The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made deal over the weekend to send defensive tackle Brian Price to the Chicago Bears. Who will replace Price in the middle of the Bucs' defensive line is not yet clear, but it will not be Amobi Okoye.
Okoye fits inside as a 3-technique defensive tackle, a player tasked with shooting gaps between interior offensive linemen and getting to the quarterback. Tampa Bay needs more of a nose tackle type to replace Price, someone to tie up blockers and stuff the run. Right now, a three-way battle between Roy Miller, Gary Gibson and Frank Okam will determine who starts in that spot next to Gerald McCoy.
Bucs Nation, SB Nation's Buccaneers blog, explains the situation:
As for Okoye, what will be his role? To back up Gerald McCoy and to pass-rush on third down. I would expect the pass-rush package to consistent of both McCoy and Okoye at three-technique on opposite ends of the line, something the Bucs didn't do the past three seasons, but something that used to be the standard package for the Bucs when they still had Monte Kiffin as a defensive coordinator.
Losing Brian Price has hurt not just the depth at defensive tackle, but the starting quality: Roy Miller in the starting lineup is not pretty. But for now, the Bucs at least have some competition at that spot.
For all news and information regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, please visit Bucs Nation or check out SB Nation Tampa Bay. Check out SB Nation's NFL hub for more on all 32 teams.
Loading comments...