Yaya Diaby believes sack production affected people's opinion of him
Yaya Diaby believes sack production affected people's opinion of him
Yaya Diaby is believed to be a potential long-term answer to the Bucs pass-rushing consistency issues they have had in recent years. When he was drafted out of Louisville in 2023, he was coming off a nine sack season and then added 7.5 as a rookie for the Bucs. In 2024, however, he only had 4.5 which he cannot be happy with in terms of the box score but it doesn't tell the whole story.
Speaking on the Pewter Report Podcast, Diaby acknowledges that the dip in sack production from 2023 to 2024 may have affected how people view him.
He says, 'Besides the sack numbers, I feel like I made major growth in every other category. I just want to thank myself and congratulate myself on that part, you know? I know for sure the sack part is going to come.'
When people look at defensive player of the year winners, sacks are their go-to statistic. It is why Steelers and Browns fans still argue over whether Myles Garrett or T.J. Watt is the better player. For the Bucs, yeah, they would have liked more production out of Yaya Diaby, but the pressures were being created by him as he compiled 65 of them and had 38 defensive stops. Both of those numbers had him ranked in the top ten across the NFL, according to PFF.
Yaya Diaby will be okay, he is going to be a vital part of this defense in 2025. If the team adds more pass rushers after adding Haason Reddick, it will take pressure and attention off him to perhaps increase those sack numbers like he and everyone else would like to see.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Arthur Smith addresses play-calling drama involving ex-Steelers QB Russell Wilson
Arthur Smith addresses play-calling drama involving ex-Steelers QB Russell Wilson Russell Wilson left the Steelers for the Giants this offseason — but it didn't stop Arthur Smith from setting the record straight regarding his former QB. Back in February, insider Gerry Dulac reported that Smith prevented Wilson from changing plays at the line of scrimmage like he did against the Cincinnati Bengals, leading to a clash of minds. NFL Network reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala claimed that these reports were a ploy by Wilson's camp — but the Steelers offensive coordinator didn't take these allegations lying down. At Day 2 of mandatory minicamp's media availability, Smith downplayed the rumors as a "fantastical narrative" that any plays were being called at the line of scrimmage — and ultimately blamed the 2024 offensive failures on being "not good enough." One of the biggest issues with the Steelers scheme, both offensive and defensive, is the inability to adapt when the plays are too predictable — and Smith's comments don't instill confidence that it'll change in 2025. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
NBC Sports
7 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Diontae Johnson: One bad year doesn't define me
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson was let go by four teams last year, and he had only one offer this year. Johnson signed a one-year deal for the veteran minimum of $1.17 million in what might be his last chance in the NFL. 'They were the only team to hit me up,' Johnson said, via Mary Kay Cabot of In 2024, the Steelers traded Johnson to the Panthers, who traded him to the Ravens, who cut him. The Texans signed him and then cut him after 22 days. He caught 33 passes for 375 yards and three touchdowns in the worst season in his career. 'I don't like to speak on a lot of stuff, so I just, everybody's going to have their opinions,' Johnson said. 'At the end of the day, I'm the only one in that room that really knows what's going on. I can only go off of what I know and then try to put out my best effort. But last year is last year. I'm trying to turn and change that narrative and move the right way and just keep going.' Johnson, 28, earned Pro Bowl honors in 2021 when he caught 107 passes for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns. Thus, he writes off 2024 as an aberration. 'One bad year,' Johnson said. 'It's one year. I had five great seasons in Pittsburgh. I had one year, that doesn't define me as a player. None of that. My character or none of that. So like I said, everybody's going to say what they want to say about me, but I know who I am as a person deep down and that's all that matters to me.'
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Steelers unfazed by Watt's absence
PITTSBURGH (BLACK & GOLD NATION) — No T.J. Watt is giving no worries to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and the rest of the team during mandatory minicamp as Watt continues his holdout in hopes a new contract.'We've expressed desire to get the business done and he has as well so we'll continue to work,' Tomlin said. 'We've been here before.' Rodgers in camp and committed to Steelers Tomlin, Watt and the Steelers were in a similar position back in 2021. The only difference this time is that he currently isn't training at the team's facility.'Certainly we'd like him to be here, but certainly not surprised by where we are,' Tomlin said.'Of course, we would love to have T.J. out there,' Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward last time the Steelers and Watt had a contract dispute, it didn't get resolved until just days before the season began. Back then, he signed an extension that made him the highest paid defensive player in the is entering the final year of that deal and is likely looking to surpass Myles Garrett's record four year, $160 million deal that he agreed to in March. Steelers schedule release takeaways Heyward was in the same shoes as Watt last season and said that being paid what you believe you're worth is a sign of respect by any organization.'(Watt) would love for it to be done. Hopefully we're moving toward that way, but I'm not going to speculate,' Heyward said. 'I just want both sides to win (and) our team to be complete.'Heyward didn't call Watt's absence a distraction for the team. Meanwhile, Tomlin said that he wasn't worried about Watt's future in Watt misses day three of mandatory minicamp, he could be fined more $100,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
