“It’s A Blessing In Disguise”
December 30th, 2018
Hungry and healthy
What a long year it has been for defensive end Noah Spence, who turns 25 years old next week.
He was healthy but was buried on the bench most of the season.
Maybe it was simply because Carl Nassib was better. But Nassib was inactive and injured today, and still we saw very little of Spence on the field. A little action in the loss to Atlanta but not much.
Joe talked to Spence extensively after the game. He absolutely is not bitter about the way his season played out.
Spence admits he always approaches playing football with a chip on his shoulder, so that won’t change after a season on the bench, one he says made him better.
“I learned a lot, man. Being behind a great player like JPP, man, he taught me everything,” Spence said. “I’m going to be able to come out and be a better player and a better man for this. It’s a blessing in disguise.
Spence didn’t want to talk about coming back from offseason shoulder surgery, but he did emphasize that he’s “110 percent healthy” right now.
Joe expects Spence to be back next season for two big reasons: he’ll be in the final season of his inexpensive rookie contract and he is a healthy talent. The Bucs have very little to lose by letting their new head coach got a long look at him.
December 30th, 2018 at 5:42 pm
Goodie, will Rojo be back too?
December 30th, 2018 at 5:45 pm
Chip on his shoulder ?!?!! Doesn’t that shoulder have enough problems??
December 30th, 2018 at 5:47 pm
I’m hoping he returns. Nassib was a nice find, better I am not sure yet, why, because Spence had that kinda year his rookie season, hoping for consistency and I also think Nassib did a good job of penetrating but not finishing (getting the player to the ground)
December 30th, 2018 at 5:48 pm
Rojo just caught tp.
Koetter is gone left go Joe is stoked
December 30th, 2018 at 5:48 pm
Spence is too small!
December 30th, 2018 at 5:50 pm
I did not read. I dont care about this bust
December 30th, 2018 at 5:50 pm
We can find another rookie on with a cheap contract or an UDFA that performs better……why keep him if he can’t play well?
December 30th, 2018 at 5:52 pm
You fans believe what players say more than what players do!!!!!!!!
Weak fans = Losing Culture
December 30th, 2018 at 5:53 pm
Yep a blown up slow undersized DE in the deepest defensive line draft in history
Strong work Jason
December 30th, 2018 at 5:58 pm
Spence will never play on an NFL roster again. I dont see any legit NFL coach putting his tape on and saying YES. Nassib is 500% better than Spence…I’m puzzled at what Joe and some are watching when they watch his fog like presence on an NFL field.
December 30th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
I still believe Spence is healing….needs that shoulder healthy and thats why he was benched. Guy popped his shoulder back in place and got back to playing for those who dont remember. I still think he’ll be a good player, depth if anything. Injuries happen and we have the unlucky streak of having them all over the place. Thats another reason Im glad we’re keeping JW. He’s pretty tough. But draft that QB to put behind him please.
December 30th, 2018 at 6:11 pm
Spence is far from being slow😂😂 and lets not forget he got 6.5 sacks his rookie season? and would be perfect for a 3-4 defense. Cant wait to see him with a real coaching staff
December 30th, 2018 at 6:34 pm
All of a sudden, Nassib is the next coming, c’mon Bucs fans, he played well, he also got cut by the Browns, can we get another season before we crown him, consistency, just like we expected Spence he barely played this year. Carl Nassib 81 games 12 sacks – Noah Spence 34 games 6.5 sacks
December 30th, 2018 at 6:43 pm
C ant wait for the new head coach to play him at lb like he should be
December 30th, 2018 at 7:48 pm
BucEmUp … I agree with ya about Noah. I think he’s what some have called a ‘Tweener’ … not big enough to warrant a lot of DE snaps in 4-3 defenses, yet bigger than most outside LBs. But in today’s NFL it would seem that there may well be a place for Tweeners (hybrid DE-LB?) situationally.
But carrying players on the 53-man roster who don’t play during the season is, wait, how best to phrase this? Oh ya … stupid. And especially on a team that lacks DEPTH. Look at the players who we carried on our 53-man roster this season who got (essentially) no significant playing time DESPITE our 5-11 record and you’ll see a team with some major personnel issues. Just to name 3 (and there are more), Bucs carried Spence, RoJo & Cappa all season despite MAJOR NEEDS at their positions during the season for 1 reason IMO: Licht drafted them high & coaches had to give up THREE precious roster spots as a consequence. Just like Koetter had to suffer with Aguayo for a whole season. I’m sure Dirk Koetter & his coaching staff is saying ‘Thanks a lot Licht’. (To themselves obviously, Dirk is too much of a gentleman to point the finger where it should be pointed).
December 30th, 2018 at 8:06 pm
With Vea and Spence, perfect for a 3 – 4 defense, draft accordingly. Time for the 3-4 defense !