“People Better Be Careful”
May 4th, 2024
One thing was very obvious when Buccaneers cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross was talking this week: he doesn’t think the Bucs lost a darn thing when Carlton Davis was sent packing to the Lions in a March trade.
Ross even sounded like a coach who thinks the Bucs are significantly better off with Jordan Whitehead back at safety and Davis’ 2023 understudy, Zyon McCollum, taking a full-time role with young free agent veteran Bryce Hall pushing for a starting job.
“We missed Jordan,” Ross said of Whithead. “I can tell you that. Jordan was the engine that actually, to me, the Super Bowl year he was the guy that initiated this contact. We no have heat-seeking missles by there. So people better be careful. People better be careful. I like what we got. I like this year’s secondary.
“I shouldn’t say that; I love this year’s secondary.”
Ross went on to note Davis did good things during his Tampa Bay days but won’t be missed. “We still have the same thing, I believe, within these people we have.”
Strong words from Ross, who typically is a candid voice and one that commands a lot of respect as a former two-time Pro Bowl cornerback.
The Bucs may have the best safety duo in the NFL, and Joe will hope Jamel Dean has a bounceback season and breaks his heinous streak. Between McCollum and Hall, one should prove worthy of the No. 2 cornerback spot, and the Bucs have lots of quality competition among their nickel cornerbacks.
One thing Joe never will lose sleep over is a Todd Bowles secondary.
May 4th, 2024 at 6:04 pm
Addition by subtraction at the very least.
Oh I know, he’s a great man on man player that was forced to play in zone………
Blah blah blah
May 4th, 2024 at 6:08 pm
Jordan Whitehead added, Carlton Davis deleted…….net plus plus.
May 4th, 2024 at 6:08 pm
I think Carlton got comfortable back there and you could always trust in a PI per game. We will see what Zyon got with a lot of experience because our injury ridden corners last year
May 4th, 2024 at 6:19 pm
Bryce Hall will push for starting time if he can pick up the system quickly. McCollum’s tackling last year was very inconsistent so Ross needs to work with him on that.
May 4th, 2024 at 6:25 pm
One thing Joe never will lose sleep over is a Todd Bowles secondary.
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Not saying that I’ll lose sleep either, but our secondary has NOT been a team strength over the past couple years. Not entirely their fault, and I think the changes are for the better.
To imply that TB’s influence builds confidence, IMO, is a bit of a stretch.
Always anticipating the best though.
May 4th, 2024 at 6:42 pm
I was so bummed when Jordan left. He was a key cog to the secondary. So happy to have him back. Physicality is back baby!!
May 4th, 2024 at 7:09 pm
If Tykee Smith locks down nickle I expect to see some TOs. But that pass rush has to improve up front.
May 4th, 2024 at 7:17 pm
Doosh
Love that response! Especially the jab at the end.
“Oh I know, he’s a great man on man player that was forced to play in zone………
Blah blah blah”
May 4th, 2024 at 7:21 pm
Bryce Hall, Jordan Whitehead, and Tykee Smith added.
I’m with coach Ross. Net gain this year.
May 4th, 2024 at 7:26 pm
We didn’t miss much! How can you really know if your starting corners couldn’t play a full season without injury. Same thing for Dean he’s next on the chopping block. If Bryce Halls can at least give what Dean gives us then there’s no reason to play Dean’s bloated salary either
May 4th, 2024 at 7:30 pm
“McCollum’s tackling last year was very inconsistent”
Very? Really? I think his major downfalls were being young and dumb at times and out of position. When he had the chance he didn’t really whiff much.
If you wish to see for yourself simply type this into your search window.
Zyon McCollum | 2023-2024 Season HIGHLIGHT MIX | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
May 4th, 2024 at 7:37 pm
They need to let Dean go after this year & draft another CB next year. If they’re gonna put Tykee at slot then it’s gonna be interesting to see what they plan on doing with Tavierre & Izien.
May 4th, 2024 at 7:38 pm
Joe, I won’t be surprised if Zyon is actually the #1 taking Carlton’s role as shadowing the opposing #1.
May 4th, 2024 at 7:38 pm
Joe … ‘One thing Joe never will lose sleep over is a Todd Bowles secondary.’
Maybe true Joe, but how long did it take to fall asleep after watching our CBs play 10 yards off game-after-game? Seems like you’ve Bowles to task about that more than once.
May 4th, 2024 at 7:39 pm
They should sign Calais Campbell for a year or two & then draft somebody like Jasheen Davis next year.
May 4th, 2024 at 8:01 pm
Don’t forget about Izien. For an UNDRAFTED ROOKIE he had an incredible year. Can’t wait to see what he brings to the rotation this season!
May 4th, 2024 at 8:02 pm
I think Izen’s had those interceptions in the 1st two games but not sure I remember him making a lot of strong plays after that. UDFA did good but are we sure that he is a starting caliber type of guy.
May 4th, 2024 at 8:03 pm
Best thing for Jordan was getting away from the PhD in defensive chaos theory and actually learning how to play a position. Hopefully Professor Todd doesn’t try to have him play more than 4 positions in the “kill them with complexity” defense.
May 4th, 2024 at 8:26 pm
Jordan Whitehead would not be back if he thought Bowles was bad for his career. An awful take.
