Da’Quan Bowers Expected To Start
June 14th, 2011
The Bucs pass rush last year was gruesome. In most games, there was no pass rush, gruesome or not.
Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik knew this and tried to rectify the abyss by drafting both Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers with his first two picks.
If not for his injured knee, Bowers would have been long gone by the time the Bucs picked in the first round much less been sitting there for the taking in the second round.
Despite the bum knee, Dominik told Dan Parr of ProFootballWeekly.com during the draft that Bowers would not require additional surgery.
Dominik is so confident in the health of Bowers that Parr writes the Bucs expects Bowers to start at left end when games begin this fall… if they begin.
After a long fall in the draft, DE Da’Quan Bowers was taken by the Bucs in the second round with the 51st overall pick. This, for a player who was once considered a top-five pick, and a potential No. 1 overall choice. Bowers’ stock plummeted because of concerns about his surgically repaired knee and long-term durability. Teams had strong reservations about him, but GM Mark Dominik told PFW after the draft that the Bucs do not believe he needs any more surgery on the knee in the short term and also said the Bucs will be flexible with his practice time to limit wear and tear. The team is counting on Bowers to be the starting left end, and its defense will be much more formidable if he and fellow DE Adrian Clayborn, the team’s first-round pick, energize a pass rush that was one of the league’s least productive in 2010.
So let’s presume Parr’s information is accurate and Bowers starts at left end. Who goes? Are Tim Crowder’s days numbered? What of Alex Magee who is rumored to be a favorite of both Dominik and Bucs coach Raheem Morris?
Or will the Bucs simply wash their hands of the Kyle Moore experiment?
June 14th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
If Bowers and Clayborn start together opening week, then Dominick committed grand robbery on Draft day. He knew something 31 other teams didn’t ! Makes you wonder how the rumors got started, anyway! I hope he’s right!
June 14th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Hopefully it’s Moore who takes the hike.
June 14th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Doesn’t it feel like Clayborn is getting overlooked here in this pre-season hype? I mean, he was the actual 1st round pick. Would they really just give Bowers the starting spot without giving Clayborn a look?
June 14th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
If anyone goes it should be Moore. PFF rated him as the worst LE in the NFL last year.
June 14th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
@ Jampersands
They both play opposite ends.
Clayborn a RDE
and Bowers a LDE
Our DE’s were so bad last year that both rooks may actually start when/if season begins.
June 14th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@ Chris FWC
I would state that I HOPE both rookies start if/when the season begins. I am operating under the assumption that it’s a given that Clayborn is starting. I also expect that Bowers will be given the nod if he’s healthy…
June 14th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
I fully expect 1 if not both our rookie DEs to start opening day, with a heavy rotation from Stylez and whichever mid level veteran i believe we’ll sign.
June 14th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
They took Kyle Moore’s number and gave it to Clayborn and didn’t tell Kyle Moore. What does that tell you?
June 14th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@ Kevin MAY/HOPE, either works for me. Moore is a goner.
June 14th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
I forgot to mention that because of the lockout, there may be expanded rosters for 2011. IF that is the case, we will probably keep 6 DEs. Morris has alluded to keeping Clayborn, Bowers, Bennett, and Magee. If this happens, I think Crowder has a good chance to be re-signed. He has expressed a desire to return to the Bucs and has a special affection for Millard, the new D-Line coach.
June 14th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
@Macabee,
I think your right on all counts.
I think Bowers expects to start also. He’s a beast.
And somebody needs to wear the #99. It’s time for the Nutcracker. Winner takes it.
June 14th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
#99 will never be dressed again!!!!
June 14th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
I am expecting these … DLine,LB’s,DB’s…….to begin to create an identity ’cause the Defense has not had on identity since the SB era D players
June 14th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
the Bucs expects Bowers to start at left end when games begin this fall… if they begin.
ugh im getting so sick of seeing the IF everyday… anyone with any sense knows the nfl isnt going to miss any games. well that is IF they can come to an agreement and IF we dont miss any games right? but what IF???
June 14th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
They both start, but I expect clayborn to be the sack leader. His hand speed is crazy, and I think is the most violent player on the team now. Side note…the d-line is “the red tide” not those other lame nicknames you guys keep using…..:)
June 14th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
@ Derek… It’s looking very positive that a CBA will get done within the next few weeks! There are even some analysts claiming a “rough draft” of the new CBA could be done in a matter of days! This could potentially mean that the lockout could end by this weekend! Here’s to hoping!
In regards to Bowers… I think he will be known as the steal of this draft in a couple of years. I think the passing of his father and mentor (Gaines Adams RIP) has sparked something in Bowers that will never fizzle out. He seems dedicated to continue on his path to greatness.
GO BUCS!!
June 14th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
@Captain Stagger
Hopefully “the red tide” show up more than every four weeks.
June 14th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
@Aldo . I do not expect the numbers 99, 55, 40 to ever be used again.
June 14th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
I still think bowers wont start untill maybe halfway through the season… And they will evaluate his knee, but he should play on third downs. If he can produce on third downs then and the knee is fine START HIM! In the mean time it would be nice to have BOWERS at full health going after brees and matty ryan on third down!
June 15th, 2011 at 12:53 am
MarkD- agreed, someday we add 20 to that honored list.
Nah, red tide conjures up bad imagery! I still like the “Gallows Defense”. Or The” Keel haul Krewe”. Maybe “the Broadside” defense? It’s about time someone came up with something clever! Think this Defense will be needing a fierce nickname pretty soon
June 15th, 2011 at 2:09 am
Number 47 should also be off limits
June 15th, 2011 at 8:43 am
I think the top 4 DEs are Clayborne & Bowers (starters) with Bennett & Crowder as backups.
Of course there is the possibility they keep a 5th but with them running a 3-4 sometimes I think they are more likely to keep 8 total D-Lineman (Price, McCoy, Miller, Okam at DT). I figure Price, Bowers, Clayborne, & McCoy are all capable of playing DE in a 3-4.
If they do keep one more guy I think it will be Magee because he can move inside or outside.
White & Moore SHOULD be gone.
June 15th, 2011 at 9:56 am
Agree again with Dave!
June 15th, 2011 at 10:55 am
We all want the lockout to end obviously, but for Bower’s sake, a shortened season might be good for him. That way he can rest his knee