Keionte Scott Ready For Any And All Challenges
September 3rd, 2026
Rookie corner Keionte Scott.
Though the Bucs added bodies this week to help out, the depth in the secondary is frightening (but not as bad as the lack of depth on the offensive line).
KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles said yesterday if rookie Keionte Scott has to leave the field for whatever reason, Jacob Parrish would be moved to slot corner and Benjamin Morrison would fill in at outside corner.
So far in his young career, Morrison really has shown an ability to pull a hamstring and not a whole lot else.
After Morrison, you have undrafted free agent Ayden Garnes. Oh, and look who is standing over there waiting for the Bucs to arrive along the Ohio River next weekend: it’s Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Fun! On the practice squad and trying to get up to speed in a hurry is newly-signed veteran Sean Murphy-Bunting, who missed all of last season with a blown out knee.
Maybe seeing this potential ugly future, Bowles has cross-trained Scott at outside corner and at safety, in addition to slot corner where he is penciled in to start a week from Sunday.
Scott said yesterday at One Buc Palace he embraces the challenge of playing different positions.
“Ultimately it just goes back to my mindset coming in, just being ready and being open to any opportunity I was given,” Scott said. “I feel like in that mindset now is just talking about, ‘OK, if it’s this position, what [are] the needs and wants out of that position?’
“Just breaking all those things down and kind of just trying to break things down and slow it down for myself is the biggest thing.”
Scott admitted the number of snaps he got in OTAs, minicamp and training camp at various positions has really helped him. Now, he just wants an opportunity to demonstrate that drafting him and having him practice all over the secondary hasn’t been a waste of time.
The way Scott hits, and as smart as he is, Joe wants this guy on the field.
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:11 am
“The way Scott hits, and as smart as he is, Joe wants this guy on the field.”
Same, I’m looking forward to the reaction from the team the first time Scott makes a big play. The energy he brings is all over his college tape. A bonafide live wire, just waiting on the right spark
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:17 am
He reminds me of Smith. The more smart thumpers we got back there the better.
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:21 am
Joe – Is Keionte Scott still injured? I thought he had a bad ankle.
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:21 am
So – as bad as this unit is consider this –
– ZM already has a groin injury
– Ben-Mo hasn’t been healthy since he was born (PFF score of 47)
– Parrish – Please stay healthy bro – you are all we have
– SMB was paid $2M by the Cards to leave and has MCL and ACL issues
– Garnes is an ok cover CB but weighs 180 and has a MTR of 24% in college
– Scott was injured in Jack-ville after making a tackle
Oh YA!!!!
I’m really liking our chances with dis group here…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Has anyone told our “ROH” GM that dis here be a “passing” league still?
These fools talking bout – “Oh we gonna stop the run!” – You better stop something… Cause the pass defense is going to be atrocious.
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:37 am
Wonder if cross training a rookie at multiple positions will slow his development?
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:37 am
@Marine
Still working that residency at The Redundancy Hotel & Casino, I see.
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:47 am
Bowles’s defense has always been a “stop the run and then unleash your pass rush” defense. Now that he potentially has an actual pass rush, that should work a lot better. If we can create lots of pressure with 4, we will win lots of games.
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:51 am
Marine Buc Says:
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:21 am
So – as bad as this unit is consider this –
– ZM already has a groin injury
– Ben-Mo hasn’t been healthy since he was born (PFF score of 47)
– Parrish – Please stay healthy bro – you are all we have
– SMB was paid $2M by the Cards to leave and has MCL and ACL issues
– Garnes is an ok cover CB but weighs 180 and has a MTR of 24% in college
– Scott was injured in Jack-ville after making a tackle
Oh YA!!!!
I’m really liking our chances with dis group here…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Has anyone told our “ROH” GM that dis here be a “passing” league still?
These fools talking bout – “Oh we gonna stop the run!” – You better stop something… Cause the pass defense is going to be atrocious.
And the award for the most negative fan goes to-
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:52 am
Who are we kidding? Scott is a mid-round pick and while solid in college, he’s going to have an awakening defending Chase and Higgins.
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:54 am
@ warrin
Hey now!
Be nice…
You like this CB unit?
I believe it will be responsible for the 7-10 (or worse) season.
The culprit?
