Akeem Spence Talks Back Troubles
August 15th, 2016
Perspective on the J.R. Sweezy comparison
Saturday, the Tampa Bay Times issued an unsourced report stating big-money Bucs free agent guard J.R. Sweezy had a herniated disc surgery (“discectomy”) similar to what defensive tackle Akeem Spence had last year.
Beat writer Rick Stroud claimed Spence returned in October and “showed no ill effects after missing five games.” Apparently, Stroud didn’t talk to Spence.
Joe talked to Spence about his back Thursday night in Philadelphia. Joe had heard of Sweezy’s back issues (but didn’t report them as Joe had the info in the strictest of confidence), and thought it would be a good idea to gain perspective from Spence.
The fourth-year defensive tackle had a very strong preseason debut, on the heels of playing the entire second half of last season.
Spence messed up his back lifting weights during the 2015 offseason and had surgery in early July last year. That shelved him for a few months and he came off the Bucs’ “physically unable to perform” list in October. That allowed him to practice, under NFL rules, and get back on the field.
But Spence was hardly fully recovered.
In fact, Spence says he’s still not right.
“Strength-wise, definitely back to where I was before the surgery. Football-wise, I’m still trying to get it back,” Spence said. “You know, just being out of football so long. My first week of camp again, I was just trying to just get back used to the speed. …
“Just trying to get my body back used to the movements again. Getting back used to fighting double teams and everything like that. Making tackles falling to the ground. Just getting my body back used to playing football.
Joe re-confirmed with Spence to be extra sure he was talking about recovering from back surgery 13 months ago.
“Yes, sir,” Spence said. “It takes a lot man, but hey, I’m getting there.”
The Bucs haven’t made details on Sweezy public. But whatever they are, Joe is not counting on the guy for 2016, as Joe wrote last week. And the mass freakout by Bucs fans is unnecessary.
August 15th, 2016 at 8:47 am
Whoever comes back 100% from back issues.
Sheldon rankings should have been pick.
Fit a need and is a monster
August 15th, 2016 at 9:01 am
More cover for Free-pass Licht…lame
August 15th, 2016 at 9:01 am
“Who could imagine you could freak out somewhere in” Tampa? We go with the players who are ready to compete. Good enough.
August 15th, 2016 at 9:27 am
The Bucs biggest free agent acquisition my not play a snap in 2016 and Buc fans aren’t supposed to have concerns? Feel free to spin this any way you wish but the reality is that there is plenty to be concerned about when the guy who is supposed to replace Logan Mankins could be out for the year. You can point out Kevin Pamphile all you want but the reason why the Bucs signed Sweezy is because they don’t believe anyone on the roster would be a suitable replacement for Logan Mankins. If the Buccaneers believe they can sign someone off the waiver wire to play that position then why throw the big money at Sweezy?
If the former whipping boy was around this story would be covered differently. However, it’s apparently all sunshine and rainbows at One Buc. This signing is a blunder by the Buccaneers whether one wants to blame Jason Licht, the owners, the team doctors, the scouts, ect… Either the Buccaneers knew about the back issues and signed him anyway or they missed the back issues during the physical. Both scenarios are shameful. By the way, I completely agree with Joe. I don’t believe for one second he will play a snap this season.
August 15th, 2016 at 9:33 am
Shaping up to be another major screwup by Free-pass Licht in free agency and with Incompetent Lovie Smith napping in the cornfields of Illinois there is no one else to blame. Yet here we are finding was to absolve the one man in charge of acquiring talent to line up and play on Sundays. Sounds like JBF is real cozy with the GM.
August 15th, 2016 at 9:40 am
Guys, I told you already, Sweezy does not play a snap for the Bucs this season. LEt’s get him healthy and ready for next year’s playoff run.
August 15th, 2016 at 9:44 am
Don’t blame Light for this issue. His Free Agent class looks a lot better than Lovie’s classes from last two years. Remember, Lovie had final say so in roster spots. Lovie does not know NFL talent and that’s one of the many reasons why his teams were so bad in Tampa, and the last few years in Chicago. Yes, yes, their 10-6 year when he got fired. I remember that. SMoke and Mirrors. Similar in nature to Rah’s magical 10-6 year.
August 15th, 2016 at 9:48 am
Jeff- who is responsible for acquiring Bucaneer free agents if not Jason Licht? Gimme a break? This free pass crap is sad. Call a spade a spade.
