“Look At The Power And The Push”
April 18th, 2016
Film brings hope
Bucs officials were all hot in the pants for a defensive end at this time in 2014. His name was Michael “Ghost” Johnson, who thieved tens of millions from Team Glazer and the souls of innocent Bucs fans.
The Bucs were also aroused by a defensive end last offseason.
He was George Johnson, now known as “sackless George Johnson” because he didn’t take down a quarterback in 2015.
Now there’s a new expensive heartthrob in Tampa. He is nearly 31-year-old Robert Ayers, the former Broncos first-round draft bust who revived his career with the Giants.
But Ayers is different from the Johnsons. Ghost Johnson could only play right defensive end, and he was lost in the Bucs’ scheme while making those around him worse. George Johnson is lacking in talent and, per Leslie Frazier, lacking in drive and stamina.
Ayers offers hope because he’s so damn versatile. Former Bucs tight end Anthony Becht, who works for ESPN and spreads Bucs sunshine and optimism at Buccaneers.com, dove into film on Ayers and came up smiling about what Ayers offers.
The Xs and Os video is here, and note that three highlighted plays from Ayers come from three different positions along the defensive line. Becht raves about “the power and the push.”
Yes, Ayers was not a first-tier free agent. One could argue he was third-tier, considering the ravenous market for defensive ends that can breathe on quarterbacks.
Joe is optimistic, though, because of Ayers’ versatility. That should let the Bucs transition their soon-to-be rookie defensive end(s) more easily. William Gholston has extreme versatility, too, and Jacquies Smith can play left or right.
New defensive line coach Jay Hayes, who spent the past 13 years crafting the Bengals’ impressive D-lines, will have a basketful of options.
April 18th, 2016 at 10:28 am
Yes, Jay Hayes is the key this year. Also intrigued by Howard Jones. We have more depth at DE than some may think.
April 18th, 2016 at 10:37 am
I like the ayers signing. Hayes is the key to helping good coach smith field a reliable pass rush week in and week out. I can’t buy into Jaq Smith he is too easily tossed aside in the run game. I only see him as a situational pass rusher and special teams guy. I’d like to see the bucs land Ogbah and Leonard Floyd which will not happen but one can dream.
April 18th, 2016 at 10:48 am
Bodies and depth is completely different things man.
April 18th, 2016 at 10:52 am
DT and DE in rounds 1 and 2 please!!!!!
April 18th, 2016 at 11:01 am
Floyd at #9 and move back in around 25ish? Ogbah. It can happen.
April 18th, 2016 at 11:04 am
Ayers signing was one that got me really happy. I do watch the Giants since the beginning of time..always liked this guy..very low key but gets the job done. And what a good role model for the team, experience and class, great family man..
Is it almost football season yet?..lol…longest 5 months of my life coming up..
April 18th, 2016 at 11:06 am
Ayers looks solid for this year
April 18th, 2016 at 11:26 am
I think G Johnson, Jones and Ayers and the different twists that mike smith brings to the table will make the rush and defense years different than lovies…i expect LVD and Kwon and new D smith to start adding up the sacks…really want bucs to grab joseph round 2 as safety or usc saftety
April 18th, 2016 at 11:58 am
Adding Ayers plus getting McDonald back should lead to a significant improvement in our DL play. My guess is that the coaches will go with 4 interior DLinemen: McCoy, McDonald, Spence plus 1 DT from draft, plus 5 DEs: Ayers, Gholston, J. Smith, 1 DE from draft plus 1 other DE (could be someone on the roster now or more likely someone we pick up in free agency). Still can’t see either Jones or Johnson sticking this year.
April 18th, 2016 at 12:00 pm
@Bucsfan85 – I really hope the Bucs are looking at Howard Jones to move to OLB. The Steelers who are known for their defenses were working with him at OLB before the Bucs snagged him.
April 18th, 2016 at 12:22 pm
Waiting for the draft is driving me crazy – all of these mock drafts are all over the place. Some mocking Noah Spence in the first round as high as to us at 9 and others mocking him falling into the second round.
