Chasing A Dream
January 14th, 2015
Playing for the Bucs would fulfill a lifelong dream for Georgia Tech LB Quayshawn Nealy.
Joe has been prowling the sidelines of Shrine Game practices over in St. Petersburg this week, with an eye for middle linebackers and offensive linemen, specifically.
Granted, the vast majority of Shrine Game participants are third day draft picks, if they’re drafted at all. Maybe a couple could find themselves selected in the third round. That’s about the ceiling for these guys.
One linebacker who seems to have a shot is Quayshawn Nealy. Recognize the name? Well, yeah, he played for Georgia Tech. More importantly, Nealy is a local guy. He played for Lakeland High School and grew up in Winter Haven.
“I love the Bucs,” Nealy said. And his skillset may just catch the eye of the Bucs.
Nealy free admits he needs work shedding blocks on run plays. But pass defense is where he shines, and that is just the middle linebacker needed in Lovie Smith’s Tampa-2.
“I feel like I have some of the best feet there is,” Nealy said. “I feel like I can cover any tight end, any running back out of the backfield. I would like my chances against any tight end or running back.”
Nealy is sort of a ballhawk. He had two picks this past season, returning one to the house. His three recovered fumbles led the Yellow Jackets; one was a scoop-and-score for a touchdown.
But about that run defense?
“I still have to work on that,” Nealy said. “I have to learn how to shed blocks more. As a middle linebacker, oh yes, my strength is my pass defense.”
If somehow Bucs general manager Jason Licht called Nealy this May (Day 1 of the three-day draft is the final day of April), Nealy isn’t sure if he could remain composed.
“Oh, man. A dream come true,” Nealy said. “Right there in my hometown with my family behind my back, I would love it. I would love to play for the Bucs.”
Below are highlights of Nealy courtesy, of the ACC Digital Network.
January 14th, 2015 at 12:19 pm
Is he coachable? Can he run? Can he hit? Can he tackle?
January 14th, 2015 at 12:20 pm
@Joe
Thanks so much for these reports. I think I’m going to the game myself to donate to a great cause and look at the cream of 2nd-5th rounders.
Garrapolo played in this game last year and the Pats got him in the 2nd if I remember right. Wouldn’t we all be a lot happier if we had taken him?
January 14th, 2015 at 12:23 pm
Good stuff Joe. Always love hearing stories of hometown guys who want to be Bucs.
January 14th, 2015 at 12:26 pm
Need a MLB that can drop into coverage
January 14th, 2015 at 12:28 pm
What was the knock on LVD (Lavonte David) when he came out? Hard time getting off blocks. This guy can get stronger and block shedding techniques can be taught. You cannot teach speed and instincts. Good story as well. Way to go Joe(s)
January 14th, 2015 at 1:08 pm
I just hope that the coaches that will remain with the Bucs are there scouting like you are, there has to be a lot of good guys that just didn’t play for the big schools there.
Keep them coming
January 14th, 2015 at 1:18 pm
Another good one from GT in the all bowl team is Lakeland native , My former classmate Errin Joe . Oline
January 14th, 2015 at 1:21 pm
Thanks for the kind words guys.
January 14th, 2015 at 1:37 pm
Too many times i seen the qb place the ball right over our mlb head… That was a problem all season… (I really miss barret ruud)
January 14th, 2015 at 2:50 pm
If he has the best feet, well then I guess the Bills will end up taking him.
January 14th, 2015 at 4:17 pm
Marquistador Says:
January 14th, 2015 at 12:28 pm
What was the knock on LVD (Lavonte David) when he came out? Hard time getting off blocks. This guy can get stronger and block shedding techniques can be taught. You cannot teach speed and instincts. Good story as well. Way to go Joe(s)
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The Tampa 2 doesn’t want the MLB or WLB to have to take on blocks. It isn’t a huge deal if they struggle in that aspect, making plays in space, side-line-to-sideline, and diagnosing plays and stopping them in the hole is what makes a great T-2 LB. Not getting off blocks. This isn’t the 3-4.
January 14th, 2015 at 5:14 pm
A middle linebacker who doesn’t know how to shed blocks? Sounds so promising. where have you gone Barrett Rudd.
January 15th, 2015 at 12:02 am
As badly as Lovie KNOWS he needs a QB…you will not force him to take a QB with the NUMBER 1 overall pick, if Lovie and his staff don’t have that players rated that highly…
I can see them taking a DE or a LOT (because I think everyone has the same draft rating on the top two QB’s now) with the Number 1…and then seeing if they can work some trades for lower in the rounds. They have only to look to last year to see what the NFL will allow to happen to kids who refuse to grow up…they are so expensive, and so many careers depend on the #1 overall, they better come out of college saluting and already proving that can bring their team back from 4 scores down in the Cotton Bowl…or they will take the heat for NOT picking the WRONG QB.
I think it’s possible one or both of these guys could slide down the boards a bit…I’m not usually a believer in trading down – and as much as I hate to admit it – this may be the one draft they don’t make the fans happy with the 1st pick…?
Lovie’s training and history show that he won’t reach with this pick. One need only look to how many times his QB selection was the WRONG one in Chicago…