A Call For Chris Braswell To Be More Physical
May 3rd, 2024
Todd Bowles’ run obsession is on both sides of the ball.
Joe has heard mixed reviews of Buccaneers second-round pick Chris Braswell’s ability and readiness.
The disagreements center around whether the University of Alabama edge rusher can be a successful run defender in the NFL.
In Todd Bowles’ defense, like in most defenses, stopping the run is Priority No. 1. If you can’t do it as an edge rusher, well, then you’ll sit down and watch Anthony Nelson.
So is Braswell ready? Former college linebacker and Dolphins and Vikings general manager Chris Spielman thinks Braswell has work to do.
“I’d like to see him a little more physical at the point [of attack] versus the run, not holding up blocks but getting off blocks and locating the ball,” Spielman said on CBS Sports HQ. “But this kid can pin his ears back, come off the edge. This is a great fit for Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay defense.”
Spielman is not one of Joe’s favorite analysts, but he has solid opinions. After two trips to One Buc Palace last offseason, Spielman was among the small group of analysts confident in Baker Mayfield and the Bucs prior to opening day.
Joe has watched some Braswell film and he certainly doesn’t look like a beast against the run, but he doesn’t look incompetent, either.
It’ll be a big August for Braswell, especially in joint practices against the Jaguars and Dolphins. He’ll have to prove he can man up against the run or his playing time will be severely limited.
May 3rd, 2024 at 5:34 pm
Please god let us have a dynamite pass rusher in the making here
May 3rd, 2024 at 5:39 pm
^ Amen
May 3rd, 2024 at 5:53 pm
^Amen again
May 3rd, 2024 at 5:53 pm
I think it depends if he is a rushing OLB or DE. If he is OLB, he can use speed to shoot the gap and/or momentum to move the big boys (OL).
May 3rd, 2024 at 6:13 pm
He can eat lunch with Vita Vea- they can help each other.
May 3rd, 2024 at 6:18 pm
LBs and DTs are primary run stuffers, the ends set the edge and rush the passer
May 3rd, 2024 at 6:29 pm
Amen!!
May 3rd, 2024 at 6:49 pm
I hear Vita is skipping lunch lately….
May 3rd, 2024 at 7:42 pm
Vea is eating “fruits & nuts” for
Lunch & QB’s for dinner then eats a cheese cake after
May 3rd, 2024 at 8:23 pm
No draft pick is perfect, if that was the case the bust rate wouldn’t be 50%, however, when you have a coach like TB that prioritizes stopping the run, one would assume he would get coached up. Braswell isn’t gonna start anyway, so he’ll get a chance to come along slowly.
May 3rd, 2024 at 9:12 pm
Amen. Looking forward to August. September even more.
May 3rd, 2024 at 9:21 pm
Everything I read about this guy screams JTS 2.0. Hope I’m wrong
May 3rd, 2024 at 9:28 pm
He looks plenty physical on highlights. I bet the Bucs feel he can be coached up on run defense. I hope and expect he starts this season.
May 3rd, 2024 at 9:36 pm
I wonder if it will ever occur to a Todd that it’s a passing league. On offense you pass to set up the run (Arians). On defense you stop the run on your way to the passer (Dungy).
Maybe after he’s fired he’ll get it.
May 3rd, 2024 at 9:43 pm
“I’d like to see him a little more physical at the point [of attack] versus the run, not holding up blocks but getting off blocks and locating the ball,”
Sounds like JTS. Hope not!
May 3rd, 2024 at 9:58 pm
Laiatu Latu will be defensive ROY in 2024. Bucs never had a shot at him but was hoping neck concerns would have him drop to 26. Barton a great pick at 26 but would prefer him playing next to Wirf at RG. If Licht and Coach Bowles pay any attention to these postings, I encourage them to consider Luke Wypler at CENTER. He can be had relatively cheaply from the Browns. Hoping like all Bucs fans that Braswell will be an outstanding pick. We should know after about 10 games if he is.
May 3rd, 2024 at 10:00 pm
Should have said Barton at LG not RG. My mistake.
