Weakness Into Strength
August 15th, 2014
If Da’Quan Bowers can turn things around, the Bucs could turn a weakness into a strength.
Joe cannot begin to imagine the dozens of Bucs fans who were tossed from bars all throughout the Tampa Bay area for winging beer bottles at HDTV screens after watching opposing quarterbacks have enough time to write book reports, all while Bucs defensive linemen were dancing “Ring Around the Rosie” with the Bill Sheridan Stunts.
It was maddening to witness this nonsense week after week. No wonder guys like Warren Sapp and Steve White nearly lost their minds watching this display.
When the Bucs hired Lovie Smith, one of his first priorities was to reestablish a modicum of a pass rush. So far, it seems to have worked. At least, that’s what the numbers crunchers at Pro Football Focus believe, as Nathan Jahnke typed.
The defensive end position has been a weakness in recent years, but their players are trying to turn things around this year. Da’Quan Bowers, William Gholston and Adrian Clayborn were all among the 11 highest of 80 qualifying 4-3 defensive ends in Run Stop Percentage. Bowers was fourth at 25%, Gholston ninth at 18.2%, and Clayborn at 11th at 16.7%.
The defensive front line may have gone from a weakness to a strength. Not counting defensive end Michael Johnson, it seems Clayborn has been reborn. Joe is very high on Gholston and that leads us to Bowers.
After what appeared to be his best series since being drafted by the Bucs last week in Jacksonville (yeah, that’s how empty Bowers’ resume in the NFL has been. Showing up in a preseason game counts for progress). Now, Bowers is hurt. Again. What seemed to have been a nice turnaround story may be the final weeks for Bowers. Time will tell.
A unit is only as strong as its depth. If Bowers can stay healthy and play like he did at Jacksonville, the Bucs have a lot of depth at defensive line. And that, friends, would make the defensive line a strength for a change.
August 15th, 2014 at 8:05 am
Joe says “it seems Clayborn has been reborn”.
when did this happen??? do we expect centers to snap the ball 10 yards over the head of opposing QB’s all year long.
August 15th, 2014 at 8:08 am
Sir, Joe’s site does not run slowly. This is confirmed by multiple sources daily. Joe monitors this closely. It’s got to be on your end. –Joe
August 15th, 2014 at 8:10 am
@teddy
the site is slow because adrian slowborn has taken over as webmaster!!! after this year he will need to moonlight other careers, after realizing he will not get big money contracts!
August 15th, 2014 at 8:14 am
Dairy Queen Bowers two middle initials: “IR”
August 15th, 2014 at 8:30 am
At least Bowers has his next career already lined up if he can ever figure out how to tune that guitar. http://tinyurl.com/msdkwl2
August 15th, 2014 at 8:48 am
You guys should be hoping Bowers stays healthy. He is really a very good football player when he is and looked beastly on the DT spot. I’m pulling for him. We can use a healthy Bowers.
August 15th, 2014 at 8:59 am
@Bobby is right the guy has had some bad breaks with Injuries and def hasn’t lived up to 1st round standards but he would be a beast beside GMAC on 3rd down. And yes having a D-Line rotation that dosent get worse when the next guy up rotates in is HUGE!!
August 15th, 2014 at 9:05 am
The site isn’t slow at all for me. Working fine. I still occasionally get android popups here, but its a LOT better than it was.
August 15th, 2014 at 9:50 am
A change in system doesn’t matter for Bowers. He hasn’t stayed healthy in 3 years, and now going into 4. If he has taken a step forward, how’s anyone going to know it if doesn’t make it onto a game day roster consistently?
His sacks per year average is 1. As a comparison safety Mark Barron has the same average – 1 per year. The worst defensive end in Bucs history, Daniel Te’o-Nesheim averages 1.25 per season.
Bowers gets a lot more coverage than he deserves for so little production. If he were drafted one round lower, everyone would talk about him like he was Myron Lewis.
August 15th, 2014 at 10:37 am
I agree with Meh. This site isn’t slow at all for me & the popups have diminished significantly…
@ Buc Realist, Clayborn looked strong and quicker in the first preseason game & he started looking better towards the end of last year. Your constant disdain for him is really annoying and it’s making you look silly/kinda psychotic. He should be a solid contributor this year. Get off his d!©k, bro.
August 15th, 2014 at 11:10 am
Don’t count on Bowers. -Just don’t!
August 15th, 2014 at 3:51 pm
Maybe Bowers is just taking after GMC, hurt for years then overcame injuries to be the best DT in the NFL. Bowers has the amazing measureables too, just like GMC. I am hoping GMC will take him under his wing and get his head straight and help give us a reliable backup for GMC, as well as being able to step in at DE too if we have any injuries there. Unlike Worflop with our OL, our DL Coach is one of the best in the NFL, and I am very impressed with his accomplishments already with our DL!
August 15th, 2014 at 4:43 pm
Giving up on bowers now would be a mistake on Michael Bennett proportion.
August 15th, 2014 at 8:37 pm
Joe, to prove my point, … Sir, don’t underestimate Joe’s knowledge and awareness as it relates to technology and Joe’s audience. Enjoy the Bucs, and leave Joe’s business to Joe.
August 16th, 2014 at 5:17 am
The Clayborn hate is pure ignorance.
August 16th, 2014 at 7:34 am
Just trying to help.
Oh, and it’s ma’am. My name isn’t Teddy. I wear them.