Bucs Get Very Personal With Noah Spence
March 5th, 2016
Eastern Kentucky edge rusher Noah Spence shined at the Senior Bowl but not since.
The Bucs were not like every other NFL team yesterday.
In fact, per NFL.com, new Bucs defensive line coach Jay Hayes was the only guy with his title in the NFL at the Eastern Kentucky Pro Day.
There (video here) he spent time running defensive end Noah Spence, a Senior Bowl standout, through workouts and, Joe presumes, he grilled him off the field. At a Pro Day, team officials and coaches don’t have the time limitations placed on them at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Dan Parr, NFL.com, found it telling that Spence didn’t draw much of a crowd.
The most telling aspect of the workout might have been who wasn’t in attendance. Representatives from 28 NFL teams were on hand for the event, but there were no head coaches or general managers in attendance. Tampa Bay defensive line coach Jay Hayes was the only position coach present. Redskins director of college scouting Scott Campbell and Jets senior director of college scouting Rex Hogan were the only front-office executives who attended.
Typically, teams will send at least one high-ranking member of the front office as part of a large contingent of reps to see top-level players they have high interest in drafting.
More questions arose around Spence at the NFL Scouting Combine, after he allegedly didn’t interview so well, didn’t move too well, and didn’t crank about a 40-yard-dash time that matched his game film. At 6-2, 250 pounds, teams were looking for a guy who was quick as a cat. Draft guru and former scout Daniel Jeremiah talks about that in the video linked above.
Joe’s glad the Bucs are paying very close attention to Spence. They should be deeply probing any possible options there, though Joe is hardly a Spence fan.
March 5th, 2016 at 9:16 am
Stay away round 1…..
March 5th, 2016 at 9:20 am
Far too many question marks around this kid, to even consider him for the 9th pick in the draft. He’ll probably drop into the second now. We’d be far better off taking CB William Jackson III with the ninth pick. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if he ends up outperforming Ramsey and Hargreaves as a pro.
March 5th, 2016 at 9:51 am
I am a Spence fan…his combine numbers were very similar to, and even better in most cases, than Terrell Suggs…who seems like a great comparison for him. Put on the tape and he’s the most explosive pass rusher in the class.
March 5th, 2016 at 10:01 am
At 6’2″ and 250 lbs Spence better be ‘quick as a cat’ to have any impact as a DE. Doesn’t sound like that’s the case however. Sounds like a slower, lighter version of English, Fatinikun and Jack Smith, and we’ve already got that square filled. Plenty of others to choose from … pass.
March 5th, 2016 at 10:28 am
Just leave it.
March 5th, 2016 at 10:44 am
This guy plays much faster then he looked running his 40. It’s no different then when guys run fast 40s yet look slow on tape. He turns the corner as fast or faster then most of the top pass rushers. I’ve been calling for this guy since senior bowl. He was unblockable during that game. Maybe trade down a few spots if possible but this guy will lead all rookie DEs this year in sacks. Go Bucs🏈
March 5th, 2016 at 10:53 am
I wanna like this kid, but he didn’t pop at the combine and likes to take X, which got him kicked off the team. I think he’s a 2nd rounder.
March 5th, 2016 at 10:58 am
Is this guy even projected in the first? This is the kinda player you get in the 3-6 rounds that becomes a ‘gem’. Bucs are looking everywhere and anywhere to get that speed off the edge that we need and I’m glad. Good for the Bucs Dline coach being the only position coach in the NFL for showing. You ‘see’ a lot more in person.
March 5th, 2016 at 11:15 am
I like him better than nkemdiche.. That dude is trouble. I like Ogbah better than both.