May 4th, 2024 at 8:36 pm
Sorry Geno, the facts are, Salah being an excellent defensive coach, knows that simplifying the player’s role and accelerating their reactions to what they see rather than all the thinking, resulted in career bests for Jordan.
Them’s facts.
He’s back because he loves the culture Licht has built and can go sit with Todd the Life Counselor and get meaningful input.
Expect a regression in his play and production from the Jets. Todd will probably have him learning Vita’s role.
May 4th, 2024 at 8:41 pm
Vita Vea sighting on the interwebs! He looks GREAT.
May 4th, 2024 at 8:45 pm
Remember when Freeman lost his weight and cut his hair? He sucked!
Hopefully Vita works harder at his craft and gets some real coaching from a consultant, because Todd and his genius trust sure aren’t getting any improvement from their players
May 4th, 2024 at 9:03 pm
Our depth in the secondary terrifies me right now.
May 4th, 2024 at 9:04 pm
This Dave Pear guy is an A$$hat. All he does is regurgitate bs that he hears and clearly cannot watch football and form his own opinions. Complete clown. Get a life buddy
May 4th, 2024 at 9:04 pm
@Dave Pear – Yes, Freeman lost weight from cocaine, molly & alcohol. Not exactly an apples to apples comparison there with Vita the player or person.
May 4th, 2024 at 9:26 pm
Oddly enough that’s what happens when teams play zone.
May 4th, 2024 at 10:23 pm
Joe – you got an eject button for Dear Pear?
I know I know – everyone has an opinion, but that a$$hat brings zero to the table.
May 4th, 2024 at 10:53 pm
What Buccos and 74 Bucs fan said.
May 4th, 2024 at 10:54 pm
Ive been saying this for months.
Dave Pear is the worst poster on here BY FAR.
His constant Bowels bickering ad nauseam is disgustingly ridiculous.
He really never brings anything to the table that makes sense, or is worth actually discussing.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:08 am
YaYa Diaby will have 14 sacks Braswell will have 9 and the Bucs will improve on their 7th in sacks ranking from last year while also blitzing less . Running game will improve to top 20 and Mayfield will have a better season than he did last year. Bucs did not get worse this off season . They got better . I’m expecting 2 wins better . 11 wins is very possible. Stay positive fans . We gon surprise “again” !!
As always GO BUCS !!!
May 5th, 2024 at 5:46 am
Ross sounds like he won’t mix words ever. I love that Jordan Whitehead is back and expect McCollum, Tykee, and Hall doing great things too. However, you never know how Davis will work out with the Lions. It could be a perfect fit for him and he does well.
Josh Freeman was a QB. He and Schiano had many issues with each other at that time due to behavior and allegedly drugs/alcohol. That scenario has nothing to do with Vita and his weight loss. Totally different. Also, I feel that Bowles is so much better than Schiano. Josh played for a few more NFL teams after the Bucs until he went to the Canadian league. It would be interesting to know what he is doing now.
May 5th, 2024 at 8:11 am
Me thinks Ross is ecstatic about having Whitehead back…LOL
I don’t recall Ross being that excited about the secondary…Ever. Interesting also that he has them all going extra on the Jugs. Maybe we can hang on to some INTs this year.
I hope he can get the rest of them to tackle instead of the constant standing there poking at the ball and grabbing.
Would love a detailed explanation of what the new Hippy Dippy rule is. AKA hip drop tackle. I still have no idea how that is not gonna be a mess.
Go Bucs!
May 5th, 2024 at 9:08 am
Whitehead is a fantastic Safety. His physicality will make a huge difference.
I was always a big proponate of Carlton Davis, but last year, it seemed like Davis and Dean both decided that it was a lost season, so they were coasting.
They didnt play much, and played badly when they did.
Meanwhile, Zyon and Izien were busting their butts.
Trading Davis helped the Bucs IMHO.
I kinda think they signed Brice Hall, so they could move Dean.
Not likely- but I think hes done next year for sure.
And I think that will improve the secondary also.
But to improve our 32nd place pass defense, we still need to improve the pass rush.
That will help our very good secondary impose their will.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:49 pm
CDIII was an emotional leader. “Bucs gonna wreak sh—.” Was the team motto last year. That was CD.
May 5th, 2024 at 1:08 pm
I think that it’s this simple:
A. Davis is a really good corner and the BUCS would’ve liked to keep him.
B. The BUCs feel that they can get more aggressive on defense, find more game changing plays that way, and needed the draft capital to both sign offensive needs and defensive needs.
C. Davis’ salary was enough money to go get a slew of rookies that might be game changers.
D. They pulled the trigger and used the $ to draft players, sign them, and bring in some UDFAs as well
E. Game on, it’s time for coaches to see who will make the clutch catch, get the key block, catch turnovers that hit their hands, in short, take this very good squad from competitive in the season and playoffs, to dominant in the season and championship level in the playoffs.
May 5th, 2024 at 1:53 pm
Hahahahaha….they’ll find out. I wanted Javon Bullard (thought Braswell would be gone by the time we picked 2nd) but yeah, we got his teammate Tykee! Fits the roll i knew we had to fill.
DB room is looking awesome!