Mike Caldwell: SirVocea Dennis Made “Wow” Plays
May 20th, 2026
Bucs ILB coach Mike Caldwell.
Joe and Bucs inside linebackers coach Mike Caldwell seem to have far different definitions of the word “wow.”
Yesterday at One Buc Palace, all Bucs defensive coordinators (and special teams coach Danny Smith, too) spoke to the local pen and mic club. And Caldwell dropped a real howler about Bucs linebacker SirVocea Dennis.
Now Joe knows these coaches in the middle of May aren’t going to say, “[Fill in name of a player] downright sucks and if he doesn’t get his head out of his rear end this week he’s going to be washing jocks in the arena league in Topeka.” That’s not going to happen.
But man, did Caldwell have a fish tale about former starting linebacker SirVocea Dennis, who was just turrible last season. Asked about Dennis, Caldwell had some word salad descriptions and then he dropped this doozy.
“Last year, he had a bunch of wow plays,” Caldwell said.
Joe agrees. In the loss to the Eagles, Joe was thinking, “Wow, I can’t believe this guy is still on the field.”
Joe doesn’t think that’s what Caldwell was referring to.
Caldwell also referred to Dennis as a “competitor” and a “thumper.” Joe is confident that is true but that doesn’t mean he’s a capable NFL starting linebacker.
Let’s revisit a few things from Dennis last year.
Per NextGen Stats, Dennis allowed 606 yards as the nearest defender, the second-most allowed by a linebacker. Also, Dennis allowed 420 yards after the catch, also second-worst in the league.
Wow.
Then there was that Eagles game. Joe still wakes up in a cold sweat in the dark of the night having flashbacks of Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ run up the right sideline with Dennis being completely unaware that Hurts was running right behind Dennis. All Dennis had to do was turn around and he could have splashed Hurts.
Hurts ran for 29 yards before he was tackled.
Wow.
Then there was the shovel pass Hurts had to Dallas Goedert for a touchdown where Goedert ran right past a flat-footed Dennis.
Wow.
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht was so wowed by Dennis’ play — clearly with the blessing of KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles — Licht spent a nice chunk of Team Glazer loot to buy a free agent starting linebacker (Alex Anzalone).
Then, with Bowles’ blessing again, Licht drafted Josiah Trotter in the second round.
That’s an interesting couple of transactions when you already have an inside linebacker who makes wow plays.
May 20th, 2026 at 7:10 am
Less so “wow” and more so “wtf”
May 20th, 2026 at 7:21 am
Well, his ability to get caught up in traffic on run plays is second to none. His read and react on passing downs is astonishing…just not in a good way. Not enough sugar in the world to coat his performance last year.
May 20th, 2026 at 7:29 am
What else is that coach going to say?
May 20th, 2026 at 7:36 am
I am thinking we should trade him. Problem there is? I think readers on JBF know what the problem there is.
May 20th, 2026 at 7:42 am
What else is the coach going to say??
Gee, how about..”SVD had some growing pains last year and needs to improve in coverage..we bought some guys in FA and the draft because we believe that is an area we need to improve”
Wtf would be wrong with that???
Is this generation of players really THAT sensitive that you can’t say a player needs to be better or be replaced without hurting these fing feelings???
May 20th, 2026 at 7:43 am
This guy is the linebackers coach???? Wow
No wonder the defense looks like the wayward girls school for the blind.
I would fire him for the state of the linebacker room in 2025, as much as I would also fire him for this statement.
There’s pumping a guy up and then there’s being an absolute fool.
“Wow, Joe Burrow had 6 TDs and 400 yards passing!” – Me after Week one in 2026
May 20th, 2026 at 7:43 am
Not going to lie, but I’m kind of looking forward to seeing how Sirvocea Dennis responds to finally having a full season under his belt and being pressed into competing for his roster spot this offseason.
May 20th, 2026 at 7:52 am
Yeah you don’t expect to see these coaches toss guys under the bus but there should be a happy medium between that and shooting sunshine out of your posterior.
Comments like these make fans with functioning eyeballs roll their eyes and continues to give us confirmation that the coaching leadership is inept.
May 20th, 2026 at 7:58 am
If you turned that wow upside down he played like mom. I’m pretty sure that was what was meant.
May 20th, 2026 at 8:04 am
I wonder what tape he was watching?
I say that because I’m pretty sure we all saw something else.
May 20th, 2026 at 8:24 am
“Last year, he had a bunch of wow plays,” Yep! And in other news, “Tristan Wirfs cannot block or otherwise keep Markees Watts out of the backfield.”
May 20th, 2026 at 8:25 am
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
May 20th, 2026 at 7:43 am
Not going to lie, but I’m kind of looking forward to seeing how Sirvocea Dennis responds to finally having a full season under his belt and being pressed into competing for his roster spot this offseason.
