“Savage!”
January 2nd, 2017
Ultimate gladiator.
It’s interesting to hear what a team thinks of a new player weeks or months after said player has signed a contract.
When the Bucs signed Mr. Beasting, Robert Ayers, they thought they had a leader and a grinder. Only after a few practices did the Bucs realize they got more than they bargained for. Ayers’ high work standards and exacting demands of teammates were key in the revitalization of the Bucs defense.
Joe is guessing that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht rested easy last night knowing what kind of a warrior he has in defensive end Noah Spence.
Yesterday, Spence proved what a modern day gladiator he is. Joe cannot remember having more respect for what a player did to remain on the field more than what Spence did yesterday.
The rookie from Western Kentucky by way of Ohio State has been playing with a signficant shoulder issue all year and his right shoulder dislocated again yesterday.
What did Spence do? He popped it back into place. On the field. By himself.
As cornerback Brent Grimes reacted later to Joe about Spence’s pain tolerance to pull that off, that’s “Savage! Savage!”
In the game’s final drive, Spence was literally playing with one arm. His right arm hung to his side, almost lifeless. Spence was fighting off blocks using only his left hand and left arm, and he actually got penetration.
When Joe asked Spence how the hell he expected to tackle pouty Cam Newton with one arm, Spence chuckled, “Man, I don’t know, I don’t know.”
That wasn’t Spence’s concern. His focus was staying on the field, whatever it took.
“It was the last game [of the season] and I wanted to give it all for my team,” Spence said. “I was going to play. I love these guys. I was going to play for these guys.”
When word got around the locker room of Spence’s warrior move to ensure he stayed on the field, he got mad respect from all.
“That doesn’t surprise me with the type of player that Noah Spence is,” America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston said. “I think I would’ve done the same thing, honestly.”
Kwon Alexander saw it all first-hand.
“He’s an animal, a warrior,” Alexander said. “I was talking to him and he said he was going to do everything he could do. And I told him to just be smart [about playing with the shoulder injury]. He went out there and played hard and I give my tops off to him.”
Russell Shepard said Spence’s fortitude is just what the Bucs need to build a lasting contender.
“That means we’ve got the right guy,” Shepard said of Spence going all out to remain playing. “A lot of times when you draft guys and bring guys in, you are not sure. He definitely will be one of the core guys for this team.”
What Spence did reminds Joe of some Jack Youngblood or Ronnie Lott ish.
“Yeah (one arm), yeah!” Grimes said. “That’s respect. Respect.”
Joe cannot imagine the searing, mind-numbing pain Spence of popping a shoulder back into place. When he was asked if it hurt, he laughed and said, “I mean, it didn’t feel good.”
Akeem Spence could only shake his head.
“He is that type of a warrior,” the elder Spence said (no relation). “He is that type of a young guy. He wants to play for this team. He wants to be great for this team. You see guys doing that, it just helps this team on the rise. That’s big.”
Below is video Jenna Laine of ESPN shot of the interview with Spence. You can hear Joe and Jenna asking Spence about playing with his injury. Video courtesy of ESPN.
January 2nd, 2017 at 5:44 am
Great piece. I truly believe Noah Spence will be doing some great things for this organization moving forward to next year and beyond. If he can stay healthy 10 sacks will be the norm. And pairing him with another good all around player on the other side as DE will only help. D. Barnett from Tennessee reminds me of another big motor Tennessee DE in the mold of Robert Ayers. He could be a good addition to round the core of DL.
January 2nd, 2017 at 6:01 am
We’re outta the range for D.Barnett, but then again you never know. Wouldn’t mind Demarcus Walker in round 2.
January 2nd, 2017 at 7:19 am
Being that this was a meaningless game Spence could’ve taken himself out of the game or quit but this is evidence that he’s a true grit type player…just what the doctor ordered.
January 2nd, 2017 at 7:29 am
Yup, Noah’s got a true warrior spirit … great addition to the Bucs defense. And DMatt it was anything but “a meaningless game”. Bucs finished with a winning record, went 4-4 at home, had a winning conference record (4-2) and beat the Panthers TWICE this year. Team showed great heart, and that’s a super way to go into the off-season and look forward to 2017.
