Noah Spence Hopes Must Be High
April 28th, 2018
Your Buccaneers only have one late sixth-round pick to go, and they just took a safety in Round 4 and an Ivy League wide receiver in Round 5.
Joe finds that telling.
It sure wouldn’t have killed the Bucs to take an early flyer on an edge rusher, right?
Considering the recent pass rush woes and two years of shoulder problems to Noah Spence, Joe was really hoping Jason Licht went there in Round 4 or 5.
So why didn’t he? Sure, the easy answer is they liked the safety Jordan Whitehead and the receiver, Justin Watson. But Joe thinks it’s a sign there’s a healthy dose of confidence in Noah Spence in the halls of One Buc Palace.
That’s a great thing.
It’s also a scary thing.
Spence has had two surgeries on the same shoulder through his first two seasons. He played one full game and one snap last season before heading to the sidelines.
This is the season of hope. Remember, Gerald McCoy had injuries and surgeries in his first two seasons, too.
April 28th, 2018 at 2:36 pm
There is a lot of versatile players that can rotate to de. Even VEA can and had played de.
April 28th, 2018 at 2:37 pm
It’s a big risk, but they know more about his health than any of us do. It also speaks to their grading of remaining edge rushers. No point in picking a guy just because of position if he’s rated too low on the draft board. I commend them for sticking to their plan – win or lose. The old Bucs (before McKay ran the show) would draft solely on need and ruined themselves for decades.
April 28th, 2018 at 2:37 pm
I hope so you. BTW you have done an outstanding job covering the draft.
April 28th, 2018 at 2:37 pm
Now you’re complaining draft a fifth round DE…
April 28th, 2018 at 2:37 pm
I was really hoping they would take a DE on day 3. DE is still a need. All we have behind JPP and Curry is a guy who couldnt get a sack last year and a guy with 2 shoulder surgeries.
You get depth on day 3. We need depth at DE.
April 28th, 2018 at 2:38 pm
Yeah, Im surprised too.
But there will be more to look at as udfa’s and as teams cut bait over the next 3 months. Someone will get out attention, hopefully.
April 28th, 2018 at 2:39 pm
“our” not out
April 28th, 2018 at 2:41 pm
You’re always so scared how do you go to the bathroom at night do you need to need a night light
April 28th, 2018 at 2:44 pm
He needs to keep wearing that shoulder brace
Size xxxl
Dude has some shoulders
April 28th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
I think it was a great draft I have faith in Noah Spence this year behind curry and jpp We drafted vea and have McCoy Good linebackers 3 secondary players drafted to go with grimes and j Evans. A new explosive rb and another nasty Olineman Very impressed with licht this year. Not sure about drafting that WR though
April 28th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
Noah Spence is a Von Miller clone. The guy has no business playing every snap with his hand in the dirt. Stick him in a blitzing role and watch the fireworks.
But that would require an actual nfl defensive coaching staff to take place soooooooo……nevermind
April 28th, 2018 at 2:55 pm
Dewey I second that. Joe has down an absolutely great job of covering the draft. Thanks Joe (s) for what you do.
As for no de I am not sure about some of these picks but Licht and Dirk know they are in win now so got to believe they did their homework. Right? I am looking forward to these new look defense. Hoping Jones is the back we need in opening up our playaction cause if so this team really could be scary good despite the difficult 2018 schedule.
April 28th, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Noah Spence’s shoulder chronic dislocation is likely to reoccur.
April 28th, 2018 at 2:58 pm
Joe I also thought he was gona take a DE. I figured it’d be one of the 2nd rounders. Also wanted Josh Sweat in the 4th, surprised he lasted so long. Philly might have gotten a steal. I agree with Dewey. Great job covering the bucs draft Joes.
April 28th, 2018 at 2:59 pm
Thanks for the kind words guys. Much appreciated. 🙂
April 28th, 2018 at 3:05 pm
Noah Spence has had 4 dislocations of that shoulder in two years. He has had two surgeries. I hope he will have a good season for the bucs but history of that injury says it will reoccur whether you have that surgery or let it heal without surgery.
One source is Profootball Doc. He said in a late Feb 2018 article that Spence was the biggest concern for the Bucs.
I really don’t believe the Buc’s are counting on him at all. He will just be icing on the cake if he is healthy and will probably only play on pass rushing downs.
When the 2nd surgery was done last year, Koetter even admitted that he was concerned that this was a long term problem.
April 28th, 2018 at 3:12 pm
This team will be known as a scary team! Finally! Someone finally nailed it again! Go Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter and all their staff!
April 28th, 2018 at 3:17 pm
If Spence can stay healthy he should be good to go, if not they signed JPP and Curry for a reason.
April 28th, 2018 at 3:19 pm
Why passed on soooo many Bulls to take flyers.
When jason gets an extra pick from something he doesn’t care if he trades up or drafts a player with a later grade.
