Concerns Over Pressuring The Quarterback
May 16th, 2013
The Bucs have placed a lot of pressure on Da’Quan Bowers to drop opposing quarterbacks this season.
There are lots of “ifs” this season, if the Bucs are going to turn around their fortunes.
IF Josh Freeman plays well…
IF the offensive line can be dominant and injury-free…
IF the Bucs can pressure the quarterback…
Those are just three “ifs” off the top of Joe’s head. And the third “if” also is of concern to the Football Outsiders crowd. In a series called “Red Flags,” they list the Bucs’ pass rush as a red flag, per BSPN.
“(Previously), we said Tampa Bay’s biggest hole was at pass-rusher, and they’ve since gotten weaker there, not stronger. Michael Bennett, who led Tampa Bay with 9.0 sacks last season (the only Bucs player to crack the top 50 in sacks) signed with Seattle in free agency.’’
Granted, the Bucs will sing a different song, but the reality is the Bucs are placing their their hopes on just that, hope.
The Bucs hope Adrian Clayborn can bounce back from knee surgery.
The Bucs hope Da’Quan Bowers can shine with a full season free of injuries.
The Bucs hope Gerald McCoy stays in one piece and stays a Pro Bowler.
Hey, Bowers, Clayborn and GMC could prove to be a lethal troika of defenders. It just seems to Joe that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik is placing a lot of projected success based on hope.
May 16th, 2013 at 8:28 am
The sad thing is, that the Pop-star has placed alot of resources to the D-line. And there is huge question marks. For a guy who collects Dlineman it is pretty embarrassing. Do not be surprised if half way thru the season that the boy-genius gm is dumpster diving other rosters for D-lineman.
May 16th, 2013 at 8:29 am
Joe, one more and most important, they score more points than the other team each week through the Super Bowl. If you are going to hope, hope big.
May 16th, 2013 at 8:38 am
Besides he obvious issue of lack of talent, one reason the bucs got into so much trouble last yr with the secondary getting torched was the amount of blitzing they did. Though the d line is “playing on hopes” its not completely true that the pass rush falls squarely on their shoulders. Expect the bucs to take advantage of the Revis Effect and continue to send their LBs and safeties into the backfield.
May 16th, 2013 at 8:41 am
Dom’s draft misses or questionable picks all seem to be on the dline. These young guys need a vet to show them the way. Too bad Dom is too stubborn giving his picks a chance.
May 16th, 2013 at 8:43 am
I don’t know why this is something that is talked about all the time. They did draft 3 d lineman and there are 15 DE and DT on the current roster. Yes, they may not be named Abraham or Freeney, but they could turn out to be golden.
Either way, Dom is saving cap room to re-sign our studs and still have some money for FA if needed. No sense in spending extra money on people that don’t fit a system just to make everyone else feel warm and fuzzy.
May 16th, 2013 at 8:50 am
“It just seems to Joe that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik is placing a lot of projected success based on hope.”
But Joe, isn’;t that the case with most teams? Look at the Falcons, they’re simply hoping Osi can make up for the loss of Abraham, and they have very little more than that on their defensive line. Same with the Saints….
May 16th, 2013 at 8:50 am
agreed …..TBuc_40
May 16th, 2013 at 8:54 am
Well I guess the Bucs season is over before it starts. Or maybe lighten the hell up for Christ’s sake.
May 16th, 2013 at 8:57 am
There’s a lot of “IFs” and not enough “ANDs” and “BUTs” to be comfortable. However, the “Ifs” aren’t all that different from what every team faces each year.
I don’t have a lot of concern about the D-Line and its ability to generate a decent pass rush. The improved secondary will be more help than is apparent at this point. Another second or two delay before the QB gets the ball out of his hand will make a huge difference in pass rush effectiveness.
If there is anything that I would be concerned about, it would be at the tilted-nose DT position than at the DE positions. McCoy could be a huge difference maker if there was another DT that could take the double team off of McCoy. At this point, I’m not sure we have accomplished that.
But not to worry, in time these “Ifs” may turn out to be “AAHs”!
May 16th, 2013 at 8:57 am
We’ve already seen what GMC, Clayborn and Bowers can do, we know they have the talent, what we’re really talking about is progression and consistency, can they show what they have shown in the past and add to it…
May 16th, 2013 at 9:00 am
This is going to be a great year to be a Bucs fan! Too bad so many on here are trying to rain on the parade before the season even starts. If the Bucs can limit injuries this year this team has a chance to win the division.
