Bowers Continues His Descent
August 30th, 2013
The freefall of Da’Quan Bowers troubles Joe most because of how he was evaluated by the regime. It”s just scary to swallow that the Bucs went so wrong on Bowers after so much time to scrutinize his every move.
Greg Schiano and his trusted advisors, including Super Bowl–winning defensive line coach and defensive guru Butch Davis, worked with Bowers last season and this spring and decided Bowers was their man. A double-digit sack man, Greg Schiano said, who re-worked his body during a brilliant and focused recovery from a blown Achilles in April 2012.
But Bowers struggled out of the gate in training camp. His conditioning was a problem and his play was bad. Bowers readily admits both and says he didn’t really get how demanding training camp would be because he was limited or missed the previous two in his pro career. Huh? Hello in there!
Despite Schiano recently saying Bowers needed to build up his reps in preseason to transition into an every-down player, Bowers’ playing time and prominence seemingly has taken a punch to the gut.
Last night against the Redskins, Bowers did not start but came off the bench. Adrian Clayborn had the night off, and Daniel Te’O-Neshiem and Trevor Scott got starting nods. Bowers was a situational player– in the fourth preseason game. He was hardly a stud against the Redskins’ backups.
There’s plenty of time for 23-year-old Bowers to turn it around. But there’s little reason to think that will happen with some sort of flick of a switch on opening day.
August 30th, 2013 at 9:14 am
I am a Clemson fan. I have followed his career. He will get it together. It may not be on his coaches time table, but he will be good for the Bucs defense later in the season. He will only be a situational player though, he will never be an every down player. With that said, I agree that he was evaluated poorly in that regard.
August 30th, 2013 at 9:14 am
Another 2nd round Dominik gem.
Anyone want to contract Shaun King this morning?
August 30th, 2013 at 9:20 am
Every team needs that master motivator that can push players buttons to get their best effort. With Dungy it was Kiffin & Marinelli. Then Gruden himself was a great motivator. Early lack of effort put out by this team could turn out to be a huge problem down the road. If you remember Raheem had similar problems with slow starts and players down right giving up. This more than anything has me concerned because there is talent on this team. Getting them to perform to the max is a different story.
August 30th, 2013 at 9:25 am
Da’Quan would rather be on twitter than working out. just sayin
August 30th, 2013 at 9:27 am
Never draft another Clemson DE.
August 30th, 2013 at 9:35 am
Bucnjim Says:
“Every team needs that master motivator that can push players buttons to get their best effort. With Dungy it was Kiffin & Marinelli. Then Gruden himself was a great motivator. Early lack of effort put out by this team could turn out to be a huge problem down the road. If you remember Raheem had similar problems with slow starts…”
As I recall, all the Bucs coaches have had to face this issue. It happened annually with Gruden. It happened a few times with Dungy. In fact, the Bucs defense often does not get it together until game 3. Just that way it has always been and it is not unique to Schiano or Raheem. They are just the most recent memories.
August 30th, 2013 at 9:38 am
Raheem sticks out because I’ve never seen NFL players just give up and stop playing like they did those last 6 or 7 games.
August 30th, 2013 at 9:39 am
So far as Bowers is concerned, I don’t know what to think, other than it is far too early to give up on him. He could still turn it around this season. I have no problem with making him earn a starting role.
And in the meantime, other guys get the opportunity as well.
I wouldn’t be totally surprised if Bowers is still given the go ahead to start though. It’s too soon for Scot and Daniel Te’O-Neshiem is better than Bowers right now, but not that much better.
Maybe Bowers just needs to be thrown out there like GMC was. As I recall, McCoy struggled at first as well. He had the benefit of Sapp to guide him. Maybe Simeon Rice could guide Bowers.
August 30th, 2013 at 9:40 am
Bucnjim Says:
“Raheem sticks out because I’ve never seen NFL players just give up and stop playing like they did those last 6 or 7 games.”
Like I said, recent. You forget how the defense quit when Monte announced he was leaving.
August 30th, 2013 at 9:49 am
We let Bennett walk so this guy could develop? Looks like bad judgement at this point.
August 30th, 2013 at 9:54 am
A story on the descent of Bowers, yet no mention of the “rock star” who drafted him in the second round? How do we know Schiano and his trusted advisers decided Bowers was the one? Earlier this week, Joe reported that Schiano had wanted to keep Roy Miller, but “rock star” let him go. So it’s possible “rock star” thought Bowers was the one, not Schiano and his trusted advisers.
