Dabs’ Digest: Week 12 conversation with Coach Brian Daboll

Q: In the three games you won when he was the quarterback last year, the defense and special teams had 12 takeaways. You always talk about complementary football. Is that a good example?

Daboll: “That’s something that was a big part of our bye week study. This year, teams that have won the turnover ratio in a game, all the teams combined have won 76% of the time. Just start with that right there. We haven’t done a good enough job of taking care of the ball or getting the ball. The games that we’ve played, we’re already behind the eight ball with just that in general. Making sure we’re taking care of the ball is something we emphasize on a daily basis. Drill work, tape study, presentation, and then getting the ball, too. That’s something we’re going to have to do a good job of this next half of the season. A better job in that area.”

Q: That was one of my later questions because I know it’s come up this week. You haven’t had a positive turnover differential yet this year.

Brian Daboll: “You’re looking at, again, 76 percent of the teams this year that have won the turnover ratio have won the game. That’s big. There’s no question we need to do a better job of that. That’s complementary football in and of itself.”

Q: On the other hand, in the nine games Tommy played last year, he was sacked 37 times, 28 times in the six games he started.

Daboll: “That’s something that you coach it, or you address it. It’s a variety of reasons, not to delve back too much into last year. Staying on track and staying in the positive for an offense is what you need to do. Then you need to capitalize in the red zone or hit some explosive plays. It’s something that we’ve studied. We’ve had long drives. We’ve controlled the ball. We’ve had a fair amount of long drives that have gone for over five minutes. Ability to execute and dial it up in the red zone. That’s something that we’ve spent a lot of time on.”

Q: I think you were asked both Monday and Wednesday how you changed the offense to tailor it more to Tommy. When he played last year, you didn’t have Tyrone Tracy, Malik Nabers or Theo Johnson. Has the offense changed much since Tommy last played?

Daboll: “GVR (guard Greg Van Roten), (tackle Jermaine) Eluemunor. Obviously, we have different pieces. He’s done some good things. He’s a young player. He started six games. He’s doing everything he can do to put himself in a good position this week.”

Q: Daniel (Jones) and Drew (Lock) combined have played almost 100 NFL games. How helpful is it for Tommy to have them in the meeting room, at practice, and during the game?

Daboll: “Any position that’s played a lot of games. Tommy’s started six games. The quarterback room, they’re always communicating. They’re always meeting extra, they’re always here early. I’d say they have a good relationship in that room.”

Q: Tyrone has waited two weeks to redeem himself from the fumble in overtime against Carolina. In a situation like that, how do you encourage the player?

Daboll: “You’re always coaching the technique. (Running backs coach) Joel Thomas has done a fabulous job with him from where he started to where he is now. We have a lot of confidence in him. He understands he’s got to take care of the ball. This (Tampa Bay) is a team that goes after the ball. Some veteran players, (Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte) David and (Antoine) Winfield (Jr.) are some of the best guys to ever do it. It is a big challenge for everybody that holds the ball this week.”

Q: You get (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux) back after he missed five games. Azeez (Ojulari) was very productive in his absence. With (Brian) Burns, you seem to have a good three-man rotation there.

Daboll: “Yeah. Keep guys fresh. Got to do a good job again of getting offenses into passing-type situations so that those three guys can do what they do well, which is not the only thing they do well, but let them use their strength as pass rushers.”

Q: The Bucs have lost four games in a row, but they scored at least 20 points in all but one game this season. They score a lot of points.

Daboll: “They execute. They are very good situationally. Their red zone offense is third in the league (in touchdown percentage). It’s how they score, and they’re productive. So, (Buccaneers quarterback) Baker (Mayfield) is a big part of that.”

Q: What is it about Mayfield that makes him so effective? His ability to extend the play until he finds somebody open or a place to run?

Daboll: “I just think he’s a good football player. Had an opportunity to really get to know him in ’18 when we were evaluating quarterbacks (before the draft, in which Mayfield was the first selection). Met with him down in Oklahoma. Worked him out and spent a lot of time with him. Came up to a visit (in Buffalo) Spent a lot of time with him in the classroom. He’s a very intelligent player. He’s got a lot of moxie to him. He’s tough. His guys rally around him. He’s obviously not the tallest guy, but he’s strong. He can create with arm angles. Has good velocity on the ball, good accuracy. Good leadership traits. He’s a good football player.”

Q: He has 26 total touchdowns (24 passing).

Daboll: “He’ll turn it loose. He has his own journey in the NFL. Again, getting to know him and have known him for a while, have a lot of respect for him and how he plays the game.”

Q: This game features the two top rookie running backs in the league. You obviously know Tyrone very well. What do you see in (Tampa Bay’s) Bucky Irving?

Daboll: “Elusive, fast. Has ability to change direction. Good contact balance. Good vision. He’s got a nice stiff arm. There’s short space quickness. He’s good. He’s got good yards per carry (5.1). Productive young player.”

Q: And lucky you, you get the return of (Buccaneers wide receiver) Mike Evans.

Daboll: “Well, there’s not much you can say about him. One of the best to ever do it. Makes unbelievable catches. He will test you down in the red zone. They move him around some, but he’s been as good as there is in the league for a long time.”

Q: Defensively, the numbers aren’t great, but they have several standout players. (Linebacker) Lavonte David is in his 13^th season, and he again leads them in tackles (with 72).

Daboll: “You’ve got (nose tackle) Vita (Vea), you’ve got David, you’ve got (safety Antoine) Winfield. Three guys that I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for in how they play the game. They’ve done it for a long time at a high level. Coach (Todd) Bowles has a tough defensive scheme relative to all the pressure looks that he gives you. You get into those situations, it becomes a challenge.”

Q: Getting (Buccaneers cornerback) Jamel Dean back is going to bolster their secondary.

Daboll: “They’ve got a lot of good pieces. It’s a difficult scheme to prepare for, particularly with all the pressure looks. We’re going to have to play good football.”