Jamel Dean Wins Round 2 of Trial by Fire

Bucs rookie bounces back with a game-winning performance after struggling in his first start.

"You're loving him now, aren't you?"

Different variations of that sentiment rained down from Tampa Bay Buccaneers players onto the media scrum as it descended upon Jamel Dean's locker following Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals, his teammates chiding reporters for the grief they gave the rookie after his struggles the week prior.

A third-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Dean was slowed by a hamstring injury for much of the early going this season, and had only played three defensive snaps heading into last week's road game against the Seattle Seahawks.

But after an injury to starter Carlton Davis III in pregame warm-ups in Seattle, Dean went from special-teamer to starting corner, tasked with slowing down a passing attack that featured Russell Wilson, Tyler Lockett, and DK Metcalf. His performance was a roller-coaster, as Dean showed flashes of potential with four pass breakups, but he gave up multiple big plays that helped the Seahawks come away with a 40-34 overtime victory.

Sunday against the Cardinals, Dean would be put to the test again, this time by No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray, future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald, and a dangerous Cardinals offense.

The Auburn product passed this test with flying colors, breaking up four more passes and making sure the only big plays that involved him came in the form of key takeaways in crucial moments.

As the Cardinals drove deep into Tampa Bay territory with a chance to stretch their lead in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, Dean snatched a Murray pass out of the air at the 8-yard-line, giving the Bucs new life and a chance to win the game.

The Tampa Bay offense responded by marching down the field on a 92-yard touchdown drive to take back the lead, an advantage they wouldn't relinquish as the defense shut down Arizona's final attempt at a desperation drive.

"After last week, I realized I had to prepare differently," Dean said after the game. "The whole week, I'm watching extra film, I'm going up to Coach Bowles' office, just going over film and letting him teach me the game. Because honestly, I didn't want to have that feeling I did last week."

Dean turned the previous week's struggles into motivation for his next opportunity.

"Yeah, I feel like I really had a chip on my shoulder," Dean said. "Because I knew, last week, that was not me. Because I knew I was better than that. So, once I got the opportunity to go back there and redeem myself, I had to make sure I took that opportunity and had to seize the moment."

Murray himself was shocked that Dean was able to come down with the crucial interception.

"Honestly, when I threw it, there's no way in hell I thought he was going to pick the ball off," Murray said.

Dean had plenty of doubters after his performance in Seattle, but in front of his home crowd Sunday, he made many into believers.