The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense has been struggling in 2024. This isn’t exactly a news flash. But the extent of how bad they’ve been gets real when you look at some of the defensive rankings.
The 2024 version of the Pewter Pirates defense is ranked 22nd against the pass, 30th against the run and 29th in total defense. Not exactly what you’d expect from a defensive minded head coach right?
Buccaneers defensive back Zyon McCollum recently spoke to the media about the defenses struggles.
“I think, for the most part, it comes down to being on the same page and communicating and bringing that film study onto the field. It’s being coached up the right way and we’re seeing it and we’re talking about it throughout the week, and we have to be able to carry that for 100% of the plays on Sundays.”
“It can’t be 95%. It can’t be 98%. So us, as players, I mean we just have to do a better job of pushing that communication that we have during the week in the film room and in practice onto the game.”
McCollum points to player accountability, communication and practice as the answer to turning the ship around.
“I think 100% of it starts in practice and just us doing a better job of safeties, corners, nickels, linebackers, communicating, all talking, when we’re going through walkthroughs and we’re seeing stuff in the film room.”
“We have to be able to call these types of things out and execute in practice over and over again. If it’s going to take an extra meeting, if it’s going to take player-led meetings, if it’s going to take extra time and us just talking to each other, then you know, we’re going to have to do anything that it takes to get this problem fixed.”
