Unit Breakdown: Defensive Line

With the new regime coming in and making major moves on the roster, anticipation for the upcoming season is high, and for good reason. Lovie Smith’s return to Tampa Bay has many fans excited for the future of the Buccaneers, offering a sense of nostalgia to those who wish to see the return of the dominant defense that brought a title to Tampa Bay under Coach Jon Gruden.  Lovie Smith, in his first offseason as head coach of the Buccaneers, has made some transactions to move the team in the direction that he feels it should be in, with expectations that the Bucs will, in the near future, be a championship team. With a good core group of defensive players in Lavonte David, Gerald McCoy, Mark Barron and the new acquisitions of Michael Johnson and Alterraun Verner, Smith will attempt to re-build the feared and dominant defense that was once a hallmark of Tampa, and it all starts up front.

The defensive line has the potential to be much better than it was in 2013 under Greg Schiano. Lovie Smith places an emphasis on getting to the QB, primarily with the front four, and with good coaching, Bucs fans could see a greatly improved unit in the 2014-2015 season.

Gerald McCoy emerged as one of the best defensive tackles in the league last year, racking up 9.5 sacks—he should’ve had 10, but for some reason Adrian Clayborn was credited for half of a sack in Week 17—and making it to his second consecutive Pro Bowl. For the majority of the season, McCoy was the lone pass rushing threat and was often asked to perform ridiculous line stunts, and yet he still had a career season. Lovie Smith has stated that he believes the McCoy can improve, and McCoy himself believes he’ll perform better than his 2013-2014 season. That may indeed be true, as McCoy has formed a bond with Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp and will be playing under a coach who wants his defensive linemen to pin their ears back and hunt, getting after the QB; however, there needs to be another presence on the defensive line who puts fear into opposing offensive linemen and QBs. Who will it be?

Michael Johnson signed a big contract with the Buccaneers this offseason and, despite mediocre stats, was a very disruptive player last year. Although he only collected, 3.5 sacks with the Bengals, Johnson recorded 61 QB pressures and 9 batted passes. Despite what the stats say, Johnson is a big upgrade over Adrian Clayborn at right end, and will more consistently pressure the QB.

On the other end of the defensive line, Adrian Clayborn will likely be the starter, but will face competition from several teammates, like Da’Quan Bowers and William Gholston, who began to break out at the end of his rookie campaign. All four players have the versatility to rush from the DE spot and slide inside to rush from the DT position (in obvious passing situations) as well. With the addition of another pass rushing DT in Clinton McDonald, there is definitely potential on the Buccaneers’ defensive line, and defensive line coach Joe Cullen is excited to work with them.