Ryan Neal Doesn’t Care Where He Plays As Long As He’s On The Field
April 8th, 2023
Bucs safety Ryan Neal.
Joe is confident the Bucs are happy about new safety Ryan Neal’s versatility.
A safety, Neal has logged time at corner for the Seahawks (not last year) during his four seasons in the Pacific Northwest. And while Neal is expected to play strong safety, if Todd Bowles needs him to take snaps elsewhere, Neal said (in so many words), put me in, coach.
“I just like playing football – that’s the way I look at it,” Neal said at One Buc Palace. “You can put a position on it but the way our game is changing now, there’s just X’s – there are no more positions.
“You just see a lot of guys who do a lot of different things – a bunch of hybrids. You can see that’s the way the game is going.
“If you’re a football player, you love it because you get to do anything and everything. For me, I’m comfortable with anything – I just like playing. Being on the field is fun, so wherever I’m at, I’m always cool with that.”
Joe loves this guy’s personality and mindset. He craves opportunities to make plays. Whatever it takes.
That’s the kind of player you want. No ego; all ball. Joe has a hunch if Neal makes plays for the Bucs like he did the Seahawks with enthusiasm, he will become a fan favorite in Tampa.
After a 2022 season filled with career highs, Ryan Neal is off to join the @buccaneers. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/H1LyhwNkEk
— NFL (@NFL) April 6, 2023
April 8th, 2023 at 11:35 am
He’s best in the box lined up on TE man vs man or in the slot.
April 8th, 2023 at 11:52 am
He’s their belated answer to losing Whitehead, who I believe gets overlooked when people talk about the drop off in the run defense.
April 8th, 2023 at 11:57 am
“ For me, I’m comfortable with anything – I just like playing. Being on the field is fun, so wherever I’m at, I’m always cool with that.”
We’ll see if he changes his mind after playing for Todd Bowels 😂😂
April 8th, 2023 at 12:05 pm
Is Winfield considered a strong or free safety? Depth chart shows both as strong
April 8th, 2023 at 12:10 pm
Jack Clark Says:
April 8th, 2023 at 11:57 am
“ For me, I’m comfortable with anything – I just like playing. Being on the field is fun, so wherever I’m at, I’m always cool with that.”
We’ll see if he changes his mind after playing for Todd Bowels 😂😂
^^^^^^^^
Uh, you realize that most guys LIKE playing for Todd Bowles, right? Like Anton Chigurh said in the gas station scene in No Country For Old Men, “You don’t know what you’re talking about, do you?”.
April 8th, 2023 at 12:12 pm
Jack Clark … ‘We’ll see if he changes his mind after playing for Todd Bowels’.
If you bothered to listen to his introductory press conference, you’d know that the opportunity to learn from & play for Coach Bowles is the REASON he came to the Bucs. And the reason that he signed for half his Market Value.
But hey, press on with spewing your venom.
April 8th, 2023 at 12:19 pm
Hopefully his personality will be contagious. This team needs an infusion of motivation, energy and enthusiasm missing from the team last year.
April 8th, 2023 at 12:19 pm
There is a valid discussion to be had about whether Bowles can be a successful head coach, but his players love him and he is a solid defensive coach. The vitriol for him makes me wonder if there isn’t something else that is bothering some posters on this site.
April 8th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
Wrong Neal. I’d rather have the thumper
April 8th, 2023 at 12:31 pm
@Beej Winfield prefers free safety and Bowles said that is where he will play this upcoming season.
April 8th, 2023 at 12:33 pm
I really like this signing. However, the Bucs will still need to add 2 safeties.
Draft one in rounds 3-6 then add another FA safety after the draft…
Perhaps bring back Logan Ryan on a cheap one year deal if possible.
April 8th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
How can he be a fan favorite if hes one and done ?
April 8th, 2023 at 12:59 pm
Why did the Seahawks let him go?
April 8th, 2023 at 1:15 pm
Things to like about the Ryan Neal:
-330 snaps in the box. 227 at FS and another 102 snaps in the slot as a nickel/dime corner
-Of his 66 tackles, 25 were run stops.
