Linebacker Depth Impressive
October 11th, 2017
Strong start.
The more Joe learns how well the Bucs’ backup linebackers are playing, the more Joe smiles.
Of course, rookie Kendell Beckwith has turned into an absolute monster in just four games. Remember, he had 14 tackles against the Belicheats. That. Is. Impressive.
Man, what a steal in the third round by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
Then, there is Adarius Glanton. Prior to the season, it appeared Glanton just might be starting as the Bucs slowly worked in Beckwith. Then, Glanton got injured in preseason and Beckwith assumed starting duties at strongside backer.
With the injuries to Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander, Glanton resumed his starter duties at strongside and balled out, as RotoWire.com points out.
Glanton has posted an impressive 23 stops through four games and should see starts as long as Kendell Beckwith continues manning the middle in place of Kwon Alexander (hamstring).
Joe knows the Bucs have played some 34 fronts this year. When David and Alexander return, they surely have the linebackers to play a 34 defense.
And maybe, just maybe, bringing Noah Spence in for Glanton on passing downs could just unleash the second-year pass rusher, who played outside linebacker in college.
October 11th, 2017 at 9:05 am
Music to my ears!
That GM deserves an extension….. PRONTO!
Go Bucs!!!
October 11th, 2017 at 9:11 am
In Spence’s defense, he was bending around the Pats’ LT every play, and drew a few penalties on him because he couldn’t stop Spence. I also saw at least a couple of plays where Spence’s pressure would drive Brady either to another player, or force Brady to move under the pressure.
I’m all for using Spence as an OLB in a 3-4, but I’d prefer to let him get the DE position down first, as he continues to show he’s going to do well there, IMO.
October 11th, 2017 at 9:14 am
And trust me, I CRAVE sacks. But during the Giants game, the announcer said the Buccaneers led (maybe still lead) the NFL in QB pressures per game. Sacks are a fickle mistress and can sometimes elude even the best, but consistent QB pressure means we are doing what we need to do up front.
October 11th, 2017 at 9:39 am
Well. I still say spence is too small to be consistent impact. Who told him to lose weight
October 11th, 2017 at 9:40 am
do whatever we got to do to get some consistent pressure….GO BUCS!!!
October 11th, 2017 at 9:50 am
Unfortunately championships are won in the trenches and the GM has done a horrible job on the defensive and offensive lines
October 11th, 2017 at 9:54 am
I think with the full complement of linebackers the Bucs should primarily play a 3-4 going forward. Ayers and Gholsten are ideal DE’s in a 3-4 (McCoy and McDonald could play some End also)and the Bucs would have the luxury of Kwon in the middle with Lavonte, Kendal, Spence and Glanton rotating on the outside.
I would be very surprised if that did not present a lot of issues for opposing teams.
October 11th, 2017 at 9:57 am
Now don’t jinx things….
October 11th, 2017 at 9:58 am
Any kind of updates on Kwon and LVD return Joe? There was that article right after last Thursday that said they would both be good to go by the Arizona game. And how can we not play a 3-4 defense have all this talent just sitting around.
October 11th, 2017 at 10:03 am
@Baz
You saw it correctly my friend!!!! And not only that, but they were double-teaming him with the RB and sometimes TE which really opened the rush lanes!!!!!!!!! But Joe will not post a story about that!!!!! Only GMC93 played more snaps on the D-line than NS57 and they had their best game from a pass rush perspective????? That is pretty simple math!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 11th, 2017 at 10:12 am
Wausa, I hear what you are saying there, and 3-4, 4-2. 4-3. 3-3, whatever it may be….i am sure smitty can get it done, they just have to have been practicing it and know the gap and run fit resposnibilities when they are blitzing or what ever because you miss that by a litttle and the back hits his head on the goal post in the NFL…..
October 11th, 2017 at 10:18 am
With the LB’S they have should definitely play more 3-4
October 11th, 2017 at 10:19 am
Last time Bucs had this depth at LB, they went to the SB. Hopefully, history will repeat itself! 🙂
October 11th, 2017 at 10:20 am
Hate to say this, but maybe Mr. David could be used as trade bait for a another player, DE and a draft pick perhaps. The younger more inexpensive guys are playing hungrier. Fine with keeping him too…..just saying.
