Rookie outside linebacker Joe Tryon has been making his presence felt in training camp. It sounds like he has a ton of talent and more than meeting the Buccaneers’ expectations. Adding to this to the Buccaneers’ talented pass rush seems almost like it’s overkill, but the defense wins championships, and we are setting our sights on two in a row.
Bruce Arians was, recently asked if the first-round draft pick was living up to expectations and the Buccaneers head coach had no problem admitting that Tryon is exceeding them.
“Oh, more than [met expectations]. He hasn’t been in pads in, what, two years? He’s whipping a lot of guys’ asses. That says a lot about him. He’s carving out a real, real nice role for himself.”
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator was recently given a hefty bump in pay also believes the rookie linebacker is fitting in nicely; however, you can’t be a Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator and not check off all the boxes.
“He’s coming along fine. He’s learning the scheme. It’s not an easy scheme to learn for him, so we’re trying to put him in different positions and move him around. We’d still like to see him in preseason, but he’s got some tools. He’s got a toolkit; he showed that in college. Love the build and the size; he’s very intelligent. He’s tough; he’s smart. He just has to learn the scheme, and if you can play in this scheme, we’ll find a place for you.”
Even the veterans, who he will be playing alongside, welcome him in as a necessary relief; but also seem to be taken aback by his work ethic. Our veteran pass rusher, Jason Pierre-Paul was recently asked what the rookie brings to the table in the outside linebacker position, and JPP believes he is going to make a difference.
“Joe is going to be amazing. He’s doing stuff that I’m looking at and thinking, ‘Man, I wish I would of knew that when I was a rookie.’ He’s doing amazing stuff out there. Me and Shaquil Barrett were just talking about him on the sideline while watching him go at it with the tools. I told Shaq, ‘He’s going to be the difference-maker for us.’ He’s been moving since day one when he got here. From there to now, he’s been moving tremendously. He just has to stay on his feet. I had that problem myself.”
Why will Tryon be the difference-maker? Because Joe Tryon brings not only a fresh pair of legs to each rotation but a highly skilled set at that.
“Adding a guy like that, it keeps us fresh. The rotation is going to be good. Anthony Nelson, he’s having a great training camp as well. They’re picking up. That’s the whole game of training camp, throwing your brothers in and getting to know them and teach them what I know. I want to teach them what I know.”
Between having the rookie and Anthony Nelson coming in fresh in rotation, it sounds like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have a pass rush that will keep quarterbacks and offensive coordinators on their toes. Well, one of them will be on their backs, anyway.