Steven Means Making A Push
August 11th, 2013
With Da’Quan Bowers’ play below Bucs coaches’ standards, and Adrian Clayborn missing time with a sore groin, the door has opened for one of the Bucs’ rookie defensive ends to make a name for himself.
It seems Steven Means is, at least he has to Joe. The University of Buffalo product played OK in his NFL debut against the Crows Thursday night and in practice, he is making offensive linemen work, including left tackle Donald Penn.
Saturday, he got heat on Josh Freeman who tried to pass over Means. But Means simply jumped up and plucked the ball out of the air and jogged into the end zone for a pick-six.
“Coach [Bryan] Cox came out here and he told me, ‘Just go today. Just go,'” Means said. “He knows I know my plays, so all I’ve got to do is go out there and play my game. That’s pretty much what I was doing today. It excited the whole defense. A lot of the offensive players even came to me afterward and said, ‘Good job.’ It was a good feeling.”
Means is starting to get comfortable in that the he has adjusted to the speed of the game. Means thanked Bucs coaches for that.
“The fact that these coaches emphasize us coming out here and emphasize us coming out here with high intensity, it really wasn’t that much different from how I practice,” Means said. “Just to get out there and get the feel for it was amazing. I felt right at home. I’m looking forward to playing in a lot more games. The coaches just told me, ‘Get off the ball more. Get around the edge more instead of running down the middle of the man.’ That’s something that I took into consideration and I started applying it today.”
This is a critical time for the Bucs. It appears Means has done enough to earn time on sure-passing downs. Whether he plays more than just passing downs is up to all sorts of factors, including Bowers’ aptitude, Clayborn’s health and Means’ play.
August 11th, 2013 at 9:05 am
If the Bucs win more then 5 games this season, I will buy everyone on here a new car…
August 11th, 2013 at 9:11 am
Bowers is garbage. You’d think the Bucs would’ve learned not to draft DEs from Clemson.
Bowers = Gaines Adams = bust
August 11th, 2013 at 9:30 am
Yup as right now, unless he shows massive improvement in 3 days, throw Bowers to the wolves.
August 11th, 2013 at 9:34 am
It;s not just Clemson. When it comes to o-lineman, the ACC as a whole lacks quality NFL talent. That’s how it was tough to get a read on guys like bowers, coples, etc. When I look at DLINEMAN and pass rushers, gotta see who the talent competition they go up against as a whole. That’s why I like guys from the Big 10, 12, and SEC. Usually Dlineman/outside rushers are going up against nfl caliber olineman.
August 11th, 2013 at 9:40 am
Means is going to be a gem. I am really stoked we picked this guy in the 5th round.
I think he is going to be a contributor from game 1.
August 11th, 2013 at 10:09 am
If Bowers doesn’t start doing something, the Bucs should consider going after Michael Johnson (Bengals) next year when he becomes a free agent I know he won’t come cheap but a helluve player.
August 11th, 2013 at 10:10 am
Schiano says all of our players need to show up in games. He says in addition to competing for a roster spot, they need to have tape if they are cut to show to another team.
Didn’t see much defensive line play last Thursday. Looking for the rush defense to show up against the Pats. There’s a lot riding on our young D-line players, Spence, Means, and Gholston!
August 11th, 2013 at 10:10 am
2009- traded 2nd round pick for win-slow
2010 – 2nd rounders Brian Price, Arrelious Benn both second round busts
2011 – 2nd roundDa’Quan Bowers ??bust??
2012 – Schiano takes over!!!!
what a horrible track record for the pop-star.
August 11th, 2013 at 10:12 am
Correction: all of our young players
August 11th, 2013 at 10:24 am
The Lions have signed Myron Lewis. This must be a scouting attempt, because if Myron makes the team TampaBayBucFan is going to set his hair on fire. lol
August 11th, 2013 at 10:27 am
I agree with comments about the Acc. I do think Bowers needs more than a preseason game. He does have a role on the team.
