Rondé Barber Evaluates Defense, Hands Out Two “A+” Grades And Three Far Lower Ones
October 16th, 2025
Report cards are in.
Professor Rondé Barber issued grades for many Bucs defensive players yesterday on The Rondé Barber Show, a WFLA-TV streaming event.
The Hall of Fame cornerback handed out one poor grade. It went to inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis.
“He’s the one the teacher is going up to, maybe calling his parents saying, ‘Hey, your guy’s trying hard and needs to do a little bit better,'” David said of Dennis. “He’s barely passing but he’s getting better. I will say that.”
David gave Dennis a “C-.”
Barber’s highest marks when to YaYa Diaby (A+) and Vita Vea (A+). Joe would only give Vea an A+ among defensive players. What a breakthrough season it has been for him on film.
Barber also issued “A” grades for cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Jacob Parrish.
“[Dean] looks way more engaged than he has in years,” Barber said. “He’s playing for something and it’s nice. Competition brings out the best in everybody; we’re seeing that with Jamel Dean right now.”
No “A” grades were issued for safeties, and a couple of guys landed with a “B-” from Barber for their lack of production: edge rusher Haason Reddick and cornerback Zyon McCollum.
Overall, Joe thought Barber was a slightly generous grader.
October 16th, 2025 at 10:11 am
Barber is far too kind to this pass defense and the soft scheme Todd Blows employs.
ATL has fixed their defense in ONE off season!!!! ONE!!!
Todd has been here for 6 seasons and counting and his unit is consistently a bottom 10 pass defense. It’s great to stop the run and it helps but teams can easily beat you and maintain possession if they can dink and dunk all the way down the field
Unless the offense balls out this coach is not winning
October 16th, 2025 at 10:13 am
Wow. Guess Barber doesn’t want to be branded a “hater” by the 3Tards and their minionettes.
October 16th, 2025 at 10:13 am
I really thought Dennis was going to get better as the season rolled, but his run fits were really bad Sunday and that was his strength. Overan the CMC touchdown hardcore
October 16th, 2025 at 10:13 am
they sign his pay check he was definitely being nice
October 16th, 2025 at 10:18 am
McCollum better get his A game on or it may be him not Dean that loses his job …… he may be up for a big Dean salary cut if these rookie corners keep playing with the talent already seen …… yes one is very limited but very good …….. He definitely seems to be playing a little less sharp this year after the contract.
October 16th, 2025 at 10:25 am
PFF has Dean rated at #1 (CB).
October 16th, 2025 at 10:30 am
If Zyon and Morrison come back healthy, maybe we should play Parrish at LB in pass coverage 😀
Seriously though, Parrish has been amazing. Passes defensed are going to turn into INTs at some point.
October 16th, 2025 at 10:35 am
@SmarterThanJoe , yes it is easy to fix problems on your team when you are drafting top 10 every year…. Also would you trade Emeka for either of the pass rushers ATL took in the first round? I wouldnt…
October 16th, 2025 at 10:37 am
Smarter than Joe says that the Falcons fixed their defense in one off-season….This is the same team that got waxed by the Panthers 30-0, Buffalo cannot beat man right now and Atlanta blitzed them over 65% or some crazy number like that. Lets not overreact here….
October 16th, 2025 at 10:39 am
Smarter than Joe- you talking about the Atl D that let the panthers put up 30? Hmmm
October 16th, 2025 at 10:48 am
SVD has the Devin White mental limitations without the personality disorder.
Sadly he will never make up for what he doesn’t understand.
Serviceable in the passing game
B+ in the run game
Gotta draft aggressively for the LB’s next spring and FA’s season.
October 16th, 2025 at 10:56 am
Going to be a long night Monday if there is no pass rush and Bowles has everyone in zone. Goff might go for 500 yards. Let’s hope Bowles plays more man and brings the blitz.
October 16th, 2025 at 11:03 am
Disappeary getting an A+? He was inactive for a couple of games. I know he was on the field but he sure played as if he was inactive. Yes, Vea is playing like an All Pro. Really like an All Pro’s All Pro.
