Projecting The Defensive Starters
July 22nd, 2009
Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times predicts Quincy Black will beat out one-legged Angelo Crowell for a starting linebacker spot.
Who will start at all 11 defensive positions is just about anyone’s guess with so much turnover and a new defensive coordinator with a new defensive scheme.
For about half of the positions an educated fan could make a decent argument for virtually any position player.
Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times takes a stab at the 11 starters on defense and he has a couple of eyebrow-raisers.
The one that jumps out at Joe is that one-legged Angelo Crowell, who the Bucs crowed about replacing Derrick Brooks, is on the bench in Holder’s eyes. He’ll be backing up Quincy Black at strongside linebacker.
And despite not being a bump-and-run kind of guy, which is what defensive coordinator Jim Bates prefers, old man Ronde Barber will beat out Elbert Mack at right cornerback.
Joe smelled something rotten that Crowell was reported to have knee problems (again). Now this notion of Crowell replacing Brooks looks as foolish now as it did when the Bucs first cut Brooks.
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I don’t ever recall reading that Crowell was brought in to replace Brooks. The Bucs knew Crowell was still recovering from knee surgery when they signed him…there was no setback, it was just recovery as was often reported. You’re right, Brooks shouldn’t have been cut…as evidenced by all the teams that are fighting to sign him…oh wait, they’re not.
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Joe here,
Johnny – It’s all so hard to predict at this point. WHat I can say is most of Crowell’s recent production in Buffalo was from the weakside LB slot.
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
There was report about Crowell having a setback to the surgery during the last ota/mini-camp. Brooks shouldn’t have been cut. They should have allowed him to at least compete in training camp(which I bet he would have beat out some of these guys, again) and besides it is his LEADERSHIP that will be missed!
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I’m sorry, but for all that Derrick Brooks has given to the City of Tampa, The Bucs, and the Community, he should have been given that last year on his contract to retire on his terms. Sure, it’s a business, but many fans went to the games to see Brooks. I would have rather seen an 0-16 team this year with Brooks than an 8-8 team without him. It’s bad press, bad public relations and bad business. If the idiots that run this organization had one ounce of the Class that Derrick Brooks has, they would have more national exposure, more positive articles, more wins and more players wanting to come here. It’s a sad situation when you think of RESPECT Brooks earned and what was given in return. Some people just don’t get it. You can have all the money in the world, as the Golden Sperm Club does, but when God passed out the brains, he passed them by. They didn’t want a coach and GM that was more intelligent than they are, so they sure fixed that in a hurry. Now Joel is the smartest one of the whole bunch, and that’s a scary thought. Seeya.