Two Calls For The Bucs To Have A Top-10 Defense
June 24th, 2026
Should NFL media be drug tested?
Joe thinks that might be appropriate after these takes, and after the New York Times revealed they were paying Dianna Russini a whopping $800,000 a year.
Today, ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes joined forces with CBS Sports NFL analyst and data guy JP Acosta to rank the top-10 defenses in the NFL.
Joe thought, ‘Well, there’s no chance the Bucs made the cut, but the podcast might be more interesting that watching Bosnia and Qatar play soccer.”
Sure enough, Kimes has the Bucs defense ranked No. 8 for 2026, and Acosta has the Tampa Bay defense at No. 10 overall.
Kimes adores the Rueben Bain addition, and the pick-ups of Alex Anzalone and Al-Quadin Muhammad. Acosta called Bain “a fun fit;” Kimes responded and labeled Bain a “dream fit.” Acosta also is a big Calijah Kancey fan, and he’s very high on how well second-round pick inside linebacker Josiah Trotter complements Anzalone.
Both agreed the Bucs will have an elite run defense, as Kimes rattled off a bunch of advanced stats painting the Bucs as a stud run defense last season. Meanwhile, the Bucs allowed 4.3 yards per carry last season, which tied for 16th in the NFL with Tennessee and Pittsburgh.
Joe sure hopes these two full-time NFL students are close to being correct.
If the Bucs offense, defense and special teams make very simple strides from last season, this team should hit 10 wins rather easily.
June 24th, 2026 at 4:41 pm
It is my understanding that Bowles is making changes to the defensive system. Why does this worry me? Because Bowles lacks critical thinking skills. His sence of cause and effect is lacking.
June 24th, 2026 at 4:45 pm
If the Bucs have a top 10 defense and the offense simply stays HEALTHY (which will give us a top 5 O), we will go far into the playoffs.
June 24th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
Have you seen the schedule its brutal 10 wins max
June 24th, 2026 at 5:02 pm
They better make the big man in the middle happy, Vita Vea. A holdout by him would not be a good way to start.
June 24th, 2026 at 5:10 pm
“Have you seen the schedule its brutal 10 wins max.”
NFL football’s an utterly unpredictable thing – especially long before the season starts. I only see two definite losses and one definite win (and we all know how those “definite wins” have gone in recent years). All the rest of the games are tossups.
Most games across the NFL are one score games. A break here, a mistake there, a long breakaway play, a turnover. A single play that happens at some point, anytime in the game is the difference maker. Not, as so many people seem to regurgitate, a play that is made or not made at the end of a game.
June 24th, 2026 at 5:11 pm
Somewhere between 8-10 wins seems about right. Defense still needs a vet CB and ILB for depth. If Morrison and McCullem don’t play well the defense will struggle against the pass. Hoping an improved pass rush will help the D backs.
Just can’t trust either of those two guys yet. Parrish is solid.
June 24th, 2026 at 5:13 pm
If Jason would pick up two decent veteran CBs, I think the Bucs defense could be in the top 15. I don’t see them at #8 or #10 with our current secondary. Morrison even gets injured in non contact practice. lol.
June 24th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Lotta “ifs” going on these days … with all teams.
It’s that time of year. Gotta fill space during the snooze season. Find it humorous how many “experts” can make bold predictions before a single rookie has taken a single snap.
Good thing is, if all these “ifs” come to fruition everyone will be on a great team!
If only …
Baker played a season with productive consistency
Nobody missed a game due to injury
And Bowles became a head coach that the rest of the league feared and admired
Better odds, that or winning the Power Ball lottery?
June 24th, 2026 at 5:22 pm
“Acosta also is a big Calijah Kancey fan,” How can anybody be a bib fan over someone that can’t get on the field?
June 24th, 2026 at 5:29 pm
Two reasons the Bucs defense will NOT be top 10.
They are easily bottom 10 at the CB position.
Bowles is the DC.
June 24th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
5″B”s = 3.28
June 24th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
The only hope is if the players actually coach themselves, like Bowles suggested recently. They should come up with a better scheme than the Lovie Bowles ragamuffin you-know-what show.
June 24th, 2026 at 5:38 pm
Morrison and McCullum? Where are you from dude?
June 24th, 2026 at 5:45 pm
How in God’s Green Earth will the Bucs have a Top 10 Defense with Todd Bowles as the DC/HC???!!!??
SMH!!!!!
June 24th, 2026 at 6:01 pm
We had three starters and the front seven who lmaren’t in the NFL anymore or are regulated to special teams, we’ve improved a lot. If they can get McCollum to return to the guy they thought was worth $16 million. I think we’re okay
June 24th, 2026 at 6:04 pm
Billy Bob Bubba Bo Baggins Says:
June 24th, 2026 at 4:41 pm
It is my understanding that Bowles is making changes to the defensive system. Why does this worry me? Because Bowles lacks critical thinking skills. His sence of cause and effect is lacking.
———————-
And you make this statement based on what ? Specifically the last 2 sentences.
Psych degree ? Intimate knowledge ?
If you were exercising critical thinking you would know your statements lack anything resembling critical thinking.
June 24th, 2026 at 6:06 pm
If our corners and safeties can stay healthy I think top 10 easily. Our front 7 is going to be locked and loaded.
LFG Bucs