Al-Quadin Muhammad Victim Of Scheme Vs. Production Debate
March 22nd, 2026
Coach him up, Coach.
Could the Bucs be the beneficiary of a guy not fitting an almighty scheme?
It sure looks like the reason why the Lions let a double-digit sack guy in Al-Quadin Muhammad walk was he didn’t fit what the Lions wanted to do at the edge rusher position.
What team wouldn’t jump at a guy who brought the quarterback down 11 times off the bench in 2025? Weird.
To paraphrase a famous Ira Kaufman quote about cash, “Who doesn’t want sacks?” (Well, aside from youknowwho.)
Good coaches take the most talented players available and use them in a defensive style that gets the most out of the players. Way too many coaches are addicted to scheme and will be willing to let good players walk because they don’t fit.
It’s a crutch. It’s an excuse to cover for lazy coaching. But it seems that Muhammad was a victim of just such a mentality in Detroit.
Joe thought Lions coach Dan Campbell was better than that. But Joe has read various articles saying otherwise.
Joe is completely perplexed how a guy who had double-digit sacks, a guy who also had nine tackles for loss, couldn’t start a game even after three sacks against Dallas in December.
Why wouldn’t you want that guy on the field more? Weird.
It will be very interesting to see how Bucs coach Todd Bowles — a man who seems to value scheme over production — uses Muhammad.
March 22nd, 2026 at 8:04 am
It will be very interesting to see how Bucs coach Todd Bowles — a man who seems to value scheme over production — uses Muhammad.
Well, this should be fixed and fixed quickly
Make someone else the DC , but keep Bowles as the HC
The Bucs really need to do something about the ‘Doub;e Duty’ Bowles has, but will they? So far…… they have not!!!!
March 22nd, 2026 at 8:05 am
I hope he can cover receivers and running backs down field. It’s a Bucs life.
March 22nd, 2026 at 8:31 am
Who was ahead him that he didn’t start? Sometimes a team drafts a player, JTS, who doesn’t have it, but the team invested in him. So they give him every opportunity. He has to play. The Bucs should’ve benched Dennis early in the season, but they invested in him, and gave him more starts than they should’ve. They had to see what he could become, now they know. Might have been the same situation in Detriot. Hopefully he can make a name for himself in Tampa.
March 22nd, 2026 at 8:33 am
Could it be that it was a contract year and he’s motivated by money? Once the check is cashed he goes back to a couple sacks a year? We will see!
March 22nd, 2026 at 8:35 am
What I’m liking more and more about AQM is his ability to play inside and outside. Imo he and Robinson being signed might be slight tip of the cap that we’re loading up on talent for the front, and lookin for the best 7-8 players to make a bunch of different personnel combos up front. Robinson & AQM are both players we can move around, with Muhammad being flexible enough to give us tips as a rusher and run stopper.
March 22nd, 2026 at 8:36 am
AQM was very productive playing mostly on passing downs, 11 sacks in only 457 snaps. Focusing on passing downs in a sub-package seemed to work very well for him. Too bad Bowls doesn’t use sub-packages on passing downs.
Looking at snaps/sack, AQM is great at 42. The others?
AQM 2025 42
Kancey 2024 72
Elijah Roberts 2025 101
YaYa 2025 112
Nellie 2025 129
Vita 2025 170
A’Shawn 2025 263
Braswell 2025 283
Logan Hall 2025 407
Using the best four in a sub package, Bowles should put out AQM, Kancey, Roberts, and YaYa.
I love LVD, but he’s lost a couple steps in coverage, so on passing downs consider a safety like JJ Roberts playing with Anzalone covering backs and tight ends?
March 22nd, 2026 at 8:48 am
I must have missed the reason he wasn’t resigned. Trying to be positive, but very few rising stars are able to hit free agency.
March 22nd, 2026 at 8:52 am
If we get 5-6 sacks out of him it’s a win.
March 22nd, 2026 at 9:02 am
I hope he plays well. However, when you are asking a 31 year old guy to come in and be your savior, I think your plan is seriously flawed. I think he is likely a good rotational player and that is about it. The Bucs are sure gambling with this defense. Two corners who were awful last year, with one being unhealthy, the other apparantly bored. Then you still need 2 middle LBs and a real starter on the edge. They are going to get all that and a bag of chips in the draft. I have said this a few times , but I can’t help it. When you see the Bucs current actions , you really start to see why EVans said I have to go.
Yes, I have lost complete faith in this team.
March 22nd, 2026 at 9:17 am
No dropping back just EAT!!! If Yaya makes a leap great!!!
March 22nd, 2026 at 9:33 am
It will be same story just a different year reminds me of jts probably will get the same impact i don’t believe in this player maybe three sacks is what i see i really hope im wrong
March 22nd, 2026 at 9:43 am
If the guy can’t cover receivers 15 or 20 yards down field he won’t start on Bowlzo’s defense either.
March 22nd, 2026 at 10:18 am
What part of role didn’t fit? Who was ahead of him…any thoughts to why?
March 22nd, 2026 at 10:26 am
He was Marcus Davenport backup at DE
When Davenport got hurt and went to IR
They had some of the other big guys starting
They say Muhammad was too small to be a 3 down DE
So they use him as a ” situational” pass Rusher
He mostly played on obvious passing downs
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:29 am
I am sure bowls will fork it up
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:29 am
I am sure bowls will screw it up
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:12 pm
Equals Vea is not playing on 3rd down in 2026
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:28 pm
“A man who seems to value scheme over production.” Ya think , Joe? Bowles should have it emblazoned on his hoodie. Ask Carlton Davis now thriving with Vrabel.
SCHEME OVER
PRODUCTION. perfect fit.