Complicated Times For Chris Braswell
July 18th, 2024
Todd Bowles talks rookie edge rushers.
So the Bucs drafted an edge rusher in Round 2 this year, Chris Braswell, and many fans hope he’ll send underwhelming Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to the bench long before the local weather cools off.
The Bucs had a few rookie edge rushers last year: third-round pick Yaya Diaby, sixth-round pick Jose Ramirez and undrafted Markees Watts, who played a little while Ramirez stayed on the bench.
Head coach/defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was asked about Watts and Ramirez this week and was quick to note rookies are in a tough spot in his defense.
“It’s a complicated scheme to learn, especially at that outside linebacker position,” Bowles told The Sick Podcast — Pirate Parlay this week. “We ask those guys to do so many things.”
So how quick a study is Braswell? Yes, he played at Alabama, so that’s a bonus. But he’s still a rookie and he doesn’t have Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett to mentor him like Diaby did last season.
Anthony Nelson is entering his sixth year in Bowles’ system and William Gholston is a 12-year vet. However, Diaby credited Barrett for his impact mentorship last season. So who will step up this year for Braswell?
Joe has heard great things about Braswell being a sharp guy and learning quickly, but doing it in pads is a different animal.
Bowles won’t scale down the defense for Braswell. As he said, it’s complicated. So how smart Braswell is could be a key to the postseason. The Bucs may not need him to win early, but they’re likely to need him late.
July 18th, 2024 at 11:14 pm
It’s not quantum physics. It’s who can get to the QB. Shouldn’t be that complicated.
July 18th, 2024 at 11:24 pm
WATTS is gonna start head all of last year to get the system and he made a little splash in the games he was in last year
July 18th, 2024 at 11:48 pm
BR you must be hitting the booze hard tonight ? Nothing that Watts has done proves he will start. He is a practice squad guy not even guaranteed to make the team through training camp
July 18th, 2024 at 11:49 pm
The DC would normally have a huge role in teaching the complexities that he chooses to implement to his players, particularly the rookies. But, the DC is also the HC and also has a complex set of coverage schemes that are (obviously) challenging even for veterans. So he has a lot on his plate. More than he should, IMO. But – we are seeing an enlightened Todd so far in 2024 and I expect he will transform the team into top dawgs, not just weakling winners of a feeble division.
#AsToddEvolves 11-6 Unconfused Players
July 19th, 2024 at 12:00 am
I don’t think you can get to the QB if the scheme is drop in coverage Pelbuc.
I think joe is pointing out that his football acumen must be on point in order to win a starting position.
July 19th, 2024 at 12:05 am
It’s really not that complicated at all…
There’s only one question you need ask yourself. HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?
You see. Not complicated. And the answer to the question is found in a convenient place as well. It’s found in the closest MIRROR to your location. It’s found “right there in that Mirror”! Whether it’s day or night, 25 hours a day, 8 days a week!
Your tomorrow IS what YOU make it! SO TAKE IT!
July 19th, 2024 at 12:09 am
PBF I’m not a drinker maybe a little of the stuff Randy has lol but I’m looking forward to the competition this year watts will make his imprint
July 19th, 2024 at 12:29 am
Well, they certainly need SOMEONE early as well…
Right now we have 1 starting OLB in YaYa Diaby. That’s a whole lot of responsibility to fall on one single guy who is just going into his 2nd season in the league. Someone has to step up on the other side, and quick.
July 19th, 2024 at 7:49 am
“It’s not quantum physics. It’s who can get to the QB. Shouldn’t be that complicated.”
The game is 80% mental and 40% physical. You know how hard it is to be reactionary or twitchy when you’re over processing thoughtsbecause you have an assignment that’s much more complicated than “get to the QB”, because it’s really not that simple.
I for one am not pressed about seeing Brazz in action asap, keep on refining your game, stay healthy and be ready.
Also, “starting” doesn’t mean much, this isn’t a new scheme or anything so we’ll see formations with >2 OLBs on the LOS at once.
