Bowers Says He’s Pepperslike And Feeling Great
June 2nd, 2011
Perhaps more than any other Buccaneer, Joe’s aching to see Bucs second round pick Da’Quan Bowers take the field. What an X factor this guy could be. Key word: could.
Bowers was relaxed and confident for an Internet radio interview with a site called DraftCountdown.com this week. The sack artist was very upbeat, though Joe was a bit troubled when Bowers said he thought he could participate in 80 to 90 percent of drills right now if the Bucs opened camp.
“You know. I spoke with Dr. Andrews and he did some research on my knee, and there are no long term effects,” Bowers said. “You know, a lot of people think I had microfracture surgery, which isn’t the case. I had a surgery called chondroplasty, and it’s nothing like microfracture. It was a small surgery. I was walking the same day without crutches.”
Bowers went on to acknowledge concern about arthritis in his knee, but he said he feels great and wants to make sure the Bucs “look like the geniuses that they are” for drafting him.
He also said he’s excited to play left defensive end opposite Adrian Clayborn and explained he has “the quickness of Julius Peppers” and the strength of some guy named “Reggie Bruce.” Joe assumes/hopes he meant Reggie White.
Bowers said he was in Tampa recently to visit Josh Freeman’s workouts and his stated impression of the turnout was 30 to 40 guys.
Joe hopes Bowers gets healthy. Damn, the Bucs could use a healthy dose of nasty coming off the edge.
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Somewhere, True(Stiff)blood is dreading going against this guy in camp.
LOVE to read this Joe!
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Haha “Reggie Bruce”
He was probably thinking of Bruce Smith (Buffalo Bills) and Reggie White (Eagles/Packers) and got nervous and spit out a combo of their names.
If he can play like either of those 2 hall of famers he can make up player names all day long!
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:14 pm
I hope he’s like Peppers. I hope Clayborn is a Sapp clone too. A combination like that, with Price and GMC in the middle? This Dline is going to be deadly.
At least we are hearing that he visited the workout too. I understand him not actually working out because of his injury, but this is the first I’ve heard of a rookie showing up I think.
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:34 pm
@Pete –
I’m pretty sure that Freeman mentioned that Luke Stocker has been a regular at the workouts. (Assuming we’re not counting the D-Line workouts that have been organized by McCoy).
Man, I was starting to get excited about the “secret” negotiations… but they were brought together by the mediator. At least no lawyers showed up…
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@Pete Luke Stocker was there for a few workouts from what I read….
I love what I just read there, I wish we could see all of these rookies out there and performing!!! GO BUCS
June 2nd, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Maybe it wasn’t a mistake and he was saying he had the strength of two men, Reggie White and Bruce Smith.
June 2nd, 2011 at 4:18 pm
After comparing oneself to the Bruce Smith, the Reggie White, and Juilus Peppers, he better be a beast on the field! Nice to hear, but let’s see it!
June 2nd, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Here are some things that I found interesting, as well:
*He played “seven or eight” weeks on his knee before he even KNEW he had a torn meniscus! Hey Clemson Training Staff: How is that even POSSIBLE?!?!!
*After he was drafted, he received calls from (the new) #94, #93, #92, AND #90! “We got a plan to go in and take over.” Man, I LOVE hearing that!!!
*”It’s all about being a student of the game.”
*Telling quote: “I think if training camp started today, I could do about 80-90% of the drills that they needed me to do.” Remember Joe, he just had surgery in January. Just like #17, he’s not going to be 100% this season.
*He acknowledged what Relentless_Richard posted a couple of weeks ago over on the message board. http://boards.620wdae.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1268564669&postcount=23
That is, the extended down time DEFINITELY works in his favor.
*When asked about “a little friendly competition” to get to the QB with (the new) #94 he says: “That’s the first thing we’re gonna do, is place a bet!” What do YOU say, Joe? Who gets more sacks?
June 2nd, 2011 at 5:05 pm
I hope he has a big chip on his shoulder against the other 31 teams that passed on his services (most of them twice).
June 2nd, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Just read a story on profootball talk about talib where ronde barber said he locks down one side of the field, and weve never had anyone like him before. “Hes that good”. Joe i can tell your changing your stance on talib a little, just waiting for tim to do the same. Tim do you still think he sucks and is as you said #69. Do you still think he should be cut, whos word is better rondes or that stupid website footballfocus or whatever.
Now on to this story, I really think bowers should do something on the field before he compares himself to reggie white, or bruce smith, or reggie bruce for that matter. Why does he and dr james andrews think his knee is ok and 31 other teams think its not. Something is fishy here because Dr james andrews does surgeries for players on every team and has some sort of communication probably with every gm. I wonder if he is telling other teams things differently then hes telling bowers. just thinking
June 2nd, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Reggie White and Bruce Smith had a love child and we drafted him.
June 2nd, 2011 at 5:32 pm
I don’t care about any other teams, or what they thought. Bowers is a Buc and I couldn’t be happier. I am stoked at the thought of this new D line. Clay, Gmac, Miller & Bowers with Crowder, Bennett, Okam, & Price to fill out the rotation. If they keep styles, whatever, but this could be awesome. Price when healthy is really good. I believe he can get 100% that he can be better than Suh. Just my opinion, but he has tremendous strength.
