Mina Kimes: Anything To Help The Pass Defense
February 15th, 2025
Defense needs dawgs.
Mina Kimes made it clear on her podcast recently: There’s a lot to like about the Bucs.
But the ESPN NFL analyst scrunched up her face like she just opened the door to an uncleaned arena restroom the morning after a Rob Zombie concert when talking about the one thing she doesn’t like about the Bucs.
Her facial expression when she mentioned “pass defense” in breaking down the Bucs said it all.
Kimes said signing or drafting any playmaker at edge rusher or elsewhere would be a smart move by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
“It’s not just one position,” Kimes said. “Edge, linebacker, corner, it’s just, you could address any of those.
“It’s funny, because I think they’ve really drafted and signed well, this team did. Jason Licht’s a really good GM. But defensively, they haven’t had a ton of success.
“I do like Calijah Kancey. And I think YaYa Diaby flashed. But they still really, really have a lot of holes on that defense right now.”
Some defensive struggles are bad luck. A chunk of the blame, Joe believes, is because Todd Bowles is still looking to develop his first star edge rusher despite being a coordinator and/or head coach the past 11 seasons (though Joe is far from throwing in the towel on YaYa Diaby and it’s way unfair to judge Chris Braswell after only his rookie season).
The Bucs have had bad luck elsewhere on defense. Where would the Bucs’ defense be if Devin White hadn’t fizzled out?
Four years ago, White’s three-game stretch in the playoffs — at New Orleans, at Green Bay and in the Super Bowl — was so dominant and maybe only was topped by Lawrence Taylor.
(Joe already spelled out that White had a better three-game playoff run than Ray Lewis ever did.)
Who knew at the moment White rode his horse around The Licht House hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the air that he had already peaked and would rapidly circle the drain?
He joins the list of defensive guys the Bucs drafted and expected to be game-changing dawgs, but for one reason or another fell on their faces.
It would sure help if the Bucs drafted a game-changer two months from now.
February 15th, 2025 at 6:20 am
You keep making the point Joe that Todd Bowles has never developed an edge rusher but no Bucs coach has ever developed an edge rusher. We’ve acquired several good ones via trades or free agency (Simeon Rice, JPP, Shaq) but even then they didn’t set the world on fire.
Lee Roy Selmon only had double-digit sacks 1 year (1983 – 11). Simeon Rice had 5 double-digit sack years as a Buc, but JPP only had one (2018 – 12.5). Shaq’s only managed 2 of them (2019 – 19.5; 2021 – 10). Chidi Ahanotu managed 1 (1997 – 10), as did Broderick Thomas (1991 – 11), Marcus Jones (2000 – 13) and Santana Dotson (1992 – 10).
So it’s not just Todd not developing edge rushers. We’ve sucked at it from Day 1. Perhaps it’s how we use them?
February 15th, 2025 at 6:26 am
“..Todd Bowles is still looking to develop his first star edge rusher despite being a coordinator and/or head coach the past 11 seasons..”
———
And J/L plans on giving him more draft picks. History tells us that will not work.
February 15th, 2025 at 7:03 am
ahhhhh…Mina. thank you Joe’s.
February 15th, 2025 at 7:06 am
I’ll be interested if JTS goes somewhere and shines
February 15th, 2025 at 7:26 am
I still think that drafting White an inside LB was a mistake. The Bucs should of drafted Alen instead and Joe would not be complaining about the Edge.
February 15th, 2025 at 7:49 am
Hindsight….
February 15th, 2025 at 7:49 am
D.R.
“So it’s not just Todd not developing edge rushers.”
You obviously missed the memo! If it’s something bad it’s totally Todd’s fault.
If it’s something good it’s always somebody else’s success, 2 ROOKIE OC’s and yesterday I even read that the reason we call Todd a SB winning DC is because BA told him how to run his D.
Sorry to be cranky this morning. I enjoy it more when we debate the relative values of running a 3/4 or 4/3 D or as you suggest whatever Todd is creating..3/4/4’s …2/9’s.
February 15th, 2025 at 8:09 am
Todd is on the last year of his deal. Licht will give him all he can this offseason to fix the defense. Todd has this year to get it right, if not he’ll be gone.
