“The Kid’s Got A Motor”
June 11th, 2015
Chatting with starting Tampa Bay middle linebacker Bruce Carter today, Joe asked the four-year veteran what he thought of one of his teammates.
In previous weeks, Joe had heard such raves for rookie linebacker Kwon Alexander, it seemed a good time to ask Carter what he’s seen since the Bucs made Alexander their 2015 fourth-round pick.
“Oh, the kids’ got a motor,” Carter said. “You know, he’s running all day. He came in; he’s very smart and intelligent as a player. And I don’t think he’s really had any setbacks since he came in. So he’s been doing an awesome job.”
It’s interesting that Carter mentioned “setbacks,” which could also be defined as glaring — and common — rookie screw-ups.
That’s pretty impressive for a 20-year-old rookie coming into a defense many believe is complicated, and he’s learning multiple positions.
What a treat it would be for the Bucs to have the luxury of Alexander developing as talented backup without having to toss him into the fire immediately. That’s the way things seem be aligning with strongside linebacker Danny Lansanah tearing up underwear football sessions.
June 11th, 2015 at 4:07 pm
The one thing that stood out to me on his highlights was he would not hit head on. He would let the runner get past his side then wrap him up. That could lead to some would be three and outs turn into first downs. He may be quick but kid needs to man up when it comes to stopping a hard downhill runner. Marshawn lynch would have him for an appetizer
June 11th, 2015 at 4:07 pm
“What a treat it would be for the Bucs to have the luxury of Alexander developing as talented backup without having to toss him into the fire immediately.”
Amen to that!..
June 11th, 2015 at 4:23 pm
Evan Mathis was just released… wonder if we pounce. He could immediately start at RG while we continue to groom Marpet. Sounds ideal to me.
LT – D. Smith
LG – Mankins
C – EDS / Marpet later in year if needed
RG – Mathis
RT – Dotson/Pamphile
June 11th, 2015 at 4:40 pm
**HIJACKING THIS THREAD***
Eagles just released Evan Mathis, CMON BUCS SIGN HIM!!
June 11th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
Instant HUGE upgrade at guard if Land L could pull that one off
June 11th, 2015 at 5:06 pm
Joe loves to continually pound that the difference between the really good teams and the bad ones is a franchise QB. I think that is ONE difference.
Another huge difference in teams that truly have a shot at reaching the SB is DEPTH! Injuries are a fact of life in the NFL.
Depth has been just as big a weakness as our OL and QB’s. I’m glad we’re addressing depth as well as the QB/OL situation.
June 11th, 2015 at 5:09 pm
@Lord C and the guys excited about signing Mathis since the Eagles just released him. I understand the enthusiasm and largely support it.
I would like to point out however that this is going to be growing occurrence. We have the first pick off the waiver wire until September.
I feel certain L&L have had their pro scouts scour the league, check out the salary caps, and see if they can forecast who might just show up on the waiver wire. They probably have quite a few players targeted if they are released. Perhaps Mathis is one of them.
June 11th, 2015 at 5:25 pm
@ St Pete
From what I’ve read Mathis isn’t hitting waivers since he’s a vet. Anyone can sign him so it’ll be a bidding war.
Only players with 4 or fewer accrued seasons hit the waiver wire.
June 11th, 2015 at 6:07 pm
That is correct Lord Cornelius, Mathis is considered a unrestricted free agent. Look for the Bengals to Cut one of their high paid OT on one of the cut down dates in the preseason.
June 11th, 2015 at 6:16 pm
Look at the pro’s LSU has put in the league. they play against and practice against teams that put most of their players in the nfl
June 11th, 2015 at 7:15 pm
@Lord,
I have to agree. Signing a player like Mathis would drastically improve a Buc weakness. Mathis is already making pretty good money for a guard (but still less than BBQ Pit Master Mankins). If Mathis were a DE, Lovie would sign him. But unfortunately, IMO, Lovie doesn’t think the Oline is as important. Hopefully, I am wrong
June 11th, 2015 at 7:18 pm
Time will tell – but its a possibility that 5 or even 6 draft picks from this year could wind up being starters at some point.
