Have The Rookies Woken Up The Bucs Defense?
August 24th, 2026
Changing of the guard.
The Bucs defense last year, specifically the lot that helped the Bucs choke away a playoff berth by going 2-7 to finish the season, was one of the sorriest Bucs defenses Joe’s seen since lousy Lovie Smith was around.
Joe has gone so far as to use the Q-word, a four-letter word in football, to describe that defense Joe maintains that’s exactly what happened last year.
But man, three rookies the Bucs drafted on defens that’s exactly what the Bucs needed, if you listen to a veteran corner. A blood transfusion on defense.
“They’re going to be so much fun to play with,” Bucs corner Zyon McCollum said of the Bucs’ defensive rookies. “Keionte [Scott], he brings so much energy.
“Bain’s (Rueban Bain) kind of a silent assassin. They just bring a mindset to this team that we’ve been missing and it’s good to have them on our side.
“They are young guys and they’re learning fast, but it’s going to be a lot of fun playing with them.”
McCollum didn’t mention Josiah Trotter. But Joe will. You can see the electricity and swagger Trotter brings to the defense just walking onto the field. He’s a game-changer that way.
Joe loves the way Scott has a nose for the football and loves physical play. And Bain? What do you want Joe to say? He sort of reminds Joe of a young Warren Sapp with his drive and passion to dominate.
The Bucs may not feel the full impact of these three rookies right away. But by November, Joe expects a different Bucs defense than the kitten-soft outfit last year.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:06 am
Yes!
DB’s will have to make us forget about the quit and “not me , not my fault, not my problem attitude of the Bucs DB’s last year.
The spotlight will be watching for any leftover from last year.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:18 am
The mythology of Trotter is getting to be unbearable. Now media is propping swagger with no production. Non factor in both games and only referenced for making 2 plays during camp. I think you guys may be doing the kid a disservice. Everything talked about is his attitude etc very little about knowledge of scheme or production.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:20 am
Great piece Joe!
The rookies all looked great in limited action Saturday.
The Bucs added at 3 positions of need with guys who bring nastiness, speed and desire to be great.
I hope (but know better) that the idiot fans we have here understand it takes time for rookies. Warren Sapp was very average his rookie year. Ronde Barber was lost and didn’t look very good his rookie year. Shelton Quarles had to grow and develop.
But these guys are all huge upgrades to guys like Reddick and Dennis.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:24 am
I’m on record for the mismanagement of Vea and Mayfield. And it was and is.
But FA — the vet FAs they signed in places of need — and the draft, especially Scott, Bain and Trotter — both make Licht look like he knows what he is doing.
Now, can Bowles take these ingredients and bake the cake?
August 24th, 2026 at 9:31 am
More excited with how deep is the line is – Defense needed help, through FA and the draft think we got it. If Cancey can stay healthy will help both rookies alot.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:37 am
Joe always refers to “worthless” preseason games — so here he is pimping rookies in “worthless” games………I agree with “Dennis Says”!!!
August 24th, 2026 at 9:44 am
Joe,
Saw a breakdown of Bain’s plays, from Saturday night’s game.
AND what do you know, he dropped back into pass coverage, for one play!
Seems like he did a good job, I’m sure Bowles will be happy about that that!!!
August 24th, 2026 at 9:50 am
A very exciting draft class. Reminds me of Sam’s last draft. It’s going great be fun watching their careers.
As much as I loved winning a SB with Brady, I never really connected with those players…not the way I connected with the first SB team.
This team has me invested again.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:50 am
Fritz50, blown out of proportion. All 3-4 defenses do that.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:51 am
Until Todd learns to scheme against the modern passing game, this defense will be bad
August 24th, 2026 at 9:55 am
joe optimistic has everyone breathing optimism…
way to go joeski…
the whole league is 0-0 right now…
and everyone thinks they’re heading to the superbowl with their overhyped version of their own personal jaylon daniels on their roster as well…their very own preseason dynamo…
yeah…rookies…yeah…hopefully they pan out…or blend in…they rarely change sh!t initially…..umm can we say chris braswell
August 24th, 2026 at 10:07 am
Walker looked like he shook for the jitters…i can definitely see him as a 3rd down pass rushing specialist..kids has moves for days and a great get off
GO BUCS!!!!