January 2nd, 2017 at 7:34 am
Now Mr Licht go find us another few warriors like this on earth and we will shortly hoist the Lombardi trophy.
Get the Doug Martins and ASJ turds off this team. There are a few more that’s got to go.
January 2nd, 2017 at 7:40 am
Get’em SPAWN..
January 2nd, 2017 at 8:34 am
Strange, no one asked GMC about playing with a shoulder injury
January 2nd, 2017 at 8:35 am
These are the kind of guys we need, hungry
January 2nd, 2017 at 9:05 am
“It was the last game [of the season] and I wanted to give it all for my team,” Spence said. “I was going to play. I love these guys. I was going to play for these guys.”
Thank you Jameis Winston.
Thank you Jameis Winston.
January 2nd, 2017 at 9:12 am
We should have rested him. What happens if it becomes worse in a meaningless game. Hope he can get fully healthy for next year.
January 2nd, 2017 at 9:20 am
No more soft serv
January 2nd, 2017 at 9:24 am
Chris… I too have been disappointed with #93. But that was earlier in the season. He can ghost sometimes. With that said, when our D line is healthy
He’s a MONSTER. Now if we can somehow get Poe in FA, this line would b uncontrollable! Thanks Licht for the Noah pick… You should’ve grabbed Rankins instead of VH3 but I digress. Please draft only line in this draft for both sides
January 2nd, 2017 at 9:27 am
Rob Says:
January 2nd, 2017 at 9:12 am
We should have rested him. What happens if it becomes worse in a meaningless game. Hope he can get fully healthy for next year.
_______________________________________________________
Yep.
January 2nd, 2017 at 9:29 am
Rob
Rest him for what… Tuesday night bingo next week. Sure soft ass gmc would have rested or sat and that is exactly why bucs have a culture problem. New bucs are hungry warriors and the hold over stars are mentally weak soft players thus all the finishes in the basement.
No More Soft Serv
January 2nd, 2017 at 9:32 am
Running the team or coaching conservative is equivalent to coaching or playing scared. Coddling players is not the answer. I guarantee the doctors have already told him he can’t do more damage to it or that he required surgery anyway. Love his heart and desire too bad that defensive captains don’t share his passion
January 2nd, 2017 at 9:40 am
Mccoy has played with a broken hand wrapped in a club. Tmaxon get over your Mccoy hate it is sooo old. Yeah he not a hall of fame tackle but he is a good one that a lot of other teams would love to have.
January 2nd, 2017 at 9:53 am
What is tiresome is all the losing and loafing led by the defensive captain. 93 is the main road block to Victory
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:00 am
Tmax if you spent a quarter of your time giving up props to other BUCS you wouldn’t come across as such a lame… Hell even MikeJohnson & BigHog have even leaned back with the nonstop bashing… Damn T… Get right homie. Long offseason coming, nothing be down about this year.
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:03 am
He was probably hopped up on pain killers, he didnt even feel it.
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:27 am
Chris Says
“Strange, no one asked GMC about playing with a shoulder injury”
Gerald McCoy plays through injuries year after year.
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:28 am
tmax wants attention. Someone give him his pacifier.
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:30 am
Rob Says
“We should have rested him. What happens if it becomes worse in a meaningless game. Hope he can get fully healthy for next year.”
Barring surgery, that shoulder will be fine in 4-6 weeks. If he does need surgery, it will still be fine by the time training camp arrives.
I think it provided him with an opportunity to earn respect, and he took it. So I’ll go with this being a good thing.
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:51 am
I just to point out something. Take it how you will, but it seems like the last 2 games ( well before the panthers yesterday ) GMC gave to pregame speech and to me, it lacked energy and passion. Needless to say, we lost both. With Jameis back at it (pregame speech) You can see/feel/hear the passion and fire in his voice. None of that calm voice soft speech crap. Was this a coincidence???? IDK but If you ask me, GMC does not need to be the hype man. JMO
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:54 am
Mad respect for this kid. Hoped the Bucs would draft him for months, and they did! He gave us a glimpse of what he can be, in the years to come…even though his “get off ” was poorly misused by Smith and Hayes, by having him line up too wide from the left /right tackle. He needs to stay just off the tackle’s outside shoulder. He’s quick, not fast, so he’s most effective by lining that way…especially when you stand him up. A little concerned about the shoulder. If he’s right handed, the shoulder popping in and out could become a regular thing. Usually if this occurs on your dominant side, it’s not uncommon for it to continue. Old school mentality, in a millenial mind. Great draft pick!