March 5th, 2016 at 11:22 am
Ogbah please. Pass on Noah
March 5th, 2016 at 1:35 pm
Ezekiel Elliott will be the bucs 1st rounder I know I’m an idiot for suggesting a runningback in the 1st round blah blah just wait till he’s tearing up the league with our top offense for the next 8 years, don’t get me wrong id love a kickass DE or CB but who is worth the 9th pick a short slow CB Hargreaves or Alexander, or maybe a not very impressive DE with issues like 1year wonders Lawson or Dodd (Clemson DEs ugh) or maybe character issue Spence, or draft a DT Rankins with 5-7 similar graded players available later, NO THANKS give me the franchise changing player like Elliott, and draft defense the rest of the way of course this is moot if Martin stays I’m only an idiot lol
March 5th, 2016 at 1:49 pm
1st RB Ezekiel Elliott
2nd DE Shilique Calhoun
3rd S Miles Killebrew
4th DE Carl Nassib
5th OL or CB
6th K FSU agu-something
6th OL or CB
Free Agents
WR Marvin Jones
DE Olivier Vernon
CB Sterling Moore
CB Janoris Jenkins
March 5th, 2016 at 2:40 pm
@ Guzzle I don’t totally disagree with you on Elliot, but look @ next year’s running back class and you will forget all about Elliot. If we go your route, I would rather take a OT. Just my opinion
March 5th, 2016 at 3:35 pm
True next year looks great but Elliott matches up and hopefully we have a draft pick much later that getting fournette, dalvin, or mccaffrey will be long gone by the time Tampa picks at number 32 lol, my main point is the draft is deep in questionable DE CB and DT the picks that are most mocked, you want an elite talent in the top 10.. Who’s elite among spence Lawson Hargreaves Alexander Dodd ogbah or Elliott..don’t worry I’ll wait
March 5th, 2016 at 3:39 pm
Elliott is bigger and more durable than cook much bigger than mccaffrey and a much better receiver the fournette and by far the best pass blocker than all of them he’s a complete back, much better in the pass game than Martin and doesn’t fumble like Martin too
March 5th, 2016 at 4:43 pm
Idk, but I want to see what happens in free agency first
March 5th, 2016 at 7:27 pm
Nothing is going to happen in FA this year. Elliot is good but you want to compare him to Mccaffrey? Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey was the most dynamic offensive playmaker in all of college football last season, as he carried the Cardinal’s offense as both a pass-catcher and a runner. He was nearly impossible to bring down after the catch or on runs, forcing a nation-leading 82 missed tackles. Say it again, 82 missed tackles. He is the best RB prospect ever and the Bucs are going to have a shot at him next year.
Noah Spence is the most explosive pass rusher in the draft this year. He will be drafted in the first round and I have even seen him mocked at 8 to Miami. Who cares about his 40 time. Its the 10 yard split that counts and his was very fast at 1.62. His 35 vertical and 10-1 broad jump were respectable as well. Just go back to the Senior Bowl where he dominated. He was unblockable in the DL drills. He has the most potential to be a double digit sack producer IMO. I like Leonard “the freak” Floyd and Shaq Lawson too. In the end my pick at nine is NT Andrew Billings Baylor.
March 5th, 2016 at 7:35 pm
Everything hinges on what happens with Martin I just don’t see an elite player at 9 other than Rankins and Elliott, hopefully we trade down pick up an extra 2 or 3, and draft cj Prosise or Danny Lasco in the 4th
March 5th, 2016 at 9:03 pm
If he slips to the 3rd round maybe but that’s probably not going to happen.
March 5th, 2016 at 11:53 pm
Don’t forget Von Miller was suspended 6 games in 2013 for trying to cheat a drug test. Miller could lose a season if caught again yet there isn’t a Bucs fan out there that wouldn’t pay him right now to be a Buc. He said he’s clean, Noah has been tested weekly since he left Ohio state & he said he’s changed. This guy dominated the senior bowl, his 10 yard speed is what you want in a edge rusher. Take him Tampa and watch the QBs drop. Go Bucs 2016
March 6th, 2016 at 1:52 am
Its funny to hear people want this guy but not Greg Hardy. They both seem to be POS. Why waste prob a 2nd round pick when you can sign a proven player for a few million dollars. Hardy for 3 mil and some incentives would be too good to pas up IMO. If it doesn’t work then oh well. If it does you have an All Pro DE with the ability to resign or tag.
All that being said, Spence in the 3rd might be worth it. I personally like Carl Nassib better than Spence.