Jamel Dean Says More Interceptions Is Just A Mental Thing
August 3rd, 2022
Jamel Dean talks picks.
Big, big year for Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean.
The 2019 third-round pick from Auburn has grown in each of his three seasons. This year is a contract year for Dean. He has quietly developed into a damn good corner. If he balls out this fall, it could mean many, many millions in his bank account come next spring, if not before.
Then there is the fact the Bucs are in a Super Bowl-or-bust mode. So clearly, if Dean balls out, it means a lot both for his legacy and his financial portfolio.
So what is stopping Dean from being a premier corner? Picks.
Joe talked to Dean after practice today in the Glazer Shed. He told Joe that getting more picks is just between the ears. If you do the prep and know what you are doing, you will put yourself in position to get more picks.
“My goal was just to come in there and to be mentally smart, being mentally better,” Dean explained. “I also wanted to get my body in the best condition it can me — it feels like it.”
Now many folks would say if Dean only catches the ball better, he would have more picks. Dean said it’s a bit more complex than that. If you know what you are doing, he said a corner can set himself up to get more picks.
“It’s more putting yourself in position,” Dean said. “Understand what is coming at you and being able to have that jump on the ball, [that] jump on the play so you can have the opportunity to catch it. It’s all about fundamentals.”
And that is the mental part Dean is referring to.
Dean has had a helluva camp. He’s gotten picks. His interception today of Kyle Trask in red zone drills was a pretty neat play. Generally, during the first seven practices, Dean has consistently played tight coverage on receivers. But he and the defense as a whole are craving and striving for more turnovers, diving all over the place after errant passes.
“We need more turnovers,” Dean said of the Bucs defense. “The goal this year is to get 30 interceptions. We are making a big emphasis on getting our hands on the ball.”
The Bucs’ record for most team interceptions in a season game in 1981. When the Bucs won the Super Bowl in the 2002 season, the defense had 31 picks. Since Todd Bowles came to Tampa Bay the defense has had 12, 15 and 17 picks. So 30 would damn near double the total from last year.
And, to listen to Dean, it all starts between the ears.
August 3rd, 2022 at 1:01 pm
Sticking to my story
Sky is the limit for Dean
Keep working then go get paid young man !
August 3rd, 2022 at 1:14 pm
Sure and try not get beat so much.
August 3rd, 2022 at 1:18 pm
I think its a having bad hands thing.
August 3rd, 2022 at 1:20 pm
It starts with getting your damn head around. Dean has struggled to do that. another key factor, is the space he gives up. You can’t pick off a pass, if you’re giving up an inordinate amount of space. He has the makeup speed, and size to play closer to the reciever. If Dean works on those two things, I think the sky is the limit. This should be a breakout year. The bucs may have chosen the wrong DB to resign. Dean will almost assuredly be gone, unless he takes a home town discount.
August 3rd, 2022 at 1:35 pm
Momma says she likes interceptions. Momma been watching foosball, and knows what an INT is now. Momma is right, and says that secondary needs to have its heads on a swivel.
If we average 2 picks a game, that’d be 34 picks assuming my abacus was calibrated properly. Highly unlikely, but a great goal for the D.
Momma says GO BUCS!!!
(Thanks GOB – you got Momma in my head now. Gotta re-watch Waterboy tonight, LOL)
August 3rd, 2022 at 2:34 pm
D-Rok, they ever done catch that guerilla who done excape from the zoo, and punch you in your eye? No momma, the search continues.
August 3rd, 2022 at 2:45 pm
HA HA HA Mr. GOB. The search does indeed continue. Unabated.
August 3rd, 2022 at 2:47 pm
As for this article, to quote Mr. Lynch – “They gotta get they mentals right.”
August 3rd, 2022 at 4:18 pm
Catching a ball can always be taught and improved on. Size, speed and length cannot. Keep pounding the rock young man!
August 4th, 2022 at 3:40 am
Matt, with no arms on the floor, could pick off Kyle Trask.