August 15th, 2016 at 9:49 am
😕😕😕😧😧😧 not good news for buc fans, that’s just our luck tho, it’s frustrating to say the least at being do good when it comes to the draft but striking out over n over when it comes to FA. No need to rush this guy back if he’s the so called future at LG. Pamphile will hold it down till he can come back. Look for Licht to sign a veteran G when cuts come around. I’m confident this line will be just fine. What hurts even more tho is that the one Guard we drafted is injured as well. Would of liked to see him get sum playing time during preseason.
August 15th, 2016 at 10:01 am
This wasn’t a “Dirty deal, done dirt cheap”. Another free agent that realized if you want that last big check, come to Tampa.
August 15th, 2016 at 10:13 am
Jason Licht knew about this injury before signing Sweezy, but he signed him anyway. For big money.
As far as I’m concerned, all of you who blamed Lovie Smith for the free agent busts can kiss my @$$. I knew Jason Licht was the one responsible on MOST of those signings, and now his free agent busts are still showing up. Just wait till a certain CB goes down on IR.
That said, Licht is top notch on drafting and undrafted free agents. For that reason alone, I like him here. Drafting builds a lasting contender, and keeps the cap under control. Free agents are a more expensive gamble that cause cap issues.
August 15th, 2016 at 10:13 am
Time to grow up boys. Injuries are part of this sport and are going to play a major role in the upcoming season.
If any one of the franchise QB’s in the NFC South goes down think it will make a big difference. There are other players…a 4 game losing streak without Kwon?
Yeah it sucks to get injuries in the off season but at the end of the day it is what it is. Could have happened first day of practice.
August 15th, 2016 at 10:14 am
I said all along…if Lovie was fully in charge, then he would have made the draft pick choices as well. The man had no authority. It was all Licht.
August 15th, 2016 at 10:17 am
Stpetebucsfan Says
“There are other players…a 4 game losing streak without Kwon?”
In theory, that should not be a problem now. Kwon was one of three players who made the difference between winning and losing on defense (the other two being GMC and David). Now we have better talent along the line, and those that were young last year are more seasoned. We have a great player in Vernon too.
So a suspension of one top player (barring GMC) should not harm our defense as much.
In theory.
August 15th, 2016 at 10:32 am
Love Akeem…Fort Walton Beach guy. Local kid done good. Glad he’s making the comeback!
August 15th, 2016 at 10:42 am
I knew the truth, now others are seeing the truth! BACKSTABBER/SMILING IN YO FACE!
August 15th, 2016 at 10:54 am
The topic of FAs got me a little pissed off. Something ain’t jiving, idk what it is but I don’t like it. Now, FIX IT!
August 15th, 2016 at 11:19 am
Akeem is starting to look good since returning. Sweezy makes this team better overall whether he’s starting or back-up. The problem is that he’s not available to us at the moment. You can’t avoid injuries, true. This would look a lot better had he injured himself in a preseason game or practice with the team.
August 15th, 2016 at 11:51 am
Sweezy got hurt, big deal. Nobody knew he was gonna be out like he is or they wouldn’t have signed him. Several other teams were throwing big money at him to include his own (Seahawks) this isn’t a bust, not yet atleast. Let the guy recover and get back on the field before you all start chiming in on Licht making a bad call and what not. As of now the guy could start the season on the PUP and we could have him after the buy week for 11 games. Oline depth is still good as of today with him on the PUP and will get better if he comes back and can play. Let the season start and see where the team is at before everyone has a heart attack.
August 15th, 2016 at 12:23 pm
Sorry but if we paid a guy a sht ton of money not to play a single snap this season then yeah it’s a big effin deal.
This was not a football injury incurred while playing or practicing for the Buccaneers so this sht sandwich lies with Free-pass Licht, plain and simple.
August 15th, 2016 at 12:35 pm
I’ve yet to read Sweezy was hurt before he signed. Can someone link me?
Spence hurt his back lifting weights. Would come as no surprise if Sweezy did the same thing.
August 15th, 2016 at 1:47 pm
“Sheldon rankings should have been pick.”
You might want to check the news today: Rankins has his own problems!
August 15th, 2016 at 3:19 pm
Yep he has a injury but he was dominant before the injury.
Who wants a dominating d tackle anyway good point.
August 15th, 2016 at 4:13 pm
There will be blood Buc Fans. But its..next man up. You gotta win with what you got. Bucs will probably be closely watching those waiver wires after teams cut down.
August 15th, 2016 at 6:11 pm
Yo dallasbuc you you calling a spade man??? You startin that racial mess again??? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
August 15th, 2016 at 9:11 pm
You and your funny race jokes.
It’s a hoot