors.” The idea is to cut off running lanes. This is done two-fold. The Defensive Tackles are required to clog the middle. They have little to no pass rushing responsibilities and their biggest goal is to free up the linebackers. The Outside Linebackers are told NOT to make the tackle. Crazy, huh? Their job is to work to the outside of the running back and force him to turn it back into the Mike linebacker (Barret Ruud). The ends are responsible for getting to the quarterback, disrupting the backfield and working from sideline to sideline in pursuit of these tacklers.

The idea isn’t so far fetched that it’s “gimmicky.” Typically the cornerbacks fill the role of the outside linebackers (in forcing them back in). With the outside linebackers taking this job over, it gives the running backs even fewer lanes to the sideline (a place EVERY running back is trying to get to).

Here is the problem with this defense…. you have to have PERFECT personnel to make it succeed. Do the Bucs have it?

Tampa Bay had numerous problems at the defensive tackle position. They routinely got stood up and down blocked in the second half of the season. Chris Hovan, Ryan Sims and Dre Moore all return with the (nice) addition of Roy Miller. I would expect Miller to win the starting job alonside of Hovan, however, there will probably be a good rotation of guys in the lineup. Miller can be a Bates DT, which is probably why he was drafted. He is short, but very strong and can clog up the inside. The other three guys all have potential to be a “run-stopping” DT, but have only rarely shown glimpses of that. If our DT’s can free up Ruud, this defense fails.

The OLB’s are the next most crucial position. They have to be smart, quick and physical. If they get beat to the outside, or get held up on a block we are going to see several LONG runs broken on the Bucs next season. It is no surprise that Bates moved Phillips from Safety to Will in this defense. There isn’t going to be a quicker linebacker on the field for this personnel specific defense. The SAM position remains a question mark. Phillips has a very good, young linebacker sitting behind him as a safety net. Angelo Crowell, who isn’t the fastest linebacker, doesn’t. Crowell is going to have to pick this defense quick or Jim Bates could see the door before the end of the season.

The good news? Barrett Ruud. Ruud is freed up. He get’s to just go play football. If you aren’t a die-hard NFL fan, this is a name that you may not know. Ruud is the next Troy Polamalu in that he is just a blue-collar, knock your teeth out type player who gets little publicity (though Polamalu has become a sensation). Ruud is excited about this (via JoeBucsFan.Com)

“It’s a good system, a sound system. It has answers for everything. For me it’s simpler. By the end of last year Monte was putting a lot on me checking the defense. Now I just line up and go.

“We will still do a little Tampa-2 but not as much as we used to. This will free me up to get more tackles. I think I will get more sacks. In Monte’s package, the blitz [would free] up the SAM or the nickel to get one-on-one coverage. With this defense, there will be more of a variety with different blitzes. I hope I can get free’ed up to get some shots [at the quarterback].

If your a fan of big hits and GREAT linebacker play, you should be excited about those comments.

Do I think it can work? Yes. I do. My biggest concern is our defensive tackle play. Bates and DT coach Todd Wash have their work cut out for them. I think we improve our run and get worse against the pass. We don’t have the personnel to play bump and run like Bates wants. We have no depth and questionable starters (and that includes Ronde Barber).