Finding A Lottery Ticket
November 20th, 2014Until recently, it was a flat out embarrassment how the Bucs could not get heat on a quarterback.
Tampa Bay spent so many draft picks and so much Team Glazer money in the past five years trying to find a heavy pass rush, only to be foiled at every try, sans drafting Gerald McCoy. Joe thought this team was cursed, almost resigned to a fact it just wasn’t going to have a pass rush and should proceed accordingly.
Then along came a free agent who couldn’t stick with a team already well-stocked with pass rushers. And that man’s name is Jacquies Smith, defensive end. He has played like Warren Sapp of late, getting three sacks in as many games.
Not coincidentally, when Smith was getting pressure, so too was GMC. And others. Nice pick up by Bucs general manager Jason Licht. Upon further review, Licht may have found the Holy Grail.
Consider this surprising nugget from the spreadsheeters at Pro Football Focus.
Stealing this from .@ArifHasanNFL on PFF rankings on DEs since week 7. Check out who is number 10 #Bucs fans. pic.twitter.com/GgT486ffWC
— BucsBrief Podcast (@BucsBrief) November 20, 2014
Even Bucs coach Lovie Smith agreed yesterday in his daily press briefing that his new defensive end has been a catalyst for the resurgent pass rush.
“Yes. Just very pleased with what the guy’s done,” Lovie said. “Jacquies has come in – doesn’t say an awful lot. Has excellent speed for a guy rushing off of the edge, good bend, plays hard, has gotten the part down about taking the ball away. Just like everything the guy’s done. Has earned more and more playing time each week, I might add too. We kind of go on what we see on video. Starting to notice him quite a bit.”
For a team that has been crying for an edge pass rusher for years, the fact Licht picked Smith off the street is one helluva find.
If Smith continues his play like this, then not only will the Bucs be feared by opposing quarterbacks, Smith will be in line for one helluva payday.
November 20th, 2014 at 9:11 am
Just never know what’s under a horse’s tail until you lift it up!!!
November 20th, 2014 at 9:15 am
Thought I’d start your day with a pleasant thought!!!
November 20th, 2014 at 9:19 am
I see that the Dolphins have 2 players in the top 3. Must be coaching and since Philbin is an offensive coach, there’s probably a defensive coach we can grab.
November 20th, 2014 at 9:43 am
Lapdog for executive of the year!!!
November 20th, 2014 at 9:50 am
Our best DEs lately have been nobodies! This guy for starters, but Bennett too. He wasn’t even drafted!
November 20th, 2014 at 10:26 am
Smith was a hell of a find by Jason Licht!
November 20th, 2014 at 10:45 am
Michael Johnson makes more in 1 game than this kid makes all year. Congrats to L&L on finding a true diamond in the rough in Jacquies Smith though. he looks like a keeper for sure.
November 20th, 2014 at 11:00 am
We had guys like Steve White, Greg White, and Micheal Bennett that was all F.A pick ups. We need to see what the Rams, and the fish had on there practice squads and steal them.
November 20th, 2014 at 12:09 pm
We drafted Steve White.
November 20th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Cut Johnson please!!!
November 20th, 2014 at 2:35 pm
Jacquies Smith certainly looks good. Doing everything he is supposed to do in this defense. I look forward to seeing continued development, may have a long term starter here.
November 20th, 2014 at 4:08 pm
You can measure a man’s body and speed, but not his heart. D.Q. Bowers is a great example: Million dollar body, length, and speed; 10 cent heart. Go get ’em Jacquies!
November 21st, 2014 at 12:09 am
The new “king of hustle”