The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have presented one of the worst passing defenses so far through this 2024 NFL season. Ranking 30th in passing yards given up per game, the Bucs were pleasantly surprised to see a former defensive back on waivers, available to be claimed.
On Thursday during their bye week, Tampa Bay was awarded former Buccaneer safety and two-time Super Bowl champion Mike Edwards from waivers, after the Tennessee Titans waived him earlier in the week. Both sides seem to be ecstatic about the reunion, as Edwards was an addition that didn’t cost much and will an have instant impact.
“Hopefully I can bring a spark of whatever they may need. Bring any type of help that I can for this team. Not just defense, but the whole team. [Bucs defense] has had their struggles, but they’ve also had some great parts to the season. They might be a play away from winning any of those games.” Edwards elaborated on how he can improve this defense.
The Buffalo Bills signed Mike Edwards back in March of this year, in hopes that the experienced defensive back would rise above their young safeties, or at least become a solid depth piece. He was eventually cut by Buffalo on November 4th, after only suiting up in three games, playing mostly special teams and recording one tackle.
After being initially cut by Buffalo at the beginning of the month, he was claimed by the Titans. He was a healthy inactive for Tennessee’s game on Sunday, later being cut by the team on Wednesday of last week, opening up the opportunity for Tampa Bay.
“It didn't work out for Buffalo, [there's] no bad blood but [I] end up leaving there and then going to Tennessee and now I'm back here. [I] had a good journey. It's crazy, went all over the place, like I said, but I'm back where it all started so I'm happy for that.” Edwards elaborated.
It’s a great addition for this Bucs’ defense, who is in need of help in the secondary. The plethora of passing yards given up every game isn’t solely because of the play of the team’s defensive backs, but a veteran presence who was on this defense when it was firing on all cylinders and knows what it takes to get to that level.
There’s no telling as to why Edwards couldn’t find a solidified home after a solid Super Bowl performance in February where he recorded seven tackles and a pass defended. But it seems likely Todd Bowles and his defensive staff will find a way to get their former ball hawk back into key situations.
The safety who will now sport jersey number 21, we should all look forward to the impact Edwards can have, not only on the field, but in the development of this secondary’s young players. Tykee Smith will surely serve as a beneficiary of Edwards savvy veteran presence in learning the complexity of this Tampa Bay defense.
With Jamel Dean’s return soon upon us, a healthy Bucs secondary will be a huge plus as this team gears up for the final stretch. If both Dean and Smith can return to play, plus the addition of Edwards, this secondary will now have a bit of depth in their secondary, opposed to starting inexperienced players that were forced to start due to injury.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have presented one of the worst passing defenses so far through this 2024 NFL season. Ranking 30th in passing yards given up per game, the Bucs were pleasantly surprised to see a former defensive back on waivers, available to be claimed.
On Thursday during their bye week, Tampa Bay was awarded former Buccaneer safety and two-time Super Bowl champion Mike Edwards from waivers, after the Tennessee Titans waived him earlier in the week. Both sides seem to be ecstatic about the reunion, as Edwards was an addition that didn’t cost much and will an have instant impact.
“Hopefully I can bring a spark of whatever they may need. Bring any type of help that I can for this team. Not just defense, but the whole team. [Bucs defense] has had their struggles, but they’ve also had some great parts to the season. They might be a play away from winning any of those games.” Edwards elaborated on how he can improve this defense.
The Buffalo Bills signed Mike Edwards back in March of this year, in hopes that the experienced defensive back would rise above their young safeties, or at least become a solid depth piece. He was eventually cut by Buffalo on November 4th, after only suiting up in three games, playing mostly special teams and recording one tackle.
After being initially cut by Buffalo at the beginning of the month, he was claimed by the Titans. He was a healthy inactive for Tennessee’s game on Sunday, later being cut by the team on Wednesday of last week, opening up the opportunity for Tampa Bay.
“It didn't work out for Buffalo, [there's] no bad blood but [I] end up leaving there and then going to Tennessee and now I'm back here. [I] had a good journey. It's crazy, went all over the place, like I said, but I'm back where it all started so I'm happy for that.” Edwards elaborated.
It’s a great addition for this Bucs’ defense, who is in need of help in the secondary. The plethora of passing yards given up every game isn’t solely because of the play of the team’s defensive backs, but a veteran presence who was on this defense when it was firing on all cylinders and knows what it takes to get to that level.
There’s no telling as to why Edwards couldn’t find a solidified home after a solid Super Bowl performance in February where he recorded seven tackles and a pass defended. But it seems likely Todd Bowles and his defensive staff will find a way to get their former ball hawk back into key situations.
The safety who will now sport jersey number 21, we should all look forward to the impact Edwards can have, not only on the field, but in the development of this secondary’s young players. Tykee Smith will surely serve as a beneficiary of Edwards savvy veteran presence in learning the complexity of this Tampa Bay defense.
With Jamel Dean’s return soon upon us, a healthy Bucs secondary will be a huge plus as this team gears up for the final stretch. If both Dean and Smith can return to play, plus the addition of Edwards, this secondary will now have a bit of depth in their secondary, opposed to starting inexperienced players that were forced to start due to injury.
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