August 11th, 2013 at 10:28 am
Can;t write bowers off yet, but this being a critical year for Dom, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make a move. Brandon Graham llooks to be out of a starting gig , and if I’m dom, I’d trade a 4th round pick for him
August 11th, 2013 at 10:31 am
@the_buc_realist
What do you say we look at the entire NFL. At each individual team. I bet Dominik is in the lowest percentile of high draft picks that busted in the last 4 years. You need a life or at least an attitude adjustment.
And for the record, Just because Dom didn’t give you his phone # at the club 5 years ago, doesn’t give you the right to publicly trash him at every turn. I mean it’s not Dom’s fault that he only loves women and the fact that you were to damn ugly, even in drag.
Get a life little girl.
August 11th, 2013 at 10:41 am
I hope you guys are wrong about Bowers. If Bowers doesn’t show up big this year this pass rush is in huge, huge trouble.
August 11th, 2013 at 10:42 am
FRANCHISE QUARTERBACK Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeegh!!!
August 11th, 2013 at 10:55 am
It was one pre-season game and all the couch head coaches are going to say someone who is at the height of his profession sucks.
Bowers will be ok, he is making a transition to be an every down player if it was easy then most of you (and even myself) would be doing it.
He will be fine lets wait until game 3 or the first couple of weeks to judge him…
August 11th, 2013 at 11:18 am
I think its waaaaaaay to early to say that Bowers is going to be a bust. he’s just got to learn how to be an every down player, which is why he got the most reps out of any bucs player Thursday night.
As for Steven Means, its good to here that he is adjusting to the speed of the game because Thursday night its just seemed like everything was moving to fast for him, and that was against backups. he needs to gain more experience and fine tune his instincts before anybody can know for sure what kind of player he is going to be.
August 11th, 2013 at 11:23 am
I also think he needs to bulk up some more.
August 11th, 2013 at 11:31 am
Some of you throw around the Bust word and have no clue wtf are you talking about. This is Bowers first full healthy off season in 3 years. He has only played in 1 pre-season game and he’s already a bust?
Pathetic. How about letting the guy actually play in a meaningful game first before you start spewing your garbage.
August 11th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
@Andrew, I agree 100%.
@Jeff, I’m down with the new car, I’ll hold you to it.
August 11th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
I think Bowers has to dig deep and find some killer instinct. Much of this is between his ears.
August 11th, 2013 at 5:16 pm
Jeff, I am a “Lincoln” guy. Which ever model you want to buy.
August 11th, 2013 at 5:21 pm
He showed way more fire than Bowers. Means was getting push against the same guys who were slapping Bowers around. Means gave hope while Bowers embarrassed.
August 11th, 2013 at 6:19 pm
Let us not overreact on training camp play…good or bad…mmmmkay? Thanks.
August 11th, 2013 at 6:48 pm
@ Couch Fan:
He was a high 2nd round pick. If he hasn’t done anything after this season, there’s no doubt he’s a bust. If that’s not a “bust” then what is?
August 11th, 2013 at 7:01 pm
According to that theory, he would be a bust AFTER this season. You called him a bust period which is two completely different statements.
It is clear you are hating just to hate.
But no, considering he has been injured pretty much all of his career, and when he has been on the field in MEANINGFUL games, he didnt look to bad. I think he disserves at least 1 more year to show he is capable of being that every down player we are needing.
August 11th, 2013 at 8:29 pm
Bowers first year he was at the time collapsing pockets, putting a lot of heat on QB’s. So to me it’s still too early to call him a bust. As for Means, when we drafted him a lot of you thought, and wanted him to play linebacker. I and some others wrote that he was too big to play LBer at 6’4 260 in a 4-3 defense. He’s a rush end who should grow to about 275. He really don’t need to get any bigger then that. Football is about leverage.
August 12th, 2013 at 6:10 am
A player who is drafted in the middle of the second round due to injury, gets injured again and in his third year is the starter is not a bust. Booker Reece was a bust. We are way too early to put that moniker on Bowers. By the way, I thought this article was about Steven Means. Some just can’t miss an opportunity to pout.