“Bigger’ Linebackers On The Outside, Says Bruce Arians
March 31st, 2019
Yes, Bucco Bruce Arians was asked to give a state of the linebackers address during a 1-on-1 interview recently.
The head coach said a few noteworthy things.
First, he called Lavonte David one of “the best in the business” during a chat last week with Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio. No surprise there. And Arians seemed to again say David would be an inside linebacker, which was a take he shared when introduced to Tampa Bay media in January.
No, Arians didn’t directly tell Marvez that David would play inside, but after talking about David and new LB Deone Bucannon, Arians said the Bucs would play bigger linebackers outside.
Carl Nassib? Kevin Minter? But he’s only 6-feet, about 245 pounds. David goes about 6-1, 240.
Noah Spence? Can he be resurrected as an outside linebacker.
Of course, nearly everyone is bigger than Bucannon, who plays at 6-1, 210 or so. This month he signed a one-year deal for $2.5 million. Ironically, departed LB Adarius Taylor only got a little less money from the Browns.
Kendell Beckwith? Answers should be coming from One Buc Palace as players return TOMORROW for physicals and the start of offseason meetings and conditioning.
March 31st, 2019 at 5:12 pm
Joe don’t you think the Bucs are better off keeping Beckwiths status quiet for now? It makes it tougher for other teams to figure out our draft that way.
March 31st, 2019 at 5:39 pm
Been saying all along spence should play OLB.
Watch what coaching can do!!! SUPERBOWL BOUND!!!!!!
March 31st, 2019 at 6:23 pm
JimmyJack Says:
March 31st, 2019 at 5:12 pm
Joe don’t you think the Bucs are better off keeping Beckwiths status quiet for now? It makes it tougher for other teams to figure out our draft that way.
keeping tom brady’s status is of strategic value or advantage. Keeping the status of a LB that has not played in a year who was at best OK with a little potential is hardly keeping other teams awake at night… Hell only fanboys on this site or maybe some lsu fans know who beckwith is…
funny though thank you!
March 31st, 2019 at 6:34 pm
Blitzing LBs are going to be the key to the success of Todd Bowles 3-4 defense. The Bucs should feel pretty good about the LBs they have on the roster now, but there are a lot of IFs that are to be determined. We know a lot about these guys.
23 Bucannon, Deone LB/SS 6-1 212 26 6 Washington State
54 David, Lavonte LB 6-1 233 29 8 Nebraska
41 Minter, Kevin LB 6-0 246 28 7 LSU
59 Bond, Devante LB 6-1 236 25 4 Oklahoma
But what if these guys came into their own as 3-4 pass rushers?
58 Barrett, Shaquil LB 6-2 250 26 6 Colorado State
57 Spence, Noah LB 6-2 251 25 4 Eastern Kentucky
Then what if these guys came back healthy?
51 Beckwith, Kendell LB 6-3 247 24 2 Lousiana State
48 Cichy, Jack LB 6-2 238 22 2 Wisconsin
And what if they added this 1st round ILB from the Jets who they are reported to be interested in?
58 Lee, Darron LB 6-1 232 24 4 Ohio State
If the Bucs can turn some of these IFs into yesses, they will have one of the best LB rooms in the NFL. Go Bucs!
March 31st, 2019 at 6:43 pm
Lol Super Bowl bound … please don’t go being ridiculous
March 31st, 2019 at 7:26 pm
Yea BucEm it’s as if folks round here wanna simply throw Spence out with the other trash. Right when a system that probably suits him better is about to be in effect. Funny thing is I recall clips of him in drills against Donovan starting from the 2 point stance but don’t ever recall it in a live game.
March 31st, 2019 at 7:51 pm
The nice thing about Spence is that he’s fast and disrupts the pocket. The kid played an entire season with a busted wing so he’s got heart too.
On a side note: It really would have been nice to sign Mike Davis (rb) or traded for Howard. Both Howard and Davis have a 2mil cap hit. Why is Beau Allen still on the team? I think the ship has sailed on Gholston too now that Nassib is here.
March 31st, 2019 at 7:59 pm
Spence should have his career revived with teachers that k ow how to teach ! And I am really friggen hoping that beckwith can save his career as I thought he was going to turn out to for sure be our best linebacker without question ! I don’t care if they keep it quite until after draft day weekend as long as I see him out there suited up in julys training camp and August..please football God’s , help beckwith get back to ball ! If he comes back , that is a major plus in my book as now we can go after Allen , Williams , sweat , Oliver , but if we still get white I am ok with that as well because white , beckwith , deone , and lvd would be better than lvd , Alexander , beckwith , imo…plus mixing it up with nassib , jpp , Spence , and all that will be nice 2 see..hey guys , I’m looking forward to this seasons defence for sure and I think we all will be pleasantly surprised how well jameis can play with a lead ! I’m also really wishful thinking that we land say Henderson RB Memphis in the 3rd round to pair with barber and now we are cooking with fire ! Esp if special teams improves as I know coach BA will be spending time and resources as he has said in fixing that mess that our overall team I just know will be much improved ! Just speaking the truth right now has me all geeked up for what we are going to see this season and I’m not even over exaggerating and that’s such a great feeling ! Go bucs
March 31st, 2019 at 8:18 pm
I was thinking about moving David to nickle.
