Familiarity Is New To Te’O-Neshiem
August 28th, 2013
Bucs starting defensive end Daniel Te’O-Neshiem is a guy routinely overlooked by Bucs fans.
Joe’s convinced this is largely because his name is so confusing. The guy either needs to changes his first name to something like “Stylez,” or perhaps go all Brazilian soccer player and just use Te’O.
Regardless, Te’O-Neshiem surely has won a starting gig from Da’Quan Bowers. There’s no doubt in Joe’s mind.
Joe chatted with Te’O-Neshiem today and learned an interesting factoid. Including his college days at the University of Washington, 2013 is the first year he’s played in the same defensive system in back-to-back seasons.
“I feel like I’m way for comfortable and what’s expected of you on pressures and base plays,” said Te’O-Neshiem, who went on to state that him working now at both right and left end is a byproduct of that familiarity.
The not-so-wild Samoan, who Joe must say looks a bit more rocked up this season, recorded four sacks last year filling in for Adrian Clayborn. Te’O-Neshiem also was a third-round pick of the Eagles in 2010 and just turned 26.
Bucs fans don’t talk about No. 50, but he could very well be a guy poised for a breakout year.
August 28th, 2013 at 11:49 am
I thought he played well when his number was called last year. I hope you’re right about a breakout season. We are going to need alot of those on the D line this year.
August 28th, 2013 at 12:03 pm
Too soon to count Bowers out yet….could be just “Coach Speak” thus far on him.
I think with Bowers there is a frustration that we aren’t getting his best.
Coach may give him one start to show confidence & if he doesn’t perform…go with T’eo.
Afterall….what is a start?…..One play, two….a series….a quarter….there isn’t much of definition beyond the first play.
August 28th, 2013 at 12:06 pm
This is why I love your site. Nowhere else have I read/heard about this; love the insight, thanks!!!
August 28th, 2013 at 12:33 pm
If Te’O really has beat out Bowers (which I believe he has) for the starting job, it really could spell the end of Bowers days here in Tampa. As I have stated before in other posts I like Bowers and think he has a lot of talent. But the math just doesn’t add up.
4) DTs, 5) DEs is what we can expect the Bucs to keep on the 53 man roster.
We currently have 6) DEs so one of them is likely gone.
Te’O & A.C. are the starters, Scott provides veteran depth (and lets not forget his 3 sack performance against MIA) Leaving Means a guy who has flashed this preseason and was just drafted. Gholston another draft pick that can play at both DE and DT and Bowers who looks to be a situational pass rusher.
August 28th, 2013 at 1:17 pm
You’re reaching here Joe. DTN isn’t breaking out of anything. He’s a fundamentally sound player for a backup but if we seriously go into the season starting him, he will be a liability. He is a big reason as to why our pass rush is so awful because teams have just let TE’s block him 1 on 1 and sadly, they win. DTN is not a star in the making guys.
August 28th, 2013 at 8:59 pm
@BigSombrero – Joe’s not reaching or calling Te’O-Neshiem a star in the making. But it’s reasonable to think he can improve off last season, given a variety of factors outlined in the post above.. It wouldn’t shock Joe a bit if he became a seven sack guy in a full season as a starter.
August 28th, 2013 at 9:21 pm
Bowers is not getting cut there is no way around that. Coach sees something in him and it will come out this year.