Lofty Words From Todd Bowles On Jamel Dean
September 12th, 2025
“Good job, Jamel.”
Each season, no matter if the Bucs are bad or good, Bucs fans have to have a player to beat up on.
No question the leader in the clubhouse for that honor this season is cornerback Jamel Dean.
Many Bucs fans reacted with glee when they learned Dean was forced (?) to take a massive paycut and a shortened contract that will make him a free agent come March (if the Bucs don’t re-sign him.)
Some fans have gone so far as to beg Bucs coach Todd Bowles to play rookie Benjamin Morrison even though Morrison has missed most of training camp with injuries. Even last week Bowles suggested Morrison isn’t ready to take a bunch of snaps yet due to missing so much time.
Well, yesterday, Bowles urinated in these same fans’ bowl of Cheerios. Bowles claimed in some instances last Sunday at Atlanta, Dean may have played the best of his career.
“I thought, from a man-to-man standpoint, [it was] some of the best press technique he’s had since he’s been here,” Bowles said. “From a zone standpoint, [there were] two plays you want to have back. They were minor plays, but you still want to have him back.
“I thought he competed at a very high level. He’s been business-like since he’s been there, he’s been healthy, he’s been helping the young guys come along. So, he’s been great.”
Ah, but we all know what is coming with Dean. We just don’t know when. That is injuries. And that is Joe’s lone hangup with Dean. You cannot bank on the guy.
Despite Dean missing five games last season, the most of his career, the Bucs were 1-4 in the regular season games where Dean was sidelined. Joe doesn’t believe in coincidences in football.
And if we want to get picky, Antoine Winfield saved the Bucs and Dean’s bacon with 16 seconds left in the game when Dean fell, which allowed Casey Washington to get free on the eight-yard line.
Thank goodness Winfield flew in and knocked the ball right out of Washington’s mitts. Otherwise, Washington walks into the end zone and the Bucs lose.
Does Joe think Dean is a good corner? Yeah. But his time missed with injuries is unacceptable. In three of the last four Bucs playoff games, Dean either couldn’t answer the bell or he was not on the field in the fourth quarter due to injuries.
You cannot make a run in the playoffs when your best corner is watching from the sidelines.
September 12th, 2025 at 12:42 am
Bowlesh!t, Dean is not having a good year. He got easily juked n lost in space in the Steelers preseason game when the receiver was all alone in the endzone for a td. Then wr Roman Wilson who’s really a rookie beat Dean on an easy fly pass. Then last week he got a penalty that negated a sack on his typical clumsy slip n fall that almost cost us the game, thanks to our savior Winfield. Two years ago against the 49ers he misjudge the ball n tripped over himself on the fly pass to Brandon Ayuk that was a walk in td. That same year he dropped an easy potential pick six int. I’ve said it before, Dean is slow to react, has poor field awareness, is a passive tackler, plays stiff, gets lost in space, n for the sake of a simple football, he can’t catch a cold. All gone from Bucs 2018 & 2019 draft/SB are CDavis, SMB, Mike Edward, Jordan Whitehead, n we kept of all people Dean, I think it’s Hammer time, let’s go Morrison.
September 12th, 2025 at 12:48 am
Well, since the article and quote is about this season, I’m gonna focus on game 1 since that’s all that has been played up. He effed up twice. Otherwise was solid.
He’s much better at man than zone IMO, like most of our DBs.
Morrison has barely played and is still a ? Until proven otherwise.
September 12th, 2025 at 1:08 am
“Well, he facemasked a receiver to negate a sack, and fell down on another coverage that could have lost us the ballgame. He excels at that. Overall, Jamel is doing exactly what he’s been coached to do.”
September 12th, 2025 at 3:07 am
HERE IS THE DEAL : It is not about finding a player to ‘beat up on.’ It is about actions and reacting to those particular actions. If that is viewed or suggested that it is beating up on a particular player then so be it. In Deans case it is the injuries and not performing well in numerous situations. If he is called out on these it simply means to me that he is a problem. He is not being singled out to be ‘beat up on.’
September 12th, 2025 at 4:26 am
Joe … ‘Despite Dean missing five games last season, the most of his career, the Bucs were 1-4 in the regular season games where Dean was sidelined. Joe doesn’t believe in coincidences in football.’
I don’t believe in coincidences either Joe, but we did come to different conclusions on this one. Bucs were 1-4 in those games Jamel didn’t play in because his particular replacements sucked, as did the team around them in those particular games.
