Bowers will be a factor but not starting

by TigerNet Staff - Monday, August 29, 2011 9:38 AM

Da'Quan Bowers
Pos: DE Height: 6-4 Weight: 277 Hometown: Bamberg, SC (Bamberg-Ehrhardt HS) Years Played: 2008 - 2010

From: St. Petersburg Times:

Bucs defensive end Michael Bennett and nose tackle Frank Okam had very solid performances and have the inside track at being in the starting lineup come opening day.

Let's start with Bennett. He finished with a sack of Miami's Chad Henne and had three tackles for losses, including a knockdown of running back Reggie Bush after knifing into the Dolphins' backfield. Bennett left the game with an apparent head injury, but indicated it wasn't serious. If he's ready to go on opening day, it's hard to conceive a scenario where rookie Da'Quan Bowers overtakes him at left defensive end.

That's not to say that Bowers isn't ready to be a factor. He was much improved against the Dolphins, getting his first sack of the preseason and being more of a presence than he's been in previous games. But Bennett's quickness, pass-rush skills, ability to defend the run and his versatility (he can play inside on passing downs) makes him a player who will be hard to keep off the field.