The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made several significant additions this offseason to reshape the team’s identity. That effort has been particularly noticeable on defense, but Tampa Bay isn’t relying exclusively on veteran newcomers to make the difference.
Several of the Buccaneers’ top draft picks are also expected to contribute immediately under Todd Bowles. Rueben Bain and Josiah Trotter have already earned starting jobs, while Keionte Scott is expected to play a significant role as a rookie.
Fortunately for Tampa Bay, those responsibilities weren’t simply handed to them because of their draft status. All three rookies earned their opportunities through impressive performances during training camp and the preseason.
Trotter Has Made An Early Impression
Comparing three players at different positions isn’t easy, especially before any of them has played a regular-season NFL game. Still, it’s hardly a stretch to argue that Trotter has been the most impressive of the three.
Trotter has quickly earned the respect of his teammates, coaches, and everyone who has watched his first NFL offseason. His emergence has become even more significant after winning a starting role at one of the most important positions within Bowles’ defense.
That starting opportunity demonstrates the confidence Tampa Bay’s coaching staff already has in the rookie. Now, Trotter is preparing to find out what that confidence looks like when the games officially count.
Joe Burrow Presents An Immediate Test
Trotter won’t have to wait long for a difficult assignment in his first NFL start. Speaking with Logan Robinson of BucsGameday, Trotter discussed the challenge of facing Bengals superstar quarterback Joe Burrow.
“QB, that’s the first thing. You’ve seen a guy like that, make the reads, make the throws, and then he also has weapons with him,” Trotter said. “That’s the biggest threat right there on their offense, just the weapons he has, the receiver position and all the way to the running back, you know, who’s getting a lot of touches as well, not just for the run game but the receiving game.”
Trotter clearly understands that dealing with Burrow means accounting for more than the quarterback himself. The rookie linebacker knows the Bengals have multiple players capable of making an impact around their quarterback.
Trotter Plans To Bring The Fight
Trotter also explained how he intends to approach the challenge of defending Burrow. His answer revealed the aggressive mentality he’ll bring into his first regular-season appearance.
“He has a lot of weapons that he can throw to, especially being an elite QB” Trotter said. “so just try to be able to contain that, and try to, you know, get to him, gotta try to rattle him early and try to keep it going.”
That approach should make Trotter’s debut particularly interesting to watch. His controlled aggression has been one of the defining traits of his game, and Sunday provides his first opportunity to showcase it in a regular-season setting.
Trotter has already accomplished the first major step by earning a starting position. Now, he’ll get his first chance to show why the Buccaneers trusted him with the job.
For more from JR click here!
Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report
BucsReport.com
For more on this and everything Buccaneers check back here hourly at BucsReport.com.
