McDonald Will Back Up McCoy
August 24th, 2014
Joe got reaction last night
Gerald McCoy got light duty yesterday in Buffalo and the Bucs were still dominant on defense. In one early series, McCoy even sat out a first and a second down before coming in on third.
In that instance, it was Clinton McDonald sliding over to do what he did for the Super Bowl champs last season.
That was where he was the swingman defensive tackle, “nose and 3[technique],” in the Seahawks’ punishing rotation.
“I feel pretty comfortable out there. Coach wants to give me a couple of looks [filling in for McCoy] in case anything happens or, you know, just for me to be ready. But I feel pretty comfortable at 3-technique,” McDonald said.
Akeem Spence filled in for McDonald and explained to Joe after the game that he’ll strictly be a nose tackle rotating in.
Lovie Smith acknowledged in his postgame news conference that Spence, McCoy and McDonald are his “three-man rotation,” and an effort was made to get McCoy extra rest.
Where Da’Quan Bowers might fit in as a potential interior lineman, if at all, is pure guesswork.
August 24th, 2014 at 3:43 pm
That’s why we got this guy. To keep McCoy fresh and still not have a huge drop off in talent.
August 24th, 2014 at 3:48 pm
Well then maybe not. 🙂
August 24th, 2014 at 3:49 pm
BOwers appears to be slated for “left out”.
August 24th, 2014 at 3:49 pm
yeah….
August 24th, 2014 at 3:49 pm
Keeping us on-point and in-the-know Mr. Joe. –
August 24th, 2014 at 3:57 pm
BaddAZZ D coming back to Tampa Town…..
August 24th, 2014 at 3:58 pm
Clinton is a Man backing up a Man-beast!!!
August 24th, 2014 at 4:21 pm
It was the only logical thing to do since Bowers was inactive. Nothing more nothing less. Also, this shows that none of the 3 technique on the 2nd team was worthy of cracking the 1st team since Bowers injury.
August 24th, 2014 at 4:29 pm
@Red86 — Bowers was never going to play meaningful minutes. Sh*t, the new coach came in here and declared Bowers couldn’t play defensive end.
August 24th, 2014 at 4:47 pm
I love this signing from L&L
August 24th, 2014 at 5:18 pm
@Prince- Well the guy that was supposed to replace Bowers if he was cut is gone. All Hail Euclid Cummings! Serious… again. No one showed up on the 2nd team in the DT spot. Since the Jags game, our 2nd team have given up a lot of long runs and passing yards. Also, very little pass rush those two game. And the kicker, there haven’t been many tackles for loss. It was an entirely different story with Bowers, Gholston, Spence, and Mean during the game against the Jags.
I’m all for putting the best guy on the field. If Bowers isn’t producing, then he should go if someone is out producing him. Until then, he’s here to stay. It’s not smart to get rid of a player and not have a good backup to replace him.
English would be good in the DE rotation. But, so far there little evident that he will be playing DT. Again Lovie did say he like Bowers versatility.
August 24th, 2014 at 5:56 pm
I’d look for more cuts this week so other players can be brought in to improve roster. There are some good players that will not make other rosters, as always, and I doubt L & L are satisfied with the depth on the team. Backups played less than marginal in the game. I think the cuts could go pretty deep.
August 24th, 2014 at 6:26 pm
Depth is a luxury very few teams have anymore.
We got issues in that area for sure. But ill take the second team guys getting dominated over the first team.
We’ve seen that dance before around here……..