Or that look we flashed last season where we put the ilbs in the A-gaps, the safeties where the ilbs should be and vita line up at DE.
Guys put too much stock in starting, when we cycles in 8-9 players outside of our base D personnel.
July 19th, 2024 at 8:04 am
I think we will be better at OLB this year although I can’t pinpoint a single thing that sparks the most improvement. The three rookies from last year will all improve so that’s part of it. Maybe JTS is more motivated in a contract year. Although I think he’s at his ceiling right now. He just won’t improve anymore and he won’t be around next year.
July 19th, 2024 at 8:25 am
80/40 huh? Interesting math.
July 19th, 2024 at 8:31 am
“80/40 huh? Interesting math.”
I still don’t truly know what it means, BUT those are the rule lol
July 19th, 2024 at 8:32 am
CJBucsFan Says:
July 19th, 2024 at 8:25 am
80/40 huh? Interesting math.
Lol! That must be the new math.
July 19th, 2024 at 8:55 am
Man you guys never heard yogi-isms or watched “Little Giants”? lol
July 19th, 2024 at 8:59 am
Nelson needs to step it up. JTS looks better than him.
July 19th, 2024 at 9:09 am
JTS def does not look better than Nelson and Nelson has been exceeding expectations to a small degree since day 1 . JTS has been underperforming and playing with a clean uniform / outfit/ jersey since day one . Why is JTS not training with Suh ? Because he’s a mirror walker not a Sunday Beast .
July 19th, 2024 at 9:17 am
It’s inside linebacker that has me worried.
July 19th, 2024 at 9:19 am
I would have to say JTS is a tiny bit better than Nelson. Just a tiny bit.
July 19th, 2024 at 9:49 am
Fred & Scott
Anthony Nelson makes plays I’d bet neither of you pay attention to, slandering his name will not be tolerated.
If JTS knew how to play through his man like Nelly does, he wouldn’t be the whipping post for fans who just think his sack totals should be higher and deem him useless just because they’re not.
July 19th, 2024 at 10:48 am
Posting on JBF is 90% mental and 30% physical.
July 19th, 2024 at 11:03 am
The Butter Faced stat girl one Joe Loves so much was really high on Ramirez, what a joke.
July 19th, 2024 at 11:14 am
LEVEL UP JOE BUCS FANS
While CB is the hardest job for a rookie league-wide, OLB is the most complicated position in Bowles defense. On any given play the OLB may …
1. Rush the QB. It may be on the edge, run a stunt, run a delay blitz.
2. Drop into Zone. Cover any area of the field for pass and run.
3. Play man on the TE. Cover them as they run their route.
And so on …
In each scheme, the OLB needs to understand what the DL and MLB is doing so aren’t duplicating, leaving a gap, or leaving a receiver open.
Yaya saw early success because he was only brought in to rush the QB. Later on, he had to do everything. His sack numbers went down but he became a lot more valuable.
July 19th, 2024 at 11:23 am
If you have talented players, wouldn’t it be wise to put them on the field? Teach them a package of plays that they’ll master and get them on the field for those particular plays.
The position coach is the the extension of the DC/HC. He/she should be able to teach the rookies what Todd wants and they can continually work on the intricacies of his defense after practice, off time, and as the season progresses.
The kids will need reps and playing time…because we’ll need them!
Send randy Gregory packing and see what it might take to get hasaanriddick from the jets.
July 19th, 2024 at 12:13 pm
It’s actually quite simple….you shed the block….then rush and sack the QB and get your roughing penalty.
July 19th, 2024 at 1:02 pm
I’m going 70% mental and 50% physical.
July 19th, 2024 at 4:00 pm
Bowles is very complex. Just ask him.
July 20th, 2024 at 5:51 pm
Same old story when you draft a physical specimen from a football factory. It’s dicey. Hopefully not but he looks like a bust right now. Let’s see if NFL coaching can bring him up a couple rungs. If Bowles can’t teach them, they’re unteachable