Mike Smith Grooming Noah Spence
May 6th, 2016
Former Mike Smith colleague discusses.
As Joe stated earlier, the Bucs see their 2016 rookie class in practice gear today for the first time — yes, underwear football — on the fields of One Buc Palace.
A new season nears.
One of those players is tight-lipped defensive end Noah Spence. Joe knows fans have been wanting to hear from Spence, but for those fans, brace yourself. Thus far, Spence is anything but a quote machine. Of course, the Bucs did not draft Spence for quality sound bytes.
Just hours after the Bucs drafted Spence he appeared on “The Weekend Kickoff” with co-hosts Howard David and Mike Nolan, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Spence said nothing he didn’t say the night before, which is to say Spence said nothing. But Nolan, who served as defensive coordinator in Atlanta under current Bucs defensive coach Mike Smith, had advice for Spence:
Do not leave Smith’s sight at all. Nag him.
Smith is a “really good guy, a very sincere person,” Nolan said. “He doesn’t have a lot of words to say. I will say this: he knows the importance of keeping things simple to all players. But he also knows how to use people extremely well.
“I would advise you this: whether it is an adjustment or not, but you get in Mike’s hip pocket because Mike will put you in the best positions possible. He he has a tremendous amount of experience. Mike will make you the best player you can be both on and off the field.”
Who knows how long Smith will be with the Bucs? If he has any success and the Bucs’ defense improves (how could it not from Coach My Scheme’s drek?) Smith should be a prime candidate for a head coaching position. (Joe’s guess is if Gus Bradley, whose career is now on the clock in Jacksonville, doesn’t see wins this year, Smith could bolt for the Jags).
From everything Joe hears, Smith will find a way to enable players to make plays. It sure sounds like Spence will be used properly, since even Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht admitted Spence isn’t yet an every-down defensive end.
May 6th, 2016 at 10:56 am
This guy I our X factor…. Well, he and Ayers, as they are the only pass rush help we’ve brought in. The secondary suddenly looks stacked with potential, but without a pass rush we’re still doomed defensively. We need “Stay tuned” McCoy to take his game to the next level and an immediate impact from Spence. Only then will we have any chance at competing for the division title.
May 6th, 2016 at 10:59 am
A little press coverage on third and six maybe? A weakside blitz perhaps? Maybe put Bradley Mcdougald on a tight end while Kwon and LVD hunt down opposing qb’s. Or most important, not getting shredded by guys like Case Kennum and Ryan Mallet. THAT would be nice.
May 6th, 2016 at 11:02 am
Rookie or not. I’m excited about Spence. I think he’s going to have a strong rookie season.
May 6th, 2016 at 11:04 am
One thing I do like a lot about VH3 over Spence just from a personality standpoint, is the swagger and VH3 will become a Winston type of voice on the defense which we sorely need. Too many quiet guys on that side of the ball. We need someone to pep rally the troops while on the field. From a production standpoint, I think both will be solid players for us. Then again, maybe Spence is just camera shy and talks plenty on the field with confident swagger. I guess time will tell. I do not know enough about Spence to say he wont be an on the field leader, just seems like I have been hearing that he is a quiet dude but as long as he is quietly leading the team with sacks, that is fine with me.
May 6th, 2016 at 11:10 am
We lose Mike Smith only if he does a great job with our d
May 6th, 2016 at 11:10 am
rayjay….Kwon has swagger too.
I’m sure peeps have seen me use that word more times than once on these pages. Swagger. It’s very important to me.
That’s one of the reasons I’m hopeful for Hargreaves, not confident yet though.
May 6th, 2016 at 11:16 am
Buc1987….yeah, Kwon brings it for sure. Would be nice to have one on every level of the defense. VH3 and Kwon have swagger but we need a vocal leader up front because GMC is too quiet too. I don’t really like Sapp as a person but he was a take charge on the field leader along with DB and Lynch. Would love to see that type of leadership and swagger emerge again on our once proud defense. I realize VH3 has to prove his value at this level to earn team respect but he is confident and has swagger for sure.
May 6th, 2016 at 11:23 am
I would like to find some Jags football to watch from 2007 but can’t seem to find any online. Anybody have any suggestions?
