Gets across the line quickly.
Bucs fans are still moaning about how Sam Darnold escaped the clutches of Bucs outside linebacker YaYa Diaby in crunch time on Sunday in Seattle.
It just adds to all the woes of a lack of an edge rush. Joe is rock solid certain fans want a real edge rusher on the Bucs defense more than the shot-callers do.
Still, types Seth Walder of BSPN, a man who never met a number he didn’t like, he thinks Diaby [can still hit double-digit sacks](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46512815/2025-nfl-season-evaluating-preseason-predictions-all-32-teams-updates#tb) even though that’s not a goal of Bucs coaches.
So far through five games, YaYa has one sack, which is actually on pace to match his 2024 total of 4.5 sacks.
> **Why there’s still a chance:** With only one Diaby sack this season, I feel like I should probably throw this one out. But … I’m holding tough with my optimism, as he has a 20% pass rush win rate at edge (tied for 17th best) and an electric get-off. He crosses the line of scrimmage in 0.75 seconds on average, fifth best among all players with at least 80 pass rushes. I still think Diaby has a chance in Todd Bowles’ blitz-happy defense.
So if YaYa is one of the quickest edge rushers to get across the line of scrimmage, then what the hell is happening after he gets past the line? Is YaYa simply unable to shed a block? Has anyone taught him how to shed a block (if that is the issue)?
If the Bucs really cared about an edge rush, not just lip service but actually cared as in demanding results — or else — maybe they’d have a coach on the staff who could help Diaby learn how to shed blocks or find some way for him to get to the quarterback since he seems to be able to put himself in position to put a quarterback on his arse.
(For those who think the previous paragraph is too harsh, then please point Joe to the coach on the Bucs’ staff who has developed a double-digit edge rusher for the Bucs. Not inherited an edge rusher, but developed.)
If the Bucs really were serious about an edge rush, they’d have a constant revolving door of dudes being brought into the building in a non-stop effort to find someone, anyone who could drop a quarterback.
Shoot, earlier this year after the Bucs had their second punt of the season blocked, two days later they worked out two punters. That didn’t take very long, did it?
When is the last time you heard of the Bucs working out an edge rusher?
Yeah, yeah, Todd Bowles asks his outside linebackers to do other things. And that’s the problem.