“I Don’t Think We’ve Seen What YaYa Can Do Yet”
March 19th, 2026
Yes, the Buccaneers view YaYa Diaby as a premium edge rusher.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht confirmed this yesterday when he sat down with Joe and three other reporters at One Buc Palace.
Interestingly, Licht was not asked about Diaby. Answering a question about freshly signed free agent edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammed, Licht raved about how hungry Muhammed is for the opportunity coming off an 11-sack season with Detroit, and Licht said the signing is a win for Diaby.
“It’s also an opportunity to also make YaYa better,” Licht said. “YaYa, and we talked about, I think it was you guys [with me on the Ira Kaufman Podcast] at the Combine, that we haven’t drafted a premier rusher. But YaYa, if you look at his first three years — his sacks, his pressures, his win rate — it stacks up there with some of the best. I don’t think we’ve seen what YaYa can do yet. So, but having a partner on the other side; I mean, I can’t wait to see David Walker. And, I think it could unlock a lot from a lot of our players.”
Yes, Licht loves him some David Walker, last year’s fourth-round draft pick who has yet to complete a padded practice because of a serious knee injury. Joe will join Licht on the hope train!
As for Diaby developing further and thriving with better talent across from him, Joe is eager to see it.
On the last Ira Kaufman Podcast, there was debate on Diaby’s development. As was noted, Diaby very likely would command $20 million on the free agent market if he hit it last week. That means the NFL thinks Diaby has developed quite well as a third-round pick in 2023.
Big contract year ahead for Diaby. And yes, Licht could extend Diaby now if he desired. Joe is happy to let Diaby wait a year.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
yes we have seen what he can do, he is basically the best at getting as close as you can to the QB without touching him…..over and over again……just like every other D lineman that the genius Licht has drafted
March 19th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
Ya ya about to blow up like Braswell..
Bud Licht is a moron.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Lmao
March 19th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
Top edge rushers are double digits. Let’s see it! Cant wait!
March 19th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
Yes, we have.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
i think we’ve seen it Licht lol…
Braswell sure did “shock” everyone last year with his disappearing acts lol
GO BUCS!!!!
March 19th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
He is good. Seven sacks is okay. Kancey seems like the guy who could be a difference maker but it is next year for the Bucs or never. Maxx Crosby would make them all better.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
Overall, I’m a fan of Licht. However, his hype trains sometimes go off the rails.
Remember Braswell shocking the world?
Jason is correct about a lot.
But, you don’t get much more wrong than thinking Braswell will shock the world.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:21 pm
wish folks at OBP would challenge players instead of anointing them lol…
how about licht and bowles light a fire under their butts and say:
“we signed Muhammed because he’s a player who’s capable of getting 10+ sacks because no one on the roster has shown they can….still waiting on YaYa, braswell, walker, nelson CK94 to step up and produce…
too many damn nice guys running around at OPB!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
March 19th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Also has double digit TFLs all 3 seaskns and plays the run well. Hope hes a buc for a long time.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
This guy is simply delusional when it comes to the edge rushers he drafts. We heard JTS was just a touch of finishing away from being a great pass rusher. Chris Braswell was going to have a breakout year last year. Now he’s saying Yaya is the answer. Spoiler alert, he isn’t, especially after 3 years to prove himself in the league. He’s a solid #2 edge rusher but won’t ever be any more than that. But wait, we’ve got an unproven forth round pick that *may* pan out after not practicing last year. Count me as skeptical of whatever this guy is selling in regards to edge rushers. The only thing I do know is a broken clock is right twice a day, he’ll keep drafting crap and eventually hit because he’s lucky. Edge rusher is the main position I want us to pay and sign a big name in free agency because we’ve proven for years we can’t draft and can’t develop edge rushers. I’d be a good as Licht doing it and I know squat about evaluating college prospects.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
Im done hearing JL say anything about our Edge Rushers. Been done
March 19th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
Sometimes, I think Jason Licht puts way too much stock in his own picks. Some of our best players under him were free agents.
-David
March 19th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
There is a guy on the team Mohammad Kamara. I am interested to see if he develops any.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
So I guess we’re gonna win the Super Bowl next year also? Doubt it.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
I have hope for YaYa, BUT he needs development!
March 19th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
The typical low-IQ dope posting in comments have no idea how good Yaya is, and how he’s viewed around the rest of the NFL.
Said it many a times, but listening to other teams podcasts before we play them – not the fan ones, but the more pro ones with former players and team executives, and on defense, one name they always bring up is Yaya. Every time they say, “I didn’t know much abut him, but watching tape, wow” – every time.
