The Artist With “Video Game Stats”
August 22nd, 2020
Still drinking Cam Newton’s Gatorade.
A Tampa snowfall, two tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico, the perfection of a Bromosa, these are rare life happenings that should be appreciated for their awesomeness.
Another would be a nothing-special linebacker transforming himself into a 19 1/2-sack terror.
Yesterday, Joe asked veteran Bucs DE Will Gholston about what Shaq Barrett accomplished last season from the perspective playing alongside him.
Joe was pleased to hear Gholston show the proper admiration and respect.
“It was beautiful. It was art,” Gholston said. “You watched the way he rushed, it was beautiful.”
“What did he have nine sacks in the first four games? That’s like video game stats. And to be able to watch him and know the type of guy he is, and know his work ethic, and know how hard he worked on his rush moves to get there and being able to contribute, it was just an amazing thing to see.”
For Joe, most impressive is what Shaq accomplished after those ridiculous nine sacks in the first four games. Nobody in the NFL was taking him for granted after that display, and then he still cranked out 10 1/2 sacks in the final 12 games.
Joe’s heard a lot of knowledgeable football men who are convinced Shaq is no one-year wonder. Joe doesn’t think Shaq got lucky, either, or that he will rest now that he got paid a fortune. But to replicate the 2019 season will be nearly impossible for Shaq, and how close he comes represents a huge X-factor for the Bucs defense.
August 22nd, 2020 at 8:35 am
Hey Joe, if you get a chance ask Barrett, JPP what their impressions are of Wirfs.
August 22nd, 2020 at 8:36 am
Just curious, but what are his numbers in games with JPP versus without? I seem to recall Shaq having a slight dip after the first few games when he started getting double teamed, then when JPP came back his numbers picked back up.
If we have all our pieces, our front 7 will be scary.
August 22nd, 2020 at 8:39 am
“A Tampa snowfall, two tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico, the perfection of a Bromosa, these are rare life happenings that should be appreciated for their awesomeness.” love the analogies.
If JPP stays healthy I would expect to have two double digit “sackers” this year. Can’t wait.!
August 22nd, 2020 at 8:55 am
With the best run defense in the NFL, if our young DBs improve and can shutdown the pass, expect more sacks and QB pressures this year.
Bowles defense is complex and I imagine it was dumbed down last year. Expect more complex plays from the defense this year.
Finally, with Brady in practice, our young DBs are seeing new things daily such as a quick release and zone pickups, making them a more fine tuned group.
August 22nd, 2020 at 9:21 am
I made snowballs the year it snowed here and kept them in my freezer until my mom got sick of them. 😛
August 22nd, 2020 at 9:32 am
Shaq is no fluke. He got sacks in Denver, playing behind Von Miller
August 22nd, 2020 at 9:54 am
Man this is awesome. Thank you fellow Bucs fans. Not one negative comment.
Barrett is a monster that is a part of what IMO will be a top 10 Defense
Go Bucs
August 22nd, 2020 at 10:05 am
Ask the people on the Gulf coasts how awesome they think that will be.
August 22nd, 2020 at 10:43 am
Bojim – for your edification.
awe·some
adjective
extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring great admiration, apprehension, or fear.
Words have more than one use. Reading comprehension requires an open mind.
Joes character has never shown itself to enjoy others peoples disaster. In fact, he has shown compassion for folks in real life disaster.
In BA I Trust!
August 22nd, 2020 at 11:32 am
It’s a good thing nothing is impossible, Joe.
August 22nd, 2020 at 11:39 am
I’m thinking that with the run stuffers in the middle and JPP and Shaq coming of the edges. sacks for the DBs, particularly White, David and Winfield, are going to be very high this year. The offensive line can’t block everyone. Still expect Shaq to have 10+ this year. Anything in the double digits is legit!
August 22nd, 2020 at 3:12 pm
@Jason – you are Correct.
He did not start racking up more until JPP came back