For that to happen he’s going to have to make the most of any opportunity gets to be out there. Maybe force some special teams fumbles or something. Because they’re going to give the lion’s share of the playing time to Anzalone and Trotter… and for good cause. I think Dennis must get anxiety when playing live or something because he wowed the coaches in practice the last 2 years. He finally has a year where he’s not dealing with injuries and he is extremely unimpressive, even seems lost out there. Where does the awareness for where the football is go? I hope he pans out as a solid player but I think he may have missed his window of opportunity to prove it.
May 20th, 2026 at 8:26 am
Joe, I think thats what your fans on here call ” coaching up” Who knows its all about “tomato tomato” here…Good Am!
May 20th, 2026 at 8:32 am
Wow! I didn’t see SVD do a thing all game.
Wow! I can’t believe this guy is a starter on an NFL team.
Wow! I can’t believe Jason Licht didn’t draft an ILB.
Lot’s of Wow plays.
May 20th, 2026 at 8:42 am
“I think Dennis must get anxiety when playing live or something because he wowed the coaches in practice the last 2 years. He finally has a year where he’s not dealing with injuries and he is extremely unimpressive, even seems lost out there.”
Can’t quite put my finger on what it is, but his best chance at redeeming himself with us is also now going to be harder for Dennis to do with all the new additions in the ILB room. Whatever security SVD had in ’25, is now gone in ’26 so it’s going to be a tougher climb for him to stick on the roster moving forward. We’ll see how Dennis responds, because the competition is already in the building.
May 20th, 2026 at 8:46 am
Two words for SVD… SPECIAL TEAMS.
Earn your keep there. Know your role…
May 20th, 2026 at 9:02 am
Ya like wow I can’t believe you missed another gap
May 20th, 2026 at 9:12 am
The scary thing, we were told before the season he was elite and we had good depth at LB. Yes a little left of reality. Currently we are being told Morrison is elite and McColumn will have a comeback year. All I can say is scary and see last year’s comments about Dennis and LB depth. It really does make you scratch your head what are these coaches seeing nobody else does and not in a good sense
May 20th, 2026 at 9:13 am
Dennis had one interception, five pass break ups, over 100 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, and seven QB hits… there’s well over 20 WOW Plays in that bunch and 100 more tackles in the NFL that any of the readers or writers on this site has ever made in the NFL. Was he good? No… he was decent against the run, blitzed okay… and yes, he wasn’t good against the pass. He’s still young.
May 20th, 2026 at 9:35 am
Dennis Had several “WOW” plays I would agree. But those are counted on 1 hand. Besides those few splashes he was disappointing most other plays. Maybe he Wows more as a backup.
May 20th, 2026 at 9:40 am
WBL
Im also looking forward to how Dennis response along with a host of other players on defense…Zyon & Morrison in particular
GO BUCS!!!!
May 20th, 2026 at 10:03 am
With Caldwell as the inside linebackers coach, it does not look good!
May 20th, 2026 at 10:22 am
Fire Mike Caldwell. What a dumb comment.
May 20th, 2026 at 10:43 am
Wow! He’s lead blocking for Jaylen Hurts!
WOW! He’s got absolutely zero football instincts!
May 20th, 2026 at 10:49 am
We are hearing the comments for public consumption but SVDs game grades from Caldwell need to be VASTLY different and bluntly realistic. SVD needs to be a #4 ILB behind Anzalone, Boom, and Trotter. Let him play special teams only.
May 20th, 2026 at 11:28 am
“Wow”, I can’t believe I’m a starter!
May 20th, 2026 at 11:54 am
Yeah, that one where Jalen hurts chased him all the way to the end zone was a wow play.
I’m sitting there thinking, wow.
May 20th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
Remember last year when TB stated that they were really happy with the LB position and talent on the roster. They shocked us like a Brasswell.
May 20th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Wow, he missed a tackle for a 30 yard gain
May 20th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
I remember the Eagles game being a game of two very different halves in 2025. In the first half, the Bucs could not stop Philly, which is probably when Dennis was at his worst. In the second half though, I thought the Bucs defense was at its best. Dennis’ play didn’t jump out to me, but the DBs (Morrison in particular) were covering like Superglue. Clearly the Bucs officials were not “wowed” by Dennis, or they would not have brough in three new linebackers. Dennis will probably be a decent back-up.
May 20th, 2026 at 1:19 pm
I suggest you not put out anything at all if you’re going to write this type of lazy stuff. Besides not making any sense, it’s poorly written. Make a point.
May 20th, 2026 at 1:35 pm
More like wow I can’t believe you missed that tackle
May 20th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
Comments like this make me lose faith in this coaching staff. How can we believe these guys are honestly going to evaluate and develop talent when they’re so disconnected from reality?
May 20th, 2026 at 2:32 pm
To be fair – Dennis did have 101 tackles (61 solo) – 3 sacks – 5 passes defensed and an Interception in 2025.
Yes he missed some plays – but he made quite a few as well…..
He’s a solid backup at worst and still has room to grow…..
May 20th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
Continuing on from TBLungs statement,
Let me guess…. this overly giddy coach is a holdover from the failed years before? Much like Larry Foote.
