Todd Bowles: Desmond Watson Not Just A One-Trick Pony
May 26th, 2025
Big Gator has hurdles to climb.
Some may call Joe weird but Joe likes to write about dudes who get on the field on Sundays to help the Bucs win ballgames.
Practice squad guys technically aren’t even NFL players — some may be; most are not.
So when Joe fields a question from fans, “Where is the story on (Player-X) on the practice squad?” Joe often asks if the guy had a run-in with the law that Joe missed.
If a fan wants to just read a regurgitated bio on the guy, pull up his college bio.
That’s why Joe spends little time on undrafted free agents. They weren’t drafted for a reason.
Yes, Joe wrote about undrafted defensive tackle Desmond Watson, the Big Gator, a local kid who went to Florida, and popular safety Shilo Sanders from a football family. Joe was mildly interested in them landing in Tampa.
But when the Bucs signed Watson, Joe read so many stories not only suggesting Watson making the team was a mere formality, he would be the designated fireplug to stop the Philly Tush Push. Joe said, “Hold up!”
As Joe mentioned on the “Ira Kaufman Podcast,” you mean the Bucs would give this Watson hundreds of thousands of Team Glazer loot to play maybe four snaps all season, really?
That seemed a little ridiculous. And apparently it also does to Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
In a story about Watson by Jenna Laine of ESPN, Bowles scoffed at the notion Watson was signed just to stop the Philly Tush Push.
“We didn’t get him for the tush push — we got him because we really thought he could play,” Bowles said. “It’s just a matter of getting him to the point where he can play more than two or three plays [per drive].”
As Joe stated, there is a reason Watson wasn’t drafted. Like with any UDFA, it will be a hurdle for Watson to make the 53-man roster. And then he has another hurdle to get on the field.
Think about it: The Bucs crow about José Ramirez and Markees Watts as if they’re the second coming of Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre Paul, yet those guys cannot bribe their way onto the field on Sundays.
Joe’s pulling for Watson but Joe prefers focusing on the drafted rookies. If Watson makes roster, great. Let him get there first.
May 26th, 2025 at 12:58 am
If he can get to around 390 and we keep him on the practice squad, I think something might be there. The final 53 is a very pricey bunch…you gotta be ready all the time.
May 26th, 2025 at 1:01 am
“Joe spends little time on undrafted free agents. They weren’t drafted for a reason.”
Yea – why bother… UDFAs never amount to anything….
Dotson, Humphries, Brate, Izien, Merriweather, Tucker – all worthless…
May 26th, 2025 at 2:15 am
Big Gator is still a weak/lame nickname, but I have a feeling this kid is gonna be a stud.
May 26th, 2025 at 2:25 am
Joe will prob be the only one to ever call him Big Gator.
His teammates and coaches will prob just end up calling him Big D.
And at least there’s a double entendre there. Lol!
Unlike the uncreative Big Gator lam-o nickname
May 26th, 2025 at 4:48 am
Great article about Desmond! Definitely going to be watching how he develops. I loved what he said about his weight and being a work in progress. And saying “My mom’s 45 minutes away, if all else fails, they can get her to get on me.”
May 26th, 2025 at 5:51 am
Here’s an idea on a better way to stop the “Tush Push”.
Negate the conditions that set it up. Don’t let the opponent get inside of 3 yards to go for a first down and especially keep them from getting within 3 yards of the goal line.
Most Tush Pushes just confirm the inevitable anyway. Far too much has been made of this play!!!
May 26th, 2025 at 6:48 am
390 to make the practice squad isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.
He’s got to drop 5-6 lbs a week over the next 10 weeks.
Not a heavy lift for a guy that fat.
Depends how bad the kid wants to be an NFL player.
Guess we will see.
May 26th, 2025 at 7:17 am
Joe, don’t you think this kids story would be perfect for Hard Knocks? The Bucs will have two rookies who happen to be the heaviest player, and the lightest player in the league. What a story. Both have great personalities too. Plus the Bucs are a playoff team, with a personality at QB. Baker is also a good come back story. Desmond, Tez are box office if you ask me, Bucs have to be on the HBO radar.
May 26th, 2025 at 7:20 am
I mean look at Desmond’s picture. Tell me he wouldn’t make a great story. Battling his wieght, and trying to make an NFL roster. America would love to watch this.
May 26th, 2025 at 7:36 am
Big Gator
Big Gator
Big Gator
Big Gator
Big Gator
I like it!