Our GM has committed malpractice and should be sued by the season ticket holders – perhaps a class action lawsuit is in order?
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:57 am
Glad we got Scott, he appears he will be a big plus. The scary parts for for sometime are McColumn, who was sooo bad last year and Morrison , who has not been on the field very often and appears under developed. Thankfully Morrison presently is one the bench where he should be. The scary part, Parish gets hurts and in comes Morrison. The ideal situation it appears would be Bunting shows enough to replace McColumn should McColumn falter, which from last year appears likely. Yes , it appers for what ever reason no thought was put into bringing the secondary up to speed. Hopefully Scott and Bunting really can come to the rescue. The Cinn game may really expose the secondary, which may send a wakeup call to Licht and Bowles.
September 3rd, 2026 at 9:58 am
@ #99
Is it me?
YES!
I finally won an award that wasn’t just based on “participation” – YES!
Thank-you – first of all to my supporters of both logic and reality.
I want to thank my mommy and daddy for all their support and validation through the years.
I accept this reward with honor and grace.
I love you all!
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:02 am
This is not a 7-10 football team unless a ton of high end starters get hurt for the season early. Let’s not have that. This is a 12-5 football team if we have way better than average luck (we’re overdue!) with injuries or 10-7 with average luck.
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:04 am
The good news: Scott is prepared to play anywhere. The bad news: Tampa may actually need him to. Keionte has learned so many positions, by Week 4 he’ll be listed on the depth chart as “Yes.”
Keionte Scott: Tampa Bay’s defensive Swiss Army knife with shoulder pads.
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:05 am
@Marine
Absolutely hysterical post. I’m still laughing. It’s so funny because it’s all true. No disputing it. Lay down your pom poms Pollys. True Buc’s fan speaking!
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:06 am
Man, I have no idea what by my every-other post gets flagged for moderation. What gives? I never post anything that warrants it.
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:22 am
Joe would like to know why, too. It’s much more of a pain for Joe. If you ever find out why you may be able to make some cash.
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:23 am
“Who are we kidding? Scott is a mid-round pick and while solid in college, he’s going to have an awakening defending Chase and Higgins.”
Andre Iosivas is their #3 WR and Giescki their TE lines up in the slot more than Chase or Higgins.
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:29 am
Buncha negative Nancys all up in here
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:31 am
@Todd,
It happens to everyone. I has no rhyme or reason and happens in spurts. Don’t take it personal, you haven’t been singled out. Stupid AI at work.
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:35 am
@ Bad
Thanks bud.
You were one of the few supporters of “logic and reality” I spoke of within my acceptance speech.
And to all my haters – I still love you as well… We could all use a hug with the quilt of “reality and logic” and I am here to deliver those metaphorical hugs.
You are all welcome!
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:39 am
@ Beeej
First of all – don’t ever call me “surely”…
Oooops – wait – wrong joke.
Sorry.
Who you be calling “Nancy”?!?!?
Are you attempting to misgender me?
My wife is the only one allowed to call me “Nancy”.
7-10 (or worse)…
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:46 am
Warren, good one. ” Redundant negativity” has afflicted at least 50% of the frequent posters. I’ve mentioned this before as well. Marine doesn’t love the secondary. I get it. You know why I get it? Because he said it over and over again. Why? Not sure. I would guess that most of us who read the comments and make them, already know the way certain posters feel about certain things. Munch, for instance, has used the word “single-handedly” more times than all other posters combined. Marine seems almost personally offended every time Joe says “ROH”. 813 utters “BINGO” and “LOL” with a frequency that’s troubling. I could go on forever. At this point it’s a source of amusement for me. I think most of us imagine the personalities of the frequent posters based on the things they say and other oddities. Teacher seems to have an autoimmune disease that causes him to only write one sentence paragraphs. Weird. But amusing. As for the topic at hand, I am very curious as to how Scott will play. Confident, but he’s a rookie. Of course. He’s also a playmaker and we are in short supply of those guys.
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:47 am
11-6. I have spoken.
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:52 am
Bucs need an overpowering pass rush and the CBs have to play man coverage against Higgins and Chase. Hope they can bring SMB up to the active roster this week.
September 3rd, 2026 at 10:58 am
@ Steven
Have you ever heard of a paragraph break or a run-on sentence?
