“Root Hog” In Chief
December 23rd, 2014
Lovie Smith weighs in on Akeem Spence
One undeniable thing about second-year defensive tackle Akeem Spence is his strength. The man is known for being one of those brutally strong, fire-hydrant type of dudes.
You’re not going to see him get blown off the ball, though Joe’s not saying Spence is Pro Bowl material.
A fourth-round pick last season, Spence belongs in the NFL as a solid nose tackle. Joe’s confident Spence would make any roster in the league as a backup.
On Sunday, Spence made his third consecutive start and Lovie Smith explained yesterday how Spence played a huge role in the Bucs’ impressive goal-line stand. The Packers tried to power through three consecutive running plays, followed by a pass.
“When you’re in a double team you just can’t give up any ground, get down as low as possible and kind or root hog a little bit, and that’s what he did,” Lovie said of Spence, via the Buccaneers Radio Network.
Joe can see that Spence has grown after his rookie season, one in which he’ll say he hit a little bit of a wall. And it’s very encouraging that Spence didn’t get in any trouble during the season, following his offseason of weed and speed.
Spence represents the kind of depth great defenses possess. Now if the Bucs could only muster an offense that doesn’t resemble a weak Division III program.
December 23rd, 2014 at 10:20 am
Good value pick by Schiano and Dom….even if some will argue Lovie inherited a team with no talent (except McCoy, and David, and Revis, and Banks, and Martin, etc etc)
December 23rd, 2014 at 10:22 am
A possible McClown vs McClown this sun.
December 23rd, 2014 at 10:44 am
I hope the McCown vs McCown happens, it will prove that our McCown is ranked below every backup QB in our Division including our own backup QB and yet Lovie still thinks he is on the verge and a winner.
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:06 pm
Spence is the perfect compliment to McCoy’s pass rushing prowess. Throw in veteran third down specialist Clinton McDonald and out DT’s are our biggest strength.
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Agree completely LargoBuc. And I think that part of DL play is underrated. Everybody gets all fired up over sacks and I get that. Sacks are glamorous the only time a run stuff is glamorous is on the goal line.
Reality is that run stuffing “root hogs” are really, really valuable. Think back on the great Baltimore Raven defenses and of course the first name who comes to mind is Ray Lewis…then Ed Reed but Ngata was just a critical. He virtually took the run away from opposing teams making the back seven’s jobs that much easier.
I love having a human clog in the middle of the line.
December 23rd, 2014 at 1:28 pm
I’m kind if encouraged by our defense. I think we have: a very good dt situation, decent young cb’s, couple good lb’s – lansanah and David, good safety mcdougal. Plus interesting pieces Jacques smith and Michael Johnson. I’d like to add a MLB and pass rusher in draft and then add a couple cheap fa’s for depth. Plus livid scheme seems to be working. Offense is a different story. We must draft 2 o- line guys and if we don’t trade #1 get a qb. I see our offense sucking next year too. Better find a good offensive coordinator soon.
December 23rd, 2014 at 2:16 pm
Geeze I wonder whose bright idea it was to bring this Spence guy in?
December 23rd, 2014 at 4:57 pm
Same guy who drafted Barron #1
December 24th, 2014 at 12:02 am
Gee Kevin, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then.
Seriously, I thought Shiano was a much better judge of talent them Morris for sure but the players didn’t believe in the schemes they were trying to implement and more so on the defensive side of the ball.
Thank you BucFan7. Didn’t he pick Baron over Kuckley.