Bucs Encouraged Early By Noah Spence
April 27th, 2019
One eye-opening nugget coming out of Jason Licht’s wrap-up news conference late last night was a statement that Noah Spence is turning heads at One Buc Palace for his work over the past 3 1/2 weeks.
That’s right. You’re not hungover.
Spence, 25, has been invisible the past two seasons. First he was injured. Then he was just benched, officially slapped with the “B-word” after being the No. 39 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
About two weeks ago, Licht said Spence was better suited for a 3-4 defense and the Bucs knew that when they drafted him, even thought that was their defense under Dirk Koetter. Joe thought it was an unsettling take by Licht.
Last night when asked about not addressing defensive line through the first three rounds of the 2019 draft, Licht talked about how much the Bucs staff loves Jason Pierre-Paul and Carl Nassib.
And then came a Shaq Barrett mention and the Spence commentary.
“Noah has been really a pleasant surprise so far for the new staff and for us, of what he’s been showing,” Licht said.
Also, Licht added, “We’re happy with Vita [Vea].” Gerald McCoy? Nah.
Spence is in a contract year and perhaps he’s gotten his off-the-field life in perfect order. (Joe’s just going to leave that there.) Not every professional matures at the same pace. The NFL has had many pass rushers who flourish after a few seasons, but rarely are those guys high draft picks like Spence.
If Spence can contribute — and it’s a big “if” — that would be a such a welcome bonus for the Bucs. The Bucs remain thin at linebacker.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:28 am
Look over there…look over there….
April 27th, 2019 at 10:29 am
Oh yeah.
Didn’t need Josh Allen.
We already have him.
Noah gonna look like Vic Beasley as an OLB
April 27th, 2019 at 10:32 am
Remains to be seen. Would be a huge boost if he can contribute.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:33 am
Everyone here is surprised at the draft selections, but BA wasn’t kidding when he said he liked Peyton Barber, he believes in Ronald Jones. Licht wasn’t kidding when he said he believes in Noah Spence and Carl Nassib.
Wake up people. Everyone crying “Smokescreen!” is now surprised when the truth was right in front of their faces the entire time.
For better or worse, Licht and BA told us how the offseason was going to go. Call Licht what you will, but he has faith in his picks. Licht and BA made their bed, time to lie in it.
For better or worse.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:33 am
Hah! Yeah, I guess they must be! I know last year we’d thought the same and in wiedest fashion, we barely saw him. Maybe it was personality, attitude, whatever. Unacceptable for any player to get…but maybe he’s past whatever it was? We can hope.
About “Licht said Spence was better suited for a 3-4 defense and the Bucs knew that when they drafted him.” Say what? That is fireable stupidity right there given he was a 2nd rounder and 3-4 was RARELY used. Is Licht making this stuff up as he goes?
April 27th, 2019 at 10:36 am
Should get some competition still.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:37 am
Beau Allen, Vita Vea, JPP, and Nassib, with Spence stepping it up may be enough? It wasn’t before. We can hope. And of course, we need Ghoulston to step it up too. The oft-injured Stevie T. will be back, and maybe he can break out. I am trying to think of a key DT I am missing from past years but just can’t think of his name. Oh well…these are likely the main guys going into the season I think.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:38 am
The Bucs are not thin at LB. it’s not the best group in the league, but it’s adequate. It includes a 10 sack guy (which should mean everything to the Joe’s) in JPP, Nassib, D. White, David, Barrett, Bucannon, Minter, Spence and Bond. Cichy and Beckwith’s status are unclear and would be a bonus. It’s not thin though.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:39 am
Dance Jason Dance!Rather than saying we screwed up ,you drafted an S load of DB to replace the ones from last year and the year before.
Vita Vea was the only reasonable pick in the last two years or more.
Yes you like JPP as well as Nassib and all of a sudden Noah Spence is showing up??Also with JPP in his 30s and we are going to have to draft a replacement leaving us in the same spot next year .But there will be plenty of dbs next year too. SMH.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:39 am
We hear this every year from Spence. Especially this time of year.
Regardless. He can probably go back to lighter weight and play outside 3-4 better fit.
Let’s see if this coaching staff has a purpose for him instead of bench warmer
April 27th, 2019 at 10:39 am
“That’s right your not hungover”
Lmao I read that post like ahhhh this headache and then u said it
April 27th, 2019 at 10:41 am
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain…
April 27th, 2019 at 10:41 am
BA can believe in Barber and for the record The ATrain does too
BUT without a line to open some holds forget about it
OLINE IS A MUST SOFT ON RIGHTSIDE
April 27th, 2019 at 10:42 am
Gotta get guard here – Either Oklahoma or Wisconsin guard /tackle
4 good running backs still there too
Kentucky , Texas Am , Oklahoma st and Oklahoma RB
Not a big fan of Bryce love.