August 30th, 2013 at 9:56 am
I didn’t mean above that he kept Bowers instead of Miller as I realize they play two different positions. Just saying that Dom is deciding who stays and who goes.
August 30th, 2013 at 10:05 am
Wonder if he will get cut tomorrow ? Hope not, the guy was considered the #1 pick until his knee injury….wish I knew what has happened with him ?
August 30th, 2013 at 10:06 am
Bowers did not seem concerned about anything in last nights interview ?
August 30th, 2013 at 10:07 am
Letting Bennett go was no mistake. He has sucked in Seattle this offseason and preseason. He might not even make the team. So stop crying about Bennett.
August 30th, 2013 at 10:27 am
Many players have great college records and don’t excel in the NFL.
Bowers has extreme talent….that shows itself once in a while. I think it is too early to give up on him.
If we made a mistake in drafting him then I think that same mistake would have been made by many others if it hadn’t been for the knee.
I don’t think his knee is the problem.
August 30th, 2013 at 10:52 am
Looks like Bowers will be another bust we drafted from Clemson …
August 30th, 2013 at 11:00 am
Bowers has a head problem not a knee problem. He just thought his talent would take him through and he wouldn’t have to work hard. The NFL is a wake up call for unmotivated players with natural talent. That’s why undrafted FA’s with a tremendous amount of heart and effort overtake good players for starting jobs every year. What is shocking to me is that Bowers played really well when he did play last year. This year it’s like a different guy suited up.
August 30th, 2013 at 11:01 am
We need to let the season play out before we crucify the guy. There is no reason yet to point fingers at anyone. We dont know anything. Schiano could be playing mind games with him AND our opponents. Until he start (or does not start) in real games then we can get a better understanding of what is really going on. Either way its far to early to give up on someone. Sheesh… and I thought I was bad.
August 30th, 2013 at 11:04 am
Is it time to start freaking out for real or should we wait?
I’m thinking our #1’s should make us forget about pee-season.
I hope.
……I’m still kind of freaking out.
(MGM 4 life)
August 30th, 2013 at 11:05 am
How the heck is a professional athlete out of shape? Nothing irks me more.
August 30th, 2013 at 11:11 am
Bowers is going to be situational player. Which sounds like a bench player at this point. I’m sure he’ll get some playing time after somebody goes down hurt. Another Dominick gem from Clemson. The Bucs scouting/management is horrible. I can already hear Shawn King rumbling.
August 30th, 2013 at 11:24 am
I question the evaluation of Bowers as well. Just a few short months ago he was touted as a 10 sack, every down player. The team thought so much of him they let their best DE walk in free agency, for very little money. On top of it all, there was next to nothing done to secure solid depth and/or competition behind Bowers. The drafting of Gholston and Means, who are both project players, wasn’t enough. With the large defensive coaching staff and ‘special advisors”, you would think someone would say to Dominik and Schiano, “hey we might need a good back up plan, we need more talent”. It appears the coaching staff completely missed the mark on their evaluation, or no one wanted to tell Dominik his plan isn’t working. Bowers should be able to contribute as part of a rotation, but certainly not the plan from the start.
August 30th, 2013 at 11:32 am
Couch Fan Says.
“We need to let the season play out before we crucify the guy. There is no reason yet to point fingers at anyone. We don’t know anything.”
Very well said.
.
BirdDoggers Says:
“I question the evaluation of Bowers as well. Just a few short months ago he was touted as a 10 sack, every down player.”
Not true. Schiano didn’t tout him as such, he said he expected Bowers to become it. There is a difference. Schiano was letting Bowers know what he wanted him to become.
August 30th, 2013 at 11:37 am
Bucamania Says:
“How the heck is a professional athlete out of shape? Nothing irks me more.”
It happens every year for first time training campers. Bowers has not had the full TC experience until this year. Especially with the Bucs and Dolphins, who have probably the hottest training camps on the east coast.
Bowers spent the off season lifting weights. This built his strength but not his stamina. He’ll get it.
August 30th, 2013 at 11:40 am
Clemson DEs are garbage. Period.
August 30th, 2013 at 11:41 am
Remember when this clown was going to be the #1 overall pick?
