“Unbelievable”
December 23rd, 2019
There is a grade of “A,” and then there’s something more impressive.
Second-year starting cornerback Carlton Davis had a special day Saturday covering superstar receiver DeAndre Hopkins of the Texans. It was a stunner. Hopkins had his worst game of the season, 5 catches for 23 yards.
Joe can’t wait to really dive into the All-22 film to see how Davis performed.
Bucco Bruce Arians was asked about Davis today and gushed about his improvement.
“It was just a matter of better technique, better footwork [and] playing press man-to-man the way we want it played. He did an unbelievable job on DeAndre [Hopkins] – unbelievable,” Arians said.
Davis has been inconsistent this season, but Joe’s not going to take anything away from his performance against Hopkins. That’s a special shutdown of an elite receiver. Still, Joe remembers when Bucs CB Sterling Moore shut down Julio Jones, Dez Bryant and Odell Beckham Jr. back in 2015, and his career never took off.
Joe hopes Davis can really build on Saturday’s game, show up strong against Jones on Sunday and blossom into a consistent player in 2020.
December 23rd, 2019 at 4:10 pm
Great job young fella! Keep working!
December 23rd, 2019 at 4:13 pm
He’s a member of the Band of Brothers (2018 & 2019 Draftees)
They will be the core of this team for a long time coming.
In BA I Trust!
December 23rd, 2019 at 4:16 pm
We appear to have a very young & talented secondary……3 rookies and 2 second year players……and if Justin Evans comes back healthy…..we are set.
You have to be encouraged by the play of our corners……SMB, Dean & Davis….
Let’s see if they have an answer to Julio…..not many do.
December 23rd, 2019 at 4:19 pm
Unbelievable can go for the whole secondary. It’s been a darn near miracilous turnaround. These guys look more then just legit……..One of these guys gonna end up in a pro bowl next year if they keep this up. Shut down Hopkins and J.Jones already. Can’t wait to see us get tested again vs the Falcons this week……..A far cry from when we had to close our eyes against top tier recievers.
And we got a top rated pass rush!! Are you kidding me? Todd Bowles is one heck of a coach man. This defense has crazy good potential.
I’m on board with those saying to snag a safety in round one. If you can add another major piece to this defense we can be Scarry good. Exciting just thinking about it!!!
GO BUCS!!!
December 23rd, 2019 at 4:27 pm
oh BTW…..We don’t need that vet corner so bad like y’all talked about…..To do what? Pick his ass?
I’m with the Joe who said on Irvs podcast we don’t need that vet. Almost hope we don’t sign one just to hear the other Joe meltdown. That was a epic podcast Joe. Love it when y’all argue back and forth.
December 23rd, 2019 at 4:42 pm
The question remains has he improved more in 2 seasons than Jameis has in 5 seasons.
December 23rd, 2019 at 4:42 pm
These guys might be scary good next season. It would be a shame to squander a good defense next season on the arm of an inconsistent and wildly inaccurate QB. aka. ATM
December 23rd, 2019 at 4:48 pm
Forget you, Joe. Anything you say positive about the NFL’s best trio of CBs just takes away from the legacy left behind by EJ, Danny, and LaQuan.
December 23rd, 2019 at 4:59 pm
We really need to start talking more about this defense and less about excuses for Winston. These guys have been playing their butts off even though we’ve been out of the playoff picture for a while. Had to look up some stats to confirm but through week 16 the Bucs are ranked 9th in defense for the second half of the season. These players deserve huge props for staying aggressive and getting better every week!
December 23rd, 2019 at 5:10 pm
Do you guys remember during OTA’s when these guys were flying around, deflecting and intercepting balls? But there was something on the field called a VHIII. Well, since that thing has been jettisoned and these younguns have been able to get on the field, they have shined and shown their behinds!
December 23rd, 2019 at 5:18 pm
I the Bucs could get a QB (that doesn’t throw to a different colored jersey 4 times a game) equal to some of the defensive players the Bucs now have, they would have a heck of a team. Until they do, they will always be on the outside looking in. Work ethic sounds good, but in the NFL, it’s all about the W’s baby!!!
December 23rd, 2019 at 5:22 pm
Lots of hope on the defensive side of the ball at the end of the year. If it’s still looking good at this time next year, I will need to give Licht his due. He deserves a lot of criticism (ENTIRE 2016 draft among other gaffes), but Bunting, Dean, and Davis are starting to look like keepers.
December 23rd, 2019 at 5:28 pm
LOL … look at all you guy praising the cb’s. If Julio and Ryan torches them to a 400plus passing yard game you all be acting different Monday. Just like with Winston before the Texans game you all was talking multiyear contract etc and now ? You want him out.
You are a two face fan.
December 23rd, 2019 at 5:32 pm
You have to be encouraged about our young secondary……3 rookies & 2 second year players developing nicely…..and, if Justin Evans returns healthy, we are set for years.
Add resigning our FAs up front…the defense should be solid.
December 23rd, 2019 at 5:34 pm
Doesn’t require too long of a wait to judge this draft class as excellent.
December 23rd, 2019 at 5:43 pm
We should be very encouraged that our very young secondary is developing nicely……Rookies Dean, SMB & Edwards along with 2nd year players Whitehead & Davis are looking solid.
If Justin Evans returns healthy next year, we should be set for years.
Add our FAs up front and the Defense will be strong.
December 23rd, 2019 at 6:02 pm
Yea Two faced ain’t all they are…..but I’ll keep that card in my pocket for now.
