Bull Rush: Hovan’s Viable, But Not At Nose Tackle
January 27th, 2010
By STEVE WHITEJoeBucsFan.com analyst
With the 2009 season over, White is profiling every Bucs defensive lineman and breaking down their strengths and weaknesses, as well as how they may fit in in next season.
Today he looks at Chris Hovan.
Strengths
Hovan’s biggest strengths are toughness and tenacity. Since becoming a Buccaneer he hasn’t missed a start in five years, a major feat for a defensive tackle. Every single play you see that he is giving you everything he’s got. He also is very good with his hands and escaping blocks. He transitions well on play-action pass, and he is still physical enough to bull rush a guy back into the quarterback. He also is a wiley veteran that recognizes blocking schemes well.
Weaknesses
Lets face it, age catches up with us all. In Hovan’s case, he probably has lost some of his quickness in getting off of the ball. He also was poorly suited to Jim Bates’ two gap scheme, as he has never been one of those really big defensive tackles that just took up space and was hard to move with a double team. I am not sure if he was worn down from trying to play in that scheme the first 10 games of the season, but it was clear that his ability to get off the ball at the end of the season was not what we are used to seeing from him in years past. His 33 tackles were also the fewest he’s had for a season since becoming a Buccaneer.
The Future
It’s my opinion that if Hovan is to be a part of this team next year, his best option is to slim down to try to regain his quickness off the ball and vie for the undertackle position. I don’t believe that he is going to be a viable nosetackle at his age and his size, and I think he still has enough in the tank to at least get some good push from the 3-technique, where he will see more one-on-one opportunities. It’s pretty obvious at this point that the Bucs are going to draft a defensive tackle high in the draft. And with the progression of this year’s rookie defensive tackle, Roy Miller, that will likely create a youth push up front.
Still, I think there is a role for Hovan to play on this team as a mentor for these young guys. Not only could he be a help on the field but also in the locker room and in the meeting room teaching those guys what it means to be a professional and how to take their craft seriously. Still, there are no guarantees that management will see it that way so I can’t be sure that they will bring him back. I guess we will all just have to wait and see what moves are made during free agency and the draft.
January 27th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
the problem is that hovan wanna move to undertackle!!! i dont see that move soon
January 27th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
hey!! no love for hovan?? nobody talks about this entry!!!
January 27th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Can’t argue the points. Hovan’s was an above average player. Now he’s below average. Time to say goodbye, if we’re really building with youth.
January 27th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Steve,
Back in the day the nose tackle (especially Culpepper) lined up in a slant towards the offensive linemen. Why did this defense go away from the nose tackle doing that alignment? I believe I have seen the Steelers slant the nose tackle in their 3-4 alignment.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:00 am
@Trox Actually when they went back to a one gap system the last 6 games whoever played the nose did cock (which is what we called it) in their stance. Well with the exception of the young guy Dre Moore. But before that the weak tackle was always head up on the guard so there was no opportunity for them to cock in that situation. The whole reason for cocking like that is to help in playing the double team blocks that generally come down on the nose tackle by the center and the guard. Gives them less of a hitting surface to block.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Leadership for the young player movement. We already saw the void left by getting rid of Brooks and Dunn and a few others. While I don’t disagree with a youth movement, I surely believe that veteran leadership is needed. T-Jack and Talib needed it and didn’t get it this season. Once again leaving the fans to wonder if they can stay out of trouble this offseason and be available at the start of next season and camp. We need to find a way to keep a solid veteran guy like Hovan. I’m sure he knows he is not getting the big payday like younger players, so I figure at least get rid of Clayton and Donate his salary allotment to a couple of Grizzly old vets.