Dude…
You’re giving me a headache.
Basic English Lit broski…
I am “negative” because I have the right to be so.
This team is only going to continue this con-job because the NFC South is the worst Division in the history of professional sports.
GIVE ME A BREAK – Ya’ll do’in too much and sheeeee…
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:02 am
Spot on, 007.
Our secondary is unproven. We all understand and likely concur without hyperventilating. Are there any teams right now that have no weak and/or unproven units? Perhaps the Rams. Trying to think of another squad.
Seattle has unknown RB unit with no depth
Eagles have new OC, different WR room.
49ers have substation injury roster, different WR room, McCaffery mileage, Raheem Morris as new DC
Bears defense
Packers defense, TE room with Kraft on pitch count coming back from major injury
Lions defense, RB depth, defense
Falcons & Panthers: well almost everything.
Is there a perfect team out there that I’m missing?
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:10 am
The great thing about getting Cincinnati early is that in recent years they’ve sucked early and we’ve been good early in the season then we fizzle out. Here’s to hoping (there’s that word again Joe) that the trend keeps going except for the us not being good later in the season.
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:11 am
Thanks Joe. Duly noted. Now I won’t take it personally. 😎
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:14 am
@ Tampa2
Is “unproven” a euphemism for really really really bad?
Like historically bad?
Like picking up several players out of the NFL dumpster bad?
Like grabbing the Cards leftovers and pretending like it is a gourmet meal bad?
Like signing an UDFA and pretending he will save the day bad?
Like pretending a player injured since 2023 is a solid option bad?
Like that bad?
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:16 am
“Ya’ll do’in too much and sheeeee…”
Um, ok? As previously stated, at this point is a source of amusement for me.
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:22 am
Tampa 2, the Rams will be an interesting team to watch this year. Last time I can remember a team doing all in like that, aside from us resigning everyone after the super bowl win, were the Eagles from a few years ago. That didn’t net them a super bowl then. Obviously they got one later using a different team building philosophy. But the Rams, with McVay as coach, and the Donald signing, will be interesting to watch.
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:23 am
Marine for Reralist of the year (ROY)!
StPete and Beeej for Pollyanna of he year (POY).
Myself = past holder of ROY now a troll.
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:24 am
@ Steven
Your faith in our GM reminds me in your faith of Fauci…
Remember those battles we had my friend?
Always question authority.
It’s our only hope my friend.
Our GM is below mediocre and if it wasn’t for TB12 he would have been fired out dem cannons by now.
Don’t be afraid buddy – it will be OK in the end.
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:29 am
“Is there a perfect team out there that I’m missing?”
-Cincinatti’s rebuilt OL is trying to put a 2nd decent year together w/Burrow being healthy(for the time being) this year.
-Their LBs were bad last year, and after dealing Logan Wilson they’re going with 3 LBs from last year plus a new ILB who’s name is escaping me because he was a camp surprise.
-Oh, and they have question marks about the collection of talent in their RB room.
Bengals also allowed an average of 28.9 ppg last year, and ranked 30th in points allowed AND defensive EPA in 2025, they’re trying to bounce back from that.
8 games of 28 or more points allowed last year, 11 if you drop points allowed by 3 points to 25 ppg. They were 2-9 in those games.
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:38 am
@ warrin
Are you ready buddy?
Cin – 24
TB – 17
And BOOM goes the dynamite!
The game will be @ 14-3 (Cin) at the half.
The Bucs will score a garbage TD late in the 4th Qtr to make it look respectable.
Sorry.
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:40 am
“I’ve mentioned this before as well. Marine doesn’t love the secondary. I get it. You know why I get it? Because he said it over and over again. Why? Not sure. I would guess that most of us who read the comments and make them, already know the way certain posters feel about certain things.”
Single-handedly trying to turn JBF into JoeGroundhogsDay lol
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:48 am
Pace yourself.
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:49 am
@ warrin
I apologize for the constant complaining about our “ROH” GM producing one of the worst NFL CB units of all time.
I know it is frustrating to have such a bad GM but don’t you place that anger upon me.
There is one hope that will stem from this destruction…
Rebirth and rejuvenation of a stale and below mediocre franchise.
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:50 am
You know what makes a secondary defense better? A better front line defense.
