In 3 starts and 16 games played, Noah Spence recorded 5.5 sacks last season all while playing through a shoulder injury. While watching the Bucs last year you could tell Spence had something to prove after being drafted by the Bucs in the 2nd round.
He has caught the praise of our defensive coordinator, Mike Smith, and fellow end rusher Robert Ayers. “I’m excited for him. I think he’s a player that can be a 15-plus sack guy this season. That’s my opinion. Whether he goes and does it is another thing, but I that’s how I feel about him. He has tools that not many people come into this league with. He’s still learning. I’m excited for him. It’s going to be a big year.” Ayers said of Spence coming off his rookie season.
DC Mike Smith had this to about Spence, “He’s one tough dude. The injury that he played through the whole entire time that he was injured early in the season shows how tough he is. He’s a guy that we’re expecting big things from. Unfortunately, he’s not going to be able to really participate with us until we get to training camp. But he is much more than what we anticipated, being able to be a three-down [player], and he is looking really good watching him work on the side. Very excited about having him join us when we get started in training camp.”
With OTA’s already underway and training camp only a month away, we will be sure to keep updating you on Spence’s progress as he returns to full strength.
