“We Got All The Confidence In The World”
September 15th, 2023
Spotlight time.
It’s a very safe bet that No. 1 cornerback Carlton Davis will have his bad toe on ice when the Bucs kick off Sunday.
That means a handoff to second-year man Zyon McCollum, who scares the crap out of some fans.
McCollum is a freakish athlete, a fifth-round pick the Bucs traded up to grab last year. He’s a budding special teams star but is raw at corner.
Yeah, he made three starts on defense last season and has varied experience in Todd Bowles’ defense, but he’s a work in progress. His 2023 preseason wasn’t great, but he did flash with an athletic interception.
Head coach Todd Bowles was asked today about turning to McCollum in the absence of Davis.
No worries, Bowles said: “He’s ready to play. I mean, we got the confidence in the world in him. He had a great summer. He had great spring. He’s practicing good. We don’t have a problem playing him.”
What else was Bowles to say, ‘he’s green as grass and we’re going to get him safety help?’ Of course not.
Joe trusts Bowles when it comes to grooming defensive backs. What he did with Davis and the class of 2019 was masterful.
Speaking of that class, Joe suspects Bowles wishes Sean Murphy-Bunting was still on the roster.
Sunday is just around the corner!
Enjoy it @BigStormBrewing in Centro Ybor.
The Blood Brothers Bloody Mary is always a first-round pick. pic.twitter.com/6Br96IRdQh— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) September 14, 2023
September 15th, 2023 at 4:43 pm
Joe, SMB sucks that’s why he’s gone. Either injured or getting burnt he had one decent season. Don’t know why fans pine for former players.
September 15th, 2023 at 4:49 pm
2023 Zyon is not 2022 Zyon
Zyon put in a full offseason studying tape and working on his craft. Read some of his interviews. He’s dedicated to being a profession DB. In fact, Zyon and Hall practically lived at OnBuc, watching tape, and learning their craft. Mental reps.
Hall was arguable our best DL in game 1. Don’t be surprised if Zyon impresses. I’m confident, too.
September 15th, 2023 at 5:01 pm
He was getting cooked in that gave vs ravens last year 🪦 rip our secondary
September 15th, 2023 at 5:02 pm
The backend could be so good if they could ever stay healthy for a good run. SMB was just a part of the list that was always missing games. Dean seems to be the only one that can stay on the field. The best ability is Availability as Joe always quotes from the big tuna.
September 15th, 2023 at 5:06 pm
Wrap up son
September 15th, 2023 at 5:15 pm
Kancey and Dennis, the best draft picks that never played. As for Davis, more of the same. He’s brittle and overpaid.
September 15th, 2023 at 5:25 pm
That interception Zyon had against the Steelers this preseason was a thing of beauty.
Personally I believe he would make a better free safety than corner back but we shall see.
I have confidence in his abilities to fill the void until Davis gets healthy.
September 15th, 2023 at 5:51 pm
The Bears really, really need this game. It is going to be close. Go Bucs.
September 15th, 2023 at 5:52 pm
SMB?! The dude was absolutely awful. He lucked in bro a few opportune interceptions, but was otherwise burned 95% of the time.
In regards to Carlton, how many other NFL CBs are being paid $15M to play 9 games and record .5 interceptions a season?
September 15th, 2023 at 5:56 pm
It’s probably going to be just fine. Might even be a pleasant surprise.
September 15th, 2023 at 6:09 pm
Maybe Rhonde will suit up again.
September 15th, 2023 at 6:10 pm
McCollum will be fine. He looks to have improved by leaps and bounds since last year, evidenced by his play in the preseason and his improved play on ST last week. Justin Fields is more of a runner than a passer. The Bucs offense proved that they can maintain possession of the ball for lengthy drives; exhibit 1: vs. Minny last week in a hostile environment. My glass is half full.
September 15th, 2023 at 6:17 pm
To say that SMB sucks means you don’t know football smh
September 15th, 2023 at 6:28 pm
SMB was horrible!!!!
September 15th, 2023 at 6:58 pm
Hopefully McCollum has improved his tackling, he looked good tackling on Special Teams, if that counts for anything.
September 15th, 2023 at 7:12 pm
Zyon will likely be serviceable against a strong run first team like Chicago.
September 15th, 2023 at 7:14 pm
Hell I would too
Bears QB is a one read QB that can’t read defenses
Double DJ rush 3 and have 45 spy him
September 15th, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Man I just gotta say that it is going to be a Floridabulous weekend. The Noles will be 3-0 tomorrow. The Bucs will be 2-0 on Sunday. If the Rays can beat the Orioles tonight. Even the boys down south are 3-0 and beat the SEC boys from A&M. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no canes fan but it’s nice to see ALL of the Florida teams having such a good year. Sometimes you just have to put your State over team and be happy that EVERYONE is having a such good start.
