Can The Bucs’ Rookie Dynamic Duo Carry The Defense
December 3rd, 2023
Big game today?
Joe could argue the early results show the Bucs had a nice draft this past spring.
Cody Mauch is settling in quite nicely at right guard. Trey Palmer shows quite a bit of promise as a current No. 3 receiver, especially for a sixth-round pick.
But it is the first and third draft picks that really have Joe’s mouth watering. Finally, Bucs coaches have recognized outside linebacker YaYa Diaby needs to be on the field more for his pass-rushing abilities.
Diaby started last week in Indianapolis for the first time. In limited play, Diaby has four sacks.
First-round draft pick and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey has been a monster. He leads all rookies with eight tackles for loss. (Diaby ranks third.) He also has three sacks.
Might Diaby and Kancey be able to carry the Bucs defense today? The table is set for them to have a major impact. Per BSPN, the Stinking Panthers have a sieve for an offensive line. And rookie quarterback Bryce Young is on pace to match a horrific Carolina franchise mark.
Young has been sacked at least four times in seven of his 11 games (most by a rookie since Blake Bortles had nine in 2014). The Panthers have allowed 43 sacks and are on pace for 66, which would be the second-most in franchise history (69 in 2000).
So if Joe was Bucs coach and de facto defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Joe would unleash the hounds on Young, in particular Diaby and Kancey.
Find ways to get these dudes one-on-one against linemen and have them fire at the quarterback.
Joe has a bad feeling about this game. If the Bucs punish Young, that could be the difference.
December 3rd, 2023 at 12:20 am
This game has all of the makings of a swift kick to the groin area to all Bucs fans after it is all said and done.
Rookie qb struggling to find a groove. A team who just canned their head coach. Oh yeah, I am getting ready for a day of heavy drinking. Keep the crown and diets coming!!!
December 3rd, 2023 at 12:20 am
Well, addition by subtraction that Duhhvin White is injured. He should be put on IR. No LVD is killer.
But seriously, Todd. Steelers Steel Curtain would be the Steel Sieve with the Todd man running the team.
Expecting the Bucs to be embarrassed against the 1-10 Panthers and Todd to proclaim that at 4-8 he just has to coach it better.
December 3rd, 2023 at 12:23 am
While I certainly hope that Bryce Young turns out to be as bad as he’s looked this season, it’s worth noting the complete and total trash that he has to throw the ball to. It’s easily the worst WR room in the NFL. If/when they get some NFL-caliber WRs and some decent blocking, Young may not look that bad. But hopefully it takes long enough that he’s ruined first, and it sets the Panthers back at least 5-years.
With that said, Kancey has looked fantastic for a rookie DT. In my book you shouldn’t expect anything from a rookie DT, and Kancey has looked great at times. If he stays healthy, it’s going to be shocking if he isn’t one of the best DT’s in football in a couple of years.
As for YaYa, I know everyone is high on him, and he’s looked great in spurts, but I’m a little more up in the air on him. Not that I doubt him, I just don’t think he’s a slam dunk, yet. But he’s started one game, so we need to see more.
But if Kancey turns out to be what I think he is, and YaYa turns out good, and Cody takes a leap in the offseason, and Palmer becomes a #3 WR down the road – that’s a great draft class. Plus Durham still may be something, although I’m not as positive on that, but would love to see it happen.
December 3rd, 2023 at 12:50 am
Watch out for a wild card from the Panthers. I bet they try to pound the ball with their backs. Todd Wright mentioned in his fantasy podcast that a dark horse for yards Sunday could be Miles Sanders and given that Bowles is pretty one dimensional and has tunnel vision about stopping Bryce young and Thiellen, watch Sanders rip the Bucs D off for big yards, if not him, someone else out of their backfield. If Bowles loses today, he HAS to be fired on Monday. The Glazers will otherwise risk losing whatever season ticket base they have left……
December 3rd, 2023 at 2:46 am
I wonder if JTS can play a little ILB?
December 3rd, 2023 at 2:58 am
It would be really nice to see the way overpaid cornerbacks on the bucs defensive roster to finally man up and earn one pay check this season tomorrow. Just give us one week Davis and dean. One week isn’t asking a bunch here. I understand you don’t like to cover especially against rookie quarterbacks throwing the rock, but please make an exception this one week. You’ve talk the talk, now it’s time to show up and walk the walk. Now go out and wreck some sh1t, and eat a W.
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:28 am
Todd Bowles will probably have the defense sit in a zone and let the Panthers QB pick them apart, thus making Young look as if he has arrived. History has shown that Bowles is too over confident when facing lesser opponents and the defensive mindset is to get to the QB with just four rushers. This is a disastrous plan and we have seen it too many times now!
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:34 am
Rod Munch, when last has the Bucs defense not allowed a rookie or a backup QB look like a superstar? I am hoping for the best!
December 3rd, 2023 at 6:46 am
The answer is no, not until Bowles is in jail for the crimes he’s committed against Bucs fans
December 3rd, 2023 at 8:17 am
Lone bright spot on season is the performance of this draft class.
December 3rd, 2023 at 8:50 am
Optimistic side says this is a really nice draft class.
Realistic side says Bowles will stunt their development.
December 3rd, 2023 at 9:04 am
The good news is that we will have a new coaching staff after the season so Bowles won’t get to stunt their development too much.
December 3rd, 2023 at 9:08 am
The rookies do need to make an impact!! With the exception of VV, the veterans sure haven’t been coming to play! The linebackers may be an issue. SD best have a good day!
December 3rd, 2023 at 9:26 am
I feel bad for Young. His career is going to be short getting sacked that many times. His body isn’t big enough to absorb some of those tackles.
December 3rd, 2023 at 9:49 am
Bowles will eschew the pass rush and try to outsmart the rookie with exotic zone combinations, I bet. Look for Young to have a breakout game.
December 3rd, 2023 at 11:55 am
So many fake fake fans
December 3rd, 2023 at 1:28 pm
Is it just me or does anyone else get nervous about playing back ups or rookie QBs ? Seems like they always carve us up and look like the next best superstar. If we drop this game which I really hope we don’t but if we do that’s the season y’all. Mathematically yes we are still in it but does any fan really want to our team go to the playoffs just to be bounced in the 1st rd AGAIN especially if we lose to the panthers today. I never wanna play to lose but at some point gotta look to the future. Oh what a buc life it is
December 3rd, 2023 at 1:36 pm
Bowles will play soft zone and let young have a bunch of short quick throws go for big yards.