YaYa Diaby Learned In His First NFL Game
August 11th, 2023
Not overwhelmed.
The lights weren’t too bright for Bucs rookie outside linebacker YaYa Diaby.
With Joe Tryon-Shoyinka getting the night off (?), Diaby got his first start in his first preseason NFL game. And he battled.
Diaby had to go against five-year veteran Chukwuma Okorafor of the Steelers. Not an easy task. While Diaby didn’t have a lot of stats, he did get a quarterback hit and did seem to get pressure on Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett.
And it sure looked to Joe as if Okorafor held Diaby at least twice. Let’s put it this way, if you did to a woman on the street what Okorafor did to Diaby, you’d be in deep shiite.
At one point it looked as if Diaby was about to tangle with Okorafor, staring down Okorafor walking back to the defensive huddle. Joe was bracing for a throwdown. In short, Diaby wasn’t intimidated.
“It was just, you know, past the whistle,” Diaby said of Okorafor’s stunts.
That didn’t often happen when Diaby played Virginia Tech or Wake Forest.
Diaby told Joe he said that was just part of learning the NFL his first time out.
Diaby went down injured in the game. After trainers came out, he walked off the field, albeit slowly. Diaby told Joe he was fine.
“I just rolled my ankle a little,” Diaby said.
So Diaby’s night was finished. And while he didn’t dominate or have major splash plays, he did contribute and show he’s not intimidated against one of the more physical teams in the NFL.
August 11th, 2023 at 11:15 pm
Maybe Diaby should play RT?
August 11th, 2023 at 11:26 pm
Diaby looked like a vet out there with his arsenal. A nice surprise.
August 11th, 2023 at 11:36 pm
The Steelers played all their guys. I believe that is important and sets the tone. Our coaching staff told the team that they didn’t care (by playing the 2nd team to start the game). So, football is a game on momentum if we are going to let the other team set the tone. Bucs coaches don’t teach tackling. They don’t even teach the CBs to keep outside leavage…I knew that in high school? The coaches are to blame for the bad play!
August 11th, 2023 at 11:51 pm
When is Cam Gill gonna get his respect? The dude has shown he deserves more playing time.
August 12th, 2023 at 12:14 am
YaYa Diaby is unbeelievably massive in the wing span and the arms are huge, this kid will never be intimidated by anybody. he is like JPP and just as motivated and bigger. It is a matter of time until he gets home. I guess he gets 6 maybe 8 sacks this year. happy with him.
August 12th, 2023 at 12:35 am
100% agree with lambchop. Gill shows up when he’s out there. When he gets a break through the line he closes fast on the QB. Love that dude.
August 12th, 2023 at 12:37 am
Bucs 2nd stringers looked sloppy. That’s not good. They gotta be more disciplined and physical.
August 12th, 2023 at 12:44 am
I think Gill would have had a breakout year last year.
August 12th, 2023 at 12:45 am
Game showed
Mayfield was good
Trask bad
OL bad with no depth
DL needs more intensity
LB deepest position
Secondary iffy
August 12th, 2023 at 2:11 am
Ya Ya far better than Plan Nine,
August 12th, 2023 at 3:19 am
I only heard the game on the radio BUT when I Was able to hear it, I kept hearing 2 names..
YaYa was Again and AGAIN!
But then I Also kept hearing Geodonkey as well.
I do know that it is Very Good to hear one name and Very Bad to hear the other.
Again, and Again and AGAIN….
Man, Ya Ya “Could Be” the best pick up of our draft. BUT, I Sure Do want to see Kancey in Action! If we can walk away with 2 or 3 ACTUAL STUDS….. Yeah!
GO BUCS!
August 12th, 2023 at 4:03 am
I was impressed with Diaby, but dude, walk away….say it as youre walking away … next play, next play, next play….penalties kill drives….let it go…learn to let it go
August 12th, 2023 at 6:29 am
Diaby looks like a keeper, encouraged by his play in his firs game.
Dennis also looked decent.
August 12th, 2023 at 7:35 am
i saw mayfield standing next to bowles
August 12th, 2023 at 7:56 am
Ta Ya…..looked good….as did Mayfield, Gill, Edmonds, Palmer
We didn’t play most of our starters…..they did…..Nuff said
August 12th, 2023 at 8:27 am
JTS, sit down and stay there – YAYA is wayyyyyyy better than you
August 12th, 2023 at 9:27 am
I’m thinking JTS is going to be replaced at some point in the season by Ya Ya’s Flame Broiled Chicken.
August 12th, 2023 at 9:43 am
JOE:
And preseason games, do you think it is possible that the coaches across teams tell each other who they are going to play, starters/back ups?
August 12th, 2023 at 10:21 am
He’s gone get plenty of snaps especially if JTS is still a puppy in run support.
August 12th, 2023 at 10:23 am
Diaby was off to a good start. He was all over the field! He is a gamer!!
August 12th, 2023 at 2:02 pm
Looking like 4-6 win only season this coming year. Disappointing that is. Guess we will have a high draft pick next year
August 12th, 2023 at 5:12 pm
Get him off of special teams!
Not worth it!!!
August 12th, 2023 at 6:29 pm
JTS …will dominate next week!
August 13th, 2023 at 5:17 am
Wow I am loking Diaby alot.
He definately showed up on the tape. Sacks or not the QBs for the steelers know who he is now.
Go Bucs