Bucs prepare for a brawl in the trenches against Harbaugh, Chargers

TAMPA — If you’re facing a team coached by Jim Harbaugh, you better attack the day with enthusiasm unknown to humans.

That’s been Harbaugh’s mantra — Jim with the Chargers and John as head coach of the Ravens since 2008 — inherited from their coaching father, Jack.

“He’s a great coach. A great leader,” said Bucs guard Ben Bredeson, who played for Harbaugh at Michigan. “I really enjoyed playing for him and so did my brother (Max). They’re having a good year over there. He has a unique personality. Guys play for him and I think he has some success back in the NFL.”

Harbaugh has carved out a career as a turnaround specialist that has had a shorter shelf life at programs than his record should warrant.

In 2007, he took over a downtrodden Stanford program coming off a 1-11 season. In his fourth season, with Andrew Luck at quarterback, the Cardinal routed Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

Harbaugh then led the 49ers to three straight NFC Championship games from 2011-13, losing Super Bowl 47 to his brother and the Ravens. A year later, he lost a power struggle with general manager Trent Baalke and was headed to his alma mater in Michigan.

Last season, Harbaugh led the Wolverines to a national championship, then fled to the NFL and fled before the NCAA punished him for recruiting violations and other violations.

Back in the NFL, Harbaugh has the Chargers at 8-5 and in wild-card contention with his physical, run-first mentality. Quarterback Justin Herbert leads the offense with 14 touchdown passes and just one interception.

There’s no secret about what the Bucs will face against the Chargers. Harbaugh is going to run the football, melt the clock and bring a physical fight to the Bucs.

“I think there’s a sense of urgency,” Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen said. “I don’t think there’s anyone walking around here worried, but you’ve got to have an understanding of the style of play we’re going to go out and play.

“This is going to be a physical football game, both teams are going to want to run the football and whoever takes care of the football and wins situational football is probably going to win this game. They’ve done a phenomenal job of not turning the ball over and play their brand and style of football which has been successful for them so far this season.”

Defensively, the Bucs rank 11th in the NFL against the run (1,497 rushing yards allowed) and are tied for 21st in rushing average, allowing 4.6 yards per carry. attempt.

“Well, you know they’re going to want to run the ball and they’re tough to run the ball and it’s going to be tough, tough and they’re (not) going to turn it over,” Bucs co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said . “It’s no secret what you’re getting, because they have a 290-pound back (Scott Matlock), so that kind of tells you what you’re getting. That’s where you fight it right there.”

The Chargers also boast the best red zone defense and are third in the NFL with a plus-11 giveaway/takeaway ratio.

“It’s football,” Bucs linebacker Lavonte David said. “These are the old days. Do you do what you really love and who’s the hardest? How’s it going? How’s it going to go? Four quarters and we’ll see who wears out first. They’ve got that mentality. They’ve got good players with the ability to do that, so we have to be able to match that. It’s definitely a challenge and I feel like we’ll be up for it.”

Chapel Bill

Bill Belichick’s decision to take the head coaching job at North Carolina raised a few eyebrows around the NFL.

Part of the decision had to center around dwindling opportunities to land a job in the league. The Falcons head coaching job, which went to Raheem Morris, was the only one Belichick interviewed for a year ago.

The belief is that he would be in control of football operations and bring in his own people wherever he landed. He has a chance to do that with the Tar Heels, hiring Michael Lombardi as the program’s general manager.

Coen, who has coached in the NFL with the Rams and Bucs, called plays at Kentucky and grew up a Patriots fan in Rhode Island, likes the move.

“I think it could be great for this game, honestly, if he can find a way to make college football more like this in terms of what’s being asked of the coaches, the recruiting staff, the staff, ( name, image and likeness) ) and all those different things,” Coen said. “If he can make it a little less demanding for some of the coaches and create a good atmosphere and be successful, I think that’s great for our game. It’s actually pretty cool to see.”

But, Coen warned, Belichick will find there’s a big difference in coaching college players.

“It’s a cultural change,” he said. “You wake up to a game on Saturday morning, and there is just a difference. There are 18- to 22-year-old guys who are counted on to do the right thing that your livelihood depends on, versus men in a company that really cares in many ways. It’s just another deal. Whether you want to impact people, and that’s what it sounds like he’s trying to do, go in to impact this game in a positive way, I think he has the opportunity to do that.”

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