FAB 3. GHOLSTON, SPENCE DON’T WANT TO PART WAYS
They came in together. Two defensive linemen from the Big Ten selected by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Both were underclassmen at the time.

Bucs defensive tackle Akeem Spence and defensive end Will Gholston have been through a lot together. Way too many head coaches (three) and defensive line coaches (three) and not enough wins (20) in four years.

Since arriving in Tampa Bay in 2013 their relationship has grown from friendship to brotherhood. It seems like Spence and Gholston have been in pewter and red forever, yet it’s hard to believe that both defensive linemen are just 25 and about to become unrestricted free agents.

Bucs DL Will Gholston and Akeem Spence – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

At a time when NFL players are looking forward to free agency either for a chance for a big payday or to start somewhere around the league neither Gholston nor Spence are particularly looking forward to the process because of what may happen. Both want to stay in Tampa Bay. Both want to play together for four more years.

In order for that to happen the Bucs will have to want both players back and at the right, mutually agreed upon price. The thought of Spence and or Gholston leaving Tampa Bay and each other is gut-wrenching.

“Who looks forward to leaving their family?” Gholston said. “This is my family. I’ve been here four years. I would classify Akeem as a brother – a genuine brother. I would classify all of my teammates as brothers. We’re a family. The bond has gotten stronger of the course of four years.”

Gholston remains sidelined with a dislocated elbow he suffered against Dallas and will not play on Sunday against Carolina. For Spence, it may be his last time running out of the tunnel and playing at Raymond James Stadium.

“I hope not, it’s been a great four years,” Spence said. “Coming in as a rookie, going from 4-12 to right now 8-7, it’s a giant step that we’ve taken in four years. Granted we had to go through three head coaches to get here. I haven’t really thought about it, just trying to get through this week and finish this week up and see what crazy stuff happens on Monday. I’m just hoping and praying for the best. I got love for everybody. I love Tampa. I love this organization. We got a lot of guys that need to come back and everybody can’t stay. That’s my thinking going into it.
 
Like Gholston, Spence wants to return to Tampa Bay. After three losing seasons to start his NFL career, it’s just now getting fun with the chance at a winning record with a victory over the Panthers.

“On the offensive side, you’ve got young guys a young quarterback in Jameis Winston, and Mike Evans is an elite receiver on the rise,” Spence said. “I can name off a whole bunch of guys. This thing is finally getting to where it’s going. It sucks for me personally just being out my first year and this being my last year. I want to see this thing all the way through, but we’ll see. At the end of the day it’s a business and we’ll see what Tampa does. Hopefully they’ve liked me enough in these four years because I’d hate to leave my guy Will behind like that. It’s a business, man. It sucks, but people move on.”

Spence has played in 55 games with 30 starts at nose tackle where he has notched 98 career tackles with 5.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries. The 6-foot-1, 307-pound won’t turn 26 until November 29. With starter Clinton McDonald turning 30 years old next week, the Bucs may want to keep Spence around as a potential replacement.

Bucs DE Will Gholston – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Gholston is a higher priority for the Bucs to re-sign in free agency and he could really cash in on the open market if he gets there. Gholston has notched 187 career tackles with 10 sacks, two blocked kicks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Last year the Michigan State product had a career-high 67 tackles thanks in part to a personal-best 11-tackle effort at St. Louis.

The 6-foot-6, 281-pound Gholston turns 26 on July 31. Before his injury he produced 49 tackles, the most among Bucs defensive linemen this year. McDonald is next with 34 tackles followed by Gerald McCoy’s 28.

Gholston is Tampa Bay’s top run stuffer and his absence was felt in last week’s 31-24 loss at New Orleans as Mark Ingram rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in the Saints’ win. Just two weeks earlier with Gholston in the lineup in the first battle with New Orleans at Tampa Bay, Ingram was held to just 14 yards on seven carries.

Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter acknowledged missing Gholston immediately after the team’s 31-24 loss to the Saints on Christmas Eve and again during this past week.

“What Will is, he’s a big, run-stopping defensive end,” Koetter said. “He’s not the flashiest pass rusher, but he’s going to get some sacks by just working hard and being where he’s supposed to be and the quarterback maybe get flushed to him. But Will’s biggest value is as a strongside defensive end who anchors your ‘C’ gap against the run and we definitely missed Will last week. New Orleans took advantage of his absence and I thought last year, just from me watching from the other side, I was impressed by how hard and how consistent Will’s played and he’s definitely again lived up to it this year. We’ve missed him and unfortunately he’s got that elbow situation right now that’s keeping him out.”

McDonald marvels at Gholston’s ability to stop the run.

