Fitting Farewell For Kwon Alexander
November 29th, 2015
Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs’ 21-year-old starting middle linebacker was in no mood to say a word about his looming four-game suspension this afternoon in Indianapolis.
Maybe it was because Alexander did plenty of talking on the field.
He led the Bucs in tackles today with seven solo takedowns and three assists. He had a tackle for a loss and officially had a “pass defensed.”
And now he’s gone.
The only thing that could save Alexander from missing the next four games would be a successful appeal to the NFL for ingesting a banned performance enhancing substance. But those appeals just about never work. Alexander isn’t even claiming innocence, only that he drank the wrong energy drink (as if 21-year-olds need energy?). He’s got no shot.
Enter Bruce Carter, the guy the Bucs paid a fortune to play middle linebacker this year in free agency. But Carter was out of a starting job before the first preseason game, and he was little competition for Danny Lansanah at outside linebacker.
It’s unknown whether Carter or Lansanah will step in for Alexander next week.
Frankly, Joe doesn’t really care. Focusing on the positive, Alexander hopefully learned a very valuable and expensive lesson, and he’ll come back wiser and better for the season finale in Carolina.
The rookie has been one hell of a fourth-round pick. He’s steadily improved while dealing with a new defense, a load of responsibility as the guy wearing the “miked” helmet, and the midseason death of his brother.
November 29th, 2015 at 7:53 pm
It’s a very young team and all of them are learning some tough lessons.
#3 will learn to throw the ball away. Kwon will learn to pay attention to what he ingests. Donavan Smith will get better when other teams switch it up and stunt as the Colts did today.
Gotta learn real quick though if we have any shot at the playoffs.
November 29th, 2015 at 7:54 pm
Full on player man.
November 29th, 2015 at 8:01 pm
I thought he played very well today, He played very fast! it was like watching Ben Johnson in the Olympics!! And no matter the score, He played with heart, just like Lance Armstong during his 7 Tour De France Titles!!! I hope next year he is able to keep up his level of performance of this year’s and not fall off like the great Shawne Merriman did !!!!
On a side not that I hope KA can keep his spirts up during his suspension, I had a old roommate who drank “Shakes” and he would get depressed and punch holes in the wall!!!
November 29th, 2015 at 8:27 pm
Oh whadya know, the buc pessimist decided to post something after two straight games of silence. Hater.
November 29th, 2015 at 8:47 pm
Realist he was probably trying to hit you and missed. You are just to clueless to notice it.
November 29th, 2015 at 9:18 pm
This could actually end up benefiting him in the long run. Physically hes already there, but he seems to still be developing on the mental side of this defense. Studying from the sideline could be a plus.
November 29th, 2015 at 9:28 pm
Kwon means an extra loss.
November 29th, 2015 at 9:43 pm
Glad to see you back this week Realist lol. I think Bruce Carter got injured today so hopefully he’ll be available to fill in for Kwon next week.
November 29th, 2015 at 10:01 pm
If Kwon’s suspension is upheld, he won’t be allowed to be with the team in any capacity. No practice, team meetings, workouts, or attending games. There is no silver lining in this situation, it was a selfish and bone headed move that will end up hurting the team and stunting his development. Let’s hope this serves as an example and all Bucs players pay more attention to the drug policy so this never happens again.
November 29th, 2015 at 10:16 pm
Still can’t figure out why a 21-year-old needs an “energy drink’
November 29th, 2015 at 11:10 pm
People make mistakes/bad choices. Like Forest Gump said “Sh!t happens” Hope he learned his lesson. Anywho…..let’s hear those cannons!
November 29th, 2015 at 11:52 pm
Kwon has been the brightest light of our D this year….and doing it as a rookie. Learn from this Kwon and keep progressing.