Kwon Rising
August 27th, 2015
Bucs DC Leslie Frazier discusses rookie MLB Kwon Alexander.
Bucs defensive coordinator-in-title Leslie Frazier had a lot of good things to say about the rising stock of rookie linebacker Kwon Alexander today.
However, Frazier wouldn’t say Alexander starts the regular season opener against the Titans, or that he will have the full responsibilities of his predecessor Mason Foster.
In Lovie Smith’s first year with the Bucs, he preferred his middle linebacker to make the calls on the field. That was Foster. But Alexander, who the Bucs are targeting to open the season at middle linebacker, may not be quite ready for that, Frazier said.
“We think he will turn out to be a good middle linebacker for us,” Frazier said. “I don’t know you can completely say at this point when we line up on Sept. 13 that he is going to be the one relaying all the calls and making all the checks.”
Frazier noted if Alexander is not quite ready for those responsibilities, then they will be handed off to Lavonte David until Alexander is comfortable in that role.
Frazier never hinted that would starting anyone other than Alexander at middle linebacker when the regular season kicks off.
“He had his moments,” Frazier said of Alexander’s play Monday night in a win over the Bungles. ““Being a rookie and really getting his first start at middle linebacker, a little bit up and down at times. But we know that there will be some of that where you look and say, ‘What was that?’
“The more he plays the better he is going to get. He has shown in practice and even in the one preseason game prior to Monday night, he flashes [with] the things you look for in a middle linebacker. The leadership, his study habits, the way he prepares and then his athletic ability, as well.”
The way the Bucs are so excited about Alexander, Joe is beginning to wonder if the Bucs have an up-and-coming group of feared linebackers?
August 27th, 2015 at 4:47 pm
KWON IS A BEAST! KA and JW ROOKIES OF THE YEAR!
August 27th, 2015 at 4:47 pm
if your bucs were brave enough to put mason foster out there day one with play calling duties you know what im kinda annoyed they are tiptoeing around the issue just because they gave bruce carter 4.5 mil. we know what a linebacker looks like because we have lavonte and he’s all over the field just like lavonte. name the guy your starter he’s your second best linebacker
August 27th, 2015 at 4:49 pm
good pick… we dont get to say that often lately.
August 27th, 2015 at 4:52 pm
GREAT PICK made by a bunch of COMPETENT GENIUSES!!! This guy is going to be a star!!!
“It’s as simple as that” – Lovie Smith
August 27th, 2015 at 4:56 pm
Hey guys don’t we all have favorite players? When the Bucs ruled and won that SB it was really really hard because there were so many favorite players.
That’s beginning to happen once again. Instead of just GMC, LVD and VJAX we have sooo many.
Obviously is starts with#3 but I agree with those who claim Mongo is also going to be very popular. That would be a real coup! I can’t remember the last “favorite” player on OL. I always liked Gruber and Tony Mayberry.
But seriously if you had to pick just three top favorites on the 2015 Bucs it would be tough!!!
August 27th, 2015 at 5:08 pm
If you throw Doug Martin & ME13 into the mix….we’re starting to have some real players….hopefully ASJ will join that group…..don’t forget McDougald…….could really shine…..
August 27th, 2015 at 5:27 pm
Im seriously considering purchasing a 74 jersey…..just to add on to my fellow posters about us starting to have a legitimate pool of favorites…
August 27th, 2015 at 5:40 pm
@Joe’s
You guys are on fire. If I could make a play on the title the late great James Brown used to carry as the “Hardest working man in show business” I’ll change it just a bit and crown you two as the hardest working men in sports reporting.
Trust me there are many of us who appreciate and are impressed by your work efforts. You both must be single or have incredibly understand wives who accept being football widows.
Keep rockin’ it guys.
