“He Is A Defensive End”
May 5th, 2016
Jason Licht says DE Noah Spence has but one task with the Bucs.
Since the Bucs drafted pass rusher Noah Spence, there has been talk about Spence playing outside linebacker. On face value, this is outrageous.
Hell, the Bucs already have Lavonte David and Daryl Smith. Why put Spence out there?
Wisely, Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith has yet to rule out incorporating a 34 defense if the matchups are right. No, the Bucs are not going full-blown 34 because they do not have the personnel, but they might shake things up given a specific down/distance/score of the game.
So earlier this week when Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht appeared on “The Blitz,” co-hosted by Bruce Murray and Phil Savage, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Savage asked Licht point blank if Spence was going to be an outside linebacker in a 34 or a defensive end in a 43.
Licht minced no words.
“He is a defensive end all the way,” Licht said. “We drafted him to rush the passer. And we hope that he grows into a full-time player at some point. But right now, that is the plan at least, but right now he is going to come in here and rush the passer.”
It sort of reminded Joe of an NFL Films clip of Bill Cowher barking at Greg Lloyd on the sidelines, “I want you to rush the passer. I don’t care how you do it. I don’t care if you want to use a three-point stance or standing up. I don’t care. I want you to rush the passer. Got it? I want you to rush the passer.”
Joe envisions Spence being that type of a guy. He has one job and one job only: Make the quarterback eat dirt.
May 5th, 2016 at 8:20 am
Can’t possibly be any worse than Johnson & Johnson.
Didn’t Licht have to cough up a 5th round pick for George Johnson? Embarrassing
May 5th, 2016 at 8:29 am
DallasBuc Says
“George Johnson”
It may turn out to NOT be so embarrassing. George Johnson was productive when the rest of the line was good. He was able to take advantage of that with the Lions. He only had 6 sacks there, so I don’t expect much.
Still, maybe Jay Hayes can make proper use of him.
I agree with you though. I hated them signing him. I just don’t understand why these teams buy into One Year Wonders (George Johnson didn’t even qualify as that in my opinion). They NEVER work out.
May 5th, 2016 at 8:30 am
“signing” I meant trading for him.
May 5th, 2016 at 8:39 am
Greg Lloyd…now that dude was a beast. Just ask Keenan McCardell
May 5th, 2016 at 8:39 am
@DallasBuc
Unfortunately, yes we did. That could of been a productive DT or a WR this year. But it is what it is. I wouldn’t be suprised if he’s let go in preseason or doesn’t get much playing time at all. But in giving up a draft pick I think they want to see if they can get sum production outta him this year. He can’t possibly go sackless for a second one year in a row…right? Lol.
And I think Noah will eventually turn into a 3 down DE. He will probably be more of a situational pass rusher this year until he gets acustomed to the speed and talent of the game. Maybe he puts on a couple of pounds in the offseason. But I dont think he’s THAT big of a liability in the run game.
Unfortunately That’s why Jac Smith is always injured tho. He’s a smaller DE that can’t hold up in the run game so teams run right at him and he’s getting banged up in the process. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen to Spence. I think he’s a tad bigger than Smith tho.
May 5th, 2016 at 8:43 am
Bonzai- lots of things MAY happen in the future. Since I don’t know the future I can only speak about what is observable and the observable fact is that both Johnson’s that Licht has put at DE here in Tampa are beyond awful. Georgie didn’t register a single sack last year. Granted he was so ineffective that he had to be benched as the starter after week 3 but that is only more telling.
Licht should be embarrassed. As a huge Bucs fan it has been humiliating.
Back to my original point, Spence can’t possibly be any worse since our pass rush sits at rock bottom.
May 5th, 2016 at 8:58 am
Lovies scheme hurt DEs. Remember when m Johnson came on board and was complaining that he was lined really far outside the tackle and that was an adjustment… The whole scheme blew, that’s probably why licht didn’t draft and defense last 2 years besides an undersized lb stud who would work in any scheme.
May 5th, 2016 at 9:01 am
It really doesn’t matter to me HOW he’s used as long as he’s effective.
