Let's talk about something positive: Adrian Clayborn

by Sander on Oct 28, 2011 9:16 PM EDT

We haven't really talked about anything positive this week - despite the fact that the team is actually 4-3 and one game out of the division lead. So here I go, talking about one positive: Adrian Clayborn. It looks like for the third year in a row the Bucs have hit on a first-round draft pick, as Clayborn has been much better than I ever expected.

Clayborn's three sacks don't do justice to his play this season, as the right defensive has dominated left tackles for the past couple of games. J'Marcus Webb had no answer for his bull rushes, let alone his speed around the edge - and the week before, Jermon Bushrod had no shot against him. And the best thing is that Clayborn is still improving: every game he seems to get better and learn something new.

Most of all, though, Clayborn is just fun to watch. He plays the game hard, and he tries to physically beat up on offensive linemen. No running around tackles for this guy - he tries to blow right through them. Whenever I'm watching this year's defense I'm inexorably drawn to the right side of the defensive line - and a little disappointed when I see Tim Crowder line up there for his few snaps per game.

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Love this guy!

Plays every snap like it’s his last….great pick!

by _Knives_ on Oct 28, 2011 10:16 PM EDT reply actions

I feel the same way!

He was the one I really wanted in the draft and we actually got him. He seems like he would be impossible to inj…I’m not going to finish that sentence. But Clayborn is going to be a Captain soon, and a long time impact for our team. We’re so lucky that he had a bit of statistically down senior season, and the arm thing popped up. Otherwise would never would have got him.

by Brooklyn Buc on Oct 28, 2011 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

Clayborn is a beast

Great player, great attitude, and you get that great sense that he’s nowhere near his ceiling yet. I’ll admit that I was amongst those who wasn’t super-excited about the pick when it happened: I had Cam Jordan or Bowers mocked to us with the players available. No regrets now- he’s had the most success by far of the three so far.

by RookTakesYou on Oct 28, 2011 10:35 PM EDT reply actions

^^ agree with the statements above ^^

I love his motor. Watching his hair flying around. When this kid matures more in the next few years, I think he might be mentioned with some of great DE that ever played.

When Bowers improves too, watch. We might have one hell of a pair of DE’s real soon.
Great pick by Bucs!

East Coast Fan

by Bucfan on Oct 28, 2011 11:35 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

^^ YES SIR

I absolutely love #94. He’s quick off the snap and I think he’s got a great bullrush. Clayborn adequately uses his hands for effective slaps, and I’ve been very impressed with the polish this kid is growing with. He’s been an instant helper with the run, and you can tell he tackles with some beef. If a RB gets behind him, Adrian is still vying for the play(very important in my eyes) .He’s got some great hustle, and you can just tell he wants to play, he wants to be great by his effort. I love this kid for sure!

For the most part, NFL evaluators have a resounding concensus that DE’s usually blossom in the sophomore year if they have the proper coach, heart and effort. If this kid continues to play hard for his team, like he has, I’m going to every home game just to see him play like a true LE!

I want to apologize for my vigorous frustration regarding the bucs MNF vs the Colts. I've presented resentment towards Kerry Collins in a unproductive way. In 2010, the Bucs went 10-6 and missed the playoffs. All offseason, people brushed off my favorite franchise, The Bucs, as a nobody since it was its bookmark was off an "easy schedule". Well coming into our only primetime game, the Colts are in shambles, that will only contribute to us , again, not beating anybody solid.

by Titankillah on Oct 28, 2011 11:53 PM EDT reply actions

I've said it before I'll say it again

I haven’t seen a DE as quiet and violent as our boy AC since Beuce Smith was smashing skulls. The best thing about the Clayborn-identity is that he doesn’t have to touch the QB to make his presence felt, because he’s on the hunt between the snap and whiste. I wish we could package his intensity and feed it to our secondary.

by GoBuxGo on Oct 29, 2011 9:19 AM EDT via iPhone app reply actions

Agree with the post I also was skeptical during the pre draft process

his combine wasn’t exactly super and the senior year lack of production I was actually disappointed we took him. Clayborn has changed my mind from the very first time I saw him live. I truly believe that the defense is only one or two big players away from being an elite level team in terms of talent. This hinges on GMC and Price staying healthy.

Corner is the loaded position in this years draft… I say we start a new look linebacker set up in the 4-3 base of Hayward, Foster, and Watson. We have seen plenty of Geno under his rookie deal and probably don’t want to make the same mistake we’ve made (very early into the life of the contract) with Quincy Black. In a fantasy world I’d love to see Vontaze Burfict fall.

I see us as a young team with loads of potential. Mark Barron or Ray Ray Armstrong would be sweet if either somehow fell to the second round.

Rahiminik building a dynasty! Stephon Gilmore, Dre Kirkpatrick, Cliff Harris, JayRon Hoseley, Alfonzo Dennard, Morris Claiborne, Vontaze Burfict, or Mark Barron.. Are one of you guys the final piece to the puzzle here? Lots of QB's and OL this year, someone has to fall! ATL & NO don't have picks bwahahahaha

by freeman05 on Oct 29, 2011 10:32 AM EDT reply actions

loving this guy.

He’s aggressive, never gives up, and just a monster. He’s so strong too. I love seeing this guy rush in. He very rarely gets totally shut by a tackle. I love how this guy is already being double teamed and still getting some decent pressure. It seems like he is always within an arms length of the QB. I can’t help but look at him with his dreads and think of him as the Predator. Man is a beast, unfortunately he’s been getting hit up with talented LT so much that he hasn’t been able to get in as much as we all want him to. Still loving that pressure he gives though. I give him 2 more years and you will see him hitting double digit sacks.

by Gage Tyler Bain on Oct 29, 2011 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

I can remember a lot of "I hope we don't take that guy"...

in the pre-draft posts. Had superior quickness in the combine testing in short burst tests – exactly as he would play on the field. When is the last time a DE had to run 40 yards?

So many fans now – not so many then.

by Cracker Ball on Oct 29, 2011 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions