Lovie Identifies Four Defensive Standouts
August 11th, 2014
Those trying to get inside Lovie Smith’s head to figure out where he stands on the eventual 53-man roster might want to take note of the head coach’s comments on SiriusXM NFL Radio yesterday.
Lovie sat down for an in-depth chat on all things Bucs and was asked to name some potentially off-the-radar standouts.
“Defensively, a few guys, Da’Quan Bowers, I know he’s not an unknown. But for me I’ve heard a lot of things about what he hasn’t done or hasn’t be able to do while he’s been down here. But I’ve been fairly pleased with him. Also Will Gholston, you can look at him, he’s made some good plays throughout.
“Secondarywise, you know, [Rahaan] Melvin Johnthan Banks, even though he played a lot last year.”
Joe was pleased to hear Gholston’s name called by the head coach. Joe’s seen nothing but good things from Gholston through training camp, and the second-year man has all the tools.
Remember, Lovie has said he will dress seven defensive linemen on gamedays, but there appears to be eight viable bodies in camp: Adrian Clayborn, Will Gholston, Michael Johnson, Steven Means, Gerald McCoy, Da’Quan Bowers, Akeem Spence, Clinton McDonald.
Means had a strong game against the Jaguars with a sack, but he was out of practice yesterday with a groin injury, one Lovie said occurred during the game but Means played through it.
August 11th, 2014 at 7:39 am
hopefully, they are just show casing adrian slowborn, it hasn’t gone unnoticed how lovie has little to say about him. Maybe Licht can fool another GM for a 4th or 5th round pick for him. I see adrian slowborn as a 3rd to 4th round talent, but sometime you have to take what you can get. And Lovie can easily replace that kind of D-line talent!
August 11th, 2014 at 7:44 am
The most important thing this season will be to make sure that the defense doesn’t have to spend 75% of the game on the field. As good as they can be, that would wear them down and that wouldn’t bode well in the fourth quarter.
August 11th, 2014 at 7:47 am
The_Buc_Realist
News flash farmer John…. AC had taken first team reps since lovie got in town. No it’s OK no need to thank me for stating the obvious it’s just like helping an old lady across the street
August 11th, 2014 at 7:52 am
Adrian Claiborne wears down his opponents. Like a bruising running back, he becomes more valuable as the game wears on.
August 11th, 2014 at 7:56 am
Whoever the odd man out is, the Bucs should move him to guard. He can’t possibly be worse than what they have there now.
August 11th, 2014 at 7:57 am
DHutch Says:
August 11th, 2014 at 7:52 am
Adrian Claiborne wears down his opponents. Like a bruising running back, he becomes more valuable as the game wears on.
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Yeah, like Chinese water torture. The first 56-60 rushes won’t get you, but boy you better watch out for the 61st. You say that because it is painfully obvious that he can’t bend and turn the corner like a good DE. Sorry dude, that’s not what he’s paid to do. He severely lacks explosion and always has. He was offered to be extended because he is a marginal player and he is a very unlikely candidate to be back next season.
August 11th, 2014 at 8:05 am
DHutch Says:
August 11th, 2014 at 7:52 am
Adrian Claiborne wears down his opponents. Like a bruising running back, he becomes more valuable as the game wears on.
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Too bad Nfl games don’t go 7 quarters, then maybe adrian slowborn would be a viable player for the Bucs!
August 11th, 2014 at 8:13 am
I liked the tenacity of LB Brandon Magee – always around the ball and hits hard. He’s moving up the depth chart and probably pushes Nate Askew to the practice squad.
August 11th, 2014 at 8:20 am
Lovie may need to rethink activating only 7 Dlinemen on gameday….if our Offense doesn’t improve….and while he’s at it, he may want to consider 2 punters!!!
August 11th, 2014 at 8:34 am
Macabee – “I liked the tenacity of LB Brandon Magee – always around the ball and hits hard. He’s moving up the depth chart and probably pushes Nate Askew to the practice squad.”
I’m glad that I wasn’t the only one seeing #44 blow up the back field (albeit, whiffing on more than one occasion). The dude is quick and Lovie has already moved him to second team with Fletcher and Lansanah.
As for AC, I just have to see more. I love that he goes out with GMC before and after practice, but production wins out and he just HAS to produce.
August 11th, 2014 at 11:27 am
With the constant Clayborn bashing by The_Buc_Whiner, you’d think AC f*cked his wife or something. I mean, why else would he be so bitter?
August 11th, 2014 at 12:20 pm
@Realist
You are wrong about Clayborn. You’ll see.
August 11th, 2014 at 12:21 pm
@Tampabaybucfan
Our starting punter downed the ball inside the 5 several times in the last game. I don’t get the complaining some make toward him.
August 11th, 2014 at 12:24 pm
Clayborne has another year on his contract. I say let him play this year and evaluate. He and McCoy played the same number of games their first three seasons. Different positions but Clayborn’s production was better. McCoy has an extra year one him, and took his biggest leap in year 4.
So lets give Clayborne a 4th year before we pass judgement.
August 11th, 2014 at 12:25 pm
@ Orca
Well said. I’m sure he wasn’t bashing AC when he had 7.5 sacks as a rookie.
August 11th, 2014 at 12:59 pm
Anyone see Johnson get pancaked on the toss sweep play? He got molested.
August 11th, 2014 at 1:34 pm
people are overreacting to the bucs declining clayborn’s 5th year option. what they declined was the opportunity to guarantee him pay equal to a top 15 DE in the NFL next year. doesn’t mean they don’t want him or don’t like him, just means they think they don’t anticipate he will get that much on the open market. 5 yeras and 2 regimes into a guy’s career you just have to get over when he was drafted and just look at how (or if) a guy can help your team win. Clayborn can. He will not be confused with simeon rice anytime soon, but even last year while recovering from a major injury and being asked to do idiotic things by the previous coaches, he managed a better statistical season than our big ticket FA michael johnson. the man has a role on this team, and my prediction is he will have a longer buc career than johnson when it’s all said and done
August 11th, 2014 at 3:22 pm
I love clayborne. He hits hard. He hustles. He works hard.
But hes not what we need.
We need speed at DE.
Adrian clayborne should play for pittsburgh or NE.
Go put adrian on rotation as a 3-4 DE with an OLB like Von miller or suggs.
Clayborne is solid on run downs.
So he needs to play said by side with a great rusher.
August 11th, 2014 at 4:52 pm
@Realist,
Lovie has mentioned Clayborn’s name several times in press conferences. Obviously you don’t watch them. That’s fine, but you look like a complete moron when you state something that is 100% false.