March 31st, 2019 at 8:27 pm
Macabee: Just spitting out numbers from a website doesn’t really help. What will help is getting on the grass for OTAs and minicamp and seeing what they can do. Shaq already played in a 3-4 and had success with limited time so I’m not worried at all about him. Tbh I think we have a fine front 7, we just need reinforcements at corner. All of that said, best DL at 5. Let’s go.
March 31st, 2019 at 8:30 pm
Not saying Spence can’t play some linebacker but he ran a 4.8 at 230 and that leaves him in big trouble in any type of coverage at all , big liability !!
On another note David is a good linebacker but he would get lit up in nickle coverage .
March 31st, 2019 at 8:36 pm
Beckwith with severe ankle trauma to return at elite level and crickets giving us reports is not good. Unfortunately!
March 31st, 2019 at 8:39 pm
Bucs have limited personnel to fit the scheme of this 3-4, but in the 2019 its more of a 3-3-5 look to stop drew brees cam & matty ice, if BA can get a defense out of the slugs licht gave him, then dilly dilly
March 31st, 2019 at 8:43 pm
If we could just get Mylew back at corner all would be good!!!
March 31st, 2019 at 9:00 pm
Have read macabee’s post for a lot of years and let me assure you he is only one of a few I hold in high regard. Unlike most opinions on these sites, Man knows Buc’s Football.
March 31st, 2019 at 9:09 pm
Joe I dont think its ridiculous at all. Look at the Rams, the Bears, last years Jags….lots of teams make drastic turnarounds and a much larger list than those three. I get it the odds of a superbowl sounds highly unlikely but if there is a staff that can do it, its Arians.
Fans somehow forget that Arians left the game..He wasnt fired, hes not a failed hc getting another shot. Im willing to bet my left arm that the large majority of Cardinals fans would kill to have Arians back knowing what he brings to the table.
Our new head coach is being undervalued across the board
March 31st, 2019 at 9:10 pm
LDE McCOY/NUNEZ-ROACHES/LEDBETTER
NT VEA/ALLEN/TU’UKOLOVATU
RDE NASSIB/GHOLSTON
LOLB PIERRE-PAUL/HUGEUNIN/O’CONNOR/DIMRICK
LILB DAVID/MINTER/BULLOUGH/SMITH
RILB BUCHANNON/BECKWITH/BOND/NELSON
ROLB BARRETT/SPENCE/HARRIS
March 31st, 2019 at 9:14 pm
macabee Mort is a dope. He missed the whole point. The article was about the size of LBs. You gave those numbers. The point I got was will these guys be ready.
March 31st, 2019 at 9:16 pm
sorry meant 2017 jags. You get the point
March 31st, 2019 at 9:17 pm
Spence is far from a speed demon but he ran a 4.8 at 251 with a strained hamstring. He improved very little a couple of weeks later a couple of weeks later but that isn’t the concern. He played faster than that in year 1, the major question is will he get back to it.
Mike Smith was infatuated with making him an every down 4-3 end. During his second preseason they had him going on the field on primary run downs. This was a bad tactic…. More of, my defense needs this so you have to do this, no matter if its outside your physical abilities. Let the kid play with an edge, minimize his reads and he can be ok. Rotate the D-line, way more so they stay fresh in the Tampa heat.
I can’t wait until this season starts.
March 31st, 2019 at 9:57 pm
“as players return TOMORROW for physicals and the start of offseason meetings and conditioning”
I love it!
March 31st, 2019 at 10:17 pm
Look what the rams did with Barron ! Move him to lb and he did great for them awhile! I know they cut him now but he good yrs as a lb !
March 31st, 2019 at 10:25 pm
Buccaneerscotty
Buccaneers don’t develop players they just ship talent out while rewarding heartless career losers who understand the rules lose quietly and without personality….
March 31st, 2019 at 10:32 pm
We all have to remember that this is Smoke Blowing season, and Arians has always been very good at it
March 31st, 2019 at 10:41 pm
A front 7 with McCoy , vea and Oliver inside with Jpp and Barrett Olb and buchanon/David inside sounds like havoc to me.
April 1st, 2019 at 7:03 am
McCoy’s done! Haven’t heard a good word from this entire coaching staff. They’re probably in shock we’ve kept him this long.
April 1st, 2019 at 1:58 pm
As I said!