August 27th, 2015 at 5:45 pm
Remember how 99, 55,47 and the rest taught us how to appreciate a really good defense? Now its 74, 3, 76,70 time to teach us to love good line play and a soon to be awesome offense
August 27th, 2015 at 5:47 pm
What my counterpart bucs4lyfe said^^^
August 27th, 2015 at 5:51 pm
If Marpet turns out to be what I think he’s going to be. He’s definitely going to be my next jersey purchase. No if’s and’s or but’s about it.
Speaking of Kwon. Dayum is 58 not all over the field when you watch the D? Even when the play is about to be wrapped up… along comes 58 into view.
I’ve been watching this kid closely since the first game. Actually it’s been him and Marpet. Probably because I know how important it is to have a really good MLB in the T2. I just watch Marpet to see how’s doing against the big boys and this kid MORE than impresses me. Sure he might get beat now and then, but so do 5 year starters, it’s part of the game. It’s no wonder there were rumors that the Pats were ready to snatch him up in the draft. After watching him hold his own against the ones, he better be starting on week 1.
Scary though if they have so much youth and inexperience along the line, especially if they roll with Warren at center. That just leaves Cherlius and Mankins as the only ones that have really done a real season.
August 27th, 2015 at 5:54 pm
“You both must be single or have incredibly understand wives who accept being football widows.”
lol SPBF…I’ve pondered that myself a few times over the last couple of years.
August 27th, 2015 at 5:57 pm
Jason Licht coming to my job to eat dinner! Hope I get to meet him!
August 27th, 2015 at 5:59 pm
Buc1987, I noticed Kwon flying all over the place too. He is fun to watch. There was one shot of him and Lavonte lined up next to each other and man did they look like a scarry combo! I thought to myself man we have a bunch of good linebackers all of the sudden.
August 27th, 2015 at 6:02 pm
Dreambig…yup!
Those were the only two players I was watching in the last game. Kwon is a wild man.
August 27th, 2015 at 6:05 pm
Largo…if you talk to him, tell him to get rid of Koenan for me.
August 27th, 2015 at 6:08 pm
In 2011 Jameis Winston was ranked as the #1 athlete coming out of Alabama and #2 was Kwon Alexander.
I’m with “the real Malloy” and 87, just can’t decide if I want #74 or #76.
August 27th, 2015 at 6:16 pm
The Wrath of Kwon
August 27th, 2015 at 6:22 pm
I think Cash Lyons will be a good football player for us. Here’s an interesting fact: Since LeGarrette Blount entered the league in 2010, the only running back to average more yards after contact per rush than Blount is … Adrian Peterson.
August 27th, 2015 at 7:26 pm
Will do 87
August 27th, 2015 at 7:27 pm
You know just reading how skittish Freezer is when talking about the Kwonqueror is just so irritating. It’s like a man with no bass in his voice or any manliness to him. At least when Lovie talks about him he speaks with some passion albeit the way he shows emotion is still so much better. Trust if Lovie is calling the defense, Kwon will be ready AND start day 1
August 27th, 2015 at 7:29 pm
Credit: Hardy Nickerson
August 27th, 2015 at 7:34 pm
@ST PETE BUCS FAN
“I can’t remember the last “favorite” player on the OL.”
You mean to tell me Kenyatta Walker wasn’t a fan favorite? The tears of laughter he brought out in everybody should make him one. LMFAO How dare he hold on a critical drive? LMFAO
August 27th, 2015 at 7:53 pm
Let’s talk about Mongo
August 27th, 2015 at 8:06 pm
The Wrath of Kwon!!!
This guy looks good so far… Awesome speed in persuit…
August 27th, 2015 at 8:17 pm
The jersey talk for an olineman is just awesome…I bought a Jameis jersey after the draft and LVD jersey last year, but my jersey for the 4 seasons before that was a Davin Joseph jersey and I loved it
August 27th, 2015 at 8:45 pm
I have 7 Buc jersey’s. #40, #99, #55, #47, #22 Dougie, #3 JW (thanks Erik With Clean Athletics) and #66 Ryan Benjamin my cousin the LS for the Bucs SB team. Then of course I have my stitched FSU JW jersey. I also have a kids #47.
