A Return Of A Bucs History Maker Might Help
February 2nd, 2026
Is a return in focus?
Three weeks from today, NFL types from across the country will invade downtown Indianapolis for the start of the 2026 combine.
(Joe is confident someone will try to correct Joe. No, Joe is not referring to that nonsense TV show on NFL Network that hypes up a glorified indoor track practice, the one that has as much to do with football as Bud Zero has to do with beer. Joe is referring to when team suits, coaches and agents descend upon the frigid heartland to talk turkey and set up trades and free agent signings for next month. Forty times? Joe’s got your 40 times right here!)
So Joe wonders if a return of a Bucs history maker from the past might just be back on the Bucs’ radar?
Unlike many fans, Joe believes Jamel Dean brings value to the team. Yeah, Joe hammered him a year ago for missing so much time and wanted the Bucs to move on. Instead, Dean reshaped his body, cut down on missed games, and largely played damn good football, leading the Bucs with three picks.
If the Bucs dump Dean, as so many wish, then your best cornerback is Zyon McCollum. Or, a guy who was hurt more than Dean, Benjamin Morrison. They could be the starters. Gulp.
Fans should have a better idea on the Bucs’ plans with Jacob Parrish (nickel or outside corner) in three weeks when the combine begins, not when Joe already is back in Tampa.
Ah, now you have a different view of Dean, right?
The Bucs defense is bad enough, no need to make more holes to fill than you already have. However, could the Bucs possibly be interested in free agent Sean Murphy-Bunting?
Yes, Joe’s opinion of McCollum as a baller has bottomed out. There is no way he should be gifted a starting position because of his salary. What’s more important, the salary cap or wins?
That got Joe to thinking about SMB. He’s versatile and he already knows Todd Bowles’ defense.
Remember what was perhaps a top-three play in Bucs history, the Scotty Miller touchdown catch against the Packers in the NFC title game? That play doesn’t happen if not for SMB, who picked off Aaron Rodgers at midfield to set up Miller’s catch.
SMB had knee surgery last May suffered in a non-football incident and missed the 2025 season. So Joe suspects SMB would come cheap.
Joe doesn’t like the idea of McCollum and Morrison being your Bucs starting corners for 2026. The Bucs ought to move Jacob Parrish to full-time corner but Joe doesn’t know if Bowles will do that.
February 2nd, 2026 at 9:07 am
I don’t think dean is getting running out I think dean wants out all on his own joe.
February 2nd, 2026 at 9:12 am
Joe – that tells you just how BAD this defensive roster is. This side of the ball needs to be completely blown up. Outside of of VV, CK (can’t stay healthy), AW, Tykee, Parrish – what does this unit have? Just a bunch of JAGs, playing in this horrid scheme. But its all Baker’s fault – right? Jason Licht is just as much to blame as Bowles for this team’s failures. I mean they are 1a and 1b.
February 2nd, 2026 at 9:13 am
Dean will get nice payday somewhere, just not here. Always liked SMB and saw 100% effort covering and tackling from him. SMB would be a great get if the price is right.
February 2nd, 2026 at 9:17 am
“Remember what was perhaps a top-three play in Bucs history, the Scotty Miller touchdown catch against the Packers in the NFC title game? That play doesn’t happen if not for SMB, who picked off Aaron Rodgers at midfield to set up Miller’s catch.
SMB had knee surgery last May suffered in a non-football incident and missed the 2025 season. So Joe suspects SMB would come cheap.“
If SMB is good to go, and the Cardinals release him, then why not? It literally took us years to replace what we had with him, with Jacob Parrish.
Also, what is going on with Bryce Hall? Last offseason it was about him coming back, and we barely if ever saw him in any action. Can’t even remember if he played in the pre-season games
If Dean walks, and we lose a guy like Vildor, we’re thin at CB again
February 2nd, 2026 at 9:22 am
Bengals can have him, worthless!!! Go Bucs
February 2nd, 2026 at 9:45 am
Replacing players that can’t stay healthy with a player that just missed a whole season due to injury? No thanks Joe.
February 2nd, 2026 at 9:46 am
Sean Murphy -Bunting
Another injury prone CB, why not bring back
He will be a good fit on the Bucs injury reserve
February 2nd, 2026 at 9:47 am
Jason Licht is poop.
February 2nd, 2026 at 9:49 am
I might be wrong, but swear I read it here or somewhere, I thought it was Dean who restructured contract so he could get out a year sooner
February 2nd, 2026 at 9:55 am
Dean will stay. SMB would be great.
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:14 am
Dean was only good because he was in a contract year. Whenever he signs he’ll go back to his old self. Hard pass.
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:22 am
Move on from old names,FA and the draft
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:29 am
Please tell me this is a joke. Why did everyone and I remember everyone wanted this loser run out of town?
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:43 am
Dean was asked to take a pay cut and bet on himself to put out good tape, he did just that and slightly stayed healthy…he definitely played better than zion..this will be fun to watch shake out…I would get rid of zion fast like fios fast
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:45 am
We need to stop this rehash factory.
Start with a new GM.
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:48 am
Wasn’t SMB mr auto completion aside from the Superbowl run when he had picks
SMB was not a good player besides the Superbowl playoffs. Short memories in here.
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:50 am
I wonder what kind of player would really want to play in a Todd Bowles defense…I suppose they’ll need to overpay for whoever they try to sign.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:00 am
Always wary of a guy who waits until his contract year to finally start to produce. VERY high likelihood he returns to form once he cashes that check.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:05 am
For a roster that is so well constructed through the Draft with wonderful work of an AC/DC GM we have a lot of holes to fill. A lot. Bringing back old tape wont fix anything.
Just sayin
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:05 am
It comes down to this. Let Dean walk and have an additional hole to fill for the 2026 season. Or give up precious salary cap to bring Dean back which leaves a hole for 30% to 49% of the season.
It is going to take at least two off seasons and a new GM to fix the Bucs defense.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:07 am
Jason Licht is a cheap a$$. Glazer are cheap. Go spend some money and bring in some decent players.Why do we always hear “he might come cheap”? Do whatever it takes to bolster the defense. Restructure contracts, make cuts but for God’s sake help our pass defense.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:16 am
Deans issue was always durability. I say let him walk, find another player, spend on the d line and linebackers.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:24 am
Gbuc62 Says:
“Jason Licht is poop.”
He called the sh@t poop!
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:31 am
We keep signing/resigning/drafting CB’s that have an inury history hoping it they they don’t get injured again. It’s not working.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:54 am
SMB flashed at times…especially during the 2020 SB season. They could do worse. Every roster needs cheap, experienced players.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:58 am
Can we please stop with bringing back prior Bucs. What’s next Barrett Rudd and GMac?
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:01 pm
Bucnbeers Says:
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:07 am
Jason Licht is a cheap a$$. Glazer are cheap. Go spend some money and bring in some decent players.Why do we always hear “he might come cheap”? Do whatever it takes to bolster the defense. Restructure contracts, make cuts but for God’s sake help our pass defense.
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I agree…partially. Licht loves to spend money in order to early extend his draft picks who immediately fall off afterwards. Enter Winfield, even Wirfs ( who’s admittedly elite but declining a bit ) and the coup de grace…Zyon Mac. He paid sticker price plus while bidding against himself for Reddick. The sack was a bag of loot!
Licht is overrated if not idolized by many ( Licht House? Clever…) including the Glazers.