October 16th, 2025 at 11:03 am
I thought that Ronde was generous also. Heck, this defense as a whole is rated #24 right now in Points Allowed, surrendering 25.2 PPG average ( 22.8 PPG if you exclude the 2 TD given up by our S/Ts). It is a TEAM sport after all, and POINTS SCORED versus POINTS ALLOWED is the bottom line.
I’m glad though that he gave Jamel kudos for doing a great job so far this season. On looking at th Advanced Stats, Dean’s definitely exceeding expectations this season. He’s been targeted 20 times, and only allowed 9 completions (45%) & 118 yards. Plus 2 INTs, 1 FF, 1 sack & 5 PDs. Not bad for only playing in less than 4.5 games.
I really like what Morrison’s been doing, but he just can’t seem to stay on the field. Excellent defender though (7 targets with only 3 completions … 42.9%). Lots of promise, but lack of availability has sunk lots of others.
Not surprised that Ronde gave Parrish kudos (an ‘A’ grade). but I am surprised that he gave McCollum a B-. I would’ve given him a C at best. In 5 games he’s been targeted 30 times, with 19 completions (63.3%) and 208 yards, but with 4 TDs allowed. That’s as many as he allowed all last season.
My ‘unsung hero’ would be Tykee Smith (who this piece doesn’t even mention). Tykee’s been targeted 21 times in 6 games, allowing only 12 completions (57.1%) & 0 TDs. Of note, he leads the Bucs with 7 PDs, and also has 1 sack, 2 pressures, and 3 batted down at the LOS. He also leads the team in tackles with 45 combined (27 solo). I’m impressed.
October 16th, 2025 at 11:05 am
Must be grading on a sliding scale. Raise the standard RB. Stevie Wonder graded Dennis last night to, he flunked his A$$
October 16th, 2025 at 11:05 am
If Reddick got a B- then he must have dirt on the grader, because he has been horrible.
October 16th, 2025 at 11:09 am
Was watching the all 22 last night, noticed that. Dennis was assigned to CMC, as I could tell he did a fairly good job at it
October 16th, 2025 at 11:17 am
Agreed Dennis was a force in 49ers game.
October 16th, 2025 at 11:36 am
Ronde knows a LOT more about DBs and football than lame brains like Dumber than Joe. My bad on Parrish. His first name is Jacob, not Larry. He still has greatly impressed me. Thanks for agreeing, Mr. Barber (HOF). I thought SVD did a decent job Sunday. He sure was busy making tackles according to the Radio guys. Welp, here we go on MNF yet again. Watch out for the zebs. Win, Bucs!!!
October 16th, 2025 at 11:51 am
Parrish is an absolute beast from day 1 at OTA’S. Has he ever missed a practice?
Total home run 3rd rd pick. Love the guy. Morrison is the exact opposite. He’s been a walking injury from day 1. Total disappointment.
October 16th, 2025 at 11:53 am
“”Going to be a long night Monday if there is no pass rush and Bowles has everyone in zone. Goff might go for 500 yards. Let’s hope Bowles plays more man and brings the blitz.””
F A C T.
October 16th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
Vita=A+
YaYa=B-
Gaines=B
Reddick=C-
Dennis=D
Parrish=B
Zyon=B
AWJ=B
Dean=B+
LVD=B+
October 16th, 2025 at 12:11 pm
I am afraid we will see the real Jamel Dean Monday night. You know, the one who was forced to take a pay cut because of poor play in 2023 and 2024. Don’t need any lectures on how great Dean is. Would without hesitation put Parrish in his spot. If no pressure on Goff, he will absolutely destroy TB’s Cover Zero soft zone. If Bucs are going to lose this game, would prefer they do it with aggressive defense rather than the passive variety.
October 16th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
ATL defense is still trash!!!!!!!!
stupid comments like that dont even deserve a response lol!!!!!!!!!
6-1!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
October 16th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
When you have to constantly interact with players, you’re going to ease up a little on the grading system.
October 16th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
I need more from Winfield. He hasn’t been bad by any means but I need to see more splash plays for the money he is making
October 16th, 2025 at 1:57 pm
D FOR Dennis.
B for Winfield and Smith. Maybe B+ for Dean and Parrish. The passing d still gets gashed every game.
