“A Lot Hinges On A Guy Who Hasn’t Seemed Real Pressed To Play Football”
July 15th, 2025
Big-money newcomer edge rusher Haason Reddick.
Two-time Super Bowl champion defensive end Chris Long is not a Todd Bowles guy, but he consistently has been bullish on the Bucs.
During a sitdown with ESPN’s Mina Kimes, Long called the Bucs a true playoff team and ranked them No. 13 in a preseason power-ranking exercise, one slot behind the Bengals and one ahead of the Chargers.
“I love the Bucs,” Long began.
However, it seems Long isn’t high on free agent edge rusher Haason Reddick. “A lot hinges on a guy who hasn’t seemed real pressed to play football,” he said.
Joe gets it. A lot of ex-players can’t fathom what Reddick did last season: sit out and pout before joining his Jets team in October for the first time.
Reddick shook off rust for a month or so, but in 10 games he never looked like the superstar player he had been in four prior seasons with Arizona, Carolina and Philadelphia. Reddick compiled a ghastly two half-sacks with the Jets, despite playing with a superstar defensive tackle (Quinnen Williams) and a 10-sack guy (Will McDonald) on the opposite edge.
Yes, a lot appears to hinge on Reddick, perhaps the difference between the Bucs losing quickly in the playoffs and advancing.
July 15th, 2025 at 10:48 am
Oh my. Cupcakes will go stale reading Chris Long’s take. A perfect excerpt:
“They were undisciplined down the stretch. There were games they were not ready to play. That Dallas game, they were not ready to play. That New Orleans game, they were not ready to play. They let Washington do exactly what Washington wanted to do. I know what Washington wanted to do; Washington wanted to possess the football and go on long drives and tire [the Bucs] out. And they did it. That shouldn’t be a team that can outphysical you.“
The Great Flattener should have won 12 games easily and beaten Washington at home in the playoffs. I’m sure cupcakes and lizards know more than Chris Long.
July 15th, 2025 at 10:52 am
Sorry Joe but I’m with Long on this one. Reddick has alot to prove to this fan. Hope he does but…
Go Bucs!
July 15th, 2025 at 10:59 am
Likely the Bucs will be down 2 Offensive starters game 1 vs Atlanta. – Wirfs and Godwin.
The Falcons game is looking more and more like a must win.
Pressure on Defense to step up is mounting. Give Penix Jr time and he will find their talented receivers.
July 15th, 2025 at 11:11 am
Maybe Todd will shock us and instruct his defense to, you know, actually cover receiving targets. As in, make sure they are all covered whether man or zone. Like a good defensive coordinator would demand.
July 15th, 2025 at 11:28 am
I’m hoping that the “culture” the organization has cultivated during recent years will begin to take hold and motivate him to be the player he once was.
July 15th, 2025 at 11:37 am
Not worried about Reddick.
PSL Bob – Fully agree. Reddick found the perfect fit with the Bucs. It’s a win-win.
July 15th, 2025 at 11:38 am
Least of my concern is Reddicks’ desire to play.
If what your monetary compensation was truly determined by how well you played, TJ Watt wouldn’t have made news this summer for feeling like he needs more $$$.
Reddick isn’t Watt, but there were grumblings his last year in Philly that he was playing in a manner in which he was trying to hit his contract sack incentive and that was spun as “me first” actions.
Sounds like something Buc fans would embrace that type of behavior
July 15th, 2025 at 11:56 am
Look, unless he truly is an utter moron, he knows his chance of EVER earning a fat contract hinges entirely on this season. Of course, that didn’t seem to have any impact on Donovan Smith who, indeed, seemed like a guy not really interested in putting in the effort anymore.
July 15th, 2025 at 12:13 pm
Again Lung not US….you! At least get your grammar correct.
July 15th, 2025 at 12:16 pm
Suh came to the Bucs with questions as well. How did that work out.
Does he have the talent? If it’s at the level of a few years back YES!
Does he have the motivation. Millions of dollars are at stake this season in what will be his LAST opportunity to earn big money.
I’ve recently realized however motivation is not enough. It also requires self discipline. Many are motivated to lose weight and get in shape but how many have the self discipline. Suh clearly had that discipline we’ll find out about Reddick in a few months.
July 15th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
Don’t forget we also have a guy named David Walker waiting to play. And he looks ferocious as hell if Reddick isn’t working out.
