Zyon McCollum The “X” Factor
August 31st, 2024
Will get tested early.
Joe first thought this was crazy on face value. But the more Joe thinks about it, it’s rather intelligent.
In looking for an “X-factor” player to take the Bucs to the next level — or have the team collapse — the first man Joe thought of was Baker Mayfield. If he balls out, the Bucs could do serious damage in the playoffs. If Mayfield falls apart, the Bucs are doomed.
Joe also thought of Rachaad White. But it seems the Bucs aren’t going to fart around playing White if he continues struggling on the ground to start the season. So Joe crossed White out as an X-factor.
Ben Solak of BSPN believes cornerback Zyon McCollum is the X-factor.
I’m highlighting McCollum here because I have a lot of confidence that Diaby is good enough to replace Barrett, and I have a lot of confidence that the absence of White is not a big one. But Davis has been a starting corner for six seasons in Tampa Bay, and over that time has proved to be a lights-out press option against opposing WR1s. He’s injury-prone, a little older and terrible at catching the football, but he was a big part of this defense’s success.
McCollum, who was a fifth-round draft pick in 2022, has the size (6-foot-2, 199 pounds) and explosiveness that made Davis so successful pressed up on the boundary. But last season, he got experience everywhere as he plugged into the starting lineup when others got injured — he played outside on the left and right, over the slot and even at safety. Bowles called him the most improved player on the defense last year, citing versatility and toughness, but in a permanent outside cornerback role, you need coverage skills, instincts and maturity. Opposing teams will test McCollum early and often to see if the young corner really has what it takes to win outside.
Despite starting nine games last year, McCollum has never been asked to shut down top-flight receivers as a starting outside corner for more than four games in a row. He hasn’t been tested much.
Nothing can drag down a defense like a struggling corner. Those guys quickly get exposed and teams will target them time after time after time until a corner shows he can defend a pass — or gets benched for someone that can.
The way the backup Bucs secondary played through much of training camp, Joe thought the secondary was damn deep. Then the worthless preseason games began and boy, Joe was fooled.
If McCollum — who looked as if he got better daily guarding Mike Evans in practice — struggles, then the Bucs won’t have a choice: They will have to open up the offense.
August 31st, 2024 at 8:12 am
Not disagreeing, but I think the defense as a whole will be fine this year. My X factor would be Jalen McMillen! Your better NFL teams have a third WR option that can help move the chains. With both Evans and Godwin getting a little older the risk of injury is greater as well causing one or both to miss a couple games. Looks like we only have 5 WR’s on the roster not including the practice squad.
August 31st, 2024 at 8:29 am
Yeah, I’m still a little nervous about Davis’ departure. McCollum seems to have the confidence to play the position. He will likely struggle initially, but I think he will settle in over time and has the skill set to be a shut-down corner once he gets some experience under his belt.
August 31st, 2024 at 8:31 am
I keep remembering Cheetah Hill walking away from CD3 in that Chiefs game in Brady’s first season here. That wouldn’t happen now, McCollum is a quarter second faster in the 40
August 31st, 2024 at 8:33 am
Our X Factor is not one player….its the revamped Oline , Coen, Irving & new scheme that will strengthen our running attack
August 31st, 2024 at 9:14 am
The secondary is deep from a personnel standpoint. They simply don’t know their assignments from play to play, and that has been the case for a while. When (if) someone steps up the coaching intensity to eradicate repeated busts and mistakes, performance will improve. Or not.
Meanwhile, they better open up the offense anyway. Try playing with a 2-score lead once in a while.
Let’s go, Liam!
August 31st, 2024 at 9:25 am
If any team’s QB falls apart, the season is over.
Our biggest gamble this season was moving on from Carlton Davis and relying on youth so much in the secondary. But if there’s one area where Bowles can coach a position group to overcome it’s weaknesses, it’s the secondary.
August 31st, 2024 at 9:32 am
“He’s injury-prone, a little older and terrible at catching the football”
Reverse jinx, Davis is gonna play all 17 games and have 6 picks this year.
August 31st, 2024 at 9:38 am
Huh he hasn’t been tested much? He was the best corner we had last year and even played some safety in the post season game he’s no ex factor
After harping on pass rush all of season you know the starter opposite YaYa is the ex factor and it’s not even close
August 31st, 2024 at 10:20 am
WHEN he played Davis obviously exhibited talent. Yeah he can’t catch but when healthy he can cover, I don’t believe anybody disputes that part of his game.
But if availABILITY is as important as Tony Dungy says Davis is a weak link, especially for the elephant $$$.
Davis has been in the league 6 years. His high water mark for availabilty are the two seasons where he suited up 14 game. It goes downhill from there!
He played in just TWELVE GAMES last season! 13 the year before and only TEN three years ago. He has talent but he’s really really fragile and his high water mark of 14 games was 4 years ago and he’ steadily broken down since then.
I like Davis and respect his talent. But the #’s do not lie!
He has played in 35 of 51 games the past 3 for a 68% participation.
32% of the time the Bucs had to rely on a backup. Fortunately Dean is also a good cover DB but he too is fragile and inconsistent.
Show me the money! OK 44 million 3 year deal…roughly 14.5 million annually.
This means Davis earned over 4 million each year sitting in the whirlpool.
3 freaking years in a row the Bucs effectively wasted 4 million!
As the guy arguinig in a New York City hearing claimed…”The Rent’s too Damn High!
August 31st, 2024 at 10:21 am
All any DC has to do is look at the Lions game. They went right after him and proceeded right into the end zone. I have no faith in this move at all putting him as the number one.
August 31st, 2024 at 10:24 am
I contend the DBs are the weak link in this year’s Buc team. What I am not qualified to answer is when they give up wide open passes time after time, is it the DB’s fault or Bowels’ scheme. Whatever, but when we loose games I predict it be because of he opponents’ passes.
August 31st, 2024 at 11:04 am
I think our safeties are first class. Can they cover up some deficiencies at the cornerback position if needed? Probably not all. The fact that we let Davis go speaks for McCollum. I am not worried.
August 31st, 2024 at 11:57 am
am i remembering this correctly lions and bucs was a close playoff game until dean got injured and mccollum replaced
him. goff was targeting mccollum.
August 31st, 2024 at 12:31 pm
Waiting. Lets see the team v the Commiedors. It is going to be real football. Lot of Q’s will be answered. Finally….Football season!!!
August 31st, 2024 at 1:55 pm
HC… Won’t be long now! 😎
August 31st, 2024 at 2:34 pm
My X Factor is Coen for his game planning to take advantage of our strengths and game day play calling to adjust to defenses.
The X Pllayer is Barton – can he perform well and anchor the IOL.
Zyon better bring a lot of mental toughness as he will be the prime target of other offenses. At Jax, Lawrence picked on him a lot in the RZ.
September 1st, 2024 at 4:16 pm
Which Cornerback played the most snaps last year- by FAR?
Zyon McCollum.
Soooo
He was our number one starting CB last year, and we Won the NFC South.
With a year as our number one starter last year, He will be better this year.
Zyon McCollom played more snaps than either Carlton Davis or Jamaal Dean.
Yeah. He was already our top CB.
All this hype, pretending that Zyon is just now replacing Davis is BS.
He replaced that slacker last year. Hopefully we find Deans replacement this year.
He’s an even bigger slacker than Davis!