Kendell Beckwith Rising?
August 1st, 2017
Caught Dirk Koetter’s eye. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
If anyone had a chance to talk to Bucs types after the draft, sure, they were so excited about O.J. Howard they were slamming shots of tequila at a trendy Gulf-view bar on St. Pete Beach.
The next player they were overly geeked with? Kendell Beckwith.
The former LSU linebacker easily could have been a second round pick had he not blown up his knee against Florida in late-November. Of course, he slipped in the draft. Some eight months later, Beckwith was full-go practicing for the Bucs, who got him late in the third round.
No less a draft authority than Mike Mayock described Beckwith as a “downhill, square-you-up, knock-you-on-your-butt type of player.”
Even though Beckwith hadn’t participated in any type of on-field football since his injury, he already has the attention of winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter.
“You know, Kendell, that’s really amazing because it’s only been eight months since his ACL [injury] and very few guys come back that fast. The first couple days we were out here in rookie practice before the throng of fans and media was here, Kendell, I was a little nervous, not about his knee, just he looked rusty. After four practices he’s probably our most improved player, as far as a guy where he started and where he is after four practices.”
To Joe’s amusement, Koetter likes to suggest to reporters what is a story and what isn’t.
He hates when reporters ask him about fights in practice and is not above scolding a member of the pen and mic club for asking him about practice fisticuffs. So far this summer, though still very early in training camp, there haven’t been any of note. (Hey, if you were walking down the street and saw two dudes throwing on each other, you’d stop and watch, right?)
Koetter also seems intrigued why so many reporters are fixated on America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, and his limited use of a protective knee brace in practice. (A higher profile NFL player is wearing a knee brace? That’s like blowing a fire siren at packed bar announcing free drinks.)
But Koetter said Beckwith’s rapid recovery is “an amazing story.” On this, Koetter is dead-on.
Of course, it is.
Even better is that Beckwith has a guiding hand in Kwon Alexander, his former LSU teammate. Few were as happy with Beckwith’s selection as Alexander. He took to Twitter to celebrate. And one of the first congratulatory calls Beckwith got when his selection was announced? Kwon.
“He called me immediately,” Beckwith said of Alexander. “He called me right after [pick was announced] and we Facetime’ed and we were both happen men. I am excited to be down here with him. To learn from a guy like him and Lavonte [David] is pretty special. To have some here I knew already and played with already, it really helps out a lot.”
As far as getting acclimated to the Bucs and the NFL, Beckwith said it’s not that complicated.
“It is just playing football,” Beckwith said.
Now it is early. It’s Aug. 1. Who knows who will start at strongside linebacker? Joe has heard from a well-placed source that Devante Bond has also been practicing well, but the same source stressed it is still very early.
Mayock’s description of Beckwith sounds like a perfect fit for the Bucs at strongside linebacker.
It seems pass coverage is not Beckwith’s strength. Well, when the Bucs go to nickel and dime packages, the first guy off the field is the strongside linebacker. In this stage of training camp, that would be either Beckwith or Bond.
August 1st, 2017 at 1:38 pm
Beckwith will be a stud. Buccs will have thee best lb’ing core for the next two or three years.
August 1st, 2017 at 1:41 pm
He should play inside
August 1st, 2017 at 1:48 pm
The LB Core is gonna be tough to contend with.
August 1st, 2017 at 1:54 pm
To my understanding – during the 1st few practices Bond has been getting the lions share of work with the 1st team at SLB. Beckwith has been working primarily at MLB with the second team thus far. Both are in the running for the starting SLB job but Beckwith is also being crosstrained at MLB and will be the backup Mike if something were to happen to Kwon. Beckwith played MLB at LSU.
August 1st, 2017 at 1:55 pm
Another J – The Bucs will be tough to contend with my man
August 1st, 2017 at 2:03 pm
Pretty awesome news. The depth at LB was a concern but hearing that Bond/Beckwith are playing well is great news / pretty relieving. Good to also know he’s cross training at multiple LB positions.
Seems like Javien Elliot is making a push to be the starting nickle; and that we’ll likely mix in 3 S looks to get guys like Evans/Wilcox on the field for certain matchups.
Between 3 Safety looks / 3/4 wrinkles / and the variety of personnel we’ve put together Mike Smith should be able to make very specific week to week game plans to counter an opponents’ strength.
August 1st, 2017 at 2:12 pm
Where does Kwon go?
Middle linebacker and weakside linebacker are full-time positions. Strongside linebacker is a part-time player. Kwon needs to be on the field full-time.
If Kwon has a ding in his armor, it’s pass coverage. Reason why Beckwith is a strongside linebacker (for now) is pass coverage isn’t good. If anything, moving Beckwith inside weakens the defense.
Kwon may be one of the better MLBs in the game. Seems irresponsible to move one of the better players at his position on the cusp of stardom to a position he may not be able to master, and decrease his snaps, all for a rookie we don’t know will even start Week 1.
August 1st, 2017 at 2:12 pm
This guy has the potential to be another another Jeff Davis, another Ervin Randle, etc…
In other words – a tackling machine while everyone else plays for the strip, the sack, the TFL, etc…
In other words, the guy that does the dirty work – and you can’t have a great defense without a grunt that thumps everyone.
