We’ve heard Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano share his thoughts on defensive end Da’Quan Bowers more than once in recent months.
Schiano hasn’t been shy about going public with his need to be convinced that Bowers has what it takes to be a three-down player at the NFL level, especially when it comes to his ability to play every down with the same effort and intensity levels. Bowers hasn’t heard anything different from Schiano in private and admits that his conditioning isn’t where it needs to be for a player being counted on to play a major role up front.
“I think I’m still a little winded at times,” Bowers said, via Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times. “I’m still not in the best shape. I’m still getting used to the speed of practice. But other than that, [training camp] has been decent.”
It’s an honest assessment by Bowers that suggests a willingness to do the work asked of him by the Buccaneers. The Bucs are doing their part to get Bowers ready for what’s ahead of him this season as well. Bowers saw more time than the typical starter in the first preseason game, which he said he needed, and he figures to see even more work during the rest of preseason in an effort to get him in the proper condition.