Yaya has been the biggest victim of Bowles super soft trash zone defense. QB’s always have someone wide open to throw the ball to, so if they’re under pressure they just drop it off. Meanwhile, when the Bucs plan man and don’t have huge passing windows, that’s when Yaya actually gets his sacks. But the issue is Bowles leading the league in zone in 2024, and was certainly top 5 last year (anyone with the stats let me know, I haven’t been able to find them yet).
Sign Yaya to an extension now, because he’s only going to get more expensive. Teams are going to go after him next offseason and he’s going to get paid.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Yaya always seems to be a step too slow. He has to change that.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Do they mean if he had a real coach, with a real system, with real practices? I guess we’ll see with the next coach, if the Bucs don’t repeat the mistake like they did with Coach Blows.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
However you see him, 20 sacks (almost 7 a season) in his first 3 years in the League as a developmental-ish 3rd round pick with that physique and measurable sand play style
Yea, I see why he would’ve fetched that amount and why the Bucs gave an arrow pointing up on him.
There was a few games last season where he was all over the place, at times seeming to be the only guy in front 7 applying consistent pressure and having an impact on the game or flashing.
I got no qualms about YaYa. Now get him a fearsome edge rusher on the other side and see what he does, what kind of impact he makes and how his pressure and sack numbers look. You most likely have a solid #2 edge guy with real possibility of more.
Might wanna consider extending him now if you feel that way. Get a discount while you can. It’s only more reason why it makes sense to add another quality Edge rusher on a rookie contract.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
Hmmmm…is YaYa going to shock us like Chris Braswell did last year both comments from JL.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
So much hype on Walker two years in a row. Dude better splash or Licht will.look like a used car salesman. I want to see him surprise too, but better to see it before we hear about again. Zip it Jason, let Walker’s play speak for itself.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
Gotta love some morning hopium/copium from Jason Licht. Brightens my day and makes me laugh at the same time.
March 19th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
If we had a competent HC\DC I could see the headline coming true.
But alas, we are stuck in reverse.
March 19th, 2026 at 1:05 pm
YaYa needs to go to Pass Rush Camp…ohhh wait…he did attend prior to the start of last season.
March 19th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
GM Light would probably have a good career in politics. Maybe he could run for some local position next year after the Glazers clean house next year.
March 19th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Could we please have a list of every Buccaneer on the field for 3rd and 28 and 4th and 14?
Sorry, Licht. You lost credibility with your crowing last year about Braswell. And you paid a guy who is bored.
March 19th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
Watch some interviews of yaya talking about pass rushing then watch kancy talk about it yaya is already what he is going to be.
March 19th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
Max Crosby has 2 seasons over 10 sacks in 7 seasons…But has 5 Pro Bowls…Sacks are about who gets them
March 19th, 2026 at 1:19 pm
Only thing Yaya needs to do, is develop his pass rush repertoire and keep that motor hot. Would love to see him work on his bend, and get a little more deliberate with his hands paired with the violence he already plays with, he’ll be on his way.
Don’t care about how many sacks he can tally as an individual, I want to see him forcing his way into the back field and getting QBs off their mark with consistency, all the positives that go with that will come. More hurries, forced throws, TFLs and sacks-I want it all from Yaya.
March 19th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
Most NFL picks are based on “potential”. Even guys that produced in college don’t pan out in the NFL. However, the Braswell pick was a head scratcher for me. I asked AL fans what they thought of Braswell and they were like, “who?”. AL fans know their roster, so when I couldn’t find a single AL fan that knew or remembered Braswell that says a lot.
March 19th, 2026 at 1:28 pm
What if Chris Braswell is only asked to rush the passer, nothing else but run to the qb, wonder if he would be better????
March 19th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
Jason Licht is up to his off-season trickery again
Selling dreams to gullible Bucs fans
March 19th, 2026 at 1:33 pm
Last year was started with high hopes but injuries put an end to the season 😢. 2026 is a new season. An inordinate amount of injuries put an end to the defense. 2026 is a new season. Odds are it should improve
If someone expects doom and gloom on their lives it becomes self forefilling. To all you nay sayers out there it’s time to shut up and let 2026 be be a beacon of hope and a championship run.
March 19th, 2026 at 1:40 pm
Allen Lofton, ROTFLMAO!
You must be a comic. That is hilarious.
There might be a dumpster run, that’s the only type we’re gonna see.
