“Chase And Run Guys”

May 16th, 2023

He’s got a type.

This subject reminds Joe of a classic Joe Namath quote:

“I like my women blonde and my Johnny Walker Red.”

We all know Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has a “type” when it comes to offensive linemen: Small school. Ornery. Played well in the Senior Bowl practices and game. Has a big personality. Captain. Experience at tackle.

In last month’s draft, it seems Bucs coach Todd Bowles had a “type” for his defensive players as well.

Speaking on the “Ross Tucker College Draft Podcast,” one of the family of Tucker’s podcasts which may be the best pure football series of pods out there, CBS football analyst Emory Hunt, the Czar of the Playbook, dropped in to talk NFC South drafts with Tucker.

While detailing the Bucs’ draft, Hunt said he noticed a “type” for the defensive players Licht drafted and Bowles wanted.

“When you think about [YaYa] Diaby, [SirVocea] Dennis and [Jose] Ramirez, look at the type,” Hunt said. “Chase and run guys. Guys who may not be the physical, 6-4, 6-5 245. But these are guys who can get to the ball quickly. Quick get-off guys.

“Diaby is more physically imposing, he’s a thicker guy but he’s a good run/edge-setter. But I like the speed for Dennis. I like the speed for Ramirez.

“Ramirez knows how to get to the quarterback.”

Now Joe has no idea if it is as simply as saying the Bucs needed speed so Bowles told Licht to give him speed, or if it is something a little more complex than that.

With the NFL seemingly going towards more and more mobile quarterbacks with designed runs and RPOs, did Bowles think he needed more speed to combat quarterbacks who get outside the hashmarks?

Joe is somewhat confident that was a factor in the Bucs getting so many speedy guys on defense.

18 Responses to ““Chase And Run Guys””

  1. HC Grover Says:

    Like speed. Good stuff.

  2. Da Bucs Gut Says:

    It was a reaction from last year. Just like next we will hear, how you need a QB to win in this league.

  3. Joe in Michigan Says:

    The Bucs possibly filled some major needs, including speed, if the rookies can play…IF McCollum, JTS, and Logan Hall can play, the Bucs might have an impressive defense.

  4. ATLBuc Says:

    We have Lamar Jackson, Hurts, Fields, Richardson, Young and Stroud!! We better have some guys that can get to the ball fast!!!

  5. #99 the Big fella Says:

    AtlBuc, that is very true..I believe we had a really good draft.

  6. Pickgrin Says:

    Old and slow turned into young and fast in a hurry.

    You can’t teach speed – nor quickness – nor explosiveness.

    But you CAN draft it.

    Nice job Jason Licht for getting such great value with all these picks!

  7. SB~LV Says:

    Bucs DC Floyd Peters once commented on the trend towards speed back in the day, something like football has become “basketball on grass” … and the trend has only increased since the new rules especially the no hitting !

  8. JEZ Says:

    Is it too late to fire Bowels

  9. Lt. Dan Says:

    “Best” Joe Namath quote of all time? ” I want to kiss you. I could care less about the game” as said to Suzy Kolber. LOL!

  10. Alanbucsfan Says:

    Bowles likes the Micah Parsons prototype

  11. Dooley Says:

    More speed on the front, because some offenses with less athletic QBs like to use a more quick-hitting passing game to negate the inevitable pressure they know is coming with a Bowles led defense. More speed upfront, will be a good way to potentially disrupt that and scramble a QBs trust deciding on where to go with the ball if he’s got to keep his mind on beating the rush. We’ll see how it plays out once the pads come on.

  12. Jack Burton Mercer Says:

    We were the slowest team I saw all last season, on both sides of the ball. We have improved, on paper, but are not fast enough yet. Need more super-fast guys next year and the year after and the year after that….

  13. SlyPirate Says:

    LIVING IN THE BACKFIELD
    Don’t forget about Kancey. Ridiculous quickness and speed for a DL. JTS is pure speed, too.

    If the DBs can give the DL an extra .5 second, pocket passers are going to be sitting targets.

  14. unbelievable Says:

    Speed kills.

    Simple as that.

  15. Irishmist Says:

    Smaller, quicker guys don’t wear down as much in the heat. The Dungy years showed that.

  16. teacherman777 Says:

    He forgot to mention Hayes.

    A tough as nails nickle who tackles and ran a 4.46.

    I think we may hav found a decent nickle.

  17. stpetebucfan Says:

    “I like my women blonde and my Johnny Walker Red.”

    I never understood this quote from Namath! Once people start earning a few more bucks they dump the Red label and move up to Black label.

    And when they get to Namath level wealth they drink BLUE label.

  18. garro Says:

    That speed only works if you can keep from getting pancaked by 300 pound offensive linemen. I wish our speed guys the best but I have my doubts. Most offensive tackles in the league quickly learn to just steer the speed rush out and past the QB. As for setting the edge JTS hasn’t got it yet for sure and it remains to be seen about Diaby. Bowles is changing the whole defense’s Physical makeup. No doubt.

    I see lots of stunts and games coming from this bunch. It should give OCs much more to think abut this year.
    Go Bucs!