The Uphill Climb For Riley Bullough
August 23rd, 2017
Riley Bullough’s roadblock.
The way it stands now, the Bucs will be lucky to have linebacker Riley Bullough as a practice squad player.
There is just a logjam at linebacker. Davante Bond would have started at SAM linebacker had he not got hurt and Kendell Beckwith is doing nothing to suggest he won’t start at SAM (unless Kwon Alexander’s injury is worse than what the Bucs are letting on, which would likely move Beckwith to middle linebacker).
Then there is Adarius Glanton, who winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter has been raving about.
So the fifth linebacker, much like the No. 5 receiver, better be a damned good special teams player. And it seems from what Koetter said yesterday, Glanton is a fine special teams player. This was offered when Koetter was asked about Glanton’s play this summer.
“Not just in the Jacksonville game – Adarius did everything he’s ever been asked,” Koetter said. “Last year when he got in a game, he made plays. He was a stalwart on special teams. He made plays, that’s what backup players do. They make plays when they get their opportunities and eventually they may get a chance to move into the starting lineup and he’s a good example of that.”
The word “stalwart” doesn’t exactly mean “scrub” to Joe. That’s high praise, indeed.
So if somehow Bullough is to make it to the final-53, then he better quickly become a lights out special teams player.
Again, Joe hopes Bullough gets on the practice squad. Joe has a hunch, however, another linebacker-needy team will grab him. Great for Bullough. Stinks for the Bucs.
August 23rd, 2017 at 4:11 pm
Joe Dirt needs to embrace his nickname… it’s a great name and people will remember him forever if he does – plus he’ll get that HUGE MONEY Autotrader sponsorship. I think the only people that hate on the name Joe Dirt are people that never saw the movie.
August 23rd, 2017 at 4:20 pm
I agree Joe.
It’s a good problem to have. The Bucs have a lot of depth at linebacker and I am sure would like to get Joe Dirt on the practice squad but I would think another team would grab him for their roster.
The top team that comes to mind is Miami. They have a thin group of linebackers and it is clearly a weakness on their team.
August 23rd, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Glanton is the one Mike Smith was gushing about last year. He’s played well thus far in the short time as well as Riley.
August 23rd, 2017 at 4:28 pm
keeping at least 6 LBs seems like a smart idea, especially with Bond hurt and Kwon nursing a little something at the moment. If the season started today our starters would be Lavonte at WLB, rookie Beckwith and his recovering ACL at SLB, and i suppose Glanton at SLB. and behind them is Bullough and a whole lot of nothing. maybe you work in a Noah Spence but with 2 or our 3 projected starters currently hurt to some degree that’s a group that needs strength in numbers early on
August 23rd, 2017 at 4:28 pm
*i meant beckwith at MLB
August 23rd, 2017 at 5:03 pm
All this praise for bond who has never shown anything. Why not practice squad him? Riley has played well albeit against future drive thru workers and enterprise car washers
August 23rd, 2017 at 5:05 pm
Put him on the practice squad and pay him 10k – makes him virtually untouchable for other teams.
August 23rd, 2017 at 5:09 pm
If he was better than the other 5 linebackers ahead of him then he would be on the team. What’s the problem?
August 23rd, 2017 at 5:20 pm
Glanton is a stud
will replace david and his big contract next year
we need to pay evans and i think they will extend jameis after 3 years
August 23rd, 2017 at 5:21 pm
grandpappy is right, Bond has shown nothing except the ability to get injured. PS him instead.
August 23rd, 2017 at 5:50 pm
Dirk’s granpappy is right…not all impressed with Bond..whereas Joe Dirt has that crazy energy and Glanton has always been a beast when healthy…
August 23rd, 2017 at 6:12 pm
I think we should start calling him dirty fabio
August 23rd, 2017 at 6:17 pm
I always hear get the best personnel on the field. Let see more 3-4 looks and see if we can generate pressure that way.
August 23rd, 2017 at 6:43 pm
Kinda hard to put a starter on the practice squad, because there is a very real likelihood another team would claim him.
Don’t think the Bucs want to give away players that are projected starters.
August 23rd, 2017 at 7:12 pm
Bind might be a “starter” on paper. but when they strap em up and he is in a floppy hat. Dude was a 6th rd pick. SAM LB is the easiest position to replace due to nickel/dime packages. We gave away Roberto who was a projected starter. at least he was on the field.