March 19th, 2026 at 1:48 pm
Yaya Diaby is what he is
He’s a pressure guy, he’s not a sack artist
But he’s good at what he does ( pressuring the QB)
He deserves an extension, he should get one before the season starts
It’s not his fault, the others Edge Rushers are not pressuring the QB
I would pay a Edge Rusher that give me 60 pressures a season
He shouldn’t get top pay for his position
But he should get 2nd tier pay
March 19th, 2026 at 1:53 pm
Yaya max 7 sack guy
March 19th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
Rod Munch Says:
March 19th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
The typical low-IQ dope posting in comments have no idea how good Yaya is,
Rod we can agree to disagree with your posts about Baker , but you are 100 % accurate on this post
March 19th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
Vildor to NE, bye bih
March 19th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
Stfu and go draft one Rd 1
March 19th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
If you believe you can or you can’t, you’re right.
Let’s go Yaya, Kancey, Walker, and the new guys.
I like the motor and a$$ kicked mentality of the new guys. Hoping A’Shawn becomes the locker room enforcer because Vita doesn’t have the mentality to get in your face imo. Soft mindset on defense last year and that has to change.
March 19th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
Rod Munch Says:
March 19th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
The typical low-IQ dope posting in comments have no idea how good Yaya is, and how he’s viewed around the rest of the NFL.
——————————————————————————————
Yeah, I 100% agree!
So does ChatGPT – here’s is some of it’s evaluation of YaYa:
📈 Advanced Metrics Insight
PFF Overall: ~72 (above average starter)
Pass Rush Grade: ~77 (strong)
Pressure production: borderline top-tier
Translation:
👉 He’s already a quality starting EDGE
👉 Trending toward Pro Bowl-level impact if sacks catch up
He’s also in elite company historically:
One of few players to post 12+ TFL in each of first 3 seasons alongside stars like Aaron Donald and Micah Parsons
YaYa Diaby isn’t just a role player — he’s a pressure engine still learning how to cash in his chaos. If he sharpens his pass-rush toolkit, you’re looking at a player who could go from “annoying for offenses” to “game-wrecking problem.”
March 19th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
Yaya keeps improving every year just like Otton does on the offense. Can’t ask do much more. Now David walker is someone I’m looking forward to see playing. Totally forgot about him. Let’s be real fans for a change and root for our players and coaches to be successful not the other way around. Your not a true fan if your rooting for your team to lose. Quit crying and man up take your little dresses off already
March 19th, 2026 at 2:19 pm
Watched an interview with Mesidor and I thought he was good, but didn’t like his interview. Seems like a good guy the Bucs would draft though. Even though he is 25 if he can produce next year that’s better.
We need to draft Faulk and switch to a 4-3.
Bigger guys on the outside with Muhammad, Diaby and Faulk would let you do that. Especially with A Shawn at DT now.
Put David at right, Anzalone in the middle and the new 2nd rd pick on the left.
I would pick up Diggs to start opposite McCollum and we are set.
Draft a LG in the 3rd and double dip DE or LB in the 4th. Then depth.
This team still has an opportunity to compete!
March 19th, 2026 at 2:23 pm
I just want to see Yaya shove the offensive tackle on the ground and smash the QB haha 😄
March 19th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Apathy
March 19th, 2026 at 2:29 pm
The pre season hype is starting to go off. Soon it will be a Super Bowl Run for these sad sack Bucs. Every player pro Bowl Bound. Bowzo Coach of the year. .500 reality will eventually set in.
March 19th, 2026 at 2:33 pm
Ya Ya is a solid player. Problem is he has no help. Sure he’s still young but I just dont see him as the lead alpha. He is more of a compliment. And there is lies the problem with Licht and the Bucs – they have no lead dog.
Bucs ONLY create pressure by blitzing, which adds pressure to a very vulnerable secondary. Bucs finished with 37 sacks in 2025. 24 were from DL/OLBs – Ya Ya had 7. Guys like Tyke, Winfield, Parrish, Dean, David, Dennis and even Gaines had as many or more sacks than Braswell. To put things in perspective the Bucs “edge guys” had only 17.5 sacks. Myles Garrett had 23 by himself. Brian Burns had 16.5. Danielle Hunter had 15.
Licht has to stop doubling down on his picks like Braswell. The dude can NOT play. Admit the mistake and move on. If you can not draft one then go GET ONE via trade of FA. Well, at least we got one guy in Muhammad but he is not a center piece either. I hope I am wrong but I think this defense is screwed and we will see more of the same this fall.
There is that old football saying – it’s not about the Xs and Os but it’s about the Jimmy and Joes. Unfortunately for our Bucs defense – we have neither – dont have the players… don’t have the coaching.
March 19th, 2026 at 2:34 pm
I liked Ya Ya funny name. He sucks as a player like Plan 9. Get rid of him.
March 19th, 2026 at 2:35 pm
Well he better hurry up he’s already 26. Will be 27 in May. He’s supposed to be in his prime now!
