YaYa Diaby: New Additions To Defense Bring “Juice And Guts” And Most Importantly, Help
June 3rd, 2026
YaYa Diaby is stoked to finally have help.
Like anyone connected with the Bucs, they all hated to see Bucs icon Lavonte David go. But, Father Time called. That old SOB is undefeated.
The Bucs made a concerted effort to bring juice and muscle and passion and hitting back to the defense this offseason. Every guy the Bucs added on the defensive side of the ball brings a physical element or raises the energy, or just plain hits.
And YaYa Diaby isn’t complaining.
The last couple of years, YaYa has been a target of opposing offenses. With really no one else who can scare a quarterback on the other side of the field, offenses knew taking YaYa out likely meant their quarterback stayed upright.
As a result, YaYa saw a steady stream of chips, double-teams and sometimes even a triple-team here or there.
Now with all the additions to the front-seven the past few months, YaYa is almost daring teams to come after him. Because it will cost them.
“It takes the load off a little bit,” YaYa smiled about all the new defensive linemen the Bucs signed/drafted. “We [can] all can get after it.
“How can you block [Rueben] Bain, Vita [Vea], A’Shawn [Robinson], me and Calijah [Kancey]? You know, you can’t do it.
“So it’s gonna be super-exciting.”
Joe knows Todd Bowles is a three-man front guy through and through. But the one time Joe noticed Bowles made an effort to change, it was when the Bucs played in the Eagles in the playoffs on a Monday night. Bowles went to a five-man front and the Bucs defense locked up the Eagles.
Since the Bucs appear to have the horses to use a five-man front, why not try it? Like YaYa said, good luck keeping all five (YaYa, Vea, Kancey, Bain and Robinson) all out of the backfield.
What, does it make too much sense to try it, therefore Bowles won’t?
June 3rd, 2026 at 7:21 am
What, does it make too much sense to try it, therefore Bowles won’t?
Joe you absolutely love to get the trolls going. You can’t help yourself. Lol
June 3rd, 2026 at 7:35 am
What about David Walker? Just kidding. I think Roberts will also be a good contributor. I like the 5 or 4 man fronts sometimes. I’m really hoping Kancey can play a full season. With him, YaYa and Bain that’s almost scary
June 3rd, 2026 at 7:37 am
+
It seems like we have the pieces for a great defense, but Bowles will find a way to muck it up!!
June 3rd, 2026 at 7:42 am
I’m glad the Bucs have moved on from “old and soft”.
– Hall
– Dean
– LVD
– Gaines
3rd and 28.
Unacceptable…
June 3rd, 2026 at 7:43 am
Last year, Bowles was too busy “helping” ruin the offense to come up with any ideas of how to stop Kirk Cousins. Should that give anybody any faith that he has a clue?
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:08 am
How can they block you? When their qb sees the same soft zone coverage with 15 yard cushions for 4 quarters. You wont get many sacks no mayter Who you have.
Thats why yhe bucs were tops in the league with pressures. They know EXACTLY how long they have and they cherry pick where they want to go right before the pass rush hits home.
Thats why backup qbs look like Tom Brady against the Bucs.
Good luck!
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:11 am
OLDSCHOOL1976. “What about David Walker. Just kidding.” Just finished watching more of his film a couple weeks ago. You ain’t kidding, 1976. David Walker is no joke. And I’m not kidding.
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:12 am
Yaya is a solid player. And he has basically been operating as the man on our defensive line. With the exception of a healthy and motivated Vita. Or a healthy Kancey. So it will be interesting to see him perhaps having a bit less attention given to him. If he can take advantage of that, he could easily be in line for a double-digit sack season.
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:12 am
Yaya is a solid player. And he has basically been operating as the man on our defensive line. With the exception of a healthy and motivated Vita. Or a healthy Kancey. So it will be interesting to see him perhaps having a bit less attention given to him. If he can take advantage of that, he could easily be in line for a double-digit sack season…
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:15 am
And Most Importantly, Help!!!!
But, but, but, …..it is negated by TB coming back as DC!!!
The Glazers Fear the Beard!!!
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:18 am
You need good players to make the whole thing work, it’s not rocket surgery folks. I got as pissed as everyone else watching this defense but the Bucs didn’t have the players. When they do the defense looks good. Houston uses a 5 man front because they have the players to it, now the Bucs may have the players to do it as well so we’ll see.
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:27 am
🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:35 am
I’d settle for a four man front. You know so your edge guys rush rather than drop in coverage?
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:42 am
Resident troll here. Back to enlighten you folks.
I’ve seen many posters argue that Bowles hasn’t been given the players needed to successfully run his scheme.
And those same people argue that Licht is one of the best GM’s in the NFL.
Both cannot be true. So which is it people???
I’m sure you all are aware of my opinions regarding the “brain trust”.
The results are in and the results really suck.
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:58 am
“Joe knows Todd Bowles is a three-man front guy through and through. But the one time Joe noticed Bowles made an effort to change, it was when the Bucs played in the Eagles in the playoffs on a Monday night. Bowles went to a five-man front and the Bucs defense locked up the Eagles.”
No he’s not a 3-man front guy lol, and we’ve used 5-man fronts as part of a bear sub-package on early downs for YEARS.
June 3rd, 2026 at 9:23 am
LnychMob50…AKA, “Results”.
June 3rd, 2026 at 9:28 am
Love it
LM50 !
The Emperor has No Clothes
and the local media is blinded by their access to OBP !
Liam Coen .. should be entering his second season as Bucs head coach!