Think justice hill may be best of bunch. We need one that can catch -3rd down down and he will play right away.
We needs starters still
April 27th, 2019 at 10:44 am
We are thin on DLine, not LB
April 27th, 2019 at 10:44 am
AlteredEgo Says
“Look over there…look over there….”
LOL. I thought the same thing.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:44 am
^^^3rd down back
Need starters
April 27th, 2019 at 10:45 am
LMAO I could give two sh!ts about Noah Spence anymore.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:46 am
Let’s hope he can stay healthy
April 27th, 2019 at 10:47 am
Has any Buc ever gotten more pub for less production than Spence?
He’s got to be better suited for 3-4, because in a 4-3, he couldn’t whip 3rd string tackles in pre-season.
I love how the new regime deduced this ghost’s preparedness for the 3-4 D from what, five practices? Don’t they have film of their own players?
Not holding my breath.
Joe, it’s time to re-run the “Our division rivals draft better than we do” article.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:48 am
Had we drafted 2 OL and 2 DL people would be saying we need LB help and secondary help. Half of the posters in here would complain no matter who we drafted.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:49 am
^^^no we wouldn’t
April 27th, 2019 at 10:55 am
There are still some decent OL and DL players, including edge rushers left on the board. Maybe they can pick a diamond in the rough today in some of the rounds. If nothing else depth, especially at O line. So far, Alex Cappa, Boozer, and Liedtke have to be happy. That may change today.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:55 am
LMAO…this guy’s a joke.
They use Spence as a tool to say…..the DL’s all set…..some of these guys are coming on anyways…
Didn’t they say this same stuff about Spence in offseason’s pasts?
Perhaps it’s hot air….wishful thinking….or a motivator for him….wtfever.
He’s still a joke until it shows on game day.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:58 am
This highschool defense is going to break records
The worst defense in the history of the NFL
Minimum 7 games we get torched over 40 points
Record setting year coming up”
Kobe Faker
April 27th, 2019 at 10:58 am
I liked the Noah Spence pick…at least at the time…and his Year One was very encouraging. I’ll be rooting for this guy.
April 27th, 2019 at 11:03 am
OMG! Where have I heard this crap before from Licht. He’s good at one thing. He’s a great BS artist & with BA they are two peas in a pod. Now we got to listen to this bull crap from PW, trying to justify these horrible picks. It seems like the Bucs like to draft these no name players, with the exception of White who personally wouldn’t have picked ahead of Allen or Oliver. But WTF do I know.
April 27th, 2019 at 11:05 am
Help me out our secondary got torched last tear, we draft guys to stop it and Licht is making a mistake? Is there any doubt the back is where our defense was the worst?
April 27th, 2019 at 11:16 am
SC…nope they just all around sucked ass.
April 27th, 2019 at 11:16 am
BringBucsBack Says:
April 27th, 2019 at 10:47 am
Has any Buc ever gotten more pub for less production than Spence?
Cancer93 has been the face of the basement years for a decade so yes a player has received far more publicity for accomplishing nothing meaningful in her entire career….
April 27th, 2019 at 11:16 am
Now I know why I’m moderated….
April 27th, 2019 at 11:25 am
BA also said in a predraft interview that he felt DL talent was all the way into the 6th round. He was not lying seems they are addressing positions in the draft that may not be so deep.
April 27th, 2019 at 11:28 am
New offense and blocking schemes can do wonders for a team. Example the Rams, with new coaching staff the Rams went from a low ranking offense to a high flying offense with basically a few tweaks in personnel.
Relax at least BA and T. Bowles have history of success.
April 27th, 2019 at 11:49 am
TEXBUC: Offense except for guard on the right side isnt the problem.
Not being able to stop Plant High from scoring at will ,is !!
April 27th, 2019 at 12:07 pm
JGHoti86 – “We are thin on DLine, not LB”
While we could use a couple good bodies on the Dline, don’t need to be as thick on the Dline in a 3-4. Focus should be on Linebackers and DBs. And with Kwon gone and Beckwith and Jack Cichy rumors about retirement injuries – yes we were very thin on Linebackers.
April 27th, 2019 at 4:11 pm
Will Gholston …omg this mofo gained like I quote “40 lbs” since last season and he looks amazing !!! He came in to eat at my restaurant in Hyde park. He came a bunch in the spring /summer last year as a bunch of players do. But yeah he looks so much stronger I said “coach got you working hard” he laughed lol I hope he has success this season I think he will. I think Noah will too.
April 27th, 2019 at 4:28 pm
Sounds like a lot of maybe and if