Did Taunting Enforcement Hurt The Bucs Defense?
February 10th, 2026
Joe is always chasing answers.
The Bucs defense has gotten progressively worse over the past two years.
Serious Bucs fans know the various issues. But should taunting enforcement be added to the list?
Consider what Lavonte David recently told the Why Is Draymond Green Talking About Football? podcast.
“The taunting thing for me, I played with Devin White,” David began. And we was some big talkers out there on the field. And when the taunting [rules enforcement] came about, and I remember he got flagged a couple of times, and it kind of like had us ease up a little bit. I feel like that’s just taking fun out of the game, man, trash taking and stuff like that. That’s a part of the game. It’s competition, just friendly competition.
“And we had a situation this year. We was playing Detroit and we were out there having fun, just trash talking and stuff like that, and the refs stepping in [and warning us]. I’m like, ‘C’mon man, just let us play the game. Let us be us.’”
Joe supposes it’s possible David and White couldn’t find the same level of on-field motivation if referees were telling them to shut up. David often talks about his mental state while playing, so perhaps them having to be quiet became a thing over time?
David referenced the Detroit game of the 2025 season. Those who actually watched the game know the Bucs defense did a lot of good things, including holding high-octane Detroit to a combined 4-of-15 conversion rate on third and fourth downs.
Joe feels confident saying the Bucs need a couple of new established starters on defense, guys who tackle like animals and can block out any noise.