February 15th, 2025 at 8:38 am
He’s won 8, then 9, then 10. Not seeing him getting fired unless he hits a wall like Tony did
February 15th, 2025 at 8:39 am
Bowles hired those rookie OCs. Just sayin. I think it’s more of a league thing – it takes most of the good edge rushers a few years to adapt, and most teams are ready to move on if they haven’t shown “it” by the time for a 2nd contract. JL cracked the code by identifying Shaq as being ready to be unleashed behind proven guys – probably have a better track record taking risks on the guy behind the guy who has good production on lesser snaps (see Jamien Sherwood this yr). But that’s just my ignorant opinion.
February 15th, 2025 at 8:42 am
And does anyone find it curious that Jared Verse was named DROY and everyone claims he’s dominant with 4.5 sacks? Same as Diaby this yr on a “regression”
February 15th, 2025 at 8:48 am
Stop! Lee Roy Selmon’s in the Hall of Fame. Simeon Rice might be.
Talk about a reach. Anyone that tries to dismiss what Lee Roy Selmon did clearly never watched him play. smh
February 15th, 2025 at 8:49 am
If he does that’s a very bad look for the Bucs.
February 15th, 2025 at 8:51 am
Joe was screaming for Josh Allen. Screaming.
However, the Bucs got a Super Bowl win out of it. Joe isn’t sure the Bucs win the Super Bowl without White the way he played in the playoffs. So Joe can’t sit here and bellyache he was a mistake.
What happened after that Super Bowl, well, that will be an interesting story if it is ever unearthed. Whatever that may be.
February 15th, 2025 at 8:53 am
Interesting.
February 15th, 2025 at 9:04 am
I think Devin White is a free agent … just sayin….
If there was some way Todd could motivate him to get him to actually expend effort on the field….
February 15th, 2025 at 9:29 am
Think he’s a lost cause. The Super Bowl champs couldn’t even motivate him.
February 15th, 2025 at 9:35 am
I had a really important point to make. Hold on, I’m gonna scroll up here and take one more look at Mina-oh dang, I forgot what I was going to say. I hate it when that happens!
February 15th, 2025 at 9:51 am
There are 8 edges in the top 30 draft picks. Get one. Just a smattering of secondary after that. Might be better to draft a replacement for Kyle Trask. One of the NCAA playoff guys.
February 15th, 2025 at 10:06 am
Lee Roy Selmon.
Greatest. Buccaneer. Ever.
February 15th, 2025 at 10:08 am
Shame about DWhiye and wonder after his dad died if that affected his on field play. Between he and Kwon Alexander, MLB have splashed but not lasted.
February 15th, 2025 at 10:16 am
Joe … ‘Anyone that tries to dismiss what Lee Roy Selmon did clearly never watched him play’.
Lee Roy is my favorite Buc of all time. There is no dismissing what he accomplished, but those accomplishments aren’t measured solely by sacks Joe. And BTW I’m surprised that you didn’t correct those numbers: Lee Roy actually had 4 seasons of double-digit sacks in his 9 total seasons (the 11 sacks in 1983 just happened to be the last year he hit 10 or more).
February 15th, 2025 at 10:23 am
St Pete … ‘I enjoy it more when we debate the relative values of running a 3/4 or 4/3 D or as you suggest whatever Todd is creating..3/4/4’s …2/9’s.’
Gee, and just when I thought that everyone had dismissed the 2/9 scramble defense St Pete. You’ve seen it though I’ll bet; where just about everyone lines up on the line (he usually keeps a couple guys a little ways back) and then when the ball is snapped some attack, some retreat … and oftentimes you see huge holes in coverage (easy completions IF the pass rush doesn’t get home). And folks say that Todd isn’t a gambler. Au contraire.
February 15th, 2025 at 10:44 am
Lol D.R. Riverboat Turtle Todd.
Sure is a shame about DW45. He’s got to be on some kind of meds now. I don’t think he’s physically impaired. Time to move on. We need about 6 good guys brought in to bolster the D. Combo of FA and draft. ’25 should be a good year for us if the injuries leave us alone. Licht will sort it out. GO BUCS!!
February 15th, 2025 at 10:50 am
Trade – Trey Hendrickson (2, 5)
FA – LB Jamien Sherwood and EJ Speed, CB Paulson Adebo
Draft – 1) EDGE Mike Green, Pearce, or Donovan Ezeiruakwu, 3) CB Nohl Williams, 4) DL CJ West or Savion Jones, 6) you know he’ll take a punter
Wish list
February 15th, 2025 at 11:10 am
Our biggest need is ILB and CB. Our pass rush is good not great and an elite EDGE would be nice, but unless it’s one of the top 3 guys in the league it doesn’t matter if we leave wide open recievers at the snap. QBs are picking us apart and pressure does not matter becuase nobody is covered.
