Emeka Egbuka: Bucs Are Good Because The Team Is Filled With Leaders
September 12th, 2025
Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka.
Whenever Joe hears someone talk about “leaders,” Joe cannot help but remember that godawful morning sports radio host that used to pollute the local public’s airwaves, Dan Sileo.
Perhaps Sileo’s favorite subject was “LEE-derhs.”
Joe also remembers the Lost Decade when Bucs players actually jostled for position as self-annointed team leaders. Yup, they led the Bucs right into the toilet.
(Joe much prefers production over this football science fiction mysticism.)
So last weekend in Atlanta, when the Bucs needed a touchdown, they got one on their last drive. Clutch Baker Mayfield produced with one of the most accurate passes you will ever see to Emeka Egbuka for the go-ahead score.
No one willed that ball. It was Mayfield’s talent that got the ball to Egbuka and Egbuka’s talent that hauled it in. No séance involved. But Egbuka said yesterday the reason why the Bucs were able to score is because the team is filled with leaders.
“I think it shows our resilience — our perseverance,” Egbuka said. “We have great leaders, and I think being a great team you have to need that. You look at Lavonte [David], Mike [Evans], Baker [Mayfield], Vita [Vea], Antoine [Winfield Jr.], nobody was phased.
“In that moment, we knew what we had to do to go down and win it, and we were able execute. Big time win for the squad, especially on the road, [divisional] game, and all that type of stuff. That one almost counts for two.”
Look, Egbuka knows his team better than Joe does. And Joe believes the keyword here should be “confidence.” The Bucs have stud players with Super Bowl rings, and guys that have won playoff games.
These guys know they can produce when the chips are down. Confidence. If one is confident, then the moment is not too big. Pressure is almost nonexistent. Been there, done that.
When someone doesn’t have confidence and experience, they tend to get rattled easily and make mistakes.
September 12th, 2025 at 9:05 am
Confident, experienced leaders!! Couldn’t agree more Joe!!!
September 12th, 2025 at 9:29 am
Confidence starts with one’s self and that is the only leader one can be. No one can make someone else do their job, or have confidence, if comes from within and with hard work. When we see others display that it strengthens our confidence in them and then it grows into the team from that.
September 12th, 2025 at 9:35 am
Right on, so true that we have great football leaders on the Bucs. So many kudos for Mike, Baker, Lavonte, Vea, Antoine, Chris, and so many more. Go Bucs!
September 12th, 2025 at 9:50 am
Quality leadership leads to maximizing production. They go hand in hand. Sure you need some baseline talent, but that talent can plateau without good leaders to show players how to continue improving talent and raise the level of preparation, leading to confidence.
Leadership isn’t mystical. Anyone who’s had a poor leader in a boss or coach knows how that can weigh down performance.
September 12th, 2025 at 10:35 am
Question is. Who leads JBF? Is it Ira? Whoever it is. Is doing a great job. Go confident leaders! Go Bowles!
September 12th, 2025 at 11:12 am
Culture is everything!! It’s taken a long time to build this, players wanting to stay for less money building bonds. Dean is the latest example of the culture we have and the leadership the staff looks for and instills.
Been a Bucs fan for years and recently stumbled across Joe Bucs fan, living in Kansas it great to have such updated articles and true fans with a moderated platform for discussions!
September 12th, 2025 at 11:34 am
Necessary that the players lead because their distracted two jobs guy doesn’t.
September 12th, 2025 at 11:44 am
The Bucs locker room is filled with team solidarity and camaraderie. No prima donnas allowed. Where does it come from? Stressing good character when you draft players. These dudes have no problems picking their team captains, etc. Tony Dungy really got it going. Jason Licht, BA, and Todd Bowles continue to stress it. That culture produces a winning mindset. Plus, the fact that football is a TEAM sport. When is the last time a Buc embarrassed the team and fans, off the field? For a supposedly minor market, it sure has produced (finally) a first-class football team. Goooo Bucs!! 2-0!
September 12th, 2025 at 2:15 pm
Joe, might I suggest you ask your leadership question to Mr. Derrick Brooks. I have a feeling he will adjust you mysticism point of view.