Seven video games into this season, one wouldn’t have anticipated the Bucs protection to have struggled to the extent they’ve. Coming into the 12 months, the unit appeared sturdy on paper – and for good cause.
Trying on the participant personnel, there’s loads of established star energy in defensive sort out Vita Vea, inside linebacker Lavonte David, and free security Antoine Winfield Jr. Add in rising younger expertise like defensive sort out Calijah Kancey, exterior linebacker Yaya Diaby, and cornerback Zyon McCollum, all the items are there to have a top-tier protection.
As a substitute, the unit has underwhelmed, particularly prior to now three weeks after giving up 550 whole yards to the Falcons and 508 whole yards to the Ravens.
Lots is on the road as they put together for a rematch towards the 4-3 Falcons on Sunday afternoon. It is going to be difficult for the offense to maintain up its scoring output with extensive receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans injured, and the protection now has extra stress to carry out.
Yaya Diaby and Zyon McCollum Know The Bucs Want To Win On Sunday
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photograph by: USA At this time
There’s elevated stress on the Bucs as they proceed to march on by means of their upcoming stretch of video games.
The Ravens had been only one powerful foe, with the playoff-contending Falcons, Chiefs, and 49ers looming forward. Outdoors linebacker Yaya Diaby understands the significance of the staff popping out and taking part in onerous after what they’ve been by means of.
A few weeks in the past, it was taking part in for the town of Tampa Bay after it was hit onerous by Hurricane Milton. Now, it’s about taking part in for the offensive stars they misplaced to harm.
“We’d like this sport, we want this sport unhealthy,” Diaby stated. “[It’s] only a excellent alternative to go on the market and play for one another, play for Chris [Godwin] and Mike [Evans] and get a win.”
Cornerback Zyon McCollum agreed and is aware of they can’t get swept by their largest NFC South rival.
“I’ve been occupied with the Falcons since we performed the Falcons,” McCollum stated. “I keep within the current second, however a divisional opponent coming into our home this time. It was a tricky sport final time, so we now have a chance to capitalize and exit and attempt to take the highest of this division.
“Particularly when you understand they’re up-and-coming, they’re fairly good. We all know that they’ve weapons and this early – we haven’t performed the Panthers but, we nonetheless haven’t performed the Saints [again]. We have to get this win and that’ll safe us shifting ahead.”
Yaya Diaby and Zyon McCollum Talk about Bucs’ Defensive Struggles
Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photograph by: USA At this time
The Bucs’ protection has had its share of struggles this season. Accidents have contributed to an general lack of cohesiveness, because the line of defense and secondary have been decimated at occasions. With the harm bug severely biting the offense, it’s time for the group to come back collectively and repair the problems plaguing them.
“We simply acquired to get on the identical web page and talk on all ends,” Yaya Diaby stated. “Entrance, again, all people on the identical web page. After we’re on the identical web page, no person can beat us.”
Zyon McCollum believes a number of issues have led to the protection not assembly expectations.
“It’s by no means going to be in regards to the opponent, it’s all the time going to be about us,” McCollum stated. “That’s the way in which that we see it and so there’s plenty of issues that we will do higher and I feel it simply begins with communication and being on the identical web page. All people on the protection working off one another and I feel if we sharpen a few of these issues up – what we can provide up [and knowing] what we will’t surrender – we’ll be in a great place.”
Specifically, one of many protection’s largest pitfalls has been permitting a handful of chunk performs each week.
Revisiting Week 5 towards the Falcons, permitting the game-winning 45-yard landing to extensive receiver KhaDarel Hodge stung essentially the most, however the unit allowed massive performs all through the sport, with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins additionally throwing for 18, 24, and 12-yard passing touchdowns en path to his 509-yard passing day.
One thing has to alter, particularly as they rank twenty eighth in scoring protection (permitting 26 factors a sport) and thirty first in whole protection (permitting 386 yards per sport).
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins – Photograph by: USA At this time
“Primarily it’s limiting the massive performs,” McCollum stated. “It looks like you play actually stable protection for 60 performs, 65 performs, and in the event you simply mess up twice, then it blows issues out of the water. Limiting massive performs, speaking, and doing all your job will assist this protection.”
How can the group keep away from “Captain Kirk” from choosing them aside once more?
“With Kirk, we simply acquired to get stress on him,” Diaby added. “For a man like that, he can break you down, him being a veteran. He can see various things and break you down. For us as a entrance line, I really feel like we now have to get stress on him early and assault. For the backend, simply talk. We’ll get proper.”
The Bucs are heading into essentially the most important a part of their season.
Issues now grasp within the stability, however at 4-3, successful the NFC South for a fourth consecutive 12 months continues to be nicely inside attain.
It’ll take a bunch effort with each participant chipping in. For the protection, it means getting again on observe and holding the staff aggressive towards powerful competitors.
