SR’s FAB 5 column on the Bucs is introduced by Gameday Males’s Well being
Males – do you’re feeling drained? Are you gaining weight regardless of understanding… battling sleep, focus, or sexual efficiency? Do you know that 1 in 4 males over the age of 30 have low testosterone? And plenty of males don’t even notice it – and I didn’t both, which is why I’m on testosterone substitute remedy at age 53 and really feel like I’m 10 years youthful.
At Gameday Males’s Well being, low testosterone is shortly identified and handled. Gameday gives a FREE testosterone check and session – with ends in minutes. Gameday makes a speciality of testosterone substitute remedy, together with weight reduction, ED therapies, and peptides — all designed to assist optimize your well being and efficiency.
With 6 Tampa Bay space places in Westshore, South Tampa, Brandon, Palm Harbor, Largo, and Sarasota … getting began is EASY. Go to GamedayMensHealth.com at the moment to schedule your FREE session. Really feel higher and get again within the sport with Gameday Males’s Well being!
INTRO: The say an image says 1,000 phrases. Have a look at that mug shot of recent Bucs defensive deal with A’Shawn Robinson. That look says all of it. No smile. Robinson means enterprise. And the enterprise that Robinson is in … nicely, it’s imply. And that’s precisely the kind of perspective that the Bucs protection wants in 2026 because it seems to be larger, extra bodily and play with extra of a nasty edge. Despite the fact that he’s solely been a Buccaneer for just a few months, Robinson is already main the cost relating to delivering a wanted perspective adjustment in Tampa Bay. Get pleasure from!
FAB 1. A’Shawn Robinson Is The Alpha The Bucs Protection Wanted
A’Shawn Robinson has solely been a Buccaneer for just a few months however he’s already develop into the alpha male the Bucs line of defense – and the protection typically – wanted.
Todd Bowles’ protection has been in a steep decline because the 2021 season when Tampa Bay went 13-4 earlier than shedding to the Rams within the NFC Divisional spherical of the playoffs. That was the final time outdoors linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul and defensive deal with Ndamukong Suh performed in crimson and pewter – outdoors of JPP’s late-season stint final 12 months at age 37.
The Bucs haven’t solely missed the play and manufacturing of Pierre-Paul and Suh since these days, the protection missed their model of management – powerful, bodily, intense, hard-nosed, ass-kicking.
Tampa Bay’s protection had gotten softer, particularly over the past two seasons.
Don’t imagine me? Right here’s what assistant common supervisor Rob McCartney mentioned in a current episode of the staff’s In The Present video sequence.
“We want to get back to being a little bit of a bigger defense with more toughness, with more violence,” McCartney mentioned. “Violence I feel is a phrase that we’ve thrown round rather a lot within the scouting division this offseason. We need to be violent, and we need to return to being the bullies.
“I think it is reasonable to think that we need to evolve and adjust [our scouting approach]. All those traits up there [on the I Am That Man mural], they don’t mean that you have to be nice.”
Bucs common supervisor Jason Licht echoed that sentiment within the In The Present video.
“We’re not throwing that (I Am That Man mantra) to the side whatsoever, but we do want players that have a nasty edge to them – that will win at all costs,” Licht mentioned. “That bring some noise.”
Simply to be clear, the Bucs haven’t made any adjustments to their “I Am That Man” mantra relating to evaluating gamers in free company and the NFL Draft. However I took the freedom of constructing just a few adjustments on the graphic above primarily based on the staff’s enhanced lookout for imply, ass kickers.
That’s the place Robinson is available in. At 6-foot-3, 320 kilos, Robinson is about 30 kilos heavier than Logan Corridor, the 4i/5-technique defensive deal with he’s changing. And Robinson has performs with a nasty edge that was absent in Corridor’s sport over the previous 4 years in Tampa Bay.
An edge that has been lacking since 2021, actually.
Robinson made it clear in his legendary preliminary press convention in Tampa Bay that he’s the type of defensive lineman that’s going to kick ass and take names. However at age 31, the Bucs signed Robinson not simply to be an ass-kicker, however to foster that sort of mentality all through the line of defense and the protection typically.
Tampa Bay’s protection wanted to toughen up, and Robinson was the right man to guide that cost. That’s why the Bucs made signing him a precedence this offseason in free company and paid him a one-year, totally assured contract value $10 million.
Some NFL media members scoffed on the signing, accusing the Bucs of overpaying for a troublesome, getting older defensive deal with who was by no means actually a premier participant.
