Larry Foote: David Walker “Is Understanding How To Drop”
October 2nd, 2026
Has proven to defend passes.
Yes, the Joe typing here is the same one that constantly gripes about the lack of an edge rush. But Joe always tries to keep an open mind.
Last spring at the combine, KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles was getting peppered with questions about having edge rushers drop back in coverage so much. Bowles noted edge rushers have been dropping in coverage for teams for years.
Bowles isn’t wrong. But most teams don’t have them drop back so often and so deep. There’s nothing like watching YaYa Diaby trying to cover receivers 25 yards downfield when quarterbacks can sit back in the pocket and order a pizza.
Joe remembers James Harrison of the Steelers maybe making the greatest defensive play in Super Bowl history, right here in Tampa, when he dropped back after lining up at the line and recorded a 99-yard pick-six.
So Joe pulled back — a little — on constant griping about edge rushers dropping. That, and Joe was just worn out from hollering for years.
Then came Gerald McCoy this week calling out Bowles — without naming names but it was quite clear to Joe who he was talking about. GMC was rightly fed up with edge rushers not edge rushing and why Bowles (unnamed) did this so much.
So when good guy and Bucs outside linebacker Larry Foote was asked about David Walker, who has two sacks in 26 snaps, getting on the field more (another relevant GMC grievance). Foote, as did Bowles on Wednesday, said, yes, Walker would get on the field more.
Because he has learned to drop back in pass coverage!
“Oh, absolutely,” Foote said. “He definitely met our expectations, and he did it in a hurry.
“Just grasping the defense, understanding how to drop, where to fit, terminology, stuff like that, but he definitely earned more playing time.”
This Walker has, in a very short time (too small sample size?), demonstrated he can get after quarterbacks lived up to the hype from the Bucs. And on a team desperately needing an edge rush, he’s rewarded with more snaps so he can … cover receivers?
It was Foote himself who was celebrated by the Bucs’ social media team when Walker was drafted; Foote ran up, hugged Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and yelped, “That’s how you win a Super Bowl!”
Joe is confident Foote wasn’t stoked because Walker might be able to defend a pass.
Again, Joe isn’t upset the Bucs have outside linebackers drop. It’s the amount of time and how it seems the coaching staff puts more of a priority on these guys defending passes than putting the quarterbacks on their asses. That’s completely backwards.
You didn’t draft Rueben Bain, YaYa Diaby and Walker if they couldn’t sack the friggin’ quarterback, so you may as well use them for the reason you drafted them in the first place! Jiminy Christmas!
It’s like a car. You wouldn’t buy the damn thing if the turn signal didn’t work, so you may as well use it!
As Chris “Mad Dog” Russo would say, “It just drives you nuts!”
October 2nd, 2026 at 5:19 am
This may be the most disgusting headline i’ve ever seen on this site, Joe. Rush the passer!
October 2nd, 2026 at 5:24 am
You’re joking, right? What a JOKE!!!!!
October 2nd, 2026 at 5:33 am
Nobody gets it….and that’s how todd wants his scheme (genius in his own mind) smdh.
October 2nd, 2026 at 5:35 am
So, whats the answer when the TE releases and breaks for a route?. When the RB chips and breaks? You’ve got a backer jammed in the middle blitzing or a safety or a corner. Who covers the guy off the edge who threatens to break free?
I agree its schematic. Other teams scheme it up. But your edge guys are going to have to cover on occasion. And if the edge guy doesn’t know when, that’s a problem.
A bigger problem in my mind is that this dude was on IR all last yr and never could learn his role doing mental reps. For a whole year? Sh*t
October 2nd, 2026 at 5:41 am
Bowles priority is not utilizing a typical pass rush for DEs or “OLBs.” In his Defense it’s dropping in coverage with them. It’s so clever, and you wont play if you don’t know how lol. A tiger can’t change its stripes. That is a 12-48 coach for you against teams ending season with winning record. On the brightside we going to figure out how to utilize AWjr now after 7 years. Apparently, according to Bowles there is no issue defending TEs either. Bowles is 5-21 (.192) when trailing at halftime with Bucs. Bowles is 0-2 with Bucs after bye week. Walk through practices, players not prepared more often than not. It’s ridiculous at this point. This coach is hot garbage always has been.
