Explosiveness and speed are reasons why the Bucs brought Noah Spence to Tampa Bay.

Through the draft or via free agency, the team’s swung and missed more times than it would like to admit in recent years when it comes to finding edge rushing quarterback hunters. But the Bucs’ luck in that department may be turning for the better and an early second-quarter play last Sunday against Chicago encapsulates why.

Bucs DE Noah Spence – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

With the Bears facing a third-and-goal situation inside the Bucs 5, Spence scorched right tackle Bobby Massie, but his wide, looping path put him behind the pocket. Good coverage from the secondary flushed Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler to his left – the opposite side of where Spence originally lined up – but the rookie never slowed his pursuit. When Cutler finally decided to cock back and deliver a pass it was too late. Spence hit him from behind while also stripping the ball from his grasp. Linebacker Kwon Alexander jumped on the loose ball, allowing Tampa Bay to preserve its 7-3 lead.

The athletic play counted as Spence’s second forced fumble and fourth sack of the season. The latter total ties him for second most among NFL rookies with two other players, San Diego’s Joey Bosa and Jacksonville’s Yannick Ngakoue. Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd picked up 1.5 sacks against Tampa Bay and leads that category with five.

When the Bucs drafted Spence in the second round (39th overall) out of Eastern Kentucky, the plan was for him to get worked into the defense as a pass rushing specialist. At 251 pounds, Spence is on the light side for an every-down defensive end.

Those plans changed, however, when injuries struck down George Johnson in the offseason and Jacquies Smith during the first game of the year. Another new defensive end acquisition that’s worked out well is Robert Ayers Jr., but he was hurt Week 2 and missed four straight games before returning.

The injuries thrust Spence into a bigger role right away. Through nine games he’s played the fifth most snaps among Bucs defensive linemen. The development gap to be bridged is still considerable – Spence has recorded eight tackles over 275 plays, half coming as sacks – but his on-the-job training is going well, defensive coordinator Mike Smith said.

“His skill set is very good for being a good pass rusher,” Smith said this week. “He’s strong handed, he’s quick off the ball, he can bend and I think we’re seeing the more opportunities he has to rush, the more success he’s going to have. I still believe that the ceiling’s a lot higher than what he’s performing right now, but he’s performing at a very good level for a first-year player.”

Bucs DE Noah Spence – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Spence’s play is inspiring confidence among teammates, as well. One of those Bucs is defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Moments still exist where the rookie may run himself out of plays or lose his fit, but McCoy said he can see Spence beginning to recognize situations and make proper adjustments.

“I think at the beginning of the ball game last week on Sunday he was a little juiced up and we got out of our gap, but you can see his ability to close,” McCoy said from the locker room Wednesday. “You can see his ability to shut off the gap when the ball goes away from him and I think he’s getting a better understanding. A lot of our young players are still trying to figure out the nuances, based on where the backs align, what the down and distance is, and those are things that you learn as a professional football player through repetition. It’s something that doesn’t happen overnight, they’re all learning experiences. When you don’t close and they run the ball back and we give up seven or eight yards, next time it happens, he stays on the line of scrimmage and we have a 2-yard gain. So they’re learning experiences for Noah and all of our guys.

“But Noah is not going to be just a DPR, a designated pass rusher. I have no doubt in my mind that he’s going to be a guy that’s going to be in the rotation and be able to play on first and second down.”

It’s not just increased game reps that has Spence playing at a higher, more consistent level, either. Spence credits learning how to prepare like a professional before Sundays, too.

“I saw a lot of the guys watching a lot of film so I got into it,” Spence said. “It’s making me be able to see things more on the field. It was a blessing that I was able to hear it from them that that’s what they do. So I was like, ‘Wait, maybe I should put that in my game and start watching a lot more film.’ It’s definitely helping the game slow down and be able to see stuff before it happens.”