Casillas Pushing For Starting Gig
August 14th, 2013
Now Joe knows the Bucs hope Dekoda Watson wins the starting outside linebacker gig. They have all but given the job to him. But Bucs commander Greg Schiano is big on competition. He says he doesn’t believe in handing out starting jobs just for the sake of playing Robin Hood.
Well, if competition is what Schiano wants, competition is what he is getting at strongside linebacker. Jonathan Casillas is doing everything he can to push Watson if not win the starting gig outright.
Casillas has continued his strong August in a new locale, the practice fields of the Patriots where the Bucs and Pats are participating in joint practices. Casillas made some of yesterday’s better plays, noted Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times.
Bucs LB Jonathan Casillas blew up Patriots S Duron Harmon when covering a kickoff, coming downhill at full speed and literally putting Harmon on his back for the day’s most violent hit. Casillas is gaining a reputation in camp as a big hitter.
Not just that, but a reputation as one of the Bucs better linebackers. There was a drive in the Bucs’ preseason opener against the Crows last week where Casillas, in consecutive plays, had a tackle for loss, a tackle for a short gain, and a pass breakup. He shut down a drive single-handed.
If Casillas isn’t doing enough to overcome Watson to be the starter, he sure as hell is making loud noise about getting on the field when opponents have the ball.
August 14th, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Small guy to play Sam.
August 14th, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Every time he hit someone against the Ravens it was a violent impact…if nothing else…the dude can hit.
August 14th, 2013 at 1:27 pm
If Casillas is out performing Watson then Casillas should get the starting gig. It’s not like Casillas is a rookie and we haven’t seen him in a real game. The guy had tape before he got here. Casillas has been a starter in a 4-3 system before, where Watson has been 2nd team his entire career to this point. Personally, I was ready to see if Dekoda had finally arrived but not if Casillas has anything to do with it. There are never any guarantees, and Watson knows that. The good thing is that we should be really deep at LB.
May the best guy win!
August 14th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
This is funny because Pat Yasinkas, just wrote a piece yesterday about how the strongside linebacker was supposed to a good competition, but Watson has run away with the starting gig.
August 14th, 2013 at 2:31 pm
@ Erick,
Watson has not run away with the starting gig. If anything, Casillas has the upper hand for how well he played in the first preseason game.
August 14th, 2013 at 2:59 pm
@Erick,
I learned a long time ago that Pat Yasinskas hasn’t got a clue.
August 14th, 2013 at 4:08 pm
I listened to Yasinskas comments too though I thought the SLB competition would be front and center best in camp after Castillas’ first preseason outing.
Watson is a freak athlete, but never struck me as an instinctive type of player. Kinda like how Quincy would let the play come to him instead of blowing it up…
I like Castillas aggressive attacking style better. Need to see more though.
August 14th, 2013 at 4:27 pm
I want to clarify, never said I listened to Yasinkas, just thought it was comical he would report this one day and then Joe would report the complete opposite the next day.
August 14th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
Joe I want D.Dub to win it too but Castillas is better. Let Dekoda rush the passer on third down. We need that extra pass rush. From the left end postion, he comes off the edge so fast a la von miller.
We need hard hitting linebacker since we are lacking at having run stopping defensive ends.
August 14th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
rooting for Watson, but not at the expense of having the better SLB in the game. may the best man win.