“Losing Him Inside, That Matters”
December 31st, 2015
Leslie Frazier talks development in what might have been his final news conference with the Bucs
So what Buccaneers defensive player really developed this season?
Acting (not for long?) defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was posed that question today at his weekly news conference. It was presented to him as a request to name what players evolved well outside of Sterling Moore this season.
Frazier pointed to undrafted rookie cornerback Jude Adjei-Barimah, Frazier said the Bucs don’t consider him just a throwaway body; they believe he has a future.
Then Frazier, who’s as excitable as a bowl of cottage cheese, actually appeared to get fired up about one of his defensive tackles.
“Akeem Spence, before he got injured, he was doing some good things for us, as well. Now he’s a young guy, relatively young guy. He’s been in the league a little bit. But he was really coming along after having some surgery in the offseason. Losing him inside, that matters.”
Frazier also noted that strongside linebacker Danny Lansanah remains a strong player but just didn’t get the playmaking opportunities he had last year, when Lansanah played all three linebacker position.
Before answering that question, Frazier mentioned that defensive end Will Gholston has been strong in what he’s been asked to do.
(Editor’s note: Lansanah, Spence and Gholston are all former Bucs rockstar general manager Mark Dominik guys. What a menace that Dominik was!)
Joe’s not about to praise the Frazier-Lovie Smith regime for developing defensive talent. That would be a stretch.
But Spence was excellent in the eight games he played coming back from summer back surgery in Week 7. The 24-year-old nose tackle was a monster in the smothering strong run defense that developed upon his return. That’s the same run defense that fell apart mightily Sunday — with Spence on injured reserve.
It’ll be interesting to see what the Bucs do with free-agent-to-be defensive tackle Henry Melton and fellow DT Clinton McDonald, who was lost for the season in late October with a pectoral injury. This week, Lovie surprising called McDonald “the glue” to our football team when asked about losing Vincent Jackson..
December 31st, 2015 at 3:04 pm
I hope Spence fully heals and keeps his nose clean. I would Melton deserves another chance, but I dont know about McDonald. Id probably move on from him unless we anticipate more injury problems from GMC.
Jude? Bleh, aside from a few flashes, thats going nowhere.
December 31st, 2015 at 3:04 pm
Yea…..Dominick really struck a gold mine with those players……what about Clayborne, Barron & Freeman….1st round and gone!!!
December 31st, 2015 at 3:11 pm
Baron is doing great in STL lovie couldnt find a spot for him because he cannot adjust, thats why if the bucs draft ramsey he will be useless in lovies crappy scheme…pull theplug on lovie now why do we have to go through a miserable 2016… soa year from today the good lord willing and the creek dont rise we are posting this same crap about the 2016 6-10 bucs
December 31st, 2015 at 3:15 pm
True Dusty, but if Ramsey ends up being another Ronde, then maybe it’ll work better. But yeah, I also want lovie and the scheme gone!!!
December 31st, 2015 at 3:17 pm
McDonald has played much better than Melton has. I would certainly keep him if he’s healthy.
Not sure when Melton has done this year tbh….
December 31st, 2015 at 3:19 pm
Colts are firing Pagano!!!! Theres our chance!!!
December 31st, 2015 at 3:24 pm
Because Melton is more durable and gets more pressure….sacks arent everything but McDonald has zero.
December 31st, 2015 at 3:25 pm
Barron never played well for us….
December 31st, 2015 at 3:28 pm
Hire Gene Chizik!
December 31st, 2015 at 3:28 pm
Tony McDaniel is a free agent this year not Clinton McDonald. McDonald is signed til 2018
December 31st, 2015 at 3:34 pm
I would hate to be a gm that was hanging my hat on Lansahna, Spence and Gholston.
December 31st, 2015 at 5:21 pm
Let McDaniel walk. Resign Henry Melton. Mcdonald is not a free agent. And if he was I would definitely bring him back. He has the winner mentality. And he a dog. I love his fire
December 31st, 2015 at 6:21 pm
Mr.Frazier is the Goat this off-season
December 31st, 2015 at 8:12 pm
Leslie Frazier is toast…and well he should be. Unlike when Gruden ran the offense here, Lovie had a defensive coordinator…and Leslie Frazier was doing such a bad job that Lovie took the duties away from him in games.
I never wanted Leslie Frazier hired by the Bucs, and if they cut him loose, I’ll be happy over it. He’s terrible!
Lovie will get things going on defense with this draft, just like he did for the offense the last 2 years. Then we’ll rock. So I’m not worried.
December 31st, 2015 at 8:13 pm
As to Spence…he was on my wishlist the year he was drafted. He’ll be good enough. As good as Booger was eventually.
DEs are what we need. And a CB and Safety.
December 31st, 2015 at 8:14 pm
Oh, and as with every year since Alstott retired…I would love it if they brought in a true FULLBACK!
December 31st, 2015 at 8:25 pm
sorry if you are his namesake but could it be too much to ask for a defensive coach without the first name of Lovie, or Leslie. Just a thought.