May 6th, 2016 at 11:23 am
rayjay…yep Sapp’s my all time favorite Buc. Nothing he says or used to ever bothered by me. I don’t think that will ever change. Even think if I were to meet him, have him spit in my eye and tell me to eff off he’d still be my favorite Buc of all time.
The swagger has about 75% to do with it all too.
Yeah swagger matters to me.
May 6th, 2016 at 11:25 am
Hell my wife hears that word about 20 times a year from me regarding the Bucs.
May 6th, 2016 at 11:35 am
I use to love when Sapp skipped between the other team warming up before the game. Sapp was the best.
May 6th, 2016 at 11:35 am
The most significant changes that the Bucs have made this year on the defensive side of the ball are the coaching changes in my opinion. I know that coaches don’t run and tackle and sack anyone, but smart coaching to me is a big key to winning in the NFL.
Bucs have the players to be a playoff team I’m convinced. Our depth on the defensive side isn’t nearly as good as it is on the offensive side, but I really believe that Mike Smith and his defensive coaching staff are capable of getting the most out of each and every player. Injuries (hopefully lack of) will be the big key to our season record.
May 6th, 2016 at 12:10 pm
Buc1987 Says:
May 6th, 2016 at 11:23 am
Sapp’s my all time favorite Buc….if I were to meet him, have him spit in my eye and tell me to eff off he’d still be my favorite Buc of all time.
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LOL – ’87 you state that scenario like its not within the realm of possibility. Trust me it is. Sapp is a D!CK 90% of the time if someone he doesn’t know tries to talk to him.
May 6th, 2016 at 1:07 pm
lol Pickgrin.
Oh I know who he is.
May 6th, 2016 at 4:15 pm
I know rookie DEs rarely get to 10 sacks but my money says he gets there. With McCoy pressuring from the inside along with Ayers lot, Spence and Smith will benefit. Then add in the coaching staff…. I think he gets to 10
May 6th, 2016 at 5:10 pm
Buc1987 Says
“Kwon has swagger too.”
He sure does! That kid is pure fire!
May 6th, 2016 at 5:12 pm
I remember during a game some opposing fans were booing the Bucs…I saw Sapp stand on a bench and taunt them, and then point at his crotch.
Hilarious!
May 6th, 2016 at 5:13 pm
Spence will not get to 10 sacks. Be happy with 8. Because if he does get to 8, it means GMC has few people covering him and that will get him 10+ sacks.
So far as Ayers..I’m not holding my breath. He’s a veteran free agent, and so far, they have not worked out.
May 6th, 2016 at 6:53 pm
There can be no replacing Warren Sapp. The speed in which he was able to get into the backfield was second to none. I don’t agree that we need a more vocal leader up front. Clinton McDonald is that guy. I can’t wait to see a passing down to see which defensive front works best. I believe a front of Jacquies Smith – Gerold McCoy – Robert Ayers – Noah Spence just may be the best. With secondary coaches Brett Maxie, Jon Hoke and defensive line coach Jay Hayes, Mike Smith’s defense is going to be a nightmare for opposing teams. Now that we have a pass rush and our Cornerback group of Brent Grimes, Vernon Hargreaves and Alterraun Verner will be much improved. What if we went with a four Cornerback’s one Safety scheme? Grimes, Robinson, Hargreaves and either Verner or Banks as number four? Or give Banks a shot at Safety? SS Walter Thurmond is still a FA?.
May 6th, 2016 at 11:32 pm
One thing I do like a lot about VH3 over Spence just from a personality standpoint, is the swagger and VH3 will become a Winston type of voice on the defense which we sorely need.
Kwon is that guy. Bucs coaches already refer to him as the “Jameis of the defense.”
May 7th, 2016 at 9:13 am
I think Spence will finally take sum pressure off GMC to be the sack leader. And with GMC demanding double teams Spence should getake some 1 on 1 matchups and get a few sacks. I’m not gonna expect a whole lot outta Noah the first year, but I do expect him to provide sum pressure from the outside along with Jac Smith as well. I think Jac is primed for a breakout season btw, all he has to do is stay healthy. That’s been his biggest problem, not the production part.
My prediction for Spence is 6.5 – 7.0 sacks and one or two strip fumbles to go with it. That is a very successful season for a rookie DE. U guys can’t expect double digit sacks outta him right away, that’s a lil unfair imo.