I really hope Licht pulls a rabbit out of his hat again. As I continue reading I think my dream draft is William Jackson, Robert Nkemdiche, Noah Spence, Karl Joseph, and either Sterling Shepard or Pharoh Cooper. I know there is no way to grab them all but it would be nice.
April 18th, 2016 at 12:32 pm
It begs to question……..
How much of the Bucs defensive woes in all phases come from the coaching & scheme? If you look at the offense, we saw what a real OC can do, it revived a OL with two starting rookies and kept a rookie QB from getting beat to death.
Last year by the 4th game where we got totally roasted over & over by slant plays I was convinced that the defensive coaching staff either did not have a clue or were unable to coach the players on their assignments to prevent this from killing us all day long.
Now that the staff has been turned over details have escaped One Buc about what happened on the defensive side of the ball.
Mike Smith is a proven defensive coordinator, and Hayes as well, has positive experience on coaching the D-Line.
I want to curb my enthusiasm, I really do. This team has burned me so many times even the Shriner’s Hospital says I am a lost cause. Jameis appears to be the real deal and we haven’t had a legitimate Franchise QB since forever.
Strength of schedule be damn! Every year teams expected to do well flop and there are always teams that rise from the ashes and surprise people.
Let’s hope its the Bucs that surprise the NFL by winning this season.
April 18th, 2016 at 12:39 pm
Joe is delusional about the DEs in free agency this year. None were without question marks. Would I have paid 17.5 mil per year for Olivier Verson? H3LL NO! As far as I’m concerned, the Bucs got the best bang for the buck at DE in free agency. So is he a 3rd tier free agent? No. 2nd tier, pushing first tier in this year’s FA market.
April 18th, 2016 at 12:50 pm
IMO- The Bucs are in better shape than most assume with the DE talent already on the roster.
Odds are that between Ayers, Jack Smith and Gholston – 2 of them are going to have good years. Smith and Gholston are both in “contract” years as is Spence. Howard Jones showed some flashes. The cupboard is not bare.
That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t draft a couple promising prospects – because we should. There is some DL talent to be had in this draft – DT in particular is deep. Hope we grab a couple good players up front for the defense.
The pass rush has to improve if the Bucs are to have “success” this season – that should be obvious to anyone who watched Bucs games last year.
April 18th, 2016 at 1:15 pm
I truly hope you optimistic guys are right about Ayers. I said when he signed that the guy only seemed to really show signs of life once JPP was back in regular rotation. I know there’s a NJ.com video where the author does his very best to show plays where it looks like Ayers was a beast, but I’m skeptical that this guy pulled a McCown…basically cashed in on (almost) one full season of solid production because of guys around him. Hopefully I’m proven wrong, the Bucs need him to be a solid DE (there aren’t any standout pass rushing DE’s currently on the roster).
April 18th, 2016 at 2:06 pm
USFBUC, I never really followed H. Jones before we signed him. That is interesting though, esp. with our new defensive looks. OLB like that with that speed & ability to get to QB could be lethal!
April 18th, 2016 at 7:47 pm
OGBAH! trade down a few spots and take the man!
April 18th, 2016 at 8:39 pm
The quickest way to the QB is up the middle so take Rankins at 9.
April 18th, 2016 at 9:19 pm
QBkilla or we can trade back and take Nkemdiche later in the first and then take Noah Spence in the second if he falls to us
April 18th, 2016 at 10:40 pm
I’m all for trading down but it may not happen. Rankins is a difference maker. Spence and Nkemdiche are not worth taking at 9 but will both be gone by 39. I think Karl Joseph would get strong consideration at 39 if still there.
April 19th, 2016 at 12:06 am
Joe,
Ayrers had two good years in Denver before he went to New York.
Te Broncos defense was so good, that Ayers,and Pot roast were often overlooked.
April 19th, 2016 at 9:03 am
I like the idea of using Jones as a blitzing LB. Certainly has the speed to do it. If we sign a DE or two that means someone is getting the boot. Wonder who that may be.
I also think Ayers will have a productive season for us. -GO BUC$
April 19th, 2016 at 9:06 am
Suprised (nut) sack less George Johnson has has survived this long. Wouldn’t be shocked if he’s gone by preseason. Use that roster spot for someone who will be productive and just maybe…u know, get a freaking sack!