The New Fearsome Foursome
August 16th, 2020
Leads impressive LB unit.
Back in the 1960s, the Los Angeles Rams had a ferocious front-four that was so good, not only is their Fearsome Foursome nickname still intact but NFL Network later did a documentary on them when two were still alive.
Rosie Grier, Lamar Lundy, Merlin Olson and Deacon Jones, otherwise known as the “Fearsome Foursome,” dominated, scared, intimidated and beat up NFL quarterbacks like never before and likely never since.
Sadly for Jones, sacks were not an official stat when he played. It is believed three times Jones had over 20 sacks in a season, and those were in 14-game seasons. He’s in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and his memory lives, if for nothing else because he invented the term “sack” for football. His bigger-than-life personality survives in many entertaining NFL Films interviews.
Olson, along with Bob Lilly, Mean Joe Greene and Warren Sapp, were arguably the best tackles to ever play the game. Grier was a former All Pro who gained fame after his career for working security for 1968 presidential candidate Robert Kennedy and wrestling a gun away from assassin Sirhan Sirhan before more damage was done.
Now the Bucs don’t have a defensive line like that, but wow, do the Bucs have four excellent linebackers.
This is not lost on Bucco Bruce Arians. Last week in a Zoom conference call with the local pen and mic club, Arians was asked to name his team’s strongest position or which he expects the most production from. Arians listed three, including the linebackers.
“Right now our linebacker room, both inside and outside linebackers, I am very very pleased and can’t wait to see them in pads,” Arians said.
The pads come on this week.
Think about it: The Bucs have the NFL sack king at one outside linebacker spot, Shaq Barrett. On the other side of the field, Jason Pierre-Paul prowls. He has 36 sacks in his last 54 games.
Inside the Bucs have arguably their second-best linebacker in franchise history, Lavonte David, a tackling machine. Devin White, if you believe players make huge jumps from their rookie seasons to their second seasons, should be a major force.
Is there a better foursome of linebackers in the NFL right now?
Call JPP, Shaq, David and White the Bucs’ fearsome foursome.
August 16th, 2020 at 5:36 am
It’s nice to be that stout at the LB position…now about that depth…here’s hoping that our “fearsome foursome” stays healthy. Stupid “Sickness”!
August 16th, 2020 at 6:48 am
If the secondary can step up it’s going to be a fun year for Bucs football.
August 16th, 2020 at 7:29 am
Pending physical, the Bucs will sign former Panther’s 33 year old, 6’1″ 315 DT Kyle Love. Appears to be league veteran minimum.
August 16th, 2020 at 8:23 am
And….we had injury to JPP & White last year….hopefully, they will stay healthy…..one of the best front 7 in the league.
August 16th, 2020 at 8:38 am
Deacon was also a pioneer in equal rights when it came to his “head slap” move…and I quote “Anytime you go upside a man’s head – or a woman – then they have a tendency to blink they eyes. Or close they eyes.”
August 16th, 2020 at 10:26 am
Looking for White to become the soulful leader of this group!!!
August 16th, 2020 at 10:29 am
When speaking of greatest defensive tackles ever, Alan Page ought to be in the conversation (IMO). “In his 15 years of professional football, he blocked 28 kicks and had 173 sacks. In 1976 alone, his career high was 21½ sacks.” (Before sacks were official stat, of course)
August 16th, 2020 at 10:42 am
What a lie that Sirhan murdered RFK. Witnesses said Sirhan was many feet away in front of RFK. He death was from behind with a shot fired up against the back of his head. Sirhan like Oswald just the patsy.
August 16th, 2020 at 10:53 am
It’s difficult comparing players from different eras. The game is different, so players have to p,lay it differently.
In the “modern” Thou Shall Not Add Unnecessary Violence to Another Player, Especially WR’s and QB’s era, I’d stack the current front seven with any team’s.
What a blessing to go into a game with confidence the days of soft players and play is inop.
In the Smith D years (I include Lovie), offenses made the Bucs one-dimensional: they gash the D with the run, and when the Biucs went 8 & 9 in the box, gashes with the pass. Like clockwork, and at will.
Now it seems the Bucs D sets the tone of the game.
If the D-backfield matures, this could be a special defense, even rivaling the great Kiffin ones. IMO, the success of 2020 rests on the DB shoulders.
August 16th, 2020 at 11:33 am
I can’t wait to see JPP and Shaq together for a whole season. I used to love watching interviews and highlights of Deacon when I was a kid. One of the best, if not the best defensive player of all time.
August 16th, 2020 at 12:16 pm
Randy White, the Manster, was pretty good, as well.
August 16th, 2020 at 12:18 pm
The heck with the “Fearsome Foursome”, I propose the “Savage Seven”!
August 16th, 2020 at 12:28 pm
Old number 54…a number many great players have worn. David, White, Urlacher, Ringo.
August 16th, 2020 at 12:37 pm
The defense will be the main reason why we lose or win I hope that one day we can return to our true indenty crushing other teams offenses and being a physical team on offense . Just like Pittsburgh and Baltimore who stayed truth to their foundation that was set back in the 70s . I know they tried to make it about big Ben but the moment they got rid of being physical on offense they struggled even with big Ben . It’s time for us toget back to our foundation that was set back in the late 90s . Go bucs !!!
