The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-7 in Preseason Week Two. Despite the outcome, a bright spot emerged for the visiting team: pass rush. The Bucs' defense energized the team with a five-sack performance, including three by second-year outside linebacker Jose Ramirez. Tampa Bay's 5.0 sacks tied for the most in a single preseason game since TruMedia began tracking preseason stats in 2017.
"I had a couple rushes in practice where I was trying to do too much and I had talked with Yaya [Diaby] and other guys and they said, 'Just get off the ball,'" said Ramirez. "My first thing is always just getting off the ball and whatever the tackle gives me, I take. So, if he gives me an inside or whatever it is, I do not even remember what I did, it is just the game inside of the game."
Ramirez quickly made his presence known on the defense's second drive. On second down, he shot off the line like a cannon out of a two-point stance and brought down Mac Jones for a loss of 10 yards – posting the team's first preseason sack. He compiled another later in the drive, pushing the offensive lineman back into the quarterback's lap. Jones tried to evade the pressure but fell.
Ramirez tallied his third sack of the night late in the third quarter. He took down CJ Beathard for a loss of 17 yards, halting the Jaguars' drive. Ramirez utilized a speed-to-power move and then worked a spin maneuver off the initial burst to bypass the offensive tackle. He chased down Beathard for another momentum-shifting play. Ramirez, whom the Bucs selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, was waived and re-signed to the team's practice squad last offseason. He then signed a reserve/future contract in January and continued to make significant strides in 2024. Working against Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke in scout team reps fostered development.
"Going up against them every day, man, that is an $150 million tackle, and he is one of the best tackles in the league," noted Ramirez. "Then Luke, he is underrated so going up against them every day, it makes it easier on me…going against those dawgs every day, I am not saying it is easy but going against everybody else, it is like, I have been doing that. I have been doing that against Tristan."
The twitchy edge rusher is bendy at the top of rushes and possesses quickness off the line of scrimmage that overwhelms. His acceleration is his calling card and on Saturday against the Jaguars, Ramirez weaponized his speed. With nimble feet and solid awareness, Ramirez helped set the tone on the road. Markees Watts and Lwal Uguak registered the other two sacks, rounding out the team's impressive edge rush against the Jaguars.