March 19th, 2026 at 2:37 pm
Billy Bucco Says:
I would pick up Diggs to start opposite McCollum, and we are set.
——————————————————————————
McCollum has elite athletic ability and seemed to be working hard to improve in his early seasons as a football player. He looked good in 2024! I don’t know what happened to him last season, but I’m hoping he gets over his “boredom” while playing and continues to develop.
March 19th, 2026 at 2:37 pm
Scott … ‘There is a guy on the team (named) Mohammad Kamara. I am interested to see if he develops any.’
You & I Scott may be the only 2 JBFers who even now that Kamara is on the Bucs. Not sure why, but he just might make the active roster. Drafted by the Dolphins in 2024, they waived him in Aug 2025 and the Bucs signed him to our Practice Squad. Got elevated to the active roster for 3 games last year (Saints, Patriots, Bills), but only got in for 5 def snaps & 35 S/T snaps.
The thing that intrigues me about him is the same thing that intrigues everyone else about David Walker: his college stats. Kamara (6’1″ & 253 lbs) played 5 seasons at Colorado State. His first 2 years were nothing outstanding, but his last 3 years were vey impressive. In 12 games each of those seasons, he got 7.5 sacks in 2021, then 8.5 sacks in 2022 and 13 sacks in 2023. That’s 29 sacks in 3 years; not too shabby.
David Walker had 30 sacks in his last 3 years in college. He’s roughly the same size (measured at 6’1″ & 263 lbs at Combine), but Kamara is a tad faster (Walker 4.67 sec in 40 yds and Kamara 4.57 sec in 40 yds). Sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got until they get to play in actual games, not just practice.
March 19th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
Grover Says:
March 19th, 2026 at 2:34 pm
I liked Ya Ya funny name. He sucks as a player like Plan 9. Get rid of him.
Typical response from a troll. You don’t know anything about football. But you can definitely complain and be negative every day.
March 19th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
If u want him to get sacks don’t ever put him in coverage it messes with the rhythm they got going on
March 19th, 2026 at 2:45 pm
One trick pony with the bull rush…why hasn’t he adapted any other moves? Oh ya, coaching
March 19th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
“You & I Scott may be the only 2 JBFers who even now that Kamara is on the Bucs. ”
C’mon now DR
“Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
August 28th, 2025 at 6:27 am
Mo Kamara was added to the PS, that guy has some potential to help contribute as an OLB with time. Undersized, the 4.5 speed might make you think he’s a speed rusher but he plays with strength. Not hyping this kid up as a savior, but I wanted us to draft him in ‘24 but the Dolphins scooped him up before we got the chance. A development to watch”
March 19th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Wow so negative. Mike might be right about this fan base.
March 19th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
THE KISS OF DEATH IS ….
The Licht Endorsement.
It’s a worse than the Chunky Soup curse.
Ask Braswell, Kancey, Reddick, JTS, etc.
Yaya will have 1 – 3 sacks. He’ll be out of the league in 2-3 years. It’s practically guaranteed.
March 19th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
As Judge Smails once said, “Are you for goodness, or are you for badness?”
Surely Licht is for the former, but he wants to attain it by taking the fewest risks possible. YaYa is a good player. We all should give Licht credit for that pick. But his misses on JTS, Braswell, and especially the FA signing of Reddick have ‘badness’ written all over them. Fingers crossed for Morrison and Walker remains the great unknown.
Personally, I’d rather Licht embrace the style of all in. Sign some overpriced free agents and go for the Lombardi.
I’d rather watch a team who has a few 12-5 seasons, or better, followed by a couple years of 5-12 to rebuild funds than year after year of lingering around .500.
Other than Brady, who essentially had nowhere else to go as a 40 year old, when was the last time Licht made a splash in free agency? Like never!
Gamblers are fun. Those who avoid risks while preaching morality are not.
March 19th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
“Gamblers are fun. Those who avoid risks while preaching morality are not.”
Gamblers are fun, until the addict behavior sets in and they’re chasing their high
March 19th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
there is probably an article last offseason with licht saying this about dennis
March 19th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
JA,
Jason Licht don’t have the authority to spend the Glazers money
That’s the reason why he’s not signing $100 million dollars contracts
The Glazers keep Licht around because he does what he’s told to do
The Glazers are not handing out $100 million to no player , unless he’s a QB
March 19th, 2026 at 3:04 pm
i’m shocked
March 19th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
kick the tires shock the world there is nothing more we could have done gaslighter in chief.
yea we havent seen what yaya can do. obviously. question is why not, did anyone in the compliant pool of access journalists follow up?
jason licht and his travelling roadshow of hope and hype strikes again. oh yea david walker, can hardly wait. he is that man. right? sponsored by gillette
March 19th, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Defense Rules. Now it’s more than you and Scott. Thanks, think I’ll look for some film. 4.57? We have a few players that aren’t talked about much- yet.