-54.3% completions on 35 targets w/6 PBUs which shakes out to a 51.3 QB rate when Neal has been targeted in coverage which is the 2nd best coverage grade for safeties.
-Just turned 27, oh and he plays special teams
We’ll get a better look at how Bowles will deploy him in the defense, but it’s safe to say regardless of the personnel package Neal can be in at least 3 different spots on the field. Cheap, 1-year audition and now that he’s a Buc, Neal’s probably got a firmer grip on his future as a pro safety than he’s had in his career so far, he plays well/exceptionally we’ll have the space to fit him for a longer term deal. OTAs are right around the corner.
April 8th, 2023 at 1:18 pm
Joe in Michigan
Defense rules
Nobody likes playing for a losing football team and Todd Bowels is a losing head football coach with a 34-51 record. So yes I do know what I’m talking about
April 8th, 2023 at 1:29 pm
@Fred McNeil
The Seahawks signed safety Julian Love who was a free agent from the Giants, which gave them a surplus at safety with Neal having been offered an RFA tender by the Seahawks. Fwiw, Neal only lasted 5 days on the market.
April 8th, 2023 at 1:32 pm
I got tears in my eyes watching those highlights. It seems like a long time since I have seen such great plays from our team. He even actually created turnovers!! I am excited about this season, no doubt. 🙂
April 8th, 2023 at 1:41 pm
Jack Clark, you obviously don’t. The Seahawks wanted him badly and hoped to sign him after they were forced to change the designation on him due to cap concerns. Their GM just recently stated that he was hoping to sign him but Tampa got him first. So no, you actually don’t know what you’re talking about. And as Defense said, he said he wanted to play for the coach here as well. He likes his defense and stated they even studied it in Seattle. I know, reading is hard, but occasionally you’ll be able to glean some nuggets from it. Good luck.
Joe in Michigan, great reference! Great movie too.
April 8th, 2023 at 1:50 pm
Dooley why not sign Neal and not Love it would have been cheaper?
April 8th, 2023 at 1:54 pm
Don’t make Joe go all Javier Bardem on you again……….
April 8th, 2023 at 2:02 pm
Steven007
What does anything you said invalidate anything I said? “Nobody likes playing for a losing football team and Todd Bowels is a losing head football coach with a 34-51 record. We’ll see if Ryan Neal changes his mind after playing for Todd Bowels”
And what was that you said about you knowing reading is hard? 🤔
April 8th, 2023 at 2:02 pm
Steven007
What does anything you said invalidate anything I said? “Nobody likes playing for a losing football team and Todd Bowels is a losing head football coach with a 34-51 record. We’ll see if Ryan Neal changes his mind after playing for Todd Bowels”
And what was that you said about you knowing reading is hard? 🤔
April 8th, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Suddenly we have four studs in the defensive backfield. Edge trench edge trench run stuff pass rush. Draft priorities, go Jason go.
Love this signing. Licht hits it out of the park again.
April 8th, 2023 at 2:13 pm
Jack Clark , you are obviously a bowles hater more than a bucs fan.. Defense rules and steven007 are definitely some of the most knowledgeable fans here.. you are definitely barking up the wrong tree today..
April 8th, 2023 at 2:20 pm
#99 the Big fella
Todd Bowels single handedly ruined our Super Bowl winning, no risk it no biscuit offense and didn’t accept any accountability for it. Our team is boring and painful to watch now because of him. And nobody wants to watch his defense get torched on Sunday nights because our defensive backs don’t know who to cover. Defense Rules and Steven007 are light work
April 8th, 2023 at 2:26 pm
If he’s going to play the same role as Keanu Neal then he’s gonna be a huge upgrade, since Keanu Neal had lost about 2 steps and was way too slow to be in games.
I hope this kid does well – I like when guys bet on themselves. But you do need to back it up as well.
April 8th, 2023 at 2:39 pm
Clark, I was referencing your first comment which is also the comment that DR and others referenced. What you said about playing for a losing team is obvious and needs no insight. Who among us would prefer that? But it’s a new season, with new players, and the focus as always will be on winning games. You have no crystal ball so you don’t know what the team will look like at the end of this year. Neither do I. So your comment about him changing his mind after he plays for a coach he said he wanted to play for and a team he has studied and admired is nothing but throwing a dart at a very large dart board. And worthless as conjecture. But do carry on, you seem to be amusing yourself at least.
