Todd Bowles Acknowledges Three-Game Slide For Zyon McCollum
November 24th, 2025
About eight months ago at the NFL Owners meetings, Todd Bowles made it clear that Zyon McCollum was his 1A cornerback and Jamel Dean was his 1B.
Joe suspects the head coach would pass a polygraph if he had to say the same thing again today.
McCollum’s play has been a disappointment. Bowles said he wanted “ballhawks” this season. McCollum has been anything but.
Last night, McCollum got picked on by the Rams multiple times. That stood out more than usual considering Bucs rookie Jacob Parrish was playing cornerback on the opposite side of the field.
Bowles weighed in on his fourth-year cornerback today during his Monday news conference.
“He had a couple of bad plays in the first half,” Bowles said of McCollum. “I think the last three weeks he’s got to correct a lot of things within himself. He’s one of our best athletes and our best players. He’s got to get out of that rut. We have to help him get out of that rut. And we rely on him to make some plays, you know, he had a rough outing yeterday. You got to come back and recover.”
Hard words from the head coach. All summer, Joe wrote that Dean is the Bucs’ best cornerback, and that was based on watching practice.
Given the lack of progression from McCollum, even with competition all around him, Joe’s starting to think McCollum isn’t the player a lot of fans think he is.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:51 pm
What you need is a defensive coordinator that can assist him to improve his game.
Wait…..that’s right……never mind…..
Fire Bowles Now!!!
November 24th, 2025 at 1:51 pm
Bowles saying Zion has been bad… well, look in the mirror Todd. Zyon at CB has been like Bowles as defensive coordinator. I’m surprised Adams didn’t catch 5 TD last night.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:52 pm
“Joe’s starting to think McCollum isn’t the player a lot of fans think he is.”
Don’t insult the fans like that. He isn’t the player this HC and GM think he is. $48M down the toilet.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:53 pm
Bro should change his name to “TOAST”, because he’s been burned for two games in a row
It’s all cool though, because I don’t blame him…I blame bad coaching and management.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:53 pm
The GM, the scouts and the coaches all signed off on this guy. Awesome.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:55 pm
Back in the day Everson Walls was a “ball hawk” for the Cowboys. Ya wanna know why? …..Harvey Martin and Ed “Too Tall” Jones.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:55 pm
Yes Joe, I agree, I don’t think he is whom we or Bowles thought he was. He was really poor last night and was schooled often. Yes I have watched him play at the Patroits game, he was poor there and against Buffalo.
Yes when the other team goes after who you think is your best corner instead of a rookie, well that speaks volumes doesn’t it. I wrote this am that I think he needs to be benched. You may as well roll with Morrison at this point and let him grow. Maybe McColumn sitting on the bench will wake him up. If no change soon I think he needs to go.
The other alternative put Parrish on the outside and put someone else in the slot. It appears the Rams respect Parrish and not McCollum.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:58 pm
Zyon, is a man press CB….
Bowles zone heavy scheme isnt helping him….
we need a real DC…
GO BUCS!!!!
November 24th, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Yet the great bright Licht running the franchise opted to extend him to a bigger contract and put the best corner on his roster on a end of the season deal smfh….Jason Licht has finally graduated to the level of absurdity of the HC that hired him.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
I do not understand why we stand by a DC that’s doing a horrible job as well as a special teams coach that is doing a horrible job.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:03 pm
Nah…
It’s More than that. He’s in his Head. He didn’t play ball even near his capabilities. He’s playing like his dog died….
Why the heartbreak?
WE ALL have to ask ourselves “when” did this mentality start? LOOK… they were BALLING before the lions game. I’ve noticed it All seems to have started (the collapse) Very Close to the trade deadline… Huh! DIID the Clear lack of belief from upper management sink in? Did it affect Everyone on the defense and probably the offense as well?…?