October 2nd, 2026 at 5:42 am
I am recalling some of the great plays that Myles Garret has made while dropping back in coverage. Gives me extreme hope for David Walker!
October 2nd, 2026 at 5:56 am
Only the Bucs – grading a pass rusher on coverage. Great…
October 2nd, 2026 at 6:11 am
Don’t look now, but the Cleveland Browns are 3-1 under Todd Monken. Bowles surely revitalized Deshawn Watson’s career with his wonderful defensive schemes! It was either “play good this game, or you’re done”. As with many other sub par QB’s he had a great day against the “defensive guru ” The Brady culture is long gone. The Raiders are 3-0 too BTW.
October 2nd, 2026 at 6:25 am
It’s a flawed system, because it cannot be YOUR #1 strategy, and who you are as a team… NOT as being your overall philosophy. It cannot be your IDENTITY. It has to be used situationally. And, calculating. Otherwise, it’s not going to work. AND, you cannot do it with EVERY PLAYER on the roster. Because, that would be STUPID. It makes NO SENSE. Since, every player is different, while bringing their OWN unique skill-set, and varying strengths and weaknesses. This is a HUGE major part of the problem, but the other portion of it is… THE ROSTER. Bottomline. PERIOD.
I honestly, cannot imagine what the hell you people ‘think’ you’re SEEING here, with THIS ROSTER!? It’s unbelievable. It’s either, you’re STILL ‘buying’ the BS… Or, at this point, it just has to be EGO. Even, IF you can’t “see-it” for yourself, all you gotta do is just LOOK at the ‘majority’ of the preseason power-rankings, Vegas Betting/Money-Lines, & etc. I mean, they ALL basically, had them being around the “BOTTOM-10” in the LEAGUE… #22. And, STOP… The “NFC SOUTH” is IRRELEVANT. Completely, Meaningless. And, I said all off-season long, that this is a “BOTTOM-5” Roster, in the entire NFC… All you have to do is JUST LOOK at every other team!? I just don’t get-it.
NOW, after “WATCHING” the Browns and the Jets play… It’s looking a lot more like a “Bottom-5” Roster, in the ENTIRE LEAGUE. I’m actually one of the few, who ‘FOLLOWS’ High School and College ‘Recruiting’ (deeply and intensely), and have for all throughout MY ENTIRE LIFE. Have actually been involved and right in the middle of it while in my EARLY 20’s (and I’m 49 now). I’m talking with a MAJOR ‘BIG-TIME’ SEC Problem, and going on ‘visits’ with the coaches, and everything. I KNOW “TALENT,” when I see-it!!!!
This roster is NOT “it” and it has NOT BEEN “it” for a long time. For the better part of the past 13-SEASONS now, under LICKT. So, this is just par for the course. The proof is in the pudding. I mean, y’all have just been completely LIED TO. Just BARELY, squeaking by, while in a CRAP Division!? Now, REALLY!? Stop putting all your trust into these people… They are all SO FULLUVIT. They are like, THE ‘sleaziest’ used care salesmen type, that you’ve ever seen… At least, that’s exactly what “I” SEE whenever I look at LICKT and some of these others, in this local media, & etc. Like, the exact type where you’d want to immediately go and wash your hand, right after shaking theirs… Seriously, you surely know what I mean!? Just Disgusting.💯 Stop ‘blindly’ following these Clowns.
October 2nd, 2026 at 6:35 am
Browns now 3 – 1
Bucs opponents thus far are 8 – 2
My question is… why has Jason Licht built the worst roster in the league?
All three teams have better QBs… yes Kyler is a better QB.. yet Bucs just paid their terrible QB like hes Joe Burrow… is he like Joe Burrow?
Every single position group besides Kicker… we have one of the worst in the league.
My question is still… where is the talent? Who? Name anyone
October 2nd, 2026 at 6:36 am
I mean, WHO are these “STUD” EDGE-Rushers of ours!? It’s LAUGHABLE.
October 2nd, 2026 at 6:39 am
2 sacks in only 26 snaps in 3 FRIGGIN GAMES.