May 3rd, 2024 at 11:05 pm
I’ve watched the Braswell videos, I’m not feeling good about him. He has a right hand push into the lineman’s chest as he works to overpower his opponent. I don’t see any other moves like a spin or undercut to get to the QB. He’s not working against college offensive lineman, this will be top notch NFL lineman. Braswell needs coaching to create something other then Power pushing and hoping to get around the edge.
May 3rd, 2024 at 11:08 pm
This guy will struggle in his first year, don’t expect much from Braswell in his rookie season.
May 3rd, 2024 at 11:09 pm
Braswell obviously sucks. Everyone that knows him, works with him, evaluates him, coaches him or plays with him generally says he will be a stud.
Licht, who is a draft and cap magician, thinks he sucks . That’s why he drafted him in the 2nd round.
But that right hand to the chest thing is the sure tell that he will suck.
May 3rd, 2024 at 11:15 pm
History shows that most defensive pass rushers take time to develop in the NFL, I am certainly not suggesting he is a bum, I’m suggesting don’t think he is coming in as a savior.
May 3rd, 2024 at 11:18 pm
Amen! 💪
May 3rd, 2024 at 11:21 pm
Braswell will hopefully get great coaching to learn a few more moves to get to the QB. If trying to simply overpower your opponent, it’s not Going to be any easier in the NFL.
May 3rd, 2024 at 11:48 pm
Bring in Simeon Rice to coach Chris Braswell up!!!
May 4th, 2024 at 12:07 am
I’m of the thinking that Joe Tryon Shoyinka and Randy Gregory will get most of the snaps while Diaby in his second year start at one end.. Braswell will get a few opportunities, he will spend most of his rookie season learning in my opinion.
May 4th, 2024 at 12:53 am
I would guess Braswell will look fairly polished, having been put to Nick Saban’s grinder for the past four years.
May 4th, 2024 at 12:54 am
This is all a net cast to see who is out there.
May 4th, 2024 at 2:44 am
Braswell will be great….just watch….i know my guys i push for. He squats 705 at a weight of 255…my bud at work who competes in powerlifting is 6’6 360 and squats 720 at his meets. Trust me, he will be forcing linemen back!
May 4th, 2024 at 8:02 am
He can’t be any worse getting off blocks than DW. Watched him get stood up and shoved it off the play by a wide receiver. Dude didn’t even TRY to get past him
May 4th, 2024 at 8:02 am
I’m with you Madmax…this is our new superstar…he can hold the edge and flat out get after the quarterback…he’s an instant boost to our defense
May 4th, 2024 at 8:12 am
Sure Braswell needs work and that’s why he was at 58 on a few Big Boards. Some talking heads say he’s undersized at 250, but that’s the same as Shaq. He might actually be stronger than Shaq.
Braswell’s senior production is similar to YaYa’s:
Solo Sacks FF INT TDs
YaYa 14 7 0 0 0
Braswell 16 8 2 1 2
May 4th, 2024 at 7:29 pm
Y’all saying he’s JTS 2.0 have me lost. I would say that Chop may have been the second coming off JTS, but not Braswell. Will be need some coaching and development? Sure, but when I watched his film I saw a player that’s strong and can SET THE EDGE. He needs some with in getting OFF blocks, but he is a GREAT athlete and can flat out GET AFTER THE PASSER! He will need to develop his arsenal as far as rushing moves, but I think he will be a solid starter by the end of the year or the beginning of next season. I see him and Yaya as our starters for the next could years and I hoping Watts and Ramirez have come along enough that they can see the field this year. We have pups in allot of position groups, but they have potential and with good coaching I’m confident Jason has built a great young roster that will have us as a real contender for the next several years. You just need to have some faith, all these kids are not only great young players but they are great young men. LFG BUCS!!
May 5th, 2024 at 8:59 am
Was he not capable of ‘being physical’…at Alabama? If he couldn’t be that there, then how here? Can that dawg be coached into him?
May 5th, 2024 at 11:55 am
Why did bucs draft him an pass up on Benson really. JUST PLAIN DUMB