“One Of The First Players I’m Going To Watch”
July 26th, 2016
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht will have his eyes especially locked on one player early in training camp, so he told the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620, this evening.
The player? Defensive end Noah Spence, Tampa Bay’s second round pick out of Eastern Kentucky.
“You’re going to see a tremendous athlete that’s got a great first step,” Licht said. “He can really bend the corner. He plays fast. He’s very aggressive. And he’s got a very no-nonsense approach. The players, the defensive line are raving about his work ethic and just his motivation and his attitude. You know, he’s got a little edge to him and a chip on his shoulder. And you see it out there in, like you call it, in underwear football. I think when we put the pads, I’m excited. He’s one of the first players I’m going to watch. … He plays with anger.”
Yes, the GM was laid back in his interview, but he’s pumped up about Spence. And why not? If Spence is the real deal, the Bucs have filled their longest-lasting crater.
July 26th, 2016 at 5:43 pm
I’m excited. He’s one of the first players I’m going to watch. … He plays with anger.”
—————
Spawn! Already see him as a starter. If this kid doesn’t show up like Mack n Miller is be disappointed but I know he will.
“I want a bunch of guys that are going to play hard-nosed, emotional football.” – Dirk Koetter
July 26th, 2016 at 5:44 pm
Just a little over 2 weeks. Cant wait!!
July 26th, 2016 at 5:47 pm
It is a great time to be a bucs fan. This is the first time in a few years we wont need to talk about the upcoming draft week 1
July 26th, 2016 at 5:48 pm
I’m definitely excited to see how Noah Spence and Hargreaves look on the field sporting their new NFL pewter and red and chrome colors. I think both these guys are going to be good players for the Bucs.
July 26th, 2016 at 5:48 pm
I agree..love the Noah pick..I too think he’s the read deal..been hanging out with Robert Ayers..
Team Noah!!!!!!!!!!
Guys..it’s getting closer to the day!!!
July 26th, 2016 at 5:50 pm
Nothing counts until he proves it on the field. Until then, it is all talk.
Props when props are earned. Otherwise? All hype.
July 26th, 2016 at 5:58 pm
Gotta be hype, without it hope would be deadpan. Other teams and fans hype their coming season and players outlooks and expectations. Hype away.
July 26th, 2016 at 5:58 pm
It is a great time to be a bucs fan.
Tmax! Again we’re in agreement. I’m sure we’ll find something to debate once training camp begins.
But that’s the fun of being a sports fan right? All the debates. If we agreed all the time this would be a boring place.
July 26th, 2016 at 6:05 pm
Stpetebucsfan
Yes sir the world would be awful boring if we all agreed all the time.
July 26th, 2016 at 6:19 pm
Question for you Bonzai….. You say props when props are earned, yet you still think Lovie should’ve gotten another year when he didn’t earn it. Crazy logic huh?
July 26th, 2016 at 6:24 pm
Imagine any passing down, 3rd and 7 or whatever, j smith and Spence on the ends, Ayers and McCoy inside. Maybe lvd or kwon on the blitz…
Prepare for sacks my friends
July 26th, 2016 at 6:34 pm
For me, it’s always a great time to be a Buc fan….but I must admit, some times are greater than others and this is certainly one one of them….
Been like a 40 year marriage for me……good times and bad…divorce is not an option!!!
July 26th, 2016 at 6:35 pm
give or take a few yards last year New Orleans completed a 3rd and 19 on us.
Later in that game they completed a 3rd and 21.
More later it was a 3rd and 17.
If this repeats itself again this year Noah Spence is dead to me.
July 26th, 2016 at 6:40 pm
@NCMike
Maybe BucBonzai has grown in the last couple of years!!!!!
BuccaneerBonzai Says:
July 28th, 2014 at 11:56 am
I think Lovie wants this to be the best defense in the NFL, and I believe it can be that over the next year or so.
On a side mark, Mason Foster is looking REALLY, REALLY good out there! Seems he has the pass coverage skills some fans claim he doesn’t have!
July 26th, 2016 at 6:43 pm
Buccaneers
Every team and worst yet every backup and 1st time qb the bucs played during the lovie smith era completed 3rd and long…. it was almost like 3rd and 10 plus yards was a gimmie for opposing offenses. it was the second most frustrating aspect of watching lovie attempt to coach
July 26th, 2016 at 6:46 pm
I was screaming Noah Spence name at the draft party at pick number 11 super excited and glad the way it fell. Dude is a pass-rusher, the question is can he stay out of trouble? I believe he can. As a Bucs Fan I can honestly say this offseason hype seems different
July 26th, 2016 at 6:50 pm
I’m a bucs fan from the very beginning I had a sticker on my car that said the bucs are coming before we got the team I’ve never been any more excited this year than any of the years before…….
July 26th, 2016 at 7:12 pm
Not all teams are hyped on their new rookies..Charger fans are already asking for Joey Bobo’s head to be nicely placed on a silver plated platter..
Thank you Jason Licht for not drafting Bosa..oh sorry..Bobo..
July 26th, 2016 at 7:19 pm
Agreed tmax……But I will say that if your ends have any worthwhile ability they would have been able to get to QBs on some of those long yardage situations.
Theres no coach in the league that can make a single player play above his abilitys……..If an end is getting physically dominated on passing downs game after game then he is simply not good enough.