May 16th, 2013 at 9:00 am
TB40, I’m with you. 3 D line picks, although later in the Draft does not mean they can’t perform. They’re all pretty high motor guys and things may work out well. Its wait and see, but soon they will get their first taste of action and we will have a better idea. It still may take time for them to fully develop, but I like our chances. I also like when everyone underestimates the Bucs. Dom said this was a deep draft for talented players and he and coach totally played it that way. It’s a little early to start pulling that Chicken Little crap that the sports media tries to play.
May 16th, 2013 at 9:12 am
Again…no mention of the spot next to GMC; the replacement of Roy Miller. THAT is our real weak spot right now. We know that if Bowers and Clayborn stay healthy, they will be good enough if not great.
We know GMC is good.
What we don’t know is the final position on the defensive line. We’ve heard a few things, but it is all post draft hype. It is a position Dom and Greg didn’t see worthy of a 3rd round pick, even though it is a starter.
MAJOR weak spot.
We can hope for the best, and I personally hope we get it. But the fact that even the media avoids discussing the position worries me.
May 16th, 2013 at 9:18 am
i don’t see how the whole line is not a question mark. GMC finally played for a full year, out of 3. Our D-Ends have 12 sacks between the 2 of them. and we have a middle round draft pick starting at nose. No one has a record of consistency. It the line does terrible but plays 16 games that would be a great improvement.
May 16th, 2013 at 9:20 am
It’s their “red flag” because our d-line hasn’t brought much pressure in years, with the exception of GMC last year, and we are counting on the relatively unproven. While Clayborn showed great effort and scrappiness in his first season, he looked very pedestrian in preseason last year (to me anyway, and I really like the guy). I agree with the Outsiders to question this unit, especially if we think our secondary is top 3.
May 16th, 2013 at 9:23 am
Stopping the run could return as an issue as well.
May 16th, 2013 at 9:27 am
My guess is that once again Schiano and Dom completely forgot to address all the positions mentioned here. It just simply slipped their minds. Remember last year when they failed to address RB? I mean, who could expect a rookie to perform and carry the load? Blount was the obvious saviour and the coaches were just too stupid and stubborn to play him. And getting rid of Winslow!!?? According to Capt. Tim our offense was crippled without him. Now they have obviously left our D-line in shambles and other teams will run through us like wet tissue paper. When will our GM ever stop trying to do his job and just listen to the fans on here?? We could have won the Super Bowl by now….
May 16th, 2013 at 9:29 am
the_buc_realist, all good points. I think we are all flying on hope in regard to the Defensive Line.
To me, the most important depth is quality line depth, both sides. The Offensive Line has not been addressed. The defensive line was barely addressed.
I realize this draft was more about depth at various positions, but I feel like at least two starting spots were not taken seriously. This wouldn’t bother me so much if the Bucs had addressed the roles in free agency, even with older, temporary guys to play for a year.
May 16th, 2013 at 9:43 am
The same “hope” can be applied to any and ever player/position group/team in the NFL. No matter how proven a commodity any player etc. are they is always the specter of injury, fall-off, or any number of things that can derail in the pursuit of greatness on the field.
Also there has been considerable investment in the D-line over the last 4 years- 2- 1st rounders 2- second rounders, 1 – 3rd, 2- 4ths, 1- 5th and 2 FA DTs that have NFL starting experience. How much investment do you need to qualify as satisfactory on the d-line?
May 16th, 2013 at 9:51 am
Big Bear,
We will find out if we have invested enough in the D-Line this year.
I hope we have.
May 16th, 2013 at 9:54 am
I wish these talking heads would STOP bringing up the BUCS making a huge mistake in not resigning Micheal Bennett. The guy had injury issues to include a current torn rotater cuff.
May 16th, 2013 at 10:07 am
Every needs to chill. Every team is an “if” team. If Peyton gets hurt Devner won’t be very good. If Brady gets hurt the pats are in trouble. If NO corners don’t learn to cover someone they will be in trouble, if ATL can’t get pressure with Abraham and have trouble stopping he run, if cam newton has his high and low ball and the defense can’t stop anyone . I can literally do this with every team in the league
May 16th, 2013 at 10:25 am
Dominik must feel confident in Claiborn’s injury recovery and Bower’s ability to perform. I think the D-line could have a very good year if everyone stays healthy. It looks like the insurance plan is Gholston and Means at DE. I’m actually ok with this even though they’re rookies. They are both intriguing prospects. I’m not sure what the insurance plan is at DT.
