The “Meathead” Factor
September 19th, 2019
Learning curve for Carl Nassib
Linebackers coach Larry Foote has had a lot of hard work on his hands.
Year 1 of the Todd Bowles defense is a challenge to teach to former 4-3 edge rushers who are now linebackers. (This is one reason Joe would like to see Jason Pierre-Paul spending more time around the Bucs.)
Foote jumped on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week and talked about how DE-turned-LB Carl Nassib has had his struggles and frustrations.
“The challenge in part for me coaching them guys. A lot of them guys are used to have their hand in the dirt, so you gotta teach them ‘backer stuff,” Foote said. “And from Day 1, I’ve always coached them guys as if they’re they middle backer; they got to know the formations. So in May you can tell the type of headaches we had in there. Especially with Carl, when stuff ain’t right, he drops a couple of four letter words in the meeting room. But he is improving as far as being a backer and not just, I call them meatheads, with their hand in the dirt. But those guys are developing as far as becoming true outside linebackers and they’re doing a good job. And the more they can do that, the more flexible our defense can be.”
The key sentence is the the last one. Once guys like Nassib really know their roles, then the Bowles defense be maximized.
If it takes Nassib too long — he has no sacks or QB hits yet — he might start losing playing time to Shaq Barrett and rookie Anthony Nelson.
September 19th, 2019 at 12:31 pm
Nelson was drafted to replace Nassib next year. Hope Carl figures this out though because he looks hesitant to make plays.
September 19th, 2019 at 12:32 pm
nassib has been disruptive imo….
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 19th, 2019 at 12:39 pm
Nassib will figure it out and not be replaced by anyone next year…..
September 19th, 2019 at 12:41 pm
Nassib has been great. Shaq has just been getting there first. Same for Vea and Suh, they were the reason why Cam didn’t try a QB sneak.
September 19th, 2019 at 12:47 pm
Carl is straight, he drops back in coverage well, gets to the QBs + ball carrier and most importantly he does something no DE or olb has done in Tampa in at least 5-10 years and that contain. Most importantly he contains.
September 19th, 2019 at 12:58 pm
Sacks are usually the culmination of all the guys disrulting the blocking scheme. One guy gets the stat.
September 19th, 2019 at 1:01 pm
DB55 says”Most importantly he contains…”
Great insight! No one is getting outside of him and he is turning plays in toward a clogged middle and unblocked guys like LVD and Minter.
September 19th, 2019 at 1:01 pm
Joe i always get the sense you have a bone to pick with Nassib. I don’t understand why.
September 19th, 2019 at 1:02 pm
Can someone do a well being check on Realist? I have a bad feeling that the paramedics are going to go into his residence and find him OD’d on exclamation marks.
September 19th, 2019 at 1:05 pm
I am a Carl Nassib fan. Let’s give him a few more games to see if he continues to improve. It would be great to have Carl, JPP and Barrett on the same team…
September 19th, 2019 at 1:18 pm
I’m still waiting for Nassib to show up as a passrusher. Commenters above saying he been great. At what cause it sure aren’t getting to the QB. Not one QB hit in 2 games is pretty lousy by any standard.
Nelson earned himself more snaps. Nassib better step it up or he will soon be fighting for his job.
September 19th, 2019 at 1:18 pm
“This Is A Pressure Defense”- Bruce Arians. Touching the QB is cool in all but the emphasis is on getting pressure. The Broncos had a game stolen from then by the refs do to a sack by Von Miller that was clearly a clean play but was called a personal foul.
September 19th, 2019 at 1:21 pm
Best part so far about this front? This fan could not tell when Beau Allen, Nunez-Rochez or Anthony Nelson were in the game because the play on the field stayed consistent!
Great googly moogly! We have some depth!
Same can be said about Minter coming into the game for D. White.
Next thing to happen is for the back end to ‘stay in tune’ and the turnovers will start to happen.
September 19th, 2019 at 1:30 pm
“Not one QB hit in 2 games is pretty lousy by any standard.”
Carl is a LB, QB hits are not in the job description. Especially when the designated rushing LB has 4 sacks and many pressures.
On most 3rd and longs there will be 3 DL rushers and one surprise rusher, either LB, safety or slot CB.
I like that Carl is a pretty smart guy.
September 19th, 2019 at 1:38 pm
“My Dad and I
was driving thru Sebring and we saw senile The Buc Realist on his front porch. He was mumbling and harassing the postman about the Sheep will know on 2019 what the real fans already know”
Son of Kobe Faker
September 19th, 2019 at 1:41 pm
Ghost Thanks……Maybe I’ll need to watch Nassib a little more closely and see what they are asking him to do. Did assume he would be a big part of our passrush. Either way I do not think it’s a good sign for Nassib that Nelson has come in and made some key plays. One that was a game changing turnovers too.
September 19th, 2019 at 1:43 pm
Kobe I heard he lost all his teeth too. Poor guy.
September 19th, 2019 at 1:55 pm
“Son of Kobe Faker Says:
September 19th, 2019 at 1:38 pm
“My Dad and I
was driving thru Sebring…”
—————————————————————————————
I went one time to Sebring for a State baseball tournament……….
Boy, that place has to be one of the ‘Arm pits” of Florida………….what a crappy place to live…….
there is absolutely NOTHING TO DO THERE!!!!!!!!
It’s no wonder why people are senile there and someone shot up a bank there…..
September 19th, 2019 at 2:55 pm
I am very neutral on Nassib, he honestly hasn’t done a bunch this year so far but when watching the last play of the Panther game, he was in perfect backside position. If the ball would’ve gotten handed off, Nassib was there doing his job. That is as good as making the play for me.
September 19th, 2019 at 3:03 pm
I think Nassib has put quite a bit of pressure collapsing the pocket. He seems to get chipped more with a TE and the RT than Barrett on the LT. He’ll get there once they pay more attention to Barrett.
September 19th, 2019 at 3:16 pm
🙄 @ Joe. Nassib did pretty good last year and he is getting better after the last two first games, after all Joe, he is switching positions. You’re funny, he isn’t losing his job, I am willing to wager (minus injury) he will never not start this season. #NotThatDoomAndGloom #BucsMedia
September 19th, 2019 at 4:40 pm
Rob gets it.
Welcome Rob. Beware most these dudes are completely clueless.
Btw the od on !!!!!!! = priceless. You sir win the thread
September 19th, 2019 at 6:49 pm
If these guys really are a quick study as Arians suggested earlier in the year, it should be interesting to see how the defense evolves over the course of the year as they get more proficient in their roles.
September 19th, 2019 at 9:06 pm
Carl is not being replaced by any rookie that much is sure. Nelson’s body does not look NFL ready like Spence. He did have those 2 splash plays last week so I get the hype. Hopefully, Nelson will be committed during off season program and we can see him develop into a good 3 down player. JPP has never played in 3-4 so I am not sure what he could offer to the DE group on 3-4 techniques or reads.
I am not sure what some of you are watching who are so critical of Nassib especially DB55…the stable Bucs genius. Sorry but when you come on here to slam others about their knowledge and your takes lack any technical detail or real FB knowledge….it screams I am insecure in my position or knowledge so I will just tear down others. You can stop doing that now or continue to be a JBF pariah. Your choice. No need to respond…Im like a seagull I poop and leave.
September 20th, 2019 at 2:32 pm
The guy isn’t stupid. My money’s on him synthesizing and utilizing everything he’s learned and watching it happen all at once.
Cerebral guys like him often don’t learn gradually. Their learning curve is a parabola. Stays kinda flat for a while then takes off for the sky because they want all the pieces to fit and don’t excel until they do.