The Jameis Of The Defense
December 9th, 2019
When Kwon Alexander first was labeled the “Jameis of the Defense” years ago, it was a term of endearment.
Now that phrase is reserved for a guy who is wildly inconsistent — good and bad.
The moniker goes to cornerback Carlton Davis. This guy drives Joe insane. He gets roasted twice a game and always finds a way to look extra bad doing it while repeating the same mistakes.
But on the flip side, Davis has 18 passes defensed following three yesterday against the Colts. That’s tied for third most in the NFL.
Davis also will stick his nose in the fire and tackle. Among cornerbacks, he ranks 21st in the league in solo tackles, meaning those made with no help. Davis has 42 on the season, four per game.
Still just 22 years old, Davis has a load of upside, especially considering the dude had never had a veteran to mentor him. And no, Joe doesn’t count the 2018 version of Brent Grimes as a mentor. Also, Davis doesn’t have the benefit of a veteran safety guiding him, either.
Like Jameis, Davis makes Joe punch walls. But there’s promise there.
Joe has begun praying to the football gods for the Bucs to add a stud veteran in the defensive backfield next season. That upgrade would be so beneficial on so many levels.
December 9th, 2019 at 9:02 am
come on joe he had the legendary vh3bust as a mentor…. the pride of 7-Eleven!!!!
December 9th, 2019 at 9:09 am
I Bucs can’t develop Cornerbacks just like they can’t develop Quarterbacks
December 9th, 2019 at 9:16 am
@ tmaxcon
VHGIII mentors NOONE……
once again….this franchise cannot develop CBs…..it’s been a known pattern for over a decade.
No Bucs fan can recall whenever we drafted a CB and then developed into an actual good player.
December 9th, 2019 at 9:19 am
The Jameis Of The Defense???What a insult to #33!
December 9th, 2019 at 9:23 am
All Jameis Winston is ……..is a better version of Blake Bortles….
If Jameis wasn’t drafted where he was at in the draft and if he played for another franchise that actually cared about winning….no way in hell he’d still actually be an NFL started.
Jameis Winston has career backup written all over him.
December 9th, 2019 at 9:23 am
The young DB’s will be fine with time…OL and DL in the draft…first 4 picks…tackle, center , guard
December 9th, 2019 at 9:23 am
“Joe has begun praying to the football gods for the Bucs to add a stud veteran in the Bucs’ defensive backfield next season.”
Maybe you should pray to Jameis for help. Afterall you posted an article last night where you displayed and described Jameis as the Messiah. Maybe your football hope and salvation could be found in him.
December 9th, 2019 at 9:23 am
How come all of you who claimed the Bucs could not develop cornerbacks are not eating crow? Including Joe?
These CBs are getting better and better.
December 9th, 2019 at 9:27 am
I worry about Davis more than Dean or SMB
December 9th, 2019 at 9:34 am
Bonzai- They’re getting better and NOTICEABLY since VHIII’s departure. Still a lot of work to do but they are improving.
December 9th, 2019 at 9:45 am
The guy who needs coverage work is Whitehead. He’s a good tackler but in coverage TE’s have eaten this defense up all year. I’m totally surprised that the Colts did not exploit Whitehead more with Doyle.
December 9th, 2019 at 9:48 am
imo, JPPs leadership combined with him getting back into football shape has been the key to the secondaries success….
a leader that provides pressure on the QB helps everyone….
GO BUCS!!!!!
December 9th, 2019 at 9:48 am
It has to be a safety they bring in but the question is who? Adrian Phillips, Vonn Bell, D.J Swearinger? I think its pretty safe to say we wont be bringing in a top Corner.
December 9th, 2019 at 9:49 am
Dapostman Says:
December 9th, 2019 at 9:45 am
The guy who needs coverage work is Whitehead. He’s a good tackler but in coverage TE’s have eaten this defense up all year.