A quick look at those 5 games shows:
o Game 7: 41-31 loss to Ravens – Bucs gave up 0 Rushing TDs and 5 Passing TDs. Charged to Whitehead (2), Winfield (1), T Smith (1) & McCollum (1).
o Game 8: 31-26 loss to Falcons – Bucs gave up 0 Rushing TDs and 4 Passing TDs. Charged to Whitehead (1), Britt (1), Merriweather (1) & Funderburk (1).
o Game 9: 30-24 loss to Chiefs – Bucs gave up 1 Rushing TD and 3 Passing TDs. Charged to Hayes (2) & Russell (1).
o Game 10: 23-20 loss to 49ers – Bucs gave up 0 Rushing TDs and 2 Passing TDs. Charged to Hayes (1) & Russell (1).
o Game 17: 27-19 win over Saints – Bucs gave up 0 Rushing TDs and 1 Passing TD. Charged to Hayes (1).
So in those 5 games, Bucs’ defense surrendered 15 Passing TDs but only 1 Rushing TD. Those TDs were charged to Hayes (4), Whitehead (3), Funderburk (1), Russell (1), Britt (1), Winfield (1), LVD (1), Merriweather (1), T Smith (1), McCollum (1).
Josh Hayes is still with the team (no clue why), but Whitehead, Funderburk, Russell & Britt are all gone. Hmmm, maybe we lacked sufficient DEPTH last year?
September 12th, 2025 at 4:58 am
That play at the end where AWjr saved us, I don’t think Dean was supposed to stick with that guy because we were in zone. He was trying to reverse course and catch up to the uncovered guy in the flat
September 12th, 2025 at 5:57 am
I don’t like being wishy-washy, but this is another one of those “yes and no” situations for me.
The stats/numbers say one thing, but what I see tells me something else.
The stats seem to consistently put him in the middle of the pack for CBs. I’d like it to be better but can live with that.
But, I also see the things @dmatt pointed out. And, @Defense Rules has a very good point.
To be fair, the TV camera is always going to follow the ball. If Jamel plays a full game and we rarely see him on the deep plays, one conclusion is that the opposing QB is throwing the ball elsewhere because Jamel has his man covered.
But, the injuries, the times he could’ve had a pass break-up or an int., or just flat out didn’t make the play seem to happen too often.
I’ll second what @Beeej said. My understanding is also that this was a zone coverage play and Jamel did what he was supposed to do. Antione saving that play was just Antione being Antione…
Finally, Jamel is supposedly much better in man coverage, but is playing in a defense that’s primarily zone. The math on that one isn’t rocket science. I think you also have to hold the coaching staff accountable for that.
I have mixed feelings about this, but I think he gets released at the end of the season. Injured or not, I think we should keep him until January/February because he can help mentor the younger guys.
September 12th, 2025 at 6:20 am
Well, he’s a press-man corner, so when you ask him to play a style he isnt good at you’re going to get a less effective player on the field.
Bowles loves to point out the obvious as if it’s a mystery. He’s the king of forcing square pegs into round holes and then having the audacity to complain when they don’t fit.
He’ll let a perfectly good square peg be a square peg when he first gets them in his system and that square peg will play loose and make splash plays and get everyone excited that this square peg will be great for years and years at what it does, but then little by little Bowles will scrape away at the edges of the square hoping to get it to fit into around hole that Bowles thinks he needs.
What has happened to Dean has happened to virtually every single defensive back that goes through Todd Bowles defensive system. They come in as young players playing with their instincts and what got them into the NFL, and Bowles allows that because they’re young and he has no choice because he hasnt had time to work with them. What happens though is the more time Bowles has with them, the less they play the game instinctively, and the more robotic he tries to make them and the less free they’re allowed to play.
Just do a little thinking back to all the guys that have come through Tampa in the last 6-8 years, and it’s not just corners and safeties, he does the same to linebackers and defensive linemen too. They get on the field and play well for a few games or maybe even a season or two, and then he finally over coaches or over schemes them out of effectiveness and then their confidence goes and then thats it, they’re dubbed a bad player and the fans hate them.
So keep an eye on Tykee Smith and Jacob Parrish, they’re next. Sirvocea Dennis is caught in the net as we speak.
September 12th, 2025 at 6:41 am
Per the “eyeball test” what I see is a CB that always gives receivers a massive cushion. It appears to me his strategy is, allow the catch & then make the tackle. Rarely do I see contested balls. Then the obviously painful part, is when he does find himself in a position to make an interception, he drops it. He looks like a CB that plays without a great deal of confidence.
