Ryan Russell On The Brain
May 21st, 2017
It was kind of like “Marsha, Marsha, Marsha” at One Buc Palace last week.
Assistant coaches were available to the media and defensive line coach Jay Hayes talked and talked and talked. What an accommodating dude.
Joe listened to a chunk of the Hayes chatter and asked a few questions. But what really stuck out most to Joe was how many times Hayes referenced defensive end Ryan Russell. Man, Hayes is high on this guy.
Russell joined the Bucs last year after getting booted from the Cowboys. Out of Purdue, Russell was a fifth-round pick of Dallas in 2015. The Bucs signed him to their practice squad last fall and he was promoted to the roster for the second-half of the season. Russell finished with one sack and four tackles.
At 6-4, 270 pounds, Russell certainly has the body and his speed was there coming out of college. However, it’s quite a red flag when the Cowboys defensive coordinator and D-line guru Rod Marinelli give up on you.
Perhaps the Bucs believe they have developed Russell and he’s turning a corner in his career?
If Russell can turn into a savage-effort guy, then Joe almost sees Russell as a Tim Crowder type (for those whose Bucs recall goes back seven years), and that’s not a negative comparison.
May 21st, 2017 at 9:13 am
Really ?
May 21st, 2017 at 9:51 am
Wouldn’t be the first NFL player without a BIG name to come into his own in a different environment. Russell flashed here and there last season. I’m expecting more from the young man next season. Everyone moaning for another DE might be pleasantly surprised at how effective we eat QBs next season with the guys we already have in the building. I won’t be,I kinda noticed how they began terrorizing QBs the latter part of 2016.
May 21st, 2017 at 9:59 am
The tidbit I gleaned from Hayes was that Noah Spence was leaner and bigger than many games he played last season. And he feels once he is fully cleared more weight will come.
May 21st, 2017 at 10:31 am
At the very least guys like Russell and Lambert can provide quality depth without having to find quality depth in future FA ! I am looking forward to seeing what George Johnson brings to the table “Stick Carriers” have forgotten about him!
May 21st, 2017 at 11:17 am
We have the worst Edge Rushers in the NFL. And this is not hating on our Edge Rushers, this is a fact. We’re the only team in the NFL, who DTs gets more sacks than the Edge Rushers.
May 21st, 2017 at 11:59 am
LakelandBucFan..you hit it straight on my man!! YEt we do not draft a quality DE
Its gonna look real good when we score 42 and the opposition scores 43. //Just sayin..
May 21st, 2017 at 12:30 pm
Joe
Any scouting report on this guy. Just looking at his size and success he reminds me a bit of a Will Gholston. Is this guy more for the middle or do they expect an edge rush from him.
The Cowboys may have bailed because they feel solid about their DL…I have read however they’re looking for a great DE….who isn’t!
May 21st, 2017 at 12:43 pm
The Cowboys drafted Taco Charlton. And i believe he will be a 60 Tackles, 12 sack guy.
May 21st, 2017 at 1:17 pm
THX Lakeland
You have any scouting knowledge of this guy…perhaps why the Cowboys didn’t hang on to him? Why Hayes might be so high on him? Hayes…in fact none of this staff..impresses me as someone who blows smoke. I love the candor of all thesee guys starting at the top.
May 21st, 2017 at 1:41 pm
@NosBos … “I kinda noticed how they began terrorizing QBs the latter part of 2016.” Noticed exactly the same thing NosBos, especially in our 6 wins in last 8 games. Turnovers difference was huge … 18 turnovers forced in those 8 games, with 17 of those coming in the 6 wins. With our interior being more stout now with the addition of Chris Baker & (possibly) Tui, that should help us put more pressure on QBs up the middle (plus stop the run better). Ultimately should help the DEs I’d think (if QBs have to slide laterally instead of being able to step up in the pocket). Guys like Noah Spence & Jack Smith should feast on that. Our other DEs (Gholston, Ayers, Russell & probably 1 more) might take a split-second longer to get there, but I can see the bigger guys like them collapsing the pocket from outside. Fully expect the DLine to pick up where they left off in the 2nd half of last season.
May 21st, 2017 at 2:09 pm
@Joe
My dad is a huuugggeeee cowboys fan and reads every cowboys article you could find so I asked him about Russell…
“Oh yea loved that guy. Marinelli loved him too. There just wasn’t enough room on the roster. I was hoping he made the team but didn’t. Just not enough spots”
May 22nd, 2017 at 12:06 pm
Stpetebucsfan Says:
May 21st, 2017 at 12:30 pm
Joe
Any scouting report on this guy. Just looking at his size and success he reminds me a bit of a Will Gholston. Is this guy more for the middle or do they expect an edge rush from him.
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He was actually the favorite entering camp last season with the Cowboys to start at LDE but with the Cowboys adding through the draft and Russell not performing to expectations in camp, he was cut. Not only did he get cut, but he was signed to the practice squad and was cut from there three days later. He’s got ability.. He’s 6’4 270 and has decent speed off the edge.
May 22nd, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Stpetebucsfan Says:
May 21st, 2017 at 12:30 pm
Joe
Any scouting report on this guy.
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Here’s just one of what I am sure is many. There’s at least three different scouts takes on him.
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015/5/2/8536775/cowboys-2015-draft-picks-scouting-report-on-fifth-rounder-ryan-russell