“Will is the type of guy that when you look at the stats sheet you might not see as much production, but he’s got 49 tackles,” McDonald said. “He has 49 tackles and three sacks. He’s very productive with his style of play and he’s a big, physical guy. He can knock back tight ends and offensive tackles and create space in our pass rush. He’s a smart guy as far as knowing what’s going on out there. I enjoy playing with him.”

With his elbow in a harness, Gholston, who is tied with Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David for fourth on the team in sacks with three, was appreciative of Koetter’s supportive words this week.

Bucs DE Will Gholston – Photo by: Mark Lomoglio/PR

“I might not be the best at sacks, but I know about stopping the run,” Gholston said. “Me and my guys are always racing to get tackles. When a coach compliments me like that, it’s up to me to make sure I play that way consistently. I thought it was pretty cool to hear that. It’s a little bit more pressure because I have to keep doing my thing. I definitely appreciate it.”

While sacks are an important stat for defensive linemen, being the leading tackler among D-linemen in Tampa Bay is just as big a deal.

“It is a big deal because with guys in our position you may not be able to get as many third down rushes, but you are on the field when they are running the ball,” McDonald said. “To be a part of the stop the run crew, it brings a certain responsibility, and Will leads the way.”

Spence has admired the way Gholston has grown as a man and developed into being a starter.

“It’s been fun watching Will,” Spence said. “The funny thing was, I started out as the starter and he came on in the backend and is now the starter. It’s just good to see him mature from his rookie year being an angry guy to seeing him channel that anger on the football field and making great plays. He’s had one heck of a season this year.

“Just to see him grow over the four years, coming in as a young rookie to learning defenses and getting sacks and a big [tackle for loss] guy. Last week showed how much we missed No. 92 out there. There’s a play that he makes that people don’t recognize week in and week out. Not having him out there last week, it hurt.”

What would hurt even more for Spence would not be battling alongside his brother again.

“I try not to think about it,” Spence said. “It really hasn’t crossed my mind, but if it is, hopefully we can go out on the right note being 9-7, having a winning record, going out a winner. Then we’ll see where football takes us.

“If we’re going to have this same defense next year then this guy needs to be around here in this building. That’s just a mess. Just to think of not being in the same locker room as him is crazy because we talk so much about football, life, our kids, everything like that. It’s just like … dang, man. That’s one of my best friends.”

McDonald has seen the bond the two 2013 draftmates have formed over the years on and off the field.

Bucs DT Akeem Spence – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I’ve seen two guys develop from second-year guys to guys that can start in this league and make plays and are dependable against the run or the pass,” McDonald said. “It’s amazing to see the type of friendship they have had and to be a part of that friendship.

“My advice to them is to put their agents to work. Make their agents work as hard as they can. These guys are working on the field as hard as they can. They deserve to be compensated heading into free agency. Make their agents work.”

While Spence is looking forward to a raise that comes with a new contract, he’s jarred by the thought that it might come elsewhere other than Tampa Bay.

“I’m definitely looking toward free agency just to see where you stand – not just from a money standpoint, but to see what teams like you and what they think of you,” Spence said. “I’ve been in Tampa my first four years so this is all I know. But I’ve seen guys that have left Tampa and had major success, so, it’s not always a bad thing. I looking forward to it, but at the same time going into it with the best mindset and hopefully it’s here.”

Gholston has actually tried not to think about free agency and the fact that Sunday might be his last time wearing Bucs gear – although it will be a Tampa Bay t-shirt and shorts due to his injury.

“I don’t know what it’s going to be like,” Gholston said. “I’ve never gone through it before. I talked to Rob [Ayers] and Clint. They’ve been through free agency and they are like mentors to me. I think there can be positives and negatives for free agency. At the end of the day, it’s not my decision to make. That’s my agent’s job. If he says everything is the right way … that’s his job. My job is to play. I like to do my job as I’ve always liked to do.”

Gholston hinted that he may give the Buccaneers a hometown discount just to stay in Tampa Bay.

DE William Gholston – Photo by: Getty Images

“The money is the money, but to be able to do what we do every day – it can’t be about the money,” Gholston said. “This is straight about passion and love. To be able to break your body down consistently every day … the money is cool. Don’t get me wrong. The money is awesome. But I love the game and I love coming in here and sweating and grinding with these guys. I love waking up early and coming home late when it comes to studying football and studying opponents. I haven’t really thought about the money. I know that sounds kind of weird, but I guarantee you with my whole heart that I really want to be able to play and love the game. As long as I can play and love the game, I’m going to.”

With over $67 million of expected salary cap room projected in Tampa Bay next year, Gholston remains optimistic that he and Spence will remain Buccaneers.

“We both want to come back – don’t worry about it,” Gholston said. “He’s going to come back just like I’m going to come back.”