“Every Down Starter”
September 27th, 2023
Cornerback Zyon McCollum.
How good is No. 3 Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum?
That’s hard to say, but head coach/defensive coordinator Todd Bowles has no problem calling McCollum a legitimate starter.
The second-year player has started the past two games and that trend looks to continue with injuries to both Carlton Davis (toe) and Jamel Dean (shoulder).
Bowles was steaming with confidence on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week talking about McCollum.
“Zyon played well. Zyon’s playing like a regular starter, every down starter,” Bowles said with emphasis. “I know he gave up the first pass on a shallow cross and tackled good after that. He stepped in and he didn’t give up much at all. He stays aware. He trusts his instincts and athletic ability. He’s going to be a very good player. I really like where he’s at now.”
Bowles added that McCollum has shown great mental growth — “when he can cheat and when he can’t, and where his eyes are going and looking at. I think his eyes are in the right place this year. [McCollum and cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross] have done tons of film work to get those eyes right where they need to be.”
Sunday against the slimy Saints likely will be a huge test for McCollum. Unlike against Philadelphia, the Bucs are likely to stop the run. So Joe expects lots of targets for beastly Saints receivers Chris Olave and Michael Thomas.
September 27th, 2023 at 4:37 pm
So without Dean or David, we’re going to be seeing a lot of Dee Delaney again too, huh? That’s not good for anyone (well, good for New Orleans I suppose…)
September 27th, 2023 at 4:37 pm
*Dean or Davis
September 27th, 2023 at 4:38 pm
McCollum seems light years ahead of last year to me. The kid has all the measurables and now he’s understanding the NFL game. I think he’ll have a very solid career.
September 27th, 2023 at 4:43 pm
Another year, another batch of injuries in our secondary. Pretty soon we’ll be bringing Richard Sherman out of retirement again.
September 27th, 2023 at 4:45 pm
I like the kid. He can play inzein learning. Injury firm of dean n Davis going be hurt every week they’re going have to ball out. D- line needs to eat n force jaymiss into mistakes
September 27th, 2023 at 4:49 pm
Kid just needs to tackle better least he plays Dean is hurt every play Davis misses games often
September 27th, 2023 at 4:54 pm
funny how the pass rush became non existent the exact same time our DB’s go down.
be nice if one showed up to help the other,
inzien is a beast. dude is ALL over the field.
September 27th, 2023 at 4:56 pm
Well, like it or not, he is a starter now.
September 27th, 2023 at 5:03 pm
Zyon has made improvements and is a great athlete.
I don’t believe there is much of a drop off between Dean and McCollum at this point…
September 27th, 2023 at 5:20 pm
Also him starting at DB is taking him off special teams and it’s noticeable.
September 27th, 2023 at 5:35 pm
I don’t know? Vea was erased so there’s a blueprint more and it’s just a f of who can execute it
September 27th, 2023 at 5:43 pm
@clod – 100%, our punt coverage on Monday night was abysmal.
September 27th, 2023 at 5:46 pm
We..had better pray Jay-miss is in a throwing interceptions mood come Sunday. Seems like our entire Defense is really banged up.
September 27th, 2023 at 6:15 pm
Dean and Davis have to be 2 of the most injured non playing starting corners in the league.
September 27th, 2023 at 6:18 pm
Winston seems to have learned not to throw nearly as many INTs. I hope he forgets.
September 27th, 2023 at 7:25 pm
Bucs will be fine next Sunday. They have a few scores to settle against the Aints.
September 27th, 2023 at 8:19 pm
Why don’t we trade Carlton Davis or Jamel Dean for Jonathan Taylor? I like what we have with McCollum and Izien. Delaney isn’t a bad player either.
September 28th, 2023 at 8:54 am
Can they do any worse, it’s the cushions of 10 – 15 yards for me.
September 28th, 2023 at 10:12 am
I guess it’s me because I dont see what Bowles and the BUCS see in 27. He’s slightly better than awful. Yea, great measurables but he cant cover. If 27 is so good than why was he playing 10 yards off of AJ Brown and or D Smith?
Olave and Thomas will absolutely SMOKE HIM Sunday… that is if Jaymiss doesnt throw it to his old team.
September 28th, 2023 at 11:43 am
He’s made HUGE strides. I like him more than Carlton. At least he can catch.
September 29th, 2023 at 10:14 am
I think a lot of people that comment on this site are not very good Bucs fans ! Funny how these same people were making predictions for going undefeated a year ago when Brad was here. This is the definition of bandwagon fans. Now all they want to do is pick apart every single thing that Joe writes. Oh , by the way , thanks for selling your tickets to the Eagles fans on Monday ! It was an Eagles home game at Ray-Jay by far. So pat yourselves on the back for that one, so called Bucs fans.. Go Bucs and ftheAINTS