Derrick Brooks Notes Bucs’ Defensive Improvement
September 12th, 2026
Twenty years ago, Derrick Brooks was busting heads as an every-blade-of-grass Buccaneers linebacker. A legend who was the opposite of soft.
Nowadays, the Hall of Famer is the chief operating officer for University of South Florida athletics. No more media for Brooks, and Joe misses Brooks in that capacity. Brooks was no Mr. Entertainment in the media realm, but Joe wanted to hear what he had to say.
On Friday, Brooks took a brief break from his college gig to talk to The Jay Recher Podcast. And yes, a little Bucs talk was to be had.
“I think they have a chance to be deeper than they were in the past,” Brooks said about the 2026 Bucs defense.
“I definitely see a lot of athleticism in the defense; that hopefully will lead to more turnovers.”
As for the Bucs’ promising first- and second-round draft picks, Brooks cautioned that the rigors of an NFL season are much tougher than college.
Rookie inside linebacker Josiah Trotter, Brooks said, conjures memories of Bucs past. “Reminds me of a younger version of Lavonte [David] when he first started, and he seems to fit right in,” he said. “Again, the poise in the noise — [Trotter] definitely has that in his genes.”
Brooks likes the athleticism of Trotter but wants him to avoid pressure and focus on daily growth.
Brooks made no bold predictions for the Bucs. And yes, he still pays close attention to the Bucs and remains an NFL appeals officer for on-field conduct tied to suspensions, fines, etc. It’s a paid position funded by the league and the players union.
September 12th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
Bain is a college player. Do not bet the ranch. Predict zero sacks.
The Hopium won’t work on the field.
September 12th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
What improvement???? They haven’t play one meaningful snap. Zero.
Please say that after the game tomorrow. I’ll be pleased to be proven wrong.
I want the Bucs to win every game. Hardcore of a fan as they come.
But the over the top mindless positivity is nauseating.
Let’s see how they handle Burrow and Chase before we anoint them as the second coming of the 2002 Buccaneers defense.
September 12th, 2026 at 6:07 pm
Poor Cosmo didn’t take a nap today.
In case you missed it. We are going to the SuperBowl!!!!!!
September 12th, 2026 at 6:44 pm
Baking with Robinson Says:
“In case you missed it. We are going to the SuperBowl!!!!!!”
Please pass whatever you’re smoking my way sir.
Sounds like you’ve got some sticky icky in your pipe.
Keep smoking until you see Bowles winning a title as the HC.
Then the paramedics will wake you up.
September 12th, 2026 at 6:49 pm
Summers eve!! shown his signature preaching of negativity! He’s da man…he thinks!
September 12th, 2026 at 6:50 pm
You and cosmo i see you havent taken those Evans jocks off your heads!
September 12th, 2026 at 7:01 pm
Rhonde, Brooks, etc. are all just supporting the usual week one super hype marketing campaign for the Bucs. Every year its the same thing, “The defense has improved!”, or “The offense is set to explode”. Same articles every year, then the games are played and football reality is posted.
September 12th, 2026 at 7:06 pm
I saw retired Steve Smith from the Carolina Panthers doing a video evaluation on draftee Ted Hurst saying he remindis him of a young Larry Fitzgerald who was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame class recently.
September 12th, 2026 at 7:32 pm
A lot of talk and ink has been generated since the draft. The games will show the fans if the defense is better.
The head coach would have been fired in most of the other NFC groups, East, North, West. He has stayed here because the South is weak and the Glazers are pretty tolerant- until you have 2 losing seasons or don’t make the playoffs.
September 12th, 2026 at 7:58 pm
I. Was wondering what happened to Brooks.thanks for reaching out to him
September 12th, 2026 at 8:44 pm
Who’s your favorite player?
MR DERRICK BROOKS
September 12th, 2026 at 8:48 pm
Great article.
Rumor has it the Bucs will start 4 safeties, 4 corners 4 linebackers and 3 D-linemen to try to throttle Cincy’s offense. Haven’t thought of that. It might work.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:51 pm
Im waiting for Tomlin next year. lol
LFG!!!!!!!!
September 12th, 2026 at 8:57 pm
lol, some of these comments……do you guys ever root for someone to win? i mean i guess you’re always going to root for whichever team plays us to win….but ultimately, its our loss that you crave….man, thats some deep seeded hate. why, i dont know but whatever….
September 12th, 2026 at 9:12 pm
Arch Manning is WAY overrated, i was saying that last year….
but who noticed my kid Mestemaker for OSU? We’ll never have him now, but fun to watch.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:42 pm
I’m thinking they might be a sleeper defense this year. Every time I think they though, they end up as one of the worst defenses in the league.
September 12th, 2026 at 11:14 pm
Well Max that take aged so poorly it’s practically an Ohio State defensive coordinator lmao….
September 12th, 2026 at 11:47 pm
Bain will survive Bowles and become a star!
Next season.
lol.
September 12th, 2026 at 11:48 pm
BA’s Red Pen…meh Warren Sapp…mouth and all..
September 12th, 2026 at 11:55 pm
I turned off that OSU Texas game after the first half, what happened to OSU in that second half?
It would be great in a few years if these three were the start of a new elite defense. We will have to wait and see how it plays out.
September 12th, 2026 at 11:55 pm
Mindless positivity? Are you kidding me? On this site? That’s hilarious. Love the banter but the most dominant storyline here is hate the coach!
September 13th, 2026 at 12:41 am
Brooks also knows Bucs have the best defensive coach and head coach in football and will womp the Bengals. No room for haters. Bowles had a great preseason and is undefeated in openers. Whoah.