The DaVonte Lambert Show

December 25th, 2016
DaVonte Lambert was the Bucs' go-to guy after not playing in weeks.

DaVonte Lambert was the Bucs’ go-to guy after not playing in weeks.

Would it surprise you to learn Noah Spence played just 28 of 71 defensive snaps yesterday in New Orleans?

Yes, defensive ends rotate and Bucs coaches say they love the all-around development of the rookie second-round pick. But Spence’s playing time said a lot yesterday.

First, it told Joe the Bucs knew entering the game that injured DE Will Gholston was irreplaceable in the run defense.

Joe has written since last year that Gholston may be the best run-stuffing defensive end in the NFL. At 6-6, 285 pounds, Gholston is too big and explosive for any tight end to move, and few offensive linemen can consistently handle his lateral movement and strength in the run game.

Second, it told Joe that the Bucs still see Spence is a pass-rush specialist, despite what’s been said publicly.

That probably changes with time. Young Spence has talked to Joe about his desire to put on significant weight this offseason and strengthen his run defense. And the kid is developing and has a strong work ethic.

Undrafted 22-year-old rookie DE DaVonte Lambert played on 80 percent of the snaps in New Orleans yesterday. And the film shows he was just a step slow too often. He finished with zero tackles and one assist.

Before yesterday, Lambert hadn’t played in more than a month! Yes, really!

Collectively, it’s been a tough season for injuries on the D-line, starting with Saints killer Jacquies Smith in Week 1. How did the Bucs win in New Orleans last year? Smith sacked Drew Brees three times, injured him, and forced two fumbles.

15 Responses to “The DaVonte Lambert Show”

  1. Ndog Says:

    This defense has serious issues starting with the line as they don’t have one elite player there. Without one everyone else is just gets stonewalled.

  2. Kobe Faker Says:

    Bucs 1st round #11 pick VH3/ Saints 1st round #12 pick sheldon rankins

    Bucs 2nd round #39pick Noah Spence/ Saints 2nd round#47 pick michael thomas

    Bucs 2nd round pick #59 Yippy aguayo/ Saints 2nd round #61 pick Vonn Bell

    Saints 3 players will plus 10 year starters and studs and those positions will not to be addressed for the next decade

    for 2017 season we still need a cornerback, defensive end and a kicker

    We should move jason gumps desk from the gm office to the marketing dept

    He is a infomercial salesman and not a GM

  3. Ed Says:

    How about a defense coordinator, and a up to date defense. This coach had lost the locker room, until Winston wrote the letter. Deactivation Martin, will cause them to fall apart. Hire Derrick, to be the G.M and force this coach to hire an Offense coordinator.

  4. TouchDownTampaBay Says:

    LOL, McCoy was a man amongst boys yesterday but guys still taking shots at him.

  5. dave Says:

    dont understand why lambert played that much. best way for a young player to get better is to play! spence is our second best de behind ayers right now. let him lose

  6. macabee Says:

    The Bucs have 3 DEs on IR – Jacquies Smith, Howard Jones, and George Johnson. Presumably, they will all be back – all have produced in the NFL.

    Ordinarily, I would say we’ll be okay at DE. But every once in a while a player comes along, a freak if you will, that possesses all the traits the NFL is looking for – size, speed, high motor, and good character.

    This year that yet unknown player is Tanoh Kpassagnon 6-6, 290, and runs a 4.76/40 from Villanova by way of Uganda. I going to bet he is a combine sensation and shoots up draft boards. I’m thinking that because he didn’t play FBS but FCS, he could be had in the 3rd round.

    He is big and strong enough to play DT and fast enough to play right DE. Noah Spence is good but not strong enough to collapse a pocket. He has to run around the OT and come in the back door – too late for a QB like Drew Brees.

    Imagine if William Gholston is pushing from the LE and Tanoh is pushing from the RE, McCoy and McDonald are going to eat. Lol. I have no idea how Tanoh or the Bucs will turn out, but you can tell I’m impressed!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sS0OnaF6Tk

  7. A'train40 Says:

    @kobefaker

    Your an idiot if you think Jason licht isn’t a good gm. It’s funny I don’t really see you post often when the Bucs win. But are always quick to point out negatives when they lose. If you look at his drafts he has added some good talent, along with undrafted guys. His free agent signings are probably only 50 percent good.

  8. Trubucfan22 Says:

    How are the saints doing this year? Oh worse than the bucs overall? No comparison.

  9. martinii Says:

    macabee

    I have read about this kid Kpassagnon. He is a nightmare waiting to happen in the NFL. I would try to get him and move Noah to OLB. If your impressed I”m on board.

  10. Fred E. Buc Says:

    Only a moron would state there are no elite players on the Bucs D line.

  11. Sunny Says:

    De , WR , TE , OL , safety , CB draft and free agent / trade needs

  12. Fred E. Buc Says:

    That does surprise me but for different reasons. First, excellent point by Joe and good catch. I expected Noah to play most snaps because of being a better pass rusher and expecting Brees to throw the ball the gazillion times he does. Instead, Lambert, who has another 30 lbs of prime beef on his frame played, and I do wonder if that worked out well, especially given lack of production and the fact the Saints had no issue running the ball for 7 or more yard on first freaking down. I really expect Spence to play most snaps.

  13. Doctor Stroud Says:

    Lambert was at the right place at the right time getting after the fumble by Fleener at the end of the 3rd quarter, although he committed a penalty on the very next place after the call was overturned. By the way, do you all think that was a catch and fumble? I thought it was, even after seeing the replay. I might have been suffering from proprioception. That killed the Bucs momentum.

  14. MadMax Says:

    @macabee, nice find! If he’s there in the 3rd, dang right we better jump.

  15. nwbucfan Says:

    im so sick of hearing everyone call for heads every time we lose. y’all should move to texas and be 2016 Romo fans cause thats what y’all sound like and its annoying as hell.