Poll: Top 5 Defensive Plays From The Bucs Game

by Dave Halprin on Dec 20, 2011 11:43 AM CST in Dallas Cowboys General

The Cowboys had a very good game defensively against the Bucs, only giving up one touchdown while grabbing three sacks, and forcing penalties to avoid more sacks. They held LeGarrette Blount in check and did it with a lot of backups playing a lot of minutes. Here are the nominees for the top defensive play.

-- With 12:47 left in the first quarter, the Bucs had just reached midfield on a long Josh Freeman scramble. On 1st and 10 Freeman scrambles up the middle again, but this time the Cowboys' Anthony Spencer had been spying him while covering the tight end who stayed in to block. Spencer takes off to catch Freeman and strips the ball that Bradie James recovers.

-- On the Bucs second drive (8:44 in the first quarter) they are facing a 3rd and 1. Marcus Spears knifes past the right tackle to stuff Blount in the backfield forcing a punt. This was a tone-setter for the game.

-- With 10:31 left in the 2nd quarter, the Bucs have the ball 1st and 10. On two consecutive plays the Cowboys sack Freeman. First DeMarcus Ware speed-rushes past the left tackle, then Orlando Scandrick comes on a blitz from the other side and gets the second consecutive sack.

-- This play went unnoticed, but was big. With 8:11 left in the 4th quarter, the Bucs are at midfield trying to make a real game out of it. On 2nd and 3, the Cowboys blitzed from their right-side, with Sean Lee also blitzing up the middle. The Bucs had the perfect call, a screen to the blitzing side. It was all set up for a huge gain, but Lee read the blitz, reversed course to the running back and made an ankle tackle for a 1-yard loss. The Bucs eventually converted the fourth down, but Lee's tackle prevented a huge play.

-- The closer. Jason Hatcher, Victor Butler and Alex Albright converge on Freeman on a 1st and 10 with 6:43 left in the game. Freeman is forced to throw and gets an intentional grounding penalty, severely hurting the Bucs chances at a comeback..

Poll

Top defensive play from the Bucs game?

Spencer causing a fumble

273 votes

Spears sets the tone on 3rd and 1

72 votes

Ware/Scandrick sacks

21 votes

Lee saves a big play

90 votes

Trio snuffs out Bucs hopes

26 votes

482 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I really like the fact

Our DL, backups at that, were able to close out the game without blitz heavy plays.

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player and 2012's Superbowl MVP
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo

by thebigham on Dec 20, 2011 12:10 PM CST reply actions

I have been screeming since pre season how Brent and Lissy are just such a godsend!

Brent just doesn’t move and Lissy is quite athletic,,,,, I honesly think they are as good or better than Spears and Hatcher,,,, they are both much stronger and fit the kind of guys I like to see inside,,,,, plus if they both work out we have huge flexability with Ratliff,,, Put Ratliff next to Ware on either side and that is going to be awsome!

by Musiccitynorm on Dec 20, 2011 1:18 PM CST up reply actions

Brent hasn't played in a few weeks

and he might not play again this season.

We're here to win football games. The way to do that is to tell him and to get on him at the right times. I do that when you guys (media) don't see and watch.''

What else makes a strong leader?

"You win,'' Romo said. "You're a very good leader once you win.

"That's' what we're going to do.''

by TARHEEL PAUL on Dec 20, 2011 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

he is practicing with trainers and will be back by the playoffs

regardless, For all the screeming about a true nose tackle -- tah dah—— Brent.

by Musiccitynorm on Dec 20, 2011 1:41 PM CST up reply actions

Funny, I have said several times that we already have a big guy for the middle. :)

by Rena on Dec 21, 2011 1:09 AM CST up reply actions

Spencer causing the fumble.

Set the stage for the Cowboys first TD. It also stopped the momentum Tampa was getting from the drive they had going. The defense was flying in the first half. More energy than I’ld seen from them the entire season. Keep it up D.

by oldboysfan on Dec 20, 2011 12:11 PM CST reply actions

Yep

I liked the fact that after getting embarrassed on the first scramble, Spencer showed him he wouldn’t get fooled again. Classic veteran vs young guy move.

by Silverblue on Dec 20, 2011 9:37 PM CST up reply actions

Spencer's forced fumble set the tone early

Definitely the defensive play of the game…after that series the defense was on cruise control

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 20, 2011 12:20 PM CST reply actions

I picked Marcus Spears stuffing Blount

But its hard to argue with any of these.

Hey Washington... D.C. stands for Dallas Cowboys

DeMarcus is EveryWare Man

Twitter: @silva918

by Antonio S on Dec 20, 2011 12:27 PM CST reply actions

They were all good to see. I just want lots more.

Wish you were here and comfortably numb.

by pfloyd1 on Dec 20, 2011 12:42 PM CST reply actions

I picked the Sean Lee play because it really stood out to me at the time.

When the Bucs came out and score a quick 15 in the second half, I was of course concerned about them mounting a comeback—hard to be a cowboys fan this year and not have those thoughts. Lee’s play allowed the defense to avoid a big play that could have possibly cut the lead to 8 points. Huge play.

"Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something... hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication." --Roger Staubach

by dave33 on Dec 20, 2011 12:54 PM CST reply actions

Felix didn't practice today

with a tight hammy. I’m sure he’ll be ok but I just don’t like hearing that.

We're here to win football games. The way to do that is to tell him and to get on him at the right times. I do that when you guys (media) don't see and watch.''

What else makes a strong leader?

"You win,'' Romo said. "You're a very good leader once you win.

"That's' what we're going to do.''

by TARHEEL PAUL on Dec 20, 2011 1:26 PM CST reply actions

This is why he can't be a lead back.

Dude can’t go a week without an injury issue. We’ll need him for sure but I doubt he makes it through the game.

"If something is a sure thing, it requires no faith." - David Allen

by KeyOfZ on Dec 20, 2011 1:31 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Spears play was important ...

But the Tampa Bay lineman just chipped him and went after the LB.
So I voted for Spencer.

by bloodyhanded on Dec 20, 2011 1:27 PM CST reply actions

I voted for Spencer as well

the defense really needed something to get there confidence up.

But Spears was a huge play too. Like Dave said I thought that play really set the tone.

But I also liked the Sean Lee play. That play could have gone for big time yardage but Lee peeled off the blitz and made one hell of a play.

We're here to win football games. The way to do that is to tell him and to get on him at the right times. I do that when you guys (media) don't see and watch.''

What else makes a strong leader?

"You win,'' Romo said. "You're a very good leader once you win.

"That's' what we're going to do.''

by TARHEEL PAUL on Dec 20, 2011 1:30 PM CST reply actions