March 19th, 2026 at 3:19 pm
Even though I think you’re a sucker for a mid-tier QB, Kenton. Here ya go, you’re keying in on #8
March 19th, 2026 at 3:19 pm
And from the guys over at RBT
March 19th, 2026 at 3:22 pm
And the man himself.
March 19th, 2026 at 3:28 pm
I am trying to be optimistic about this season. When we have GM speculating about production that has never occurred to date by a player, I smell BS. The bottom line is you either have a front 7 that makes the QB move off his spot and get sacked when the pocket collapses or not. We dont have the horses up front to make anyone move. Feel free to review the tape. @CaptBucs on X
March 19th, 2026 at 3:28 pm
WBL, you’ve got a pretty good eye, too. I’ll give you that. First look the guy explodes. I remember getting him but forgot about him. Cross our fingers. Diaby and Muhammad, Kamara and Walker. First 4 picks go DT and ILB. We’re sure gonna look like a different defense this year.
March 19th, 2026 at 3:38 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch … ‘C’mon now DR’.
My apologies WBL; there are now 3 of us who recognize the name Mohamed Kamara.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see us NOT draft an Edge this year, but rather go into the season with Diaby, Muhammad, Nelson, Braswell, Walker & Kamara as our Edge guys. Bowles will probably only carry 5 OLBs on the active roster, so I could very well end up on the PS.
I’d much rather see us draft a beastly NT/DT named Kayden McDonald (6’2″ & 326 lbs) or Caleb Woods (6’6″ & 327 lbs) in Rnd 1 rather than an Edge. Beef up the interior of our DLine with 1 more beast to go with Vea & Robinson and they’ll be able to provide us with a LOT better interior pass rush AND run defense. That’ll allow our OLBs to feed much better.
2021 was the perfect example of that. With Vea (6’4″ & 347 lbs), Suh (6’4″ & 313 lbs), RNR (6’2″ & 305 lbs), McLendon (6’3″ & 310 lbs), O’Connor (6’4″ & 300 lbs) & Gholston (6’6″ & probably around 300 lbs then) as our DLine providing a total of 2,605 def snaps that season, those 6 guys got 15.5 sacks, 44 QB hits, 24 TFLs & 128 tackles (72 solo).
Just as important as their superb production as the interior DLine, they helped the OLBs feed. JPP, Shaq, JTS, Nelson & Gill get 23 sacks, 50 QB hits, 25 TFLs, 144 tackles (98 solo). Taken together, our DLine & OLBs had a VERY productive year.
Seems to me however that we’ve had our worst years defensively when we don’t have the beasts INSIDE to nail down the Run Defense AND also pass rush. Look at the size of that 2021 DLine & compare it to what we fielded in 2025. No comparison.
March 19th, 2026 at 3:45 pm
So Rod, you’re saying Yaya only got sacks when we played man to man ?
Since you seem to think man to man is the answer to all our issues maybe you could tell us who/when any team has run mainly man to man successfully recently ? Or at any time in the last 25 years ?
March 19th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
I wonder how many commenters in this thread are, in fact the same person?
March 19th, 2026 at 4:09 pm
Tom Petty,
Save your keystrokes, lol he really just likes using the word “soft” as much as possible, but the team that ran the least amount of zone in 2025 was the Cleveland Brownies at a whopping 52.9% of their coverage snaps.
We came in at 16th most at 73%
And I can think of at least 5 INTs that happened with guys sitting in zone. Especially the Vildor INT in San Fran, but not only that it was actually helped by….our pass rush pressing the issue and the back end coverage making Mac Jones “think” he had an open man with outside leverage where Vildor was waiting in zone.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
It’s simple math, our edge guys drop into coverage what (someone maybe Joe will be willing to research this) 25% of the time. Just for argument sake.
That will result in 25% fewer pressures and sacks.
So a 10 sack guy is a 7.5 guy in this defense.
The percentage maybe more, he’ll might be less. But we all see our rushers dropping into coverage
March 19th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Tom Petty Says:
March 19th, 2026 at 3:45 pm
So Rod, you’re saying Yaya only got sacks when we played man to man ?
Since you seem to think man to man is the answer to all our issues maybe you could tell us who/when any team has run mainly man to man successfully recently ? Or at any time in the last 25 years ?
———–
No ‘only’ – but mainly. If you watch ALL22, where you can see coverages, you will notice the defense looks dramatically different and better when they plan man. Bowles’ version of zone means guys standing around, waiting for something to happen – it’s not the 2002 Bucs with tight zones.