More sacks than the entire group of OLBs
And he can’t get on the field bc he hasn’t learned to “drop”?!?!
I can wait until you are gone Bowles.
October 2nd, 2026 at 6:44 am
Rather than line up on the line, our defense should play three yards off for even better pass coverage. Gotta keep an open mind, Joe.
October 2nd, 2026 at 6:46 am
Joe, no one buys a car because of how well it goes in reverse but you sure as heck need the car to be able to do that… from time to time. I still hold that edge rushing is extremely important and that Bowles knows that and has been waiting for players who can actually do that. Time is probably running out but that doesn’t change the fact that he didn’t have the right players for the past several years.
On a different note, has anyone talked about the fact that the Bucs have faced three teams that are a combined 8-2. Of course the Bucs have helped them with that record but from a pure record, that’s probably the best record of any team’s opponents so far this year. The next two teams are a combined 2-4. There’s still time for the offense to get its act together but again, they’re running out of it.
October 2nd, 2026 at 6:47 am
Think the Bucs played a 3-4 defense when the greatest Buc of all time played, LeeRoy Selmon, how many drop backs do he have, I get it different times, I would rather see how this team looks with a 4-3 alignment
October 2nd, 2026 at 6:51 am
Unless you are going to rush five every time, one of the two outside linebackers is going to have to drop into coverage. No matter which one does – Diaby, Bain, Walker, etc. – somebody is always going to complain that he shouldn’t be in coverage, he should be rushing the passer.
October 2nd, 2026 at 6:52 am
Bowles and dropping edge rushers into coverage instead of letting them pass rush is ruining these guys. Look at what Gerald McCoy said about this. No point if even having edge rushers if you’re just going drop them into coverage.
October 2nd, 2026 at 6:54 am
Hopefully our new defense next season has pass rusher who rush the passer. It’s a novel concept surely to take hold in the league.
October 2nd, 2026 at 7:05 am
Jose, how often do you want to rush 5 guys? Every pass play? We have two OLBs on the field at all times and unless you blitz every pass play, at least one will be dropping. All together now: “unless you blitz every pass play, at least one will be dropping.”
I’m thinking that Walker was having trouble reading the plays so that he would know, after the snap, whether it was him or the other OLB whose side needed to rush and whose needed to drop. If he doesn’t know, then we have an inadvertent blitz, and a wide-freaking-open TE or RB, or only three guys rushing. I hope this helps.
October 2nd, 2026 at 7:07 am
Now, if you want to complain about Bowles’ weird and completely transparent scheme then we are on the same page.
October 2nd, 2026 at 7:22 am
Maybe the edge rusher on the team doesnt dee the field because he’s still learning how to drop.
You can’t make this stuff up
October 2nd, 2026 at 7:39 am
All the line backers look confused on just about every snap. Side note, Jamel Dean leaves game injured.
October 2nd, 2026 at 7:40 am
Dude is so small, that when he was making plays last week, he looked like an ILB. He’s actually what I would call a prototypical OLB in this 3-4, especially in Bowles scheme where he likes to drop in coverage, this is why we don’t have 6-5 DEs on this team. They are out there, but traditionally, later DE picks are more like Anthony Nelson types, slow and lumbering. We kept undersized guys like Ramirez and Watts on our roster for few seasons because we’d hope they’d develop into a Walker type of OLBs… built similar to ILB, but can play the line, good in coverage/run defense and can pressure the QB on occasion. At this level, most of these undersized dudes don’t workout, that’s why they go undrafted. Walker is showing why we took him in the 4th. Hope he continues he’s trajectory.
October 2nd, 2026 at 7:55 am
Outrage over 3-4 OLBs dropping(still) as if coverage concepts aren’t tied together with all players and/or usually called on a blitz call which serves the same purpose as rushing your OLBs.
The more Walker can handle in terms of being able to play within multiple calls, the more snaps Walker can play. Being upset in how he fits in the entirety of the defense wanting him to be the “one trick pony”(as if every rep is a pass rush opportunity) you’d all otherwise would talk down about.
Which one do you want Bucs fan, Walker to be as a situational passer or going into his 4th regular season game to actually get some work to progress him toward being a 3 down player?
