The Countdown: Worst 20 Buccaneers Of The Past 10 Years — No. 16
July 14th, 2014
The only current Buccaneer on the list checks in at No. 16
All the Top-Whatever lists across the Internet got Joe thinking of the Buccaneers’ drought since their Super Bowl glory. And that motivated Joe to rank the 20 worst Buccaneers of the past 10 years.
Immense thought went into this at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters. There was even an all-night screaming session where a top intern stood on a table yelling, “If Derrick Ward isn’t on this list, then I quit.” Joe had to get the poor kid a beer before Joe fired him for spilling it.
Primary consideration was given to expectations for a player combined with his on-field performance. Off-field behavior was a factor, and players were not punished for injuries.
No. 16 — defensive end Da’Quan Bowers (2011-present)
Breathe easy. Bowers is the only current Buccaneer on this dubious list.
There’s more to the Bowers saga than the overall disappointment in him after being selected in the second round of the 2011 draft. Remember, Joe has vowed not to hold injury against a player, and Bowers hasn’t been healthy too often. But injury doesn’t excuse Bowers’ actions and performance entering the 2013 season.
After being labeled healthy and a destined “double-digit” sack man by Greg Schiano, Bowers proceeded to come into last year’s training camp out of shape. It was Joe who first reported Bowers showing visible signs of fatigue in camp and taking a knee. Schiano was unhappy and gave Bowers extended playing time in preseason games in hopes of ramping up his fitness.
And what did Bowers do with that extended playing time? Not a darn thing. Bowers failed to beat offensive linemen future beer truck drivers and Brandon strip club bouncers lined up across from him. That was beyond horrendous. Joe was appalled.
How could a guy with alleged elite talent, a guy finally healthy and dubbed by his coach as a near Pro Bowler to be, not beat borderline NFL talent?
To make matters worse, Bowers couldn’t win a job in a position battle against currently unemployed Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, the guy a step below him at No. 17 on the Worst 20 Buccaneers Of The Past 10 Years list.
Please don’t tell Joe seasoned defensive minds like Butch Davis, Schiano, Randy Melvin, Bryan Cox and Dave Wannstedt (four have Super Bowl rings among that crew) evaluated Bowers incorrectly. He simply wasn’t good enough.
No. 17 — Daniel Te’o-Nesheim No. 18 — Kyle Moore No. 19 – Jeremy Truebood No. 20 – Michael ClaytonThe Countdown: Worst 20 Buccaneers Of The Past 10 Years will run once or twice daily until No. 1 is revealed on Thursday, July 24.
July 14th, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Is’nt it too early to call Bowers one of the 20 worst Buc players in the last decade? Maybe not. At least he has a chance to climb higher than 20. Maybe not.
July 14th, 2014 at 6:30 pm
@Buccfan37 — List is about right now. I’d say Bowers is deserving. Joe might even be generous here.
July 14th, 2014 at 6:33 pm
I loved the pick at the time but how many times has he turned up out of shape to camp. He just doesn’t get it
July 14th, 2014 at 6:36 pm
Let’s not forget he’s already been called out by his new line coach. I don’t foresee Bower’s attitude or work ethic improving. My guess is he is too wrapped up in his choir singing.
July 14th, 2014 at 6:36 pm
Very deserving guy just can’t play nuff said
July 14th, 2014 at 6:50 pm
Bowers is more concerned about his clothes, his image, cars and music than he is about being a solid professional football player. And that’s a fact.
July 14th, 2014 at 6:54 pm
You have to consider draft pick & FA & money…to determine value or not…Teo didn’t produce…but didn’t cost a pick or much $$$
July 14th, 2014 at 6:54 pm
Whoever was trying to kick field goals last yr needs to be on this list at #1 or #2 or else I QUIT!! Oh wait, uhmm….
July 14th, 2014 at 7:00 pm
He won’t be a current buccaneer if he doesn’t have a great camp
July 14th, 2014 at 7:03 pm
@db55
mike nuggent ( free agent in 2009) beats out your kicker from last year. huge contract and not even making it thru Oct trumps him.
July 14th, 2014 at 7:13 pm
@joe
Did you really fire the intern after he spilled the beer?
July 14th, 2014 at 7:20 pm
Lmao
July 14th, 2014 at 7:24 pm
This must be difficult Joe. We can see where this is headed. And alas the number one guy is probably somebody who unfortunately passed away before his time. And that will be a double dagger since Lovie also made the huge mistake with this player.
July 14th, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Joe, you made a huge mistake not to put clayborn on this list. clayborn was a mid-first rounder that has not done that much more than Bowers. The Defensive line has been the worst in the nfl ( that is a fact ) and Clayborn was drafted to improve the D-line. and it has not. There was expectations for clayborn and he has lived up to none of them
I am tired of all the excuses, he is in the wrong defensive scheme, he has had so many d-coordinators, he is not getting good coaching, and my favorite with the improved secondary he just needs 1/2 second because he is always so close.
