![A detailed view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets on the team bench ahead of the NFL game between Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 13, 2019 in London, England.](https://www.thecoldwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Buccaneers-helmets-on-bench-1024x683.jpg)
Tampa Bay was an NFL success story in 2023, rebounding from a 5-7 begin to win the NFC South earlier than smothering Philadelphia within the first spherical of the playoffs.
The workforce, led by resurgent quarterback Baker Mayfield, put up a combat in Detroit earlier than dropping to the Lions.
Mayfield obtained plenty of credit score for the workforce’s turnaround, justifiably so, and he was richly rewarded for his efforts within the offseason.
Nonetheless, the Buccaneers’ protection performed a major position in reaching the playoffs, and a few of its standouts need the NFL to note the work on that facet of the ball as properly.
YaYa Diaby instructed Rhett Lewis on the Senior Bowl Corridor of Fame ceremony that followers are “falling asleep” on the Tampa protection and {that a} day of reckoning is coming.
YaYa Diaby says “individuals are asleep” on Bucs protection: “We will actually wake lots of people up”https://t.co/Ix5gS0CXsY pic.twitter.com/nHw2RziDNZ
— Round The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) July 1, 2024
Diaby added, “This yr, we’re going to actually wake lots of people up.”
It’s not like Tampa is an enormous shock, because the workforce has received the very winnable division three seasons in a row.
However between Mayfield’s prowess and the defensive scheme that enables drives however shuts down scoring alternatives, not sufficient credit score goes to the defenders.
That would change in 2024 beneath head coach Todd Bowles if the extra skilled unit comes collectively and avoids the 1-6 midseason meltdown that plagued the Bucs final yr.
A staggering 13 rookies had been featured on final season’s 53-man roster, making Tampa one of many youngest squads within the NFL.
With the pure development that comes with time, it shouldn’t be shocking to see the Bucs put one other NFC South trophy on the workforce mantle.
NEXT:
Analyst Raves About Buccaneers Rookie Broad Receiver