There was a whole lot of defensive-related Bucs information this morning, however this one will certainly deliver a smile to followers’ faces.
It was introduced that exterior linebacker Yaya Diaby gained NFC Defensive Participant of the Week for Week 18 after the profession sport he had in opposition to the Saints this previous Sunday.
Yaya Diaby’s Profession Sport Acknowledged With Being NFC Defensive Participant Of The Week
Bucs HC Todd Bowles and OLB Yaya Diaby – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Yaya Diaby completed the common season on a excessive word, saving his greatest efficiency for the Bucs’ season finale. Diaby was a backfield menace on Sunday afternoon, setting career-highs with 4 tackles for a loss and quarterback hits. Diaby added in a sack to finish his stat-sheet stuffing.
After struggling to string collectively sacks all year long, the second-year exterior linebacker now has 2.5 sacks together with 10 pressures throughout his previous three video games.
Whereas he solely completed with 4.5 sacks within the common season, he nonetheless joined some elite firm for what he has been in a position to do as a defensive disruptor.
Yaya Diaby turned the sixth participant since 2017 to document 12.0+ sacks, 25+ quarterback hits and 25+ tackles for loss throughout their first 34 profession video games performed.
The opposite 5:– Micah Parsons – Nick Bosa– Maxx Crosby– Bradley Chubb– Myles Garrett pic.twitter.com/jQlPsq1hcN
— Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) January 7, 2025
Final month, Diaby spoke with Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds about how he was not pleased with the dearth of sacks he had.
“Earlier within the yr I did let that get to me as a result of I’m like, ‘Dang, I’m sort of doing every thing proper nevertheless it’s simply not including up,’” Diaby mentioned then. “I imply, I nonetheless obtained guys like Calijah [Kancey] and Vita [Vea] making performs off the stress that I’m getting so it’s not a complete loss. However on the finish of the day, such as you mentioned, [sacks] are what get you paid. That’s simply one thing you may look and develop from in order that’s all it’s.”
He has grown and proven loads of enchancment this yr speeding the passer and producing pressures.
In actual fact, he completed ninth amongst edge rushers with a career-high 65 pressures this yr, in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus. Seeing these pressures lead to extra quarterback takedowns is a promising improvement the Bucs shall be hoping continues within the postseason.
His subsequent check?
Bringing down Commanders rookie dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels.
