Bucs coach hits nail on the head on simple but effective way key defender can become a Pro Bowler
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean has proven to be a very good player over the years. A member of the Super Bowl LV champion team, Dean has spent all five years in Tampa Bay after being selected by the Bucs in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. However, the veteran defender has […]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean has proven to be a very good player over the years. A member of the Super Bowl LV champion team, Dean has spent all five years in Tampa Bay after being selected by the Bucs in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
However, the veteran defender has yet to earn a Pro Bowl or All-Pro honor in his career despite his solid play. According to his positional coach Kevin Ross, holding onto more potential interceptions is a key step in taking the leap from good player to Pro Bowl and/or All-Pro level.
Coming up with a game-changing interception is something that Dean hasn't been able to do enough despite being a quality starter for the Buccaneers. That was on display on two separate occasions last year in crucial situations for the Bucs.
Against the Bills on Thursday night football, Dean had a shot at an interception on fourth and goal at the three. With no one in front of him, he slapped the ball away despite having the opportunity to grab it and race the length of the field for a score. The Bucs lost that game by a touchdown.
Against the Lions in the divisional round of the playoff, Detroit QB Jared Goff threw a pass into the end zone. Dean read it well and stepped in front of Amon-Ra St. Brown for as easy of an interception as you'll ever see. Unfortunately for Dean and the Bucs, the ball clanged off his hands for an incompletion. The Lions ended up with a field goal in a game they won 31-23.
Dean simply hasn't been able to come up with the football and force takeaways in the passing game. He had no interceptions last year and has pulled down only 7 in 70 career games.
The Buccaneers need Dean to figure out a way to make them this season. If they do, then the Bucs have a shot of taking that next step from playoff team to true contender for Super Bowl LIX. And Dean could end up taking the next step from veteran to Pro Bowler.
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