BINGO!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
December 9th, 2019 at 9:49 am
I agree Joe, we need a veteran in the room. The youngsters show promise but I think seasoned vet could help elevate their play and maybe cut down some inconsistencies. Doesn’t even need to be a starter in my mind. Just some one to ride some pine and be a mentor that’s not a coach.
Still, sweet sweet victory!
December 9th, 2019 at 9:51 am
Good player with bad habits. Turns his head to early trying to get the pick and loses his man. Young player with a lot of upside.
December 9th, 2019 at 9:53 am
Davis is a stud corner for this team.. Every corner gets beat for a TD
December 9th, 2019 at 10:38 am
Dean did the same thing yesterday. Had a couple good plays then tackled a guy before the ball was even close to the receiver. They’re all young and need some help and training. They might turn into something good in the next couple of years but are you willing to gamble on another losing season because you didn’t want to spring for veteran help? And I do consider a 8-8 or 9-7 record this year a losing season when you’re not playing for the playoffs, can’t win your division, and 1 win against a pretty good team in the Rams.
December 9th, 2019 at 10:44 am
Wow, lots of good stuff. Agree totally Joe that the Bucs need to add a stud veteran to the Secondary this off-season. Would much prefer that be a veteran SAFETY though. We’re very light back there with Whitehead, Edwards (?), Adams & D Stewart (who I’m betting will be gone next year, along with MJ Stewart). Still can’t figure out if Edwards is a Safety or a Nickel.
Quite a few Safeties will be UFAs in 2020 it looks like, but I bet at least half will be re-signed by their current team. Only a handful are making over $3 mil right now though, so I’m not sure how highly their teams value them (New England’s Devin McCourty & Philly’s Rodney McLeod being the exceptions). In any event, I’m sure that Todd Bowles pretty much knows what he wants in a leader back there, and I’m sure that’ll be a prime consideration.
And yes, Whitehead is another Buc who can drive ya nuts. Some incredible plays mixed in with ‘What in heaven’s name was he thinking’? Sounds like another Buc (or two) that we know.
December 9th, 2019 at 10:52 am
Miller5252 … That tackle by Dean was actually a good play to save a TD IMO. He was clearly beaten on that play by a couple of steps & had the receiver caught that ball he was taking it to the house. I look at plays like that as mammoth penalties (that particular one was 45 yards), but it beats giving up a 70 yard TD. As it was, Colts ended up fumbling the ball 3 plays later on the Tampa Bay 21 yard line. Whew!
December 9th, 2019 at 11:16 am
Agree with Joe. A running game would be nice too.
December 9th, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Miller- you consider 8-8 or 9-7 a losing record? I hope you aren’t doin your own taxes or you’re gonna get in trouble. Just messin’ I know what you’re saying- I honestly thought we could be 10-6 this year. I think we could have been with a little luck in the Giants and Titans game- throw in the Seattle game too. If we win the toss, who knows? However, I’ll take the progress. As frustrating as it is to not make the playoffs AGAIN, we are the 2nd youngest team in the NFL. I don’t think we can be held down again next year, not even by the schedule makers. We almost overcame the worst schedule in NFL history. If we were in the NFC East- we would be a solid playoff team. Having said that- Falcons will have to re-tool soon and the Panthers too. Looks like the Saints will just re-load. Future is bright, IMO
December 9th, 2019 at 12:54 pm
@anthem you say Buc fans have never seen this organization develop a quality CB. Sorry man but I got to watch ronde barber maybe you weren’t around yet. I also know we had Donnie Abraham at least I think he was a buc lol
December 9th, 2019 at 4:00 pm
The Bucs developed Ronde Barber, Brian Kelly, Donnie Abraham, and people forget the most recent Aqib Talib, also don’t forget that corner back is one of the most difficult position’s to play in football.
December 10th, 2019 at 6:37 am
No veteran DBs needed to take valuable playing time away from these uber talented young players. Bad logic. Darrian Stewart is a vet and hasn’t sniffed the field since week 2 or so.