Also running man, doesn’t mean ‘exclusively’ – but it does mean running it a lot more. Again, in 2024, the the Bucs lead the NFL in zone – and in 2024, every single Bucs fan whined and complained about the pass defense.
One game that perfectly sums up zone vs man – the 49ers game. The Bucs defense comes out strong, mixing things up. Then, in the 2nd quarter, Bowles goes to his super soft zone defense crap, and the 49ers move it right up and down the field at will. Bowles sticks with it until nearly the 2nd of the 3rd quarter, and in that time, Matt Jones had like 200 yards passing in less than 2 quarters – yet once Bowles started playing some man again and moving guys up – suddenly the 49ers can’t move the ball and are punting. If you haven’t noticed that happening over and over and over again, may I suggest paying more attention.
As for a team that ran a lot of man defense and was really good at it, let me point you to the 2020 Buccaneers that won a Super Bowl.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:25 pm
Guys, alot of you don’t realize we’re running man to man and zone at the same time. Hybrid packages all over the place. Linebackers and corners manned up and safeties deep half, one corner manned up and the other zone, and all kinds of stuff. It’s just the “stuff” we’ve been using ain’t been working quite well enough. Nothing a little beef upfront and coverage skills in the linebacker corps won’t fix.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:26 pm
DR
That’s heresy. The Joe’s will come unglued if they don’t see an edge or 2 in the early rounds. Lol. I could see the Bucs standing pat at edge. Like you say, Dline is far more pressing need along with the ILBs. I sure like that trade back idea. We could possibly even get MacDonald with an early second. Draft will be fun.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:34 pm
“Then, in the 2nd quarter, Bowles goes to his super soft zone defense crap, and the 49ers move it right up and down the field at will“
So, was it the call or the players not playing the call well? Or both?
March 19th, 2026 at 4:43 pm
“It’s simple math, our edge guys drop into coverage what (someone maybe Joe will be willing to research this) 25% of the time. Just for argument sake.
That will result in 25% fewer pressures and sacks.“
Fair enough, but if you go and look at some of the times we blitzed Dean or Parrish from their corner spot, you’ll see the opposite side of the defenses all rotating to fill the void where either left. A lot of our coverage drops for OLBs most always involve a blitz especially out of our nickel package, blitz gets home that’s a trade off between the OLB who’d normally rush the passer, and the blitzer who’s normally be in coverage.
So sure, it may take a sack away from an OLB, but it’s also the reason almost all of our starting secondary had sacks sans McCollum had at least 1 sack.
Smith(2), Parrish(2), Winfield(1), & Dean(1) it’s literally partly the “everybody gets a chance to make a play” that we’ve heard players mention over the years.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:45 pm
“Caleb Woods (6’6″ & 327 lbs) in Rnd 1 rather than an Edge.“
Caleb Banks? I gotta get you on the DeMonte Capehart train DR; that kid is right in our range and he’s been bullying OLmen his entire stay at Clemson
March 19th, 2026 at 4:47 pm
Lakeland——
Disagree. The money is on the table, and it has to be spent. With the exception of occasional input, the Glazers are not drafting players or signing FA’s. Baseball managers and especially GMs ask ownership for money. No cap=beg-a-thon.
Cap=it’s usually up to the GM.
In MLB you buy World Series titles. In the NFL you earn Super Bowls.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
Yaya still definitely has room to grow but I can honestly see the potential. But I’m kinda with Joe on this one, let yaya wait a year and prove it. Some of y’all ain’t been fans long and it shows. I remember the days where this roster would of been a dream come true compared to what they were. And personally I think if you can’t see the potential in this roster(if they stay healthy) then you should probably stop streaming the games black market on reddit and try going to Ray Jay so you can watch em play live. But we all know the fans who complain and whine don’t actually show up(for the most part). All I know is they better be doing their homework on cb’s. I actually have faith in this roster though.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:10 pm
If he’s as good as Licht or other GMs think he is, what is Licht waiting on to resign him? Other than QBs, DEs are the 2nd most valued position. Why play wait and see? This is the stuff that makes me think the Bucs could completely rebuild next season if Bowles gets let go. Mayfield is another, contenders don’t play wait and see with the QB position. I think Evans saw the same thing….the direction of this team is a big question mark.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:16 pm
Diaby played 783 defensive snaps and Pewter Report stated that in 2025 he spent 17.3% of those snaps in pass coverage. That means he was in coverage for 135 plays last year. Diaby is also reported to have a 16.3% pressure rate so if he had been rushing the passer instead of trying to cover people he would have created 22 more pressures on opposing QBs. This would have moved him from 32 pressures to 54 pressures which would have led the NFL. Even if his pressure rate dropped off he would have still landed in the top ten in total pressures.
