Noah Spence Excitement Flows From Jason Licht
August 8th, 2019
With the No. 39 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, our beloved Buccaneers selected defensive end Noah Spence.
Three years later, the GM who picked him admitted Spence was better suited for a defense different than the one he was drafted to thrive in.
In April, general manager Jason Licht said Spence was really a linebacker who also had value in a 4-3 defense. It was a real “It’s A Bucs Life” moment.
Now Spence is in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defense. And after 10 training camp practices, Licht told SiriusXM NFL Radio this week that Spence has found a home.
“Noah Spence, he’s thriving in this new scheme right now,” Licht said with emphasis.
Tomorrow night’s preseason opener in Pittsburgh is a big game for Spence. Carl Nassib is beloved at One Buc Palace. Shaq Barrett, per Licht, is flashing as a pass rusher every single day. For now, the team seems committed to Jason Pierre-Paul. And it seems Bucs coaches have a place in their hearts for William Gholston, like they always seem to do.
If Spence is thriving, then Joe sure hopes he can stand out in the second half tomorrow night against future grad students, mattress movers and rental car agents.
August 8th, 2019 at 10:14 pm
VH3, Spence, Davis, Beckwith, Vea…why was Licht always drafting 3-4, man coverage defenders for Mike Smith’s 4-3 zone?
August 8th, 2019 at 10:15 pm
Jason Licht is such a buffoon; cannot wait until he is no longer part of the demise of the bucs franchise. He admitted drafting a guy who doesnt fit a 4-3 scheme. Then why draft him.
August 8th, 2019 at 10:22 pm
He also drafted Jameis Winston who fits a 5-11 scheme.
August 8th, 2019 at 10:28 pm
Winston just lead the NFL’s top passing offense and set the team records for offensive yards and points in addition to being the 4th highest rated QB in QBr.
But yeah, it was him and offense at fault, not the worst defense in football.
Dope.
August 8th, 2019 at 10:30 pm
Spence is listed as a starter, so assuming that’s legit he shouldn’t be in there in the second half. But I certainly wouldn’t have an issue with him playing the whole game if he’s in shape, it’s hard to believe he’s going from not being active to being a guy the coaching staff loves and is starting.
August 8th, 2019 at 10:33 pm
Excitement? About what? Are you insane? The guy can’t play!
August 8th, 2019 at 10:39 pm
You have to understand jason licht history. (Pats/cardinals) all he really ever known for defense was 3-4 cant blame him. Not his fault smith couldn’t adjust his trash scheme. All that said winning cures everything
August 8th, 2019 at 10:40 pm
@rod munch that should tell you how terrible that coaching staff was. I’m a firm believer that it’s bin coaching an their non development ways for our basement runs. We got coaches now the sky is the limit let’s go Bucs #endthedrought
August 8th, 2019 at 10:45 pm
Good luck Noah! ..Take advantage!
August 8th, 2019 at 10:46 pm
I would give Spence two series if he does well pull him out. The dude is a freak for the position he is playing now. I have no doubt he is going to be hell to escape for opposing qbs. Just like ROJO, just like Hargraeves, all of these players labled busts were just poorly used.
August 8th, 2019 at 10:54 pm
“Lol
The instant the Off coord fines Nowhere Spence
They will run right at him at will
This defensive front is going to be pushed around like a ragdoll”
Kobe Faker
August 8th, 2019 at 10:54 pm
Watching all the games via Game Pass and teams are pulling their starters after only one series, if they even play at all. The NFL just needs to switch to an 18-game schedule with 2 preseason games already.
Also whoever the color guy is on the Cardinals broadcast, he’s awful. He’s trying to sound like when Jesse Ventura did the Bucs games, but without the personality or zingers or (fake) homerism. He’s really bad and he won’t shut up, which almost makes it worth watching.
August 8th, 2019 at 11:06 pm
Rod, hahaha the announcer just said ” i love pizza, youndont have any do you?”
August 8th, 2019 at 11:17 pm
Jason is going to be extended! Jameis is going to be extended! Spence is going to ball out BA is bringing out the best in everyone
August 8th, 2019 at 11:33 pm
Spence will be very good this year. I know everyone feels like they’ve heard it before but this system and he’s healthy that’s the difference.
Kyle Murray looked good tonight but he’s got a long throwing motion. Worse than JW3 ever was.
August 9th, 2019 at 12:19 am
I guess nobody wants to talk about greedy Williams especially not Sean Bunting. Idk I mean they’re teammates for crying out loud why do you pass him up and Donte Jackson? It’s almost like you intentionally don’t want to win.
August 9th, 2019 at 12:31 am
@bandit: I just lol for real! Good one
August 9th, 2019 at 1:06 am
Seriously… The plan all along was to let the coaching staff…. oh my I’m done. Seriously Licht. This tops it all.
August 9th, 2019 at 1:12 am
If Spence stayed at Ohio State he would have been a high first rounder. We got him in the second round which many thought was a possible steal.
The guy can rush the passer. He has hips like a DB and his 3 cone drill proved it. He was just too small for a 4-3. I think he’ll explode this year. If he stays healthy, double digits is not out of the question.
August 9th, 2019 at 1:55 am
Stanglassman,
Question, prior to this evenings game, had you ever watched kyler Murray ?
Game as opposed to a highlites reel.
I’m baffled by your comparing his throwing motion to winstons. Apples to astronauts. But obviously something stood out and it was a long delivery .
Interesting but it doesn’t effect the two equally.
So great pick up but ultimately your comparing two different and distinct styles of play. Winston is the prototypical nfl style player. Big Ben comparisons is an example of following a proven method to find a QB. Kyler is or has the opportunity to set himself up as the new prototype player.
Old school vs New. Drafting an 1980’s guy for a 2019 job.
August 9th, 2019 at 4:11 am
Tomorrow dont count so theyll play vanilla but come reg season opener i got a feeling several players r gonna surprise us n some of u will be eating crow
August 9th, 2019 at 5:22 am
Rodney,
Crows a delicious if it’s served with a win.
August 9th, 2019 at 5:25 am
Disingenuous comes to mind. It’s like he’s making the rounds playing up his draft mistakes to prop himself up. That’s just the impression reasonable people will get until his guys actually do perform. When they do, great. Until then, well…no cred from Licht.
August 9th, 2019 at 6:26 am
No question ,Spence’s
two shoulder injuries slowed him down. He didn’t help himself last year by coming in 20 lbs light. The combination of a scheme that fits and him putting on weight and muscle has finally put in the right position to succeed.
While some blame goes to the coaches and scheme,its a bit disconcerting that some of Licht’s high draft picks are at crossroads in their career near the end of their first contracts.
August 9th, 2019 at 8:48 am
So Jason drafts a 6’1 238 pound defensive end who runs a 4.88 forty in the 2nd round..
..then 3 years late he was like well that might not have been a wise move…
When the whole town saw it.
Glazers come on man y’all can’t be that brain dead can u?
August 9th, 2019 at 10:24 am
@Radsy
Because Mike Smith was supposed to be running a 4/3 3/4 hybrid defense. That obviously never came to fruition
August 9th, 2019 at 10:26 am
Noah Spence definitely didnt run a 4.88. Might want to check those obscure numbers cause he definitely ran alot faster. And he was definitely 244 coming out of college. Do you just make this stuff up as you go @ DestinJohnny?
August 9th, 2019 at 1:10 pm
Stay healthy, Spence!
August 9th, 2019 at 3:40 pm
Fire Jason.
Like the gambler says read em and weep know it all
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/noah-spence?id=2555312
August 9th, 2019 at 3:49 pm
My bad it was 4.86 at the combine
I was off