October 2nd, 2026 at 8:07 am
As bad as Baker has been in the last 12 games he is still a better QB than Kyler Murray. That guy sucks so bad, he made our defense look good.
October 2nd, 2026 at 8:21 am
If there isn’t a new GM, HC after this season, I’m truely checking out all things Bucs. At some point you got to get off the hamster wheel. This is not working. Hasn’t been for the last 12 games going back last season. Already I no longer listen to Bowles, or team pressers. How many times do I have to hear we just got to coach it better, play it better. I will pay attention if Licht decides to show his face, and explain how bad it is, and why. Can’t wait to hear from the Glazers if they ever crawl out of their bunker. But as far as this years team, and coaches? Let’s just say I know a con when I see one. We’ve all been conned.
October 2nd, 2026 at 8:22 am
This is why I knew we weren’t signing any premium pass rushers this off-season. I swear you were trolling me with that headline, Joe. Nope only joke is us fans
October 2nd, 2026 at 8:31 am
If we all knew what the ” it” roster is ! We all would be champions in the game and life! Some people just dont know how to STFU!… Beer is good…You know the rest
October 2nd, 2026 at 8:33 am
Everyone knows the genius of Bowles’s defense is, unpredictability and versatility. Anyone can come from anywhere at any time and that’s why the man is known as a wizard. It’s already paying off. A few different calls and the Bucs are 3-0.
October 2nd, 2026 at 8:42 am
It’ll all be over soon.
The problem is what decent HC and or GM is going to want to come to a team saddled with a medicore QB being paid like he’s top 5?
Two MAJOR mistakes were made by this team. Letting a talent young offensive mind walk out the door in Coen and handing Baker a fat new contract.
Those two monentually stupid decisions have set this franchise back 5 years.
October 2nd, 2026 at 8:54 am
Belicheck would say…..let’s focus on what the players do well and run with that vs not using the players talents at all. That’s the difference it great coaches and Bowles. He could have Myles Garrett and find a way to neuter him because he can’t cover TEs. It’s the system he runs….i don’t anticipate any changes at this point.
October 2nd, 2026 at 9:00 am
Are we shocked…
Coaching Malpractice!
McDermott 2027!
October 2nd, 2026 at 9:35 am
The team needs the D to rise up if the Bucs are going to turn into a decent team. Walker appears to be a stud! I hope the kid QB can get the O moving forward too. We’ll find out on Sunday! Will Walker get a 98 yard pick 6 Sunday ? That would be nice!
October 2nd, 2026 at 9:45 am
If you get the push and collapse the pocket,you can drop your mother into coverage..
October 2nd, 2026 at 10:05 am
I think he understands enough. He’s better than Diaby already. Get that kid on the field as much as possible. Let him learn on the field. Don’t leave him in the garage with a cover on. Muhammad and Walker should be on the field the most.
October 2nd, 2026 at 10:24 am
I do not think Yaya should ever drop back. Yaya is very big and can bat a ball down and can tackle for loss on run plays.
October 2nd, 2026 at 10:34 am
This coaching is more worried about OLBs dropping into coverage than rushing the passer.
October 2nd, 2026 at 10:35 am
I blame the Glazers for keeping Bowles around for way too long. He should have been “promoted” to VP or some other figurehead title after the 2024 season and Coen promoted. Even after that at least Todd should have got launched after last year’s collapse. Why is he still here? I think it is coin, the Glazers do not want to be paying his buyout so now they will have to convince a good head coach to clean up Bowles’ mess next January. They might have to replace Licht as well, especially if Daniels flames and Baker continues to be a bottom 5 QB. A quality new head coach may not want Licht sabotaging his roster. Trade some high paid players for draft picks and cap space. Let’s start the rebuild now, not next spring. Fire Bowles.
October 2nd, 2026 at 10:35 am
Yeah this Coaching staff is unbelievable….
October 2nd, 2026 at 10:43 am
Top-10 roster, high school 0–10 coaching. That’s why the team was, is, and will be ranked so low, yet everyone would love this guy, and this guy, and this guy.
I’m gonna laugh my a$$ off when a new REAL coach comes in and turns the team completely around in one year, lmao.