To me a foolish allocation of this a lot cash. Why is Robinson getting a increase? His tape has been the identical for 10 years.
Inconsistent run defender bc he performs w/ excessive pads, restricted consciousness. Sturdy, performs arduous, flashes of 1v1 energy, however no creativity as rusher and sluggish off ball https://t.co/TGdi3dMxAf
With simply 15 profession sacks, together with eight over the previous two seasons in Carolina, Robinson has by no means sniffed a Professional Bowl. He’s not in Suh’s class as an elite defensive deal with and by no means has been.
It’s true that the attention within the sky by no means lies, however not all the pieces exhibits up on sport movie.
Workforce-building isn’t about simply what’s on tape. There’s no tape within the locker room. There’s no tape within the assembly room. There’s no tape within the cafeteria. There’s no tape at line of defense dinners and after-practice get-togethers.
That’s the place management is cast and staff chemistry is constructed – not simply on the apply area or on the sphere on sport days the place tape is all the time rolling. It’s the intangible, off-the-field stuff the place Robinson has helped and can proceed to assist the Bucs create a brand new id on protection – one constructed on toughness and physicality.
Bucs DTs A’Shawn Robinson and Haggai Ndubuisi – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
“A’Shawn has been great – him and Nacho,” Bucs defensive deal with Elijah Roberts mentioned about Robinson and fellow veteran defensive deal with Rakeem “Nacho” Nunez-Roches on a current look on the Pewter Report Podcast. “Simply nice vets, man. They’re guys who convey plenty of expertise to the room, however then additionally they’ve some youth in a manner the place each are very playful guys. Very cool guys, joking guys – you realize they prefer to have enjoyable as nicely. However when it’s time to work, man, they’re already engaged on the sphere. They’re like two further coaches on the market.
“A’Shawn even got food trucks, like three or four food trucks that came to the facility the other day. Nacho and A’Shawn took us all bowling I think like their first or second week here, and they’re always trying to have the D-line hang out. So they understand the importance of having a brotherhood as well, being able to go to war with each other.”
Despite the fact that he’s not within the line of defense room, Bucs cornerback Jacob Parrish loves Robinson’s management and method to the sport.
“That’s a crazy man right there,” Parrish mentioned of Robinson. “I’ll tell you right now, that’s a dude I like on my side – on defense. He has crazy energy.”
Did the Bucs overpay for Robinson? Not of their minds.
What does the tape recommend Robinson, who was scheduled to make $8.5 million this 12 months in Carolina earlier than his launch on March 10, is value? Perhaps $7 million per 12 months within the minds of skeptics?
Superb. So, the Bucs are paying an additional $3 million for his management and giving the protection the perspective adjustment it desperately wanted this offseason. That’s cash nicely spent, in keeping with the staff.
Bucs DT A’Shawn Robinson – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Robinson doesn’t have the skillset and supreme athleticism to be a force-multipler on protection and make the kind of influence that former first-round picks like Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey could make, or that Rueben Bain Jr. is predicted to make. However Robinson generally is a force-multiplier by way of perspective and fostering a nasty, bully mentality alongside the line of defense and all through the entire protection.
Robinson may not be voted as a staff captain this 12 months. New inside linebacker Alex Anzalone will seemingly inherit the captain function from the just lately retired Lavonte David.
However then once more, neither Pierre-Paul nor Suh ever wore a “C” on their jersey in Tampa Bay and but each supplied the type of edgy, hard-nosed, vocal management that was wanted on protection – and helped Tampa Bay win Tremendous Bowl LV.
“A’Shawn Robinson is a vet, an alpha male on the field of play,” Bucs line of defense coach Marcus West mentioned. “He’s an alpha within the line of scrimmage.”
Robinson is already making an influence as a pacesetter on and off the sphere in Tampa Bay and he’s being welcomed with open arms.
And that’s invaluable to the Bucs.
FAB 2. A’Shawn Robinson, Rakeem Nunez-Roches Convey Power To Bucs Protection
Close to the tip of Tuesday’s OTAs, the Bucs offense started a four-down sequence on the protection’s 2-yard line, making an attempt to go the ball into the tip zone. On first down, defensive deal with A’Shawn Robinson acquired his hand up on the line of scrimmage and knocked down a would-be landing for an incompletion.
Emeka Egbuka had gotten open on a slant and would have scored if not for Robinson’s deflection.
