In Search Of Sackmasters
June 7th, 2013
Is a fourth-year undrafted defensive end with zero career sacks part of the answer for the Bucs’ defense?
Cool cat Rick Brown, of the Lakeland Ledger, took a look at Bucs DE Aaron Morgan and explored that possibility.
Joe saw Morgan at practice last week playing his share of right defensive end in what appeared to be the dreaded three-man fronts. Yes, Morgan likely was there because Adrian Clayborn is proceeding cautiously to baby his knee, but Morgan was there nonetheless.
His odds are slim after the Bucs drafted two defensive ends in the fourth and fifth rounds this offseason: William Gholston and Steven Means. But Morgan was a New Schiano Order pickup late last season after Jacksonville cut him, and he’s still around, which has to say something positive.
Greg Schiano also praised Morgan’s pass rush skills last week.
Joe, though, feels uneasy that a veteran who hasn’t done anything could be part of the Bucs’ depth plans at a very critical position. That wouldn’t feel like a good sign.
June 7th, 2013 at 11:44 am
I like the wording here. Like the exact opposite of the red carpet you roll out for Shaun King when his holiness is quoted.
June 7th, 2013 at 11:48 am
Maybe Freeman can be moved to DE if it doesn’t work out at QB. 😉
just jokes.
June 7th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Morgan made the roster last year so he’s got a chance again this year. I think the reason the Bucs have not brought in a 30-something pass rusher is that they believe in the young talent they have in camp.
Another young DE to watch is Ernest Owusu. If the Bucs allow your video interview on Buccaneer.com, somebody is noticing. He is fast and very strong at 6-4, 277. Schiano talks about Akeem Spence strength as he benched 225 37 times. Owusu did 225 39 times.
I don’t know if any of these guys will make the 53 roster. I’m saying there is talent there albeit inexperienced talent. Let the cream rise to the top!
June 7th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
Myron Lewis is also still around… thats not saying anything positive LoL, was just throwing that out there.
June 7th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
If Morgan was working out the Bucs would not have drafted 2 DEs. Let’s be honest. Most likely he will be ependable and will not make the team, even if there is an injury, since we now have TWO drafted DEs.
June 7th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
The fourth DE spot has very little chance of making or breaking a Bucs game. I don’t think the fourth DE on any team shows a ton of potential or they wouldn’t be the fourth DE.
June 7th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
@Couch Fan
At this point I am thinking there is something the team knows about Myron Lewis that everyone else does not. Dom has not shown any hesitation to cut ties with a knowingly failed prospect. (Benn and Price were gone sooner and drafted higher than Myron.) It’s not favoritism. Something tells me there is just more to his situation than meets the eye.
@JM2
Wasn’t Michael Bennett a fourth string DE awhile? Anything can happen.
June 7th, 2013 at 12:41 pm
@WCBF
At this point they have to know something we dont know. But after what going into his 4th season and still barely been on the field? I dont see him lasting to much longer. Infact I cant see him making this team this year.
June 7th, 2013 at 1:01 pm
@Couch Fan
I would agree but it doesn’t seem strange to you that guys like Price and Benn were shipped out when they at least displayed SOME potential but Myron Lewis stays after showing nothing? I could definitely be wrong but it just seems like there is more to this than meets the eye.
June 7th, 2013 at 1:56 pm
@couchfan @ westcoach
I do agree in theory. However, the bucs were able to get something in return for price and benn. Who says anybody is willing to give up a pick f9r lewis?
June 7th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
Price and Benn were second round picks and displayed some potential. Myron is a third round pick and has never displayed anything. That would be the difference in my opinion.
June 7th, 2013 at 4:40 pm
I think Myron just shows promise as depth. I don’t think they expect him to become a starter down the road certainly. He’s now familiar with the system. He buys them a year to draft another CB that can eventually replace Revis down the road.
At least that’s what I think. I’ve been wrong plenty of times before though.
June 7th, 2013 at 5:03 pm
^^Certainly possible, the one thing to consider with Lewis as well is his size. I believe the guy is 6’2, the prototypical size for CBs these days. LJ and Gorrer are okay but I don’t think they have the size that Dom and Schiano covet. It just might be possible that the Bucs are THAT infatuated with size. Banks is 6’2 as well . . .
June 7th, 2013 at 5:30 pm
Size is great but after 3 years and going into your 4th and you still have problems getting on the field and somehow finding a way to keep getting injured while hardly ever playing on sundays… I just cant see any team finding any value or at least not enough to warrant shipping a draft pick to us. When they know in all likely hood the guy will be cut sooner or later.
June 7th, 2013 at 5:49 pm
@Couch Fan
I am theorizing about the possible reasons for Lewis still being a Buc despite all of your aforementioned issues. There has to be some legitimate reason he still has a job here. (And I doubt they are holding out for a draft pick, although it is remotely possible.)
June 7th, 2013 at 6:17 pm
I believe with Lewis they are hoping better coaching will help him. He, along with all of our DB’s, suffered from horrific DB coaching last year. I think they want to give him one last shot since he does have tremendous size for a DB. Long arms and 6’2″. I’m not sure he’ll make the turn but anything is possible.
June 7th, 2013 at 6:20 pm
^^That seems like the most likely reason for his continued employment.^^
June 8th, 2013 at 5:18 am
Poor Aaron Morgan. Joe puts up a piece about him and his potential and the conversation digresses to Myron Lewis, whose only attribute appears to be that he has “length”. Just not his soon to end NFL career.