Todd Bowles Boasts About Ryan Neal
July 26th, 2023
Safety Ryan Neal.
One reason Joe thinks this Bucs defense has a chance to be special (if Joe Tryon-Shoyinka can raise his play above Gaines Adams-level production) is a guy the Bucs got on a Dollar Store budget this spring.
And that is safety Ryan Neal.
First, this Neal’s presence allows Antoine Winfield to play free safety, his more natural position. That’s a plus.
But also, when Neal filled in when the Seahawks had injuries last year at safety, he played damn good ball.
Already, Joe has spoken with players who think Neal is a fantastic addition. This morning, Bucs coach Todd Bowles joined the chorus.
“Ryan is huge from a communication standpoint, since he walked in the door,” Bowles said. “Him and [Antoine] Winfield have developed a great bond in the spring, especially from a disguise standpoint.
“He’s a very good communicator, he wants to learn the game from everyone’s eyes – from the coaches’ eyes and the players’ eyes and see everything. His leadership and his communication out there has been invaluable.
“Knock on wood, if they stay healthy, I think the communication and the chemistry is coming along pretty [well]. I think those guys have a chance to be good.”
How many times have you heard a head coach, who also calls the defensive plays, refer to a bargain-free agent pickup as “invaluable?”
Yeah, Joe gets it. The pads haven’t come on yet. It’s still underwear football. It’s traditional July training camp hype. Possible, sure. But Bowles isn’t one to overhype a player. “Invaluable” is a strong word.
And from a guy on the Bucs defense Joe spoke with yesterday, he loves the addition of Neal.
Yes, Joe really believes the Bucs are an edge rusher away from a strong defense. And Neals is one reason.
July 26th, 2023 at 8:17 pm
The dbs are the biggest question mark the Bucs have right now. They are thin at depth and often injured as a group. With White looking positive and some flashy new defensive players from the draft the defense may be the Bucs strength this season (except for JTS who often looks lost in space).
July 26th, 2023 at 9:24 pm
Ryan Neal is going to be the best offseason pickup for the Bucs. Not only is he young, but he’s smart, fast and physical.
July 26th, 2023 at 9:26 pm
This is high, high praise coming from Bowles. Todd likes to run different stuff and that kind of style demands players being on the same page, which needs great communication. If what he’s saying is true then our safety tandem may be nasty. I really liked Whitehead and even Edwards but there just never seemed to be continuity there besides Winfield.
I’m with you, Joe. This defense has some studs. If the young guys can play on fire we could be a great defense.
July 26th, 2023 at 10:22 pm
actually, Joe, it seems to me that Bowles over hypes just about every safety he comes across, as that was his position
July 26th, 2023 at 10:28 pm
They’re all good until we lose and Todd bowels starts blaming it all his players
July 26th, 2023 at 11:19 pm
Ryan was the PFF’s highest ranked safety at the end of the year. I think he’s a find on a par with Barrett.
July 26th, 2023 at 11:21 pm
Speaking of edge rush, Bowles said that YaYa was quick and as strong as a defensive tackle. I hope we can get some good production from the DE position this year. Shaq is pretty good when he’s not being double-teamed. With the defensive tackles we have I don’t think Shaq will be getting too many double teams.
I think our D is going to be awesome.
July 27th, 2023 at 12:42 am
I hope he’s good, but I still have questions about why a team would release a talented young RFA on a cheap deal, who had zero negotiating power. Hopefully it was just a really stupid decision by the Seahawks. Not in any way rooting against the kid, but those already making him an ALL-PRO might want to slow down a little.
July 27th, 2023 at 12:52 am
As much as I would like to pump the brakes on the hype, since we’ve signed him. His personality, energy and attitude are infectious and I would have to agree with AlabamaBucsFan that he may indeed end up being our best offseason FA signing. That will also depend on what Baker does. I also love the Greg Gaines signing.
July 27th, 2023 at 2:39 am
Glad he is picking up the defense well (if that wasn’t Bowles coachspeak)
As in D White is our best player.
Go Bucs!
July 27th, 2023 at 4:25 am
I think the bread and butter of a Bowles defense is disguise.
On every level you should try to bait the offense.
Good communication means you not only know the called defense, but where are you trying to get them to play to.
That means you should know at least 2 plays every down.
It usually only takes a couple players to do this and 2 safeties is a great start.
I’m glad they have good chemistry and help the 2 rookies.
Bowles seems jacked about it. That is way more than he usually says.
July 27th, 2023 at 5:27 am
I like this signing, and the Gaines signing, two good football players in their prime. You would hope they get new contracts here. Licht blew FA last year. Jones, Gage, Hicks, just didn’t do it. This year Licht spent less, and got more. I’m hopefull Bowles gets this defense into the top 10, or better. That along with a solid offense from Canales, and we’ll be tough to play.
July 27th, 2023 at 6:26 am
“I hope he’s good, but I still have questions about why a team would release a talented young RFA on a cheap deal, who had zero negotiating power.“
“Despite playing well in every opportunity presented to him the past three years, Neal became expendable after the Seahawks signed former New York Giants starter Julian Love to a two-year deal in free agency. With Adams expected to return healthy and Pro Bowler Quandre Diggs also returning in 2023, the franchise has over $40 million in financial commitments at the position and couldn’t afford to retain all four players.”
I’ve posted this for you before Rod Munch, get with the times
July 27th, 2023 at 9:38 am
Jack Clark Says:
July 26th, 2023 at 10:28 pm
They’re all good until we lose and Todd bowels starts blaming it all his players
^^^^^^^^
Dude, why don’t you wait and see how the season plays out? Do you really have to whine about what hasn’t happened yet?
July 27th, 2023 at 10:01 am
Why are you always throwing dirt on Gaines? Don’t speak ill on the dead. My man never had the time to develop in our system, and was all-Rookie. He actually led all rookies in sacks. If you want to rip an edge rusher, look to Noah Spence
July 27th, 2023 at 10:19 am
Agreed, I don’t like the Gaines Adams smack talk
July 27th, 2023 at 10:59 am
Anyone else see that picture and think, “Hide yo kids, hide yo wifes, cause they… everybody up in here”?