September 12th, 2025 at 7:13 am
He’s an average CN at best. He does not intercept. He does not lead. He is often hurt.
He took the pay cut because he knew no one would pick up the contract. He would be unclaimed and stuck with whatever team had enough salary cap crumbles to sign him. And he’d have to move.
He will most certainly leave next year if he’s offered anything long term and guaranteed. He’s two years from being out of the NFL.
He was injured when they drafted him. The signs were all there. Was worth the risk. Did not pan out as well as expected. No great sin there.
September 12th, 2025 at 7:13 am
First thing: Penix is a real deal. He took everything TB had for him in stride and he made tough plays at the end. The Bucs have a challenger in the Falcons and a true competitor in that quarterback.
Second, Bowles picks some weird favorites to tout and Dean is one of those clear favorites. Just like last year, here the Coach takes the side of an underperforming player. May be undeserved, but that’s what we’ll hear from Todd. (Seems like Licht is not as generous).
Finally, the Bucs got lucky on BOTH of the last two passes. We’ve been talking about the great play on Casey Washington, and Winfield deserves all the props. (What in the world was Dean doing on that one?). There’s less discussion of the very next play, a pass in the end zone to KhaDarel Hodge. Just about hit the receiver in the helmet. Looked on the play like Dean got position early on to make Hodge dodge around him but then completely lost the play. Could — maybe should — have been a touchdown. Whatever. But you can’t have your main cornerback lost in space on two consecutive plays to close out the game.
I’ve been a backer of Dean for years. We can’t find any DBs on the shelf with his speed and ability for $13 mill. Unfortunately he’s not one either after the reworking of his contract. And it’s telling that an opponent went after him repeatedly — and successfully — with the game on the line. So now I’m not from Florida but from Missouri: Show me.
Dean, be better.
September 12th, 2025 at 9:42 am
There’s another way to look at the AWJ play that saved the Bucs bacon is Atlanta. Sure, Dean slipped, but he may have distracted that wideout just enough that AWJ was able to slam him, and knock the ball loose. Similar deal with the final play where the Falcon receiver muffed the TD catch. Something could have blown his concentration. Just saying as I was listening to radio. Subtleties do exist in this game in this game as does luck. we’ll need it Monday Nite.
September 12th, 2025 at 11:04 am
gotbbucs- best discussion of the root cause of the Bucs bottom decile pass defense. Well done. Excellent.
Thank you.
September 12th, 2025 at 11:56 am
Corners get beat sometimes. Don’t forget, the WR’s they are going up against are all-world athletes too. The highest rated player on the Bucs by PFF this week was Zyon McCollum. We didn’t hear his name a lot and that’s because he was sticking to his man like glue. Dean did that for most of the game too. They are both why all-world WR Drake London only caught about half the passes directed at him and not for real great yardage either.
We had both our starting corners at full strength so the Falcons typical formula for beating us didn’t work.
September 12th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Im of the opinion we need to keep Dean, keep McCollum, and keep Morrison. Corners on our team take a beating so that depth can be HUGE for us.
September 12th, 2025 at 12:49 pm
Got a feeling we’ll be missing Dean when he’s gone. He has always been a very good man corner, trying to play a bunch of cushion zone in Bowles’ scheme. No, he doesn’t have ball skills. Yes, he gets hurt way too much. But when he’s on the field, you could do much, much worse. It just seems like fans get certain guys in their head that are a problem and blow everything they do out of proportion. I remember the same happening with Barrett Ruud back in the day.
September 12th, 2025 at 2:31 pm
Dean ain’t it.
September 12th, 2025 at 2:55 pm
We played man to man on 38% of defensive snaps against Atlanta.
Expect more man vs immobile QBs.
We would be foolish to play more than 50% man in any game. Nobody does that…. For a reason.
September 12th, 2025 at 8:53 pm
Based on the comments I see on most of these threads the site name should be change from joebucsfan to joeblastbowlesfan. 4 division titles and playoff appearances, win total improvement each season but you know Bowles sucks being back lovie or koetter smh
September 13th, 2025 at 6:27 am
I’d be interested to see how much we ran man in key situations vs. zone. It looked like quite a bit. And when your corners are uber-athletes it’s significantly less dangerous. All our starting corners have 4.3x speed too- definite recovery speed.