Myles Garrett had 53 pressures last season. Myles Garrett does not get dropped into coverage. I can’t find a stat just for last season but per one site Garrett has only been dropped into pass coverage 74 times in his six seasons.
While in coverage Diaby was targeted 10 times and all 10 passes were completed when throwing at him.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:44 pm
ByeBakerByeBowles,
BBBB aka RodManureMunch, is your manic bipolar episode from yesterday over? Maybe one of the Joe’s shot you with a tranquillizing dart? In any case, you will be returned to your manic state when Licht announces a 3 year $150Mill guaranteed deal for Mayfield. It’s going to happen, Munch. Only wish they could confiscate your 39dollar net worth to help pay for Baker’s deal.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
Well said Bucboi813. I agree. Don’t need to be putting players down but don’t need to be talking them up all the time until they consistently produce.
I like Yaya, he is the least of our worries up front and with another effective edge and healthy Kancey, I’d bet he is a 10 sack guy.
Gonna be a money problem if Yaya does go for 12 sacks this season.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
Usfbucs … ‘While in coverage Diaby was targeted 10 times and all 10 passes were completed when throwing at him.’
That only means that YaYa was the closest Buc when the pass was completed. Could well have been to RBs out short. Most of them catch a high percentage of those dumpoffs anyways.
March 19th, 2026 at 6:02 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch … ‘I gotta get you on the DeMonte Capehart train DR; that kid is right in our range and he’s been bullying OLmen his entire stay at Clemson’.
DeMonte Capehart? He spent 5 years at Clemson and produced a grand total of 4 sacks and 71 tackles … in 5 years. No thanks WBL, I want a BEAST. Capehart might be a lion, but he’s a cub. A fast cub, but still a cub.
March 19th, 2026 at 6:19 pm
Rod Munch says:
“As for a team that ran a lot of man defense and was really good at it, let me point you to the 2020 Buccaneers that won a Super Bowl.”
——————–
In 2020, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense was primarily a zone-based scheme, specifically utilizing Cover 3 and Cover 4 (Quarters) as staple coverages, often relying on a “bend-but-don’t-break” style in the secondary to support a dominant front-seven.
Zone Philosophy: The 2020 unit was recognized for playing heavy zone coverage, particularly in situations where they needed to limit big plays, with rookie safety Antoine Winfield Jr. playing a key role in those assignments.
Super Bowl LV Exception: While zone-heavy throughout the season, the Bucs shifted to a “no-blitz” zone approach for Super Bowl LV. They rushed only four defenders on most snaps (9.6% blitz rate) and relied on deep zone coverage to neutralize the Kansas City Chiefs’ passing attack.
Performance Ranks: The defense improved from 15th in 2019 to 6th in total defense in 2020
Regarding the San Fran game. Were the 2 picks we got due to man to man or ? How bout the 6 sacks ? What were the differences between the zones you thought worked and the ones that didn’t (aside from how far from the LOS at snap the corners were which is “casual fan 101” and means nothing).
March 19th, 2026 at 6:20 pm
@DefenseRules – true but the last time I looked the rest of our d line has similar stats so while it could be skewed I think it does show a trend towards ineffectiveness in the general concept.
If Bowles really wants OLBs in coverage that regularly then he needs to draft guys who fit that play style and are more true LBers instead of these hybrid edge rushers.
I would completely be in favor of the Bucs building an interior line that was composed of three monsters like VV. Then getting four hyper athletes at LB who can cover, defend the run, and blitz.
March 19th, 2026 at 6:33 pm
Here is more context, the bottom 1/3 of the top 32 pass rushers ranked by win rate:
Jalen Carter
Odafe Oweh
Greg Rousseau
Jaelen Phillips
Maxx Crosby
Laiatu Latu
Vita Vea
Yaya Diaby
Byron Murphy
George Karlaftis
Zach Allen
The Bucs have not one but two of the top 32 pass rushers in the NFL to pay in 2027. Yaya does win a lot but he doesn’t finish way too often. He isn’t improving in that area. He has lost at 3-5 sacks a year to inexplicable hesitation and missteps. I can’t help thinking the cut throat GM move is draft Gabe Jacas to be solid and not finish his successful rushes for $20 mil less per year or upgrade. Pay a career high 7 sacks guy $20some million a year? Who is not any kind of leader? That’s bonkers. This draft is deep with edge talent. Light a fire under YaYa like they did Dean last year- bring in two. I liked Dean and I like YaYa but Winfield Jr is overpaid enough for everybody.
