Everyone talks about the impact new Bucs coach Bruce Arians will have on the offense, but what does new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles need to do to improve that unit?

Build a secondary. Quick

Rick Stroud, Bucs beat writer @NFLStroud: Todd Bowles is known for bringing pressure. Lots of pressure on the quarterback. He does it with blitzes. That means his corners live on an island. But the Bucs corners are young and inexperienced and not ready to be hung out to dry with receivers like Julio Jones and Michael Thomas. The Bucs don’t know if they can count on a bounce back year from CB Vernon Hargreaves and S Justin Evans. CB Carlton Davis showed some promise covering man to man. But the best thing Bowles can do is lobby Jason Licht to get players who can cover. And that’s assuming the Bucs can actually rush the passer. Bowles has a much tougher job than Bruce Arians.

Keep offenses on their heels

Eduardo A. Encina, Bucs/pro sports enterprise writer, @EddieintheYard: Bowles’ Arizona defense in 2014 — the year when he was named NFL Assistant Coach of the Year — was ranked fifth in the NFL in fewest points allowed, but still allowed a lot of yards, ranking 24th in total yards allowed. A lot of those yards came in the passing game (259.5 yards a game ranked 29th of the 32 teams). Those numbers don’t correlate, but Bowles’ defense had playmakers in the secondary, a unit that recorded 18 interceptions and had four defensive backs with at least three picks. It’s not just coverage that leads to those numbers, but also establishing a pass rush, or at least the illusion of pressure. That’s one thing Bowles’ defense was great at despite giving up some yards — keeping opposing offenses uncomfortable.

Don’t be fooled by the sack numbers

Thomas Bassinger, sports data reporter, @tometrics: This team still lacks a pass rush. Yes, the Bucs recorded 38 sacks this season, 16 more than in 2017. Their rate of pressure, which is a better predictor of future sacks than actual sacks, was about the same — once every four pass plays. Last season, that was the worst rate in the NFL. This season, it was the second-worst rate. Bowles says he will coach based on the players he has, but as he settles in, I wonder what role he sees for defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. Pierre-Paul’s last team, the Giants, traded him and his hefty contract when it decided it was going to switch to a 3-4 base scheme. Think he gets to 12.5 sacks again? I doubt it. To get that many this season, he only had to play a bazillion snaps.

Better players, 3-4 schemes

Martin Fennelly, columnist, @mjfennelly: The problems are more about personnel than scheme. But if you want to keep Vita Vea on the field, go to a 3-4. Vea is a nose tackle. If you keep Gerald McCoy, make him a 3-4 defensive end.JPP should be a situational rusher. In other Jason Licht news, the Bucs messed this up by not making trades and stockpiling draft picks. The next draft will be loaded on defense. Also, you can’t leave your base personnel on the field all day. Commit to doing one thing very well, like stopping the run with Vea, McCoy, JPP and Kwon Alexander. Find a QB for the defense. Bowles had Honey Badger in Arizona. He also helped draft strong safety Jamal Adams to the Jets and he is terrific.The Bucs need one of those.

Secondary needs a veteran presence

Ernest Hooper, columnist/assistant sports editor, @hoop4you: Every unit needs an improvement, but the secondary may be most deficient. It’s not a lack potential among its young charges, but rather a void in leadership. Bowles best step, perhaps with Todd Licht’s help, would be acquiring or developing a ball-hawking safety or stingy corner who can make plays on the field and lead off of it. A guy who will help the unit bond in the offseason and not wait until Week 9 to create a winning chemistry. Bowles and head coach Bruce Arians will emphasize trust and loyalty, but coaches need leaders to help instill that attitude.

Draft re-evaluation