Casillas A Bright Spot Among Reserves
August 9th, 2013
When the Bucs had their first teamers on the field Thursday night, sans Davin Joseph, sans Carl Nicks, sans Darrelle Revis, the Bucs didn’t fare so badly against the Super Bowl champs, the Crows of Baltimore.
But when the Bucs put their reserves in, well, yikes. It was simply ugly. There were a few exceptions, however. One was the play of reserve strongside linebacker Jonathan Casillas. A free agent by way of New Orleans,Casillas was a one-man gang during one series.
On first down, late in the second quarter with the Crows having the ball at the Bucs-26, Casillas stopped Crows running back Damien Berry for no-gain. On second down, Casillas stopped Berry again, this time for a one-yard gain. On third down, Crows quarterback Tyrod Taylor tried to hit Berry to the left side and Casillas broke up the pass with a physical hit.
In short, Casillas stopped the Crows’ drive by himself.
“I was out there just doing my job,” Casillas said. “I was just in the right spot in the right time and when my number is called, I try to make the play.
“I feel great here man, good group of linebackers, good atmosphere, great group of guys around me. I am happy to be here but the score didn’t indicate that. We will learn. We will watch the film and correct the mistakes.
“When I watch the film I know there will be mistakes but it is preseason.”
If there is one thing Joe can say, he agrees with Casillas. Preseason is a time for learning. If you get your hat handed to you the way the Super Bowl champs did to the Bucs tonight, no harm, no foul. You learn from your mistakes and go on.
The Bucs are still undefeated in the 2013 regular season. If Casillas can play in the regular season like he did tonight, then the Bucs will certainly have depth at strongside linebacker.
August 9th, 2013 at 12:17 am
He had a few plays he made that finally made me look up his number to see who it was.
August 9th, 2013 at 12:19 am
I thought Dakoda was no slouch either. Would be nice if one of these guys emerged as pretty decent player as opposed to just a viable fill in.
August 9th, 2013 at 12:35 am
Finally a position on the defense where we have really good depth at. The SAM position shouldn’t be a problem this year. fingers crossed.
August 9th, 2013 at 7:22 am
He looked really fast and strong on that series.
Adam Hayward amd Casillas are two really decent backups, in case we actually lose 2 LB’s, we still have good replacememts.
On the D-line, I cant say the same thing.
No pressure again on the QB last night.
If we cant pressure the QB, we will never win a Super Bowl.
The Giants won the Super Bowl the other year because they had the best and DEEPEST D-line in the NFL.
They rattled Aaron Rodgers, then Tom Brady.
I am really angry that are stubborn management staff did not bring back Bennet, who was our hardest worker last year on the whole team!
We should have rewarded him. We betrayed him. And trust me, karma exists in the NFL.
Look at Sean Peyton getting his leg broke against the Bucs. That was KARMA for all their bounties.
Peace and Love fellas.
“Love all. Trust a few. Do wrong to no one.”-Shakespeare
August 9th, 2013 at 7:56 am
All on board with that Junkie. Both SLB’a are vets too and know how to work and prepare.
Our LB corps, may just emerge as a hidden strength this year.
Nice job Castillas. Looks like he’s a good pickup for us.
August 9th, 2013 at 9:39 am
@Teacherman
Although I think its way way to early to assert an opinion about the D-Line, I have to agree with you. Bennett was the definition of a Buccaneers man. He worked his butt off and clearly got better every year. It’s a shame we didnt reward him for his hard work. But without knowing all the details, we can’t really say the Bucs just let him go… it soounded like he didnt want to be here.