Saints at Buccaneers: Key Match-Ups to Watch
By Bob Rose
November 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints free safety Vonn Bell (48) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi
Saints Safety Vonn Bell vs. the Buccaneers “Weapons” (Tight Ends and Wide Receivers) of the Tampa Passing Game
Like a number of his teammates, rookie safety Vonn Bell played perhaps the worst game of the year last week against Detroit.
In addition to the blown coverage leading to Tate’s long touchdown, Bell was very noticeably slow in coverage most of the afternoon.
In some fairness to Bell, the Lions game plan seemed to call for a number of “quick hitting” patterns like slants or short outside shots. An approach like this will reduce the back end safeties into nothing more than a tackle support role.
Evidence to this is the fact that the Saints safeties Bell, Kenny Vaccaro and Jairus Byrd were among the team’s leading tacklers on the day.
Bucs QB “Famous” Jameis Winston often prefers to put the ball down the middle of the field to WR Mike Evans and tight end Cameron Brate, and isnt afraid to put the football into tight coverage windows.
Dec 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) runs with the ball during the second half against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Tampa Bay won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
With Fridays report that safety Kenny Vaccaro will now be suspended for the remainder of the season, extra pressure will be put on Vonn Bell to assume the “playmaker” role in a secondary that has already been vastly undermanned this season.
Bell, and the other New Orleans defensive backs should have alot more opportunities to create turnovers in this game.
Given the youth of both talented players (Winston is in his second year and Bell a rookie) Saints fans could be witness to this head to head battle for years to come.