The roster is stacked with David Walker’s guys who are GREAT at this, but Bowles wants them to be able to do this and this. The roster is built like the Patriots of the past—specialists who, when used in the right scheme and fit, would all be top-5 players. But in Bowles’ system, they’re BUSTS!!
October 2nd, 2026 at 10:48 am
MelvinJunior you literally lost ALL CREDIBILITY THERE!! 13 Seasons?? The Bucs won the Super Bowl in 2020 that’s 6 years ago you nincompoop….
October 2nd, 2026 at 10:56 am
Why? Its like taking Mike Evens and putting him at RB because you want to look like a genius by tricking the defense. Might work but you end up just making everyone on the offense look foolish. Surely Walker will not keep those numbers/percentages up but why on earth is Todd tying his defenses hands behind their backs. Same as taking a playmaker out of the game! This BS from Bowles and Foote about learning to drop is mind blowing and insulting.
Go Bucs!
October 2nd, 2026 at 10:59 am
Every NFL OLB are asked to drop into coverage
That’s one of the main assignments of a 3-4 OLB
Did you see that beautiful pick-6 TJ Watt had against Atlanta
Name one OLB in a 3-4 defense that don’t drop in coverage?
October 2nd, 2026 at 11:41 am
Yep, 3-4 OLBs drop into coverage. One of the biggest fallacies of sports reporting is the belief that 4-3 DEs are interchangeable with 3-4 OLBs, and they aren’t. Walker and Bain are both built to be 4-3 DEs where they rush the passer and play the run. Instead we’ve plugged them in as OLBs and then wonder why this ‘natural DE’ looks lost in coverage. On the plus side, if we hire McDermott next year to replace Bowles, he’ll bring a 4-3 and suddenly our pass rush will be much improved, even without replacing players.
October 2nd, 2026 at 11:53 am
This just solidifies what everyone thinks about Bowles and his defense. This idea that you can’t get on the field until you learn how to drop into coverage is bizarre. It’s like saying to Tristan Wirfs, we know you are maybe the best Tackle in football but in our offense the Tackles have to know how to run the entire route tree for tackle eligible plays. So until you learn how to properly run pass routes you will have to sit on the bench. It’s absolutely ludicrous.
October 2nd, 2026 at 11:56 am
Ronde Barber and Gerald McCoy continues to question the coaching
But, either of them have played in a 3-4 defense
They are not experts on a 3-4 defense
They were excellent players on a 4-3 defense
I said it when Rueben Bain was drafted, he’s not a fit in this defense
He has never been asked to drop into coverage
He’s great against the run, and he’s a elite pass rusher
But, he’s not a great standup pass rusher, he need his hand in the dirt
The thing is, and OLB has to stand-up to drop into coverage
While a 4-3 DE plays with his hand in the dirt
October 2nd, 2026 at 12:01 pm
Half of the league runs a 3-4 defense, 16 teams to be exact
You have to draft players that’s familiar with your system
October 2nd, 2026 at 12:03 pm
“Walker and Bain are both built to be 4-3 DEs where they rush the passer and play the run.”
No they aren’t the only person built to be a 4-3 DE on our roster is Nelly and maybe Yaya, outside of that Walker & Bain height-weight wise are closer to Shaq Barrett then they are JPP or a Strahan or Julius Peppers.
“I said it when Rueben Bain was drafted, he’s not a fit in this defense
He has never been asked to drop into coverage”
No, he was asked to drop into coverage at The U and even had a pick last season against Texas A&M or Notre Dame, one or the other. Miamis’ DC Corey Hethermen runs a scheme eerily similar to ours.
October 2nd, 2026 at 12:20 pm
@lakeland..Please sell me one of your crystal balls or is it that 8- ball with the floating message, or i know i know,you eat alot of Chinese take out!! UGH!
October 2nd, 2026 at 2:10 pm
Like Joe, its the amount of times the OLBs are dropping…..in the SB when Harrison dropped, it was unexpected….Kurt has mentioned this several times, he wouldve never expected Harrison to drop but saw on film other OLBs drop….
bowles drops OLBs too often….its all on film…no one is surprised….it doesnt catch anyone off guard….
now, when bowles dropped Vita in coverage, it caught everyone by surprise…even the WR lol….
GO BUCS!!!!!