Carlton Davis: Ryan Neal Makes Secondary “Complete”
July 27th, 2023
Bucs CB Carlton Davis.
If recent history is a window into the future, the Bucs secondary very easily could have the last laugh this year.
Back in 2020, NFL Network stats queen Cynthia Frelund claimed the Bucs starting cornerbacks were the worst in the NFL. The Bucs only ended the season with wins over future Hall of Fame quarterbacks Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Pat Mahomes to capture the Bucs’ second Super Bowl win.
Whoops.
Earlier this summer, former Bucs scout and Jets suit Pat Kirwan (Bucs trivia: Kirwan was the man who turned the Bucs’ card in at the 1986 draft to the commissioner with Bo Jackson’s name on it.) claimed the Bucs had the worst secondary in probably the NFL’s worst division.
Ouch!
Well, Bucs veteran corner Carlton Davis hasn’t exactly been quiet this summer reading all the predictions of how the Bucs will stink. Davis vowed the Bucs will “wreck sh!t” this fall.
In particular, Davis believes the Bucs’ secondary is going to stomp people out. Why is that? Well, one big reason is new free agent safety Ryan Neal.
It seems Neal has impressed Bucs types. So much so that Bucs coach Todd Bowles dropped the word “invaluable” on Neal when asked for a quick eval.
So yesterday after practice, Joe asked Davis for his feedback on Neal. In short, Davis loves him.
“A veteran role,” Davis said of what Neal brings to the Bucs. “A leadership role. A communicator. And definetly a playmaker, man.
“He is really going to complete us in the backend.”
“Complete” is a pretty strong word, but Joe doesn’t believe Davis is wrong here.
The Bucs had a good secondary as it is. Davis is third in the NFL in passes defensed since 2019. We all know Antoine Winfield, a Pro Bowler, is a baller. And, of course, Jamel Dean is a helluva young corner.
The Bucs may not have depth in the secondary, but if the starting four can stay on the field, that’s a strength, not a weakness.
July 27th, 2023 at 8:12 am
Hard to say 1 player can replace 2 players, but Neal posesses the strengths that made Whitehead & Edwards compliment on another as rotational players. It’s well documented Bowles doesn’t like too much churn back deep, and to me it’d made needing guys like Logan Ryan or Keanu Neal.
Best thing is, is as a tandem Neal-Winfield can make their calls pre-snap, and have some security in knowing both players can play FS/SS on a given rep should make for these two playing with the eyes and minds of QBs the deeper we get into the season. So I agree w/CD’s assessment, and disagreed on the depth of the secondary we have players there it’s just they are unproven. If you’re the type of fan that balks at player development and the time it takes, likely you’re ignorant to the guys behind the big name starters.
30 rookies on a 90 man training camp roster excites some of us, but I get it if you’re only familiar with the same 15-20 players on the team.
July 27th, 2023 at 8:20 am
Too bad Bowles doesn’t use Davis and Dean strength on defense playing press coverage.
July 27th, 2023 at 8:46 am
“Too bad Bowles doesn’t use Davis and Dean strength on defense playing press coverage.”
It’s 2023 not 1998, unless you want to invite and expose yourself to penalty or getting beat deep, “press” coverage all/majority of the time is a great way to get your secondary lit up like a Christmas tree. I see this call for more press coverage often, lol some of you guys like aggression for the sake of being aggressive, no tact whatsoever.
July 27th, 2023 at 8:47 am
I’m liking our FA acquisitions this year……..Neal, Brown, Feller, Gaines McLaughlin & Mayfield. Not excited about Edmonds but inexpensive and may be cut for an UDFA….
July 27th, 2023 at 8:49 am
Outside of QB that seems to be the team theme overall – we dont really have even an average starter at QB
We do have some great starters on both sides of the ball, but our depth is lacking in a lot of places, like S, Nickel, TE, WR, OT, ILB
Low draft pick rookies, UDFA and guys cut 5 times make up our bench with very few veteran FA’s with experience
Let’s hope this injury projections are accurate and we avoid them by and large
The price we are paying for eating 75mil in cap this year
July 27th, 2023 at 8:49 am
I BELIEVE THEY ARE COMPLETE WITH RYAN NEIL..I KNEW FROM HIS TAPE WITH SEATTLE WE HAD A “BALLER” THAT COULD FILL THAT STRONG SAFETY SPOT !..BUT NOW WE NEED THAT STARTING NICKEL ( HOPEFULLY, ZION MCCULLEM CAN EARN THAT SPOT ) IF NOT, WE MAY NEED TO BRING IN MARCUS PETERS ( IF HE HASN’T SIGNED WITH THE RAIDERS ) HOPEFULLY WE HAVE SOMEONE ON THE ROSTER ALREADY WHO CAN HANDLE THE JOB IN THE SLOT..2 WOULD REALLY BE GREAT TO HAVE..BUT, IF NOT, MARCUS PETERS AT 30 YRS OLD HAS SEEN & DONE IT ALL FOR A LONG TIME NOW..
July 27th, 2023 at 9:18 am
“but if the starting four can stay on the field, that’s a strength, not a weakness.”
Amen! The starting 4 are impressive and I haven’t totally written off their backups although there is nobody back there who has yet to make a big name for themself. There is “some potential” and so maybe we’ll be happily surprised. One can always hope…er…unless you’re like about half the posters here. LMAO
Dooley – Two spot on posts, I agree wholeheartedly with your takes.
July 27th, 2023 at 9:39 am
Starters are good but lack of depth is going to get them again
July 27th, 2023 at 9:59 am
Put Kirwan dumbass on the spot and name the starters. Everyone just wants to hate on the Bucs to gain negative media attention about them and the “post Brady era.” It’s like the Sopranos. It’s over.
July 27th, 2023 at 10:02 am
Kinda hilarious how casuals think the Bucs’ D-backfield is full of total fail when it is actually the strength of the team, equalling the WR’s.
(And I use earplugs to read MORDUE’s posts.)
July 27th, 2023 at 10:12 am
A great secondary holds about as much value as a RB in today’s NFL. The days of the Tampa 2 or Legion of Boom have ended with all the protections put in for QBs and WRs. You either have a pass rush or you don’t.
July 27th, 2023 at 10:34 am
I hope Neal can improve the secondary to the point that we start getting picks. Davis has fewer picks than some linebackers.
July 27th, 2023 at 12:11 pm
Barring major injuries, the Bucs’s D should be fairly good. They will be fun to watch. OTOH, the offense is a big ?, and I’m not even sure it’s moving in the right direction.
July 27th, 2023 at 1:32 pm
If Licht can dig deep and find some more change in the couch – signing Logan Ryan to come back for 1 more year would be a very nice and perhaps valuable insurance policy for our secondary.
July 27th, 2023 at 1:43 pm
tough to cover and #wreck shiz” when the opponents qb has a clean uniform and 5+ seconds in the pocket to throw. Talk is cheap during the summer…
ill believe it when I see a pass rush.
July 27th, 2023 at 7:11 pm
Bucs need to find a nickel corner before their secondary is “complete”. Otherwise, 3rd receivers will be eating our lunch all day.