April 28th, 2018 at 3:39 pm
Any DE worth a damn is long gone by the 5th round. I would rather take a player at an undervalued position they may be able to make the team than reach on a DE that has huge holes in his game and probably wouldn’t make it past the final cuts.
April 28th, 2018 at 4:13 pm
I stilll believe Spence can come back! I have more faith in Noah Spence bouncing back fro injury than Hargreaves coming back from his mental breakdown!
April 28th, 2018 at 4:20 pm
Barring injury the Bucs are 2 deep at each DE position (JPP, Curry, Spence, Gholston) with 4 DT’s (McCoy, Vea, Allen, Unrein) as well as camp meat Stevie T, Ward, Lambert and Clarke. You have to believe the player has a chance at cracking the rotation or be such a developmental prospect that they can safely put them on the PS without being poached.
So I could see why they would only look at edge if the right type of player falls their way.
April 28th, 2018 at 4:54 pm
I would like to see the Bucs have Spence be a stand-up edge rusher more often. He’s light-weight for a DE and has quick flash speed, so why not take advantage of it?
April 28th, 2018 at 5:36 pm
I would not be surprised if we see a LB switch to DE.
April 28th, 2018 at 5:37 pm
Obviously not one of our starters though.
April 28th, 2018 at 5:52 pm
JPP/GMC/Vea/Curry has the potential to be the best D-line in the NFL … seriously.
Spence/Allen/Unrein/Gholston is a GREAT backup D-line
We were never going to draft another D-lineman after we got Viti Vea imho …
April 28th, 2018 at 6:41 pm
Although I am satisfied with our draft, Like many here..I would have liked us to pick up another DE. You can never have enough of them. And thus far, I have not been impressed with Spence…for all the talk. `
April 28th, 2018 at 6:42 pm
Although I am satisfied with our draft, Like many here..I would have liked us to pick up another DE. You can never have enough of them. And thus far, I have not been impressed with Spence…for all the talk. I hope our DC, Pressbox Smitty does some different stunts and plays to help our D get more sacks this season.
April 28th, 2018 at 6:58 pm
Screw Noah Spence……Just a busted pick til he proves otherwise. His hopes maybe high but mine sure aren’t.
April 28th, 2018 at 7:00 pm
Mike Johnson. I also wanted another Lineman or 2 drafted.
We do have decent depth right now to enter the season and next year is supposed to b3 loaded with DEs. That could be a factor in the decisions 5hey made
April 28th, 2018 at 7:22 pm
“Noah Spence is a Von Miller clone” – says crazy person above.
First year – AP rookie of the year in 2011
Second year – He was actually an MVP candidate
Just stop. Be happy if Noah Spence gets 6 sacks this year
April 28th, 2018 at 10:00 pm
I too would have liked another DE instead of two CBs. But I am pleased with both the fourth, fifth, and sixth picks. Licht did fill our holes this year. We have four excellent WRs but we can use a fifth in case of injuries. Our new LB can be a good addition to our Special Teams and with training can be a suitable backup LB who may be a starter someday when David retires.
April 28th, 2018 at 10:57 pm
I’m petrified.
April 28th, 2018 at 11:21 pm
I heard the last surgery that Spence had included a device or was done in such a way that his injured shoulder would no longer be able to separate.
So he theoretically should be good to go if its fully healed.
April 28th, 2018 at 11:31 pm
JimmyJack..hell man, I hope you are right. I just don’t feel we have quite enough at DE right now. We are better. But we could have used another DE. I’m not high on Spence..at all. But there will be a waiver wire. Who knows? We are better on Defense. The question is..How nuch better. I also want to see more fire and coaching from our Dc Smith. Time for him to stop..resting on his laurels and do some coaching. Get Out Of that PRESSBOX!!!
April 28th, 2018 at 11:40 pm
IM SO cited for Spence I know it’s been hard first 2 years but I have faith that year 3 is the year for Spence I think he is going to splash in the NFL pool and everyone will know him by the end of the year
April 29th, 2018 at 6:08 am
Hard to believe those Karl-Malone-looking shoulders could get damaged. Deltoids apparently aren’t shoulder pads
Spence having a good year would make Licht look pretty brilliant. Hell, Spence having merely a decent year without injury could do the same.
April 29th, 2018 at 8:55 am
Agree with your about additional DE help Joe, it seems whitehead is a little raw but that Licht had Watson rated so high, if Watson turns into half of what Theilen is then I am okay with it
April 29th, 2018 at 9:03 am
Curry, JPP, Gholston, Unrein is good rotation to help keep Noah fresh. And Licht said he was trying to fix the trenches so I’m sure they’ll be looking at plenty of UDFA on both sides of the line. If anything we need DT depth, not DE.
April 29th, 2018 at 12:18 pm
Guys Spence is just a pipe dream at this point. In addition to the shoulder issues he just doesn’t seem to have the size and strength to be an effective NFL DE. When he has been healthy he hasn’t been impressive. Nothing on film so far indicates that he even deserves to be in the league at this point.