Bowers easily splits two defenders en route to ball.

Da’Quan Bowers defensive end from the Clemson Tigers led the nation with 15.5 sacks and 24 tackles for loss (which was good for 150 lost yards for opponents). He also chipped in an impressive 63 tackles. These are some very impressive numbers, especially for a defensive lineman. Bowers smashed the Clemson record for sacks in a season previously held by our man Gaines Adams (R.I.P). Some draft pundits believe Bowers could fall outside of the top twenty in the draft because of lingering issues with his knee. If he is sitting there at twenty, it is an absolute steal for the Bucs to take a chance and swing for the fence. We might just knock one out of the park.

When the Buccaneers landed Gaines Adams in the 2007 draft, I do not believe he was the first player on the Bucs draft board. Mel Kiper, (who I personally no longer value his opinion) had the Detroit Lions pegged to select Adams. The Buccaneers were in the perfect position because either Joe Thomas or Calvin Johnson would fall into their laps. This of course is what Mel Kiper protested even during the draft as the Lions were on the clock. He guaranteed the Lions can’t afford to use another pick on a wide receiver. Unfortunately for the Bucs, Kiper was dead wrong and Tampa ended up selecting the “best defensive player available” Gaines Adams. Adams most productive season as a Buccaneer produced 6.5 sacks, not horrible but enough to warrant Raheem Morris to call him out as a “bust” if he did not produce to the media.

Adams was the mentor of Da’Quan Bowers, after the untimely death of Adams, Bowers father passed away during spring practice. His last dying wish was for his son to become the top prospect in the NFL Draft. If not for a knee injury his son most likely would have made his father very proud. There are differences in the Bowers and Adams game, which I believe warrant a selection in the upcoming draft. Bowers would be more of an anchor on the defensive line, lining up as the left defensive end.

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Though gone, he will never be forgotton. Today, June 8, 2010, would have been the 27th birthday for Gaines Adams had he not passed away so young.

The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round draft pick and most recently a  member of the Chicago Bears was never an “impact” player, but he was a hard-nosed, athletic defensive end that showed plenty of signs of his progression in the league.

In his three year career, Adams was able to rack up the following numbers:

• 13.5 sacks (6.0 in rookie season with TB)
• 93 tackles (76 tackles in first two seasons with TB)
• 4 forced fumbles (2 with TB)
• 1 touchdown (2nd season with TB)

My only concern with Johnson, is that he seems to be a mirror image of Gaines Adams (Gaines is about an inch and a half shorter) as far as size is concerned, and the same questions plagued Adams when the Bucs drafted him.  In my estimation, two non-bulldozing, rushing, speed ends on the outside would still need the clog from the two interior dlineman to be effective, and we still wouldn’t have those players to have both Gaines and Johnson excel.  If we were able to add another big body to pair along with Ryan Sims, Michael Johnson and Gaines could potentially have some success rushing off the edges.  

Eugene Monroe (probable top 5 selection this year), whom Johnson beat for 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack and a forced fumble during one of their games last season, said Johnson was the best DE he ever faced, and that included DE Chris Long who was the 2nd pick in last years draft.  

From ESPN.com NFL Draft Package