The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ status as NFL forerunners has been murky since Tom Brady hung up his cleats. The contest is now hot between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, both vying for the throne left vacant by Brady.
The public consensus isn’t brimming with optimism, but the perspectives change within the walls of One Buc Place.
Inside the Buc’s dominion, there’s an animated atmosphere. ‘We’re ready to stun ’em all,’ this was Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis’s proclamation to Tyler Dunne.
He confidently asserts, ‘If anyone thinks that Tom’s departure equates to our defeat, they’re in for a shock. Tom was a huge asset for us, no doubt, but football is a team game.’
Davis continues, ‘Success in this sport hinges on having the right elements, and we’re still armed with those key factors. My game? It’s only on the rise.’ Davis conveys a daunting warning: ‘We’re all set to cause havoc. Interceptions, turnovers, we’re all about making big plays. Just keep watching: Plays. Will. Be. Made.’
Indeed, the roster for Tampa Bay reflects a formidable line-up. Powerhouses such as Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Tristan Wirfs, Vita Vea, Antoine Winfield Jr., Lavonte David, Devin White and Shaquil Barrett continue to bolster the squad.
Davis himself, who recently renewed his contract worth $45 million for three years, is more than just a member of the squad.
Despite the lack of postseason accolades in his trophy cabinet and a less than flattering performance metric by Pro Football Focus which ranked him 81st among all defensive corners, Davis commands a hearty paycheck from Tampa Bay.
If you catch his words, you’d discern his intent to step up both in on-field performance and pivoting the team’s morale, especially in this challenging post-Brady era.
The road ahead for Tampa Bay is challenging, but it’s not an insurmountable task. With the NFC South division up for grabs, Davis is ready to stake his claim, no intentions of waving any white flags to another team. However, terming the division inferior might be a bit overstated.
The New Orleans saints are confident they have found a replacement for Drew Brees, while the Carolina Panthers are on the verge of a new era with the promising newbie, Bryce Young.
Besides, the Atlanta Falcons, piloted by the sophomore Desmond Ridder, come with their own set of dangerous weapons including Kyle Pitts, Drake London and rookie running back, Bijan Robinson.
Yet in the eyes of Davis, none of this holds any relevance. He’s on a mission to authenticate that the Buccaneers’ recent Super Bowl victory is not a flash in the pan. Those predicting a Bucs’ regression are simply misguided in their assumptions, according to Davis.
His scathing retort makes his stance amply clear: ‘People don’t know a thing until events unfold.’ It’s a season of optimism, and Davis is brimming with it. The time will reveal whether his unwavering enthusiasm can fan the fire under a Buccaneers team poised for contention in 2023.
