Playing strong football.

Very interesting peek into the mindset of KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles and how he sees the Bucs squad.

Yesterday, maybe the most underrated corner in the league, Jacob Parrish, spoke with the local pen and mic club. He was asked about how the Bucs have played strong defense this year.

Parrish noted Bowles believes if the Bucs win games, they’re going to have to win with defense.

The strong defense, Parrish said, “builds a lot of momentum going into the next week. I feel like we’re playing good defense the last five weeks, man.”

“Bowles says we’re a defensive team, so every single time we step out there, we’ve got to go make plays. I feel like we’re doing a good job doing that.”

And they are. Specifically Parrish. He has 13 passes defensed, which ranks best in the NFL.

Parrish said that’s happened because he’s been in the right place at the right time.

“I feel like I’ve been in a good position the majority of times they threw the ball at me,” Parrish said. “I feel like I’ve got good ball skills, so just timing the ball when the receiver’s about to catch it and knocking it down.

“I feel like I always have good ball skills and I feel like I’m doing a good job of just doing that.”

Bowles once said of Parrish that he has the perfect mentality to play quarterback. Parrish is a really easygoing guy. He doesn’t get too hyped or too down. Bowles said Parrish really takes to heart how corners have to forget each play and he has the same reaction whether he makes a play or not. It’s on to the next snap.

Parrish was a good corner as a rookie, mostly playing nickel. This year, he’s really stepped up his game as a full-time outside corner.