Failure = Less Than 10 Sacks, Says Bowers
June 5th, 2013
Back when Raheem Morris was guiding a super-young band of Bucs to a 10-6 record, the team was told to live by the motto “Stats are for losers,” along with other one-liners to motivate and focus the “yungry.”
But now there’s been an about face. Greg Schiano is a stats guy.
Months ago, Schiano said he pegged Da’Quan Bowers as a double-digit sackmaster for 2013. And it seems Bowers has swallowed up the message. Bowers told Tampa Tribune columnist Martin Fennelly yesterday that he will deserve an “F” grade with anything less.
“I’m looking to be dominant,” Bowers said. “I take the responsibility for that. Anything less than double-digit sacks is a failure for the season. … I think the way Coach Schiano has the scheme set up, and my capabilities, and having Gerald draw all the attention, it could be a whole lot easier to get double-digits sacks. You just have to work as a unit and not have individual rush planes, just work as a combined unit.”
Twenty NFL players had 10 or more sacks last season; 13 of them were defensive ends.
Bowers is truly looking to step into elite company after notching three sacks in part-time action last season.
Joe’s concerned that Bowers might get too caught up in the numbers. Yeah, Bowers is going to need to at least match Michael Bennett’s production (9 sacks) to make this a successful season, but winning is still all that matters.
June 5th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Everyone on the D-line will need to be impressively better than they have been to go from the worst pass rush in the game for the last 4 years.
June 5th, 2013 at 12:48 pm
I will take five “sackfu’s” over ten sacks. That’s just me though.
Remember, Da’quan was considered a top ten selection before his injury. The talent is certainly there, he just needs to stay healthy. I think he can do it.
June 5th, 2013 at 12:54 pm
@wcfb
wrong again. Bowers was considered an injury liability that will have a shortened career. Unfortunately the pop-star has been wrong and the other GMs were right.
June 5th, 2013 at 12:58 pm
The problems were associated with his knee. They eased him onto the field his rookie season. Then, in his second year, he tore an achilles. Totally unrelated to the “degenerative knee” issue he was diagnosed with prior to being drafted. (Several players had achilles issues last season. Not necessarily only “injury prone” ones.)
June 5th, 2013 at 1:00 pm
@the_bucs_realist
The pressure has been there, it was just too easy for opposing WR’s to get seperation on our DB’s last year, QB’s could get rid of the ball way too quickly for us to get sacks. McCoy was always in the opposing backfield though, Clayborn got hurt early in the season, Miller was never a pass rusher, Bowers was coming off of injury, but he showed a lot of potential as an edge rusher. This year, with the additions of Revis, Goldson, Banks, and with a fully healthy Clayborn and Bowers returning with McCoy wreaking havoc down the middle, there’s no way we don’t improve when it comes to sack totals. If Steven Means, Gholston, or Spence can show anything as well, that’d be icing on the cake.
June 5th, 2013 at 1:03 pm
Anyone else think @the_buc_realist is Shaun King?
June 5th, 2013 at 1:05 pm
@TBuc_40
I considered that but King loves Freeman. Realist hates all things Bucs related. (Including Freeman)
June 5th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
“You just have to work as a unit and not have individual rush planes, just work as a combined unit.”
I think thats the most important thing for a defensive line to do. the dline did it against the run, but hardly played as a unit when pass rushing. once they learn to play as a unit and not as individuals thats when I think they will become dominant.
June 5th, 2013 at 1:08 pm
@TBUC_40
I think they’ve just given up hope that the Bucs will ever be good again, in which case, I don’t understand why they would even bother following the team anymore.
June 5th, 2013 at 1:11 pm
I also expect the defense as a whole to struggle for at least the first few weeks of the season because of the huge roster turnover on that side of the ball. its going to take them a little while to adjust, but once they do it should be smooth sailing after that.
June 5th, 2013 at 1:25 pm
@pessimistic i mean realist
Bowers was projected top 3 round pick, but that knee injury put him as a liability. You really need to give out the entire story, not just the part needed to prove your theory.
I honestly believe he will have a top season if he stays healthy. Bowers can be a stub along with clayborn, these two DE can be a dynamic duo… hell a trio with GMC included.
June 5th, 2013 at 1:34 pm
What roster turnover concerns are you talking about? Miller, whom the Bucs have drafted a clone of to replace, or Mike Bennett, a defensive end that shared time at his position and didnt become a legit pass rusher until his last year with the team? Or Ronde, a first year safety who was replaced with a Pro Bowler from arguably the scariest D in the league, or Talib, who we’ve replaced with frickin REVIS!!!
