It’s Jamel Dean! (And A Chris Godwin Update)
September 5th, 2022
Starter.
First, news about a player we know will hit the turf at Jerry’s World Sunday night.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles announced after practice today that Jamel Dean has won the starting cornerback spot opposite Carlton Davis. Dean beat out Sean Murphy-Bunting.
“It was a tough battle,” Bowles said, shaking his head, of the tug-of-war between Dean and SMB to win the job. “Sean had a heckuva camp, he really did. Dean just had a notch better.”
Bowles assured the local pen and mic club that “both will play a lot.”
As far as Pro Bowl receiver Chris Godwin coming off knee surgery, he shed his knee brace today, which Bowles termed “inspired” and said it demonstrates Godwin is growing confident in his knee being able to handle full contact.
Bowles later said when discussing rookie corner Zyon McCollum working to be Dallas-ready, “Everyone is trending towards playing Sunday night, yep.”
Joe will assume that includes Godwin.
September 5th, 2022 at 1:18 pm
I really like Jamel Dean. I know he’s kind of whimsical in his demeanor but I love his coverage skills when he’s allowed to play press/man. I just trust him way more than SMB.
September 5th, 2022 at 1:20 pm
I’d still feel better if Godwin spent a few weeks on IR.
September 5th, 2022 at 1:20 pm
No surprise with Dean or Godwin…My concern is with Hainsey & Geodeke
September 5th, 2022 at 1:21 pm
We will get at least two picks next Sunday. Our DLine will provide incredible pressure on Dak.
September 5th, 2022 at 1:22 pm
I can hardly wait to see how Bowles structures this defence.
September 5th, 2022 at 1:30 pm
It would be a BIG mistake if they put Godwin in the dallas game …..
September 5th, 2022 at 1:37 pm
I’m not getting all of the doubt from posters about Godwin’s knee. He’s a multi-million dollar investment. I’m sure beteen coaches, trainers, doctors, Godwin’s agent and Godwin himself, he wll not be allowed to hit the field unless his knee is game ready.
September 5th, 2022 at 1:37 pm
I believe once McCollum n Gardner get some game time experience with live shooting under their belt, one if not both, will give Dean a run for his money. I’m impressed with Gardner’s aggressiveness n his reaction to the ball contrary to Dean’s timid n passive reaction to the ball n or play. Dean need to quit talking bout what he can do on the field n start doing it. I’ve said the same thing over the past three years about timid n passive OJ Howard n folks finally took notice to say enough is enough. Often n Ko Kief will make a difference.
September 5th, 2022 at 1:37 pm
I’d be happy to go with Evans, Gage, and Jones until Godwin is really 100%. Maybe he is now, maybe… but no need to rush it.
September 5th, 2022 at 1:37 pm
Rest Godwin a few more weeks, we will need him at the end of the year!
September 5th, 2022 at 1:38 pm
I don’t think it would be a big mistake to play Godwin.
They can use him on quick routes of all kinds where the team can’t really tackle his legs like out routes etc.
Of course they aren’t gonna send him over the middle on the exact play where he got hurt the first time he is in there.
He NEEDS to get hit in practice and then he will be fine.
If the doctors clear him to play, then the knee is ready.
If not, then he won’t play.
September 5th, 2022 at 1:42 pm
Great news. Dean could be the Bucs top corner this year.
As far as CG is concerned I’d prefer if they don’t play him until after the first Saints game!
September 5th, 2022 at 1:43 pm
Good for Dean. He covers better than SMB but doesn’t catch the ball when it hits his hands and SMB is a better tackler. Still, I like the three of our young CBS with AW2 and waived then re-signed Logan Ryan patrolling the back end.
September 5th, 2022 at 1:44 pm
?!?!?!?!?!?!
September 5th, 2022 at 1:51 pm
SMB is more effective out of the nickel and Dean put some really good tape together last season, so this works for me. Let’s see if teams start throwing more of those WR screens away from Deans side, because it’s pretty much a waste of a down with the way he closes on those coming downhill. Still really interested to see how our safeties getting shaken up.
September 5th, 2022 at 1:54 pm
I think they should hold back Godwin until the home opener vs the Packers. They won’t need him the first two weeks.
They’ll beat Dallas and Saints easily (I don’t care about what anyone says about the Saints). But the moral boost to the team and city knowing Godwin is back for opening night would be HUGE!
Bucs start 3-0 by the way
September 5th, 2022 at 1:57 pm
Congratulations Jamel. You fought had for it and deserve your shot. Make us proud.
Go Bucs!
September 5th, 2022 at 2:03 pm
Joes- should have prefaced with “when healthy” and before shredding his arm in last years opener. In 2020 I thought SMB tackled better than Dean. He started more games though, and I don’t have access to missed tackle stats. I am interested in seeing those – impressions and facts sometimes don’t align!
September 5th, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Congratulations to Dean.
None of it will matter, if we don’t fix the offensive line.
September 5th, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Goatfarmer … Pro Football Reference gives Missed Tackles for each player. According to them, SMB has 1 Missed Tackle every 83 defensive snaps over his 3-year career. Dean has had 1 Missed Tackle every 220 defensive snaps over his 3 years. Indicates to me that Dean is the better tackler, by quite a bit.
So I’d agree with Joe’s comment on that one: ?!?!?!?!?!?!
September 5th, 2022 at 2:16 pm
Please dont rush Godwin back too soon…at least 3 games away. I know knee injuries, ive had them. Once that tightness starts to go away, you still need a little more time.
September 5th, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Oh and BTW Goatfarmer, in 2020 Dean had 2 Missed Tackles all season. SMB had 14 in 2020, his worst year for Missed Tackles. I’m surprised Joe let you slide on that one.
