Click the image for HD video of Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers sacks!Since 1985, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been trying to replace Lee Roy Selmon through the draft. Oh sure they ended up getting a good one via free agency when they lured Simeon Rice away from the Cardinals. But other than that, the Bucs have either bombed or come up with average at best Defensive Ends.
It started with Ron Holmes, worked its way down to Eric Curry, and even the great Tony Dungy and Rich McKay couldn’t top the first ever Bucs draft pick, Lee Roy Selmon. 1996 saw Regan Upshaw and Marcus Jones taken in the first round, the latter being a pick from the Indianapolis Colts, similar to what the Bucs did this year.
Needing major help on the Defensive line, the Bucs drafted Adrian Clayborn first as expected, but lucked into Da’Quan Bowers at the top of the second round when he fell due to concerns about his health. His knees looked pretty good out there Sunday didn’t they? Another Coup for the boys at the top in draft picks (Which no one is remembering or considering with the global “fire Morris after 6 bad games” campaign).
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Bowers was stuck behind a ‘giving it all he’s got’ Michael Bennett, but you just knew eventually Bennett would get his chance, and with an injury to No. 71, No.91 is now in the picture. He had a MONSTER game against the Panthers, a stat line that hasnt been seen since the Bucs heyday in Raymond James Stadium, or in Orange, since the late 70s by the late Selmon. 1.5 sacks, two QB hits, and 8 tackles, 5 of which were for a loss.
Adrian Clayborn meanwhile had his coming out party a few weeks ago, and has steadilly achieved in the stat column, and surpassed last years sack leader in Stylez G White who had 4 sacks in 2011. This year Clayborn now has 5.5 QB Sacks, and with 4 games more there is no telling where he finishes.
With all the talk of the Bucs not having any veteran leadership, it’s curious that the Defensive Line is the one place that does. Although he is a coach, Pass Rushing coach Keith Millard is someone players can talk to as if he were a veteran player on the team.
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