Special Teams Ace Chris Braswell
September 2nd, 2024
The new Buccaneers special teams chief didn’t offer up much at his news conference today, but he was clear on one player.
When it comes to his coverage teams, rookie edge rusher Chris Braswell stands out.
“You watch the tape, and Chris Braswell made a ton of plays. He just knows what he’s doing – it’s a football play,” Thomas McGaughey said.
“[Braswell] said the other day, ‘It’s just like setting the edge and playing defense.’ Yeah, it is. It’s the exact same thing. So you know, him and [tight end] Ko [Kieft] and some of those guys — they’ve done a good job. They’re working hard and they’re trying to figure the play out and again, I always tell them, ‘Just lean on your rules. Expect the unexpected but lean on your rules.’ And if they do that, it’ll take care of itself.’’
So Braswell, of course, wasn’t drafted in Round 2 to be a special teamer. However, the guy he eventually will replace, former first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, played a ton on special teams as a rookie in 2021, and he was pretty good there. But the Bucs also had an explosive offense, Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett and less of a need for then-rookie Tryon-Shoyinka to thrive as a pass rusher.
It sounds like Braswell will play plenty of special teams to start the season, but Joe expects that to change as the Bucs search for a quality pass rusher to play opposite YaYa Diaby.
Risking Braswell getting injured covering many kicks or punts sure seems unnecessary.
September 2nd, 2024 at 6:06 pm
Ronde Barber played special teams his entire career. Nothing wrong with that.
September 2nd, 2024 at 6:12 pm
Braswell has to pay his dues to gain respect.
By the end of 2024 season he’ll be the #1 edge rusher. Things should sort themselves out.
September 2nd, 2024 at 6:50 pm
JTS – meet the short leash.
September 2nd, 2024 at 6:53 pm
Here’s a Question: How many sacks does JTS need to be resigned?
September 2nd, 2024 at 7:04 pm
he needs a baker’s dozen ^^^
September 2nd, 2024 at 7:05 pm
jts doesn’t need a short leash…because he’s not a dawg ^^^
September 2nd, 2024 at 7:36 pm
SlyPirate Says:
September 2nd, 2024 at 6:53 pm
Here’s a Question: How many sacks does JTS need to be resigned?
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It wouldn’t surprise me if he got around 8 sacks this year. If he does, then someone will see if draft pedigree and give him a decent amount of money.
For the Bucs to resign him I think he’d have to get double digit sacks, since if he’s at 8 or 9, he’s going to get some big money from a team that sees his age (will still only be 25 after the season) and draft pedigree and assume he’s a late bloomer, and pay for future production, assuming he’s a solid double digit sack guy.
September 2nd, 2024 at 9:12 pm
McGaughey seems as conservative as Bowles. McGaughey seems more concerned with playing defense (coverage) than offense, so don’t expect anything but passive plays, sitting back and letting the other team beat you.
Joe, why did the Bucs bring in a punter? Is Camarda hurt or does he have the yips?
September 2nd, 2024 at 9:22 pm
“Risking Braswell getting injured covering many kicks or punts sure seems unnecessary.” >>> Kickoffs are just run plays now, so they’re no riskier than ordinary plays. They’re football players, not porcelain dolls.
They’re absolutely not a run play.–Joe
September 2nd, 2024 at 10:13 pm
Ya well I would shove Headless Chicken onto special teams and maybe think about having Braswell rush the passer once every couple plays instead of well rounding him in coverage all the time. But, I’m not a genius, and fortunately the. Bucs have one calling the shots.
September 2nd, 2024 at 10:13 pm
If special teams makes Braswell think about setting the edge that’s good. I think a little more strength overall will help him out. Also hand technique he’s gonna be good but he’s gonna have to pay some dues. When he got that sack against Miami that’s the way baby, now go waterboy with that. Go Bucs!!!! The whole league is going to figure out that these guys aren’t joking. Maybe next year but why not aim for top right now. Our veterans could help the young guys get through all of the butterflies and stuff in the Superbowl.
September 2nd, 2024 at 10:43 pm
Hopefully he’s covering more kicks, and less punts. Just sayin.
September 2nd, 2024 at 10:49 pm
GP for the win!!!
September 2nd, 2024 at 10:59 pm
gp that’s the spirit! Jake maybe next year but I think they are ready this year. I can see them starting 4-4 and then running off 8 of 9 and finishing 12-5. But I believe they will win 13. Maybe 14. Either way if we can finish strong we’ll stay strong through the playoffs. Those are my predictions and I’m sticking to them. Then we’ll worry about repeating next year. After the boat parade. Now I lay me down to sleep…..
September 2nd, 2024 at 11:27 pm
When did Haason Reddick start playing better with Arizona and was Todd Bowls his defensive coordinator before he started playing better ?
September 2nd, 2024 at 11:50 pm
Well said, GP
September 3rd, 2024 at 12:40 am
Where is McGaughey’s presser? All I saw was Bowles and Barton’s today.
September 3rd, 2024 at 12:54 am
Not on YouTube?
September 3rd, 2024 at 1:47 am
This doesn’t make sense.
September 3rd, 2024 at 3:32 am
I would hope we have some other dudes who can play teams though. Like some true backup guys. I would hope that Brasell is not considered a true backup.
Go Bucs!
September 3rd, 2024 at 10:12 am
This means he’s behind JTS on the depth chart.
Not surprising.
September 3rd, 2024 at 10:02 pm
we really have a bad history at edge rush, but historically, fl high schools have produced some great ones
maybe that’s an idea right now were pissin in the wind at edge mostly. maybe it’ll change