Deep At Linebacker
August 22nd, 2017
Dirk Koetter details.
Could the Bucs be deep on the defensive roster?
Joe has long maintained the Bucs are deep at corner, though the play of Ryan Smith is starting to make Joe wonder.
However, after Sunday’s practice and listening to winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter, it seems linebacker may be the deepest unit on the defense.
First, you have Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander. Those two guys could be the best linebacker duo in the NFL. Now here is where it gets interesting. Davante Bond looked like he had locked up the starters gig when he got hurt in the preseason opener. Fortunately for the Bucs, rookie Kendell Beckwith has been playing lights out and it seems he will push the injured Bond out of the way to start at strongside linebacker.
Adarius Glanton has also played solid ball and he had two tackles for loss last week at Jacksonville (as did Beckwith).
The reasonJoe brings this up is that Riley Bullough, the rookie undrafted free agent highlighted in “Hard Knocks,” is on the outside looking in. Koetter has made no secret he likes the intangibles Bullough brings to the table but Koetter seems to be cautioning folks that Bullough, barring some unforeseen injuries, very well could be a victim of a numbers game.
“Riley is doing a nice job,” Koetter said. “But, last year we kept five linebackers and so just doing the math we’ll see how it shakes out this year. We’re going to keep the best 53 [players], but you’ve got to have the right depth at every position. If you keep an extra linebacker, it’s got to come from somewhere else on the 53, so that’s always the problem at the end.”
So, could linebacker be the deepest position on defense, or the roster? When Bond returns, it’s possible that he will be a backup but still good enough to be a starter. Beckwith seems like a steal in the third round and Glanton has done nothing to suggest he will be unemployed in three weeks.
At worst, the back end of the defense, linebackers and secondary, sure seems deep.
August 22nd, 2017 at 5:47 am
Not feeling great about QB depth – Griffin hurt, Fitz QBR is 27 so far.
August 22nd, 2017 at 5:49 am
The #1 run stopping LB #49 will be on our 53 man come week1
August 22nd, 2017 at 5:49 am
#1 run stopping LB this preseason*
August 22nd, 2017 at 5:50 am
during the preseason*
August 22nd, 2017 at 6:14 am
You keep saying that we’re ‘deep at CB’ Joe but I still can’t see it. Beyond Grimes & VHIII we don’t have any experienced outside corners. McClain is probably the closest right now, but odds are he’ll be used at nickel this season. Same with Elliott. Ryan Smith has potential, but is still a ‘diamond in the rough’. If either Grimes or VHIII goes down, we’re probably in trouble.
August 22nd, 2017 at 6:58 am
If Riley is cut it def will come back to bite us in the arse
August 22nd, 2017 at 7:14 am
Potential 53 Roster
QB Jameis Winston | Ryan Fitzpatrick
RB Jacquizz Rodgers | Charles Sims | Peyton Barber | Jeremy McNichols
WR Mike Evans | Chris Godwin
WR DeSean Jackson | Bernard Reedy
WR Adam Humphries | Josh Huff
TE Cameron Brate | Alan Cross | Antony Auclair
TE O.J. Howard | Luke Stocker
LT Donovan Smith | Leonard Wester
LG Caleb Benenoch | Evan Smith
C Ali Marpet | Joe Hawley
RG J.R. Sweezy |
RT Kevin Pamphile | Demar Dotson
DE Robert Ayers | Noah Spence | Ryan Russell
DT Gerald McCoy | Clinton McDonald
DT Chris Baker | Sealver Siliga
DE William Gholston | DaVonte Lambert
SLB Adarius Glanton | Kendell Beckwith
MLB Kwon Alexander | Riley Bullough
WLB Lavonte David |
CB Vernon Hargreaves | Ryan Smith
CB Brent Grimes | Josh Robinson
CB Javien Elliott | Robert McClain
S Chris Conte | Justin Evans
S Keith Tandy | J.J. Wilcox
K
P
LS
Suspended List
Doug Martin
Reserve/PUP
Jacquies Smith
Devante Bond
IR (designated for return)
Jude Adjei-Barimah
Ryan Griffin
August 22nd, 2017 at 7:19 am
You want to see improvement each game, I believe Ryan Smith improved from game one to two, let’s see how he does in game three, you build on each game, we don he know what we have.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:19 am
@ LUV
The only thing I would switch on your roster is Beck for Glanton. I am pulling for Dirt but not telling. He looked a bit slow at times on his blitzes. I know they where delayed blitzes. But he looked tentative hitting the holes.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:19 am
*** No telling
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:01 am
@DislocatedBucsFan
Glanton knows his assignments – that’s the only reason I’m giving him the edge now. I also agree with you on Riley, but once acclimated to the speed & pace of the game – that too should change.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:31 am
@LUVMYBUCS
Bond has a strained PCL, could be back before the season starts. Most likely not gonna be on the PUP.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:41 am
Luv’s lineup makes a good point. The crunch may not really hit until week 4.
Doug cannot take a spot out of that 53 until then so that gives Joe Dirt a little breathing room.
Has anybody here paid close attention to Joe Dirt’s ST play? I confess I haven’t rewound and reviewed the ST’s. If he becomes a true ST warrior that would make a big difference in his chances of sticking.
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:39 am
I love aggression and attitude of RB49 (lmfao, I still can’t bring myself to calling him “Joe Dirt”, even though its funny as hell) He’s gotta hate it just like DM22 and the “Muscle Hamster”. Momma Dukes even said something like, “You look more like FABIO”. How bout “Fabio Dir-tay” Not a bad ring to it, ya? UGH, never mind, I went from not calling him Joe Dirt to that ridiculous nonsense! ANYWAYS, KEEP RILEY… WE’LL REGRET LETTING HIM WALK, (NO P-SQUAD EITHER ) HE’LL BE POACHED FASTER THEN YOU CAN SAY “KICKIN WING!!!!!!!” LATER YALL, I GOTTA KEEP ON, KEEPN’ ON
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:23 pm
@LUV….agree with everything but I would cut l.stocker and keep riley….alan cross looked great as a TE and can block from the FB position….GO BUCS!!!
August 22nd, 2017 at 1:28 pm
@813bucboi
I hear U man. I would sign (FA) TE – Gary Barnidge (31) and release Stocker.
Only because he’s a better receiving threat & blocker.
TE Cameron Brate | Alan Cross | Antony Auclair
TE O.J. Howard | *Gary Barnidge
Would give us insane TE Depth.
August 22nd, 2017 at 1:29 pm
@Etzel
Time will tell bruh.
August 22nd, 2017 at 2:51 pm
No Stevie T?
August 22nd, 2017 at 4:13 pm
I’d like to see Riley playing up against the 1’s to get a better idea of what we’ve got. I’m hoping we start to see more of our starters resting these next 2 games to assess what’s behind them in terms of depth.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:50 pm
@Luv
Thats a great, well thought out Roster!
Only Change would be swapping Pamphile And Benenoch.
I agree with Glanton starting, but hes gonna have a hard time keeping Beckwith from taking that spot- which will give us insane talent at LB.
While Safety looks good, I agree with most posters- we arent deep at CB.
We lose Griimes- we are gonna lose games because of it.
Hope VH steps up this year.
Ryan Smith looks like he will be a starter, once he gets reps
But no CB after Grimes gives me any confidence.
But Smith, Elliott, and McClain might surprise me.
Love this team- but still dont see a DE other than Ayers.
And we wont win a playoff game, if we cant rush the QB