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Bucs' Todd Bowles supports Jamel Dean despite rough game against Steelers

Bucs' Todd Bowles supports Jamel Dean despite rough game against Steelers

USA Today16 hours ago
Jamel Dean has been on the hot seat all offseason for the Bucs with fans, media, and everyone who has watched the team play this preseason and in 2024.
The pass defense is the achiles heel of this Bucs team. One that, if not fixed, will be the reason they underachieve and fail to reach the heights they have the potential to achieve. This past weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jamel Dean struggled against the team's backup wide receivers. Despite the rough stretch, Todd Bowles is not shying away from supporting his veteran cornerback with whom he has won a Super Bowl.
Bowles supported Dean by saying, "I think he had a very good preseason and a very good [training] camp. Obviously the touchdown he gave up was because his eyes wandered somewhere else and then we busted a play before that. He's been playing well, he's been very aggressive, he's worked on little things we talked about, and we're pleased with where he's at."
Dean has been listed as a trade candidate and a cut candidate; either way, it seems folks are predicting he will play elsewhere.
The beauty of the game of football, everyone has an opinion on what they see. To the benefit of Dean, Bowles, and general manager Jason Licht, their opinions are the only ones that matter.
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