The Rebirth Of Noah Spence
July 25th, 2019
Praise from Bucco Bruce Arians. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)
Man, it was a sad sight.
It was last August, the final preseason game against Jacksonville. A game where nearly any decent player was sitting out for the Bucs. The only guys who started were bubble players.
And then the game wore on. The only people left game were dudes hoping to get AAF contracts, beer truck drivers, cement-pourers, high school history teachers and police dispatchers.
And Noah Spence.
Highly touted coming out of college as a pass rusher, drafted in the second round by the Bucs, Spence had both his rookie and second seasons derailed by shoulder injuries. A promising rookie season turned into an awful second season when it ended early as he blew out his shoulder again in Minnesota.
Despite playing with guys who had no business being on an NFL field unless it hosted a concert or a tractor pull, Spence was retained, largely because he was a high draft pick only three years earlier. In 2018, he only saw action in 12 games and never started — no sacks to his name last year.
With this season clearly being a do-or-die year, judging by the words of Bucco Bruce Arians, Spence has found new life. Arians was talking about pass rushers today at One Buc Palace when he offered encouraging words about Spence.
“Noah, he has flourished in what his role is now,” Arians said. “I am anxious to see him rush the passer in pads. He was very effective in shorts.”
Now as we all know, underwear football season can be misleading as hell. So many underwear football stars wind up unemployed in September. The thing that gives Joe hope about Spence is that he was an outside linebacker in college. He has returned to that position with defensive coordinator Todd Bowles as the Bucs are now a 34-defense.
One thing is clear. If Spence doesn’t have some sort of impact this season, it is likely his last in Tampa Bay, maybe in the NFL. It’s sad to see a guy’s career destroyed by injuries but at this point on the eve of Training Camp 2019, that’s where Spence’s career stands.
The sands of the hourglass are running low for Spence.
July 25th, 2019 at 6:12 pm
If there’s a 2019 rebirth of Noah Spence, I highly recommend his mother has a C-section.
July 25th, 2019 at 6:22 pm
The system is ripe for his skill set. He was never a 4-3 DE and that was the Bucs MO under the previous regime, stuff square pegs into round holes – how does the GM pick players that don’t fit the “system”…anyways…know he goes from a stand up position on the outside shoulder of a much slower T or a slower TE and maybe we see that flash we saw early on
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that our speed at LB is off the charts and the new staff plans on the LB controlling the D
Yeah, the S is the QB of the D, but in a 3-4, it’s all about the 4
I think he has a breakout year with Suh and Vea creating good inside push and JPP sidelined for half the season…it’s his time to shine
July 25th, 2019 at 6:39 pm
The problem with Noah was two fold; injuries; Mike Smith.
July 25th, 2019 at 6:51 pm
Maleko … Injuries yes, but Mike Smith no. The problem with Noah Spence was Jason Licht. Noah should never have been drafted by the Bucs in the first place. His skillset & strengths didn’t even come close to matching what the Bucs needed in their 4-3 defense. Hopefully Noah can have a rebirth in Todd Bowles hybrid defense. Time will tell.
July 25th, 2019 at 7:08 pm
Todd: 😂😂🍺🍺
July 25th, 2019 at 7:14 pm
The annual Noah Spence offseason hype. Training camp has officially kicked off
July 25th, 2019 at 7:20 pm
Considering JPP’s extended absence and the fact that Carl and Anthony have never played 3-4 OLB as far as I know I actually expect Noah to get some significant playing time this season if he stays healthy.
July 25th, 2019 at 7:47 pm
The kid has a great index of rushing moves , he’s just slightly slow for his build and those shoulders are used every play !!! Shoulders that are or have been trouble usually will always be trouble again . Especially an undersized D End , but I really hope not !!! Remember Aires thought he would have like seventisacks so he saw something ? I think his moves and rush technique s are awesome but he is beyond terrible against the run and just a quarter step to slow for the elite tackles !!!
July 25th, 2019 at 8:19 pm
Spence fits perfectly in Boles defense. I can’t wait to see him flourish this year.
I thought the biggest story by far today at BA ‘s presser was his pessimism when ask about Justin Evans health and ability to make an impact this year. BA even used the word IF instead of WHEN he’d come back. I’m so confused about his injuries. I’ve read they were two different injuries on different legs and read they were on the same foot and related. How serious is it? What is it? Who knows!?
July 25th, 2019 at 8:34 pm
Life with the leagues worst gm
July 25th, 2019 at 9:13 pm
@Isaac
Well it’s a good thing he’s no longer an undersized d-end, eh? I agree though, hope those shoulders hold up.
and @Destin
the GM buys the groceries, it’s the coaching staffs job to cook the right meals. Not the other way around. In what football world do you draft players that fit a system instead of fitting a system around a players strengths?
July 26th, 2019 at 12:34 am
Just like Rojo, there nothing but going up, meaning Noah can’t get any worse than last season. Any improvement is a plus for him. He was just too small to play DE and wasn’t quite fast enough to play LB in a 4-3.
Switching schemes can do wonders for a player and a 3-4 is will be perfect for Noah. Wish him the best of luck.
July 26th, 2019 at 5:20 am
I know players say that they do not get caught up in what the prognosticators are saying about them individually and as a team, but I hope they hear enough, take it personally and become the badass team a former coach thought they were, but this time we have a badass coaching staff holding them accountable. Noah Spence, Peyton Barber, ROJO, VHIII, Donovan Smith, Dot and Jameis need to have above average seasons and we will see the turnaround. I believe the the new guys, the rooks along with Perriman, Suh and Barret can have an impact as well. I expect nothing less from LVD, ME, Marpet, Vea, Davis, Godwin, Nassib, etc. I want to see real competition for that third spot on the defensive line though
July 26th, 2019 at 6:30 am
It bears mentioning that if he could play, we would have seen it by now REGARDLESS of the scheme.
I hope he does have some type of resurgence. I’m just not as convinced as some. Just like VHIII and Gholston, I don’t think changing schemes is like a magic wand. Good players are going to work and find a way to be productive in any system. It’s just my opinion.
I would absolutely love for every one of those guys to make me eat my words!!! I dare them! LOL!
July 26th, 2019 at 8:03 am
Todd Says:
July 25th, 2019 at 6:12 pm
If there’s a 2019 rebirth of Noah Spence, I highly recommend his mother has a C-section.
^^^Pfffft LMAO
July 26th, 2019 at 8:39 am
Wanna bet Mike Smith is not on Spence’s Christmas card list?
July 26th, 2019 at 10:34 am
Spence could add impact plays that boost the new defensive arrangement and I expect that to happen as a key contributor.
July 26th, 2019 at 11:31 am
From draft day three years ago I insisted to my friends that Noah was an outside linebacker … why did Smith and Koeter missed that? Even when asked last year, Dirk did not want to even acknowledge Noah … may the wrath of Spence wreck havoc on the Dixie Chicks offense!! Even JL admitted this off season that Noah waws out of position … DUH!!! Is JL that dumb? Never mind, answered my own question.