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Bucs defense on a record pace to forget

Posted Oct 20, 2009 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Oct 20, 2009 at 11:12 AM

By IRA KAUFMAN
TAMPA—Numbers sometimes lie.

In some cases, they swear.

Tampa Bay’s 0-6 start is accompanied by statistical underpinnings that are disturbing for a young, overhauled organization heading into a matchup against heavily favored New England Sunday in London.

One of the most significant of all NFL categories—average yards per pass attempt—reveals a sobering story on both sides of the ball.

With veteran Byron Leftwich and second-year pro Josh Johnson splitting six starts, the Bucs average only 5.4 yards per pass, ranking 30th in a 32-team league. The bottom six teams in that category (Browns, Titans, Bucs, Raiders, Rams and Chiefs) own a combined record of 4-32.

The defensive tale may be even more depressing.

Opponents are averaging 8.5 yards per pass attempt against Tampa Bay, the worst mark in the NFL.

Overall, the Bucs are yielding 6.0 yards per snap on defense, ahead of only Detroit. If that figure holds up in the next 10 games, it would tie the franchise mark set by the 1986 Bucs that finished 2-14 before Leeman Bennett was fired by former owner Hugh Culverhouse.

Since Tony Dungy arrived in 1996 and installed the Tampa 2 defense, Buc opponents have never averaged more than 5.2 yards per snap in a season.