May 16th, 2013 at 10:26 am
You draft guys to play, and thats what we are going to do, I dont know when everyone decided that bowers cant cut the mustard or AC is not really good, if you watched there were games where bowers was really good last year and the end of his rookie year. He had a game against carolina where he looked unblockable. He needs reps and he cant get those in a spot duty role, I’m hoping all these haters will post how wrong they are when he is off the hook this year. The guy has elite talent, let me say it again ELITE TALENT, he has been hurt and that has caused his lack of #s but this is going to be his first year in the offseason program healthy and I expect 12-14 sacks with a solid 8 coming from AC and another 5-6 from gmac throw in another 10 or so from bltzers.
May 16th, 2013 at 10:36 am
@bucsguy….’gasp!!!’ Blasphemy!!!!!!!!
May 16th, 2013 at 10:43 am
Bowers has tremendous upside. If he’s healthy move will pay off. Clayborn is another beast on the other side who ca over power LTs. He somehow managed 7.5 sacks on a weak and depleted dline in 2011. I think if healthy were good.
Many dont consider te fact that dlineman usually take 3 years to develop in the nfl.
May 16th, 2013 at 11:08 am
People keep raving about Bowers’ upside, but when has he ever shown that? Raw athleticism shows up every now and then at least, even if that player has no pass rush moves. Look at JPP’s rookie season for example, he showed flashes of greatness right then. I cannot remember a sack or a pressure from Bowers where I was taken away in awe with his athleticism or strength to bulldoze a Tackle.
I don’t think Bowers as an athlete is as good as some think in their delusions. He cannot impose his will with just hustle and athleticism alone, he needs them moves as well to make an impact. And in that regard I do not know how he is any better than Bennett. But of course, the resident homers will now tell me how strong and fast Bowers is and how Bennett was much inferior in athleticism.
May 16th, 2013 at 11:10 am
Bowers will lead the league in sacks at some point in the year.You will see his face on espn all the time and all the teams that passed on him because they did not want to deal with his injuries.
May 16th, 2013 at 11:13 am
So by Joe’s own admission, the strategy on creating a good defense is:
“Pray.”
That’s it. Dominik has essentially said, “I drafted these guys. None have a track record of staying healthy. Rather than build some depth to minimize the pressure on them, I’m just going to look to the Almighty and pray that they ALL have perefect, flawless, best-case scenario season…. at the same time.”
“Rockstar.”
May 16th, 2013 at 11:23 am
If you didn’t see Bowers ability last year apparently you had your eyes closed.
May 16th, 2013 at 11:25 am
@Adam L…..uuuuh…never mind. That was just too stupid to even waste keystrokes replying to.
May 16th, 2013 at 11:36 am
Johnny bucs limited him as he recovered from his march knee surgery that year. When he played at the end of the year in 2011 he displayed that athleticism strengjt and dominance for 2.5 sacks. He seemed unblock able vs Carolina his first start.
Bennett was not going to start last year. Bowers tore his Achilles and that’s what affected him.
May 16th, 2013 at 11:45 am
Of course out D-line has Upside, That is because all we have seen is the Downside for the last 5 years.
May 16th, 2013 at 11:58 am
@Bobby… show me where I’m wrong, big mouth.
Dominik has Clayborne, Bowers, and GMC: all of whom have had catastrophic, season-ending injuries in the past 3 years. There is NO ONE behind them. He lost a tackle and an end and regardless of what their stats were, NO REPLACEMENT WITH ANY PROVEN PEDIGREE was brought in. Just more draftees (and I’m not confident in Dominik finding diamonds in the rough).
So, Bobby-Big-Mouth…. back up your words and show me where I’m off-base.
May 16th, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Praying works, and a bunch of you idiots should try it some time.
Cadi had catastrophic knee injuries and these other 3 pale in comparison. This site some serious weenie whiny little girls. So many of you know so much more than Dom or Schiano or the entire staff with hundreds of years in combined experience, yet for some strange unknown reason the NFL hasn’t found your enormous talent.
Some of you guys think this is so bad, but I’m here to tell you that you don’t know jack squat. Just constantly running your sucks, complaining, moaning, whining incessantly. Will it ever end? I seriously doubt it. You’re fans of your own big mouths, and many should really be sewn shut for the greater good.
Go Bucs !!! and the rest of you can just suck it!!!
May 16th, 2013 at 12:26 pm
@Adam L…..Do you believe that the Bucs haven’t worked out Clayborne to make sure he’s healthy and are you frigging’ blind that you couldn’t see Bowers was a beast when he was in games last year?? You don’t call Means and Gholston depth? Te’o Nesheim? Do they have to be FA’s for you to be happy? GMC made the pro bowl last year and if you had a brain you would realize that biceps tears repair stronger than before the injury and rarely ever happen again. You throw catastrophic around like it’s your favorite word. They were injuries but they weren’t catastrophic. Cadillac’s injuries were but even he came back and played. Just get a grip and realize that you are not a trainer or doctor and it’s pretty stupid to assume that you know more than the people paying these players millions. You make me laugh though. Thanks for the chuckle.
