A new Pewter Report roundtable debuts every Tuesday on PewterReport.com. Every week, a Pewter reporter will tackle a different tough question. Question of the week: Which Bucs defender will intercept Broncos quarterback Bo Nix?
Scott Reynolds: Servosia Dennis gets his first career interception off Bo Nix
Buccaneers ILB Servosia Dennis – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
This may seem a bit presumptuous and bold, Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix He’s thrown two interceptions in each of his first two NFL starts. And it’s a timely topic: The Buccaneers defense recorded its first two interceptions of the year in Detroit and missed three other potential interceptions. So which Buccaneers defender do you think will intercept Knicks when the Broncos come to town on Sunday? I’m going to pick second-year inside linebacker Servosia Dennis.
Dennis recorded his first career sack in Week 1 against Washington and I believe he will record his first career interception against the Broncos at Raymond James Stadium. No other inside linebacker has recorded more interceptions in practice over the past two years than Dennis, a 2023 fifth-round draft pick. Highly intelligent and instinctive, Dennis has a knack for jumping shallow and intermediate pass routes, which is why he will be substituting for KJ Britt on long and obvious third down passes.
The Knicks have thrown more passes (24) to the short center of the field than any other position on the gridiron. That’s exactly where Dennis will be when he’s not blitzing, as Todd Bowles often has linebackers spot-drop into shallow coverage in the nickel defense. Dennis was my pick from the Week 1 win in last week’s PR roundtable, and he recorded a career-high 11 tackles last week at Detroit. I’ll be keeping this up and watching Dennis get his first NFL pick on Sunday against a rookie QB.
Matt Matera: Great play from Jordan Whitehead leads to interception
Buccaneers S Jordan Whitehead – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead has been a standout performer in his second stint with Tampa Bay since returning in the offseason. He led the Buccaneers in tackles in each of the two weeks with 19 tackles. He’s been flying all over the field, not only playing at the line of scrimmage but also at the back end of his natural safety position. He’s also recorded an interception in each game.
Given how well he’s done so far, it stands to reason that the next step to take him to the next level would be to record an interception. Whitehead came close to throwing one last week against the Lions, and should have gotten one. Sure, that should put him down a little, but he could be redeemed on Sunday against a turnover-heavy Bo Nix.
Whitehead’s two years away from the Buccaneers and playing for the Jets have improved his pass coverage skills. Last season, Whitehead recorded four interceptions, including three against Josh Allen in the season opener. He returns to the Buccaneers as a more well-rounded player. Since Antoine Winfield Jr. was sidelined, he has shown more leadership and helped lead the defense with his playmaking ability. Whitehead is physical, but also versatile in coverage. The Buccaneers will handle pressure well this week, and Whitehead could benefit from that.
Bayley Adams: Zion McCollum keeps winning with interceptions
Buccaneers CB Zion McCollum – Photo Credit: USA Today
Zion McCollum He said during training camp His goal was to record six interceptions with the Buccaneers in 2024. The last time the Buccaneers recorded six interceptions in a season was in 2010, when Aqib Talib did it, so McCollum has a lot of work to do if he’s to reach that mark this year.
The good news is that McCollum set up the scoring opportunity in Week 2 by intercepting a Jared Goff pass on the Lions’ first offensive play. He nearly had two more interceptions on the way to a career-high four passes defensed. It was the best game of the third-year cornerback’s young career. Expect him to have a chance to build on that performance in Week 3 against Bo Nix.
Nicks has thrown four interceptions in the first two games of his NFL career, including one on a pass thrown right over the middle, which could bode well for McCollum, as Denver doesn’t have many playmakers to fear around the rookie point guard. McCullum should be feeling confident going into this game. And he’s poised to get a third of his goal of six interceptions in 2024.
Josh Quaippo: Old dog Lavonte David (finally) gets the pick
Buccaneers LB Lavonte David NFL – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
It’s been four years since Tampa Bay inside linebacker Lavonte David last recorded an interception. Despite his lack of interceptions, he remains one of the best cover linebackers in the NFL. Over the past two years, David has recorded nine interceptions and can always be counted on to be in the right place at the right time.
The 34-year-old David is a crafty veteran at this point in his career, and he’ll be facing off against a polar opposite in Denver Broncos rookie Bo Nix, a former Oregon product who throws nearly half of his passes down the middle of the field and two-thirds of his total passes in the short or intermediate depth of the field (0-20 yards beyond the line of scrimmage).
David will catch a lot of passes on Sunday, and as a believer in baseball clichés, he’s “deserved” a chance. Maybe he’s had enough already. Detroit had young players like cornerback Zion McCollum and safety Christian Izien steal passes last week, so the veteran will want to show the younger guys he’s still capable of showing them he’s got the moves.
Adam Slivon: Jamel Dean will film his first scene of 2024 on Sunday
Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
Jamel Dean never recovered from an interception he dropped in the divisional round against the Lions in Week 2. But aside from a 50-yard pass to Jameson Williams early in the game, Dean put together a solid game in coverage. He finished with 10 tackles and one pass deflection, but Sunday’s game against the Broncos will be his chance to get his first interception of the new season.
Denver rookie Bo Nix has yet to throw a touchdown pass through two games and is intercepted a league-tying four times. One of those four interceptions was on a pass to the far left of the field, which presents an opportunity for the veteran outside cornerback. Nix has already made some rookie mistakes and may be more aggressive in making up for them by forcing the ball to Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds. That’s why I see Dean as a potential big-play in Week 3.
Zion McCollum and Christian Izien had interceptions for Detroit, but now it’s the team’s highest-paid and longest-tenured cornerback’s turn to lead the room. In a room riddled with injuries early on, Jamel Dean will have to prove he can step up as a playmaker and score points. Dean didn’t record an interception last year and is entering his sixth season with only seven interceptions. It’s even more urgent for him to make the big play, and with this favorable matchup, I see him being able to make it. If he does make the big play, head coach Todd Bowles will be pleased, and he may even ask him to take a drug test after the game.