Could be a heckuva season for this defense IF THEY CAN STAY RELATIVELY HEALTHY.
July 15th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
You’re cute when you’re trying to be a bully, muffin. Performance, results. You’re happy with under-achievement because it’s ok, just give everyone a hug.
July 15th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
I guarantee that Hassan Reddick will get double digit sacks this season. People forget that Reddick was drafted from Temple as one of the best ILBs in college. He was moved to the out after a few years by the Arizona Cardinals. He’s versatile, good in coverage, good against the run, an outstanding pass rusher.
He’s a upgrade over JTS, that’s the important part
July 15th, 2025 at 1:39 pm
Stpetematt,
I personally think he can eat into Yayas’ snaps at some point this season if Yaya can’t get going in pass rush sets. Maybe situationally, but he’s got more pass rush moves and a bit lighter on his feet than Yaya is
July 15th, 2025 at 2:11 pm
BE REAL
No one wants to play for the Jets. Don’t make a judgement on Hasson for not playing for that s-show of an organization. The roster is just a revolving door.
Look at HR’s previous years, listen to his talktrack, and realize he’s in a prove it year for his last NFL contract. He checks all the boxes. He knows the coaches. He’s got VV, CK, and LH eatting blockers. He’s got a reloaded DB. Come on! This is what Shaq had. He’s here to get A LOT of sacks and earn a big payday. Hasson is going to absolutely crush 2025.
July 15th, 2025 at 2:43 pm
Reddick has a lot to prove. If he proves it, Long will be the first to admit he was wrong about him. I like Long’s takes. He’s not saying he doesn’t believe Reddick will play good. He’s saying right now he’s a question mark, and needs to show up. Don’t see where that’s wrong.
July 15th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
I have a feeling that they’re going to have better production from the outside pass rush, with or without contribution from Reddick. With Foote coaching those guys, I expect better sack numbers from Diaby, growth from Braswell, and significant contribution from rookie David Walker… and then the usual steady play from Anthony Nelson. Who knows, maybe Ramirez or Watts may finally get to show something…. I see better things, for sure.
July 15th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
I forgot to mention Braswell who also was starting to look dominant near the end of the year. His success rates climbed all the way through. We have several options that have the potential to get home- let’s see who does it!
July 15th, 2025 at 3:16 pm
Alanbucsfan Says:
July 15th, 2025 at 10:59 am
Riiiggghhhttt. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Because it makes sense to talk about “must win” games a few months before the season even starts. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
People are silly with their bold declarations. Nobody freaking knows how anything is going to turn out, so it’s laughable that any game would be declared a must win before they’ve even gotten to TC. Even in-season, things are always in flux and the only must-wins are those that keep you mathematically alive. Everything else is BS.
July 15th, 2025 at 3:39 pm
[QUIT GASLIGHTING PEOPLE! If peoples’ comments offend you so much, maybe you shouldn’t read them. All you do is b!tch about people’s comments and try to cop some superior complex. Knock it off. If anything, you’re throwing gas on the problem. From the first day you started commenting, you constantly whine and b!tch about other people commenting. Try some new schtick. — Joe]
July 15th, 2025 at 3:52 pm
It should be noted that Long did not say the Bucs were #13 in his power rankings; in fact, it sounded like the Bucs and Bears were much higher on his list than where Mina allowed him to choose. He simply chose the Bucs over the Chargers. Had Kimes asked who he liked better at #1 or #31, he would have chosen the Bucs.
July 15th, 2025 at 6:43 pm
Wtf ? Ok Joe. 1st of all, you don’t know me. If friggin facts that don’t agree with the narrative some people have is gaslighting or trying to be superior in your opinion so be it. I’ve posted a lot more actual football info than most of the trolls you feel the need to protect…. I’m not even sure what gaslighting is and I don’t feel superior.
I don’t remember what this post actually was but I’m pretty sure it was less argumentative than the constant comments from the people I’m accused of “gaslighting “. I’ve even been trying to be nicer, more facts and less argumentative lately 🤣
But no problem….. This Joe (who I suspect is the one harping on pass yards allowed) wants to let (some) people make posts constantly referring to others (including me) as muffins and lizards and snowflakes etc etc but not my comments in response. Seems to me you’re picking sides in the Todd sucks vs the wait a minute crowd.
“You don’t need a weatherman to see which way the wind blows”