C for Diaby and Reddick. Need more from them, esp in 2 minute defense and RZ.
A for Vea
B- for David who has made some splash plays but has been beat a couple times as well.
October 16th, 2025 at 2:11 pm
@Defense Rules
I Absolutely Agree with you concerning Tykee Smith.. You beat me to it.. The guy has been ON FIRE!
And nobody has said a word. I intended to bring him up myself but couldn’t really find the right article to put in a word until this one.
@GenocideD
You Completely Missed Tykee Smith but I’m going to help you out…
TYKEE SMITH = Apparently silent But DEFINITELY DANGEROUS A+
October 16th, 2025 at 2:22 pm
Defense is improving as new guys are gelling and Todd has adapted to his personnel.
Most knowledgeable fans knew it was going to take time after focusing on the offense for the last few years.
If we keep stuffing the run, keep getting turnovers, keep getting sacks…. We will be a top 10 defense like many of us predicted we’d be and that should be good enough if our offense keeps producing.
Of course a handful of football (and specifically defensive football) experts will continue to cry and whine about passing yards allowed, even tho that’s one of the least important stats for success. Same guys who seem to think everything is “soft zone” or man to man and we should only run man 🙄
Keep grinding D.
October 16th, 2025 at 2:30 pm
LawrenceDawsey Says:
October 16th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
I need more from Winfield. He hasn’t been bad by any means but I need to see more splash plays for the money he is making
————–
How do you do that when you’re mostly being told to play that super soft zone defense that Bowles loves so much, and teams don’t really throw your direction.
Also, when Winfield has been asked to make plays, he’s done so – like how he caused the Darnold pass that David intercepted and won the game.
Players can’t magically make things happen when the coaches don’t put them in position to make thing happens. Additionally, when you’re an ALL-PRO, teams tend to avoid you. Reminds me of when Deion Sanders INT numbers dipped, and really dumb people talked about how he wasn’t that good anymore – in reality, teams just didn’t throw at him, so there wasn’t anything to intercept. Teams are often treating Winfield that way, along with the fact in Bowles super soft zone, Winfield is often lined up 30 yards down the field. That’s not on Winfield, that’s on Bowles.
Hopefully, with Zyon back and if Dean can stay healthy, and who knows, maybe even Morris is healthy, perhaps Bowles plays less zone, or at least a tighter zone, if that happens, the production of everyone will soar.
October 16th, 2025 at 3:07 pm
@Rod
2 picks out of zone coverage last game.
I’d guess that most picks, league wide, are zone schemes. (Haven’t checked the stats but I’d be surprised if it werent)
If anybody wants to beat the soft zone horse for God’s sake tell us you know what your talking about besides how big a cushion the CB gives at the snap.
October 16th, 2025 at 4:18 pm
What he said about Dennis is spot on. He was hard on the safties, because they haven’t made any splash plays. barber knows, he played with a safty who was MVP of the SB, and John Lynch.
October 16th, 2025 at 5:19 pm
Who is David? LOL
October 16th, 2025 at 5:24 pm
Winfield Jr. has been solid in my opinion. Apart from a lack of splash plays, he is always around the ball carrier finishing up tackles missed by his teammates. Without his solid tackling, we would be howling about this defense even more. I think he has been away from the line more this season to help the CBs and LBs. But, he still comes flying in on a blitz from time to time and he’s still disruptive in that role. He earns a solid B+ and iffy A-. His tackling is severely underrated in helping this D with it’s bend but not break tendencies.
October 16th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
No, A grades for safety?
I think Smith and Winfield have been pretty good, I’ve only seen one deep ball all year that was on the safeties, but of course I could be wrong
I would like to see Winfield flying around more like he did in his all pro year
October 16th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
The grades he passed out are for the year so C- for Voss probably averages out about right. Dennis was a liability many of the quarters we played this year no doubt. Against the 49’s the last 4 quarters he balled out. It was his best game this year by far. Lead the team in tackles & contained limited CM big time. Voss is getting better & so is the Bucs defense.
October 17th, 2025 at 2:34 am
When a “homer” with a SB ring and a gold jacket gives you a C-? Should that make you angry? Yup
Go Bucs!