When a coach is in charge of a 53-man roster on an NFL team, there are naturally going to be many different personalities that he has to deal with. Because of that, not every player is going to react to certain messages the same way. There has to be different methods of motivating their guys. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles has taken an interesting approach when it comes to getting the most out of his top corner.

Jamel Dean has taken his directives from the Bucs quite seriously this training camp. His objective is to take the football away. Dean hasn’t recorded an interception since the 2022 season when he had two picks in Week 2 of that year.

It’s been quite a long time since he’s picked off a pass. Dean knows that if he doesn’t make an impact with turnovers this season, he may end up in a situation like former Bucs cornerback Carlton Davis III, who was traded away to another team this past offseason.

Jamel Dean Is Putting In Extra Work

Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Jamel Dean, the Bucs’ top cornerback with Carlton Davis III’s departure, understands what he has to do this season. And Dean is putting in extra work on a regular basis to catch the balls he dropped last season and become a legit interceptor this year.

“I try to make it a big emphasis to catch like 50 balls a day,” Dean said. “So when an opportunity comes, it will come naturally for me.”

Over the last week we have all seen the results pay off for Dean in practice. He’s had two interceptions over the last four practices, and each of them coming off of starting quarterback Baker Mayfield.

In fairness, the first one he recorded on July 28 wasn’t Mayfield’s fault, as the ball was tipped by linebacker Lavonte David and then caught by Dean. The second pick that occurred on August 2, was more of a legitimate defensive play thanks to great coverage by Dean.

Todd Bowles Has Been Sarcastic At Jamel Dean’s Expense

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

So where does the motivation from Tampa Bay’s head coach and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles come in? How does he press Jamel Dean’s buttons to get him to live up to his potential and come away with more interceptions this season?

While Bowles might be known for his stoic looks on the sidelines during game days, he actually has a very sarcastic sense of humor behind the scenes. It’s one of the ways he’ll communicate with his players to challenge them, especially in Dean’s case.

The comical nature of Todd Bowles came out after practice on the day of Dean’s first interception.

“I’m going to get [Jamel] Dean drug tested, because he usually doesn’t catch them,” Todd Bowles said. “We’re going to see if he’s been on that stuff or not [laughs].”

Following the second interception by Dean, Todd Bowles inferred that it was good, but still not enough.

“Whatever he’s doing, he needs to keep doing it,” Bowles said.

Can Jamel Dean Make The Pro Bowl This Year?

Bucs HC Todd Bowles and CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: USA Today

A couple of picks just a week into training camp doesn’t mean that Jamel Dean is going to suddenly become the top interceptor in Tampa Bay. But how much is enough for Todd Bowles to be pleased with his takeaway production?

Jamel Dean may never know. He heard about Bowles’ sarcastic comments made about him the other day.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” Dean said of Bowles’ jesting words. “He gives me crap all of the time. It’s never good enough. It’s hard to make the guy proud, man.”

Jamel Dean has plenty of traits and the skillset to be a top cornerback not just in Tampa Bay, but in the entire league. He’s yet to make a Pro Bowl or earn All-Pro honors just yet, but a couple of interceptions this season can put him in the conversation.

“Yeah, it is a big emphasis,” Dean said. “I know last year, I dropped like five interceptions. That is what separates you from Pro-Bowl and All-Pro [selections] and, basically, the rankings. So now, I just want to [emphasize] because I am putting myself in the right situations, but I just have to finish.”