July 14th, 2014 at 7:49 pm
I didn’t have Bowers on my list either. The jury’s still out on this one.
How is the jury out when the list is for a finite 10-year period? –Joe
July 14th, 2014 at 7:59 pm
@StPeteBucsFan — No. The man who tops this list is not Gaines Adams.
@The_Buc_Realist — Clayborn is not on this list. Your take is way off when it comes to the criteria set forth here and the garbage we’ve seen over the past 10 years.
July 14th, 2014 at 8:00 pm
@Buc_Realist,
What are you talking about? Clayborn hasn’t been great, but he has 13.5 sacks in basically 2 seasons (since he missed almost his entire second season). Bowers has played in 4 more games, yet only has 5.5. Clayborn has forced 5 fumbles, Bowers the big zero. Clayborn is very good against the run, Bowers is nowhere near as good. So yeah, that’s actually a pretty significant amount better than Bowers.
July 14th, 2014 at 8:03 pm
Ahhhh I hope buc players come to this site! If I were bowers I would be so shitty and try to “kill” every o-lineman that lined up across from me!!
July 14th, 2014 at 8:17 pm
I think Clayborn knocked up Realist daughter or something he just don’t like him. Bowers is deserving to be here on the list he has all the talent but lacks Clayborn work ethic and motor.
July 14th, 2014 at 8:18 pm
Arrelious Benn Better be on this list !
July 14th, 2014 at 8:18 pm
If you’re looking for a reason why the Bucs have been big losers the last ten years…you need look no further than these draft busts…..I didn’t include any 6th or 7th rounders….and we had a bundle of those that didn’t make it. Some of these guys deserve to be on the list….For me the worst Buccaneers are the ones we spent picks on that rarely or never played.
Najee Goode 5th
Luke Stocker 4th
Brian Price 2nd
Arrelious Benn 3rd
Xavier Fulton 5th
Dexter Jackson 2nd
Dre Moore 4th
Gaines Adams 1st
Sabby Piscitelli 2nd
Greg Peterson 5th
Alan Zemaitis 4th
Julian Jenkins 5th
Chris Colmer 3rd
Marquise Cooper 3rd
July 14th, 2014 at 8:30 pm
@tampabaybucfan
Luke stocker was 2 4th rounders, and Benn was a second rounder as well
July 14th, 2014 at 8:31 pm
Gaines Adams
July 14th, 2014 at 8:33 pm
I figured bowers would be top 5….interesting
July 14th, 2014 at 8:45 pm
So Joe has insinuated that draft status does not equate in this list. And we know that Clayborn is not on this list ( reasons unknown ) then we can only project that Gaines Adams is not on the list as well. Adams and Clayborn have very similar stats. Adams had 12.5 sacks and Clayborn has 13 sacks with 3 more games played. Now Clayborn has more takles 73 in 3 more games vs Adams 55 tackles, But Adams has 2 interceptions has it was common for monte to drop a DE in coverage ( Imagine That!!!) and no one screamed about it.
so there is my case, no clayborn means that we will not see Adams on the list.
Joe never insinuated draft status is not part of the picture. Don’t make up stuff. –Joe
July 14th, 2014 at 9:15 pm
Bucs_Realist,
Getting desperate I see. Pretty funny though to watch you try to make stuff up. Please continue.
July 14th, 2014 at 9:18 pm
And just so you know, his picks weren’t a result of him dropping into coverage. So you clearly just made that up (imagine that). Nice try though.
July 14th, 2014 at 9:19 pm
Common for Monte to drop a DE in coverage? Really? In what world? You need to get your head examined.
July 14th, 2014 at 9:26 pm
“…I think Clayborn knocked up Realist daughter or something he just don’t like him. Bowers is deserving to be here…
Realist, is that it? Clayborn is the Baby-daddy? You really have an issue with Clayborn that is undeserving. Yeah, the guy has not produce as a 1st rounder should. But he had a serious injury. Its not like he comes to TC out of shape like Cheeseburger Bowers does. He certainly has a legit excuse. Funny, that you cut The Cannon way more slack.
July 14th, 2014 at 9:27 pm
btw Joe, I also thought Bowers should be higher. He has been totally useless. But at least he is on the list.
July 14th, 2014 at 9:29 pm
@the_buc_unrealist – got a hard on for knocking Clayborn? Let’s see how 2014 unfolds before we go crucifying him. The guy is far superior to Bowers, and Adams frankly. Adams was a top 4 pick, btw. That Clayborn has exceeded him is quite sad, as Adams wasn’t injured during his time here.
The crappiest part of this worst list is that 2 deserving guys, Cooper and Adams, are both deceased. Kind of puts the Bucs lousy draft history in perspective. Not only are our picks not good, in some cases they’re not even alive for long. May they rest in peace.
