Scouts Are “Doing Their Job”
June 15th, 2016
Praised by a defensive end.
Either this is a clever way to gain favor with the man running the football operations of the Bucs, or it is a sincere gesture of appreciation.
Or perhaps both.
Jacquies Smith, the left defensive end for the Bucs, talked to Joe about how geeked up he is for the new Bucs defense under coordinator Mike Smith. Eventually, the topic of conversation with Joe turned to rookie defensive end/outside linebacker Noah Spence (Joe now has two defenders on record referring to Spence playing outside linebacker in a 34 front, and Spence is one of them).
When chatting about Spence, Smith gave a shout out to Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and his scouts.
“Of course, that’s why those guys upstairs are doing their jobs,” Smith said. “They did their part. You can see that talent [of Spence’s] on the field.”
That’s one way to help your job security, talk up the man who runs the show at One Buc Palace.
Smith went on to laud Spence and talk up how it seems he can’t learn enough. Smith noted Spence is always pestering teammates and coaches, looking for an edge.
“He has taken to coaching,” Smith said. “And he applies [what he learns in the classroom] onto the field. He is a kid that wants to learn. It is great working with him. I am doing the best I can to help him out and hopefully he can bring a lot to the table for us to help us on the field.”
As far as showing an ability to get to the quarterback, Smith said of Spence, “He’s nice.”
June 15th, 2016 at 2:01 pm
Spence will get a LOT of playing time, if he’s able to get to the QB.
June 15th, 2016 at 2:24 pm
I hope he’s not the only one who’s nice.
June 15th, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Buc-A-New
June 15th, 2016 at 2:31 pm
Whispers were abound as they had him working coverage yesterday!!! Will love to see that the opposing tackle is getting ready to try and block spence only to see him drop in a zone as one of the LB’s runs right by everyone!!!!
June 15th, 2016 at 2:42 pm
I’m on board with the Spawn nickname.
Let’s go get that QB
June 15th, 2016 at 2:47 pm
Notice the theme.
JW
Kwon
Vitale
Spence
VH
Etc….
All I here about the rookies last year and now is how the live football and just want more and more info and knowledge and film etc….
June 15th, 2016 at 2:55 pm
Our hopes for Spence are high, but IMO, Jack Smith is the guy this year who is most likely to break the hex on Bucs Defensive Ends never being able to reach 10 sacks in a season since Simeon last did it over a decade ago.
Bringing in Ayers and drafting Noah Spence has definitely raised the level of talent and competition at DE – but Jack Smith has shown that his combination of speed and want-to can create some serious problems for offenses when the dude is healthy and on his game.
Jay Hayes has to be pretty happy with the level of talent he is working with across the Dline with proven and experienced players in GMC, McDonald and Ayers – combined with talented, eager to shine younger players in Jack Smith, Gholson, Akeem Spence, Howard Jones and now Noah Spence. The cupboard is definitely not bare nor devoid of talent.
If vets can stay relatively healthy up front and even 1 of those 5 young players can take a big step forward this year, I’d say our Dline will be formidable and a force to be reckoned with.
The attacking from different angles scheme we are hearing about is bound to help as well.
June 15th, 2016 at 3:32 pm
Agreed pickgrin.
At least for this year. If he stays healthy he definitely should. Although our scheme will be different so that could effect him, but he was certainly on pace to do so the last 2 years based on his games played.
I look for Noah Spence to start blowing things up next year and the year after. But if we can use him effectively to rush the QB this year, that sure will be nice.
June 15th, 2016 at 7:01 pm
yea, what Pickrin said.
June 15th, 2016 at 11:59 pm
The 3-4 defense talk doesn’t sit well with me. But I’m still open to it. The real question is personnel. I dont see a true NT on the roster. Noah Spence is a rookie with hardly any experience playing coverage and IMO has no business doing so. He was drafted to sack the QB. I dont care if they line him up at corner… That’s why he’s here. I like the idea of him standing up and rushing, though. It suites his skill set.
June 16th, 2016 at 2:14 am
Don’t think Bucs will break out the 34 a whole lot.