August 23rd, 2017 at 7:40 pm
And that is exactly why the team won’t throw Bond overboard. With the cap right around the corner becoming a significant issue, that’s the type of guy you want to start (so long as he shows the ability, which he has in practice).
August 23rd, 2017 at 8:12 pm
Bond has to actually stay on the field to make the team. I wasn’t overly impressed by him in that Cincinnati game, but then again I don’t know who was responsible for what so maybe on the plays I thought he was the issue, perhaps he wasn’t. Bond was considered a project player and would take some seasoning to play in the NFL (he wasn’t a full time starter in college remember), so for him to have already got the starter tag, even in preseason, that’s a pretty big deal. Now if he can just stay healthy.
August 23rd, 2017 at 8:17 pm
When specifically asked about Riley right after that, Koetter also beamed about Riley but then also commented about the “numbers game” and not everyone who deserves to be on the roster can be, and they can’t a load of LBs and no WRs…is basically what Koetter said. Not encouraging for Riley, but definitely are words enough to make a guy on the bubble work even harder…Practice Squad guys make less than $120K a year and min NFL roster salary is $450K…so we know if someone picks him up Riley would be a fool to stay…and we’d wish him well.
August 23rd, 2017 at 8:24 pm
I think Riley’s made some plays out there. I’m sure Hard Knocks and a great nickname has boosted his profile though. If he can get some time with the 1’s I’d be excited to see what kind of production he can get. Bond and Bethwick are both high upside guys and also young players… tough decision for Mike Smith
August 23rd, 2017 at 10:18 pm
What Harlem said..very true..
That’s how the Bucs ended with Kourtnei Brown..still wish he was a Buc though..
August 23rd, 2017 at 11:13 pm
KOBE FAKER:
Don’t need to move David GUY IS QUALITY lb IN LEAGUE !!! , Bucs have no excuse to cut anyone due to salary cap, if you look we are millions under every year. we cut Revis and still had 19MIL at end of year..
Lets stop looking to run every good player we get.. wont take but one more season and bUC FANS ARE ASKING FOR Jamies to be traded..
August 23rd, 2017 at 11:14 pm
I’m having a hard time only accepting Riley as a practice squad guy. This dude has been straight balling and he’s a finisher. I watched him just shrug off blocks and get straight to the point of attack quickly. Find a way to make space for this guy. Bond is the guy that I’m questionable with. Heck, keep 6 LB’s and take a spot from the depth chart elsewhere. WR or CB maybe. Meh, on second thought let’s just roll without a kicker. We did it last year, we can do it again.
August 23rd, 2017 at 11:18 pm
He’s a beast, find a way to keep him! He’s hangry, love this kid!!! Make it happen Mr Licht, trim the fat elsewhere please and thank you sir;)
August 24th, 2017 at 12:10 am
Hopefully Bullough will make some special teams plays in the next 2 games and Bucs will have no choice but to keep him. Joe Dirt plays on 4 ST units I believe so he will get chances.
Losing Russell Shepard will be tough on our ST success – he was and is one of the best gunners in the whole league.
Josh Robinson is a ST standout as well but he’s not nearly as impactful as Sheppard was on a consistent basis from what I’ve seen so far.
August 24th, 2017 at 7:00 am
I concur with what ARGH_M8E Says on Riley Bullough. Practice squad? C’mon. An added dimension Riley has is that he can also play fullback. Yes, fullback. Special teams. No problem. He is a brute, barbarian, gargoyle who needs to be on this team because of his tenacity and vicious play. Reminds me of how the Raiders defense of the 83′ season played. He comes from a family of football players and he is going to make it in this league.
August 24th, 2017 at 7:55 am
With the exposure he is getting on Hard Knocks, now way he clears waivers if the Bucs release him.
August 24th, 2017 at 8:13 am
In addition to the above, wasn’t Glanton our primary/backup long snapper before bringing back DePaola?
I am digging the perceived continuation of depth at multiple positions. It will eventually be solidified by better draft choices and off season vet signings that will continue to mold this franchise for years to come!
At least that’s the plan.
August 24th, 2017 at 9:15 am
I expect Fabio Bullough to play the entire game next week and see how well he does in the starting MLB role. It will determine if he makes the team IMO. I know it will be mostly backups that last week but if he impresses he needs to make the roster.