July 26th, 2016 at 7:25 pm
From the beginning yeah I still got the orange license plate, etc. Plus ones from the Bandits, guess I’ll stay a Bucs fan a mite longer.
July 26th, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Buccaneers
I agree with you for the most part but coaching had everything todo with the 3rd a 4 situations where the defenders were 7 to 12 yds off receivers. That was hard to watch week in and week out
July 26th, 2016 at 7:31 pm
Where can I listen to this online?
July 26th, 2016 at 7:31 pm
^nevermind, found it.
July 26th, 2016 at 7:38 pm
C’mon tmax……..Now we are in total agreement. Arguing is funner.
July 26th, 2016 at 7:40 pm
The absence of incompetent Lovie Smith allows this fan to have some hope for the future of this football team. It is amazing to look back at how terrible that guy was for this franchise. Funny that the one thing Joe lauds him for (selecting Winston) was only possible due to his rank incompetence.
Hope has been restored.
Go Bucs
July 26th, 2016 at 8:17 pm
Buccaneers
That’s funny… im not feeling well lol ill be back to my arsehole self tomorrow. Much respect
July 26th, 2016 at 8:32 pm
Buccaneers Says:
…..If an end is getting physically dominated on passing downs game after game then he is simply not good enough.
Wow!!! That is some brain washed coach my scheme stuff right there!!!! Just watch the DE fail time after time, game after game then declare he is not good enough!!! How about run the DE to flats or drop him back and blitz a LB!!!! Run a stunt or a twist!!!! Bring a Nickle CB blitz!!!
Nope that would be coaching, and the incompetent one and his sheep will have none of that!!!!!!!!
July 26th, 2016 at 8:58 pm
@ Realist…… I just get tired of certain people that say ” get respect when it’s earned” and then say that some coach that sunk our team should’ve had another year. Just be 100% and we’re cool. If Lovie ” had of earned another year” then Schiano should’ve earned 2 more years……. Just sayin
July 26th, 2016 at 10:17 pm
I would think Mike Smith has plans to utilize Noah Spence standing up. That’s where Spence is at his best and utilizing hybrid fronts is the beat way to counter these spread offenses. Just look at Khalil Mack.
July 26th, 2016 at 10:39 pm
Lovie Smith would not make a pimple on Tony Dungy’s ass. Dungy led teams always adapted at halftime, but Smith stubbornly clung to the same failed strategy that had us trailing at 1/2 time. I remember Tampa players saying “We got out schemed”, which is the politically correct way to say “Our Coaching Sucks”.
I was so glad to see Lovie go, and the same with Mark Dominik. No, Jason Licht has not been “perfect”, but he is rebuilding us, and doing a great job, I might add.
I literally jumped for joy at my draft day party when Spence fell to us, and if Robert Ayers has anything left, we are fixing to have a very dangerous D Line here in Tampa again!
Just as a new Puppy can often bring new life to the old family Dog, I think Spence will start, and turbocharge Gerald McCoy. If Spence and Ayers can prove to be dangerous, we will soon see the double and triple teams McCoy has faced nearly his whole time here in Tampa come off.
I always liked the Fire of Coach Smith, when he was in Atlanta. I look forward to him on the Tampa Sidelines, cheering on his guys after sacks and stops.
Call me a Homer if you want, but this is the most excited I have been about the Bucs in several years.
July 26th, 2016 at 10:46 pm
Yay Chris @ apple..!!! Well said..*Lifey is taking a bow*…
I feel the same, exact way..
July 26th, 2016 at 11:11 pm
Largo
It’s possible licht drafted two Macks in this draft. No one is talking about Davonte Bond. He is a intriguing athlete, super fast, can get around the corner and likes to hit. Also an excellent ST player.
You can see his highlights below, this kid had 17 sacks and if you search, you can find footage of OK games now too.
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/04/devante-bond-highlights/
“I want a bunch of guys that are going to play hard-nosed, emotional football.” – Dirk Koetter
July 26th, 2016 at 11:41 pm
DB55
I like Bond too. Nice link thanks. I also think Howard Jones not Jac Smith will sutprise people this season
July 26th, 2016 at 11:54 pm
DB…if you are right then we are gonna have an Awesome rotation!!!
July 27th, 2016 at 12:08 am
Tax
Howard “The Stuntman” Jones, my man!
SB
The Hybrid D, I’m looking forward to it.
July 27th, 2016 at 1:29 am
Joe…I saw this nugget. Coach Bajakian actually has ties to Noah Spence going back to his high school days.. 2:24 mark. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWVT0B-tLMM 2:19 mark
July 27th, 2016 at 2:10 am
Ear to ear smile right now. Idk if it’s the wine here in California or my love for everything Bucs. But whatever it is (and either way) keep it coming until next February
July 27th, 2016 at 6:21 am
I think we already had a pass rush ability last year, problem was there was always someone open on a slant route and with that there is never time to get to the qb. With the new coaching staff I say we finish the final half of the season a top ranked defense. 8 weeks to really gel and I see dominance on D. This is going to be good!!!!! Also feeling really good about the corners for the exact same reason. Lovie was just that bad. Simple as that!!!
July 27th, 2016 at 7:56 am
I love the fact that he has cliqued up with Robert Ayers, as Ayers has taken him under his wing, he knows he can learn alot from Robert, and as Ayers said…”I’m learning from him as well” I’m very excited about those two, I think there gonna big things around here.