August 24th, 2026 at 10:13 am
A much welcomed injection of youth in football is never a bad thing, it’s literally what the college game from a personnel acquiring perspective thrives on. More important with just them, is how they’re prepared and taught by their staff and teammates.
August 24th, 2026 at 10:38 am
The youth on this defense is going to have to grow up quickly if we’re going to compete for a division title. It’s highly unlikely that more than one team will come out of the NFC South with the amount of high end talent in the other divisions. We cant be any worse than we were last year, but a lot of that will depend on whether or not Todd Bowles raises his game. His game plans last year were stale and uninspiring.
August 24th, 2026 at 10:57 am
LFG!!!
August 24th, 2026 at 11:31 am
shook off the jitters
August 24th, 2026 at 11:34 am
In a word, No.
Todd Bowles is running the scheme.
We have seen how that goes since he was installed as the HC.
Would you like cheese on that burger sir?
Yes please, and make it Swiss. – Todd Bowles
August 24th, 2026 at 11:47 am
Agree Trotter does not look very good despite the hype. So far a pushover. (This comment, if published, has been moderated to avoid distress)
August 24th, 2026 at 11:48 am
“ They just bring a mindset to this team that we’ve been missing and it’s good to have them on our side.”
Seems like a pretty damning indictment of the bored laziness that has been condoned by the HC AND the players.
August 24th, 2026 at 12:01 pm
How can any performance in a “worthless exercise even be referenced? Yeah I know, beating a dead horse. Just like the guy hanging for dear life on the word worthless and dumping it into a post as many times as possible. Complaining about it only makes it worse and solidifies it. But it’s funny to mention it knowing it’s not going to change. Maybe funny is the wrong word? Who knows.
August 24th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
We had 3 rookies help us win last Superbowl. So it is possible. Go Bucs!
August 24th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
So where was McCollum’s mindset last year? Oh…that’s right…he was bored!
August 24th, 2026 at 1:33 pm
Who is still the HC/DC?
Will he use Bain in coverage too much? Hint: ANY is too much.
Will he try to have his ILB’s cover Bijan?
Will his defense get shredded by the Kirk Cousins-types?
Will he play the CB’s far off the LOS? Or allow them to play as far off the LOS as they want, like previous years?
Does this sound like someone who should still have a job in the NFL?
August 24th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
J
OLBs drop into coverage – it’s in the job description along with stopping the run and rushing the passer. Practically every team in the league does it and has for years.
Joes could help out here by pointing out the obvious and educating readers, but they either don’t know (be kinda shocking) themselves, or just prefer their readers continue to bludgeon the HC with ignorance.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:29 pm
As far as the rookies go and the veteran additions too… SEEING IS BELIEVING!!!! Was the first 2 defensive series against KC last Saturday the new norm??? We’ll find out September 13th!!!
August 24th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
I was inpressed with Bain’s hump move, and equally impressed that he showed such good disipline by keeping his hands off the QB, avoiding a silly penalty.
August 24th, 2026 at 5:41 pm
Pardon the typos
August 24th, 2026 at 7:58 pm
Its about an athlete, that can drop and cover,if you have one that can .why wouldn’t you do it..Its pretty much common sense to me …. Simple T ! The fans here are clueless!!
August 24th, 2026 at 9:41 pm
half our rookies are gonna look like deers in headlights when the real bullets start flying…
everyone in here is getting their heads all gassed up these days…
rookies will be picked on…remember that…
false prophets are gassing all your heads up big time…
it’s wonderful to be 0-0 with everyone on the roster being a superstar all-pro…keep thinking like that…lol…
like wake the f up…
i mean i’m slightly gassed and excited for the season…but seasoned vets in these chats are drinking the kool aid and talking ying yang…
many of you are talking like rookies yourselves