Buccaneers' Robert Ayers: Sees improvement from defensive line

Ayers, who described the state of the defensive line as "terrible" early in the offseason, has seen the unit progress over the last several weeks, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "We're a little less terrible," Ayers said. "We're getting better and that's all we can ask for. We're trying to get to the end of the tunnel, so each day is a day to get better, a day to prepare, a day for me and my guys to get to know each other better and grow as a unit and build a chemistry."

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The offseason acquistion had made his initial assessment in the very early stages of his unit being introduced to new defensive coordinator Mike Smith's scheme, but continued reps have served to kick-start the gelling process. Ayers had been highly complimentary of the talent he already saw on the line before he came on board, and his everyday exposure to those players has only boosted his opinion of them. "I feel like we can compete," Ayers said Wednesday. "I'm not just saying that because I'm here now, but from the outside looking in, I always thought Tampa (Bay) man, they're right there. We've got some guys. The big three on offense, one of the best defensive tackles in the game with Gerald, Clinton (McDonald) who's been and underrated dog, Jacquies (Smith), who got hurt last year, but talking about pass rush, that guy was beasting until he got hurt. Noah (Spence) can play. Howard (Jones) is super-fast out there. Kourtnei Brown. Akeem (Spence). There's some talent, man." The 30-year-old pass rusher notched a career-high nine sacks in 2015 while with the Giants, and has seen time at both end spots and inside at tackle during the offseason.