Buccaneers: Noah Spence may be the driving force for the defense taking the next step
For the Buccaneers to take that next step, second year defensive end Noah Spence may just hold the key.
Every team needs a dominant edge pass rusher if they want their shot at that big trophy at the end of the season and the Buccaneers are no different. Despite the flashes of brilliance last year, they still haven’t produced a double-digit sack performance since Simeon Rice in 2005. Last year, the Falcons sported Vic Beasley who posted 15.5 sacks. Von Miller posted 11 for the Broncos in their title year of 2015, and has posted as many as 18.5 in a season.
Clearly it is important to have a strong pass rush off of the edge. It isn’t easy to find, but when a team does, they have a leg up on the competition.
More from The Pewter Plank
- Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
- ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
- Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
- Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
- The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023
Last season, Noah Spence was brought in to join the fray. As a rookie, he posted a modest 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. It becomes all the more impressive, however, when we remember that he did this while playing most of the year with a torn labrum.
I’m not sure many of us could do much with a torn anything. I couldn’t play football without a torn labrum, much less with one. This is what Spence had to say about it (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times):
"“It definitely was just me and my love of the game and God being there with me,” Spence said. “I was pretty much just being out there with heart."
Let’s see, that was Spence playing with heart. Imagine him playing with heart and a healthy labrum for 16 games. How good could he be?
Robert Ayers believes he can put up 15 sacks or more, and Gerald McCoy is sure he can take over the NFL. What does defensive coordinator Mike Smith want? Aggressive play:
"“Everybody talks about Noah being a double-digit sack guy and all that,” Smith said. “Really, we just need him to be as aggressive as he can be, and sometimes it’s not on the stat sheet. If he can draw the offensive line turning to him or draw some double teams or chips, it’s going to allow other guys to get there.”"
That makes a lot of sense.
Next: Hard Knocks episode two recap
Whether he puts up the high numbers on his own or directs the attention away from others, Noah Spence will be a huge key to 2017 success. Can he continue what he started last year? Everyone one seems to think so. It all begins week one.