One Last Test For Da’Quan Bowers?
December 18th, 2014
Da’Quan Bowers has two games remaining on his Bucs contract.
Since the day Da’Quan Bowers was drafted in 2011, Bucs fans have been waiting for him to burst out with the talents he showcased as a premier college defensive end.
Now on his third coaching staff and second general manager, Bowers has only flashed a stray play here or there, nothing close to his potential when he came out of Clemson.
Sunday may be Bowers’ final, extended opportunity to do so. Bowers has worked as a backup defensive tackle, and with Gerald McCoy being shelved for the season because of his bum knee, Bowers will start Sunday against the Packers.
A lot is riding on the outcome for Bowers, least of which is his NFL future.
Today, Bucs defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier discussed Bowers and how he has a chance to showcase himself as a solid, dependable defensive lineman against one of the better teams in the NFL.
“You’d like to see a guy who can be physical at the point of attack because we will probably get more runs at that position than we have probably all season because of Gerald not playing,” Frazier said of his expectations for Bowers this week. “So he will have an opportunity to show his teammates [and] his coaches what he is able to do for an extended period. We saw a little bit of that last week when Gerald went down early. He got a few more snaps and found out the importance of conditioning which is very important if you want to play well.
“We need to see if he can pass rush. We need to see him go down-in and down-out and really do the things we ask of him, and [play] run defense as well. It is a great opportunity for him to showcase himself as a quality, potential NFL starter in this league.”
Bowers’ NFL future very well could be determined Sunday. He is a free agent after the season.
Having a strong day when his coaches are expected him to be challenged by opponents will factor heavily in whether he returns to the Bucs next season, or remains in the NFL at all.
December 18th, 2014 at 3:38 pm
“He got a few more snaps and found out the importance of conditioning which is very important if you want to play well.”
They’re still talking about his conditioning? That’s just disgusting. Most of us have worked our butts off for a fraction of Bowers makes. I believe I would be able to spend all day and all night in the gym or running stadium steps or whatever if somebody paid me MILLIONS of $$$$!!!
Dang are there any DL prospects on Clemson this year? We should draft them!!!
After totally scrwing the pooch with Gaines Adams and now Bowers perhaps the 3rd time would be a charm. Hard to see how it could get any worse than these two. Although we did hose Lovie for something out of Adams before his unfortunate death.
December 18th, 2014 at 3:40 pm
I hope Bowers plays well these last two games. It will do him good to put some good game tape out for his next team in he AFL.
If the Bucs give him another contract they’ll deserve what they get, Which is about two good pays every three years!
December 18th, 2014 at 3:50 pm
StPeteBucsFan:
Says a lot when his third defensive coordinator is saying that in Week 16, doesn’t it?
December 18th, 2014 at 3:53 pm
I hope he sucks. The last thing we need is for him to suddenly become good and cost us the first pick in the draft.
December 18th, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Can’t believe he’s still on the team. Maybe we can trade him to the Pats for a 7th rounder?
December 18th, 2014 at 3:57 pm
lol st pete.
I was about to wish the guy well and post a positive comment until I read the same sentence you did.
conditioning? still? really?
that about sums it up. he could play like warren sapp, but if it’s for one game so he gets a job next year it really doesn’t matter.
the guy is still a slacker.
December 18th, 2014 at 4:08 pm
I also read the condoning remark that has been the knock of Bowers for the last few years.
Buccaneerbonzai you really are such a simpleminded fool I now sincerely hope Bowers sacks Rogers for a game winning safety just so it sends you over the edge.
December 18th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
I honestly forgot about him.
December 18th, 2014 at 4:23 pm
Even if he balls out the next two games, there is no way he will be resigned here..
Let him hit the weights elsewhere for the league minimum.
December 18th, 2014 at 4:27 pm
We need the Falcons to beat the Saints this week. If they do, then it will make the saints ply for the division in the last week, when we face them. That’ll mean they have to try hard to win.
December 18th, 2014 at 4:34 pm
““We need to see if he can pass rush. We need to see him go down-in and down-out and really do the things we ask of him, and [play] run defense as well. It is a great opportunity for him to showcase himself as a quality, potential NFL starter in this league.””
He’s had great opportunities, repeatedly, for like FOUR SEASONS. Meanwhile Jacquies Smith comes in, undrafted, off his couch and has as many sacks in five starts as Bowers has in his entire career (6.5). Time to move on after this season.
December 18th, 2014 at 4:34 pm
ddneast Says
“I also read the condoning remark that has been the knock of Bowers for the last few years. Buccaneerbonzai you really are such a simpleminded fool I now sincerely hope Bowers sacks Rogers for a game winning safety just so it sends you over the edge.”
Now why in the world would you say that? Bowers has sucked the entire time he has been here. You really want him to do enough to maybe convince the team to hold onto him so he can sponge off the team some more.
Or is it because I want the #1 pick?
You would too, if you wanted what is best for this team. Winning is losing at this point. If you cannot understand this, it isn’t me that is simpleminded.
December 18th, 2014 at 4:36 pm
Unless, of course, you actually are Bowers. In which case, its time to accept reality and retire.
December 18th, 2014 at 4:41 pm
Bowers, he always plays injured, rather he has never played not injured. Gotta admit, he is still around for some reason. A breakout game with two Rodgers sacks would sting. Bowers has his fans.
December 18th, 2014 at 4:46 pm
Idk watching the Carolina game I saw bowers step up, apply pressure and record a tackle in a qrt other than the first. Just saying he was manhandling the guard or center can’t remember but I thought to myself – MORE PEDs PLEASE FOR THE ENTIRE ORG PLEASE.
Oh and frazier is an even bigger loser than Lovie so I wouldn’t pay any attention to him. He won what 4 games in 2 years. That’s a dam shame. Birds of a feather I guess.
December 18th, 2014 at 5:38 pm
I agree that Bowers held his own for the most part against the Panthers. He seems to be better suite as a DT than DE.
December 18th, 2014 at 5:41 pm
It’s his contract year and he hasn’t performed. At best he gets resigned for something around league minimum. I don’t have any personal feelings about Bowers. But some of you guys act like he treated you like a cheap ho after a one-night stand. What’s that all about?
There’ve been plenty of busts over the years for the Bucs, but this guy gets more crap than most of them ever did. I couldn’t care less who he is, if he can help the Bucs – great. If not – F**k off Jack.
December 18th, 2014 at 5:44 pm
By the way – imagine how Texans fans are going to feel about Clowney 2 years from now? He’ll never live up to his hype, he really can’t. Now that he’s had micro fracture surgery (which is a death blow to speed) he’s basically going to be Bowers at an extremely high cost of a #1 pick.
December 18th, 2014 at 6:23 pm
So glad we did not get Bowers. I had him pegged as a bust coming out of Clemson as a DE and the fact that he had some injury issues and not a lot of heart. Just a bunch of wasted talent.
December 18th, 2014 at 6:23 pm
I meant Clowney above.^^^^^^^
December 18th, 2014 at 9:47 pm
“We need to see if he can pass rush” – LOL 4 years later and that is still a question?? Watch tape of every down he has played for the last 4 years. The answer is NO. Bowers was being touted as the #1 overall early in the year he was drafted. What a joke.
December 19th, 2014 at 10:45 am
Maybe he will play for tedford in the CFL next year