Let’s be clear. The very best performer at first of Bucs coaching camp has been outdoors linebacker Yaya Diaby. And it is probably not shut.
It hasn’t mattered whether or not it’s simply in helmets and jerseys or when the pads formally got here on, Diaby is within the backfield getting after the quarterback greater than another defensive participant.
There are excessive expectations for Yaya Diaby in yr two after a breakout rookie season through which he completed as a starter with a team-leading 7.5 sacks. Very like how musicians and different entertainers have residencies in Las Vegas, Diaby has his personal residency within the Bucs’ weight room in Tampa.
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
“Yaya was right here (in Tampa through the offseason) for those who guys couldn’t inform,” left sort out Tristan Wirfs joked. “I imply holy cow. Him and Jose (Ramirez) had been right here so much, so it was a enjoyable group of men right here getting after it this summer season.”
The exhausting work and energy within the offseason has straight translated to outcomes on the sphere to this point for Diaby. The Bucs will want it as they work out who will likely be lining up on the opposite aspect of Diaby at outdoors linebacker however his function as a starter appears to be cemented together with his scorching begin to camp. With every apply Diaby appears to get extra snug – and extra dominant.
“It’s limitless,” head coach Todd Bowles stated about his potential. “The most important factor for Yaya [is] he understands the protection now. It’s nonetheless exhausting to gauge after we’re not in pads. It’s exhausting for the offense to actually get fingers on anybody with out the pads. However, his effort and his focus proper now have been nice.”
Offensive Tackles Have Not Had Enjoyable Making an attempt To Block Yaya Diaby
Tampa Bay is fortunate to the boast one of many high offensive sort out tandems within the league with Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke. Wirfs is arguably the perfect left sort out within the NFL – or not less than within the dialog. Goedeke took the most important step ahead on the Bucs’ roster final yearand did a implausible job final season in his first take a look at proper sort out.
Bucs DT Calijah Kancey and OLB Yaya Diaby – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
This has made for entertaining battles in coaching camp to this point. Diaby has held his personal towards Wirfs and has had distinctive matchups with Goedeke as properly. It’s been nice competitors with either side having their very own wins on sure reps, nevertheless it hasn’t been simple for anybody. What it’s actually seemed like is a knock em’ out, drag em’ out form of struggle on every play.
Anytime we’ve seen Diaby go up towards a backup, it’s been over – shortly. Diaby has had key moments getting would-be sacks on Baker Mayfield throughout timed classes the place the offense wants to attain late within the sport to win. Getting stops on third down is a giant purpose of Diaby’s, in addition to making huge performs.
Having the chance of getting all of the starters battle one another has benefited everybody. Goedeke has been impressed with Diaby and the way he’s developed as a go rusher. No one has been constantly attacking the go rush that Yaya Diaby has finished it to this point in camp.
“It’s utterly invaluable to play towards our defensive position,” Goedeke stated. “We now have an exceptional defensive position. From our outdoors [linebackers] to our inside [linemen], with Caliah [Kancey] and Vita [Vea], we’ve got Yaya and Joe [Tyron-Shoyinka]. Yaya has positively taken an incredible leap; Tristan and I’ve talked about it. Simply the bodily traits he possesses and the problem he’s going to offer tackles in the entire [NFL] will likely be fascinating. I’m grateful to go towards him in apply as a result of he solely prepares us for the nice [pass rushers] throughout the league.”
