Big Gap Between Bowers And Bennett
August 24th, 2011
So what’s the status of Da’Quan Bowers and his role on the 2011 Buccaneers?
The Bucs’ second-round pick is a second-stringer at left defensive end and has a long way to go to catch the guy ahead of him, so said Raheem Morris today at his news conference at One Buc Palace.
“It’s not going to be easy [for Bowers] to get on the field, if Michael [Bennett] continues to play that well and you can’t keep up,” Raheem said.
Raheem went on to express his excitement about seeing Bowers’ “power and get-off” returning. But Raheem cited Bowers flashing a tentative side against the Patriots that Keith Millard is all over.
“It was almost like he was scared to hit Free [in practice],” Raheem said.
Bennett was praised for “giving us maximum effort” and there’s love in Raheem’s voice when he talks about him.
Joe’s excited for Bennett. The guy has flashed explosive get-off over the past two seasons. Maybe this is his breakout year.
It sure seems like Bowers, who allegedly is a No. 1-pick-in-the-draft talent, isn’t going to get any kind of playing time gifts like those bequeathed to Kyle Moore last year. Joe’s all about the best-man-up philosophy, which doesn’t always fly on the Bucs and throughout the NFL.
August 24th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
I haven’t seen any explosiveness from Bennett during the 2 preseason games. But I saw him get blasted by a TE a d@mn TE.
August 24th, 2011 at 10:50 pm
uuuuh, the picture if of Bennett sacking and forcing a fumble in Kansas City? He’s played pretty well.
August 24th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
The characterization of Raheem’s comments about Bowers in this article is off target. Listening to him you can tell he’s excited about Bowers progress so far and how close he is to being able to challenge Bennett. It’s all in the delivery. I don’t share Joe’s take on his comments.
August 25th, 2011 at 1:05 am
I think this is just raheems way of motivating Bowers… If bowers gets better every week he will be starting soon! and theres a clue to that because raheem says hes getting better every week!
August 25th, 2011 at 4:30 am
I’ll take the best man available. If it is Bennett, so be it. If it is Watson, so be it. If it is Trueblood, so be it….. I don’t care who is on the field so long as they are the best Buc on the field at the time.
August 25th, 2011 at 8:21 am
Fans can not get bent out of shape if Bowers is second string. If Bennett is better, play him, and watching the preseason games it is obvious to me that bennett seems like the best DE on the team right now.
I think sometimes fans fall in love with a guy and expect great things simply ebcause he is a high draft pick and are discouraged when he doesn’t start.
This is understandable, but I want the best players on the team playing and if that means Bowers only sees limited action in a rotation, so be it.
August 25th, 2011 at 8:21 am
k_bassuka
Then you were not paying attention. He’s been the best DE on the team through 2 preseason games.
August 25th, 2011 at 8:28 am
I am sure that Dominik will make sure all his draft picks will make at least one start. His Ego will not allow one of his draft picks to be hidden on the roster. He is in too much love of his so called “Rock Star ” status.
August 25th, 2011 at 9:25 am
Letting a high round pick who is injured get healthy and learn before throwing him in the game?
Good idea.
August 25th, 2011 at 11:07 am
nobody should complain if the best player is playing. but if that were the case, okam would be the starting UT.
August 25th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Okam doesn’t have the consistent explosion off the snap to excel at undertackle. He is perfectly suited for NT and should get the start until someone outplays him.
August 25th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
@ Dave
Really, what has he done against the other #1 units? If you talking about him against the #2’s then yes I totally agree, not to mention that the guy doesn’t get double on most plays I wonder why…