Lamarr Houston And The Bucs
March 10th, 2014
Yet another defensive end who has talent but lacks results is propped up as a fit for the Bucs.
Just about every guy who can sneeze on a quarterback and is a free agent or an eligible draft pick has been linked to the the Pewter Pirates.
Bucs coach Lovie Smith knows for his defense to work at all, and for the defense to rise from the ashes of the Bill Sheridan Dancing Stunts debacle, the Bucs simply must have a pass rush.
Yes, when Gerald McCoy isn’t triple-teamed, he can get disruption if not put a quarterback on the ground now and then. Problem is, he’s had no help. Getting GMC help also is a focus of theMMQB.com X’s and O’s guru, Greg Bedard, who believes Raiders free agent Lamarr Houston could be the salve to a Bucs wound that’s lasted too long. He has Houston ranked No. 16.
16. LAMARR HOUSTON
Edge, Oakland (Age 27)A rare blend of size, strength and speed makes him a load to handle at the point of attack. Can play standup OLB, DE and DT. Right fit might be 4-3 tackle. Best fit: Bucs. They could use help at left end and tackle next to Gerald McCoy. Houston could man either spot. among all available free agents.
Yet again, it appears Houston is sort of like Everson Griffen, in that people rave about his skill set yet the results simply are not there. While Houston is durable, having started 59 of 64 games in his four-year NFL career, he has yet to record more than six sacks in a season. Houston’s best season for tackles came last year, when he recorded 56.
But is Houston really better than Adrian Clayborn? The Bucs right defensive end, coming off knee surgery, had 5.5 sacks and 59 tackles last season. Is Houston really that much of an upgrade?
If the Bucs are going to sign a defensive end, it’s high time to get a guy who already has a demonstrated an ability to make quarterbacks fear for their lives.
The Bucs have plenty of guys who have ability but only middling results (Da’Quan Bowers, Clayborn). No need to bank on potential when the Bucs already have that dreaded word on their roster for defensive ends.
March 10th, 2014 at 1:04 pm
He is a legitimate pass rusher from the DT spot although not as spectacular as McCoy and Atkins. He would be the ideal compliment for McCoy on passing downs and would make offenses pay for taking him lightly. He is not as popular as Melton, but equally capable imo and will likely come much cheaper.
March 10th, 2014 at 1:08 pm
“talent but lacks results” in the post-Tony pre-Lovie era DOES fit right in with the Bucs!
March 10th, 2014 at 1:21 pm
Agreed with johny 2.3. Houston could be our Bennett with playing DE on run downs and move in to DT on pass downs. Or just play DT all the time.
March 10th, 2014 at 1:30 pm
Meh. Michael Johnson is better.
March 10th, 2014 at 1:31 pm
When I see players like this, all I think about is depth for the dline
March 10th, 2014 at 2:17 pm
I say Houston and Hatcher. Forget Johnson. With Mccoy-Houston-Hatcher-Gholston on the D-line it will be a flat out jail break on the QB.
March 10th, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Houston was a college DT who the Raiders played at end to stop the run. He is a less-talented Michael Bennett would can play tackle and strongside end.
I could only see the Bucs go after him if they improve both end spots, or flip signing a right end.
March 10th, 2014 at 7:22 pm
Bill… Houston is not less talented than Bennett, I can promise you that. He has the long speed that Bennett could only dream about (he was recruited to Texas as a RB). The dude is extremely explosive at DT and explosive enough at LDE but makes up for it by being very powerful. He is an athletic specimen that I was infatuated with when he came out of college. If he had gone to a less crappy team than the Raiders he likely would have blown up and be a top FA.