The Pewter Plank
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Five Players to Watch in Buccaneers’ Preseason Opener

By Alan Schechter

Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter reacts during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter reacts during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter (left) and defensive end Noah Spence (57) talk as they work out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter (left) and defensive end Noah Spence (57) talk as they work out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Noah Spence

Now here is a guy I think everyone is excited about watching.

Aside from improving the secondary, the other way to get better at defending against the pass is to improve the pass rush.  Defensive backs can’t cover for more than approximately 3-4 seconds.  If the quarterback has more time than that, someone is going to get open.  If the pass rush can get in the QB’s face, the secondary becomes that much more effective.

Spence was arguably a first round talent, but his off the field problems led him to the Bucs in the second round, and everyone was thrilled. Take a look at one of his rush moves during a recent practice:

Watch him bring it around the edge:

Spence brings some speed that frankly is scary.  We have not seen it in a game as of yet, but if he can bring it against professional linemen, Gerald McCoy might finally have the duo partner he has sorely needed to wreak havoc in offensive backfields.

Next: Center Battle

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