Please end this stupid legal battle.
June 2nd, 2011 at 5:38 pm
I hope Thomas is just taking the high road here and not ripping into this 21 year old for having a slip of the tongue during an interview…
June 2nd, 2011 at 5:47 pm
@jarrett
If Dr Andrews is telling the other teams anything he is in a lot of trouble – doctor/patient confidentiality. And if he is intentionally misleading Bowers he’s in a lot more trouble. I’m inclined to doubt it.
June 2nd, 2011 at 6:26 pm
FYI guys… Bowers and an ESPN reporter have an interview scheduled to air tomorrow on Sportscenter in the evening. I’ve already seen a picture of Bowers with said reporter on his twitter feed. The guy looks to be in much better shape than he was at his pro-day. Time will tell whether the knee holds up for years to come, but he seems like a man on a mission. According to him, via Twitter, he has a daunting workout schedule everyday. He seems to have the drive and determination to prove all the naysayers wrong. With these renewed labor talks, without lawyers present, my optimism is growing that FA and signing draft picks may not be that far off.
June 2nd, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Much respect to him for giving an interview. Public speaking is not something to be taken lightly. I can’t wait to see this guy in pads.
June 2nd, 2011 at 7:26 pm
I think some players need to get on some juice or gear since the lockout is going on. They dont get tested.. Ruud, Gmc, Price, Hayes just to name a few
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Espo: do you apply the same standard to the head coach?
I have said previously: I really like Bowers as a prospect, he is BY FAR the best prospect of all of the D linemen drafted by this regime. His productivity in 2010 embarrasses the 3 sacks posted by Clayborn. His measurables embarrass Clayborns. He would have been a MUCH higher rated player but for the knee.
My prediction: If Bowers can stay healthy, he will be an excellent pass rusher along the lines of a Simeon Rice and he will make Pro Bowls. At best, Clay will be something just short of a Greg Spires (underrated player who was a 5th roundd pick by Cleveland I believe – that is strictly from memory). Not much productivity but respected in the locker room.
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Thanks for the heads up MoBucs. DVR set
June 2nd, 2011 at 11:14 pm
No prob Ash. Prediction noted Thomas! Your predictions have been laughable thus far so we’ll see how this newest one will pan out.
June 2nd, 2011 at 11:20 pm
Clayborn had 4.5 sacks last season Thomas! Albeit less then 09, but get the facts straight if your gonna use them.
June 2nd, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Thomas,
Yes, I’d like my head coach to be a bit more well spoken. I pretty much agree with everything you just said. I have no problem with Clayborn being our Greg Spires, 1/11th of the best defense of all time. I’m sure you meant that as a knock towards Clayborn and if so, you have no respect for 02 aside from the superstars. I don’t know what you mean about lack of productivity. He held his gaps on run plays and got pressure on the QB. Not Simeon or Sapp type pressure, but not many can do that.
June 3rd, 2011 at 2:39 am
Jarrett- are you asking me is Talib talented? Yes he is. Is he an elite CB? No. He breaks the cardinal rule. When the last line of defense, he will give up TDs to go for the interception. Yes, Raheem has said to be aggressive, and risk completions to get turnovers. But he clarified that we risk Completions, you don’t risk 6 points.
But Jarrett, the real questions you should be asking aren’t to me. You should be asking Talib- why attack your teamate with a helmet? Why do you think its funny to punch a cabbie in the back of the head, while he’s driving? Why would you get in a fight at the first official NFL event you are brought to, with a fellow Buc Rookie? Why be anywhere near all the crap happening with your sister and her significant other, when you were just suspended 10 months ago( he can pay people to handle crap like that!).
Why does the team and your career seem so unimportant, that twice a year in years you’ve been here- your name gets brought up for doing something stupid.
I face this with people I deal with all the time. Sometimes with my employees. Is he talented? Yup. Bit does he give a damn about my team and our goals- nope. Is he showing signs of leaning from this garbage?
Nope. Jarrett- if you personally can get Aqib to take his job and Career seriously, you’ll be a hero. Others have already put time and reputation into trying. He just keeps pissing on them.
Why trust someone who shows disrespect for what you are working to achieve? Very soon the Bucs will sign someone who will help drive in the same direction. Talib will wear his welcome in the league out very soon. Next year, we have already begun looking at the draft to get our new young CB. We will have a great Vet( who us elite!) to team with Ronde this year, and help Biggers, Lewis, and Gaitor. Next year, our Vet will anchor and set the secondary, while our new CB gets his feet wet on the other side. If Ronde plays another, all the better. Either way. Our secondary will have Great CBs, who actually give a damn about this team.
