Buccaneers: Game day spotlight vs. Giants – Robert Ayers
By James Yarcho
In a game where the Buccaneers are facing one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, Robert Ayers needs to become re-acquainted with his former teammate.
How many times can we point out that the Buccaneers’ pass rush is minimal to non-existent? Well, at the rate things are going, for fourteen more weeks then into the off-season. That said, there’s an opportunity for the pass rush to not only get on track but to change the scope of this game – and potentially get right moving forward.
The New York Giants have been ruthlessly criticized for their porous offensive line, especially left tackle Erik Flowers. With Noah Spence back to playing in a shoulder harness, as well as the returns of Chris Baker and Jacquies Smith, it’s time for one of the vocal leaders of the defense – and the team – to step up in a big way.
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Ayers, since joining the Bucs, has 6.5 sacks in 14 games played and now has the chance to face off against his former team. On top of the Giants’ offensive line being putrid, Eli Manning might be the most immobile quarterback in all of football. Getting after Manning should be no problem, as it hasn’t been for any other team. Again, key word is should. The Buccaneers haven’t shown any kind of competence when it comes to generating a pass rush with their front four.
If Ayers is going to be the no-nonsense, put your foot on their throat kind of leader he appears to be, it’s time he steps up and practices what he preaches. He needs to take over and dominate the single coverage he will get while Gerald McCoy and Baker clog up the interior.
The Giants can’t get a run game going and with the Baker and McCoy being the run stuffers they are, I don’t expect today to be the day that Paul Perkins or Orleans Darkwa get things going. That means lots of drop backs and opportunities for Ayers, Spence, and Smith to get to Manning and not only sack him, but force him into mistakes.
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The Buccaneers absolutely can not afford to let Manning have the time Case Keenum did. Otherwise, it’s going to be a very long day for the Bucs and their fans.