there was Lots of defense-related Bucs news Even though it’s Wednesday morning, this will definitely bring a smile to fans’ faces.
It was announced that outside linebacker Yaya Diaby has joined the team. Won NFC Defensive Player of the Week Award for Week 18 After a career game last Sunday against the Saints. This is the first time he has received such recognition.
Yaya Diaby’s career game earns him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors
Bucks HC Todd Bowles and OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Yaya Diaby finished the regular season strong, with his best performance coming in the Bucks’ final game of the season. Diaby He was a threat in the backfield. On Sunday afternoon, he set a career high with four tackles for a loss and a quarterback hit. Diaby added a sack of Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler to complete his stat sheet.
After struggling to rack up sacks all year, the second-year outside linebacker now has 10 pressures and 2.5 sacks over the past three games.
Although he had just 4.5 sacks in the regular season, his track record as a disruptor on defense earned him a spot on an elite team.
Yaya Diaby became the sixth player since 2017 to record at least 12.0 sacks, at least 25 quarterback hits and at least 25 tackles for loss in the first 34 games of his career.
The remaining five are:
– Micah Parsons
– Nick Bosa
– Max Crosby
– Bradley Chubb
– Myles Garrett pic.twitter.com/jQlPsq1hcN— Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) January 7, 2025
Panthers QB Bryce Young and Bucks OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo courtesy of USA Today
last month, Diaby spoke with Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds. About not being happy with the lack of sacks as the year drew to a close.
“At the beginning of the year, I was just letting it be to myself, because I was like, ‘Well, I’m doing everything right and it’s not working,'” Diaby said at the time. “So there are still players like Kariya.” [Kancey] and vita [Vea] We were able to play under pressure, so we didn’t completely lose. But at the end of the day, like you said, [sacks] It is something that receives money. It’s something you can watch and grow from and that’s it. ”
He has grown this year and showed a lot of progress in rushing the passer and creating pressure.
In fact, he finished ninth among edge rushers with a career-high 65 pressures this year, according to Pro Football Focus. Those pressures leading to more quarterback takedowns is a promising development that the Bucs hope to continue in the postseason.
His next test?
Defeat Commanders rookie two-way quarterback Jaden Daniels in Sunday night’s Super Wild round.