The Timing IS there….. the clues Are There for that possibility. Been drafting “smarter guys”. Maybe they figured it out with the rest of us that OBVIOUSLY Licht didn’t believe we were going to the promised land and DID NOT give support when the team needed it the most to at least TRY… ” NO ONE’S COMING TO HELP”…….?
November 24th, 2025 at 2:04 pm
Wow, I just watched Bowles press conference from this morning.
And I was extremely surprised by his assessment and the solution needed.
Sarcasm was intended.
“Just gotta get better” – Toad Bowels
When, when will you get better???? Answer: Never
November 24th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Man press scheme? Come on 813… Adams is like 40 years old and beat him for a TD easily. That WAS man press.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:06 pm
In what world does Zion get targeted over Kindall Vildor?
November 24th, 2025 at 2:08 pm
Jason Licht told everybody that this team has all the talent it needs to win the Superbowl by standing pat at the trade deadline when Jordyn Brooks of Miami was available.
Hey Jason Licht-How is that F—ing going for you?
November 24th, 2025 at 2:09 pm
First off, I reject the idea he’s had three bad games in a row – unless by bad you mean he’s not been good. He’s been sort of middling lately, but not bad. Last night he was bad, but also was matched up on Adams, which is basically like roasting a corner for getting repeatedly burned by Evans. It’s a very tough match-up, and if the opposing QB has time to accurately throw the ball, it’s going to be a very long night.
Also, of great concern, why is Zyon using base AirPods in that photo? Can he not afford AirPods Pro? He’s an NFL player, and the Pro’s are so much better and you don’t look like such a dweeb wearing them.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:10 pm
No pass rush Joe. Funny how Zyon was just fine last year when there was a little bit of a pass rush. This year the pass rush has been even worse. Zero pass rush none and it was worse last night because Bowles was afraid to Blitz Stafford. Which is the only way this team gets any pass rush Is by blitzing. The biggest problem is the Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator. I mean if you’re going to lose especially against good teams go out swinging and go for it on 4th down on the opponent 40 yard line and start blitzing from all over. Go down swinging. This team mirror its head coach. Looking lost at times with little to no motivation.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:13 pm
what an embarrassing game for Zyon
matt was throwing laser perfect darts as good as brady in his best year, very accurate and never made a mistake
November 24th, 2025 at 2:14 pm
Licht made a mistake with that 48 million contract. Sme of you are saying it’s because he’s being used wrong if that’s the case they shouldn’t have a problem trading him this offseason and letting some other team pay him that money. But my bet is no one else would be willing to take on that contract for what they’re getting.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Adams is a future hall of fame player. Let’s not go bananas n the kid yall. Yes he had a bad game. He was dam close to most of those balls thrown. He’s gotta get in better position. Also there’s a reason why Adams is leading the league in TDs catches. He’s a dam good player. Does Dean cover him better ? Maybe ? If Dean plays lol
November 24th, 2025 at 2:18 pm
It should be acknowledged that he is a great athlete. But he is ALWAYS either out of position or chasing his man. I think it’s an instinct problem. Like he relies too much on his speed instead of being in the right position to begin with. Seems to have slow, heavy hips. His extension and the Reddick signing were HUGE mistakes by Licht, no other way to slice it. The Godwin money looking worse and worse as well. But we can’t swing big for an edge rusher. Cool cool.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:18 pm
All you trade deadline guys need to realize one or two players aren’t going to save us. If one guy makes the difference, Green Bay would be leading the conference.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
He never turns around, poor technique.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:22 pm
3rd and 18, no problem just throw at McCollum. Last week I watched a WR run an out route on 3rd down bobble the ball, catch it and get 2 feet down while falling out of bounds before McCollum could get to him to knock the ball loose.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:28 pm
McCollum has never been anything more than an average CB. The contract he was given was insane for a single year of play performance.