August 16th, 2020 at 12:40 pm
Alan Collingwood Says:
August 16th, 2020 at 12:18 pm
The heck with the “Fearsome Foursome”, I propose the “Savage Seven”!
Dilly Dilly!!!
Go Bucs
August 16th, 2020 at 1:32 pm
Oneilbucs are our 4 LBs they listed good? You always talking some other sh*t if you disagree with them being ok no problem. But your constant fake wisdom like your a football sage is killing me.
August 16th, 2020 at 1:52 pm
Great history Joe! I remember growing up with the “Fearsome Foursome” and of course later Merlin Olson starring for his work in Little House on the Prairie and the spinoff.
Other lines that had swag and well deserved nicknames…The Viking “Purple People Eaters” were great players and took their name from an old hit comedy song…Purple People Eater.
And of course gotta bring up the “Steel Curtain” of all those SB winning Steeler teams.
But Cobra is correct it’s a different sport now days. However one thing remains except with far more emphasis. Defenses want to put the QB on his keyster! And now more than ever and with the rules changes mentioned above it requires even more talent to take advantage of that NARROW window when the DL can actually hit a QB.
The major difference in emphasis means D’s now assign seven guys instead of four to try and hit the QB…keep him off rhythm..and best of all..a SACK!
We need an original nickname that addresses SEVEN.
LVD…SUH…JPP…VEA…our DB’s largely go about their business without needing to add a lot of in your face trash talk. They plant their opponent and then ‘Jim Brown” it…yeah I planted you and it’s no big deal and I’ll be back to do it again.
My actions and deeds speak for themselves.
Perhaps the “Serious Seven”. No scrwing around just serious wreckage.
Steal from the Movie? The Magnificent Seven?
August 16th, 2020 at 1:55 pm
BTW D White is going to stand out and become the face of this defense because he is the ONE guy who is not serious and plays with infectious joy.
He has the smile that lights up a room…the happy go lucky demeanor…and the talent and raw speed on the field…TV is going to LOVE him.
August 16th, 2020 at 2:09 pm
youngbucs you just want to argue about something bro . We had one guy that put up a bunch of sacks and I know that JPP was injured . But who else was getting to the quarterback other then Shaq ?? Next year in the draft we need to draft on the defensive line first . Even before a quarterback . And look I still believe we shouldn’t have let Jamies go . And you believe we should so what we disagree about that but now you are starting to sound like a woman on her cycle .
August 16th, 2020 at 2:23 pm
ONeill
I get your desire for another DL…but as for this year…do you not believe D White and LVD can contribute more than last year?
And we have some truly athletic young DB’s..perhaps one of them can pull a Ronde and blitz out of the DB.
August 16th, 2020 at 2:30 pm
stpetebucfan I like Devin White and David I believe they are not the problem with our defense . I believe Lavonta David should retire a buc we have to keep him . But I believe if Devin White don’t get hurt he has the potential to be the best in the NFL bro . I think we really just need to replace Suh next year and we will be fine . But as for this year I want us to be dominant because I believe if we are then we can make it to the superbowl . I can’t wait for the season to start !!!
August 16th, 2020 at 2:36 pm
stpetebucfan And our defensive backs I like Dean but I just wouldn’t know who to start . Because at the coner positions we have a group that will be a number on other teams so it’s crazy . But the safety position is what I’m kind of wondering about .
August 16th, 2020 at 3:31 pm
True Bucs know about the defense. Everyone on this team is pumped as f#ck for Brady. One of the best front seven in the league.
August 16th, 2020 at 3:56 pm
I just don’t want Brady throwing the ball 45 times a game . And I hope that Bruce Arians don’t have him with those same plays Jamies was stuck with him throwing the ball down field so much . Because that means he will have to hold the ball .
August 16th, 2020 at 3:58 pm
HOW about THE AWESOME FOURSOME!!!!!!!!!
August 16th, 2020 at 4:03 pm
Bucs are expected to sign Kyle Love for depth tomorrow
August 16th, 2020 at 4:06 pm
Alanbucfan who is that bro was he good last year what team he played for and what number he had ???
August 16th, 2020 at 4:09 pm
Love is a veteran who has played with Patriots and Panthers- he’d be a quality backup
August 16th, 2020 at 4:11 pm
Oh ok thanks bro ..
August 16th, 2020 at 6:04 pm
Smash Brothers
August 16th, 2020 at 7:47 pm
Blitzkrieg, Blitz by the Bay, The Swarm
some nicknames for our guys.
August 16th, 2020 at 9:10 pm
Oneilbucs… Bucs deep running game will definitely be used. All Brady has to do is what Brady does best going over the middle to our receivers.
Vea and Wirfs I-form inside the five to add to the deep running game👍🏴☠️
#RoJoAGoGo
August 16th, 2020 at 9:41 pm
Soebuc I hope so bro but I can’t wait until the season starts . Especially with a running game .
August 17th, 2020 at 9:06 am
Nice historical review. It would’ve been nice to at least have spelled Rosie’s last name correctly though. It’s GRIER, not Greer.