April 8th, 2023 at 2:40 pm
Todd is a defensive coordinator…. Not so much a head coach
April 8th, 2023 at 2:44 pm
Steven007 and #99 the Big Fella … Obviously those like Jack Clark who believe that ‘Todd Bowels single handedly ruined our Super Bowl winning, no risk it no biscuit offense’ can’t be convinced otherwise. (Love phrases like ‘single-handedly’ BTW).
But his other conclusion that ‘nobody wants to watch Bowles’ defense get torched on Sunday nights because our defensive backs don’t know who to cover’ could be fun to debate (?) using 2020-2022 RESULTS. Either of you want to take first crack at that overly-dramatic generalization or should it just be ignored like the first?
April 8th, 2023 at 3:03 pm
DR, you know the answer to that one. I generally follow the do not feed the troll rule. But in this forum more than others, I do engage for amusement occasionally. I’ve never seen an insightful comment from him so I assume he simply likes to see his handle represented in the blogosphere. Simple pleasures I suppose.
April 8th, 2023 at 3:04 pm
DR, also I like how he conveniently ignores how our defense was almost single-handedly responsible for our most recent super bowl win. Certainly in the game itself. Just another inconvenient truth in his world I am sure.
April 8th, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Results matter.
2021 defense regressed from 2020, and Bowels cost Brady and the Bucs a chance to defend their SB55 title. The play we shall not discuss.
2022 the defense was exposed as substandard to anyone half decent, giving up an average of 33ppg to playofff teams and making the Cowboys look like the Chiefs in the blowout home playoff loss. Yet the Cows were beaten like bald headed orphans at the end of the regular season, and in their next playoff game. Bucs made Dak look like Montana. Otherwise he looked like Dilfer.
Facts.
Accountability for performance is with the head coach, who is now on a 4 consecutive losing season streak.
These are facts, not hate.
Pile on the excuses, but them’s the facts.
April 8th, 2023 at 3:27 pm
Gross misrepresentation of cherry picked facts at best, alternative facts at the very least, but people will read, right, and believe almost anything. It’s like the football equivalent of a flat earther or the pizzagate weirdos or Leo ole who think 2Pac is living on a farm in Belize living off mangos and yuca
April 8th, 2023 at 3:34 pm
Facts ! Goatfarmer will give you his once a day hate of Todd Bowles
April 8th, 2023 at 3:36 pm
Goat, I assume you didn’t take my comments to be a defense of the head coach in general. More specifically his defense, which has been a vast improvement over the defenses of the previous 10 years. And even more specifically I was referencing the inane comment by the troll. I agree with your facts and I hope for improvement.
April 8th, 2023 at 3:38 pm
Steven007 … OK now I see what you meant about trolls. It is humorous though when trolls cherry-pick stats which purportedly make their ‘case’ instead of evaluating various pertinent factors and producing quality analyses. I’ve noticed that some of the national media ‘pundits’ do pretty much the same thing, in their own self-interest of course.
April 8th, 2023 at 3:39 pm
@Allbuccedup
Probably preference, Seattles GM called Love the “perfect fit” after signing him and they’ve still got Jamal Adams under contract. Adams is rehabbing that torn quad, so I’m guessing they feel Love-Adams is > Neal-Adams moving forward for them. The bonus for us, is Neal was like DR said signed here for about half of what his RFA deal was and less money than Mike Edwards got from KC. It’s anyone’s guess tbh
April 8th, 2023 at 3:57 pm
Goatfarmer, let me give you an example of cherry-picking stats. Your statement, not mine: ‘2021 defense regressed from 2020’.
Fact: 2020 defense ranked #8 in the NFL in Points Allowed. 2021 defense ranked #5. NOT a regression.
Fact: 2020 defense allowed 355 points in 16 games (22.2 PPG average). 2021 defense allowed 353 points in 17 games (20.8 PPG average). NOT a regression.
Fact: 2020 defense allowed opponents a 40.0% 3rd Down conversion rate. 2021 defense allowed a 38.5% 3rd Down conversion rate. NOT a regression.
