Chris Braswell Sees Similarities In Bucs Defense To Alabama’s

All rookies that are just entering the NFL are getting themselves situated with moving to a new city, meeting their teammates and get the playbook down to make an impact for their team. It’s a trying task for every player and maybe even tougher if said rookie is a defensive player coming to Tampa and playing for Todd Bowles and the Bucs. Outside linebacker Chris Braswell has this challenge coming up.

Bucs OLB Chris Braswell – Photo courtesy of Alabama

Bowles’ 3-4 defense has a higher degree of difficulty because of its various looks and assignments asked of their defenders. Many positions such as linebacker and safety get cross trained at each spot. Outside linebacker, where Chris Braswell plays, is often times asked to drop back in coverage instead of rushing the passer. This is a novelty that not every edge defender can accomplish. It takes a certain type of player to do what Bowles asks them to, but luckily Chris Braswell can do what is required.

Why is this the case? Because Braswell has seen this defense before. He doesn’t think it’s that different from the defense he played for Alabama last season.

Chris Braswell Compares Bucs Defense To Alabama

“It’s kind of similar to the Bama defense,” Chris Braswell said when describing what Tampa Bay’s defense is like. “Very similar, just different word terms, just got to learn the different terminology, the new language and everything should be fine.”

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles – Photo by: USA Today

Is Braswell ahead of the curve because of this prior knowledge? Not yet. He’s still taking it one step at a time.

“It can help a lot, but at the end of the day, I’m still a rookie,” Chris Braswell said. “I still got to learn from the veteran guys and pick their brains to help elevate my game as well.”

Last year Braswell had his best college football season at Alabama, and the most playing time of his career. He played 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 was on a pick-six.

The reason why Braswell started off so late was due to the caliber of players that Alabama has year in and year out. He had to wait behind Will Anderson and Dallas Turner so he didn’t get his time until later, but the wait paid off. While other would have transferred, Braswell got better behind the scenes until his number was called.

“I always knew I could play at Alabama,” Chris Braswell said. “I’m a loyal person, I just wanted to stick with the program. The program has done a lot for me And I knew at the end of the day, I just need an opportunity to showcase my talent and I could play.

Playing In OLB Rotation 

Bucs OLB Chris Braswell – Photo courtesy of Alabama

The Bucs have quite the cast at outside linebacker heading into this season. Yaya Diaby is likely to start on one side and it’s a crowded room for the other. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson are returning, Randy Gregory was signed, Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez head into year two and the second round pick Braswell also factors in. Tampa Bay typically has rotated their outside linebackers, but there’s plenty of competition for the most snaps each game.

That’s another aspect that playing at Alabama prepared Braswell for. You only get so many plays, but you have to make the most of those chances when presented.

“You only get a certain amount of snaps sometimes or limited opportunities, so you just got to of it every time you go out there on that field and play like it’s your last down.