August 30th, 2013 at 11:48 am
Why would rich athletes need motivation? It’s a good thing a certain amount of money is guaranteed to help keep them motivated….
August 30th, 2013 at 11:55 am
Listen, I agree that we shouldn’t give up on him yet. There is something about the chemistry of certain players playing together and feeding off of each other and it may very well be that Bowers will play much better when he is feeding off of the energy that Clayborn brings as well as GMC and Spence. When he is out there with the second unit it’s different than being out there with the ones. We’ll have to see. I know he has the talent. Talent is not the question. He was evaluated correctly as far as talent goes but no one can MAKE someone want to perform up to potential. That has to come from inside the player. That’s why I’m hoping the chemistry of the regular season and playing when it matters will help.
August 30th, 2013 at 12:35 pm
FLBoyinDallas,
Are we going to get more than 30 sacks as a team in 2013?
Will an individual defensive player in the NFL get more sacks than the entire Bucs team in 2013?
The whole team got less sacks than Jared Allen’s total two years ago.
JJ Watt got close to our team total last year.
We stink at rushing the passer.
Dominick must answer for this.
August 30th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Bowers is garbage. Might as well trade our 2nd rounders away. Dom just misses anyways.
August 30th, 2013 at 12:37 pm
As much as Joe likes Dominik, this is a fair point. He’s spent how many high draft picks on defensive linemen and only hit on one? Joe won’t factor in Brian Price. He had a freak injury. No general manager could predict that.
August 30th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Did anyone hear Dom talk during the game? To me he sounded cool and calm. Almost as if he had no concerns whatsoever. Could it be they (meaning the people on the inside) know something we dont? I’m hoping so.
August 30th, 2013 at 1:08 pm
Bowers just looks fat and slow to me. it looks like the guy just doesn’t want to work.
August 30th, 2013 at 1:08 pm
Couch ,
No gm will act in a panic. Dom has to be concerned but won’t display it to the public. If I were Dom and this is the result so far after being here for 5 years and my fingerprints are all over the “plan” , I’d be nervous as well.
August 30th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
We should’ve dumped Bowers and just stuck with Bennett.
August 30th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
LOL Bennett has played in 3 games and has just 1 assist…. his pre-season has been WORSE than Bowers. Quit crying already about the shoulda, coulda, woulda garbage.
August 30th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
Relentless coming after Bowers huh?
Lol comical how well some of you seem to “know” the kid. Ahahaha love it!
August 30th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
I would like to remind everyone that when Shaun King called Mark Dominik a lousy evaluator of talent, you all replied with insults.
Well, here is another of his second round gems.
August 30th, 2013 at 6:40 pm
Bowers looked so fat last night.
He couldnt evenget by or move 3rd string tackles!
How do you expect this guy to be able to juke or bullrush starting tackles??
Not happenin!
Bowers is ruining his own ife and career.
Do u know why people tear their achlles?
Because they dont jog and run enough.
If you jog or run close to everyday, your achilles will be strong.
I doubt this son of preacherman, knows how to work hard.
August 31st, 2013 at 12:57 am
Bowers will be fine. 11 sacks this year and 2 interceptions for good measure.
August 31st, 2013 at 4:34 pm
what a whine-fest this has become…did Bowers proclaim himself the “answer”?..NO..Dom and Shiano did. The majority of posters here are pathetic…WOW…the sheep following the garbarge…maybe direct some of your “hatred” to the GM and coach, instead of the player. What a great bunch of fans this site is creating.. and No ..I don’t blame Joe..its the muscle-bound basement Einstien’s who know nothing about anything, except what the feeble minds can decipher amongst the garbarge. C’mon criticicize, its easy, and I know all the answers.
August 31st, 2013 at 5:04 pm
what a whine-fest this has become…did Bowers proclaim himself the “answer”?..NO..Dom and Shiano did. The majority of posters here are pathetic…WOW…the sheep following the garbarge…maybe direct some of your “hatred” to the GM and coach, instead of the player. What a great bunch of fans this site is creating.. and No ..I don’t blame Joe..its the muscle-bound basement Einstien’s who know nothing about anything, except what the feeble minds can decipher amongst the garbarge. C’mon criticicize, its easy, and I know all the answers…and BTW, Joe, u do a great job. Its the fair weather Florida “fans”.. and their lack of intellect.