(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
For all the money the Bucs have spent at the cornerback position, their return on investment should have them declaring bankruptcy. In the past two years, Tampa signed Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean to contracts combining for nearly $100 million, but so far this year, they are playing some of the worst football of their careers.
While neither Davis or Dean have never been turnover generators, they have historically been excellent at preventing receptions, with neither allowing more than 60% of their targets to be caught over their careers. Both are on track to allow well over 70% of their targets to be caught this season, which is a major driver for Tampa’s bottom-five 2235 pass yards allowed.
Some of this is driven by scheme, as Todd Bowles is calling zone coverage on over two-thirds of defensive pass plays per PFF. With the lack of pass rush, it has become open season on a secondary that appears completely ill-equipped to challenge receivers while playing off the line of scrimmage.
Undrafted rookie Christian Izien has been a nice surprise, holding down the nickel position. He started the season red-hot with two interceptions in consecutive games but has since cooled off.
Second-year CB Zyon McCollum appears to have taken a step in his development, drastically reducing his missed tackles and forcing more contested catches when targeted. However, he and Izien fall in the same boat as Davis and Dean in allowing far too many receptions overall.
The apparent disintegration of the secondary is hard to pin solely on talent. Given how poorly the unit has played overall, Todd Bowles and his staff must assume a fair share of the blame. Either they are insisting on putting the corners in unfavorable positions or they simply do not have answers to lift them up.
Grade: D
