Quality Couch Depth?
July 24th, 2023
Lots of new faces on the Buccaneers’ defensive line this season, including free agent tackle Greg Gaines from the Rams and first-round pick Calijah Kancey.
Second-year man Logan Hall is destined for much more playing time, too. And all three of those guys will be replacing veteran defensive tackles Will Gholston, Akiem Hicks and Rakeem “Nacho” Nuñez-Roches.
Nacho got big money with the Giants but Gholston, 32, and Hicks, 33, remain unemployed.
Joe considers Gholston and Hicks to be quality “couch depth” for the Bucs, as in they’ll jump if called from the couch to join the team in the event of an injury.
Back at the NFL owners meetings in late March, head coach Todd Bowles had vigor in his voice when he talked about Hicks being an option for the Bucs to bring back this season.
Gholston hasn’t retired and he’s a true pro who hasn’t missed a game since the 2017 season. He also lives in Tampa has stated he wants to rejoin the Bucs.
Joe suspects both Hicks and Gholston had minimum offers from other teams but are deciding to wait for more more cash or a better personal situation. Each has made a tens of millions of dollars in the league.
For Gholston’s sake, Joe wishes the 10-year Buccaneer had a job. But Joe also feels great about the Bucs likely having Gholston and Hicks as an option if something very ugly happens, which happened to Tampa Bay last July at the center position.
July 24th, 2023 at 3:37 pm
Vea, Gaines, Hall, Kancey, & O’Connor are probably safe, but behind them we’ve got Greene(, Senat, & Previlion probably battling it out for the 6th DL spot on the roster. Licht also dipped into the XFL talent pool and signed C.J. Brewer to potentially battle it out with the 3 guys at the bottom of the DT-DE depth chart the same day he was released by the Houston Roughnecks.
I’d take Gholston back in a heartbeat, but Akiem Hicks is likely done in the NFL as a player.
July 24th, 2023 at 3:47 pm
Hall is destined for early retirement if he has another season like that clunker that was last year.
July 24th, 2023 at 3:57 pm
Bucs need to get Golston back. Hicks not so much.
July 24th, 2023 at 4:12 pm
Would love to see Gholston return to the Bucs.
Really surprised he has not caught on with another team.
July 24th, 2023 at 4:21 pm
Yup, Bucs need Will Gholston back.
July 24th, 2023 at 4:27 pm
TampaBayBucsFanSince1976 … Long-time fan, short-term memory.
Bucs DL First Year Sacks
Sapp – 3
Vea – 3
Hall – 2.5
Gholston – 2
McFarland – 1
Barrett – 0
Most rookies struggle their first year from college into the NFL. See, competing against college athletes is different than competing against a league of super human, highly-paid, professional, adults, with 5-10 years of experience. Rookies also have to learn a new system, how to live on their own, and their first job. It’s a lot. Maybe a little patience (see above) is worthwhile in the long run. Maybe be a supportive fan and trust Licht. During his time in Tampa, he’s drafted more Pro Bowlers in the first round than the rest of the NFCS combined.
July 24th, 2023 at 4:48 pm
Gholston
Suh
July 24th, 2023 at 4:52 pm
Already calling the kid a bust after his rookie season seems silly to me
July 24th, 2023 at 4:56 pm
Would love to see Gholston back over Hicks but would be happy with both. Think early on the Bucs will find out that Hall can’t get it done. The other issue is that JTS is not going to get the outside rush that the Bucs want.
July 24th, 2023 at 5:12 pm
Pretty sure Anthony Nelson is a lock to make the roster. Dude gets better every year and way out preformed JTS with less snaps if I remember correctly. And FYI – Logan Hall bout to splode!
July 24th, 2023 at 5:34 pm
“Couch depth”. Good terminology. Hope they are also “staying in shape depth.”
July 24th, 2023 at 6:39 pm
Everybody loves Gholston.
July 24th, 2023 at 6:54 pm
Gholston is back!!
July 24th, 2023 at 7:29 pm
Gholston off the couch! PFT reports he signed w bucs
July 24th, 2023 at 9:24 pm
#92 back in Tampa for his 11th season, great depth sign LFG
July 24th, 2023 at 9:30 pm
Happy to have Big Will back with the Bucs! The Pride of Michigan (State)!
July 24th, 2023 at 11:18 pm
He’s Back!