Every rookie in the NFL is moving to a new city, meeting teammates, and trying to strategize to make an impact on the team. That’s a tough challenge for any player, and it might be even harder when the rookie is a defensive player who comes to Tampa and plays with Todd Bowles and the Bucs. Outside linebacker Chris Braswell faces this challenge.
Bucs OLB Chris Braswell – Photo courtesy of Alabama
Bowles’ 3-4 defense is difficult because the looks and roles required of defenders are diverse. Many positions, such as linebackers and safeties, are cross-trained at each spot. Outside linebackers, played by Chris Braswell, are often asked to fall back into coverage rather than rush the passer. This is something not all edge defenders can achieve.You need a specific type of player to do this What Bowles wants from them, But luckily Chris Braswell can do what needs to be done.
Why? Because Braswell has seen this defense before. He doesn’t think it’s that different from the defense he played at Alabama last season.
Chris Braswell compares Bucs’ defense to Alabama’s
“It’s similar to Bama’s defense,” Chris Braswell said when describing what Tampa Bay’s defense is like. “It’s very similar, just the word terminology is different. Just learn a different terminology and a new language and everything should be fine.”
Bucks head coach Todd Bowles – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Is Braswell ahead of the curve because of this prior knowledge? Not yet. He is still taking it one step at a time.
“It helps a lot, but at the end of the day, I’m still new,” Chris Braswell said. “I still need to learn from the veteran players and take their wisdom to improve my game.”
Last year, Braswell had his best college football season at Alabama, logging the most playing time of his career. He appeared in 16 games, recording 42 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, one pass breakup, one interception, and one defensive score that went into a pick-six.
The reason Braswell got off to such a slow start is because Alabama has had better players year after year. He didn’t get time until late because he had to wait behind Will Anderson and Dallas Turner, but it was worth the wait. While other players moved on, Braswell kept up his game behind the scenes until his number was called.
“I always knew I could play at Alabama,” Chris Braswell said. “I just wanted to continue doing the program because I’m a loyal person. This program has done a lot for me, and at the end of the day, I need the opportunity to showcase my talent. I realized that I could play just by doing that.
Playing in the OLB rotation
Bucs OLB Chris Braswell – Photo courtesy of Alabama
The Bucs have quite the cast at outside linebacker. For this season. Yaya Diaby is likely to start for one team and it’s a crowded room for the other. Joe Tryon-Soyinka and Anthony Nelson return, Randy Gregory is signed, Marquise Watts and Jose Ramirez are heading into their second years, and second-round pick Braswell is also in consideration. Tampa Bay typically rotates outside linebackers, but there is a lot of competition for linebackers. He records the most snaps in each game.
That’s another aspect that playing at Alabama has prepared Braswell for. There are only so many plays you can get, but when you get an opportunity you have to make the most of it.
“Sometimes you only get a certain amount of snaps or your opportunities are limited, so every time you go on the field and play like it’s your last down, you just had to make it.
