The Buccaneers caught lots of groups abruptly final season, ending with a 9-8 report and defeating the Philadelphia Eagles within the wild-card spherical of the playoffs.
Many would argue that will not occur once more, particularly after Tampa Bay made it a degree to re-sign a number of of its key free brokers.
Nevertheless, second-year linebacker YaYa Diaby nonetheless thinks the crew is being doubted regardless of having gifted gamers on each stage of the protection.
“It is nice, man, having guys like Calijah (Kancey) with me, you bought Logan Corridor, even Vita (Vea) — he is a vet, however you recognize you have to love Vita,” Diaby mentioned, by way of Bobby Kownack of NFL.com. “You’ve got acquired Joe (Tryon-Shoyinka), and all of the younger guys, and we simply acquired Chris Braswell, and it is simply superior, man. I simply really feel like lots of people are asleep on Tampa’s protection, however I really feel like this 12 months, we will actually wake lots of people up.”
The protection was a giant cause why the Buccaneers had the success they did a 12 months in the past, permitting the fifth-fewest dashing yards per sport (95.3) and sixth-fewest factors per sport (19.1) within the league.
Diaby, a third-round choose in 2023, was a key contributor as a rookie, registering 38 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one compelled fumble and two fumble recoveries. He has put within the work to make extra splash performs in his second season.
“I am tremendous excited, man, for me I executed modified my physique up, so I can have the ability to play extra snaps and be in additional,” Diaby added. “And only for me it is the expansion I am seeing in myself from OTAs these previous couple weeks, simply with the ability to choose up on issues. So going into Yr 2, I am tremendous assured, and simply speaking about it will get me excited, due to how prepared I’m to go.”
In fact, the offense should additionally do its half if Tampa Bay hopes to be a darkish horse Tremendous Bowl contender, however quarterback Baker Mayfield appeared rejuvenated final season, throwing for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
If Mayfield picks up the place he left off, Diaby could also be proper that the Buccaneers are being missed for the second straight 12 months.
