Who Will Be The Buccaneers Anchor?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense last season at times looked like a ship lost at sea in need of an anchor. The Buccaneers this season will play defense, sometimes in the 3-4 with similarities to what Dick LeBeau ran in Pittsburgh in the 2000s; that was a team that was anchored by the defensive end, Aaron Smith.

The Buccaneers hope defensive end Carl Nassib can be that same anchor for a defense that can only improve from last year’s results. Nassib, 6’7 275 lbs played for Penn State as a walk-on and really made the most of his opportunity winning a number of awards such as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the Vince Lombardi Award just to name a few.

Nassib was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. If Nassib looks familiar, it could be you remember him from HBO’s show Hard Knocks featuring the Cleveland Browns giving financial advice or talking about the time he met Taylor Swift.

Bucs new defensive coordinator coach Todd Bowles is known for making the most out of his roster, and Nassib brings a strong work ethic, dedication, non-stop motor, and a nose for getting to the quarterback. Nassib may never be a household name, but he will certainly be a respected defensive end in NFL circles and will have to be accounted for on defense, or the opponent will definitely pay the price.