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
June 24th, 2026 at 6:39 pm
That’d be awesome and means we are a contender if the offense stays healthy imo.
We were 20th in points allowed last year and 19th in yards – it’s not the craziest jump considering we went hard at adding edge / front 7 talent and depth. Seattle was #1 after being #11 in 24. The Jags went from #27 to #8.
June 24th, 2026 at 7:12 pm
IF, If, If… If only Paige Spiranic would run into me on the links….literally
June 24th, 2026 at 7:19 pm
Hope springs eternal
June 24th, 2026 at 7:20 pm
Every year I fall into the 10,11,12 win dream.
June 24th, 2026 at 7:32 pm
If my Aunt Sally had a nut sack she’d be my uncle Fred.
The Pom Pom squad has no shame or the sense God gave a mule.
And why are we even bothering to quote anyone from ESPN???
They are not there to reveal hidden truths. Their job is to push the preferred narrative.
Bowles is the only minority HC in the NFC. They’re just pushing more DEI nonsense.
The defense is ranked 32nd in the NFL until proven otherwise.
June 24th, 2026 at 7:33 pm
I’m not as savvy as some on bucs history, but did our defense rise to the top the year we drafted 2 HOF defensive players? Not much.
June 24th, 2026 at 8:01 pm
If my aunt Sally had a nut sack she’d be my uncle Frank.
That’s about how much sense the ESPN analysts make.
It’s as if common sense and coherence have completely eluded them.
June 24th, 2026 at 8:02 pm
If my aunt Sally had a nut sack she’d be my uncle Frank.
That’s about how much sense the ESPN analysts make.
It’s as if common sense and coherence have completely eluded them.
June 24th, 2026 at 8:48 pm
ATLnotBuc:
Where am I from? Morrison, McCollom and Parrish
The “top” three DBs on this roster.
I’m in Tampa dude, since 1974, you seem like a Falcons fan
June 24th, 2026 at 9:07 pm
Why even lend credence to such stupidity???
It’s as if the didn’t watch a single Bucs game in 2025.
June 24th, 2026 at 9:20 pm
If Bucs remain healthy and Bowles used his players correctly, it’s realistic for the Bucs to have an average defense, around #15.
June 24th, 2026 at 9:36 pm
Say what you may, but I like the Defense to definitely be Top 12. A DLine with Yaya, Kancey, Vita, Bain is nasty and will make even an average secondary look good. And I too love the way it appears AA and Trotters games compliment each other. I’m slightly concerned about Parrish size playing on the outside, but he is definitely skilled and a dog. There are plenty examples of guys his size being elite outside corners. And don’t sleep on the rookie in the slot. Go Bucs!
June 24th, 2026 at 10:43 pm
Yes , nice to see I am not the only one realizing we have a real problem at the CB position. I agree with the current CB’s we have this defense is going to be very weak against the pass. Guess what the NFL is a passing league. I still say Bowles and Licht are really gambling on Morrison. He is still way undeveloped and he can’t stay healthy in mini camp much less trainning camp. People thinking McColum somehow is going to return to what he was before last year is a pipe dream. If he was going to play he would have last year. Bowles talks of players taking plays off with a lead, McColumn took the season off. Their is no way this guy should be starting any place but the bench. I was hoping to get one real CB, but agree 2 are needed. Then yes depth at LB is a real issue as well.
June 24th, 2026 at 11:19 pm
The Bucs have had a top 8 defense in 3 of the last 6 years – and their average finish over that time is 11th (well 11.5, so 12th if you’re a negative nelly).
2020: 8th
2021: 5th
2022: 13th
2023: 7th
2024: 16th
2025: 20th
Could they go from 20 back into the top 10?
Yes, they could.
How?
Stop playing that stupid God-awful super soft zone. That’s how.
BTW, just looking at the rankings by year… that 1996 to 2010 run is just incredible. 15 seasons, and only twice did they finish outside of the top 10.
June 24th, 2026 at 11:30 pm
If we have a great pass rush(Rueben Bain Jr.)you don’t need corners.
June 24th, 2026 at 11:32 pm
5-12 is coming….brace yourselves!
June 25th, 2026 at 3:03 am
Buc1987. LOL
June 25th, 2026 at 8:15 am
LynchMob50 Says:
“Bowles is the only minority HC in the NFC. They’re just pushing more DEI nonsense.”
There it is! I was wondering when the real reason for your irrational hatred of coach Bowles would show itself…..
June 25th, 2026 at 9:09 am
I really hope they know something that the masses in the Bay don’t. I for one expect the BUCS to be much better next season but I would fell better if they had hired a Defensive Coordinator this past off season instead of trusting in the same ole same old HC/DC
June 25th, 2026 at 9:13 am
LM50 says
“Bowles is the only minority HC in the NFC. They’re just pushing more DEI nonsense.”
There it is! I was wondering when the real reason for your irrational hatred of coach Bowles would reveal itself….
June 25th, 2026 at 10:10 am
You can’t judge a schedule in advance! Last year, the Buccaneers were 3-1 against the NFC West, the best Division in the NFL.
June 25th, 2026 at 10:35 am
Too early to rate them top 10.
June 25th, 2026 at 10:42 am
The talent might be there… But the problem is Bowles is still there…. So that means bottom 10 defense, not top 10. And mind you… Bottom 10 and we play in the weakest division in the NFL and its still bottom 10.
June 25th, 2026 at 11:56 am
They obviously forgot who is mucking up the coaching at OneKitKatPlace.
At least Zac will have the offense looking like the 2000 Rams….against Twocoach’s Swiss cheese defense in practice.
Race to 13.
Losses.
June 26th, 2026 at 6:22 am
@simpleton
Lefty R gets that from 8 prior YEARS of PROOF….
Listen simpliston, we realize that being Bozo’s nephew is critical in itself. And it’s Clear that you’re a pom pom type that is in Very SERIOUS denial!
Come On Man! Have you Actually Watched the games and a “SOLID 8 years of PROOF”, that when left to his own devices, Bozo Bowles HAS embarrassed US ALL repeatedly!
You need proof? That’s a joke, but if you do than how about waisting your DELUSIONAL time and see the repeated Poor Judgement, for yourself….. YOU CAN’T MISS IT!
Very few have the courage to show publicly and out loud, just how CLUELESS they really ARE…. But YOU simpleton, you seem to have no problem demonstrating your lack of knowing the difference between “Reality and the shark that’s nibbling on your a.r.s.e!”
We get it. You just can’t see the forest…. Just too many trees!
Try to GROW UP sooner than it seems you’re capable of…
GO BUCS!