Not Since Brooks
December 29th, 2016
One game from the record books
There’s being compared to an all-time great and then there’s delivering on the football field.
Enter Kwon Alexander, the meanest, nastiest and most lion-hearted member of the Bucs defense.
Mighty 22-year-old Kwon is one solid game away from leading the NFL in solo tackles for the 2016 season.
The last Buccaneer to do that? Mr. Derrick Brooks in 2004. That year Brooks had 109 solo tackles. With one game to play, Kwon has 102 tackles, six ahead of Landon Collins of the New York Giants.
Brooks also led the NFL in 1998 and 2000. Hardy Nickerson is the only other Buccaneer in this class, leading the NFL with 124 tackles in 1993, the first of his five Pro Bowl seasons.
Joe is so damn impressed by the progress Kwon made this year. He really took that big leap from Year 1 to Year 2 like many great players do.
A member of the Bucs “grand slam” draft class of 2015, Kwon might be the cream of that crop. No slight on America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, Kwon is just that good.
Get those tackles, Kwon.
December 29th, 2016 at 6:02 pm
I remember in the summer when Kwon tweeted he was at the gym getting bigger and badder..and it was like 3 a.m.
A future great coming up…I’ll call it now…a superstar in 2017..
December 29th, 2016 at 6:03 pm
The fastest 40 time of any LB in that draft class?
KWOOOON.
How he fell to round 4 is a mystery to me.. Licht said himself he was in the 20s on their draft board (he actually specified exactly where he was on the draft board, I just forget..)
What a steal by resident draft-wizard, Jason Licht.
December 29th, 2016 at 6:15 pm
The irony is that during the first few games of the season and last off season, there were actually people who wanted him gone here.
December 29th, 2016 at 6:28 pm
I got a fever………and it’s Kwon Alexander.
Give us more winners like #58 Mr. Licht.
Go Bucs!
December 29th, 2016 at 6:34 pm
Just waiting for Kobe to hit up this thread to tell us how crappy Licht is again for drafting this bum.
December 29th, 2016 at 6:42 pm
@birdman it was his size. People slept on him because he was only like 215 coming out. And he hadn’t produced a lot of film that showcased his coverage skills. I watched as much footage as i could after we drafted him and saw a player who had really good instincts and one that flashed brilliance. And he has exceeded every single expectation I had of him at that point.
If only I could say the same for lavonte…
December 29th, 2016 at 6:48 pm
To me, Lavonte seems to have put on a little weight.
I’m not ready to give up on him though. He has had a couple years of not doing all that much…though he did better this year than people around here claim.
December 29th, 2016 at 6:50 pm
Btw…am I the only one who is not ready to talk draft?
I realize many people live for it, and that’s cool and all, but I think I need to recharge my batteries before I delve into all that again.
I usually spend time wanting games featuring the players I want. It’s the only time I bother watching college ball.
December 29th, 2016 at 7:18 pm
Kwon on Snapchat dude was always working out in the craziest hours but he also seemed to hit up Miami a few times work hard play hard
December 29th, 2016 at 7:21 pm
Luckily the guy in front of Kwon don’t try to tackle anybody so that means more tackles for Kwon. Great job Alexander. Go eat shun go eat!
December 29th, 2016 at 7:24 pm
Joe, you wonder why Lavonte isnt raking in the tackles. Kwon, kwon is the answer to that mystery.
And although you might nitpick about lavonte’s effort on plays 10 yards away feom him, he has still been a big play defender. Leads the team in turnovers, and has a few sacks too. Lavonte might not be the team leader in tackles (3rd) these days but he still puts his mark on (most) games.
December 29th, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Jameis & Kwon are my 2 favorite players in the NFL.
They are both future superstars.
Best in the NFL at their respective positions in due time, I just know it…
December 29th, 2016 at 7:53 pm
Kwon is a beast! I was amazed watching him run that WR down last week against the Saint after the other guys quit on that play.