After that play Robinson jogged off to the sidelines as Todd Bowles made a substitution.
“We own this motherf*cker!” Robinson screamed to his protection, referring to how Tampa Bay’s protection had dominated the offense all apply lengthy.
From there, fellow defensive deal with Rakeem Nunez-Roches, often known as “Nacho,” took over the cheerleading duties and erupted when cornerback Josh Hayes broke up a go in the long run zone supposed for Tez Johnson.
The Bucs protection stopped the offense from getting the required two yards and scoring a landing on all 4 downs. And after every cease, Robinson and Nunez-Roches acquired louder and louder.
Bucs DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches – Picture by: Brian Collera/PR
It was a noise degree and an vitality degree that hasn’t been seen on that facet of the ball in fairly a while in Tampa Bay.
“Energetic,” McCollum mentioned. “It energizes us, it fuels us. It lets us know that’s we’re going in the right direction as far as a chemistry standpoint. The leaders are stepping up the young guys are following. That’s what we’ve been since OTA started, since phase one started. I mean it’s been all about energy. It’s been all about communicating and having fun and being loud.”
Bucs outdoors linebacker Yaya Diaby loves the addition of older, energetic vets like Robinson, 31, and Nunez-Roches, 32.
“Juice and guts, man,” Diaby mentioned when requested what Robinson and Nunez-Roches convey to Tampa Bay. “Them guys, man, they’re able to run by way of a wall and I’m able to run with them by way of the wall. I really like, love what A’Shawn brings. You already know he’s a veteran man and he’s extra of a ‘Grrrrr’ get-after-it [guy] on the market. And Nacho, he’s simply loud. He’s acquired plenty of juice for what number of years he been within the league. So it’s enjoyable having these guys.
“A’Shawn has been super vocal and he’s always got something to say. Whether you are doing something right or doing something wrong. He’s always saying something. The pick-up that they got with A’Shawn – that tells you everything. We’re trying to get big up front and getting after that quarterback.”
Bucs head coach and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles is understood for being stoic, however loves how Robinson and Nunez-Roches have turned up the amount at apply.
“Nacho and A’Shawn have always been like that,” Bowles mentioned. “It’s always going to be spirited with them two out there, but they bring out the best in everybody.”
Bucs DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches – Picture by: USA In the present day
Even Bucs broad receiver Chris Godwin has taken word of how loud and energetic Tampa Bay’s protection has been this offseason. He spoke about that after Tuesday’s OTA, which was a transparent win for the protection.
“Aside from all of the new faces, it’s just a different energy,” Godwin mentioned. “We’ve got a bunch of guys that are coming in ready to prove their value. Some guys looking for fresh starts. Some guys looking for new opportunities. It’s been fun. I’m sure you guys saw there’s a lot of energy – the defense was talking because that’s what they do. The offense, we bring our own energy, and we’ll continue to build that as we continue to perform better as well.”
FAB 3. How Shortly Can The Bucs Protection Come Collectively?
It’s one factor so as to add a bunch of recent gamers on protection and improve the expertise. However the secret is getting what could possibly be as many as six new starters on protection to return collectively, gel and play as one unit as shortly as attainable.
The retirement of Lavonte David and the departures of cornerback Jamel Dean, outdoors linebacker Haason Reddick and defensive deal with Logan Corridor have created vacancies within the beginning lineup. First-round choose Rueben Bain Jr. is predicted to switch Reddick, whereas free agent A’Shawn Robinson will take over for Corridor in Tampa Bay’s 3-4 base protection, and Alex Anzalone was signed to switch David.
If Jacob Parrish takes over at outdoors cornerback for Dean, that would pave the best way for Keionte Scott, the staff’s fourth-round choose, to begin at nickelback. The Bucs spent a second-round choose on Josiah Trotter, who is predicted to supplant SirVocea Dennis because the beginning center linebacker.
Bucs ILB Alex Anzalone – Picture by: Brian Collera/PR
When it’s all mentioned and carried out, over half of Todd Bowles’ protection can have a brand new starter in 2026. Given the subpar play of the unit final 12 months, change is predicted to be factor this 12 months.
If the entire newcomers, together with two rookies, can shortly be taught the protection and get on the identical web page.
To date so good, in keeping with the Bucs veterans.
“Yeah, I mean they haven’t been tiptoeing around, they’ve been full steam ahead and head-first,” McCollum mentioned of Tampa Bay’s new additions on protection. “These new guys have been attempting to soak up all the pieces. And so they’re attempting to know the teachings that we realized final 12 months and attempting to know the place we’ve been at and the place we’re attempting to get to.