And since he got paid? He regressed. Speaking of regression:
– Wirfs
– Winfield
– Vea
– Irving
Hmmmmm
November 24th, 2025 at 2:29 pm
Being a great athlete != being a great NFL player
One day the Bucs org might actually realize this.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
Pass rush had nothing to do with getting faked out of his jock by Danvante at the goal line
November 24th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
The Entire Team is DEFINITELY Confused! And THAT includes the offense..
Baker hasn’t been “ON” since the lions game when we lost Mike. Baker is playing confused because it seems No One can get open, (and THAT has been progressively worse Each of the last 4 games straight), routes Aren’t being run properly OR Grizzard simply doesn’t have a CLUE as who to scheme them open. The Entire offense No Longer has Any Sizzle!
I’m going to give my prediction Right Now IF the QB situation (NO BAKER FOR TOO MANY GAMES!), relying on Tracy Ulman to lead this team on the Grid Iron IS THE KISS OF DEATH TO THE ENTIRE SEASON!
Here it is…
We Do win 9 but VERY POSSIBLY 8 and LOSE THE SOUTH!
NO QB
NO RESPECTABLE OC! A PURE ROOKIE OC THAT IS FAILING WILL NOT WIN US GAMES! ADD IN NO DECENT QB EQUALS OUR SEASON IS BASICALLY OVER LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!
QUIT POSSIBLY IT USHERS IN A NEW DECADE OF THE “DEN OF DEPRESSION” (But let’s “hope” the GM and the ownership has FINALLY WISED UP and going forward WILL bring in competent coaches such as something close to Bruce Arians whom KNOWS HOW TO RUN A PRO TEAM!) if we are careful AND NOT CHEAP SKATES! We “Could” bounce back quickly just as All the other contenders HAVE DONE… Rams, Eagles etc… etc… That will depend on the “OWNERSHIP’S GOOD OR BAD JUDGEMENT, PERIOD!
We are Most Certainly in a free fall. No qb. No OC. NO DC. and No reliable Head Coach in site.. WE’RE IN DEEP S…T TROUBLE as of when the weight of it All EMPLODED the players themselves…. We NEED a Hero and WE NEED a miracle without Baker behind center. And I just don’t see it anywhere. AND THAT SUCKS!
November 24th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
Zyon could a good corner, not great but he will need a pass rush to make his job easier.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
“He’s one of our best athletes and our best players.”
If he believes that, then Bowles and Licht should be escorted out of the building by armed security.
Sorry, Coach Bowles, you have lost all credibility.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:52 pm
@Anyhooie
Let.me CLUE You In on Something THAT IS Relevant to that deadline. It SHIWED THE ENTIRE TEAM THAT THE GM WASN’T INVESTED IN THIS YEAR…. GET IT?
The players AREN’T as Blind OR Stupid as You’d like to believe! The rest is that the ENTIRE TEAM IS PLAYING WITH NO HEART!
IF YOU DON’T ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE IN THE PRODUCT….. YOU CAN’T SELL IT WORTH A D. A. M. N!
There WERE alternatives and low end picks to use to bring Someone, Anyone, to give the team…. SPIRIT!
Also, who said Anything about using draft picks? There’s guys out there that Would Have helped us for Cash…..
November 24th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
like i’ve been saying all along…..zyon is not that good.
November 24th, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Zyon had a bad couple games.
Overall, he has been pretty good.
I am starting to firmly believe the biggest problem is not Zyon, Smith, Winfield, Dean, and Parrish. It is scheme.
Every time they play tight man the coverage seems much better. When they play the zone that Bowles wants to do 40% of the time it is absolute garbage. They are incapable of covering underneath and 15 to 20 yards down field at the same time.
Why does it seem like our receivers catch a ball with a defender right on him or within one yard and other team receivers seem to be several yards away from defenders on deep out and across the middle… Every single game
Way too much talent on this defense to show up looking so poorly in several games. It is coaching and schemes.
I am 100% on hoard with “Bowles needs to go”
Unless they win six in a row, go deep in the playoffs and have a major major turnaround