So the question is, do the additions of Walker, Robinson, Anzalone, Bain, and Trotter unlock our defense. 

Would be tough to think that we won’t be better positioned to do the things we want to do which an in your face 3-4 with lots of blitzes and coverage disguises. 

Pete Prisco's Top 100 NFL Players of 2026: Myles Garrett tops rankings - CBS Sports

Wirfs at 22. Ranked #2 OT behind Detroits Penei Sewell

Baker at 80. Ranked #16 QB behind Stafford, Allen, Burrow, Mahomes, Jackson, Prescott, Love, Goff, Maye, Herbert, Lawrence, Daniels, Williams, Darnold, and Purdy. 

no other Bucs or former Bucs on the list.  

Would you change anything about the list? 

Several examples are provided but if you recall the Patriots throw a TD by tricking self-centered/moneyball Dean to come off his zone responsibility. They run the same play where Dean SUCCESSFULLY jumped out of his responsibility to pick off the underneath pass earlier in the season. .  except of course the Patriots go over the top.  Tykee Smith compounds it by not doing his job. TD for the Patriots. Google the highlt to watch Dean, but it other plays, particualrly run defense tht stand  out

A recurring them has been that the Bucs are sort of in Super Bowl veteran clean out mode. As much as you can love LVD for his career, her was AWFUL last season and admits to loafing himself.  Dean was already gone, so he was not going to do anything for the team and it shows. Reddick a total bust who fought with Vea.

Will be interesting to see if more examples come out. 

what a s--- show

Baker Mayfield
Baker remains, well, Baker. He’s a great leader—bold, a bit of a bully, and at times inaccurate. One positive is the offensive scheme, which has a distinct Liam Coen flavor compared to Josh Grizzard’s approach.

We’re seeing more short, quick passes and easy reads. As Tom Brady put it, a good coordinator sets up a quarterback with plenty of “easy layups.” Grizzard’s system didn’t provide that, impacting Baker’s performance.

In practice, Baker excelled at making quick decisions and delivering accurate short to intermediate passes. While he struggled with longer throws, that’s not new for him. Getting the ball out quickly and into a rhythm will be key for the Bucs’ offensive success this season.

Pass Rush
Rueben Bain Jr. showcases all the intangibles: motor, explosiveness, pad level, and toughness. Although these practices didn’t include padded hitting, you could still see what Bain brings to the table.

Reuben Bain, Jr. – Photo by buccaneers.com

The Bucs focused on four-man pressure, and Bowles will need to exercise patience this year. If he feels the need to constantly tinker with the defense, it could lead to difficulties throughout the season. Simplifying his approach and taking calculated risks will be essential. From what I’ve observed in practice, Bowles appears to be making an effort to do just that. However, old habits die hard; aside from the 2020 playoff run, he has struggled to rein in his blitzing tendencies. Here’s hoping he finds that balance this year.

Splash Plays
While splash plays in practice can energize the team and showcase potential, they don’t always indicate player development or readiness. Remember Sir Vocea Dennis’ first OTA practice? He had a pick-six, followed by another in training camp, which excited the media. But did that truly indicate he was ready to play?

Practice is practice. Offenses are experimenting, and quarterbacks are taking risks. An interception might just be a result of being in the right place at the right time, rather than a reflection of skill.

That said, interceptions can benefit the defense. Seeing players execute tight coverage and effectively pass off zones can lead to solid plays. However, this discipline might not always manifest as big plays in practice; over time, it will contribute to better performance.

Josh Hayes had a pick-six in minicamp this season, which is a positive for him, but I don’t see it as a game-changer. Coaches will review the practice film to understand if the offense was testing a new concept or if a receiver slipped on the route.

A single bad play can impact a player’s standing more significantly than a good one, especially if they allow a deep pass or give up a sack.

In short, I hope our front four can apply consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season. Our cornerback depth is lacking, and even our starters have their limitations. Jacob Parrish stands out as our best corner, whether inside or outside. Zion McCullom has been average at best, and Benjamin Morrison has struggled with injuries. As for Josh Hayes, I have my reservations.

On the flip side, Bowles’ defense doesn’t demand elite cornerback play; it requires disciplined execution. The focus should be on not getting beat deep and adhering to cover 3, 4, and quarters assignments. Bowles’ scheme can frustrate players like Carlton Davis—it prioritizes discipline over raw athleticism.

