Tag: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Former Panthers CB signs onto NFC South rival’s active roster

Former Panthers CB Troy Hill has earned himself a spot on the Buccaneers’ active roster.

It didn’t take cornerback Troy Hill long to find a new home after he was released by the Carolina Panthers last month. Heck, he didn’t even have to go to another division.

And now, he’s getting a bit comfier in his new digs.

As announced on Monday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have promoted Hill to their active roster. The move comes 19 days after the NFC South rivals signed the 10th-year veteran to their practice squad.

The Panthers parted ways with Hill prior to their Week 7 matchup against the Washington Commanders. That decision closed the book on a two-year run for Hill in Carolina—where he recorded 80 combined tackles, an interception, seven passes defensed and a forced fumble over 22 games.

Hill, to that point, had been the Panthers’ primary nickel corner. Those duties were then reassigned to 2024 fifth-round pick Chau Smith-Wade, who struggled in the role.

Veteran Dane Jackson has seemingly taken over the spot recently, as he tallied a team-high 35 snaps from the slot in the Week 10 victory over the New York Giants.

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WATCH: Bucs spend Bye Week sharing Baker Mayfield highlights

The Bucs’ social media teams shared every touchdown pass that Baker Mayfield had thrown in 2024. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a Bye Week during the NFL’s 11th week of the season. They spent it doing several things, including getting healthy and working on the little things.

Those fans were left with little to enjoy outside of the Broncos beating the Falcons unless they were on social media, where the Bucs’ social media teams shared every touchdown pass that Baker Mayfield had thrown in 2024.

The first one of the year found Mike Evans, and during the package, fans can enjoy the former Aggie joining an elite club in NFL history. Passes to Cade Otton, Chris Godwin, Sterling Sheppard, and more are also included in the package which can be found below.

As the team comes out of their Bye Week and prepare for the Giants in Week 12, Mayfield is on pace for career highs in every passing category.

The former Heisman Trophy winner is on pace for 4.285 passing yards and a whopping 41 passing touchdowns.

Giants bench Daniel Jones ahead of matchup with Bucs in Week 12

The Giants benched Daniel Jones in favor of Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock. Jones will now be third on the depth chart behind DeVito and Lock. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants were both on their Bye Week this past Sunday. While one team worked on healing up, the other made a quarterback change, and it wasn’t the Bucs.

The New York Giants are making a quarterback change ahead of their matchup on Sunday against the Bucs. They are benching Daniel Jones in favor of Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock. Jones will now be third on the depth chart behind DeVito, who will start, and Lock.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the move early on Monday morning.

In his siz years in the NFL, after the Giants drafted him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Jones has a record of 24-44-1. The Giants this year have the lowest scoring offense with 15.6 points per game so they hope this change can bring life to the team.

For the Bucs, though, it allows a secondary that has been struggling to go against a softer challenge. DeVito, in six games last year, was 3-3 and averaged less than 200 yards passing a game.

Tampa Bay Bucs schedule: are the Bucs playing today? 

Is TEAM playing today? Here’s a look at the schedule and the games to come. 

Will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers be on the field today in Week 11 of the NFL schedule?

Following another loss, this time to the San Francisco 49ers, the Bucs are on a bye this week and will return to the field on November 24 against the New York Giants.

A game against the New York Giants could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Bucs to turn things around. The offense has been firing on all cylinders despite the absence of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. However, Evans could potentially return after the Bye Week if he gets through a week of practice.

On defense, this could be the game for them to assemble a complete game finally.

The pass rush has been working well in recent weeks, and getting Mike Edwards mixed into the secondary could do wonders. Antoine Winfield Jr. will have plenty of chances to make a big play against Daniel Jones.

TEAM 2024 schedule

  • Sept. 8: Washington (W, 37-20)
  • Sept. 15: at Detroit (W, 20-16)
  • Sept. 22: Denver (L, 26-7)
  • Sept. 29: Philadelphia (W, 33-16)
  • Oct. 3: at Atlanta (L, 36-30 OT)
  • Oct. 13: at New Orleans (W, 51-27)
  • Oct. 21: Baltimore (L, 41-31)
  • Oct. 27: Atlanta (L, 31-26)
  • Nov. 4: at Kansas City (L, 30-24)
  • Nov. 10: San Francisco (L, 23-20)
  • Nov. 17: Bye Week
  • Record: 4-6

Sean Payton will attempt to sweep NFC South on Sunday

Sean Payton’s Broncos have outscored NFC South opponents 87-31 this fall. They’ll attempt to sweep the division when they host the Falcons.

Sean Payton won seven NFC South division titles and reached three NFC championship games during his time with the New Orleans Saints.

Now coaching the Denver Broncos, Payton has faced some familiar faces this season because the NFL’s schedule rotation has AFC West teams playing NFC South teams in 2024.

So far, the Broncos are 3-0 against Payton’s old division with a 26-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a 33-10 win over the Saints and a 28-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers. After winning the previous matchups by combined scores of 87-31, Denver will look to complete an NFC South sweep when the Atlanta Falcons visit this weekend.

Payton was asked during his media availability on Wednesday if he’s extra competitive when facing teams from his old division.