December 29th, 2016 at 7:53 pm
Cam and Kuechly is a great QB.LB duo … Jameis and Kwn will be even better imho
December 29th, 2016 at 8:07 pm
LVD and the Kwonster have lockers next to each other. It shows, too. LVD has taken the young man under his wing and is coaching/mentoring him. Next year: these 2 will be blowing up LB stats all over the league. Just like Mr. Brooks, Nickerson, Shelton Quarles, etc. Okay, LVD and Kwon, blow us (and the Panthers) away on Sunday!!
December 29th, 2016 at 8:10 pm
I’m there on Kwon, not Winston
December 29th, 2016 at 8:14 pm
LVD had 112 solo tackles in 2012
December 29th, 2016 at 8:19 pm
James Laurinaitis of the Rams had 117 solo tackles. That’s why Lavonte didn’t lead the league in solo tackles. But he finish 2nd with 112 solo tackles.
December 29th, 2016 at 8:26 pm
Isn’t Landon Collins a safety? I guess castillas does suck. Not a good look when your safety leading the league in solo tackles.
December 29th, 2016 at 8:31 pm
Salute. Good article. Nightmare all day baby.
December 29th, 2016 at 9:49 pm
Birdman – Licht said Kwon was the 28th player on the Bucs 2015 Big Board – and thus the 28th best player in the 2015 draft. A first round talent.
Obviously that high assessment of a player most “experts” considered a 3rd or 4th rounder was squarely on target.
To me, the other very interesting and impressive part of that story is that (according to the GM) all FOUR of our 1>4th round 2015 picks were 28th or better on the Bucs board.
In essence – we got 4 1st round picks in that one draft (if you trust Licht and his scouts’ grades).
And the kicker is that Hargreaves, Noah Spence and Aguayo were all rated as 1st rounders on the Bucs board this last draft as well (allegedly).
That’s SEVEN 1st round picks in 2 drafts according to the Buccaneer scouting/drafting team.
The fact that they were obviously right in rating players like Kwon and Marpet higher than most other teams bodes quite well for the future IMO because Licht has already proven he has a very good eye for young talent and he apparently sees “it” in certain players that other teams aren’t seeing.
December 29th, 2016 at 10:14 pm
Kobe only comments when the Bucs lose, so he can cry about the coach and gm. When he knows absolutely nothing and is probably the worst Bucs fan
December 29th, 2016 at 11:10 pm
Kwon is THE man
December 29th, 2016 at 11:14 pm
Since we are referencing former players here I will say that I’m kind of hoping we draft Hardy Nickerson in the draft. We have a need of more depth and it would be cool to have him on our team.
December 29th, 2016 at 11:24 pm
When the Bucs start making the playoffs, winning consistently….only then can we start making comparisons to Brooks. This kid Alexander is not even wet behind the ears…yet!
December 30th, 2016 at 12:50 am
Lavonte has been playing with a bad shoulder all year so don’t everyone start given’ him too much sh!t just yet
December 30th, 2016 at 1:23 am
Who are the good FA middle LB this year?
We get a good middle lb and shift Kwon we would be sick. Does the middle lb have to be the one wearing the mic? I prefer if Kwon still would on the outside. Extremely fast freak of nature that does nothing but watch film, practice, and pump iron. Love this guy.
December 30th, 2016 at 5:25 am
I don’t remember Derrick Brooks ever gettings suspended for PEDs when his team was on a playoff run. In two years now, we have two proiminent players putting themselves above their team when they were needed to produce. But I am season ticket holder $10K a year in, and frankly, it tees me off. Giving the Martin thing some thought and thinking about Kwon pulling this last year, here’s what we need for redemption. Both players needs to be lead their team in key statistics to bring three NFC South championships over the next four years. Kwon will get the contract he earns after two more seasons. Martin needs to restructure his and run like the wind for the next year in a backup role that is worthy of taking over the lead role. Yes, I’d like to keep Martin. He owes the fans his redemption. Let’s see some sacrifice by the players for a change.
December 30th, 2016 at 9:07 am
…and if you teach your dog to fly over a sea, you’ll find some envies saying ‘That only proves the animal is hydrophobic’.
Some of you won’t be satisfied with a Super Bowl win if the Bucs don’t get the highest point differential of all times. Just start to think if you are able to meet your own demands! And No, a high salary is not a proper argument as long as the guys on the other team are getting paid, too!