Justin Skule Is Battle-Tested
November 24th, 2024
Prepared.
When Justin Skule got rag-dolled badly and repeatedly by Aidan Hutchinson in Detroit in Week 2, Bucs fans were chugging bottles of liquor.
Every game that starting right tackle Luke Goedeke missed with a nasty concussion, Bucs fans bought more and more bottles of TUMS.
Funny thing happened along the way. Skule started getting better. In fact, the Bucs won three of the four games that Skule started with Goedeke sidelined.
Two weeks ago when Skule was pressed into service after Tristan Wirfs went down with a knee injury in the second quarter of the loss to the 49ers, Skule held his own with 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa.
Joe is not about to say Skule owned Bosa. But you know what? Bosa didn’t go bananas on Skule the way Hutchinson did.
Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen sure took notice.
“You do see Skule having more and more confidence as we go and he had to jump in there [against San Francisco]. Go out and go play and you go let it rip and we’ve won games with him obviously in there, we’ve played some good football with him in there.
“He’s a smart football player who understands leverage and how to use his hands and how to be able to use his athletic ability to his advantage. That’s just something we’re going to have to go throughout the game and see how it goes.”
Joe spoke with Skule last week and he admitted being baptized by fire facing two of the best pass rushers in the game will help him prepare for today — facing Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, the menacing Giants edge rushers.
In fact, facing tough defensive ends is life in the NFL, Skule told Joe.
“Nick Bosa is one of the best in the league and I think Brian Burns and Kavon Thibodeaux are phenomenal defensive ends,” Skule said.
“No matter who you are playing, you have to get ready mentally and physically.”
Joe agrees with Coen. You could feel Skule’s confidence grow since that awful outing in Detroit. Skule is no longer a liability.
No, Skule isn’t Wirfs and never will be. Who the hell is?
November 24th, 2024 at 12:43 am
He’s impressed me other than that one game.
November 24th, 2024 at 1:47 am
Battle beaten. He sucks. Watch what the giants do to him. Poor Baker.
November 24th, 2024 at 6:24 am
Uh….Lt Dan was chugging bottles of liquor even before Skule got rag dolled.
November 24th, 2024 at 7:37 am
I had great seats for the 49er game. When Skule came in I was surprised how big he is. I thought Bosa was going to eat his lunch, but that didn’t happen. Skule did us proud that day, wish I could say the same for Todd’s sorry defense.
November 24th, 2024 at 7:38 am
280 snaps this year, he has a PFF of 70, I’ll take that
November 24th, 2024 at 7:55 am
Chiefs add D J Humphries. We stick with Skule. Going to be another long day for Baker.
November 24th, 2024 at 7:58 am
Skule has become an effective tackle, and left is his natural side, he’ll be fine
November 24th, 2024 at 8:11 am
His worst game we actually won. Not sure if we’ve won another game with him playing.
November 24th, 2024 at 8:36 am
And the most positive person award goes too DAVE PEAR congratulations on the win
November 24th, 2024 at 9:33 am
Hopefully, he continues to improve during this offseason and becomes a nice dependable piece for us. You’ve gotta have guys like that. Especially, on the OLine.
November 24th, 2024 at 10:07 am
Start the game giving Skule some help – just in case.
I got to give Goedeke props, you don’t hear about his defender making plays. The dude is balling!