July 14th, 2014 at 9:34 pm
Man, I hope this lights a fire under him.
July 14th, 2014 at 9:52 pm
lol, you guys are funny. Even if he tried to get at my daughter, I just need to stay in front of him. I know he has a “high motor” so after he does his 4 slow moves to get by me, he will then quit. Like he did at the end of last season.
Anyways, you have to admit that the number when compared are shocking.
July 14th, 2014 at 10:02 pm
“Anyways, you have to admit that the number when compared are shocking.”
——-
What numbers? His compared to Gaines Adams? Not only are his numbers better than Adams, but he came off a horrific knee injury, and he played for Greg Schiano (not exactly in the same class as Monte Kiffin). How about the numbers you ignored when comparing him to Bowers? Or the BS you wrote about how Monte used to drop DE’s in coverage? Or that Gaines INT’s were when being dropped into coverage. No, sorry to say that none of the nonsense you continue to write on your agenda-based posts shocks me.
July 14th, 2014 at 10:15 pm
Gaines Adams was drafted 4th overall, and Clayborn was drafted 20th overall. Yea… world of difference between the 4th pick and the 20th pick. There is no excuse for missing on the 4th overall pick, whereas the 20th pick is far more likely not to pan out. I’m not saying Clayborn is a bust just yet, but he might not be back next year, just depends on how he plays this season. The hate for Clayborn is overblown though.
So what would you have us do Realist, release Clayborn as soon as possible? Doubt you would even suggest that.
July 14th, 2014 at 10:35 pm
How is the jury out when the list is for a finite 10-year period? –Joe
____________________________________________________
Because of the fact that he is still on the team, it is in my opinion he still has time to redeem himself. So far everyone you have mentioned are no longer on the team. And I doubt you will mention another player who is currently on the team. So if were to follow the trend Bowers doesn’t meet all the same criteria as the other 19.
July 14th, 2014 at 10:47 pm
It is time for Bowers to show up. When he dropped to us at number 51 I thought the football gods were smiling on us … Turns out this was their comedy hour? Enough with the projects. Time to challenge for a Super Bowl! D’Quan it is time to show up!
July 14th, 2014 at 10:57 pm
take that back, you prolly got Stocker on your list even though he’s still a Buc. I didn’t think you would include current players. I didn’t, but hey it’s your list, I just reserve the right to give them time until they are no longer on the team to make a fair evaluation of their Buc career.
July 14th, 2014 at 11:28 pm
I kinda agree with SAMCRO on this one. There should be no current bucs on this list. If they’re on the team, they still have a chance to get things turned around. It’s not over till he his official off the team. And If Bowers has that kind of attitude going forward, I guarantee you he wont be on a list like this one.
Good thing is we should know right off the bat if he has that kind of attitude by the time training camp rolls around. If he shows up to camp in shape, things might just get pretty darn interesting.
July 14th, 2014 at 11:36 pm
luke stoker isnt on the list? We traded up and counted on his worthless butt
July 14th, 2014 at 11:43 pm
WR Dexter Jackson; 2nd round draft pick in 2008. That should easily be in the top 5 (top 3)
July 14th, 2014 at 11:50 pm
luke stocker isnt in this that is bull that guy sucks
July 14th, 2014 at 11:51 pm
I decided a long time ago to not get attached to or try to hate on a particular player too much. If the dude ain’t being productive then someone else needs to step up and/or the coaches need to do their jobs. I don’t sit around and bitch and moan about things that are out of my control. I’ve been a much more satisfied Bucs fan ever since I figured that out.
July 15th, 2014 at 12:19 am
Undeserving of this list. He was a high risk / high reward pick from the get go and everybody knew it. It hasn’t worked out. Sometimes that’s the way it goes when you roll the dice. I never had any expectations of the guy. If you did, that’s on you. Don’t hold it against Bowers.
July 15th, 2014 at 1:24 am
Bowers mind is on his set list, not his playbook.
July 15th, 2014 at 1:25 am
Maybe he should have learned to tune the guitar before he gets on stage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hBh9rSnqzM
July 15th, 2014 at 5:45 am
Good call Joe, though personally ai feel Bowers should be ranked ‘higher’ than Te’o Nesheim based on Bowers cost the Bucs a 2nd round pick and T’eo was brought in (and the Bucs got more game day play out of him than Bowers thus far). Trivial as both men underwhelmed. Looking forward to Benn
July 15th, 2014 at 10:40 am
Bowers is ranked too low in my opinion. That being said I do agree that there is the outside possibility of a turn around.
What the heck is it with Realist and Clayborn?!
July 15th, 2014 at 11:04 am
Three words…Lack Of Heart! Dude has no want to in him! The entire NFL couldn’t have been wrong about this kid’s talent, they just whiffed on his insides!
July 15th, 2014 at 12:57 pm
Dexter Jackson huge mistake. Check out some of the players who went right after him.