There’s little doubt that Winston, Smith and Marpet will be given the chance to start pretty early in the season if not from play 1. But when your 4th round LB and your 5th round WR and your 6th round PR are all looking good in early action – then you have to consider the fact that its possible Licht and his scouts nailed the hell out of this draft. How awesome would it be for more than the average 2 or 3 draftees to become starters? (We have been way below average in the draftee/starter ratio for about 10 years now btw – and of course it shows).
One of the things I like about Lovie as a HC – is that he prefers speed, agility, and athleticism over size. Damn near every one of our draft picks this year fit that description. This team is going to be significantly faster once some of this young talent develops enough to win a place on the field. Alexander is right in that category and has some great LB coaching to hopefully help him develop into a really good player.
We got a couple of real gems with Alexander and Bell in the 4th and 5th rounds I believe. Time will tell. Hope springs eternal every year this time of year for me – LOL
June 11th, 2015 at 7:18 pm
He ‘ll be our ILB in the near future. Im thinking he takes that spot next year. I mean i keep hearing nothing but good about the guy. And Carter is injury prone. Could be a possibilty to see him start ILB this year.
June 11th, 2015 at 7:23 pm
I would love the Mathis signing. Give Marpet more time to get situated with playing real football players
June 11th, 2015 at 7:24 pm
LOL – Joe put me in “awaiting moderation” status for writing the letters P_R. That’s Punt Returner Joe – not your competition for clicks and eyeballs….
June 11th, 2015 at 7:29 pm
As a player he reminds of old bucs LB Ryan Nece, don’t know if you guys remember him. Will say that I watched an LSU game and he played a lot better than whats portrayed in his highlight video.
June 11th, 2015 at 8:03 pm
Ahhhh, the day has finally come Lawd. After two years of begging the personnel dept. to trade for Evan Mathis. He’s been released. Get’em!!!
June 11th, 2015 at 8:06 pm
Mind you, he’s been considered the best or one of the best interior lineman in the game-for awhile now
June 11th, 2015 at 8:20 pm
@Andrew
Reminds more of Ian Gold
June 11th, 2015 at 8:35 pm
Just watched some highlights of Davante Adams for Green bay TEARING UP the cowboys defense on the league website
Sadly the only person he was tearing up was sterling moore….ALLLLLLLLLL GAME!!!
Hopefully that was just a bad day for Moore because Adams was a rookie and made him look pretty silly
June 11th, 2015 at 9:00 pm
Get in the bidding for Evan Mathis!
June 11th, 2015 at 9:07 pm
I thought Kwon Alexander was the best 3-4 outside linebacker in college last season,he plays sidelines to sidelines, he never take a play off.His greatest asset is his speed,he plays more like a strong safety in the box.I;m predicting great things from him. His 40 time was 4.55 but his 40 low was 4.41 and he rarely miss a tackle, he’s very strong for a outside linebacker. He did 24 225 bench reps at the combine.
June 11th, 2015 at 9:09 pm
I meant 4-3 outside LB
June 12th, 2015 at 12:07 am
Our linebackers will be much stronger this year. That will be hopefully be a better thing that teams won’t always complete the underneath passes on us. Mason foster was great and I wish him the best, but someone needs to cover the TE’s. Hopefully The Bruce can do it. Hopefully one of our safeties can do it. Kwon, LVD, Bruce, and Danny seem like a good combo.
June 12th, 2015 at 12:15 am
Thanks for the info Lakeland Buc. Go Naughts!
June 12th, 2015 at 10:09 am
LT-d.smith
LG-pamphill
C-marpet
RG-e.mathis
RT-d.dotson
I like it…wat you think? GO BUCS!!!