Sneaky Good Pass Rusher
July 4th, 2023
Bucs DT Greg Gaines.
One reason little has been written about a guy who Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht signed this offseason is Joe and others in the local pen and mic club haven’t seen much of him.
And that’s defensive tackle Greg Gaines.
The veteran was inked as a free agent from the Rams months ago, but in underwear football there is basically nothing a defensive tackle can do. He’s not allowed to hit or tackle, so what sort of impression could he make?
Seth Walder of BSPN, a guy who never met a number he didn’t like, thinks Gaines will make a nice impression when the pads come on. In fact, Walder believes Gaines is a sneaky good pass rusher.
Over the last two seasons, Gaines …. has posted a 10% pass rush win rate when lining up as a 0 or 1-technique, which ranks 11th out of 50 players with at least 100 plays with a win or loss from the position, according to ESPN Analytics and NFL Next Gen Stats.
Joe gives Licht credit knowing the Bucs needed guys to get after the quarterback. He loaded up on players with a pass-rushing background. First there is rookie first-round pick Calijah Kancey, then YaYa’s flame-broiled chicken in the third round, plus rookie Jose Ramirez and Gaines.
Joe firmly believes if Joe Tryon-Shoyinka can snap out of it this year, with the Bucs also getting contributions from the aforementioned players, the Bucs could have a crazy good defense this fall.
July 4th, 2023 at 12:36 am
“Joe firmly believes if Joe Tryon-Shoyinka can snap out of it this year, with the Bucs also getting contributions from the aforementioned players, the Bucs could have a crazy good defense this fall.”
I like this take, Joe. There’s versatile talent at every level of the defense.
For me, it’ll take 8+ sacks from JTS9 to show that he’s legit.
You?
July 4th, 2023 at 1:22 am
Dude we can easily be a 10+ win team… in 2020 Baker had a 26:8 TD:INT ratio.. this could be the best team bakers ever been on and could be his best year ever… I expect and hope for big things this year from everyone
July 4th, 2023 at 1:49 am
Doubling his production? That’s a good sign.
July 4th, 2023 at 2:49 am
SirVocea Dennis will get some sacks too I have a feeling
July 4th, 2023 at 3:30 am
Sadly I think this Joe just ain’t got it. Shrinky had potential but he is what he is a 3 to 5 sack back up non starter. Maybe if he had the steel balls of Rice it could work. I just see a happy to be here maybe I’ll be great maybe not manifest complacency sissy.
July 4th, 2023 at 3:37 am
When we signed Gaines I thought he was a pretty darn good pass rusher and a fairly stout dude. He’s still in his prime. I don’t know why the Rams let him walk, but that happens an
awful lot these days. We do it too.
I’ve been saying all along that JTS will get his act together with better coaching and this is his year.
It sure would be nice to have at least two games with commanding 4th quarter leads so we can unleash some of this pass rush depth.
July 4th, 2023 at 7:00 am
Good news Joe
JTS and Hall will be key for the defense.
July 4th, 2023 at 7:37 am
JTS must do better this season. If he gets after the QB with the same technique he uses to preen between plays he may do very well.
July 4th, 2023 at 7:43 am
I’m not so sure about Hall.
July 4th, 2023 at 8:29 am
You Joe’s keep saying if JTS can snap out of it ? Ah hahaha ! What has he shown that would even make you think that ? By the end of THIS season , he will be riding the pine . JTS to me means = Just-Thinkin-Slow . Them other dudes will make an impact , he will not
July 4th, 2023 at 9:31 am
What has been JTS’s failing thus far? Technique? Lack of upper body strength? Simple poor decision making? We KNOW he’s fast
July 4th, 2023 at 9:35 am
Bringing Gaines was smart, played college ball with Vita at Washington and was his roommate. Could be an upgrade over Nacho. JTS is the defensive twin of OJ Howard – looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane. Always talking about potential, never about production.
July 4th, 2023 at 10:27 am
@Beej,
JTS hasn’t shown that “killer” instinct yet. He doesn’t demonstrate a desire to maul QB’s. Some have that instinct, and it can’t be taught. (JPP, LT, Reggie White, for a few examples). IMO, JTS doesn’t have that fire in his belly. If I’m wrong, which I hope I am, he will get at least 7-8 sacks this year.
Honestly, I’m more optimistic about everyone else on the D front this year instead of JTS. Again, please prove me wrong JTS!!!
July 4th, 2023 at 10:27 am
Happy Independence Day to my fellow Bucs fans!!!!
July 4th, 2023 at 10:46 am
If we bring back Fournette & move him to D he could be a sneaky good pass rusher, too! He’s becoming big enough now. Then we could call him PASS RUSHER LENNY instead of playoff Lenny.
July 4th, 2023 at 10:48 am
Maybe Kevin Owens has a brother in Greg Gaines & doesn’t know it? Gaines looks like his brother.
July 4th, 2023 at 12:19 pm
Gaines is a monster. You guys have no idea the gift you have received. That pass rush win rate would be quite a bit higher but the Rams have serious edge rushers and Gaines was saddled with gap and half assignments a great deal ans thta cuts pass rush win rates when you can’t rush. He’s also nails in the run game. Rarely moved even with double teams. Often able to effect the plays by the havoc he creates on the O line. Watch the 2021 NFC championship against the 49ers. Second half is some outstanding football.
July 4th, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Joe didn’t write “will.” He wrote “if.” Major difference.
Gaines Adams produced 50 percent more his first two seasons than JTS.
July 4th, 2023 at 2:04 pm
@BigDaddyG quit speaking the truth, they won’t understand until the pads are on
July 4th, 2023 at 3:32 pm
As I have said before, in the draft room Arians and Licht were elated when they got JTS. Were they both wrong? So far it seems like it, but IF…
July 4th, 2023 at 3:55 pm
The Gaines signing was straight up theft. Could and probably will be the best off-season singing.
Joe JTS isn’t the player to watch. He’s a bust. Logan Hall is. 6’6′ 285 he’s got reach and plays the run well. We’ve been hearing good reports on his offseason. I think you will see him play the edge on early downs and stay inside on 3rd and long. He’s a more athletic Gholston. Will become a very versatile player who makes plays
The good news about the DL is there are a lot talented players in the rotation. Vea and Gaines are going to make a dynamic interior. Add Hall and now Kancey to that second line and OConner and Senat as special teams and depth. It’s a solid group.
Moving outside as I said you’re going to see Hall more there and adding Diaby and Ramirez to Barrett and Nelson – Gill right now is #3 there. JTS is poised to be the odd man out.
The way the draft shakes things out as far as I can see is Kancey allows them to move Hall outside more. Then they drafted both Diaby and Ramirez – to me that says the JTS buy-in within OneBuc is fading. His 2023 snaps are not guaranteed. They added a lot of young talent and comp for playing time is wide open. We hope to see a productive Barrett and Nelson is underrated. The edge rush needs a little time to bake in. We’re not going to be there with Barrett coming off injury and JTS expected to take on the lead dog role. Opportunities for other players are going to materialize and Hall is one of the guys who could benefit.
My read on this is we’re a year away from having a truly dominant defense. Too many rookies, but the glass is half full. The talent is undeniable.
July 5th, 2023 at 12:21 am
too bad our ends cant catch a cold