June 3rd, 2011 at 7:57 am
Tim there you go again acting like you are privy to information that you are not. If you really had inside sources they would stop telling you info the first time you run to joebucsfan to share it. Pretty sure ronde basically said that he is elite, although i agree with everything you said about his past discretions. Ronde said we have never had anyone who can do what he does, hes that good. We have had some good cb’s too. Sure he gambles but this will be his 4th year in the league the guy is young and will mature on andoff the field. I hope your right about nnamdi, errr your super secret sources, because if he was paired with ronde and talib you would have the best secondary in football. Talib is so much better than you give him credit for, once again i realize he is an idiot, i agree that right now he can not be relied on but stop trying to downplay his talent to argue your point . Tim you seem like a smart guy so figure it out.
June 3rd, 2011 at 9:18 am
I love it! Who cares if the kid stumbled when speaking to the press. Why does everyone get so upset about this? What does that have to do with football. Let the kid get his motivation on and let him unleash h*ll on all opposing teams. I’d be so excited for this season if we knew there was going to be a season. This lockout is KILLIN me. As I’m sure it is to a lot of us. Come on people. Split that $9 billion pie up you greedy bast*rds and let’s get this show on the road! Go Bucs!
June 3rd, 2011 at 9:53 am
Jarrett- again, why argue with me? I’m not the one getting suspended or arrested. You wanna keep counting on the guy? Then ask him why he won’t be here or 6-8 games to start the season! I show up for my job everyday. And don’t repeatedly do stupid things to embarrass myself or my affiliations. That way I don’t get terminated( in any sense of the word). I bet you do the same. If this guy wants to screw up over and over again- then we replace him. Not hard to do. We can’t count on him. He really doesn’t seem to give a s%^t about playing here, and despite your endless decries of his excellence, he is an average talent at best. Rhonde said he’s the best he’s played with? Ok – then he’s better than Brian Kelly and Phillip Buchanon! Big F%#*>ing deal. As for what I know or don’t know. My track record here speaks volumes. You haven’t been right on a call yet.
The Bucs want players who are dedicated to Winning. That isn’t the scewup know as Talib. They want to ditch him this season. Probably will happen. But if something strange happens, his replacement will come in next years draft. He’s done here, and he should be. Why you keep crusading for the Lil thug remains the only outstanding issue at this point. You aren’t in a juvenile detention center, or jail, or something, are you? Cause you sure seem determined to champion the gangster cause!
The NfL is a job that pays millions of dollars a year, to play a game. The average player does it for less than 3 years. The great average around 8 years. If you can’t manage to keep you act together for 8 years, to insure your financial future for the rest of your life, then you are an idiot, and wasting an oppurtuity many pray for, and never get.
I don’t think you would blow a chance like that, Jarrett. Why do you keep thinking Talib should? Your devotion to him is unwarranted, and your endless “elite” statements are just not true, to anyone except you.
He doesn’t want to be act like an adult, and play here. Get over it!
June 3rd, 2011 at 10:07 am
Cool, when I read BigMacAttacks post about the young line, it got me fired up too! And you’re right about Bowers! Right now, what anybody said about him means absolutely zilch. We got him, and he says he’s ready to go! If that’s true, we may have witnessed one of greatest draft heist ever. The probable number one pick, and top DE, grabbed at 51!! At the best part about Bowers- he plays the LDE. He brings heat from the offensive strong side( Tight end side) . That is very rare, as great pass rushers are always RDE. To get , IMO, the two best 4-3 pass rushing DEs in the draft, and play them in their natural positions ,is amazing. That they are both Run stoppers is even more amazing. Alot ifs there, but you’re right, BMA, that could be something incredible!!
Damn lockout!!
June 3rd, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Thomas,
Spires was a third round pick by New England. Looks like you have sh*t for memory/brains….
June 3rd, 2011 at 12:17 pm
I know this sounds crazy, but i think the bucs will be very cautious with him and let him play his game 100 percent on only 3rd downs..I think he could be very effective in that role and… if over time he maybe become an every down player if the knee holds up.. imo
June 3rd, 2011 at 3:11 pm
The man knows his body better than anyone, and his doc is the only one we need to listen to.
June 3rd, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Jarrett. I read the comments by Rhonde. Also by Biggers. Both seem to say that Aqib is a better teamate than he is a person. So I’m gonna give the” kick him of the team a rest. Buuut. I still want that Certain FA signed. We can’t trust Talib. That way, we have insurance. And Talib has cost himself big money. So if the team rallies around him, and he’ll play Cheap, I’m going to give it a rest.
But we still don’t trust him. Or count on him.
Fair enough?
June 3rd, 2011 at 3:54 pm
tim i wrote you a huge response but for whatever reason joe hasnt posted it there were no naughty words. I can not say enough that i agree with you we cannot depend on him , and that we need to sign asomogha. You lost me however when you say aqib is a mediocre talent. I feel deep down that you dont trully believe that. I have nothing against you man, im not goona lie though when you act like you have inside sources and you act like you are the smartest person in the world and then tell us about it. it rubs me the wrong way thats all. For real though nothing personal just a passionate bucs fan having a arguement with a passionate bucs fan.
June 3rd, 2011 at 4:51 pm
aqib doesnt like roddy white… We need aqib so we can stop him!
June 5th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
C,mon Joe, Who gets more sacks?