Da’Quan Bowers: I haven’t been the kind of player I know I can be

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da’Quan Bowers has compiled 5.5 sacks and multiple injury issues since he was drafted in the second-round in 2011. It led new head coach Lovie Smith to say he needs to prove himself.

“He’s learning the system, and eventually, he’ll get out there,” Smith said, via the Tampa Tribune. “I know rehab is going well. He’s a good football player, but he needs to prove it right now. He’ll get an opportunity. A player like that should be able to excel in a defense like ours.”

Aside from that he has been involved in an off-field incident with Farrah Franklin, formerly a member of the R&B group Destiny’s Child, which resulted in Franklin being arrested for disorderly conduct.

Bowers is vowing to be the player the Buccaneers deserve.

“No question about it, I owe it to this organization, owe it to this team. I’ve been here long enough, and I haven’t really been that player that I know I can be,” Bowers said, via the Tampa Tribune. “I think it’s time I really put forth that extra foot, to be that player that I know I’m capable of being.”