“I don’t think so,” Payton said. “It’s a fair question. There have been so many changes. Atlanta’s new offensively and defensively. Carolina is new. Tampa certainly with Todd [Bowles] but I don’t think — you might know some personnel. The New Orleans thing was different, but I don’t think with the other three. They’re just the next team, and you dive into the scheme, you dive into the players and who does what well. That would be my answer.”

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on Fox (view the TV map). Playing at home, the Broncos are considered slight favorites in Week 11.

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Bucs bring back DB Mike Edwards after claiming him off waivers

After being placed on waivers by the Tennessee Titans, safety Mike Edwards is returning to Tampa Bay, where he previously played.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had some issues in the secondary this season. They have lacked playmaking outside of Antoine Winfield Jr., but now the veteran safety is getting some help alongside him.

After being placed on waivers by the Tennessee Titans, safety Mike Edwards is returning to Tampa Bay, where he previously played.

Edwards played for the Bucs from 2019 to 2022 after being drafted in the third round by the team. He appeared in 58 games and recorded 184 tackles, seven interceptions, and three defensive touchdowns. The playmaking didn’t stop there; he also had broken up 21 passes, was involved in four forced fumbles and fumble recoveries combined, two sacks, seven tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits.

He can make a difference with this team immediately as soon as he is available. The group could all lean on each other, especially rookie Tykee Smith, who already has shown playmaking ability in flashes.

Bucs TE Cade Otton listed as Pro Bowl sleeper after recent breakout

Cade Otton’s recent breakout in the absence of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin has allowed him to be considered for the event. 

The Pro Bowl is not held in much high regard by the media, but it still means something for players to be credited with having good seasons. It also allows them to get together during Pro Bowl week, and new bonds can be made that could benefit teams down the road.

Cade Otton’s recent breakout in the absence of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin has allowed him to be considered for the event.

NFL Media discussed some potential sleepers for the Pro Bowl and the Bucs tight end made the cut. Kevin Patra writes “In three of the past four weeks, Otton generated at least 75 yards — a number he’d never previously hit in a regular-season game. Since Week 7, his 20.8 receiving EPA is tops among tight ends, his 39 targets are second-most among TEs. . .The Bucs have a tough road ahead to get back into the postseason, but if they can, Otton will be a key reason for the late-season surge.”

Regardless of the outcome of the Bucs’ season, Cade Otton’s emergence bodes well for their long-term plans. Having one less position to worry about in the draft and offseason allows more money and time to be invested in other areas.

Cade Otton’s play has allowed the Bucs to feel good about the entire tight end position; a Pro Bowl would put a bow on that conversation.

PFF puts a number on Tristan Wirfs’ impact on the Bucs pass game

Thanks to PFF, we can quantify just how good Tristan Wirfs is with the various things they can track.

Tristan Wirfs has been the best player on the Buccaneers since Tom Brady retired at the end of the 2022 season. Wirfs was drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft and immediately emerged as one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL.

Thanks to PFF, we can quantify just how good he is with the various things they can track.

Pro Football Focus credits Tristan Wirfs with the lowest pressure allowed of any offensive tackle in the NFL. They have him allowing pressures on just 1.6% of his pass-blocking reps on the year, the next closest being 1.8% from Lane Johnson on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Wirfs has long been a favorite of PFF graders, earning several high grades in his career. His career run-blocking grade is 67.7, and his pass-blocking grade is a whopping 92.5, which is rare for them to give out.

They also tracked over 3,518 pass-blocking snaps in his career and only have him on the hook for 12 sacks in his career.

Vita Vea’s pass rush ability ranks among the best in the NFL in 2024

Vita Vea has stepped up and become a bonafide game-wrecker for the Bucs’ defense, especially in the pass rush game. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are having some inconsistent play out of their edge rushers this year. Joe Tyron-Shoyika and Yaya Diaby have flashed in moments, but they haven’t had a chance to find much consistent success.

In their absence, Vita Vea has stepped up and become a bonafide game-wrecker for the Bucs’ defense, especially in the pass rush game.

Vea is tied for second among interior defensive linemen with five sacks on the year. His career high is 6.5, and he is on pace for 7.5 with seven games left to play.

The pass rush has been tremendous for the defensive front seven of the Bucs. They have not been able to generate consistent pass-rush ability, but Vea has remained a constant.

Outside of his work rushing the passer, he has also been getting the backfield to defend the run with 31 tackles, seven quarterback hits, and a career-high eight tackles for loss.

Bucs’ Tristan Wirfs placed on the latest cover of Sports Illustrated

In the latest edition of Sports Illustrated, the Bucs offensive tackle is on the cover as the team discusses the emergence of athletic offensive linemen. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without Tristan Wirfs for a couple of weeks following his sprained MCL against the 49ers in Week 10. Despite his absence, he is making a special appearance from something he had been working on in weeks past.

In the latest edition of Sports Illustrated, the Bucs offensive tackle is on the cover as the team discusses the emergence of athletic offensive linemen.

Tristan Wirfs is on the cover alongside the New Orleans Saints’ Caesar Ruiz. They both are among the biggest but most athletic offensive linemen in the entire NFL. Wirfs has had a strong athletic profile going all the way back to high school, where he was a state champion wrestler and then became the anchor for the Iowa Hawkeyes in college.

That athletic profile and background led to him being one of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft and eventually one of the best tackles in all of football.