“I Won’t Get Tossed Around By Anyone”
July 3rd, 2011
The Bucs have college football’s top defensive end in 2010 on their roster, Da’Quan Bowers. Exciting stuff whether you’re an optimist or pessimist.
Whether Bowers is healthy is a question hopefully answered soon, but it’s still damn exciting to have grabbed this guy. During his extensive exclusive interview with Justin “The Commish” Pawlowski on WDAE-AM 620 this weekend, Bowers explained his versatility and why fans shouldn’t confuse him with the late Gaines Adams, even though they were close and wore the same number at Clemson.
Bowers: I have the speed that Gaines [Adams] had but I’m a lot stronger than he was. I very strong. I can normally run by you but I can run through you if necessary. And As far as the running game, I can hold my own. I’m not going to get tossed around by anyone in the running game, offensive tackle or tight end.
The Commish: Do you prefer the left side or the right side? … As a defensive end, does that matter which side of the line you’re on?
Bowers: I’ve played both my entire life. I have no preference. … Some guys won’t put their left hand down, some guys won’t put their right hand down. But me, I’ve done it so long it comes naturally to me. It doesn’t matter what side I’m on.
Joe can’t wait to see what this guy’s got, and what Keith Millard can do with him. Imagine if he really is a versatile manbeast churning out double-digit sacks?
If Joe’s going to fantasize, and Rachel Watson is not involved, then Joe’s imagining a healthy Bowers with a massive chip on his shoulder.
July 3rd, 2011 at 9:38 am
Justin nailed this interview…
Da’Quan sounds ready to go.
Well worth the 20 minutes to listen to it.
July 3rd, 2011 at 11:49 am
First, God Bless Gaines Adams, his life ended way too soon.
That said, Gaines lacked strength at the Pro Level. Tampa’s new combo of Bowers and Clayborne is almost unreal. I keep smacking myself to make sure this is all not some dream!
Tampa has had 2 years of truly stellar drafts, and player additions. You can bet Raheem will move Bowers around, especially since he says he can play either side.
Gaines Adams was a speed rusher, and that was pretty much all he was. NFL Offensive Linemen and Tight Ends were having their way with him far too often on running plays.
That was was a big reason Tampa sent him on his way.
July 3rd, 2011 at 11:56 am
I am excited to see this D line in action. I believe Raheem has been pulling his hair out in anticipation for the last couple months.
July 3rd, 2011 at 12:03 pm
Me 2 BigMac, I can’t wait to see these guys play for Tampa!
Hey, check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQwgGup2JS0&feature=related
When our Tampa Defense becomes really special this year, maybe Da’quan can write and play a song for us ?
July 3rd, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Props to Justin for getting the power out of Bowers. Fantastic. I haven’t heard any rookie Buc talk in this fashion since…. well… never. This guy is beyond confident. I hope that pride spills over to the rest of the line.
Considering McCoy’s refusal to be ordinary, Clayborn’s need to eat QBs, and Bowers thirst for blood, this line looks to be extremely intimidating. No more “Stylez White” type practices, just four beasts, all trying to see who can wreak the most havoc.
I am foaming at the mouth with anticipation, and apparently so is the Buc’s entire D-line.
July 3rd, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Mccoy sure refused to be ordinary last year – he fell way short and settled for bad.
Clayborn apparently wasnt hungry last year because he ate all of 3 big 10 qbs. From the pictures of brian price that i have seen, he may have literally ate a qb or 4.
With all of the questions on this front 7, nobody knows what will happen. They could be the leagues worst.
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Roy Miller and Kyle Moore suck. Styles seems to be distracted or disinterested – which his coaches have responsibility for. I do like Crowder but he will be bought by someone willing to spend money. Gmc looks like he may have lost some baby fat but he will also need to toughen up. If gmc’s play can just reach 2% of his mouth, he may just reach 4 sacks and 40 tackles next year.
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@Thomas 2.2 McCoy put more pressure on QBs than any other 1st, 2nd, and almost every 3rd year DT last year. You don’t have stats on your side. All you have are boyish moans, gripes and complaints yet you have been proven wrong more than right.
Is there a point to you? Why do you continue your nonsense? You never have anything other than opinions to back up your assertions. You BS, and BS, and BS, then when you are clearly wrong, you disappear for few days(for what I assume is time you spend trying to figure out your next negative baseless argument) then pop back up as if we all forgot the garbage you last posted.
