Kwon Conquers
August 17th, 2015
Your new Bucs starting MLB.
Well, that didn’t take very long, did it?
Less than a day after Lovie Smith crowed that middle linebacker Kwon Alexander played “outstanding” in his first NFL preseason game, Alexander was tagged as the starting MLB until or unless he is beaten out for the job.
And we all know how stingy Lovie is about passing around compliments, right Johnthan Banks?
Alexander, who stayed in the hot Florida sun after practice to talk to scribes like Joe, said he doesn’t plan on changing his attitude toward his play.
“I had a pretty good game,” Alexander said of the mauling in Minnesota on Saturday night. “I can always get better. I am just trying to learn my role with the team better. I feel like I fit in.”
Alexander gave no small amount of credit for his rapid development to outside linebacker Lavonte David.
“He’s like a big brother to me,” Alexander said. He noted that David is always wiling to work with him off the practice field, often going over video and notes.
When Joe asked Alexander if he was surprised he was named a starter so quickly in his rookie season, Alexander spoke humbly.
“I’m just glad to be out here,” Alexander said. “Just happy to be a part of this team and play NFL football. It’s a blessing. It’s my dream but I am out here still trying to start. Grind and get better and better every day. I love this defense. I’m glad to play in it. I am still learning. It is hard. I’ve never played Mike-linebacker before. I am in my playbook every night to try to be the best I can be and have a lot of energy.
“I have to play with a chip on my shoulder. I had a lot of doubters. I am playing for my mom, my family and my team.”
Outside linebacker Danny Lansanah, who initially appeared to be Alexander’s main competition for playing time, lauded the rookie from LSU.
“Kwon [Alexander] plays fast. He does what all the coaches ask him to do,” Lansanah said. “He’s just an athletic guy and, you know, he put it on film. He played well over the weekend. Whatever happens, happens. He’s capable.”
August 17th, 2015 at 5:32 pm
I thought Joe would go with the headline “The Wrath of Kwan” for this article.
August 17th, 2015 at 5:36 pm
nice words from Lansanah
August 17th, 2015 at 5:38 pm
I’ve been saying that this would happen, Bruce Carter is better suited at the SAM.
August 17th, 2015 at 5:42 pm
Our linebackers are going to be fun to watch this year!
Speedy, and Athletic. That should cause problems for opposing offenses all year.
August 17th, 2015 at 5:43 pm
Lovie loves rookies?…….Well, the only defensive player we selected in the last two drafts may turn out to be a winner…..
You could look at this differently by saying Carter is a bust…..but I think not…..I think Kwon is simply that good.
August 17th, 2015 at 5:46 pm
Real happy for Kwon Alexander and the Bucs for drafting him. Needs a good nickname equal to his ability. Stan, the Wrath of Kwon is pretty good.
August 17th, 2015 at 5:46 pm
So they paid Bruce Carter perfectly good cash to basically play STs and be a backup? Another free agent home run by Lovie and Licht. Maybe they could have used that money on oh, I don’t know, a freakin guard?! It’s mind boggling how bad the guys have been in free agency.
August 17th, 2015 at 5:55 pm
The Wrath of Kwon!! (Figured I’d beat Chris Berman to it.)
August 17th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
And now I see Stan beat ME to it. Duh. Darn it. Next time I’ll read the comments FIRST.
August 17th, 2015 at 5:59 pm
Youngry.
August 17th, 2015 at 5:59 pm
I thought that Lovie doesn’t actually have true competition for roster spots according to realist.
Also to the guy saying we should have signed a guard. There literally were no good RG prospects to sign in this FA period. Evan Mathis plays LG. Just wasn’t a good FA class. Hopefully next year is better at both O-line and DE.
August 17th, 2015 at 6:02 pm
Looks like we have a KWONdary at the MIC. I say, let the wookie win..
