Could Bucs Defensive Line Surpass Lions’?
June 16th, 2011
A Bucs caller decided to pepper the co-hosts of “The Opening Drive,” Peter King and Ross Tucker, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio this morning about defensive lines, specifically the Bucs’ and the Lions’.
Said caller believed the Lions are getting way too much run for their defensive line when the Bucs could very well have a chance to have a stronger defensive line.
Tucker did not agree in any way and King sort of understood where the caller came from but wasn’t ready to agree.
Ross Tucker: Yeah, the Bucs have invested a lot of resources over the years but none of the guys have really done much. Brian Price was hurt. Gerald McCoy had an avearage year. Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers, the jury is still out. Now Detroit, Ndamukong Suh was a dominant force as was Kyle Vanden Bosch, he was solid. Cliff Avril is one of the mos underrated defensive ends and Nick Fairley some thought he was a top-five or a top-eight pick.
Peter King: Imagine a trio, a rotation trio at defensive tackle, with Corey Williams who is an above average nose guy, Ndamukong Suh and Fairley with Suh and Fairley in there on passing downs. I don’t know you will block those two with two or even three players. The Lions will be a load. I’m not saying the caller was wrong. The Bucs have a chance to be a load too. Both play in a tough division. I can see the Saints or the Falcons going deep in the playoffs just like I can see the Bears or the Packers going deep into the playoffs. I think the Lions have a chance to make a lot of noise. If Matt Stafford is healthy, they have a chance to do some very surprising things.
The key with the Bucs will be how quickly Bowers and Clayborn develop. If those guys are able to bring heat from the edge, that takes pressure off the Bucs defensive tackles. It would be a domino effect.
If Bowers and/or Clayborn are able to bring it, GMC will blow up.
June 16th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Our D-line will be better because we are going to start a trend of picking players at the same position the lions picked, but later in the draft.
It worked with Stafford/Freeman and will continue with our D-line.
June 16th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Except they picked DTackle and we picked DEnd…..
June 16th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
What a joke! Our line may well be good in the future with Clayborn, Price, and maybe Bowers. But Dominick’s not trading with the Rams to get Suh, while claiming McCoy was the “best” in the draft will make our D-line inferior to Detroit’s D-line for years. McCoy is a bust. And Morris is certainl no Monte Kiffin.
June 16th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Atrain:
I was thinking of Suh/Fairley vs. GMC/Price/Miller. They are all DTs although picked in different years. I know the rule doesn’t stand 100% but you get my point.
June 16th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
I doubt our Dline will be better than the Lions this year. A lot of developed talent… and a veteran leader.
The real issue is how our Oline will play against them in game 1…
*worried*
June 16th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
“I can see the saints and falcons advancing deep into the playoffs.” I think anyone who objectively analyzes football agrees.
So, where does that leave our beloved bucs? Sounds like third in the division again and no playoffs per the experts. The Lions D Line is very superior to this unproven bunch. Why? Suh is a star, Vandenbosch a star. The bucs DLine 3 unprovens and a disappointment.
June 16th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Either way, HOPEFULLY they are both considered the best D-Lines in the league inside of 3 years. I think they will be, but they are right, the jury is completely out on the Bucs D-Line right now.
June 16th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
The Lions D Line is shaping up on paper, as one of the very best in the league.
But Tampa is no slouch either. A lot will depend on Price and McCoy, and how they defend the middle. Our outside pass rush just got a whole lot better.
June 16th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
You are comparing apples and oranges, the Detroit D-Line had 1, uno, single, solo rookie, Suh, he lined up next to Pro-Bowl quality veterans. We lined up 2 rookies, a 4th year guy from the Arena league, a 2nd year guy, plus some other team’s cast offs. So, comparing last years D-lines is beyond stupid.
Next season could be a different story, but I want to just sit back and see, we haven’t seen Bowers or Clayborn play one single down yet, so lets just relax.
Thomas2.2, you’re a putz, Suh is an anomaly (look it up), He’s a physical freak of nature, McCoy will blossom, especially with pressure coming from the ends, where it DIDN’T come from last season, which caused him and Miller to have to fight for every inch because the O-lines knew they didn’t have to worry about our ends, so they would just collapse the middle and let their tackles take on the ends singularly.
June 16th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Detroits line is 2 young guys, and 3 Old guys. Our line is 5 young guys. We wont know for another year or two. By then, the Detroit old guys may be gone. Our team us being built for the long haul. Surrounding Suh with experienced Vets is a good way to develop him- no doubt about that. But soon they’ll be gone. McCoy, Miller, Bowers and Clayborn are gonna develop together, and hopefully play together for ten years. That could be a scary thing to opposing QBs for a loong time.
Success in the NFL is only measured by one thing. SuperBowls. Neither team has succeeded until they get one. Then lets compare.
June 16th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Captain Tim, you are correct sir. Except it is hard for me to say that, the buffalo bills for example, werent somewhat successful by making it to four straight (i think) super bowls and losing each time.
June 16th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
Anyone thinks that McCoy is/was an disappointment. Really don’t know football, or just young. Maybe too young to have seen Sapp’s first year. McCoy showed more before he was lost for the year. Especially when they stop making him play different positions across the line. Price will be a beast, if he can stay healthy.
June 17th, 2011 at 10:47 am
McCoy will be a beast. Talented, great attitude. And I heard he has changed his muscle mass index by 3% this summer, which Is an insane amour for a professional athelete!
I’m worried about Price. Pelvic screws?? Nobody has ever tried to play in the NFL with a stewed together Pelvis, have they? That injury really puts his entire career at risk. And that Sucks, because he was the perfect compliment to McCoy. Suh and Fairley will be good together. I think McCoy and price are a better pairing, but we may not get to see that. I hope the best for Price, would love to see those 4 young guys grow up together! That would be special!