Write something of relevancy. Write something that actually attributes fact to your fiction. For the love of god, if you do actually like the Bucs, be honest and stop acting like such an all out bunghole. Fans are tiring of your ish.
July 3rd, 2011 at 3:29 pm
If Bowers is anything like his college self im getting a bowers jersey! He has the potential to be the best DE in the NFL!
July 3rd, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Wow! He sounds pumped up and Angry! Let’s hope he is healthy. If he is, Mark Dominck just became ” best Bucs Gm” ever, in a very short time. That line is sounding like it has great potential. But I still don’t think( very sadly) that Brian Price is gonna get to be a part of it any time soon. Hoping Miller, Woods, or Okum take a big step up and solidify that NT spot
July 3rd, 2011 at 5:07 pm
I don’t see how any Buccaneer fan cannot be excited about our young DL.
Sure it’s mostly potential right now but it’s a very exciting potential.
Can’t wait to see what happens. If our defense can catch up to the offense this season, we’ll be a powerhouse in the South for years to come including this coming season.
All good IMO.
July 3rd, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Muah: i did some research. I cant find any stats where mccoy ranks anywhere among the top nfl d tackles for pressures, hits or offensive holds against.
All are unofficial stats by the way bc they are very subjective.
I did read a buc article suggesting that mccoy had the best pressure stats among the bucs line but that took some statistical gymnastics – and werent that impressive.
Here are some easy to confirm facts: in 13 games mccoy had 21 tackles and 3 sacks. Suh had 49 solos (2nd in the nfl) and 10 sacks (1st in the nfl for dt’s) as a rookie in 16 games. Suh had over twice as many tackles and ovet three times the sacks and remained healthy.
I have not had time to review the season of all 1-3 round d lineman but i know the d end from florida dunlap had a bunch and i am sure i can find others who were equally successful. Weeks ago i linked a blog that voted mccoy the bust of the 2010 draft so far.
July 3rd, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Garv:
Reports are that the bucs plan to start 2 rookies with injury questions – completely unknown qunatities – except that clayborn had all of 3 sacks in a 13 game big 10 schedule last year. Roy miller has been bad with a whopping 1 sack and less than 2 tackles per game last year- and gmc – see above.
I will admit that it appears that gmc has trained this offseason – which he needed to but I am not,and neither are you, sure of what that will mean next year.
July 3rd, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Thomas your research is very insufficient and non-pertinent to this article. Discuss what you’ve found on Bowers and then talk. Leave McCoy to be and let him prove himself. You can’t call a second year player a bust. You have 3 more years before that statement mean anything. Like I said stick to the topic and that is what you never can do.
July 3rd, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Nobody can damper a good post like the disease known as Thomas. God forbid any of us be excited about Bowers without this douche bag bringing up more negativity. In an article about Bowers being motivated to play, d!&k wad here trashes McCoy, Raheem, Moore, and Roy Miller. Do you get off on being an arse hole? If so, you should really go out and try to get a woman. You probably have a chance to get one, as long as you are not yourself.
July 3rd, 2011 at 6:32 pm
Architek: i like bowers a lot as a player, just have concerns about the knee. If healthy, he will be much more productive than any of these other yahoos. I had high hopes for price coming out but his injury has set him way back.
July 3rd, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Unfortunately, I think this lockout will have a very negative effect on the entire 2011 rookie class. Rookies have a hard enough time making an impact during a normal season. Without mini-camps, OTAs and possibly some training camp, I think Clayborn and Bowers (regardless of health) will have slow starts. It took GMC half a season to start producing so I’m expecting at least that much time before these young guys find their comfort zone. I hope these young men prove me wrong though!
July 3rd, 2011 at 7:52 pm
thomas, why dont you throw on your sapp jersey, pop in your 2001-02 super bowl season highlight video, shove your thumb in your mouth and remember better days. it’s obvious this regime and team will never live up to your f’ed up standards.
July 3rd, 2011 at 9:08 pm
Wow, it seems every delicious bowl of punch Joe serves has a giant turd floating to the surface. Do you spend your time fishing it out, or just pass over and grab a beer? I’ll grab a beer….despite my disappointment in price’s recovery, I expect and would be happy with GMC getting 7-8 sacks. How many sacks did sapp have his rookie year??? Also think the clayborn senior sack totals argument very uneducated. I’ll take the word of his college coach. (if you don’t know what his response was I’ll trust you are a casual fan) I think 20-25 sacks from such a young line would be acceptable. Oh why does Suh’s name keep coming up, did we pass on him in the draft? Maybe I had too many cocktails during the draft when we traded spots with Detroit to get GMC…..will we forever be complaining if Quinn or Kerrigan get more sacks their rookie year?????
