Shaq Barrett Says He’s Ready To Dominate
July 30th, 2023
Shaq Barrett
It’s been nine months since Shaq Barrett had Achilles surgery and, following an intense rehab, the Bucs’ sacks king will tell you he’s already ready for a big season.
Joe had a 1-on-1 interview with Shaq yesterday and it seems that was his first since the tragic drowning death of his young daughter in April.
Joe can report that Shaq was in a great mood, flashing his trademark smile and eager to talk football. He’s upbeat about the Bucs’ prospects and he wants fans to know he’ll be more than ready for opening day.
“I feel I should be good to go right now — because nine months is a long time; recovery is supposed to be like 6 to 8 months,” Shaq said. “I think I’m good to go right now. There’s nothing limiting me. No limitations. No hesitancy out there.”
Shaq said he’s hungry for live reps in pads that will refine his game. To date, the Bucs have only had underwear football in training camp. No hitting allowed.
“I’m already good but [live reps] are just going to help me become even better, sharper and more confident,” Shaq said. “But I think I’m in a great position right now and ready to be back. It is nine months and I’m right on schedule. People have come back strong from Achilles, — and some don’t. I think I’m going to be one of the ones that comes back strong. I’m feeling it right now.”
Of course, this is fantastic news for a Bucs edge rush that was inconsistent and weak overall last season. Nose tackle Vita Vea led the team in sacks and inside linebacker Devin White topped the team in quarterback hits.
If two-time Pro Bowler Shaq can regain, say, 85 percent of his prior form, then the Bucs should be in strong shape defensively.
As Joe wrote earlier, Shaq’s goal is at least one impact play per game: sack, tackle for loss, pass breakup or forced fumble.
July 30th, 2023 at 11:14 pm
I hope he’s healthy, will be a big boost on defense to have him out there. If the Bucs are going to have any chance this year to do anything, it’s going to come from the defense getting back to what they did in 2020.
July 30th, 2023 at 11:21 pm
I don’t live in Florida and can’t be at the first game. I hope everyone cheers extra loud when his name is called.
It would be cool if the crowd chanted his daughter’s name every time he gets a sack or tfl.
July 30th, 2023 at 11:24 pm
I hope he plays like a man on fire. Outside of Brady he might be the greatest free agent in Licht’s tenure, maybe the history of the franchise.
July 30th, 2023 at 11:43 pm
Well, us fans only have the ear and eye test at this point of the season and he Sure Sounds Right, and his Team Spirit is TOP NOTCH!
Joe knows and I imagine, will relay if he “looks right” as camp expands.
I’m Sure behind the man and his Strength of Character, Glows.. He carries himself like a Real Man! It’s Easy to admire his Strength. We all know he’s holding up his family PLUS his expanded family. Like I said. “A Real Man”
AND Bucfan951, I like the way you’re thinking. Man, that would be something…
GO BUCS!
July 31st, 2023 at 2:25 am
In fact Bucsfan951, if that happened he’d play Out Of His Mind “while” his hair was on fire!
With that type of support, if there was Ever a chance, well, he “may” actually be able to break his 19 sack record. He!!, he’d Ball Out to the beyond reason. I know I would.
Like I said, I like the way your thinking. All you have to do now is get to the very first game and MAKE SURE that it’s a thing. You Could make something Incredible happen. You really could. It’s Up To You. Life’s whatever You make it. Kind of like “there is no spoon” (matrix) There is No Actual Limit to what You “could do”. I say Go For It!
How about GO 951!
July 31st, 2023 at 6:37 am
‘As Joe wrote earlier, Shaq’s goal is at least one impact play per game: sack, tackle for loss, pass breakup or forced fumble.’
Impact plays make an interesting goal, and Shaq has exceeded that every year he’s been a Buc.
o 2019: 46.5 impact plays in 16 games … 2.9 per game
o 2020: 24 impact plays in 15 games … 1.6 per game
o 2021: 26 impact plays in 15 games … 1.7 per game
o 2022: 10 impact plays in 8 games … 1.3 per game
Obviously his spectacular 2019 year with 19.5 sacks, 19 TFLs, 6 FFs & 2 PDs inflated his 2020-2022 ‘average’ of 1.6 impact plays per game considerably (way up to 2.0 per game). But if Shaq’s even close to being back to 100% now, he’s perfectly capable of contributing 1.5 – 1.6 impact plays per game. And heaven knows, we need that type of performance … from each of our OLBs.
JTS for instance. Using that definition of impact plays, JTS had 12 of those in each of his first 2 seasons of 17 games each (thus 0.7 impact plays per game average). Nelson has had 31.5 impact plays total over his 59 games in his 4 years here (thus 0.5 impact plays per game). Of course neither of them got onto the field nearly as much as Shaq has, so that skews their ‘productivity’ considerably. Still, that 1.0 impact plays per game could serve as a worthwhile goal for each of our OLBs.
July 31st, 2023 at 7:14 am
Man I forgot about the devastating loss of their daughter. Praying for Shaq and his wife and family because that pain does not just go away. Hope he has a MONSTER season but feels like any contributions Shaq makes will be a bonus because if I’m honest I’m not expecting dominance from him with age and injuries
July 31st, 2023 at 7:30 am
Yea, I really hope to be wrong but I don’t see it happening for Shaq this season. Think he is going to have a down season due to his injury and etc. God bless Shaq and his family!
July 31st, 2023 at 8:35 am
Good news in Bucsland!
Go get em Shaq!
Go Bucs!
July 31st, 2023 at 8:38 am
If we can get some pressure from the other side it will be hard for any defense to stop us this year.
Go Bucs!
July 31st, 2023 at 1:01 pm
Go Shaq!
July 31st, 2023 at 5:39 pm
I think chanting his daughters name is a terrible idea, he is playing and focussed on football to forget the horrible tragedy and not to be reminded of it…let him process it at his own internal rate…I for one would not want to be snapped out of my laser focus on the game to have to relive her passing after a good play