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:52 am
MarineBuc is right.
Make your posts readable.
A little space, mate.
Short sentences.
Rare use of cap.
Have a point.
Be nice. Until it’s time not to be nice.
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:54 am
@Marine
No apology necessary, do you big guy, but if this secondary turns out to be better than you think it is-you’re going to need bacon & cheese to go with some of that egg. Could probably make some money selling breakfast sandwiches, turn that pain into profits.
September 3rd, 2026 at 11:59 am
5 or 6 years ago not all teams cross-trained lots of positions now it’s the norm. When your only dressing 51 players on game day you almost have to. For people who are interested.
ositional fluidity: Defensive backs who can play both safety and slot cornerback, or linebackers who can rush the passer and drop into coverage, allow coordinators to change looks without substituting players.
NFL teams cross-train players for multiple positions to maximize game-day roster flexibility, protect against sudden injuries, and increase overall roster value.
September 3rd, 2026 at 12:03 pm
“Rare use of cap” – now there’s an idea! He hasn’t chimed in yet, but I’m sure he will SOON.
I agree with most of your suggestions,. Ken, though I am a multiple sentence paragraph guy myself. Only thing I might add to what you said is reduce redundancy. Really that was my main complaint. As Joe has often stated, we, as in the frequent is semi-frequent posters, comprise a small minority of the people in this space.
September 3rd, 2026 at 12:10 pm
That posted before I was done…. What I was saying was I am not a fan of the secondary either. But it’s not a criticism I personally feel the need to reconfirm at every chance. Obviously others disagree. I also think that Jason is a mediocre GM. Maybe slightly better than mediocre. I keep hearing from the experts here that Brady is responsible for all the good things that happened after his signing, and that Jason lucked into him. Perhaps. Though Jason had significant ties to the Patriots, which I’m sure had something to do with it. And then there’s Todd… Not my first choice. Or my second. And neither is Tomlin for that matter. When we do go in a different direction which may be very soon, I really hope it’s not a retread or retread adjacent. And yes Marine, I remember the old cup of Joe battles. Fun times. Whatever happened to the other guy, the motorcycle riding Dominican Republic dude that sparred with all of us? Hope he’s doing well. Oops, looks like I just wrote another multiple sentence paragraph… My apologies for the offended
September 3rd, 2026 at 12:20 pm
@Marine
Words are always open to one’s own interpretation. Example: scriptures in the Bible.
I do think “unproven” is appropriate given the two CB’s are in only 2nd year and two others are rookies. SMB was a solid contributor when he was here last though it is fair to question whether time and/or injuries reduce level of positive impact. An open question, however, is not the same as instant categorization of SMB as a garbage player – which IMHO is a bit unfair or at least premature. “Historically bad” is a bit hyperbolic at this time. It may turn out to be so but hasn’t happened yet.
September 3rd, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Though the Bucs added bodies this week to help out, the depth in the secondary is frightening
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For the sake of conversation, show us an example of a team with what you consider to be “good” depth.
September 3rd, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Not to oversimplify matters, but if this team has an average to above average pass rush on Joe Burrow, our DB’s will not be an issue.
If the pass rush CANNOT harass Joe Burrow, then the second coming of Mel Blount, Lester Hayes and the Almighty himself likely won’t make a difference. It all starts upfront.
September 3rd, 2026 at 12:38 pm
“Defensive backs who can play both safety and slot cornerback”
Just to add, Nickels & Safeties have overlapping responsibilities, especially as run defenders. So cross training a player at either of those positions can be seamless, because the responsibilities are pretty much the same. The biggest difference is their placement on the field and the reaction to certain looks.
September 3rd, 2026 at 12:45 pm
The secondary is the back end of the defense
The front end of the defense is where the game is won or lost
This will be a good test for us, and give us some insight about the pass rush
September 3rd, 2026 at 1:34 pm
25-years old, 47 games in college – one of the nice things about drafting someone like that, is they should be able to play early with less of the normal issues rookies have. With that said, he’ll obviously still have some issues, but they should be less than usual.
September 3rd, 2026 at 2:04 pm
Additional thought continued from my prior comment:
“Historically bad” + “garbage” would be accurate and appropriate to describe 2025 Special Teams unit. See immediate preceding JBF article.