Dean is the better outside corner, by quite a bit. Since Bowles has already said that he doesn’t like to take the starting outside corners off the field, I suspect both Davis & Dean will see a LOT of playing time … providing they can both stay healthy.
September 5th, 2022 at 2:45 pm
Dean was the right choice, he’s always around the football. SMB on the other hand is content to let the receiver catch the football and try to tackle, reminds me of Hargreaves.
September 5th, 2022 at 2:49 pm
All DB’s are “starters” in situational football.
Being on the field on play #1 is rather meaningless.
September 5th, 2022 at 2:59 pm
Some in depth stats on Dean and SMB from a popular football stat website:
Dean missed tackles:
19: 2
20: 2
21: 4
Dean Yards per target:
19: 6.1
20: 5.7
21: 4.0
Dean TD’s allowed:
19: 3
20: 3
21: 0
Dean: Completion % allowed:
19: 50%
20: 61%
21: 48.5%
SMB missed tackles:
19: 10
20: 14
21: 1* (missed 10 games with elbow injury)
SMB Yards per target:
19: 6.4
20: 9.4
21: 7.6
SMB TD’s Allowed:
19: 4
20: 6
21: 3
SMB Completion % allowed:
19: 65%
20: 77%
21: 59%
We’ll never know what SMB would have been last year with the injury, but between the numbers, what coaches say, and teammates Dean is obviously the better corner and if healthy could be our best cover corner this season.
September 5th, 2022 at 3:10 pm
Even if not 100%, Godwin makes an excellent diversion in a 4-receiver set.
September 5th, 2022 at 3:23 pm
Gods help us. I really hope this dude plays as consistently well this year as some folks say he is and that the coaches trust him for the entire year. Dak is a legit good qb and if our secondary doesn’t get nuked on Sunday, I’m gonna start sipping the kool aid on that “we have really good corners” bandwagon.
September 5th, 2022 at 4:03 pm
LVD, White, and VV are defensive captains this year. Brady and Evans on offence
September 5th, 2022 at 4:11 pm
No way if heathy, Dean could be our best cover corner. As long as CDavis is on the other end, best believe that Dean will not be our best corner. That’s a disrespect to CDavis. Com on man, Dean is too inconsistent, passive, predictable, n on certain plays, is confused on where to line up at. His body language lacks the word assurance. He doesn’t play like a seasoned veteran, he lines up as if he’s still learning on the job. With his size, he should be a beast of a tackler but he is passive n soft at tackling. I’m optimistic about McCollum and undrafted FA Don Gardner, the same as I use to be for Dean in 2019 before n after Tyler Lockett n the Seahawks embarrassed him in a game.
September 5th, 2022 at 4:14 pm
George Says
“None of it will matter, if we don’t fix the offensive line.”
Maybe…or Jason Licht did what he always does and got us good Oline backups. We’ve used backups over the past few years, and have had no real issues. He know’s what he’s doing.
September 5th, 2022 at 4:15 pm
So far as Godwin…I say make him active the first two games in case he is needed, but don’t play him. That way, we only use him if it looks like we might lose…or if the backups truly suck.
September 5th, 2022 at 4:24 pm
Never understood how it was close. Dean is much better on the outside. Great stats from A Bucs Fan lay it out.
September 5th, 2022 at 4:27 pm
OK lads I am a perfect example of someone who gets something in their head for some odd reason. Thanks Joe and DR for setting me straight on Dean vs SMB and tackling.
Damn I was even at ProFBRef and didn’t see the missed tackle column.
Humbly munching on crow while preparing a chicken for the smoker.
September 5th, 2022 at 4:50 pm
Deans are best corner hate it if you want
September 5th, 2022 at 4:57 pm
bucsfanfred??? why are you a doctor??? the dumbest take ive heard in awhile
September 5th, 2022 at 4:57 pm
Bucs still have one of the weakest Corner groups in the NFL. They are all highly overrated.
September 5th, 2022 at 5:23 pm
Hope the Bucs don’t rush Godwin prematurely. We need him for the long haul. Give him a few reps that. are not crossing routes over the middle.
September 5th, 2022 at 5:25 pm
If he just took the brace off no way he should play Sunday
September 5th, 2022 at 5:40 pm
Great, Dak loves Dean, he had a field day with him last year.
September 5th, 2022 at 7:50 pm
??????????
September 5th, 2022 at 8:13 pm
Love hearing people’s medical opinion on Godwin, as if they have any clue what they are talking about. While I think Evans/Jones/Gage is better than ANY receiver set the Bucs have ever had, sure, it would be better if Godwin was in there with Evans and either Gage or Jones (or both). When he’s cleared, he’s ready – no rushing involved, ready is ready.
The O-line is no better or worse than their Superbowl year when everyone was in full panic mode about it.
Why, oh why, do fans think they have a better handle on what is going on and what to do than the coaches who see these guys every minute of practice every day?
September 5th, 2022 at 8:37 pm
It really doesn’t matter who the ‘starter’ is as the 3rd corner is still going to be out there the vast majority of the time. Plus, all you have to do is play better than the other guy and you’ll move right up the depth chart. I’m hoping both them show some improvement, and Dean can just stay healthy.
September 5th, 2022 at 9:22 pm
They’re all going to be hurt and unavailable before long, so keep in touch with Ross.
September 5th, 2022 at 9:35 pm
Peskajumba sounding like he raises goats on the farm. I always feel that way.
September 5th, 2022 at 10:17 pm
Proud of Dean…
He’s come a long way since the Seattle game…
September 5th, 2022 at 11:06 pm
Go Jamel! I always knew you were a better tackler than the other guy.