Fact: 2020 defense allowed opponents to score TDs 62.7% of the time they reached the Red Zone. 2021 defense allowed them to score TDs 52.5% of the time they reached the Red Zone. NOT a regression.
Fact: 2020 defense generated 25 takeaways. 2021 defense generated 29 takeaways. NOT a regression.
To use your words … ‘them’s the facts’. Could go on, but it turns out that feeding trolls isn’t very much fun because trolls really don’t acknowledge ‘facts’ and usually just use a diversion technique to refocus on the object of their hate. The WHY is far beyond me.
April 8th, 2023 at 4:43 pm
Defense Goat speaks from his rear on most days. 2021 Bucs should have won it a second time, but the blown call against LA cost us.
Its been downhill from there. Team buy-in on Bowles seems to be shaky after that.
Having said that – this is a good pick up. Really good. Gaines was a good pick up too. I thought Gaines was the steal of the offseason, but this kid might actually be.
If we can get any production out of Shaq Barrett this season (most likely second half if anything) then this could be a strong defense.
Now more than ever Bucs need to zero in on an edge rusher in this draft – Lukas Van Ness is a beast.
April 8th, 2023 at 4:49 pm
@Mike S – you see the defensive call at the end of the game is too easy to pick on at this point. The defense is the reason the Bucs were in that game while the offense played 1.5 quarters of good football. That is why I blame the offense. Especially the narcissist who danced off the field in New Jersey. When he left the field so did the Bucs super bowl hopes.
April 8th, 2023 at 4:56 pm
Steven007 Says:
April 8th, 2023 at 2:39 pm
You have no crystal ball
That’s why I said “We’ll see” pipsqueak
April 8th, 2023 at 5:20 pm
Mike S … ‘Now more than ever Bucs need to zero in on an edge rusher in this draft – Lukas Van Ness is a beast.’
From what I’ve seen, the top 3-4 rounds is usually where you find the rookies who can contribute right away, as either starters or as rotational players. Our 2022 draft picks are a reasonable example. Just looking at ‘field time’ here’s how it turned out:
o Hall (Rnd 2): 403 def snaps (37.6%)
o Goedeke (Rnd 2): 523 off snaps (45.1%)
o R White (Rnd 3): 469 off snaps (40.5%)
o Otton (Rnd 4): 803 off snaps (69.3%)
o Camarda (Rnd 4): 226 S/Ts snaps
o McCollum (Rnd 5): 277 def snaps (23.9%)
o Kieft (Rnd 6): 265 off snaps (22.9%)
o Anthony (Rnd 7): never made the team
Based on that, I’d say that Otton (Rnd 4) and Camarda (Rnd 4) got the most experience last season by virtue of field time, but that Hall, Goedeke, White, McCollum & Kieft also got a lot of very valuable experience last season. Would’ve liked to have seen Hall & Goedeke get more field time (by virtue of being 2nd rounders), but both seem like they need to beef up before they can really contribute a whole bunch. Hopefully that’ll happen this year.
April 8th, 2023 at 5:23 pm
“We’ll see” after a raft of nonsensical exclusively negative drivel is meaningless Clarkopotomous.
April 8th, 2023 at 5:26 pm
But pipsqueak was cute, darling.
April 8th, 2023 at 5:51 pm
Every coach has to follow their own style and vision. Bowles has been around long enough to know what works for him. He was handicapped by a terrible OC last year. I am excited about Canales. We got some good talent in free agency and if and when Licht nails this draft we could have a very good team this year.
April 8th, 2023 at 5:57 pm
Steven007 , Jack Clark is reaching deep now with the elementary school name calling .
April 8th, 2023 at 5:57 pm
Steven007 Says:
April 8th, 2023 at 5:23 pm
“We’ll see” after a raft of nonsensical exclusively negative drivel is meaningless Clarkopotomous.
After I said, “Todd Bowels is a losing football team and Todd Bowels is a losing head football coach with a 34-51 record”? How is that nonsensical pipsqueak?