September 15th, 2023 at 7:45 pm
Hodad, if I’m not mistaken, SMB had an INT in each game on our Super Bowl run- when it counted. He must not suck that bad.
Not saying I miss him, but saying he sucks is a bit much..
September 15th, 2023 at 7:49 pm
Ha Ha SMB the original Mr Burnt Toast. I have a bad feeling about Dee Delaney being on the field too. I guarantee they know to target him watching last year.
September 15th, 2023 at 8:26 pm
I saw enough of Zyon in preseason. He hasn’t impressed me. He is awful at corner. Passive tackle who play timid n confused. He faired ok on special teams. Zyon n JTS are both passive tacklers who seem out of their element. However, when I see an aggressive, alert, hard hitting n heads up player like Izien who came in as a free agent n took charge, now that’s a player on a mission. He’s a pure athlete. Zyon will be targeted Sunday.
September 15th, 2023 at 8:29 pm
Duane in Sanford and destinjohnny finally got to the key point for this weekend. There aren’t many better teams you’d have to face down a starter at CB than the Bears. If Bowles is the mastermind, he should be able to give Justin Fields a very difficult day. We’ve seen both ends of the spectrum with defenses of Bowles.
What was accomplished in the Super Bowl was incredible but I also remember how things were going with Todd’s original gameplan against that same Chiefs’ team earlier in 2020. To Todd’s credit, he’d already revealed the plan, partially at least, in the 2nd half of that game earlier in 2020. That was a masterful adjustment. It just wasn’t his original plan which got smoked.
We can’t afford a first go mistake like that with this offense. I’m truly confident in the Bucs being able to produce an average point per game offense in the low 20’s. A massive improvement over last season. But a two score or more deficit won’t be easily overcome. Not that they ever are, but even with Godwin and Evans the Vikings loaded the box and didn’t pay dearly for that strategy.
September 15th, 2023 at 8:31 pm
WTF is with being moderated? Which woke Joe got his feathers ruffled by something I said?
September 15th, 2023 at 8:40 pm
Joe in Michigan Says:
September 15th, 2023 at 6:58 pm
Hopefully McCollum has improved his tackling, he looked good tackling on Special Teams, if that counts for anything.
Michigan, I agree with you. The only thing I was worried about with Zyon in his tackling. He missed a couple but overall, he was a better tackler.
September 15th, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Dean needs to shadow Moore. Going need Davis and kancey more vs the eagles
September 15th, 2023 at 9:07 pm
I’m sure he would rather have Whitehead than SMB
September 15th, 2023 at 9:19 pm
CB wont see much work with Fields, Lavonte and Devin are gonna feast though
September 15th, 2023 at 9:58 pm
SMB – Absolute master at tackling receiver immediately after a 7 yard reception on 3rd and 6. Or a 16 yard reception on 3rd and 15. Rinse and repeat, over and over.
September 15th, 2023 at 11:18 pm
I think Davis hurt his toe on the great pass break up he made near the end of the game. Looks like he jams his toe possibly.
September 15th, 2023 at 11:48 pm
Bears are changing the uniforms to Orange with Orange helmets for this game.
Makes me wonder if they were concerned about Black jerseys in the heat as well.
Baker should have no trouble seeing the defense.
Hopefully it doesn’t look too much like our creamsickle.
September 16th, 2023 at 1:42 am
Was thinking Delaney… I like McCollum. Our man Ronde likes him too.
Go get em Z
Go Bucs!
September 16th, 2023 at 7:20 am
Zyon is scared of contact. He tackles with his hands! He will again struggle on Sunday. I can’t believe he’s the best option to replace Davis. Am I missing something? I just don’t see it!
September 16th, 2023 at 7:30 am
Zyon was God awful last season. No business even being on field. He was toasted more than Rod Jones. And I agree with Joe, it scares the hell out of me to. My hunch is Moore and or Mooney will have their way against him. But I hope I’m wrong and eat crow Sunday at about 430.
September 16th, 2023 at 10:21 am
It’s not just McCollum. Delaney and the rooks will have to play this year, too. DBs get hurt all year every year.
September 16th, 2023 at 1:37 pm
Zyon is a great special teams player at this point, but I don’t know about him in the secondary. However, what helps is the Bucs played zone 85% of the time last week, and that number might be higher this week as Fields, according to the Bears podcasts, isn’t nearly as effective vs zone.
Also being in zone should help Delaney who shouldn’t even be on this roster since he’s so slow.