All of them are hanging on hangers around my Buc-Cave. Oh yes I don’t have a man cave. I have a Buc-Cave and it’s all mine. I’ve taken over the entire room. Even put an outdoor jacuzzi in it. Was a bitch getting it through the door though. I’ve got Buc shyte all over this room. Flags, blankets, rookie cards, hand towels, Gruden visors, pennants, Buc towels hanging by the jacuzzi, 9 hats, rugs, etc etc. Most of my family just buys me Bucs stuff for B-days and Christmas.
All I need now is a cannon….
August 27th, 2015 at 8:50 pm
Dang 87 they should have come to your house to film that Warren Sapp commercial. You da fan bro!!!
August 27th, 2015 at 8:52 pm
Geez you people just love to annoint busts and great picks before they even start 1 real game. LoL. To funny.
August 27th, 2015 at 9:24 pm
I see all kinds of surprises on defense this year. Melton playing some end, rotating DT’s , I think Lovie will try different combos/ scenarios this year. Kwon, LVD, and lansannah are going to be a fierce set of LB’s
August 27th, 2015 at 9:39 pm
@Couch Fan
As for me I’m not annointing anybody as a bust or success just yet. One word that scares us all INJURIES!!!
Why even be a fan if you can’t celebrate success. We are 0-0. NOBODY has played a down this year. It’s all speculation whether you’re a Pack or Seahawks fan or a Bucs fan.
While not anointing we are observing that all these young players have more than lived up to the expectations placed on them so far.
One has gone undefeated, won a National title and a Heisman..almost pulled it off a second time and is making great progress for a rookie. It’s not exactly a huge leap of faith…again barring injury…to anoint him a franchise QB.
The other three young rookies have also played at or above the level expected out of rookies. Nobody is anointing them stars yet. But they are currently on schedule to be very good. Why shouldn’t we celebrate?
Ooooh yeah we might be disappointed. Hey that’s a chance I’m willing to take while enjoying the rare euphoria of being a Bucs fan when things are going so very WELL!!!
August 27th, 2015 at 10:15 pm
THE WRATH OF KWON!!!!!!!!!!!
Revenge is a dish best served cold…
August 27th, 2015 at 10:22 pm
Couch
Mama ain’t raise no fool!
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2015/04/dont-sleep-on-donovan-smith/
August 27th, 2015 at 10:58 pm
Kwon, like all rookies, will have a period of adjustment to playing in the NFL.
Teams haven’t started game planning for him, yet. So, it’s easy for his “natural” talent to shine this early in the preseason.
That said, it’s a lot harder to game plan for more than a couple of outstanding defensive players.
August 27th, 2015 at 11:03 pm
I agree that Kwon and Jameis might both win ROY. That would be so awesome
August 27th, 2015 at 11:13 pm
Hey Im excited to about the potential but there are several calling him the 2nd best LBer on the team already before he’s even played a meaningful game and making judgments about picks before game 1. Being excited and saying silly things are 2 different things. I’m gonna wail til the season starts before I start labeling anyone anything.
August 27th, 2015 at 11:51 pm
We are having a great camp compared to some teams. The Steelers just lost Martavius Bryant for four games…drug related suspension..may PEDS?
But not only that for all those who lusted for Junior Gallette and his pass rush off the edge you can stop shedding the tears. He’s gone anyway. Out for the entire season with a torn achilles. That’s going to be hard to come back from next year as well. The Deadskins are just in horrible shape right now. Wouldn’t want to be in Jay Gruden’s shoes.
August 28th, 2015 at 8:00 am
Definitely liking what I’m seein in “the kwon”, but anybody talking about D. j. Swearinger and his hitting ability. That pick up if he can cover in the “cover two” will be a coup, he was a 2nd round draft choice and could play a major role in return of the D
August 28th, 2015 at 10:46 am
Buc1987
LOL a cannon, I have seen a few cannons around some areas I travel. I want one too!