@Dallas- I couldn’t agree more! However, IF (and I mean IF!) we’re able to get something out of those guys, that’ll be one heck of a bonus.
May 5th, 2016 at 9:18 am
I think our Defensive line will look like this on 3rd downs…
《(LE) N.SPENCE (DT) A.AYERS (DT)- McCOY (RE) J.SMITH》
That looks like a deadly combo if you ask me. That trio of pass rushers should provide us with plenty of pressure and sacks.
What you guys think of that combination??
May 5th, 2016 at 9:21 am
Spence was a former Buckeye and had he not gotten into trouble, I wonder where in the draft he would have been picked. Personally, I liked him better than Bosa.
May 5th, 2016 at 9:22 am
Throw away the last 2 years, whatever Lovie touched turned to crap (on defense), sorry, but it is the truth. Everyone that leaves Lovies Defense seems to flourish in a different (i.e. professional not Pop Warner) scheme. George Johnson doesn’t need 10 sacks (though that would be incredible) he just needs QB pressures and to give the starters a rest productively. I look for 3-5 sacks from Johnson (if he makes the team). Blitzing can free up a DE or DT something that even the dumbest of Defensive coach understands.
May 5th, 2016 at 9:43 am
So many High I Q Professional Level (TV) Coaches!
May 5th, 2016 at 9:47 am
Demboys that combination will prove lethal. Double at your own peril. Can’t wait to see Spawn lined up next to GMC. And for the record my GM has done way too much to improve this football team to be embarrassed about anything.
May 5th, 2016 at 10:06 am
Given the arrival of Mike Smith and Jay Hayes, I’m starting with a clean sheet of paper.
This means no having zero preconceived notions about whom or how different players will be used.
Let players individual strengths get sorted in camp and use them accordingly when our scheme calls for it.
It’s a new day Tampa Bay. Many here like myself got exactly what we wished for so complaining at this point is not an option.
Go Bucs!
May 5th, 2016 at 10:09 am
You guys are going to think I’m nuts, and I am too Old to care, but some of the comments above regarding George Johnson need addressed. I agree so far he has simply not performed, but we have a new DC with a new scheme and philosophy. Johnson has not been cut yet, which means somebody wants to give him a chance. After all we the supreme experts on all matters of football have beat him into the ground ever since he came to Tampa. I want to see him at least have a chance to compete one more time. We might come away with a different opinion, that is of course if we have the balls to admit it.
May 5th, 2016 at 10:30 am
martinii- if he indeed gets another chance to earn playing time and he produces on Sundays then obviously opinions will change because that means he isn’t the worst player on the field anymore. Until then he can be considered a bad football player and an embarrassing waste of cap space and trade value. I’ll form my opinions based on actual results not the ones my sensitive hopeful heart pines for!
May 5th, 2016 at 7:55 pm
Martinis…good point. I think we will have a much better defense with this coaching staff!
No longer will the DL be told that you need to get to the QB in a half second because we can’t defend a slant.
We might actually find that we have some very talented guys on the roster.
May 6th, 2016 at 12:23 am
I think some of you predicting ayers inside with McCoy and spence outside with smith are forgetting that Akeem Spence was progressing in to a damn good DT run stuffer.
I see McCoy and Akeem inside with Ayers rotating in on passing downs.
Ayers and smith and spence outside.
May 6th, 2016 at 8:22 am
@Dave
I referee that line up to 3rd downs or 2nd and long situations. That’s the only time Ayers will be rotated inside. Now on 1st downs or 2nd or even 3rd and short the line will most likely Consist of…
LE- A.Ayers
DT- A.Spence
DT- G.McCoy
RE- W.Gholston
Your right, A.Spence is a very strond dude that has shown the ability to clog up his gap or disrupt the runnung game. And Gholston is arguably the best run stopping DE in the NFL. He is basically un-blockable with his size
Either way I love both of those combinations to either get to the QB or stuff the run. I’m confident in both trio’s to get the job done.
May 6th, 2016 at 10:41 am
[…] 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 7th, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Martinii I didnt like ur quote u seem a nut
May 9th, 2016 at 9:00 am
[…] In fact, Licht stated without hesitation that Spence is a defensive end “all the way.” […]