“They’re stepping up on the team, being vocal. I mean you wouldn’t have guessed that they weren’t on the team last year. That’s the approach, it’s everybody coming together – new guys, rookies, it doesn’t matter. We’re all one team.”
The important thing to getting on the identical web page shortly is communication – verbalization on the sphere and within the movie room throughout conferences.
Bucs DT A’Shawn Robinson – Picture by: Adam Warren/PR
“When we do walk-throughs we make sure we communicate and make sure we’re out there on the field making sure we understand each other and how we see this game of football,” Robinson mentioned. “The way it’s performed – the ins and outs of sure methods, or if we see them stemming this manner or if it’s a Y out, why are you off the ball? What are they going to do?
“So we’re just talking the game of football and making sure we see it the same way. And make we see it together on the same accord. So that’s all it is, really. Just making sure we all see the same thing, and attacking it aggressively – and not just being passive.”
Robinson has shortly emerged as a vocal staff chief, which was a task he had in Carolina over the previous two seasons in serving to flip the Panthers from a five-win staff in 2024 to an 8-win staff and division winner final 12 months.
“Teaching them new trades and new tricks, and understanding what we need to see right now – at this moment,” Robinson mentioned about his communication with the younger gamers on protection. “Not what we need to see down the road. What we need to focus on at a day at a time.”
After the offense gained the primary week of OTAs, Tampa Bay’s protection struck again on Tuesday and fared significantly better through the second week.
That’s a transparent signal that Bowles’ protection is on schedule – or maybe even forward of schedule – relating to gelling as a unit.
FAB 4. No New Contract? No Downside For Baker Mayfield
For the primary time this offseason, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield addressed the media, and he spoke about the truth that he has not had his contract prolonged but when he met with reporters at One Buccaneer Place previous to his annual soccer camp for youths.
“The contract stuff – it’s happening, it’s starting – talks and whatnot,” Mayfield mentioned. “Not anyplace near what we have been pondering. Would like to be right here long run, however as of proper now that’s not precisely the case. However I’m underneath contract for 2026. The blokes in that locker room and the workers know that I’m nonetheless going to be me. I’m nonetheless going to do all the pieces I can to assist this staff win a Tremendous Bowl. To me, that’s the precedence. Every part else will care for itself.
“Obviously, yes, I would love to have a long-term deal done, but they know my deadline. As soon as training camp starts, we’re not doing any contract stuff. It’s all ball. It’s not up to me when that gets done by. Hopefully before that, but if not – still going to have a good year.”
Mayfield mentioned that he and his spouse Emily have put down roots within the Tampa space and would like to be with the staff and the group long-term.
#Bucs QB Baker Mayfield on a possible contract extension with Tampa Bay:
“The contract stuff – it’s taking place it’s beginning. Not anyplace near what we have been pondering. Would like to be right here long run, however as of proper now that’s not precisely the case.
“I’m underneath contract for… pic.twitter.com/uFHXkfK2DF
However he additionally expressed that he and the staff are far aside in contract negotiations. Whereas neither Mayfield’s camp nor the Bucs talk about contract talks on or off the document, the guess right here is that the Bucs have begun conversations round $50 million and Mayfield could possibly be wanting between $55 million and $60 million.
Dallas’ Dak Prescott is the league’s highest-paid QB at $60 million per 12 months, whereas Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, Buffalo’s Josh Allen, Los Angeles’ Matthew Stafford, Inexperienced Bay’s Jordan Love and Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence are all tied for second with a median of $55 million per 12 months, in keeping with OverTheCap.com,
Mayfield may need a tough time arguing that he’s nearly as good as Allen, Stafford or Burrow – all of whom have both been to a Tremendous Bowl or gained NFL MVP honors. However the Bucs quarterback could have a case for being within the realm of Prescott, Love and Lawrence – particularly if Mayfield can have one other Professional Bowl season like he did in 2024 with 4,500 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and a franchise-record 71.4% completion share, all of which have been profession highs.
The Bucs might want Mayfield, who threw for lower than 4,000 yards and simply 26 touchdowns final 12 months in an injury-riddled season, to play out his contract 12 months to raised gauge his true worth. Tampa Bay made security Antoine Winfield Jr. and franchise broad receiver Mike Evans play out their contract years in current seasons.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Mayfield has given the staff the deadline of the beginning of coaching camp for a brand new contract – in any other case he and his agent gained’t speak about an extension till after the 2026 marketing campaign. That could be advantageous for each events on this occasion. If Mayfield has a bounce-back 12 months much like what he was capable of produce in 2024 whereas main the Bucs to 10 wins, he’ll earn a deal a lot nearer to $60 million.
