Fortune Smiles On Beckwith
August 15th, 2017
Right place, right time.
In some respects, the NFL is about luck.
A guy could be a high draft pick, a coveted college player, and if he falls to the wrong team, the wrong system, the wrong coach, the wrong roster, then his career is virtually doomed.
Enter rookie linebacker Kendell Beckwith and the Bucs. The last pick of the third round very likely would have been a second round pick if not for late-season surgery. But now Lady Luck is smiling on Beckwith, as his recovery has been nothing short of remarkable.
Beckwith was battling Devante Bond for the starting SAM gig until, sadly for Bond, his competition got hurt Friday night against the Bengals. So who is the leader in the clubhouse for the job? Beckwith.
Right place. Right time.
And it seems Beckwith is running with this opportunity. Winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter again raved about Beckwith’s practice yesterday in Jacksonville.
“Beckwith had production,” Koetter said. “You could tell it was his first game [against the Bengals]. He had some mental mistakes but he had production; I think he had five tackles. We just have some things to clean up.”
And Koetter admitted from a mental aspect, Beckwith is not that far behind, despite missing OTAs while rehabbing his knee. Koetter is impressed.
“Yeah, very much, very much,” Koetter said. “He’s exceeded our expectations in that respect.”
So for Beckwith, the early weeks of the 2017 campaign have been filled with good fortune. Good enough to lock down a starting job this week with a good performance Thursday against the Jags? Time will tell.
August 15th, 2017 at 9:07 am
This guy is getting almost no buzz because of Godwin and Howard but we’ve really been fortunate to get some great draft picks outside a certain special teamer.
August 15th, 2017 at 9:16 am
awesome but long way to go for this young man
August 15th, 2017 at 9:16 am
He is basically a 4th rounder cause he was taken with last pick in compensatory picks at end of 3rd.
Hope he can play the strong side well cause not in for as many plays
August 15th, 2017 at 9:22 am
Kwon needs to learn the WLB position.
If LVD gets hurt, Kwon should slide over and Beckwith should play in the middle like they did at LSU.
Beckwith is 6-3 yall!! We finally have a big boy to line up next to our tiny speedsters.
And yes, Alexander and David are both undersized but exceptionally fast for their respected positions.
We should keep signing LSU linebackers in the 3rd/4th rounds!
August 15th, 2017 at 9:32 am
You do not want him in pass coverage, so glad they’re keeping him at SLB. Hopefully he gets quite a bit better in these next few weeks because although he is talented – he is still pretty raw.
August 15th, 2017 at 9:40 am
@teacherman777
I can see Kwon moving to WLB next year. Lavonte’s contract shoots up next year from 6 mil to almost 9 mil, then 10 mil and 11 mill in the following years. He can be let go next year with no dead cap money. Beckwith is your classic MLB.
August 15th, 2017 at 9:50 am
Looking forward to watching Bullough and Beckwith play over the next couple weeks. Exciting times this year with exciting developing talent on the roster.
August 15th, 2017 at 9:51 am
You wonder how LSU ever lost a game the last 10 years…
It is amazing what a bad coach can do.
August 15th, 2017 at 9:57 am
Your luck introductory comment was unusually profound. Good luck to this young man. From what I’ve seen, he is a sure tackler.
August 15th, 2017 at 9:57 am
Joe loved what Mike Tanner wrote about Lovie Smith but it also applied to LSU under the Mad Hatter.
“Never underestimate how bad coaching can drag down talent.”
August 15th, 2017 at 10:22 am
Have a link for the Tanner piece? Can’t find it.
August 15th, 2017 at 10:26 am
If I can survive “Tennessee-ready”, I can survive anything. That was definitely a low point in a bad era of Buccaneers football.
August 15th, 2017 at 10:37 am
This guy has talent. I won’t go all “Realist repost” but I’ve had my eye on this kid. (Like I’m a talent scout or something!!! LOL!)
He was a monster at LSU.
August 15th, 2017 at 10:49 am
@teacherman…I agree….GO BUCS!!!!
August 15th, 2017 at 11:27 am
@Bucsfanman
Repost or it did not happen!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 15th, 2017 at 11:44 am
Why even mention letting levante go!! Cap reason and money is last reason to cut a player on Bucs roster, we make a living of being 8 plus million under cap every year.
Don’t cut good developing players or use cap space as excuse.
August 15th, 2017 at 12:07 pm
did jonathan banks fall to wrong team/coach? went from practically shutting down megatron to barely making a roster
August 15th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
Fell to the right coach (Schiano), got stuck with the wrong coach (Lovie).
August 15th, 2017 at 1:22 pm
In honor of the INFAMOUS Realist repost, it’s a Fanman flashback:
“Bucsfanman Says:
May 4th, 2017 at 10:23 am
I think you’re right about the 3-4 Capt. Tim. DC Smith was limited with the injuries last year and couldn’t really install it properly. The Beckwith pick is intriguing because of his versatility. I hope he is available at the start but, if he’s not, it’s still a nice pick IMO.
Like I said before the draft, this is where we want to be, not having to draft out of desperation. There’s no need to rush this guy in, let him heal and develop.”
So there you have it. The inaugural Fanman Flashback as requested!!!
I need a drink!!!
August 15th, 2017 at 1:36 pm
What is Bond’s injury and how serious is it? How long is Bond expected to be out?
I saw Beckwith do some good things in the Cincy game. looking forward to watching his development. Thought Bond looked pretty good in some instances as well.
August 15th, 2017 at 10:01 pm
Doesn’t this also mean Joe Dirt is now our backup MLB? He made plays the other night, I’m wondering how he does against better competition.
Also last week when Dirk was saying this guy keeps running his mouth and never stops – I thought for sure he was going to bury the guy – but then shockingly gave him a compliment. In most work places a guy who runs his mouth constantly, tells people what to do and won’t shut-up, that’s a knock. Anywho I like how he played the other night, let’s hope he can keep it up against people who won’t be working for FedEx in a couple of weeks.