Guessing Starting Lineups
May 23rd, 2016
Who will start for Dirk Koetter?
Kind of a cool feature that NFL.com ran recently when Kevin Patra tried to guess the starting lineups of each team for Week One of the regular season.
Of course, these are just educated guesses, as there are always preseason injuries.
Joe took a gander at what Patra had for the Bucs and there are a couple of surprises, specifically on defense.
At starting defensive ends, Patra has Robert Ayers and Noah Spence. This is a bit of a surprise as that means Jacquies Smith isn’t starting. Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has noted that Spence is not yet an every-down player. Smith is, and when healthy, can get to the quarterback.
Also a bit surprising, only a little bit, is that Patra has Alterraun Verner beating out Vernon Hargreaves at corner. It is only surprising in that one doesn’t always see a No. 11 overall pick not starting. Defensive coordinator Mike Smith has all but said Hargreaves, at this point in the spring, would be the starting nickelback.
The absence of Luke Stocker also is a head-scratcher. Stocker led Bucs tight ends in snaps last season and is consistently lauded by the coaching staff.
Joe has Patra’s picks for starting-22 for the Bucs below.
Offense
QB: Jameis Winston
RB: Doug Martin
WR1: Mike Evans
WR2: Vincent Jackson
TE1: Austin Seferian-Jenkins
TE2: Cameron Brate
LT: Donovan Smith
LG: J.R. Sweezy
C: Joe Hawley
RG: Ali Marpet
RT: Demar Dotson
Defense
DE: Noah Spence
DT: Gerald McCoy
DT: Akeem Spence
DE: Robert Ayers
OLB: Lavonte David
MLB: Kwon Alexander
OLB: Daryl Smith
CB1: Brent Grimes
CB2: Alterraun Verner
S: Chris Conte
SS: Bradley McDougald
May 23rd, 2016 at 5:43 am
Agree with you that Jack Smith will start ahead of Spence based on proven performance. Folks should wait until Noah has at least played a preseason down before they anoint him as a starter.
Also can’t see Cameron Brate starting. When it comes to experience & versatility, Luke Stocker provides more flexibility in play-calling. Similar thing with Akeem Spence starting. He’ll get plenty of playing time, but Clinton McDonald, presuming that he’s healthy, is a better complement to GMC.
May 23rd, 2016 at 5:59 am
Safeties
S: Chris Conte
SS: Bradley Mcdougal
Main reason why – we should bring in an experienced safety – to push this unit.
S/SS Donte Whitner (30):
• 2012 – Pro Bowler
• 2013 – Pro Bowler
• 2014 – Pro Bowler
<strongWhitner</strong is still an excellent player, having graded as the league’s No. 24 safety among 89 qualifiers in 2015, per Pro Football Focus. Remarkably durable (he’s missed only three games in the past six years)
May 23rd, 2016 at 6:14 am
People who dont watch the bucs game in n game out wont know much about them. Easy to look over a roster n pick those guys.
May 23rd, 2016 at 7:31 am
Wow!! 3 off seasons later, and there are only 3 draft picks, 1 free agent, and 1 undrafted free agent from the 5 years of the pop-star!!!!!
May 23rd, 2016 at 7:40 am
Can’t see Brate and Jenkins both in front of Stocker, unless he predictsStocker is injured pre season. Jameis will need protection first game out, and Stocker brings that extra lineman type
May 23rd, 2016 at 8:11 am
I can’t wait until the season starts! I hate this kind of stuff. We are not even in training camp yet and trying to guess the starting line up is a silly waste of time. Its just throwing crap against the wall and seeing what sticks. I don’t envy the Joe(s) at this time of year. Trying to find something interesting to write about everyday has got to be tough!
May 23rd, 2016 at 8:58 am
I think rayan smith takes the strong safety and I love Noah spence aka spawn I think thats a lil too early but all in all good list
May 23rd, 2016 at 9:17 am
If Conte and McDougald start, Grimes, Verner, Hargraves, Banks or whoever else we roll out is gonna have their hands full in coverage. We need a complement (or total replacement) for Conte on passing downs. Hopefully McDougald turns a corner this year with our improved secondary this year. If not, I give up on him as a starter.
May 23rd, 2016 at 9:26 am
Spence over McDonald = doubtful.
May 23rd, 2016 at 10:05 am
Dotson. That would be great. I can see the yellow flags flying already.
May 23rd, 2016 at 10:36 am
This lineup will have a totally different look on opening day.
May 23rd, 2016 at 10:49 am
Should be good training camp battles at safety and corner… I see VH3 winning a spot on the outside while Verner becomes our Nickel guy.
May 23rd, 2016 at 11:17 am
I think Ryan Smith will be this year’s version of Kwon Alexander. The rookie mid-round draft pick that takes (earns) a starting position on defense.
May 23rd, 2016 at 11:56 am
I’m on the Ryan Smith bandwagon with you guys lol.
I think you can just add Gholston and Jack Smith and McDonald to that D-line and we will be rotating a lot depending on down n distance.
VH3 will play as well. But the 15-16 starter mentality really makes a lot of sense. I can’t remember feeling this ok about our early depth at CB/DE
May 23rd, 2016 at 12:06 pm
Football isn’t played like that it’s all about situations
Defense
DE – Robert Ayers (Over in Nickel : Sub-Noah Spence
NT – Clinton McDonald (Out in nickel : Sub Ayers)
DT – Gerald McCoy
DE – William Gholston (Out in Nickel: Jaqueis Smith)
SLB – Daryl Smith (Off in Nickel : Sub-Hargreaves)
MLB – Kwon Alexander
WLB – LaVonte David
CB – Brent Grimes
FS – Chris Conte
SS – Bradley McDougald (Off in Dime: Robinson/Banks)
CB – Alteraun Verner
May 23rd, 2016 at 3:10 pm
I think that this guy does not watch bucs games, in my opinion stocker is the best TE on the roster, and after watching Dan vitales highlights, looks like he could be Jamie’s winstons next nick o’leary. I don’t see ASJ starting at all, nothing against him but joes right, he did not stay healthy. I also noticed bucs were much more consistent on rushing downs with stocker playing over ASJ.
May 23rd, 2016 at 3:12 pm
” we’re trying to have more like 14-16 starters on defense.” Mike smith.