July 3rd, 2011 at 9:59 pm
I remember being quite unhappy with the Freeman pick. Obviously I was wrong about that. In fact, since then I’ve seen this team going on the right track. It’s young, enthusiastic and they love to play. I see talent all over the field and a coaching staff these players relate to and play hard for.
Am I an optimist? Right now I sure am. And why the hell NOT?
As far as I’m concerned this is the start of something special and I’m loving it.
Last season was a lot like the 1997 Dungy team that turned things around. But now we have a QB. A REAL QB with all the tools, drive and leadership skills. You keep this offense together with a few additions here and there and add to it a young and coming defense? Yeah baby! Excuse ME for being optimistic! LOL Hell, these ARE the good old days and I’m going to enjoy them for all it’s worth.
July 4th, 2011 at 3:25 am
you said it garv…true that!
adam from ny
July 4th, 2011 at 7:39 am
Garv: optimism is good, I have no problem with you being optimistic about elements of the team where there is a basis for it. I even have some optimism that mccoy will improve some based on how different he looks.
But make no mistake about 2010: profootball focus ranked the best rookie d linemen last year and: suh, lamarr houston, jason pierre-paul,
July 4th, 2011 at 7:41 am
Brandon grahqm, carlos dunlap and greg hardy (a 6th rounder) were all ranked a head of gmc. So lets not try to rewrite history about gmc in 2010, he stunk (except for 2.5 games).
July 4th, 2011 at 8:31 am
@Garv, Nice post.
Thomas, you really should move to Motown and become a full fledged Lions’ fan. They have the only players in the league that meet your twisted expectations. Funny though, all that talent only won them 6 games. I really think the Bucs wouldn’t miss having you as a so called “fan”, someone that doesn’t support them in any fashion, doesn’t watch them or go to any games. You only critique stats after the fact. I think when Raheem says “Stats are for Losers”, he 110% had you in mind. If ever there was a Loser on this site, you are it.
July 4th, 2011 at 9:17 am
Prepare for Total Da’Quanation!!!
July 4th, 2011 at 9:47 am
Bigmac: one of those 6 lion wins was against the bucs in tampa with the lions 3rd string qb and the playoffs on the line.
I went to games last year and watched them all like I have for about 25 years.
July 4th, 2011 at 9:51 am
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/03/17/breaking-out-10-pass-rushers-to-watch/
Profootball focus has nothing but good things to say about McCoy. The claim that he had more pressure might be off, but he was far from horrible.
July 4th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Here is another article for you, Thomas.
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/01/24/pff-all-nfc-south-team/
They picked McCoy as the best pass rushing DT in the division and the 10th best in the league.
July 4th, 2011 at 10:33 am
25 years eh? I could have sworn you were about 13 yrs old based on your comments. And btw, had the refs not blown the PI call on Winslow in the endzone, which they later admitted was blown, and obvious to everyone on and off the field except the stupid ref, the Lions would have lost. Hence, the Bucs are in the playoffs and Greenbay would have been out. Water under the bridge now, but the field goal the Lions made to tie would have left them down by 4. And your idol Suh sucked in that game. SInce you claim to go to the games, I’m sure you will be wearing a Suh jersey at the first game. WHy do you watch a team that you hate so much??? Baffling?
July 4th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
It is good news that GMC trained in the off season.
In the NFL, O Linemen are big and nasty every Sunday. What might have worked in College for GMC is simply not enough for the NFL.
It is good to see GMC sees the need to get better, by getting stronger.
It is also good to see GMC taking a leadership role in Tampa.
GMC will have 2 stud defensive ends to help him this year. I think this will be a breakout year for the Tampa defense, as a whole. Way too many weapons to block, all the time.
July 4th, 2011 at 9:38 pm
I am expecting a drastic improvement in the pass rush and pass defense overall. I still think the run defense will need some work as the youngsters learn to trust one another in run fits but I hope for a middle of the pack run defense.
July 5th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Tommy,
The stats you listed from profootball focus had 1 full time starter amongst them…that was Suh…a once in a generation player that was off the board when the bucs drafted…guess what it is easy to look more effective in less snaps esp. if the situation is suited to your specialty i.e. pass rush for Dunlap, JP, and graham. Of course if you took that into account that would mean your judgment was level headed and not just the anti bucs crap that you usually spout and that would take us all off gaurd.
U suck