“You Better Be On Your Job”

May 27th, 2025

Starting cornerback Zyon McCollum

It’s a very feisty cornerbacks competition at One Buc Palace.

Man, Jamel Dean was flying around the practice field today.

He didn’t make every play, and he didn’t have an interception, but Dean sure looked like a very energetic veteran, almost like a rookie trying to make the Bucs roster. Zyon McCollum was active, too.

The Bucs’ “1a” cornerback, per head coach Todd Bowles, said he’s excited by the Bucs drafting cornerbacks in Rounds 2 and 3. He said he can feel the boost in the cornerbacks room.

Joe asked Bowles after practice if he can feel the competition and energy brewing among the cornerbacks — in the building and on the field.

“You can feel that after draft day,” Bowles replied with a slight snicker in his voice. “You come back in here, you draft two players at your position, you better be on your job. So expect to be heavy competition in camp.”

Joe was intrigued to hear McCollum refer to third-round pick Jacob Parrish as a “dawg,” and McCollum acknowledged that he watched film or rookie minicamp, presumably to see what he might be up against this summer.

Fun stuff.

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27 Responses to ““You Better Be On Your Job””

  1. Baker Bowl Says:

    They needed it so bad. Love to see the DBs under some pressure. Pressure is a privilege, hopefully this lights a fire up under them.

    I want to see Jamel prove why he’s paid what he is and lead this group of young guys to the level of the Super Bowl DB room.

  2. Hodad Says:

    We’ll tolerate you till we can replace you. Starship Troopers.

  3. Tim Says:

    LOL Hodad

  4. Teacherman Says:

    I want to invent the “Tampa 7”

    4 down lineman

    7 DBs.

    If Vea, Kancey, Yaya and Reddick can provide real pressure as a 4 man rush?

    Why not give LVD some snaps off and play 7 DBs?

    I’ve been talking about this for years.

    We have the players to do it.

    Zion and Dean outside.

    Parrish and Morrison at “double nickle”

    And the trio of safeties: Izien, Winfield and Tykes.

    Can you dig it?

    Oh yeaaaa.

    Go Bucs!

  5. stpetebucsfan Says:

    You know given his experience as a DB himself this has to be Todd’s favorite position to coach.

  6. Rod Munch Says:

    I’m really hoping we go to the Bowles 11 – where every defender, including Vita and Kancey, immediately drops into the softest zone imaginable and just hangs out 15 yards off the ball. No pressure, no engagement, just a beautifully choreographed retreat. It’s so advanced, the quarterback will be paralyzed by the sheer emptiness – standing in a clean pocket for 60 seconds wondering what trap he’s missing. That’s the genius: don’t stop the offense – psychologically unravel it. Bowles has been teasing this masterpiece for years. It’s time he stops holding back and unleashes the final product.

  7. HC Grover Says:

    Waiting for the JBF daily practice reports. They are always interesting in the pre season season.

  8. HC Grover Says:

    Munch…ROFL Bowles vacume defense. Nothing can function in the vacume zone.

  9. Obvious One Says:

    Rod ….. LMFAO

  10. Buc1987 Says:

    lol Munch.

    I just checked ticket prices for the home opener. WOW nose bleeds are $170 a pop.

    Too much for me. Guess I’m staying home for games from now on. End zone is $270. Dayum.

  11. Rover Says:

    For Christ’s sake who is going to play linebacker. Does SirVocea Dennis have a serviceable shoulder?? I guess we wait and wait. No linebacker, no shot. Ask Britt.
    Go Bucs!

  12. JA Says:

    It’s not the cornerbacks so much as the scheme. No cornerback can look good trying to make plays when they’re ordered to give up everything underneath.
    This is the time of year when all teams are 0-0 and believe they have just come off a great draft.
    The proof is in the pudding and it gets served in early September.
    Fingers crossed the Bucs can improve on their 27-24 regular season under Bowles with a 1-3 playoff record for a one game over 500 collective record.
    Some of you, with limited comprehension skills, might call me a hater. But I want the Bucs to win the Super Bowl too!
    But things are what they are no matter what we think. And records speak for themselves.

  13. ModHairKen Says:

    Does “dawg” have some particular meaning? Why is hearing that intriguing?