October 11th, 2017 at 10:30 am
@The Buc Realist what is your take on Baker. Good addition?
All the games he played we had good pressure by the d-line. McCoy looks good next to him. But i’m no expert and respect your take.
October 11th, 2017 at 10:39 am
Lol @ RayJameis. No one here is an expert.
October 11th, 2017 at 10:47 am
@RayJameisStadium
Fat Baker was out of shape and is getting into game shape!! He was “noticed” the last game and will get better in the coming weeks!!!!!
I really like the CM98/ CB90 combo, as neither is a full starter for a whole game!!!!!! And maybe with reduced snaps CM98 will stay healthy for the first time in his long career!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
October 11th, 2017 at 10:59 am
Madmax
I said that. Several times
Trading David is our best chance to land a Young DE.
I call plagiarism
Our strongside linebacker plays less than 50% of the time.
So, Beckwith watches over half the game from the bench. Sitting next to either Davonte Bond or Glanton?
No.
And if they keep playing Spence at DE- who is 6’2″, 250″, againt 6’5″, 310# OTs- hes gonna have both shoulders dislocated. Hes getting ENGULFED on running plays.
He could be a great Pass rusher from the LB spot.
Think Von Miller.
October 11th, 2017 at 11:01 am
Caleb is a psychic.
@TBR thanks for your take.
Go Bucs!!!
October 11th, 2017 at 11:26 am
Pretty sure a guy named Devonte Bond was going to be starting strongside before an injury, not Glanton. Glanton was going to be the back up weakside from my recollection. Either way, it’s awesome depth with Lynch, too.
October 11th, 2017 at 11:30 am
60% of plays there are only 2 LBers on the field. We have 4 players talented enough to start and 2 of the 4 are legit top 10 talents at their position.
Nice problem to have. For now. Glanton will likely be woooed away by $ and an opportunity to be a permanent starter next year.
The bright side is that the Bucs will be getting supplemental draft picks most years from here on out as long as Licht is the GM.
October 11th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
Good problem to have. In theory, a 3-4 could work but if you think about it, how often would we run it? On passing downs, you already have 3-4-like personnel on the field. Then on obvious run-downs you’d be moving a big-body from the base 4-3 either replacing him with an under-sized DE or a LB. I don’t know that we have big enough bodies to play d-line in a 3-4. Now, if you plan to blitz out of a 3-4, that’s more of an advantage.
October 11th, 2017 at 12:14 pm
Spawn is unguardable … I don’t care how many sacks he gets, he almost always puts pressure on the QB and forces him to step up in the pocket … that’s where GMC, Swaggy and McDonald (as he did against Brady) need to clean up and get the sack
October 11th, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Haha Capt.Tim..great minds. Yeah, I didnt see it coming, and wouldve never thought it until seeing what we have now with our new young LB core. I miss a lot here so 1st cred goes to you 🙂
Come on Licht…a 4th rounder and David for somebody’s DE should be enough to land some big help…..I know detroit has a DE coming up for renewal soon, hmmm.
October 11th, 2017 at 1:04 pm
Look at all these idgets with their hard ons for the 3-4. Ideally we master our defense running the 4-3. It takes years to draft and sign players to be able to run the 3-4 effectively. It all starts up front with a great NT… we don’t have anything resembling a decent 3-4 NT. There’s plenty of teams that run a 3-4 that absolutely stink at it.
October 11th, 2017 at 1:27 pm
going to have to cut LVD next year and get the top defensive lineman FA
Beckwith and Kwon for the next 7 years
October 11th, 2017 at 1:38 pm
i think they will have to play with 3-4 with kwon and beckwith in the middle and spence and david at OLB. no 6-5 275 pound edge rusher with freak speed is going to emerge from nowhere at this point, but we have the stout ends the 3-4 needs and some guys who might be playing rush linebacker on another team. let’s put the pieces together
October 11th, 2017 at 1:39 pm
*not all the time, but much more than they have. GMC at DE or taking a breather while Gholston Baker and Ayers work the 3 man front
October 11th, 2017 at 2:24 pm
Ezekiel Ansah….get him Licht!
October 11th, 2017 at 2:57 pm
MadMax
Ansah would work for Me
Great minds, buddy!
October 11th, 2017 at 3:06 pm
😀