Time For Larry Asante, Ahmad Black To Shine
April 17th, 2012
Will Larry Asante be able to take advantage of a golden opportunity?
As minicamp opens for the Bucs today, there is probably no bigger hole than at safety.
Sure, one could argue the Bucs linebackers are worse off, and Joe wouldn’t really disagree. But at least the Bucs have a pair of starting linebackers returning, Mason Foster and Quincy Black.
If ever there was an opportunity handed over on a golden platter for Bucs backup safeties Larry Asante and Ahmad Black, it is this week, notes cool cat Scott Purks of CBSSports.com.
After linebacker, the other position under a great deal of scrutiny to start voluntary mini camp is safety. With the dismissal last week of S Tanard Jackson, two players — S Larry Asante and S Ahmad Black — suddenly step to the forefront. Neither Asante or Black, drafted in the fifth round out of Florida, has started an NFL game.
It seemed virtually every game last year Asante, who came out of Nebraska highly-thought of, was inactive. Black was more often than not hurt, first hobbled in training camp.
There is no guarantee that Cody Grimm will come back 100 percent. Having suffered season-ending leg injuries in each of his first two seasons, it almost stands to reason Grimm may have lost a step as a result, and he wasn’t that fleet of foot to begin with.
Additionally, Corey Lynch, who is a fantastic special teams player but seems to struggle as a starting safety, is an unrestricted free agent.
Opportunity is knocking for Asante and Black. Will they be able to answer the door?
April 17th, 2012 at 10:10 am
Almost makes me wonder if the better idea would’ve been to dump Aqib NOW and wait to dump Tanard later…. you still get to make a point, only you chuck the nutcase over the pot head.
April 17th, 2012 at 10:10 am
Larry Asante was inactive because he did not play special teams and backups are needd to play ST on gamedays.
Corey Lynch has made some of the biggest pass break ups after being inserted at a moments notice. He is just not a big hitter. I actually thought Lynch was a good player, WAYYYYY Better than the former #26.
What about David Sims and Devin Holland, They have about the same experience as Black and Asante.
Also, exactly how much can these guys shine in shorts ?? How much can they really learn about Mason Foster in shorts that the film of actual games doesnt ???
April 17th, 2012 at 10:11 am
Quincy is a starting lb ? who knew ?
April 17th, 2012 at 10:12 am
*sarcasm* ^^^
April 17th, 2012 at 10:13 am
David Sims was , but I agree I want to see Holland also.
April 17th, 2012 at 10:19 am
I hope they step up. I still hope that they’ll move MyLew back there as well.
April 17th, 2012 at 10:21 am
jvato24, who is David Sims and why is he not listed on the Bucs roster?
April 17th, 2012 at 10:23 am
Harrison Smith…2nd round…please
April 17th, 2012 at 10:27 am
I guess they let him go … He was a Bob Sanders type build of a Safety they added last season to the roster … I was interested to see what he could do .. I guess they cut him so nevermind then
April 17th, 2012 at 10:30 am
Over the next 2 drafts I see potentially only 3 Offensive players and all Defense
TE, OT, RB
April 17th, 2012 at 10:47 am
Why would Asante not play special teams? Skill?
April 17th, 2012 at 11:01 am
jvato:
Some guys play better in different systems.
April 17th, 2012 at 11:08 am
Joe, I like your quote, “But at least the Bucs have a pair of starting linebackers returning, Mason Foster and Quincy Black.” Ummm yes and those are the guys who basically sucked all last year so I am not feeling any better.
April 17th, 2012 at 11:08 am
I agree, These Camps will no doubt be useful … But useful enough to say we can hold off taking a LB until the 5th round now instead of round 2 if say Quincy Black is all over the field ??
As far as draft plans go, How much should it affect the plans to what the coaches have in their head based off of Game film … Quincy Black has been Upcoming player of the year every offseason.
I would guess they are treating this kind of like a pre-draft workout to see movement skills and how they handle the new playbook. I hope there are some pics and info out of these camps.
April 17th, 2012 at 11:37 am
Im all for Asante and Black starting they can be decent, can’t be worse then Sean Jones.
April 17th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
I would say that the reason Asante didn’t see any special team time was because Lynch was so outstanding on special teams.
Asante is a pretty complete player and he and Grimm would be a pretty good compliment to each other. Put that together with Black’s uncanny ability to just make plays and maybe they like what they have there. My problem is that the depth is non existant and if you expect mylew to cover anybody… just yikes.
April 17th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Seriously Kryq,
We would be better with a 10 man defense than having Sean Jones on the field.
I really do believe that!
April 17th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
@Princespanky- Name one time you saw Black make any significant plays…while not playing for the Gators. I think the kid deserves a chance but making plays on a powerhouse college football team is very different than in the NFL.
April 17th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Not to mention those three players mentioned would give us the slowest safety combo in the league. We need someone with Range back there to help out over the top.
April 17th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Sean jones was had 1 pick in 2 years. He was horrible and aloud to keep his job proving hpw terrible our coaching was
April 17th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Asante has the talent to start. Lets hope this coaching staff sees it!!!!!!!!
April 18th, 2012 at 6:10 am
Agreed. Asante has shown he has talent. Haven’t seen anything from Black yet- but he looked the part in college.
Now, if we can keep Grimm healthy . .
April 18th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
I hope we draft a Safety with our 2nd round pick. Unless a top LB falls to us, which can happen, you never know!