February 15th, 2025 at 11:26 am
It is high comedy when know it all lecturers try to tell Joe they know more about football. But it’s proven, just count the words! LOL
February 15th, 2025 at 11:31 am
“ is because Todd Bowles is still looking to develop his first star edge rusher despite being a coordinator and/or head coach the past 11 seasons”
LOL Joe points this out but doesn’t wanna even mention Jason Lichts atrocious track record at drafting pass rushers.
I guess Joe thinks coaching is the reason Joe Tryon isnt good 👍
February 15th, 2025 at 11:38 am
NFL started officially counting sacks in ‘83 so some stats aggregators only list the official numbers. They say if a number looks crazy wrong, look it up and 9 out of 10 it is wrong. Lee Roy makes it to the HOF and can barely break 10 sacks one time out of 9 seasons. My dude took over games, He had three sacks in one game four times.
*The Bucs first home win vs St Luis Cardinals is on YouTube 20 min version. Pretty cool. I hadn’t seen it since I was 8 years old at the game.
February 15th, 2025 at 11:56 am
D.R.
“And folks say that Todd isn’t a gambler. Au contraire.
Yes and for some reason people seem to blanche at the idea Todd is a “creative” DC who thinks outside the box. Perhaps that is what freaks people out.
As for the gambling when he went for it 4th and long from the 42 in the final most important (reach playoffs or not) game he let Baker wing one to the rookie JMAC.
I gotta admit at the time that might have been more gambling than I could stomach. Clearly though the results vindicated Todd’s choice. Give Coen credit for the call but clearly 4th and long with around ten minutes to play had to be at least “cleared” through the HC.
February 15th, 2025 at 12:16 pm
Sorry Joe’s, I am a DW45 and Jameis wishful thinker. I say sign DW45 and Jameis to 1yr make the final 53 roster deal or don’t get paid (show me deal). Have DW45 mentored by LVD all summer reviewing and discussing mindset of his SB run to get that back. If LVD signs off on him he should be okay.
and for Jameis, he wants to be back here, just maybe coming home along with some maturity he can not “interception” his way back out of town. He has the ability and as a backup he can play very well for short periods of time when called upon. He can run and gun with the best of them. Evans and Godwin have caught this passes before. and with a running game, we don’t have to rely on only his arm in any game he is in.
DW45, sign FA Edge, Draft Edge, Draft LB, Draft Corner. Make Tampa D SB bound. Go Bus
February 15th, 2025 at 1:28 pm
IMHO, the Buc’s need an edge that can consistently produce 10 sacks, another MLB that can consistently tackle and cover, and another corner that can play man and zone coverages. The Buc’s need at least two game changers on defense! Play makers! Through the draft or through free agency! Come on now!
February 15th, 2025 at 3:43 pm
@George R
Yep I said they should’ve drafted Allen from the beginning but what do the fans know.
February 15th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
The defensive guys never develop because….well we all know that answer and don’t want guys like St Pete to get their panties in a bunch by saying anything negative about our ball coach bahaha. Its obvious to anyone outside of Tampa that he isn’t good at what he is hired to do. Hopefully this is the last season we deal with it. I agree with many they will NEVER play in a super bowl with that man leading the ship. Just isn’t happening. Loyalty is great but at what expense are they willing to go with it. Waste our best players prime while we continue to be mediocre.
February 15th, 2025 at 6:07 pm
Mac
Is pointing out FACTUAL errors having my panties in a bunch?
“Its obvious to anyone outside of Tampa that he isn’t good at what he is hired to do.”
In the voting for NFL Coach of the year Todd Bowles finished 11th, tied with Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and collecting more votes than Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
Perhaps you and I have a different meaning for the word OBVIOUS and outside of Tampa. Now perhaps you can unwad your panties!
February 15th, 2025 at 10:37 pm
Bunched panties are great! Think positive.
February 17th, 2025 at 3:31 am
You would think that a defensive guru would have made a few more household names by now. Just sayin
Vea and maybe AWJ. Can’t take any credit for LVD. Kancey and Diaby ain’t there…yet
Go Bucs!