Todd Bowles: David Walker Is A Warrior Of Underwear Football
May 9th, 2025
Rookie Bucs edge rusher David Walker, the fourth-round pick.
UPDATED: Joe understands the frustrations from Bucs fans about this subject. And Joe is frustrated, too.
Joe has limited intel. So do the Bucs. Underwear football season opened today with the first day of rookie minicamp. Joe gets all sorts of questions about players, specifically linemen.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to get any sort of read on them, or really, any defensive player aside from defensive backs.
There is zero hitting in underwear football. Guys aren’t even in pads. The only difference between combine workouts and underwear football is that players in underwear football wear helmets and jerseys, that’s about it. Flag football.
Anyone outside of a coach who claims a lineman is producing well is conning you. The only thing linemen can do is work on footwork and hand placement. But for Bucs coach Todd Bowles, one guy is sticking out for him after Day 1 of rookie minicamp. And that is outside linebacker David Walker from Central Arkansas.
Joe asked Bowles what he can glean from Walker in a rookie minicamp.
“We saw the quickness, obviously, earlier today, and he was probably the best t-shirt-and-helmet player we had out there today from that standpoint,” Bowles replied.
So why was that? Bowles said Walker understood the defensive scheme.
“The terminology is different, there’s a lot of things we’re asking him to do differently so to see him move around and get comfortable with that,” Bowles said. “It will be an important thing for him.”
Joe will never forget the video of when the Bucs drafted Walker in the fourth round and his position coach, Larry Foote, leapt to his feet, hugged Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and hollered, “That’s how you win a Super Bowl.“
Will Walker be a Super Bowl player? We won’t know for a while. But at least for his first dip in the rookie minicamp pool, Walker has shown his head coach that he can swim.
May 9th, 2025 at 5:06 pm
Considering Todd expects a lot from his defensive players above the neck this is high praise.
I’m tired of reading Todd’s “complicated” defense. Apparently Todd was impressed with White’s smarts and preparation. Attitude and intelligence are something I do not take for granted!
Kudos to Walker even if it wasn’t for actual football, simply the knowledge of where to be in the defense is great.
May 9th, 2025 at 5:07 pm
A great depth player is not needed to come in and be the only dominant force, but can play behind several who know how and share and help their fellow position teammate grow and prosper later on during the long season.
Walker should thrive here, learn and sharpen his craft, and show out when his number is called to get out there and play Fast, Tough, Smart. Tackle well, and be on your assignments, filling your lane, hitting the QB/RB, and create positive stats.
GO!!!!!BUCS!!!!!
May 9th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
He has a cool Amish beard.
May 9th, 2025 at 5:53 pm
Sounds to me from these rookie interviews that Jesus will be an extra coach in the Bucs locker room 。….
Doesn’t hurt
May 9th, 2025 at 5:55 pm
Yep. Walker was consensus, not a JL staff find, pick. Walker shoulda been gone by the 3rd round after that Senior Bowl performance.
Just the height. Even then shoulda been gone in the 3rd. We’re lucky to have him. Great attitude too.
May 9th, 2025 at 5:57 pm
So is Tryon a warrior of thong or skirt football then?
May 9th, 2025 at 6:05 pm
Stpetematt… 😂
He’d make a great UFC fighter.
The black Dagestani. Every fighter from Dagestan wears those beards. With that athleticism, he’d make a great heavyweight. Bet the dude punches hard! 😜
I just want to see some takedowns… of the QB.
… and some submissions… of the entire opposing teams.
May 9th, 2025 at 6:11 pm
They are hyping this guy we will see, however I will say Joe was the first one to say Bucky Irving was getting first team reps
May 9th, 2025 at 6:45 pm
Does he win the Kenny Bell award?
May 9th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
Serious question…does he have a lazy eye? Or have I had too many bromosas?
May 9th, 2025 at 8:54 pm
We’ve had a lot of hype around draft picks that we expect big things from… This dude gives me a different vibe completely. Just wishing the best for this man and his family
May 9th, 2025 at 8:57 pm
Yeah, they sure went heavy on the jeebus people in this draft. As long as they don’t go all Camarda on jeebus, then that’s fine.
May 9th, 2025 at 9:55 pm
With Walker, Roberts and our two CB’s the D should look a lot better this year, especially with Reddick….we just need to sign a big time safety from somewhere
May 9th, 2025 at 10:21 pm
Kenny Bell won underwear football beauty pageant and also got best hair award. What we need to be most concerned about is, how was Walker’s backpedaling footwork dropping 30 yards deep?
May 9th, 2025 at 10:55 pm
Another Algo home run bats away another pesky point. Whatever.
May 9th, 2025 at 11:17 pm
Im intrigued by Elijah Roberts. I love his game tape. I don’t watch combined and 40s. My eyes say he is a monster out there. Im curious if anyone else is as excited about him as I am. Side note we ate strictly talking football lol.
May 10th, 2025 at 12:12 am
I’m not seeing what the celebration over Walker is about but I sorta trust Licht and Co. I like that he is a power guy but he is nothing worth invoking the name of James Harrison over. I love being proven wrong. Bowles was hyping KJ Britt at this time last year though. Braswell? I’m not seeing the level of improvement I want to see at this position despite the hype.
May 10th, 2025 at 12:40 am
Being tired of reality is exhausting to some fans.
May 10th, 2025 at 1:39 am
Jpp was a warrior i hope we sign him