April 8th, 2023 at 5:59 pm
Steven007 Says:
April 8th, 2023 at 5:23 pm
“We’ll see” after a raft of nonsensical exclusively negative drivel is meaningless Clarkopotomous.
After I said, “Todd Bowels is a losing head football coach with a 34-51 record”? How is that nonsensical pipsqueak?****
April 8th, 2023 at 6:02 pm
“Accountability for performance is with the head coach, who is now on a 4 consecutive losing season streak.“
Accountability is with everybody from the Head Coach down to the last practice squad all the way down to the guy running the video board who tipped off the Packers sideline that they had 12 men on the field during our 2 point conversion to close the game. Yes, let’s blame Bowles for everything bad and be childishly stubborn when anything reflects well on him, even if it’s coming from his own players’ mouths.
April 8th, 2023 at 6:11 pm
All I know is both my Washington State nephews, who are ravenous Seahawks fans, are really pissed they lost Ryan Neal.
April 8th, 2023 at 6:12 pm
Dooley, unfortunately we can’t make these trolls understand anything.. haters are going to hate..
April 8th, 2023 at 6:44 pm
34-51 is large enough to make an assessment of the future. Does anyone think this is the year he figures it out?
The Glazers have made some coaching hires that didn’t work out at all. Add this to the list.
April 8th, 2023 at 6:47 pm
Plug him at safety or nickel and the secondary is ready to roll. Need edge help badly though along with another DL. Also develop a safety and ILB.
April 8th, 2023 at 6:51 pm
If Neal balls out, I don’t think there’s any way the Bugs would be able to sign both him and Winfield. Probably one and done!
April 8th, 2023 at 6:58 pm
Hopefully this is a good signing for us, he played very welll last season.
April 8th, 2023 at 7:15 pm
Bowles has had Ryan Fitzpatrick; Geno Smith; Bryce Petty; Josh McCown; Sam Darnold, and an old & distracted Tom Brady at QB.
Give him Mahomes, Lamar, young Brady or Allen and he’s still the Jets head coach today.
April 8th, 2023 at 7:25 pm
Mike S … ’34-51 is large enough to make an assessment of the future.’
Todd Bowles record in the regular season is 34-50 over 5 years. That equates to a 40.5% win-loss percentage. Just a guess, but there’s a good chance that’s not what Bowles was shooting for when he became head coach.
Bill Belicheck spent his first 5 years as Cleveland’s head coach (36-44 record) then had a 5-11 record in his first year in New England. So in his first 6 years, Belicheck went 41-55. That equates to a 42.7% win-loss percentage. Probably not what he wanted either.
Over the next 19 years, Belicheck went 232-72 … with Tom Brady predominantly in his prime … for a 76.3% win-loss percentage. Included 1 or 2 Super Bowls, maybe even more.
My question Mike: Was Belicheck’s 42.7% win-loss percentage over his first 6 years ‘large enough to make an assessment’ of his future 76.3% win-loss percentage over the next 19 years?
Gut feel is that we both know the answer to that one.
April 8th, 2023 at 7:36 pm
Clark, you win. What you say? A tin foil hat darling. But I believe you probably already have one. Congratulation on your big blog triumph. Maybe you can show your friends?
April 8th, 2023 at 7:37 pm
DR, you are assuming logic works. Which means you are assuming a lot. But as always I appreciate your efforts.
April 8th, 2023 at 7:39 pm
Big fella, we all know that this is unequivocally the highlight of his day. His version of his name in lights. Or his moniker, whatever. If calling me a pipsqueak gives him a broner, let him have it.
April 8th, 2023 at 8:03 pm
Steven007 Says:
April 8th, 2023 at 7:36 pm
Clark, you win.
Light work
April 8th, 2023 at 8:26 pm
Goatfarmer Says:
2021 defense regressed from 2020
———-
That is an absolutely true statement, however it’s mixing context.
The Bucs secondary was destroyed by injuries, to the point that the team had to switch from mostly blitzing and playing man-to-man to playing mostly zone (well, until we all know when they didn’t).
Frankly, when you’re having to sign guys off their couch and have them start prime time games a few days later – to still finish in the top 10 was ultra impressive.