May 16th, 2013 at 12:30 pm
@Buc_Realist…”Of course out D-line has Upside, That is because all we have seen is the Downside for the last 5 years.”
Yeah…#1 against the rush last year….they sucked didn’t they?? Why do you continue to prove yourself an idiot??
May 16th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Do you believe that the Bucs haven’t worked out Clayborne to make sure he’s healthy… (I’m sure they have… but they’re counting on him being 100% and have no plan for if he’s not or is just unlucky)
… and are you frigging’ blind that you couldn’t see Bowers was a beast when he was in games last year?? (How many games was that? The last half of the year? Anyone can have a good couple of games. Look at Michael Clayton)
You don’t call Means and Gholston depth? Te’o Nesheim? (2 draftees and a career back-up)
Do they have to be FA’s for you to be happy? (Well, there’s draftees and FAs. I don’t have confidence in Dominik’s drafting ability and he signed NO free agents so do the math).
GMC made the pro bowl last year and if you had a brain you would realize that biceps tears repair stronger than before the injury and rarely ever happen again. (Okay Doctor).
You throw catastrophic around like it’s your favorite word. They were injuries but they weren’t catastrophic. (Tearing 2 of 3 ligaments in your knee qualifies in my book. Having arms with torn muscels in both that ended two separate season qualifies in my book. An Achillies tear and a chronic bad knee qualifies in my book).
Cadillac’s injuries were but even he came back and played. (really? How’d he do?)
Just get a grip and realize that you are not a trainer or doctor (neither are you, and you have the medical background and expertise to tell me that torn Biceps heal back better and stronger than before, so practice what you preach, Noah Wiley).
…and it’s pretty stupid to assume that you know more than the people paying these players millions. (yeah, you’re right. No one in the NFL ever paid millions to someone who didn’t perform. Somewhere JaMarcus Russell is laughing at you).
You make me laugh though. Thanks for the chuckle. (the irony is sickening).
May 16th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
@”BigMacAttack: Praying works, and a bunch of you idiots should try it some time. ”
You are the idiot here if you really believe in it.
May 16th, 2013 at 1:36 pm
This year’s version of cornerback. It’ll be someone else’s deal to fix it next offseason.
May 16th, 2013 at 1:41 pm
Adam
JR is not laughing, he is broke and trying to get back on a team. He was not void of talent, he had greater issues and demons to deal with. Just saying, I am not sure that argument works. maybe thow out a coach that failed, but even then they know more than any of us about talent and football. If you think Dom is a bad drafter and not so good at FA either (which I am pretty sure he looks good at right now), then you would not be happy with any team not located in Greenbay or Pittburg. Most draft picks do not seem to work out the way the teams that drafted them wanted. Most people used to feel pretty hum hum about Miller and Bennet, so these back ups we have can be back ups to higher upside starters and a guy that seems a clone of Miller.
May 16th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
“Just get a grip and realize that you are not a trainer or doctor (neither are you, and you have the medical background and expertise to tell me that torn Biceps heal back better and stronger than before, so practice what you preach, Noah Wiley).”
Did you read anything at all about McCoy’s injuries??? Every doctor that commented in the NFL said what I just posted. More proof of just how uniformed you are.
May 16th, 2013 at 5:30 pm
@adam show me anybodys dline that has the kind of depth you crave, the only waybu get that is take guys late and hope they blossom legit guys dont want to be backups and definitely arent taking backup money. Bowers is over the knee and the achilles is bad luck not related. As far as AC other than last years acl he doesnt have injury history. Like I said before you draft guys and you gave to give them reps to develop. JPP is not a very good example because they had osi and tuck also we havent seen our 3 young studs all out there together. And Bowers has shown flashes of elite abilty and that was with a defensive backfield that was horrible any hurry from last year becomes a sack this year.
May 16th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
hey . the BUCS IS BACK . i am very trusts COACH GREG SCHIANO AND GM MR MARK BOTH IS THE BEST IN THE NFL ONE DAY >>> GO BUCS
May 16th, 2013 at 9:29 pm
Little Jonny Boy, I’ll pray for you but I can’t promise anything.
May 16th, 2013 at 9:46 pm
@ BIGMAC, Im so with you BIGMAC!!!!! We have more talent this year more than ever yes even our Super Bowl year .So how can you not be crazy excited about this year your an idiot and not a true Buc fan.Tell how it is BigMac
May 17th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
your guy worry too much ……