Confidence In Clayborn Still Shaky
November 18th, 2013
Look for more of Dekoda Watson at defensive end when the Bucs take on the pass-happy Lions next weekend
Bucs fans saw former starting linebacker Dekoda Watson with his hand on the ground as a rushing defensive end on the right and left sides yesterday. It was Watson’s left-end rush that altered/affected Matt Ryan when he threw into the arms of Mason Foster, who ended the play with a Pick-6 that gave the Bucs a 16-3 lead.
You can watch the video here. Watson beats Jeremy Trueblood 1-on-1 to the outside. But it’s also noteworthy that Adrian Clayborn is not on the field. That’s happening more and more.
Yesterday, Clayborn also was used as a stand-up left end rusher, in addition to his regular duties at right end. Clayborn did some good things, but he’s just not playing like a first-round pick. The production isn’t there, and it now seems the confidence of the coaching staff is undoubtedly waning.
Joe was keeping any eye on Clayborn entering the Bucs-Falcons game and will continue to do so.
Joe suspects Clayborn will see his snaps limited against the pass-happy Lions on Sunday. Matthew Stafford is averaging 42 pass attempts per game, tops in the NFL.
November 18th, 2013 at 1:43 pm
Its funny how Watson was replaced at his linebacker spot as a starter and he comes back and has the game of his life with that pressure and then the blocked punt. Huge momentum changers. He is our best pass rusher (next to Lavonte David and McCoy)and should be used in that role more often.
November 18th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
Yes….instead of whining when replaced as starter….Watson stepped up and performed….thats what true professionals do.,,,unlike a QB we used to know….
November 18th, 2013 at 2:25 pm
Totally agree with Joe here. I had an eye on Clayborn as well throughout the game and was tweeting about him throughout the game. Clayborn is a bust. Plain and simple. He looks like he’s doing a ton with his dreads flailing everywhere but in reality he’s not doing that much. He is ALWAYS (99% of the time) late to either the QB or tackle. He shows up just in time to fall on the pile of a tackle or borderline late hit a QB. He had 2 tkls for loss yesterday that weren’t bad, but that’s about it. There is no excuse for him not to be tearing it up with McCoy in the middle dealing with double teams. I hope this less-stunting type of defense we’ve played lately will help Clayborn to improve, but I’m not holding my breath. In his Clayborn’s defense, I don’t know if he has complete strength in his surgically repaired knee. Whatever the case, the Bucs HAVE TO get better production from the DE position. I expect a DE as our first pick in May.
November 18th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Clayborn has been a huge disappointment. They’ve put him basically every where in ever stance and he just can’t find his niche. I really liked him his rookie season, but I was wrong about his upside. I think his days as a buccaneer are numbered.
November 18th, 2013 at 2:30 pm
I’ve said it before and it’s worth repeating –
Right or wrong, the Bucs will pass on a QB with the first pick and go DE (Clowney?) because Glennon will play well enough. Sammy Watkins is a possibility also.
Clayborn is just not getting it done.
November 18th, 2013 at 2:39 pm
I have to disagree here. His stats arent there, where you would expect him to be putting the QB in the dirt and racking up sacks.
But that is only a single facet of the position. The most important part of being a DE is containing the run to the inside. I dont have any stats to back it up, but i do not see opposing RB’s breaking off runs around Clayborn, nor do I see Clayborn getting beat very often. Having a “pass rush specialist” is no unique thing in the NFL. Seahawks and Michael Bennett anyone? To call this guy a bust because he doesnt have more sacks a year after ACL surgery? I dont think so.
November 18th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
The problem here is Teo-Neshim. Absolute misery as a starter in the NFL. HE is why ive been beating the drum for Clowney
November 18th, 2013 at 3:05 pm
@BucsfaninChina You’re right. Teo is a bigger issue than Clayborn. Even if some on here argue that Clayborn is serviceable and needs more time to get better coming off injury (valid argument), we still have a glaring need at DE. Hence the 1st rd pick being a DE right or wrong. Unless Glennon has a “Josh Freeman-like” meltdown, we will not be picking a QB this year.
November 18th, 2013 at 3:37 pm
Clayborn’s never got over the bum wheel.
November 18th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
We better hope to God that the Falcons don’t get Clowney. They will not draft a QB. It will be a dozen years of misery times two.
It will be the curse of the Little General that destroys this team with his freaking mediocrity. The Glazers should have fired his coordinators at 0-8 and made that idiot run both the offense and defense.
Nobody has mentioned it but why didn’t GMC wrap up Ryan for a record 4th sack. He just chest bumped him.
November 18th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
While I am no Clayborn fan, its moronic to call him a bust. A bust means an utter flop of a player and Clayborn is hardly that. He plays with high motor, is a big factor against the run, but ineffective against passer. Essentially he is doing half of DE’s job right which isn’t enough, but its hardly bust title worthy.
I like the fact that our coaching staff does not mind taking him out of the equation and letting better athletes like Dekoda do the job more.
November 18th, 2013 at 5:39 pm
For all of you giving up on Clayborn, do you realize that he is the 3rd leading non-DB tackler on the team. 1st leading DL tackler, and before GMC’s 3 sack day, was tied with the team lead in sacks. He also was the 2nd leading tackler against ATL, only 4 behind David. He’s coming back from injury and we know there were questions about utilization of players (schemes and stunts). Watch the tape and he is flying around in the QB’s face and making plays. Bust- please!
November 18th, 2013 at 5:46 pm
Clayborn is fine. It’s the other side that needs help. Maybe Bowers will come on strong in these final games. If not, DE should be our first round pick.
November 18th, 2013 at 6:20 pm
From what I have observed over many years is how difficult it is for any team to draft a D lineman who is successful. Just look at past drafts. Gaines Adams, D’Quan Bowers, etc, etc.
It might be more effective if we had defensive coaches who could utilize the personnel we have with a scheme that suits them. I don’t think Schiano has the brains to come up with a system that fits his players. I don’t blame Sheridan; it’s Schiano telling him what to do.
November 18th, 2013 at 7:43 pm
Clayborn will be fine.. Te’o is the problem. I was ok at giving him a chance because last year he played way better than this year but obviously he’s a 4th-5th DE on an average dline in the NFL
I like what I see from Gholston. Still raw talent buy in a year or 2 he may be in the starting lineup. Also like Watson. The guy has high motor.
If we get Clowney next year, we could do
Some serious damage..
C’mon Glennon, make us believe that our biggest need is DE!!
The good news is that with all the money saved by dropping freeman, we’ll be able to fill other needs like another CB and a true passcatching TE. Crabtre is blocking hard but he’s no deep threat in the middle
November 18th, 2013 at 11:34 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says:
Yes….instead of whining when replaced as starter….Watson stepped up and performed….thats what true professionals do.,,,unlike a QB we used to know
—————————————————————————————-Stating that you disagree about being removed as a starter is not whining, it’s disagreeing, plain and simple. If that QB had really been the sole reason (he wasn’t) for the first 3 losses, this team would have a better record than 2-8.
November 19th, 2013 at 9:23 am
While I’m really concerned about Clayborn, I won’t call him a bust until he puts a one full season between himself and that nasty knee injury. It often takes a year to come back.