Also while the 2021 defense was finally starting to get healthy at the end of the year, they also hadn’t really played together since very early in the season and never looked anything like the 2020 end of year defense, which was hitting on all cylinders.
The biggest issue I have is that while Todd blew that last call vs the Rams, it also turned him into a coward. Last year, in 2022, the Bucs played more zone defense than anyone in the NFL. This was not the 2020 defensive scheme, this was a conservative, dull, defense that stopped doing what Bowles is known for, and that is blitzing, blitzing and more blitzing. If you live and die by the blitz, you don’t go into a shell because you get burned, and Bowles did that last year.
April 8th, 2023 at 8:33 pm
Defense Rules – Belichick was 43 his last year in Cleveland. Bowles is 59. They’re not comparable at all. Bill was still a young up and comer, while Bowles will be done if he doesn’t turn it around this year.
Bowles has shown nothing that would make me think he’s a good head coach. Also, as I pointed out before, I don’t dislike Bowles and I thought he’d do fine last year – but he lost me completely when he lost that Cleveland game, being such a coward that he took the ball out of Brady’s hands because he was scared. That’s insane, and inexcusable. I put most of the blame last year on Leftwich, and I don’t blame Bowles for not firing him since I don’t think he had the power to do so, but the stuff that Bowles did control – he screwed up. There’s absolutely no reason to think someone who is 60 is suddenly going to have a light bulb go off for them and they’re going to become a top tier head coach out of the blue.
April 8th, 2023 at 8:50 pm
Stoked on this signing.
I expect to see him and ask field bringing some nicely disguised blitzes this year.
April 8th, 2023 at 8:51 pm
*expect to see him and Winfield
April 8th, 2023 at 9:36 pm
And the know it all bullies who love to pontificate endlessly about their wisdom come in and attack, and then make a pile of excuses. Hate the facts, don’t hate the messenger.
Facts and results are what they are. Excuses are made to keep a flawed agenda relevant. Keep it up.
But you do anyway. That’s fine, it’s almost bedtime. When it’s time to snooze I’ll just start trying to read on of those War and Peace fog pieces.
Make sure to drink some electrolytes so you don’t get dehydrated pulling batches off each other.
April 8th, 2023 at 9:57 pm
Jack Clark – apparently some English majors who write the most words compiling all the excuses for the Bucs version of President Gerald Ford, failed at recognizing the concept of “concise.”
Results are the penultimate metric in sports, business, competition in general. In team sports, accountability for those results belong to the head coach.
The current head coach was gifted the job in a midnight switch by BA, a noble effort but in hindsight a blow to the team. Bowels’ failures with the Jets all surfaced with the Bucs last season, except instead of scrub QB and temper tantrum throwing D-linemen, he had Tom Brady and a talented roster. He went 8-10 including a performance in the playoff game that was the ugliest of the year. Dak had a Joe Montana game in between Dilferish performance. He allowed the team to be flat, lethargic, and soft. A trend for much of 2022 and his Jets tenure.
Those who have stapled their Internet brand to Bowels the Defensive Mastermind are now in a corner and only left with excuses. It’s all they have, and maybe there will be another 35,983 words in three posts to refute facts, and results.
Meanwhile, facts and results are irrefutable.
2023 looms.
A 5th consecutive losing season?
April 8th, 2023 at 10:46 pm
Defense Rules Tom Brady just walked out the door – he ain’t walking through it again. We had the guy and he went 8-10 with the Bucs.
You think we’re going to have a .750 win % with Baker the INT Maker?
Call me skeptical.
But with this team and a good coach – 11 wins not out of the realm of possibility.
Bowles? 6.5 O/U in Vegas.
Its a clown show.
April 8th, 2023 at 10:53 pm
This notion that “everyone’s accountable” is a proven failure, time and again. Each player is only accountable if the coach holds them accountable. Look at Diva White’s regression. He’s never been held accountable for his improvement because Bloweszo is in love with his athleticism and his potential and, probably, doesn’t want to make him mad.
Bloweszo is blind about institutionalizing accountability. He has 4 losing seasons to prove that so far.
Fact.
April 8th, 2023 at 11:18 pm
Clark, you didn’t even understand what I did. And you’re welcome for the broner. Two words: fish food.