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:58 am
Piratic Says:
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:28 am
@tmaxconstipation:
Where are you going with all this?
What exactly do you hope to accomplish?
Is this really a campaign to get GMC off the roster?
I know that you understand that you’re bashing a player that is universally regarded as one of the best at his position by NFL professionals, yet you still yammer away, spurred-on by your arrogance, your ignorance and your agenda.
Incredible.
People like you are the worst. Even if you won the lottery, you’d still find a way to be a miserable sob.
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:32 am
One play that stood out to me was when Scam played misdirection and rolled back the other way and how quickly Spence changed direction. Very impressive. He adds a little size and strength he’ll be a handfull!
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:33 am
Would love to know, if and when he will have surgery. He has a big plan to put on weight this offseason. If a kid is willing to pop a shoulder back in on the field, I’m pretty sure he can put on 20 or so pounds in the offseason if he can get on the healthy side after surgery and rehab.
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:56 am
Dude! I seen him pull the Martin Riggs on the field. Even commented about it as it happened. This is what I’ve been talking about for the past 3 years. Your def capt is a straight possy. He takes 3 weeks off the nurse a hand injury, who does that? Meanwhile rookies are over here playing with one arm in the 4th qrt of week 17.
That fact that you fans can’t see that is one of the main reasons this org has sucked for so long. Bc a lot and I mean a lot of youz suck and are a bunch of posies too.
Trade the power puff girl before it’s too late. No more soft serve!!!!!!!!
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:58 am
Joe
Patiently awaiting the LVD article stating how much of a loaf he is.
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:06 pm
This is one of Joe’s finest pieces. It’s the reason I enjoy this site so much. It was apparent that Spence had a shoulder injury he was battling but I never would have known the extent without Joe posting this. What a beast! Great pick Licht. Great pick. Thank you again Joe (s) for posting this. Great stuff.
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:08 pm
@DB55. I think that we will find out that LVD battled some major injuries throughout the year. Yesterday’s game looked like the LVD that I know and love. That dude was ballin.
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Cmurda
Not sure if he was hurt or if Mike Smith 8 gap scheme is garbage. I’m gonna say LVD wasn’t hurt.
So long Mike Smith, Chris Conte, GMC. I hope the door hit cha where the lort split ya.
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:25 pm
I believe Noah Spence will have a breakout season in 2017. Similar to the breakout Vic Beasley of the Falcons had this season.
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:33 pm
Bonzi
I do need attention. I need the bucs to win a superbowl. I am 100% convinced the losing culture will not end until the leader of the losing culture is gone. You can’t cure 7 years of weak leadership. It must be removed. I want a superbowl not a “Special” season…
No More Soft Serv
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:35 pm
DB55
I have been hard on lvd but he looked good yesterday. I am sure he was lectured by softee for playing too hard but i digress. I hope they can find a nice niche for lvd next year so we can see more performances like yesterday consistently. I just hope gmc has not ruined the poor man.
January 2nd, 2017 at 9:10 pm
Hope he gets Surgery asap , this type of injury for the most part Do’s not get ta fixxxed via rehab !!!
January 2nd, 2017 at 9:46 pm
tmax – Do you really think you can lead a movement to run GMC out of town?
Nothing you say on JBF comments is going to effect what the Buccaneers do regarding McCoy or any other manner of business – so all you are doing by constantly bashing our best Dline player is being a perpetual D!ck.
But of course you know this and relish every minute of your d!ckdom so why do I even bother pointing out the obvious?
Same goes for you DB
You guys need to seriously grow up
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:03 pm
Yep his heart runs a 4.2 forty
We need more of that
January 3rd, 2017 at 12:43 am
So glad he’s a Buc! Thats going way above and beyond!