A “Jolt Of Energy”
June 2nd, 2022
Joe has spent a lot of time studying defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and what he may bring to the Bucs after Tampa Bay dropped millions in his lap this week.
It’s intriguing how beloved Hicks was in Chicago. Joe’s been hearing it from various corners.
Yes, there are the many injuries and his 32-year-old body, but the consensus is that Hicks’ upside is huge.
Of his performance last season, Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian said on SiriusXM NFL Radio that Hicks moved back and forth from dominant to a guy who “disappeared” in games.
Retired linebacker A.J. Hawk was talking on The Pat McAfee Show about how Hicks is a “jolt of energy” kind of player and acknowledged that at 6-4, 335 pounds, Hicks is in an ideal situation to succeed playing with Vita Vea and a stacked Bucs roster.
Chatter on Chicago sports radio was about how any contender would want Hicks and that Hicks likely pounced at the chance to get back to a winning organization. Hicks knows what it’s like to play with Tom Brady and reach a conference title game, which he did for one season after New England traded for him in the fall of 2015.
The guys at the BearGogglesOn blog referred to Hicks as a “fan favorite” — the same chatter Joe heard on Chicago sports radio — and noted that when he is healthy enough to play, he’s an absolute beast.
The energy line resonated most with Joe. Between the fire the Bucs say burns within rookie DL Logan Hall and now the spark of Hicks, the Bucs’ defensive front might recapture its 2020 intensity and success.
Got 'em! 😤@The_Dream99 | #CHIvsLAR pic.twitter.com/W5lWwsaojq
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 13, 2021
June 2nd, 2022 at 3:23 pm
Coach Javadifar just got promoted to a position tailored just for her as “Director of Rehab & Performance” and I’m hoping she can link with Hicks to get him ready for the season.
June 2nd, 2022 at 3:52 pm
If Logan Hall is as advertised, then the addition of Hicks makes us a downright scare defensive front to play against!
I just love this signing, plus we got Hicks on a team friendly contract!
Great Job Jason Licht!
June 2nd, 2022 at 3:53 pm
One of the greatest free agent mistakes belichick ever made was letting Hicks walk. I’m not suggesting he’s the same player, but like Joe said, the upside is huge. He doesn’t need to play every snap to be effective. I’m sure he’ll be rotated. Sheldon Richardson and Brandon Phillips are both still available. Put either of those in a rotation with the rookie, and the sky is the limit
June 2nd, 2022 at 3:59 pm
Looks faster then Sue
June 2nd, 2022 at 4:04 pm
Yep!
A TON of talent not tangled up in a long term cap concern
June 2nd, 2022 at 4:09 pm
And to think many fans on this here site thought the sky was falling because they thought our D-Line would be suspect this year. Looking good on paper so far!
GO BUCS!!
June 2nd, 2022 at 4:14 pm
@GOB
From what I recall, Belichick wanted Hicks back. You can check, but if I’m not mistaken Hicks had the same contractual offer sheets from both Chicago and New England. The implication was that Hicks didn’t want to play for Belichick.
June 2nd, 2022 at 4:29 pm
Couldn’t have picked a better clip. The Rams are Enem#1 right now, and we had a tough time getting after Stafford last year.
June 2nd, 2022 at 4:40 pm
Passing, you may be correct. My recollection is it was about playing time. Belichick loves to rotate, especially on the DL. Plus, Hicks and Ryan pace have history. He drafted him while with the saints. If memory serves, Bill made a counter offer at the last minute for basically the same money, but wouldn’t guarantee the playing time. Hicks played something like 85% of defensive snaps for the bears in his first two years. Bill should have made an exception, but you know how it goes up there.
June 2nd, 2022 at 4:50 pm
Hope he stays healthy
June 2nd, 2022 at 5:19 pm
Great article, Joe. You are exactly 💯 right about how beloved Hicks is by Bears fans.
My brother Kyle, a life-long Bears fan literally told me (before it happened) that he really hoped that Hicks would end up here in TB, so that he could still root for him on his 2nd team.
Kyle & many Bears fans really love this guy. Makes me pumped up to have him here.
June 2nd, 2022 at 6:04 pm
This signing makes me question our draft strategy. Why not get the safety or linebacker with our first pick instead of trading down?
June 2nd, 2022 at 6:49 pm
suhs numbers have been better year over year. i don’t watch the bears because why would you, but the stats are a something. maybe this will be the renaissance year or more of the mean.
June 2nd, 2022 at 7:10 pm
Now all we need is Gronk!!!
June 2nd, 2022 at 7:16 pm
He probably will have to lose some weight to survive the Florida heat. The reduced weight, tackle rotation, and Todd Bowles’ creativity will get the most out of him. I am getting pumped for the season to start!
June 2nd, 2022 at 8:18 pm
You folks will quickly fall in love with Hicks. He has something to play for now. The bears have been an abject disaster for the vast majority of his time. I do think some of the injuries have been weight related. He’ll lose five bills by simply getting out the airport.
June 2nd, 2022 at 10:37 pm
Bill Polian says he disappears in games.
Polian knows.
Suh.
June 2nd, 2022 at 11:58 pm
Still too many Pats fans on JBF!
June 3rd, 2022 at 12:39 am
Might ideal for him in that he, Vea, Gholston, Hall will be in a rotation. Keep them all fresh and energized!
June 3rd, 2022 at 2:30 am
Buc1977, gee I wonder why we have so many NE fans?
Personally, I was born there and moved down here in 1979.
June 3rd, 2022 at 6:42 am
Hicks contract details. 6.5 million guaranteed. 1.5 million per game bonus. I believe suggesting if he plays all 17 games, he will earn all that 1.5 million. 2 million incentives.
June 3rd, 2022 at 8:28 am
For those numbskulls still crying for Suh (or Sue for those with even lower IQs), and replacing snapcounts from him and McClendon… that’s what Hall and Hicks do… they replace the 1100 snaps that Suh and McClendon logged last year. There’s no room for either one of them.
June 3rd, 2022 at 12:36 pm
Love what Jason is doing. I hope we add a few more pieces like this before training camp. We looking good y’all. Let’s goo
June 3rd, 2022 at 6:22 pm
So basically, we’re all HOPING that:
1. He will replace / equal Suh’s run-stopping ability
2. He will privde more of a pass rush that Suh was currently capable of
3. He will stay healthy for a whole season (an issue Suh never had).
That’s a whole lot Hope IMO.
Now, here’s the even more important question:
– Who are we getting to replace JPP?
Well hello Mr. Quinn, would you like to come to Tampa by chance?
June 3rd, 2022 at 10:34 pm
^ No room for Quinn unless we get those saints bean counters to do this…we gotta save room for Gronk…and possibly bringing AB back.