Improve With Competition

July 22nd, 2017

Talks d-line improvement.

America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, likes to use the phrase, “Iron sharpens iron.”

He’s not the first to use it, but it’s a form of saying good players make good players better.

And Bucs defensive lineman George Johnson believes that is what is happening with the defensive line of the Bucs.

Noah Spence comes back for his second year after showing promise, and Jacquies Smith and Clinton McDonald return from injury as does Johnson. Throw in Mr. Beasting Robert Ayers, free agent signee Chris Baker, run-stuffer Will Gholston and, of course, the rock of the defensive line Gerald McCoy, and there is iron to sharpen iron on the line.

That’s what Johnson believes.

Johnson, along with McDonald and former Bucs tackle Akeem Spence, worked out in Tampa this week with Warren Sapp. Johnson sat down with WTVT-TV Channel 13 sports anchor Scott Smith to talk about the season.

Johnson firmly believes the competition on the Bucs’ defensive line will improve everyone.

“Just compete against each another,” Johnson told Smith. “That’s the good thing. When you have a lot of player on your defense line that are really good and really talented. It makes you that much better. It makes you want to compete even harder.”

Well, we will see. The Bucs still need an edge rush. Joe isn’t sure how much you can bank on Smith returning from major knee surgery. Johnson, outside of one play where he punched a ball loose against Jacksonville two years ago, you wouldn’t know the dude was even on the roster unless you looked at the roster.

For the Bucs to improve on the defensive line, Joe believes Spence must take the next step and cross your fingers Smith can rebound from that ugly injury he suffered at Atlanta in the season-opener.

15 Responses to “Improve With Competition”

  1. bucs_kg21 Says:

    happy we brought back gholston. hopefully he keeps getting better and can’t wait to see what he does this year

  2. RayJameisStadium Says:

    Baker and McCoy together will make it easy for Spence to rise. The improvement of Gholston on pass rush will be the surprise of the d-line this year. All because of the 1, 2 punch of McCoy and Baker. They both demand double teams.

    Picks will increase too. All is falling in place.

    Licht is creating a Bad A$$ Team.

    Teams no longer can predict a win against us when looking at the schedule.

    Expect Different Folks!!!

    Go Bucs!!!

  3. Dewey Selmon Says:

    I hope Spence finds work somewhere. He seems like a stand up dude.

  4. Bird Says:

    Uhhhmmm he plays for detroit

  5. Dewey Selmon Says:

    Uhhmmm you could of just given me some info i didn’t know instead of being an a$$hat about it. But then again i’ve seen some of the things you post on here.

  6. Dewey Selmon Says:

    Told you he would find work. lol

  7. macabee Says:

    Bird,

    http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000485460/article/lions-trade-george-johnson-to-buccaneers

  8. MadMax Says:

    I hope everything gels with the current D line, but we’re def going to need to hit it 1st or 2nd round of the next draft. DE, CB, O line (RT?) according to the talent available. I wonder if Derek Barnett had been there at 19 and OJ wasnt, would we have pulled the trigger? I wouldve lost it if we hadnt. But OJ was there and had both been there, I still wouldve picked OJ.

  9. stpetebucsfan Says:

    @Dewey

    There was a great line…well many…from Breaking Bad when a female landlord tells Jesse DBA! He responds with…DBA? She says yes…Don’t Be and Asssshole

    I’m too freaking old to know anymore. People are just sooo angry, mean and nasty…not everybody but far more than I can recall from just a few decades ago.

    I think it’s just become a part of our cultural identity.

    And really I don’t think Bird meant that to be offensive.

    To all JBF posters however a simple request. DBA!

  10. Bird Says:

    Was talking about Spence. Not Johnson

    Thanks dewpey!

  11. Bird Says:

    St Pete bucs fan. Touché!

  12. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Pete,I wanna apologize sir. For the many venomous things I’ve ever said to other posters on here. But never to you good sir. I know which one’s to give the ultimate respect to.

  13. BucEmUo Says:

    Didnt even know George was 9n the roster until about a month ago, thought we took out the garbage already….hmm. Spence needs to be used like V. Miller in Denver the guy is way to versatile to be wasted on a soft conservative defense. Mike Smith has tools let’s see if he knows how to use them on defense I’m not convinced that he does .

  14. macabee Says:

    Sorry Bird,

    My bad. Thought you meant Johnson. Lol.

  15. Joe Says:

    Was talking about Spence. Not Johnson

    That’s why Joe wrote “former Bucs tackle.”