Bringing The Juice
May 2nd, 2026
Needed jolt.
Looking back at the 2025 Bucs defense, it was really sad.
When the Bucs were in the midst of their appalling fall from grace, losing seven of nine games after the bye, Joe is convinced that group quit on Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
Not all the players. But enough.
Think about it: With the exception of Lavonte David, YaYa Diaby and Tykee Smith (you can throw Antoine Winfield in there, too), did any Bucs defenders play with much passion or energy? It appeared as if they were just going through the motions.
Just blah.
The Bucs hope that changes.
One reason the Bucs drafted Keionte Scott is that Scott is a bundle of passion and fire. Bring in other players like that (A’Shawn Robinson, Alex Anzalone, Rueben Bain, Josiah Trotter) and the theory is that passion will rub off on others.
If Scott is able to play as he did at Miami and bring that same fire and desire with him, veteran NFL scribe Dan Pompei of The Athletic believes the fourth-round investment in Scott will look better than sinking cash into Google stock.
If Scott does for the Bucs what he did in college, he will be much more valuable than a fourth-round pick is supposed to be. Especially last year, Scott made big plays, and his aggression and energy was contagious for Miami. He was probably the best defender on a team that played in the national championship game. Before transferring to Miami, Scott also returned punts for Auburn, leading the SEC with a 14.8 average in 2023. And he could have a ripple effect on the defense. If Scott can be the nickel corner, the Bucs can move Jacob Parrish outside, where he could compete with Benjamin Morrison and Zyon McCollum.
No doubt Scott is the nickel corner. And Joe fully agrees with Pompei. If Scott matches his college play and passion with the Bucs, he could spark a change in the chemistry of a defense that badly needed a transfusion.
And yes, Joe does believe there is something special about making a play while playing with an emotional purpose; it does rub off on teammates.
The Bucs defense really needs that Hurrigangsta mentality to spread among the ranks.
May 2nd, 2026 at 11:07 am
Again….the rah rah talk is great in college but players have to earn the respect of the vets before trying to be “that guy”. This is literally all we heard about with Winston, nobody cares until you execute your job consistently. If we sign a vet that brings the juice like JPP or Jensen, that’s something they’ve earned the credibility to do. But a 4th rd rookie….dude will be lucky to see the field.
May 2nd, 2026 at 11:16 am
Respect of the vets! It was those vets that quit! Bucs needed a total re do on defense.
May 2nd, 2026 at 11:21 am
Reuben Bain, Josiah Trotter, Keionte Scott
Those players played in 4-2-5 defenses in college
And they were top ranked defenses, Missouri and Miami
They need to continue playing in attacking defenses
These players are aggressive, attacking, physical
You can’t put them in a passive defense
Last season the Bucs defense was loaded with loafers
That’s not the case this year, we’re playing with physicality now
May 2nd, 2026 at 11:29 am
Or HungryGangsta.
May 2nd, 2026 at 11:33 am
We don’t need OLB on this team
OLB has the leverage, advantage of seeing the field, dropping in coverage.
We need attacking pass rushers, and let the backend handle the coverage
Pass rushers are more effective playing with their hand/hands in the dirt.
That gives them the ability to get off the ball quicker, get under/around the OT
Keionte Scott is more than an Nickel back
He’s more of a Rover, SS/LB hybrid
He attacks like a LB, cover like a CB,
May 2nd, 2026 at 11:34 am
I think they earn the respect in training camp when the pads go on. And in pre-season.
Too many Captains were passive last year. I’d pick Anzalone and Robinson to wear the “C”.
It will be interesting to see who wears the Green Dot on defense.
May 2nd, 2026 at 12:09 pm
At the very least, maybe he can juice up the punt team.
May 2nd, 2026 at 12:12 pm
It is accountability time for t If you’re accusing Joe of not being a fan, then you’re not paying attention. –Joehe Joe’s just like it has been for Bowles and Light. What was the draft compensation that the Joe’s wanted to give up to trade for H Riddick and all the other players that were way past their playing time? Um, Joe wanted to trade for Reddick before he had a career meltdown, not after. –Joe If they actually looked at roster building they would see last years team was transitioning and protecting and this years team has way more depth then last year. Not sure why the Joes want to be a fan blog if they are not actually fans. Joe likes the job Licht has done with the current roster, and last year’s. Perfect? No. But There’s a reason the front office stayed intact while the coaching was nearly gutted.–Joe
May 2nd, 2026 at 12:16 pm
From this we can deduce that The Sideline Stiff Effect brings the D to a mellow persona. Bringing in a couple gangsters from Miami will not negate the sideline stiff effect. Only firing Bowelzo will do it.
May 2nd, 2026 at 12:25 pm
I do not favor the promotion of street gang mentality for a football team. Tough football yes. Gang fights no.
May 2nd, 2026 at 12:28 pm
Well if Vita La Loca is one of those players that isn’t playing with passion, then he better not get another contract next year. Same for the other clowns that you don’t mention above in your article.
May 2nd, 2026 at 12:40 pm
The Joe’s are a little out of touch. Half the league is looking for edge rushers. Bowels has tried to distance himself as being a DC Headcoach. Multiple high pick have gone to the offense in current years. This year half the defense has turned over to get things corrected that have taken time to do. Starting to think the Joe’s are just a click bait shop with no real analysis.
May 2nd, 2026 at 12:49 pm
“Keionte Scott is more than an Nickel back
He’s more of a Rover, SS/LB hybrid
He attacks like a LB, cover like a CB”
$LB like Bowles had Deon Bucannon in Arizona who was drafted as a safety, but etched out a role playing in the box basically making use for physical DBs who my not thrive in coverage pass the second level, but can be put to use in much less space.
Funny enough, Deon Bucannon recorded the inaugural sack for a Bowles led defense in Tampa back in ‘19. Still think it played a big part in how we used Jordan Whitehead and even after he left, was what we tried to get out of Keanu Neal. I’d put money on Scott being used in the same fashion because his tape is literally a resume for being used in that fashion. Scott can cover too, anything out breaking or underneath him will give him opportunities to disrupt passing connections
May 2nd, 2026 at 1:13 pm
I hope these alpha dog free agents and draft picks put their foot up some of these quitter’s asses especially MCollum’s. There’s no doubt he quit on this team last year.
May 2nd, 2026 at 1:24 pm
Diaby spoke out publicly that the team was having way to many walkrhrough practices. He wasn’t the only one to do so either. I know Bowles was dealing with a lot of injuries. You still have to go out and practice hard. Complacency is habit forming. Let’s hope we don’t have 14-15 starters out in any games this coming season. Let’s hope Morrison takes a step in the right direction. I fully expect Parrish to play outside and Scott to take over the nickle. This will leave it up to Parrish to push Zyon. This defense was very very bad last season. How Bowles was able to get what he did out of it is a testament to him. Sir Vocea has not proven he is starter material yet. Waaay to inconsistent Hopefully he will blossom into what the staff think he is capable of.
As always Go Bucs.
May 2nd, 2026 at 1:32 pm
We were soft. Needed killer instinct and also SPEED