As much as the Bucs coaching staff and players talked leading up to the season about building cohesiveness, it did not come together like that in Week 1. Tampa Bay’s front seven has higher expectations in 2026, but they failed to meet them after generating just one sack while applying minimal pressure on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

In a Wednesday discussion with Pewter Report, defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson was blunt in assessing how the group played. Robinson not only agreed with head coach Todd Bowles’ assessment that they played like individuals rather than as a team but took it a step further to explain the group’s shortcomings and how they can fix them.

A’Shawn Robinson: All 11 Have To Play Like A Team Of Bandits

The hope was that after all the Bucs’ added a bunch of new pieces to the front seven this offseason, the pass rush would be more consistent getting after the quarterback. Instead, it looked like the same lackluster group from last year.

Much of that has already been well-discussed, from Yaya Diaby and Rueben Bain Jr. being neutralized by the Bengals offensive tackles to a rotating cast of defensive tackles and outside linebackers barely providing any juice.

Things were expected to be different this year, and A’Shawn Robinson shared why they fell short.

Bucs DT A’Shawn Robinson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“We weren’t rushing together,” Robinson said. “We weren’t on the same accord. We were independent contractors, and that’s not what we demand of one another, and that’s not our standard.”

It is one thing for Diaby to say after last season that he felt alone out there at times rushing the passer, but the frontline appeared more formidable by adding some veteran leadership and younger pass rushers with upside. What does Robinson see as being critical to turn things around?

“Not giving up 100 yards and just being committed to our standard,” Robinson added. “Holding each other accountable and doing things the right way. Some things got away from us in the game, and we can’t let those things happen if we want to be the defense we want to be.”

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Robinson was alluding to Tampa Bay allowing 106 rushing yards, while there were prolonged stretches where Burrow was able to get the ball off quickly and appeared unfazed by the pass rush. There is an overarching theme here that all the pieces have to fit and can’t stand by themselves.

“Just knowing and communicating, being self-aware, not being so locked in on just you,” Robinson said. “Being tied in on the whole picture. Being together and communicating, understanding what’s ahead, what we’re seeing, and what we’re all seeing.”

A’Shawn Robinson Loves How Vita Vea “Gets Active” And Is Preparing For Week 2 Vs. Browns

The Bucs are not a finished product just because the season is underway. For many starters, the first couple of weeks is about shaking off the rust after not playing much throughout the preseason. As the old adage goes, it is a marathon and not a sprint.

In particular, Todd Bowles admitted that nose tackle Vita Vea “was a little rusty” after missing much of training camp. Still, A’Shawn Robinson appreciates the chance to pair up with him and foresees creating carnage with him along the defensive line.

Bucs DTs Vita Vea and A’Shawn Robinson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“It’s great,” Robinson said of teaming up with Vea. “Having a big guy like that up the middle that can get active in the pass or run. We see the game very similarly, communicating, seeing runs. Pressing it, shooting it, shooting up the field, and getting off. Knocking everything back. Having everybody doing that and doing their job at a high level. That would be really successful for us, but it wasn’t in Week 1 because we weren’t playing as all 11. We have to be on the same accord.”

Robinson and the Bucs have their sights on beating the Browns in Week 2. Cleveland might be in (another) rebuilding phase, but there is a reason why the games are played. They have talent on the offensive side of the football, mainly with running back Quinshon Judkins and a trio of wide receivers in Jerry Jeudy, KC Concepcion, and Denzel Boston.

A’Shawn Robinson is not taking anything lightly.

One player by himself will not be a game-wrecker. It takes every player working in unison with one another to play their brand of football.

“They’re a great team. We just have to play our game, uphold our standard, communicate, and go out there and dominate. Not be a bunch of bandits but be a team of bandits.”