Has the potential to be the grease in the cog….
August 1st, 2017 at 2:15 pm
Interesting.
August 1st, 2017 at 2:15 pm
Loved this pick at the time. Good inside intel at LSU confirming this guy is quality and provided the knee checks out he will be a starter.
August 1st, 2017 at 2:21 pm
@ Joe – now be honest my brother, that HAS to be the first time anyone here has ever mentioned Jeff Davis, one of the most unsung – and underrated – and overworked – and underappreciated – and most definitely underpaid Bucs during the “dark years” of 83′-96′.
That guy tackled EVERYTHING in his path. Never missed a tackle either, and he got a LOT of practice making tackles too. The defensive line was well, not very defensive. Hell, there was a guy who started nearly every game in 1986 at DE and never registered a sack I believe.
Yep, that 86′ team. I bet ya’ the 76′ Bucs could have whipped their butts. Before ANYONE here complains about losing, just be glad the 86′ team has largely been forgotten (and thank God too).
August 1st, 2017 at 2:23 pm
@ Joe and anyone else wondering about Jeff Davis:
http://www.bucpower.com/jeff-davis.html
(And oh yeah, those tackle stats are off. He probably made at LEAST 250 tackles during the 86′ season)
August 1st, 2017 at 2:26 pm
Scott Brantley was another unsung Bucs back then.
But don’t ask Eric Hipple….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pep7oi-L_uA
August 1st, 2017 at 2:28 pm
“Scot.”
August 1st, 2017 at 2:29 pm
Joe is the mistaken one here. Thought it was a reference to Thomas Davis.
August 1st, 2017 at 2:38 pm
Gotta be some sort of new technology man. Gurley came back inside a year also from this injury. Hasn’t missed a beat since.
August 1st, 2017 at 2:40 pm
How are they getting these guys back on the field so fast yo.
August 1st, 2017 at 2:41 pm
How did Gurley come back so fast???
August 1st, 2017 at 2:50 pm
@ Joe: Thomas Davis works too. I’ll gladly take either one.
August 1st, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Not every knee injury or surgery is the same. Eight months is pretty damned quick, though.
August 1st, 2017 at 2:57 pm
Again, not all knee injuries are equal.
August 1st, 2017 at 3:17 pm
Jeff Davis? lol. dark, dark, days.
August 1st, 2017 at 3:18 pm
This guy is an interesting pick. He played with Kwon and Deion Jones at LSU. If we can get a little of either that would be great.
If smith finds a way to get him, Kwon, LVD and Spence rushing the qb at the same time that would be formidable. His highlights are off the charts but gotta admit Derrick Henry owned beckwith, ill blame it on youth?
August 1st, 2017 at 3:21 pm
August 1st, 2017 at 2:41 pm
How did Gurley come back so fast???
——–
Hgh
August 1st, 2017 at 3:23 pm
Nole, Gurley has only one 100 yd game in his last 24 starts. Just sayin’.
August 1st, 2017 at 4:12 pm
Derrick Henry owned beckwith….
maybe but j.evans owned DH….go back and watch evans 2015 highlights…he blasted henry a number of times…
in regards to beckwith playing inside, I agree….I think he’s more suited for the MLB position….at LSU he was the hammer between the tackles….I remember kwon and jones on the outside and beckwith in the middle….but I do believe beckwith came off the field on 3rd down….
all that matters is we have a solid LB group that has great talent from the 1’s and 2’s….glad to see him cross training multiple positions….GO BUCS!!!!
August 1st, 2017 at 4:12 pm
I keep telling you guys…YOUTH baby. 5 years from now Beckwith probably doesn’t make that quick of a recovery.
Again as I mentioned a few days ago I believe youth is what kept #3 upright during all those crunching hits. But #3 will get older, his body will have wear and tear…I’m seriously hoping this year it all comes together…better OL play…better decisions by #3…more targets getting open in timely fashion.
I understand why #3 took a beating the past two years but it’s time to put that behind us and start protecting him like the Franchise QB.
August 1st, 2017 at 5:21 pm
@StPete … “I understand why #3 took a beating the past two years but it’s time to put that behind us and start protecting him like the Franchise QB.” I’ll second that StPete. Our OLine overall is young & will need some time to gel in their new positions, but come Game 1 there can’t be any excuses. Road-graders in the run game & keep Jameis upright in the passing game.
August 1st, 2017 at 5:49 pm
“It is just playing football,” Beckwith said.
Love that statement!! Great mindset.
August 1st, 2017 at 6:36 pm
Oh boy, think Jdr may have the feared CTE
August 1st, 2017 at 8:47 pm
Young QBs thrown into the fire tend to take they’re fair share of punishment. Watch Troy Aikman the life episode on nfl network. His first two had him wondering if he was good enough to play in this league. What a diffrence surrounding him with talent made tho. I’m expecting the same from Fameis
August 1st, 2017 at 8:48 pm
– now that he’s been properly equipped.
August 2nd, 2017 at 12:54 am
Dallas had the greatest oline in NFL history. That’s what got the 3 into canton. It’s a lot harder to play the game while laying in your arse. Dallas, Raiders and Titans have this figured out amongst others I’m sure. Jacksonville not so much. The oline will literally make or break any qb.