  14. Rod Munch Says:

    ModHairKen Says:
    May 27th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
    Does “dawg” have some particular meaning? Why is hearing that intriguing?

    ———

    I asked AI to explain this, and here’s what it says…

    “Dawg” is a slang variant of “dog,” often used as a term of camaraderie, especially among men — like “bro,” “homie,” or “man.” It’s common in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and hip-hop culture, but it’s also spread into general slang, especially in sports, street talk, and online banter.

    Hearing it can be intriguing because it instantly sets a tone. It feels informal, confident, and sometimes funny or confrontational. Depending on context, it can signal friendship, mockery, or swagger — so it grabs attention. If someone calls you “dawg,” you’re either in their inner circle… or about to be roasted.

  15. GoneGator Says:

    It’s just so informative to hear our expert commenters talk smack about Todd’s scheme, as if some magical scheme change could turn 3rd 4th and 5th string players into a dominant secondary or defense.

    Do you geniuses really think more man coverage would have helped our cause?
    More man coverage, with our personnel last season, would have resulted in even worse results.

    For those of you who say injuries are no excuse (or reason) talk to Dan Campbell or his recently departed DC.

  16. Cardiac kidz Says:

    Dean should have been a salary cap casualty. He hasn’t made a full season in years, falls short in the playoffs.
    Glad to hear he’s practicing hard….no pads, no contact, no big deal. He’s only good for 12 games a year, 1 pick per year as of late, speaking of late, late to press the receiver, change their timing, anything that could make a positive difference, just late. well…. you get what I think of Dean at this point.

  17. ballwasher61 Says:

    Does anyone realize how many ankle, foot injuries that are just waiting to happen to Safeties and corners? Have you EVER run backwards full bore for ANY length { without falling down} and twisting your hips and torso to track another guy running full speed, not to mention cutting? It is supreme balance and coordination, there are so many potentials for injurie, that’s why if a team doesn’t have a significant amount of injuries in the D backfield it’s amazing. We are starting get some real depth and I nothing brings out the best like competition.

  18. Let em Bake Says:

    Itd be nice if we can get to week 4 without half the secondary hurt….

  19. firethecannons Says:

    I have zero=none confidence in Jamel Dean. All he ever does is get picked on. He needs to figure out how to make a play on the ball but that is way too much to ask. Glad we have depth as he won’t last more than 2 games without an injury.

  20. adam from ny Says:

    stop dawgin’ it in the chat guys…

    step up ya game…!

    or you too can become a costco rotisserie chicken 🙂

  21. garro Says:

    Hmm hope everyone improves due to the competition. I care less about the INTs than I do getting off the field on third down. That is what killed us last year.

    Go Bucs!

  22. Aqualung Says:

    Rod Munch has it cold. This is the new lab discovery. We are set. Meanwhile, posters who cry when the truth hurts continue with the high and mighty act.

  23. NLK@boston Says:

    teacherman has a great pt. 1 was thinking 4 – 1 – 6. nice to have 1 lb to shadow top rb or if qb esapes pocket. doesn’t have to be all the time. surprise opp. offense and maybe force valuable timeouts.

  24. BucU Says:

    Man I’m stoked for this season. ATL week 1 is going to be epic. What a gift having them right off the bat. Seek and destroy.

  25. Fred Says:

    Dean will twist an ankle while putting his shoes on. Only a matter of time. But…. With his paycheck, not to worry.

  26. stpetebucsfan Says:

    So Aqualung and Munchmeister for the win.

    Rod’s piece makes me go all Pee Herman…So funny I forgot to laugh.

    It is laughable however to watch these guys tie themselves into knots trying to insult the Defensive Coordinator of the last Bucs team to win a Super bowl.

    I guess he must has utilized his players the way the Muncher describes to beat KC twice that year!

    Amazing that Todd has a job while these geniuses simply peck away at their keyboards.

    @Kenton…Great attempt at trying to reason with them. As for me I simply enjoy making fun of them.

    As Mark Twain famously said…”‘Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.’

  27. Rod Munch Says:

    stpetebucsfan – What was the scheme the Bucs played when they won the SB? I seem to remember it being an aggressive man-to-man defense – meanwhile, last year the team played the most zone in the NFL, literally the most. This isn’t the same scheme they won a SB with – and, just an FYI, the Bucs have a difference defensive coordinator than they had when they won the SB.

 

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