:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68752657/1161506358.0.jpg)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaches joined the media via Zoom as part of “Super Bowl LV media night” on Monday morning. As to be expected, they were questioned about how they will go about beating the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The current Buccaneers defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles, was Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu’s coordinator in Arizona, where Mathieu started his career after being drafted by the Cardinals in 2013.
Bucs DC Todd Bowles on #Chiefs Tyrann Mathieu: "One of the smartest players I've ever seen. Leadership skills come natural to him." pic.twitter.com/3d2cXPuBD7
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladd0) February 1, 2021
Bowles recalled the team’s Week 12 loss to the Chiefs, when they allowed 543 net yards...
Bowles on week 12 loss to Kansas City: "Our guys learned from it and it made them mentally tougher."
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladd0) February 1, 2021
...including 269 yards to wide receiver Tyreek Hill — and more than 200 in the first quarter.
Chief Ring of Honor member and Bucs’ DB coach Kevin Ross on Plan B for Tyreek Hill:
— Mick Shaffer (@mickshaffer) February 1, 2021
“He showed us what he can do. Now we have to show what we can do.” pic.twitter.com/Hkgnt6LRyn
Ross thought the Buccaneers performed better in Week 12 after the first quarter. The Chiefs jumped out to a 27-10 lead before the Bucs finally held Kansas City.
The final was 27-24 when Patrick Mahomes ran out the remaining time.
Kevin Ross on the Bucs' corners facing the Chiefs' talented pass-catchers: "They know they can play with these guys. They realize that. They also realize they can't do some of the things they did [in the Week 12 game vs. KC]. I think they'll be better prepared."
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) February 1, 2021
Buccaneers wide receivers coach Kevin Garver said he is preparing Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown for the Chiefs’ defensive backs to be aggressive.
WRs Coach Kevin Garver says the Chiefs have a talented secondary that plays well together. Garver says they're going to be physical, try to get their hands on Bucs' WRs every down and be aggressive at line of scrimmage.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) February 1, 2021
WRs Coach Kevin Garver on handling the Chiefs' aggressive blitzing: "We see pressure all the time. It's nothing new to us. It's execution." Says in Week 12 against KC the Bucs had manageable third downs but didn't get the job done in those situations.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) February 1, 2021
Like Bowles, Garver also had an opportunity to work with Mathieu during his time in Arizona.
Bucs WR Coach Kevin Garver on #Chiefs Secondary: "They're going to be aggressive, they're ballhawks, they're athletes." Mentions previous experience with Tyrann Mathieu (a few Bucs assistants were w/ Cardinals)
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) February 1, 2021
Also I'm looking forward to my last name being mispronounced a lot.