December 23rd, 2019 at 6:03 pm
So Joe…where is the article that Arians said his top priority is to keep this Defense together? Might that not have implications on some of the decisions regarding Jameis, et. al. (a little of that IEU Latin)? Just wondering.
December 23rd, 2019 at 6:03 pm
So Joe…where is the article that Arians said his top priority is to keep this Defense together? Did I miss it? Might that not have implications on some of the decisions regarding Jameis, et. al. (a little of that IEU Latin)? Just wondering.
December 23rd, 2019 at 6:07 pm
pump the brakes on the back end, yes they are getting better but jacoby brissett lit them up with ZERO WRs so. Bucs fans were raving about vh3 in that 9-7 season too
December 23rd, 2019 at 6:08 pm
They’ve been way better since we jettisoned a certain Texan CB.
December 23rd, 2019 at 6:58 pm
We should be very encouraged that our very young secondary is developing nicely……Rookies Dean, SMB & Edwards along with 2nd year players Whitehead & Davis are looking solid.
If Justin Evans returns healthy next year, we should be set for years.
Add our FAs up front and the Defense will be extremely strong.
December 23rd, 2019 at 7:00 pm
Test
December 23rd, 2019 at 7:02 pm
All of my posts are moderated and not getting through except this from phone…
December 23rd, 2019 at 7:26 pm
All I am looking for is improvement! The D has improved to middle of the pack which is more then fine with me.
December 23rd, 2019 at 7:38 pm
Okay, but wasn’t Hopkins hurt, too?
December 23rd, 2019 at 8:08 pm
Davis completely shut down Julio Jones, and Michael Thomas, on top of DeAndre Hopkins.
December 23rd, 2019 at 8:28 pm
You are a two face fan.
Thomas against Davis.
Sun 11/17
8 catches 10 targets 114yards14.3avg 1TD
Sun 10/6
11catches 13targets 182yards 16.5avg 2TD
December 23rd, 2019 at 8:30 pm
Has anyone else noticed that Joe gives backhand “praise ” to some players and yet constantly licks jaymiss stick even though he constantly F’s up? 2yr player showing significant growth versus 5yr player that’s still doing rookie stuff. Joe is a real joke. Fans can’t take this Joe character serious
December 23rd, 2019 at 8:48 pm
Carlton Davis has certainly taken his lumps in the NFL.
He’s not the biggest or fastest DB, but the young man has heart, you can tell by his body language.
More importantly, he has mental toughness and confidence in his ability.
Mental toughness is what it’s all about!
My favorite part about Gruden were those highlight reels of him in practice screaming “it’s about mental toughness men!”
Certain players are “squealers” and you know by the look on their face and their hustle on the field.
Examples:
VHMe
GMAC
Baker
Collins
December 23rd, 2019 at 8:51 pm
@Losing Hope
We’ll all see it bro.
They’re lucky this is the only real blog in town even if the platform is outdated and loaded with garbage banner ads and questionable content.
Gotta give it up to them, at least they give us all a mildly open platform to vent.
December 23rd, 2019 at 9:06 pm
@ Losing hope
Welcome to the party. So you know, there are two Joe’s posting on this site. One is sensible, the other is senseless. It’s usually pretty obvious which is which.
December 23rd, 2019 at 9:26 pm
What I’d like to know is why OJ don’t get called out more.I think he deserves his own articled dedicated just to how lousy of a game he had when the team needed him most. A month or so ago Mike Evans had a very awful game and gets almost no criticism. I call that favoritism.
You hear about the next man up mentality. That don’t mean Hyman gotta beast out or Schnell gotta make a impact……You need guys like OJ to take on a big role and step up.
We seen Perriman do it. RoJo stepped up for at least one big play.
Winston/OJ. Total disappointments.
December 23rd, 2019 at 9:30 pm
Hey ADRNAGY, wow you mean people criticize when you play bad, and sing your praises when you play good? How many years did it take for you to figure that out? Welcome to the real world smart guy
December 23rd, 2019 at 9:40 pm
I didn’t realize that…. thank you for informing me about it. Wow .. joe I’m going in circles now that gofortheface30 as open my eyes.
December 23rd, 2019 at 9:46 pm
Does that mean jameis might not be back do to his dumb int ? Or are we headed the right direction do to our all star play in defense ? Omg gofortheaxx30 times what do think ?
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:37 pm
Jean I think it would be fair to give Jameis one solid season with a defense for all the putrid defenses he has had to play with. Also a second year with Arians to try and shake these TO’s out of him. If it doesn’t work out then move on but giving up on him now would just be moronic. I just don’t see anyone else that will be able to put up the points like him. I also do believe he will improve greatly in the TO area. Never give up Bucs fans!
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:56 pm
Losing Hope: Jameis is the most polarizing player ever since Joe started this site. He wants him to succeed and stick around. Means more visits to this site. Can’t blame him.
December 24th, 2019 at 6:15 am
They have all improved. They’ve improved to the point that the Bucs don’t have to force a DB pick in the draft this year. If they get the 2020 draft right, the Bucs should be in a position to walk the “best player available” talk in 2021…which would be a first since the days of McKay. Wouldn’t that be nice finally.
December 24th, 2019 at 6:35 am
Jean, I couldn’t agree more. This team could be great…with the addition of a legit running back, right offensive tackle, and without Mr. ATM!
December 24th, 2019 at 8:30 am
I can recall that Ronde finally jumped into greatness his 3rd year. Early on he too struggled. Next year will tell if we really have what it looks like now. Defense in the draft and sign a free agent OL , RB in rounds 3-5. Oh btw, sign up our front seven including Nassib and JPP