So, again, I hope our pass rush can deliver consistently this year, allowing the corners to avoid giving up long passes.

Receivers
The receiver group appears steady, but not exceptional. Chris Godwin looks healthier and will do what he does best: create separation on short to intermediate routes. However, age is starting to catch up with him.

Emeka Egbuka shows flashes of brilliance, but can he deliver for a full season? Jalen McMillan is impressively reliable, consistently getting open and catching everything thrown his way. I anticipate a solid year from him. Ted Baker has potential, but I’ll reserve judgment until I see him in actual NFL games. Tez Johnson is always exciting to watch with his quickness and explosiveness.

The Real Bullets
I can’t wait for training camp and the season to kick off. I’m particularly excited about the new defensive linemen and outside linebackers the team has brought in, but they don’t get showcased much during minicamp practices. That’s why my observations have focused primarily on the skill players. Bring on September!

what’s the move here?

Round 1

(Pick 32): Joe Tryon, OLB (Washington) + retired after 5 seasons

Round 2 (Pick 64): Kyle Trask, QB (Florida) + can't even make it as a third string qb

Round 3 (Pick 95): Robert Hainsey, OL (ND) + ended up being an ok pick sorta... Played decent last year and at least can add depth despite not being a true starting calibur player

Round 4 (Pick 129): Jaelon Darden, WR (North Texas) + lmfao did he even last 2 seasons?

Round 5 (Pick 176): K.J. Britt, LB (Auburn) downhill LB that can't cover and barely in the league... Hopefully we didn't just draft his more athletic clone

Round 7 (Pick 251): Chris Wilcox, CB (BYU) + immediately out of the league 

Round 7 (Pick 259): Grant Stuard, LB (Houston) + actually a really good pick but we decided to trade him for peanuts 

...

So... It's pretty clear Licht fucked up our repeat chances with this all time stinker of a draft. 

Horse beat...the final last one for this draft. 

Then we have Baker Mayfield. He arrived on a low-risk, prove-it deal after being passed around three franchises in one season, leaving him with little leverage. The Bucs and Baker needed each other.

In his time with the Bucs, Baker has performed admirably. Under Offensive Coordinator Dave Canales, his first year was solid—not spectacular, but effective. Operating within Canales’ run-first scheme, Baker capitalized on opportunities when they arose. In 2024, he truly shone under the guidance of Liam Coen. Coen’s play-calling provided Baker with quick, straightforward reads and opened up space in the running game, resulting in a top-five offense. At times, Baker even looked like a potential MVP.

But the question remains: Was this success due to Baker’s talent or Coen’s coaching? Is it akin to how Kyle Shanahan can achieve success with nearly any quarterback in his system (think Brock Purdy and Mac Jones), or how Sean McVay maximized the abilities of Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford? Coaching can significantly impact the performance of mid-tier quarterbacks. Unlike elite talents like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, who can succeed independently of coaching, many quarterbacks thrive under the right system.

The challenge lies in determining whether Baker fits into that group. Do the Bucs believe he can continue to perform at a high level, or is he simply benefiting from a favorable coaching situation?  His last 9 games last year were less than desirable.  He was inaccurate and ineffective.  It was so bad that he better have been playing with injuries.  If not, what would be the excuse.

I like Baker, the player.  He’s gritty, plays with a chip on his shoulder, and will die for his teammates.  How can you complain about that?  But I’d like to see him play with a lot more success in the pocket this year.  If he can do that, then he’d be worth a top 15 salary.

Josh Q is doing a great series on him.  Well worth checking out.  In the first installment he points out that Egbuka is not really an X because hes not physical enough to beat press man consistently. He points out that physical press coverage was the first thing that slowed Egbuka, who is more Godwin zone beater than Evans X. 

And on the point, I a NOT suggesting that Evans departure was tied to Egbuka (because again, Egbuka is more Godwin than Evans) BUTin his 2nd installment (https://www.pewterreport.com/revisiting-emeka-egbukas-rookie-season-q2/) Josh Q teases his 3rd installment with this:

"And one piece of context shifts underneath all of it. He has another quarter of the season without Evans that forces him into the X role more. But in weeks 15-18 Evans returns. How does that change Egbuka’s usage, usage rate and production?"