May 26th, 2025 at 8:06 am
More like a one trick blue whale.
May 26th, 2025 at 8:07 am
You are correct Joe but many of us do enjoy pulling for the underdog, home town hero or not. I like to remember the guys who were not supposed to make the roster and ended up playing some pretty good football for us. George Yarno always seems to come to mind.
Cecil Johnson, David Logan, Andy Hawkins, Tom McHale, Harry Swayne, Ray Seals, Wayne Hadddix, Chidi Ahanotu, Rob Taylor, Jim Pyne, Jorge Diaz, Jeff Gooch, Karl Williams, Shelton Quarles, Chartric Darby, Ryan Nece, Anthony Davis, Earnest Graham, Andrew Economos, Donald Penn, Micheal Spurlock, Michael Bennett, Demar Dotson, LeGarrette Blount, Russell Shepard, Tim Wright, Cameron Brate, Andrew DePaola, Patrick Omameh, Jacquies Smith, Donteea Dye, Adam Humphries, Peyton Barber, Alan Cross, Antony Auclair, Bobo Wilson, Cyril Grayson, Tanner Hudson, Zach Triner, Nick Leverett, J.J. Russell
May 26th, 2025 at 8:50 am
Great look back Garro. And right on the money.
May 26th, 2025 at 11:39 am
We are all pulling for the guy Joe. Buts its a steep climb for him. Once the pads go on, we will see what he’s got. It could be overwhelming for him to go up against seasoned NFL Vets. But you never know whats in a guys heart. If he makes it, it will probably be practice squad and there is no guarantee another team does not grab him. Stay focused Demond and get some of the weight off.
May 26th, 2025 at 11:56 am
St. Pete.
The tush push is used on all there 4 and short regardless where they are on the field. It not just a goal-line play. They executed it 48 times in 2024 alone. Converting 38 of them. Most of those were 4-3. It’s not realistic to stop them from getting into 4th and short, it’s kinda the goal for defenses.
May 26th, 2025 at 1:13 pm
Cut him now, 460 pounds is crazy. If he isn’t under 400 pounds at the start of camp it proves he doesn’t care and will never be a pro. You have to be serious work and take care of your body. Let him eat his way to 600 pounds after he is cut. He can then do reality TV trying to lose weight.
May 26th, 2025 at 1:25 pm
@garro Says:
May 26th, 2025 at 8:07 am
Famu_Rattler Says:
you forgot “Scotty Miller”. He and Adam Humphries were two tough little son of B….es. Hope Desmond has a third of their toughness. I am pulling for him to make it along with Tez. Go Bucs Go.
May 26th, 2025 at 2:15 pm
HD heavy duty
HD package
May 26th, 2025 at 2:21 pm
Biggie G
May 26th, 2025 at 3:42 pm
The question i have is what do the bucs have to offer that the university of Florida does not that will bring this player to the level he can contribute at. UFj ust won a natty in basketball so I’m sure it has top notch pychologists. Maybe a full time chaperone that controls food intake?
May 26th, 2025 at 4:21 pm
I still don’t understand why the players union hasn’t pushed for a larger roster in general and definitely on game days. The league wants to add more games but not more players. Open up the purse strings..
May 26th, 2025 at 4:22 pm
@ Itzok, he was down to 437 a few weeks ago. 380 isn’t that much of a stretch if he cuts down on his calorie intake and works out every day.
Btw, it’s not big gator, In the swamp it’s Bull Gator!!
May 26th, 2025 at 7:29 pm
Bingo. Top-shelf colleges use state of the art medicine because that’s coming straight from their own medical research facilities.
May 26th, 2025 at 7:43 pm
Dropping 75 lbs in 3-4 months is doable if this guy puts the fork down. There are a lot of oranges in Florida. Buy Watson a truckload of oranges, bananas and cauliflower and he will lose the weight. Hope he does for his own health and well being. Have seen his tape and he is remarkably quick. Would love to see him line up next to Vea. Need to have a nickname for that front. I vote for The Beasty Boys.
May 27th, 2025 at 10:09 am
I’m over Watts and Ramirez if they were any good we would have seen just a little production. Bring on Reddick and David Waller and Watson can be a beast inside.
May 27th, 2025 at 12:21 pm
Go Gators !!
Go Desmond Watson !!
This young man has the mental tools to make it, character, and heart. Physically he has the strength and ability. I’m pulling for him !!
Go Bucs 2025 !!
May 27th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
Joe, it’s BSPN