I’d rather extend Vea than keep Yaya. We can’t just pluck a fresh, young Vita Vea from this or the next draft and be set for the next decade plus he is performing as well as ever. YaYa on the other hand isn’t a unicorn and his improvement has not impressed me. Sure, he is the best pass rusher the Bucs have drafted in over a decade but that doesn’t mean he is a keeper.
March 19th, 2026 at 6:37 pm
Yeah, and we haven’t seen what Braswell can do either. Or JTS in Licht’s dreams.
March 19th, 2026 at 7:00 pm
I think we have
He has 50 to take pressure off
Nice pic for a 3
But if this guy is your best pass rusher….
Houston we have a problem
March 19th, 2026 at 7:06 pm
Hmm. PFF says Diaby had 9 sacks last year
March 19th, 2026 at 7:35 pm
Yaya is a 10 sack guy. We just don’t play enough man nor have another Dline threat aside from Vea. Hoping A’Shawn and AQM can help the guys push each other.
March 19th, 2026 at 7:50 pm
@Beej PFF does this weird shoulda woulda coulda sack calculation that’s why their number is different.
March 19th, 2026 at 7:51 pm
Usfbucs … ‘If Bowles really wants OLBs in coverage that regularly then he needs to draft guys who fit that play style and are more true LBers instead of these hybrid edge rushers.’
Personally I’d much rather see him go to a 4-3. Sometimes I think the only one we fool with some of these bizarre formations is ourselves.
March 19th, 2026 at 7:59 pm
“As for a team that ran a lot of man defense and was really good at it, let me point you to the 2020 Buccaneers that won a Super Bowl”
Rod, we ran zone 70% of the time in 2020. We also blitzed 38.9% of the time and maintained a pressure rate of 35.8%
We had to play zone, all of our secondary were on still on their rookie deals.
Sort of like Seattle this past year, vets in the trenches and youth in the grass.
March 19th, 2026 at 7:59 pm
Also running man, doesn’t mean ‘exclusively’ – but it does mean running it a lot more. Again, in 2024, the the Bucs lead the NFL in zone – and in 2024, every single Bucs fan whined and complained about the pass defense.
Finally something Muncher and I agree on. The real trick is to disguise which one you are before the snap. Never show that.
March 19th, 2026 at 8:01 pm
ok so for OLB the Bucs are counting on Muhammad Diaby Braswell Nelson Walker and could bring back Watts – it doesn’t look like the Bucs are going for another FA OLB – they could draft one – this group doesn’t look too much different than the 2025 unit – where’s the beef ? asks Clara Kay Adams Peller
March 19th, 2026 at 8:12 pm
“While zone-heavy throughout the season, the Bucs shifted to a “no-blitz” zone approach for Super Bowl LV. They rushed only four defenders on most snaps (9.6% blitz rate) and relied on deep zone coverage to neutralize the Kansas City Chiefs’ passing attack.”
Watching the defense line up with 3-high safties to start the game was a moment in time. Standing and pointing at tv yelling “wtf is this!?” It was the start of a great night.
Teams replicated that in 2021 against KC, copycat league
March 19th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
I think we’re all getting tired (well, most of us anyways) of all the “smoke blowing 🌬 ” about edge rushers going on from Bud Licht. I don’t want to hear about anyone going to “shock the world “.
March 19th, 2026 at 9:41 pm
We’re phucked
March 19th, 2026 at 10:15 pm
And there you have it. Bucs think YaYa is a premier pass rusher. Hustle sacks without pass rush moves gets you top dollar in Tampa that’s how desperate Licht and Bowles are.
March 19th, 2026 at 10:28 pm
Why are some of you down in YaYa. He shows up when he can in Bowels kooky hybrid schemes that he makes he do. When he plays his position and has another compliment on defense it will be so much better. Looking forward to how our new players will all gel, and draft picks if we can get some good early Def players.
I think Nelson should of been played more last year than he was utilized.
March 20th, 2026 at 12:59 am
Licht has ZERO credibility… I remember last year he was blowing all kinds of smoke about how Brazwell and Reddick were gonna rock the world. As in the words of the condor “believe nothing that you hear and half of what you see”.
March 20th, 2026 at 11:41 am
Based on last year’s record there A LOT of players where we haven’t seen what they are SUPPOSED to do.
The team better get a whole lot more performance from the coaching staff and players or the season will be a long one.
March 20th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Rod, where’d you go ? We’re talking about zone! 🤣🤣🤣
March 20th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
More hopium because the owners valued cash over commitment to team need.
March 20th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
Lmao.
If we haven’t seen it by now, guess he’s saving it for the new NFLSeniors league.
Like every edge we’ve drafted over the past 10 years.
Hes shown nothing. He’s got nothing. He is nothing. He’ll be nothing.