Buccaneers - Redskins: Position Battle - Defensive End

by Sander on Sep 1, 2011 12:12 PM EDT

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 27: Quarterback Chad Henne #7 of the Miami Dolphins is tackled by defender Da'Quan Bowers #91 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 27, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Another position battle not just at the bottom of the roster but throughout the entire roster is taking place at defensive end. Tonight's game will go a long way toward determining not only who ends up on the roster in the first place, but also who manages to get a lot of snaps. Michael Bennett and Adrian Clayborn are slotted to be the starters and hence shouldn't appear in tonight's game, but there are a lot of talented players behind them who will get significant snaps.

Da'Quan Bowers
Bowers is pushing Michael Bennett for a starting role, but he isn't there yet, especially as a pass rusher. He is already slated to get a lot of snaps, especially as a run defender, but if he can continue to improve he will see more and more snaps throughout the season. I'd like to see him show more of his pass rush skills tonight, as those have not been spectacular so far this preseason.

Tim Crowder
Tim Crowder was re-signed this offseason, but has not really played great football this preseason. He looked much better against the Dolphins than he did before, but George Johnson and Kyle Moore are certainly pushing him for a roster spot. Crowder will have to show up tonight to make the roster, and will have to look good to get a lot of snaps. This position is very competitive this year.

Kyle Moore
As mentioned above, Moore is also pushing for a roster spot. Crowder, Moore and Johnson are fighting for one or two roster spot between them, and all three have shown something this preseason. Moore has looked completely different from previous years, when he was lackluster at best and seemed completely incapable of getting to the quarterback. This preseason he has been blowing up offensive tackles and has been a disruptive force on the defensive line.

George Johnson
Johnson is a second-year player who spent most of last year on the practice squad, but has made a real push to be on the roster this preseason. He has three sacks through three games and, like Kyle Moore, has looked disruptive against third-string defenses. The fact that the Bucs have so many legitimate (but admittedly unproven) options at defensive ends is a huge improvement over recent years.

Alex Magee
Magee has played just a handful of snaps this preseason, and seems bound to disappear from the roster. Unless he has an insane game, there's no way Alex Magee sticks.

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Comments

Great article

I agree with you. It is is nice to see kyle moore pick up his game. I really want bowers to bring it tonight, especially on third down.

East Coast Fan

by Bucfan on Sep 1, 2011 1:08 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I don't think George Johnson makes it to the practice squad if he gets cut.

He has been showing too much potential during the preseason for a team not to snatch him up. Worst case the Bucs do like they did Brisco last year and pay him the veteran minimum while he is on the practice quad.

by TB Buc on Sep 1, 2011 1:52 PM EDT reply actions

which they probably wont do since were set on the line

by Carlitin1988 on Sep 1, 2011 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Not related...

But I saw this article saying that the total debt of Manchester Uninted has dropped about 20%

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/09/01/Manchester.United.finances.ap/index.html?sct=sc_t2_a7

If we continue improving this season that could hopefully signal some additional financial flexability for the Bucs.

by Brooklyn Buc on Sep 1, 2011 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah last I heard, The Glazers were trying to sell some stock to Beijing co.

by Titankillah on Sep 1, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think that will lead to more financial flexibility for the Bucs

Because I don’t think the Bucs are lacking in money if they want to spend.

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by Sander on Sep 1, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah. Apparently they're going to float a minority interest on the Thai Exchange.

That didn’t make much sense to me until I read somewhere that they have a huge Asian fan base. Still you would think they’d do such a thing in the English Financial System.

by Brooklyn Buc on Sep 1, 2011 3:18 PM EDT reply actions

Manchester United is a truly global brand

It’s basically the biggest sports brand in the world. So they can just go where they make the most money.

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by Sander on Sep 1, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

The bucs have cap room to spend. There are a lot of other things a team can spend money on.

Also, the Glazer’s financial situation was starting to look grim for a while. They were way too leveraged after the recession hit. Not earth shaking news, but relieves that sort of vague future worry when the owner of your favorite teams look like they may become insolvent.

by Brooklyn Buc on Sep 1, 2011 3:30 PM EDT reply actions

I have no way of judging their finances

Really, none. And I don’t know anyone who does. I don’t think they were at a point where they may become insolvent, but maybe they were. I just never felt that they were really in trouble, though that’s mostly a guess.

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by Sander on Sep 1, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

The Bucs may seem cheap, but...

it seems when they do sign a player they tend to overpay at times. To me that says they are not cheap. They just don’t want to overpay on a huge contract for a veteran that could only have a few years left in them. Also, don’t forget that we outbid Washington for Haynesworth but he did not want to come to Tampa.

by Trobes05 on Sep 1, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd rather pay a talented veteran than overpay a mediocre 2nd string player to start on our team though.

by Carlitin1988 on Sep 1, 2011 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Amen to that...

overpaying for a B level player (especially your own) and ignoring the top level players that are available is foolish. Our philosophy is suspect, and depending on “The Plan” might never work, as it depends exclusively on development of drafted players, and not the pursuit of select young F/As who can step right in and play at a high level.

Not suggesting that you can “buy” a championship, but ignoring the other way to acquire quality players (like trading and F/A signings) is taking 2 of the 3 tools out of your team building basket.
The teams that are most often used as examples (GB, PIT, IND and NE) use ALL of the options available to them.

Bettis, Woodson and so many others were all F/A signings and made each teams Championship possible.

by Cracker Ball on Sep 1, 2011 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions

You cannot buy A championship

Go back take a look threw history , you can look at the winners and losers of all Superbowls since free agency has started , then try to name a team that bought a superbowl.. gl with that one.. and you could actually make an arguement that the 2002 Bucs were the closet team at doing so with the amount of money and free agents , and bringing Gru

by 69her on Sep 1, 2011 4:56 PM EDT reply actions