“A Lot More Comfortable. You Know, I Just Feel Like Myself”
July 28th, 2019
Noah Spence was very clear after practice today at One Buc Palace. “I didn’t really like what happened last year.”
What happened is Spence was stuck on the bench. Former Bucs defensive line coach Brentson Buckner didn’t believe in him, and defensive coordinators Mike Smith and Mark Duffner had no problem keeping Spence invisible.
He couldn’t get on the field. But here he is for his fourth Bucs season trying to shake the draft-bust label that fits.
Spence talked to WDAE radio after the Saturday’s practice and admitted he’s a new man in 2019.
“A lot more comfortable. You know, I just feel like myself. I feel like I’m playing like I’m supposed to,” Spence said.
The new defense suits him, he says, and he has no problem with the linebacker label now attached to him.
“Some things happened last year … I didn’t really like what happened last year. But it’s ok. I mean, I love the game. I’m here playing, working as hard as I can to be the best I can be. That’s all it is,” Spence said.
The pads come on tomorrow and the real stuff begins. Spence, however, has shined in past summers before sort of disappearing.
Bucco Bruce Arians has been gushing over Spence but says he wants to see him play the run. Teammates have been raving about Spence, as well, (more on that later) but reality will soon set in. What that reality is will come down to what Spence can deliver through the first three preseason games.
July 28th, 2019 at 12:48 am
Gonna be a beast….Go Bucs!
July 28th, 2019 at 12:59 am
I hope so but why hope find a way to get Yannick Ngakoue from Jax 😉
July 28th, 2019 at 1:15 am
Good luck Mr. Spence and thank the joes for being in their good graces and not going off on you like D. White. We’ll see what you bring to the table. Im guessing youre done but i wont treat you disrespectfully with hateful innuendo and pick on you. Its probably your last go at it, but good luck with it kid. I hope you turn into a workhorse beast for us!!
(see joes, its not that hard)
July 28th, 2019 at 2:47 am
After being subjected to the Gump, Dirk & Smitty sitcom for the last few years it’s a nice respite to see players actually playing their, you know, TRUE positions on the damn football field. That trio of goofballs were always putting players out of position (Benenoch and Cappa as guards…are you kidding?) as well as drafting players for the wrong damn reasons. Nice to see Arians and Bowles keeping Gump behind the curtain where he belongs.
July 28th, 2019 at 3:39 am
For a guy who has had several shoulder surgeries, the deltoids are unbelievable. Let him play.
July 28th, 2019 at 4:24 am
Bucs drafted Spence knowing he was better suited as a 3-4. He was just too small to play the run in a 4-3. I wouldn’t be surprised if he led the Bucs in sacks this year.
On the other hand, Carl Nissab and Anthony Nelson seem a bit too tall to play linebacker in 3-4. Both seem more suited in 4-3. Interested in seeing how these two respond.
Anthony Nelson – 6’7″, 271 lbs, 40 time = 4.82
Carl Nissab – 6’7″, 277 lbs, 40 time = 4.84
July 28th, 2019 at 5:51 am
Bucs could really use for both Spence AND Barrett to shine this year. Beyond just their pass rushing abilities though, I’d expect that their pass coverage AND their run-stopping skills in certain scenarios will play a huge role in TB’s defense. Never thought I’d say this, but can’t wait for preseason games to begin.
July 28th, 2019 at 6:14 am
Spence looks like Tarzan & plays like Jane…..let’s hope that changes….
July 28th, 2019 at 7:05 am
Today In pads should tell more of the story. Let’s see him string 3 nice practices together.
July 28th, 2019 at 7:06 am
Why am I back in moderation?
I didn’t say anything
July 28th, 2019 at 8:38 am
If Spence can turn it around, the front 7 collectively has a chance to be special.
Interesting point on Nassib and Nelson’s height. I’d imagine they rotate into that DE spot on occasion. Certainly don’t see much coverage in store for those 2.
July 28th, 2019 at 9:36 am
I would love to see him have a great season and shake the bust label. We need all the pass rush we can get and a 2nd round sitting on the bench for the better part of 3 years just hurts.
July 28th, 2019 at 10:35 am
AlabamaBucsFan Says:
An OLD in a 3-4 isn’s like an OLB in a 4-3. They are more stand up DE’s a click off the LoS.
Their purpose is taking a different rushing angle at the QB than a DE in a 4-3.
July 28th, 2019 at 10:47 am
Cobraboy says quote]An OLB in a 3-4 isn’s like an OLB in a 4-3. They are more stand up DE’s a click off the LoS.
Their purpose is taking a different rushing angle at the QB than a DE in a 4-3.[/quote]
True, but they will be asked to drop back and cover the TE and running backs more then DE in a 4-3
July 28th, 2019 at 11:01 am
Can Spence step back into pass coverage will determine if he will ever deserve the nickname (SPAWN) GO BUCS GO SPAWN!!! …time to man up!!
July 28th, 2019 at 11:24 am
We will find out if Spence can drop back into pass coverage and earn the nickname SPAWN ….time will tell!! GO BUCS CO SPAWN!!!
July 28th, 2019 at 12:09 pm
Not sold on Spence. It’s been the same story every offseason. “I’m not happy with how I played, I feel better this year.” Coaches rave about him, but come the regular season boom he’s invisible.
This is the 3rd or 4th year I’ve heard about Noah Spence from our coaches, and each of those years he’s failed expectations.