And the Bucs could be joyful to pay it if his play reached that degree once more.
Maybe a motivated Mayfield is precisely what Tampa Bay wants this upcoming season.
FAB 5. SR’s Buc Photographs
Bucs broad receiver Chris Godwin is thrilled with what he’s seen so removed from new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and Tampa Bay’s new offense.
“I’ve enjoyed it so far,” Godwin mentioned. “I feel the very first thing that stood out to me about Zac is he does a very, actually good job of instructing the offense. You’ll be able to inform that clearly he’s had expertise in calling performs and putting in offenses, and being round some nice coaches. So when he’s putting in it, he’s assured in what he’s doing. He is aware of what he’s speaking about, but additionally when he’s on the sphere he doesn’t really feel like he must yell at guys to get his level throughout.
“And schematically, it’s similar to things we’ve done in the past but just with his own little twist on it. So it’ll be cool to see how he calls it in a game, but I’m really enjoying what I see so far and also just how open he is to collaboration from players.”
Bucs OC Zac Robinson – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
I requested Godwin if there was some carry-over from Liam Coen’s scheme from 2024 when the Bucs offense ranked within the prime 5 in scoring and dashing since Coen and Robinson got here from the Sean McVay teaching tree in Los Angeles.
“Yeah, definitely,” Godwin mentioned. “I would say it might be like 50-50 carryover from Liam’s scheme. I think at its base it’s the same thing, but it’s all of those [offenses are] kind of from that same family, that same tree – Rams, Niners, Seahawks and all of the offshoots of that. They all have originated from the same spot and the coaches have their different spins on it.”
• Bucs defensive deal with A’Shawn Robinson’s foremost function in Todd Bowles’ protection is enjoying the 4i/5-technique place that Logan Corridor performed in recent times – albeit unsuccessfully. Bowles is hoping that the 320-pound Robinson might be extra of a stalwart run defender like former Buccaneer Will Gholston was through the staff’s Tremendous Bowl run.
However given Bowles’ creativity, Robinson has loved enjoying a number of positions up entrance thus far.
“I’ve played in a lot of defenses and I’ve played in a lot of different spots,” Robinson mentioned. “This protection is complicated, nevertheless it’s additionally a protection you need to be in when you’re a D-lineman since you’re going to be aggressive. You’re going to get off and put O-linemen in conditions, sure binds and issues. So it’s going to allow you to be lively, in keeping with the system that we’re enjoying.
“I could be anywhere. I could be on the edge. I could be at the nose. I could be at the 3[-technique], I could be in a 9[-technique]. I could literally be anywhere, so that’s what makes it fun.”
Bucs DT A’Shawn Robinson – Picture by: IMAGN Photographs – Jim Dedmon
• A’Shawn Robinson was reduce by the Panthers this offseason as Carolina wished to get youthful upfront. He was anticipated to make $8.5 million in 2026 and the Bucs really gave him a increase as a result of they worth his management means, which solely elevated his enthusiasm for wanting to return to Tampa Bay.
And it’s protected to say that Robinson is wanting ahead to enjoying his former staff in Tampa Bay on Monday Evening Soccer in Week 7.
“Oh yeah,” Robinson mentioned. “I can’t wait. It’s going to be a good one. … I’m here. I don’t care about Carolina.”
• Pewter Report had two Bucs gamers on the Pewter Report Podcast this week in defensive deal with Elijah Roberts and cornerback Jacob Parrish. Each have been unbelievable interviews, so when you missed both podcast be sure to atone for them this weekend.
Bucs C Graham Barton Joins The Pewter Report Podcast On Monday
Pewter Report has had interviews with six Buccaneers thus far this offseason: outdoors linebacker David Walker, guard Cody Mauch, cornerback Zyon McCollum, common supervisor Jason Licht, defensive deal with Elijah Roberts and cornerback Jacob Parrish.
However we’re not carried out with Bucs interviews but this offseason. We’ve acquired heart Graham Barton scheduled for Monday at 4:00 p.m. ET, so please be a part of us as we converse to Barton about Zac Robinson’s new offense and the staff’s new additions this offseason.
