Expected To Be A Professional
May 3rd, 2013
Bucs rookie defensive tackle Akeem Spence had an idea of what to expect for his first NFL practice. It’s not much different than what a college graduate should expect on his/her first day on a job.
Be professional.
“The pace is a lot quicker,” Spence said of the difference between the NFL and Illinois practices. “You get out here and get on the field. Coaches expect you to know. In college, coaches give you a little one-on-one attention. But here, you are expected to know. You are supposed to be a professional.
“This is your job.”
The thing that struck Joe about Spence, who will be given a strong opportunity to lock up the starting role next to Gerald McCoy, is that the guy was smiling like Rachel Watson invited him to dinner.
In other words, the dude loves football.
“I learned a lot today,” Spence said. “I learned how to get lined up, how to play the tilted nose, how to get the play call. [Defensive line] “coach [Randy Melvin] walked us through real fast, bullets flying at you, making sure you are ready and getting some one-on-one work.
“It’s been a good day.”
May 3rd, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Spence will show u how Vikings do it!!
May 3rd, 2013 at 9:07 pm
I am so sick of hearing the line….”everything is so much quicker/faster”…say something real about this great experience
May 3rd, 2013 at 9:19 pm
They repeat it because its true.
May 3rd, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Of course it is faster….but is also trite and wizened
May 3rd, 2013 at 10:24 pm
I think he’s going to show up more on the stat sheet then Miller did.
May 3rd, 2013 at 10:26 pm
Do what rasta it’s his first time what else is he suppose to say. He told you what he learned sheesh. What I wish is that Joe stops using Ms Watson in every Post. Lol She’s ok nothing special (physically anyways) no offense
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:15 pm
I watched the Syr game vs Ohio St. cut ups of him on U-tube and I’d like to be able to see what the Bucs brass sees in this guy but I just can’t. I will be rooting for him to be a great player and hope he fits right into the defensive role they have planned. He does remind me of Brian Price a bit but Price when healthy had a lot more explosiveness in his first few steps out of his stance.
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:30 pm
Stan,try an Illiinois game.May have better luck seeing Spence
May 4th, 2013 at 12:17 am
Yes I watched the Ill Vs Oh St Game 2012, the other orange team. Thx for the correction . Here is the video I was referring to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSFkwaYPmLo
May 4th, 2013 at 8:10 am
@Stanglassman, possibly he was playing through injury?
May 4th, 2013 at 10:22 am
There’s a good article up at BucsNation that is all about TB’s tilted nose position. http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/5/4/4290148/the-4-3-tilted-nose-tackle-history-scheme-and-the-buccaneers
May 4th, 2013 at 10:56 am
@Stanglassman….so you watched one game and that’s your final opinion???!
Why even comment?
RastaMon…Exactly what is he supposed to say? The only real difference between the pros and college is the pace of the game when it comes to training camp. They aren’t getting into schemes and game planning yet. Easy to annoy you isn’t it….
May 4th, 2013 at 1:32 pm
It amazes me how every season the Bucs–no matter how much cap room—have a position or two in which they are completely reliant on mid-round rookies or career backups to emerge as starters.
May 4th, 2013 at 5:57 pm
@Bill. Just like most other teams.
May 4th, 2013 at 6:12 pm
@Bill. It may seem like a lot of money but you have to think about the current players that will be getting an extension or a new contract.
May 4th, 2013 at 6:46 pm
This is a good article on why they like someone of his build…
http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/5/4/4290148/the-4-3-tilted-nose-tackle-history-scheme-and-the-buccaneers
May 4th, 2013 at 7:44 pm
Actually, no. The vast majority of teams have no spots in which they build up a fourth-rounder to start. The ones that do either stink (buffalo) or are are cash-strapped and stink (San Diego).