August 17th, 2015 at 6:52 pm
My thinking is the DBs are not performing as they were planning in the offseason to run that nickel formation and the pass rush on the outside is absolutely not there to run a traditional base four man down so lets now try a formation that puts Carter at his natural spot on the outside with Alexander now the primary starter and boy did he earn it outright but Lansanah played better at middle last year as well so let him move over to middle in a 4 linebacker formation not rotation split because they dont have the dbs for any type of nickel or dime formation outside of Banks and Verner and Bruce Carter has a lot of speed at his natural position to create pass rush as an outside linebacker. As far as the defensive line goes theyonly have 3 players worth getting on the field and that is Mccoy, McDonald, and Melton and they all should start at the same time not in a rotation split like they have planned. Keep Smith and Johnson as added depth to change into traditional base four man down fronts. ###SIEGETHEDAY##58KwonAlexander
August 17th, 2015 at 6:53 pm
Great for Kwon, but this just shows how bad Lovie is with free agents. How bad Dom was at neglecting drafting o linemen Lovie is that level of bad
August 17th, 2015 at 6:58 pm
“Genghis Kwon”
August 17th, 2015 at 7:18 pm
I like that one Tbbf. I identify with that one, I’m half Aaian.
August 17th, 2015 at 7:24 pm
You kinda have to give the tie to Carter. He’s making alot more money than the rookie. And its not like Carter has played bad. The guy has been solid. And if he goes down with injury, or underperforms, well we have depth at linebacker now! Kwon can fill in and really, between Kwon, Carter and Danny, all three can play mike or sam. And Kwon also played will at college. Our linebackers just may save this defense. Cause that secondary looked confused and that line looked weak.
August 17th, 2015 at 7:24 pm
If Luke Kuechly can do it from his rookie year on…WHY NOT KWON!!!??? GO BUCS!!!
August 17th, 2015 at 7:25 pm
@Jason McLaurin
Your idea isn’t terrible but I’ve had this discussion before and the biggest problem is you can’t take the 7 best guys from your 4-3 front and rearrange them into a 3-4 and expect the same outcome.
Kwon is playing great at 4-3 MLB but switch him to 3-4 and his role changes drastically and his biggest assest(his speed) is wasted while he is tangled up with linemen.
The other problem with your statement is that McDaniel isn’t better than McDonald, if anything McDonald is a more complete player who can rush as well as run stuff, McDaniel doesn’t rush the passer.
August 17th, 2015 at 7:49 pm
Lets trade/release/waiver/roster drop(whichever applies) Carter, Gilkey,and Mike Glennon .
August 17th, 2015 at 8:07 pm
Megakwon!
August 17th, 2015 at 8:10 pm
Bruce Carter was a good pickup, he can play all 3 LB positions. You never have enough good Linebackers.
August 17th, 2015 at 8:11 pm
If anything B. Carter can back up all 3 LBer spots. Not sure if that makes him overpaid now.
August 17th, 2015 at 8:13 pm
He’s my ambassador of kwon man. LVD jr
August 17th, 2015 at 8:24 pm
Tampabaybucfan… Genghis Kwon is a good one too.
August 17th, 2015 at 8:50 pm
I’ve been waiting for this move!!! KWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNN!!!!(In my best Captain Kirk voice!)
August 17th, 2015 at 8:54 pm
thought he is more of the will lb because his size and he was a monster at LSU….. next head coach is going to have 2 great OLBs…
August 17th, 2015 at 10:07 pm
Bruce Carter is better for depth. He has huge durability issues.
August 17th, 2015 at 10:09 pm
BUT…naming Kwon Alexander the starter for the second preseason game is nothing. Given Carter’s durability issues, it’s probably to keep him from injury. Starters hardly play in game 2.
Frankly I’m surprised they played more than a series in game one.
August 17th, 2015 at 10:40 pm
“Megakwon” has to be the winner here.
August 18th, 2015 at 1:25 am
Um my name has been high jacked. I do not agree with the above statement – actually i do agree with releasing gilkey. At least don’t let him play center anymore..
August 18th, 2015 at 7:32 am
Why we didn’t claim Aldon Smith when the 49ers waived him is beyond me. I don’t care what he has done if he can rush the passer we need him. The quarterbacks for the Vikings had all day to throw the ball. If we don’t find someone to rush the passer it’s going to tough to watch this defense.
August 18th, 2015 at 9:46 am
What’s your take?
This? “So they paid Bruce Carter perfectly good cash to basically play STs and be a backup? Another free agent home run by Lovie and Licht. Maybe they could have used that money on oh, I don’t know, a freakin guard?! It’s mind boggling how bad the guys have been in free agency.”
Or this? “Lovie loves rookies?…….Well, the only defensive player we selected in the last two drafts may turn out to be a winner…..You could look at this differently by saying Carter is a bust…..but I think not…..I think Kwon is simply that good.”
August 18th, 2015 at 12:12 pm
Alexander the Great