Todd Bowles Reacts as Ryan Neal Put the Team First Against Panthers…

Todd Bowles commended Ryan Neal’s selfless contribution against the Panthers, as the safety seamlessly transitioned to linebacker when the Bucs faced a shortage in that position.

With key linebackers sidelined due to injuries, including Lavonte David, SirVocea Dennis, and Devin White, the Bucs had minimal options going into the game. This left K.J. Britt and J.J. Russell as the only available starters, with no apparent backup.

However, the team had a contingency plan in the form of Ryan Neal. Despite being primarily a safety, Neal’s physical style and experience near the line of scrimmage made him the go-to option in this unexpected situation. Neal had limited time to prepare, learning about the linebacker situation only on Thursday of the practice week. Despite the short notice, he stepped in early in the game when Britt suffered a back injury, finishing with four tackles, including a crucial one for a loss.

Coach Todd Bowles commended Neal’s toughness, intelligence, and team-oriented mindset, emphasizing his adaptability on the field. Neal’s impactful tackle for loss, preventing a crucial Panthers’ touchdown, played a pivotal role in the Bucs’ narrow 21-18 victory. Neal acknowledged the challenge but expressed confidence after the initial drive, adapting quickly to the speed and dynamics of the linebacker position.

Neal credited the heavy rain during the game, which limited offensive plays, as a factor that aided his adjustment to the linebacker role. Despite the unexpected shift, he drew on past experience with the Seattle Seahawks in similar dime packages, facilitating his understanding of defensive schemes and responsibilities.

Looking ahead, the Bucs anticipate the return of injured linebackers, reducing the likelihood of Neal playing out of position again. Regardless, Neal reflects on the experience as a “really cool moment,” acknowledging the significance of his contribution after the game had concluded. Ultimately, he embraced the challenge, emphasizing that he was just doing his best and enjoying the experience.