Bucs CB Keionte Scott.
As soft and lethargic and — let’s be honest here — bad as the Bucs defense was last year, if somehow Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht could have drafted and signed every eligible defensive player from Miami, it wouldn’t have been a disaster.
Last year’s Hurricanes were a touchdown away from a national title. That team was a throwback to the old Hurricanes that played with such intensity, fire, passion and swagger.
And, oh yeah, they were damn good too.
But Licht smartly got two guys from last year’s Canes squad, Rueben Bain and Keionte Scott.
In previous interviews, Scott admitted that he and Bain had a connection. He could tell by the way Bain set up what he was going to do, which enabled Scott to make so many plays at or behind the line of scrimmage.
Often, Bain drew enough blockers for Scott to make so many plays where there otherwise would have been too much traffic for a defensive back to shine.
So when Scott spoke last week before the Bucs’ rookie minicamp, Scott was damn happy he and Bain ended up on the same NFL team.
“That’s my dog, man,” Scott said of Bain. “So, like, even this whole time through the walkthrough, just now, or just getting to go through this [draft experience] with him is super exciting, the plans we have for ourselves.
“Being able to hold him accountable and him being able to hold me accountable is something that we’re going to take pride in.”
Joe hopes Scott isn’t only keeping Bain in line, not that he or any Bucs fan should worry about that.
With the fiery Scott on board, Joe doesn’t think even as a rookie Scott will keep his mouth shut if a Bucs cornerback gets bored looking in the backfield and then proceeds to get roasted for a touchdown.
That Canes ‘tude that Bain and Scott will bring with them needs to spread to everyone on the defense. Joe isn’t worried at all about the offense. But the defense badly needs a jolt of energy that Bain and Scott should provide.