Sorry, i only see positives in the turnover. Only Sam LB concerns me. I cant believe im saying this but we may sorely miss Quincy Black.
June 5th, 2013 at 1:38 pm
buc_realist, you haven’t a clue, do you? Bowers has done nothing but show improvment since he’s been drafted, and he’s a natural pass rusher that can also play the run with authority, with our revamped defensive backfield, along with improvements on the line
June 5th, 2013 at 1:40 pm
buc_realist, you haven’t a clue, do you? Bowers has done nothing but show improvment since he’s been drafted, and he’s a natural pass rusher that can also play the run with authority, with our revamped defensive backfield, along with improvements on the line (Bowers is WAY better than Bennett), then he’s going to have a good year in theory, come to me towards the end of the season and see if I’m wrong, I’d be happy to admit it, but it’s just not gonna happen.
June 5th, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Bowers will be fine as long as he doesn’t shoot himself in the foot
June 5th, 2013 at 2:32 pm
I’ll tell Realist just like I told Thomas about McCoy last year….Bowers will be a pro bowler this year. Bucs will have a top 10 defense and we will be in the playoffs. Realist will change his name to “You’ve_Been_Punked” and post one last time to tell us he was really Roddy White and we will never hear from him again.
June 5th, 2013 at 3:09 pm
When I watched Bowers, he was better against the run than I expected, and always improving in this area. Bowers excites me, at least.He just need reps.
June 5th, 2013 at 4:32 pm
Realist – You are just a wanna-be Thomas 2.0. But at least with 2.0. he put thought into his negative points and you could sense he was a Buc fan deep down. You are just a whiny bitch. Who cares what you think? Go “cheer” for someone else
June 5th, 2013 at 4:44 pm
And “the realist” runs and hides until a new article emerges. Then he will attempt to hijack the thread in that one too. He manages to be one of the first to comment in every article but somehow can’t find the time to reply. He really just gets off on people talking about him. Poor guy probably needs a hug.
June 5th, 2013 at 4:48 pm
I’m not sure i like the whole numbers thing. What if he gets 20 sacks but we finish 7-9? I would say thats a failure also. Let’s stop with the individual stuff until we prove were a good team first.
June 5th, 2013 at 5:34 pm
Couch,
No denying a 20 sack player would be outstanding.
June 5th, 2013 at 5:59 pm
^^Wouldn’t mind seeing win/loss statistics on teams that have a single player get 20+ sacks. Could be very interesting.
June 5th, 2013 at 6:24 pm
‘Schiano said, “What we need to do is, Da’Quan, he hasn’t played any consistent amount. So if he wants to be more than just a situational pass rusher, he’s got to grind through it, he’s got to go through the pain of being an every-down player. … I think this training camp will be critical for him, to establish what he’s going to be for us. Is he going to be an every-down player? I’m sure banking on it. But you’ve got to do it. The plan is there, but he’s got to go out and do it.” ‘
http://tbo.com/list/news-columns/fennelly-bucs-bowers-needs-to-rush-into-limelight-b82499230z1
June 5th, 2013 at 7:00 pm
Bwahahahahha
Funny how TEAM has been put aside for individual stats by the Schiano Regime. Yeah, now players are out for their stat line in order to survive in Tampa not functioning as a cohesive Team.
Incredible, We Shall see. I predict yet another coaching change in 2014
June 5th, 2013 at 7:07 pm
^^^You are in the minority.^^^
I hear the Ravens talk about stats ALL THE TIME. (They seem to get by as an NFL team.) It is good to set personal goals. He isn’t aiming for 20 sacks, ten is a great, realistic goal for every defensive end.
June 6th, 2013 at 6:29 am
So for the first time in Bowers’ career he is entering the off season healthy and the “realist” is ready to write him off. Bowers was thought to be a top draft pick by many so-called “experts” before the knee problem surfaced. The knee, not the skill level, caused him to drop to where realists “favorite GM” decided to take a chance. As planned, he was held back his rookie year allowing the knee to heal completely. Unfortunately he injured his Achilles during the next off season. I don’t think Mark Dominik tripped him. In my view # 91’s career is just starting. Hopefully Dominik’s gamble will pay off. But then again, the realist no doubt hopes it doesn’t so he can thump his chest in delight. Just like good fans do. Cheer when things go bad.