Next Man Up, Khalil Davis
October 15th, 2020
You’re up, rookie.
Football coaches like to say of injuries, “Next man up.”
It’s the same thing you hear when someone gets fired from their job. One door closes, another opportunity opens.
Bucs rookie Khalil Davis is expected to be the heir apparent to Rakeem Nunez-Roches at defensive tackle in the wake of Vita Vea’s broken leg that cost him the rest of the season. Davis, however, had an ankle injury this week in practice. It’s not yet known if he can go Sunday.
Davis played at Nebraska last year and was drafted in the sixth round. Those guys are often little more than camp meat. But Davis surprised both his new teammates and coaches enough this summer for him to stick around.
Provided he plays Sunday, Davis will be in a rotation with Nuñez-Roches (“Nachos”). Fellow defensive lineman Will Gholston spoke very highly of Davis yesterday.
“He has a fantastic motor,” Gholston said. “He’s a very relentless player in general. During camp, I felt like if we had preseason games he would have been a better player. During scrimmages, you could see the elevation in his game.
“And with [his] motor and his type of quicks and all, [they] are really good attributes to have as a defensive lineman.”
If Davis plays Sunday, it would be nice if he demonstrates what he displayed for coaches and teammates in August. Joe will guess Nachos might need a few breathers, as he hasn’t been a full-time player in years. So stamina may be an issue.
It’s a whole different ballgame logging 80 snaps in a game as opposed to the 25-35 snaps Nachos has taken in most games this year.
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht had a helluva draft this past spring in the front end with Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield. Joe hopes the back end was equally successful.
October 15th, 2020 at 3:22 pm
I believe his nickname is “Nacho” (singular).
October 15th, 2020 at 3:24 pm
I watched Khalil at Nebraska and saw some plays against Wisconsin where he was literally bulldozed by the OL at least 4-6 feet away from the line of scrimmage. Hopefully he’s gained a little size and strength since joining players that are all bigger and faster on the NFL level. However, I saw some quickness from him on the get up off the line of scrimmage that created disruptions and sacks. As Gholston stated, he plays relentless, and from what I saw, he does so on every down in a game.
October 15th, 2020 at 3:41 pm
Very excited to see what can happen. His technique and motor look Sapp like.
October 15th, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Just read Davis rolled his ankle Wednesday and didn’t practice today. SMFH.
October 15th, 2020 at 4:01 pm
Doesn’t sound like Davis will do us much good with a rolled ankle. So we’re down to 3 real tackles: Suh, Gholston & Nacho of Davis can’t go, with no one else even on the PS to bring up. Bummer.
On the good news side though, now’s a perfect time to raid someone else’s practice squad. I’m sure that Licht & his band of renown keep close tabs on who other teams have on their PS, and have a pretty good idea of who the best option would be to fit our style of defense. Time to pounce.
October 15th, 2020 at 4:13 pm
I’m trying to think who we even rotate. Jpp, Barret, Nelson are OLB.
So previously it was just 4 guys (Vea, suh , Gholston, rochez) for 3 spots? And we may not have any backups if Davis ankle is no good? That doesn’t seem right. Who am I missing?
October 15th, 2020 at 4:15 pm
Oh and correct me if I’m wrong. It due to covid rules anyone we raised from another practice squad still wouldn’t be able to play in thisd game?
October 15th, 2020 at 4:27 pm
Both JPP and Gholston can play inside if needed.
October 15th, 2020 at 4:48 pm
Chances are Will Gholston gets more snaps inside than either of those guys. Holding up lineman to stop the run is the least of our worries in this game, we will need legit pass rushers
October 15th, 2020 at 5:17 pm
No mojo…playing nose tackle in a 3-4 isn’t the same as JPP or Gholston sliding inside to tackle in a 4-3 lmao
October 15th, 2020 at 5:29 pm
For some reason I thought I remember BA stating that Nelson will slide inside if need be but I could be wrong.
October 15th, 2020 at 6:02 pm
Davis missed practice today. Hopefully he can go Sunday and play well. If not we’ll see a lot of Gholston, Nacho, and Nelson inside.
October 15th, 2020 at 6:14 pm
Game speed isn’t the same as working out with the team. Hope the kid is ready tho, very tough task.
October 15th, 2020 at 8:33 pm
hammerhead…correct it’s Nacho and I laughed every time I read Nachos.
October 15th, 2020 at 10:24 pm
Tristan has held his own, now we will see about Nacho. Next man up. GO BUCS!!!!
October 16th, 2020 at 6:00 am
No matter who it is, it’s not Vita Vea
Plan on seeing more early down run blitzes to help off set the loss of the Great Wall of Vea
The one thing I can’t stand about the Bowles blitz package is he far too often shows which side the pressure is coming from and most any QB past HS level knows to just throw the out or comeback to the backside of the pressure
Maybe he should consider dropping a hi low on the backside every once in a while off that pressure and take a pick 6 to the house
The backside corner and safety should know that is first read – it seems like CD or SMB are 15 yards off sitting like they have no idea what is going
To happen – it’s maddening to watch week after week
What ever happened to self scouting?