Wanted for Bucs defense: finding ball hawks this offseason

TAMPA Bucs coach Todd Bowles knows his team needs help on defense, and he isnt particular about which position it comes from in the draft or free agency.

But to dethrone a Super Bowl champion such as the Eagles, youre going to need some rare birds of your own.

I want ball hawks, Bowles said this week at the NFL scouting combine.

Whether thats a down guy, a defensive lineman, whether he bats balls down or gets strip sacks.

Whether thats an outside linebacker who does it.

Whether thats a [line]backer who can punch the ball out or get turnovers.

Whether thats a safety who can hit and jar the ball loose and get turnovers.

Whether thats the corner who has a nose for the ball.

We need ball hawks.

We need turnovers.

We need guys who are very astute in the game and can see things and go make plays.

Bowles defense saw a slump in game-changing plays, particularly interceptions.

The Bucs had 7; only the Jaguars, Giants and Browns had fewer.

It was the lowest total since Bowles arrived in Tampa Bay as defensive coordinator in 2019.

That year, the Bucs had 12 interceptions, followed by 15 in 20, 17 in 21, 10 in 22 and 13 in 23.

Much of the decline had to do with an array of injuries, perhaps none more significant than All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

missing eight games with ankle and knee sprains.

Winfield can fill up a stat sheet as well as anyone in the NFL, a reason he became the leagues highest-paid defensive back after signing a 4-year, $84.1 million deal last March.

In 23, Winfield produced 3 interceptions, led the league with 6 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 6 sacks, 12 passes defensed and 122 tackles to go with 8 quarterback hits.

But last season, his most memorable play was a fumble return for a touchdown at New Orleans.

He had no interceptions and only 3 passes defensed.

Winfield, you know what you get when he practices and hes healthy, Bowles said.

The Bucs have informed safety Jordan Whitehead that they plan to release him.

Whitehead finished on the non-football injury list following an accident on the eve of the regular-season finale against the Saints.

He was cited for careless driving and sustained a fractured vertebrae.

None of Whiteheads $4.5 million salary for 2025 was guaranteed, and he could become a salary-cap casualty.

Meanwhile, Bowles is prepared to move Tykee Smith from nickel cornerback to safety next season.

Christian Izien, who played nickel, safety and even cornerback, would replace Smith.

Bowles also praised safety Kaevon Merriweather, whom they reclaimed from the Lions in December.

Its definitely something weve talked about and going into the spring, its something were going to look at as well, Bowles said of moving Smith to safety.

Tykee wants to play safety so were definitely going to be looking at it.

Hes very comfortable at safety but hes our best nickel.

Safety obviously stays on the field 100% of the time and with the nickel, probably 75% of the time, and he wants to be on the field all the time.

That doesnt mean hes not going to play nickel, but he can play more in the base defense.

Part of the reason for the Bucs lack of interceptions was their inability to pressure the quarterback utilizing just their front four.

Second-year pro Yaya Diaby led all Bucs outside pass rushers with 4.5 sacks, down from 7.5 as a rookie.

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who is set to become a free agent, had 2.

Bowles is optimistic the Bucs can get more from Alabama outside pass rusher Chris Braswell, who produced only 1.5 sacks as a rookie.

Hes got to stop thinking so much, Bowles said.

When he thinks, he slows down.

When hes sure, he plays with his hair on fire.

You can see how fast and physical he can be.

When hes not sure, he thinks about it and hes half speed, so weve got to get him past that point.

Bowles said he has only spoken twice with linebacker Lavonte David, who turned 35 in January.

David still is undecided about whether to return for a 14th season.

I spoke to him after the season, Bowles said.

We had our season-ending [meeting] and he needed some time.

We always give him time.

And I called him when I let him know [inside linebackers coach Mike] Caldwell was coming back and he was happy about that, but no decision has been made.

He hasnt let me know one way or the other.

Hopefully, he can come back.

One player expected to return is linebacker SirVocea Dennis, who demonstrated his coverage ability but had a season-ending torn pectoral muscle.

Hes a very good pass dropper, Bowles said.

Hes a very good striker.

Hes a very good pick guy from a blitz package standpoint, like he was in college [at Pitt], and hes a very heady player.

Hes probably our headiest underneath zone player from a [line]backer standpoint with the exception of Lavonte.

But we havent seen enough of him.

Weve got to get him out there and see him full time.

Hes got to stay healthy.

But the biggest way the Bucs defense can take flight again in 2025? Ball hawks.

Weve got to be more aggressive in practice, Bowles said.

Youve got to get your hands on balls.

You cant get them if youre not trying.

Im not saying they didnt try, but sometimes practice gets to be a shorts and T-shirts thing.

You dont want to run into people.

But weve got to be more aggressive..

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