Carlton Davis Says Bucs’ Doubters In For “Rude Awakening”

Recently Bucs cornerback Carlton Davis III sat down with Go Long’s Tyler Dunne and talked about plenty of things. From his rise through the Miami football scene as well as enduring strict training as a kid which hardened him. It was during this time that he earned his nickname, “C-Murda.” Davis also shared his thoughts on playing numerous No. 1 wide receivers across the league, and he also detailed his aggressive approach.

But perhaps the most insight garnered from his sit-down with Dunne was how he views the Bucs’ chances to contend this season and his plans to make plenty of big plays.

Carlton Davis III Sees Bucs Still Having Components For Success

In following the Bucs’ post-Tom Brady, one can easily see the shift in tone from national media and prognosticators for the 2023 season. After being viewed as a Super Bowl contender for the past three seasons, the team has quickly flipped to the opposite end of the spectrum. Now many view Tampa Bay as being contenders, for the first overall pick.

Cue the Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or [insert quarterback here] talk. While many have bought into this narrative, Carlton Davis III has not. Instead, he proclaimed that any doubters would be in for a surprise.

“We’re about to do it to ‘em,” Davis said. “Anybody who feels we’ve lost Tom — and lost something — is going to be in for a rude awakening. A rude awakening. Tom was a great addition for us, but obviously it’s a team sport. Obviously, you need components to be successful. We still have those components. And I’m only getting better.”

With Brady no longer in the frame, it allows for other Bucs to enter the picture and get their due credit. Davis does not have animosity for his former quarterback. Rather, if the team can win games without the GOAT, no one can doubt the talent and ability on the roster.

“A lot of times, we would do stuff, and because Tom is the greatest player to ever play the game, a lot of credit would go toward him being here,” Davis said. “Now, it gives us a chance to be independently great. People can’t say, ‘Oh, it’s Covid.’ Or, ‘Oh, it’s because Tom was there.’ They’ve got to give us the credit. That’s something we’re fighting for.”

He continued by confidently asserting that the secondary’s play would be key to the team’s success.

“We’re going to wreck sh-t,” Davis said. “Like, wreck sh-t. Interceptions. Turnovers. Plays will be made. I will say. Plays. Will. Be. Made.”

While the defense under head coach Todd Bowles was the reason for much of the team’s success, one can argue that the unit will need to take it up a notch. Brady is no longer around to orchestrate late-game magic on offense. With a smaller margin for error, the ability of the secondary to make big plays will be critical.

That starts with Davis and extends further. Jamel Dean. Antoine Winfield Jr. Ryan Neal. For a defense that totaled just 10 interceptions last year, it truly is in their hands. They just have to take this responsibility to not drop it and instead run with it.

“We’ve got to be the best in the f-cking NFL right now,” Davis said. “That’s how I’m trying to be. And you can only do that, first, starting with you. And then allowing your play to be contagious to everybody else.”

Carlton Davis III Gets His Boxing On With Opposing NFL WRs

The Bucs will be entering this season looking to surprise people. The way to get there is easier than most would believe. Let’s not forget – for all of the Bucs’ struggles in their 8-9 2022 season – they still won the NFC South. With plenty of talent still remaining, the floor should be close to the 6.5 wins that Las Vegas has as an over/under. The ceiling, in what remains a weak division, could easily be 9-8 or 10-7.

With this in mind, Davis sees a clear path for the Bucs to stay in contention. “Our f–king division is worse than what it was before,” Carlton Davis III said. “So, we run through the division. Get to the playoffs. Run through the playoffs and it’s the Super Bowl.”

Pretty simple, right?

Later in the article, Davis suggests to Dunne that if the defense holds up its end of the bargain and the offense improves slightly with an improved running game and sufficient passing attack, “We have another Super Bowl-contending team.”

It is a bold claim, but crazier things have happened. While even the most optimistic fans do not see the Bucs’ vying for the Lombardi trophy, this inner confidence and mindset give off a Bucs-versus-everybody mentality. Davis takes this to another level when mentioning opposing wide receivers.

“I personally enjoy f-cking up everybody,” Davis said. “I personally enjoy me being the best version. I enjoy taking it to people. I enjoy making them pay. It’s not a particular person. I’m personally invested into my career being great. That comes with me f-cking you up. Locking you down. Putting my hands on you.”

While you may not see Carlton Davis III in the next “Rocky” or “Creed” film, you will see him go toe-to-toe with receivers across the NFL. From his early-career battles with DeAndre Hopkins to his much-publicized back-and-forths with Michael Thomas. In crossing paths with Tyreek Hill and Ja’Marr Chase, he has battled with the best of the best and often emerged victorious.

Bucs cornerback Zyon McCollum seconds this notion when discussing Davis. “You really don’t want to be on his bad side, and every receiver in the NFL is on his bad side,” McCollum said.

Referring to Davis’ physicality that starts at the line of scrimmage, McCollum added that it looks “like he’s boxing.” The field is his ring, and the whistle is his bell. It has been clear throughout his career that very few receivers can make it to the final round matching up with him.

The Bucs Lurk In The Shadows As “Silent Assassins”

Entering this season, Carlton Davis III mentioned that the predictions before the season mean little to him. “You don’t know sh-t,” Davis said. “Nobody knows sh-t until it happens.”

Right now, players are embracing the identity of an underdog. This is familiar for a franchise that has had periods of dark times.

“People are feeling, ‘Damn. OK. This is what it’s like to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer,’” Davis added. “For the young guys who are still trying to learn and still trying to understand what it’s like to be a true professional: This is what it looks like. Then, you show ‘em. You tell ‘em. You don’t allow them to make the same mistakes and you try to correct them. We say, ‘You play for us. So, we can’t allow you to play at this level. I’m going to be on your ass about raising your play.’”

Instead of letting history repeat itself and falling back into periods of irrelevancy, the Bucs lurk in the shadows, ready to strike when least expected.

“The disrespect is unbelievable,” McCollum said. “We love it. We’re like silent assassins. We come from behind like assassins, and take people by the throat.”