How in the world are we supposed to believe that the defense is actually going to perform with better results with the Very Same bad ideas in charge of their development/ further development?
I’ve seen some Very Aware and Bright commenters stating how “they know” it’s Going To Be a far better result this year because OF COURSE “Someone” is actually going to use the new talent to their strengths and WILL play them in this fashion or that… Well, of course we’ll now win 11/12 games this year… SURELY!
I’ve got a message for you guys. You’ve got some wonderful ideas. They just seem So OBVIOUS! Unfortunately ladies and gentlemen, “Your Ideas are NOT their ideas”.
And you’re simply FORGETTING THAT FACTS!
What you see as crystal clear IS NOT what’s being executed on the field of play.. OK! I’m sorry but THAT’S the reality, Has Been the reality, and Will Be the Reality this year.
What has Really Changed within the coaching staff? ESPECIALLY the defensive side of the ball that’s already, repeatedly FAILED to “WOW” us? Who’s leading the blind?
How do you guys honestly call for amazing amounts of wins with recorded history STARRING you in the face?
I’ve Loved reading your SOLID idea’s on just how to execute. Unfortunately, common sense and what seems So Obvious, has been executed XX
Best advice,……. Don’t Put Money Down on it! You’ll just be left feeling anger, bewilderment, and broken hearted. And your poor wallet will hit the point of starvation.
May 20th, 2026 at 2:53 pm
SVD did have wow plays…. JBF comment crew just has selective memory.
Many like to memorize a handful of (the worst) plays, and use them as evidence something, or someone sucks and ignore everything else. That’s not objective or logical but oh well 🙈
May 20th, 2026 at 3:00 pm
More hype from your Tampa Bay Gaslighters
May 20th, 2026 at 3:07 pm
What we should be looking for is a shiny new QB in the next draft.
I believe that’s the Glazers plan. That IS NOT a dis to Baker. We got lucky with Baker after Brady left and with the exception of him being beaten to near death last season without proper protection. Bakers been Good for us. He’s really only had one half of a bad season in 3… Still, he needs a successor. Right or wrong?
That’s Not shabby. It IS WISE to find our next “franchise QB”. However they are HARD to come by and this next draft “IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY” to aquire a Very Good One “with a Great position in the draft”….
I “Believe” that’s WHY these coaches are still in place. That’s what makes the most sense and THAT’S what might well Be the Most Obvious of all if you can wrap your mind around the inevitable. A little bit of forward thinking can make a bad situation into an AWESOME OPPORTUNITY!
May 20th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Redzone…
Sometimes the TRUTH hurts.. I don’t apologize for telling it Like It Is bud.
If your SO SURE then Please Do. Go on and PUT YOUR MONEY DOWN! Go on and place your wallet where your mouth is. Vegas is waiting For YOU!
(You can explain it to the girl at the ticket window. Just Why you’ve got so much faith in Bowles and his personal coaching picks as you hand her the money. I’m sure she’ll get a good laugh and Vegas will most certainly appreciate your support)
May 20th, 2026 at 3:37 pm
Brandon nailed it.
Dennis had some great plays. Lots of Wow plays.
He just struggled in Pass coverage.
This was basically his first year, with all the games.
He will get better. He has speed and quickness. And finally a healthy off season.
He will get better at coverage. He has speed. Unlike Turtle trotter. That kid has no possibility of improving.
10 tackles for a loss. 7 qb hits, 3 sacks. An interception. Tied for 2nd in total tackles. Those are numbers to get excited about, for a first year Starter.
Denis should get better. If he doesn’t, replace him.
But after his 1st season starting- I look forward to seeing him rush of the edge. He showed talent.
Unlike the rest of this leaded footed team of sackless underachievers
May 20th, 2026 at 4:06 pm
Want an honest opinion – Ask LVD.
Dennis often looked out of position and sucked in pass coverage. He had two years of film study and still looked lost.
Next up- secondary coach to tout how many “splash” plays Zyon had.
You can’t tout what a great run defense we have when other teams exploit your weakness and hit pass routes all game.
Same position coach and same defensive coordinator. Anyone that expects vastly different results (to quote a sailor I know) “may be spitting into the wind”.
May 20th, 2026 at 4:09 pm
I watched wide receivers block him off my TV screen. Down hill player? Yeah his play went down hill all to often. Look, if he was any good we wouldn’t have used a second round pick on his replacement. That’s been the problem with this coaching staff under Bowles, not telling it like it is. He was handed the job, never earned it, and should’ve been benched.
May 20th, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Some of these coaches are hard to listen too!
The wow plays were mainly… Wow, that was really bad coverage, or, wow, that was a horrible angle on that play! The eyes don’t lie coach!
May 20th, 2026 at 7:27 pm
Give Dennis his due – he was 13th of 88 when rushing the passer with 4 sacks and 19 total pressures. If you want to blitz an ILB, put him in the game, blitz and put hi, back on the sideline.