Jiu-Jitsu Devotion And Quarterbacks Coaching
February 11th, 2012
How Mike Sullivan will run the Bucs’ offense is anyone’s guess. He’ll be a first-timer calling the shots in the NFL, with a first-time head coach helping him mold the playbook.
But there is information out there on Sullivan during his many years on the Giants’ staff. Recently, he found the spotlight as quarterbacks coach overseeing Eli Manning’s subpar 2010 season and his Super Bowl/superstar season of 2011, via the Newark Star-Ledger. It seems Sullivan is eager to innovate.
“I don’t know if he’s gotten any credit but … he’s certainly been a catalyst in the good year Eli’s had,” offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said last month.
Manning also threw much better while moving in the pocket and on the run, which backup quarterback David Carr attributed to Sullivan’s unconventional drills.
“He has some different drills where it’s uncomfortable movements,” Carr said of Sullivan last month. “You’re not just dropping back, moving to the left and right, stepping up and throwing the ball, which never happens in the game.
“You move up, you sprint out, run away from someone and then try to throw off balance. We do that drill every Wednesday and something every Thursday and Friday that’s similar to that, where we move around and twirl.”
Another Star-Ledger story highlights the rocky learning curve Sullivan had as QB coach (definitely worth reading) and illustrates how his core beliefs are influenced by Jiu-Jitsu.
Improved decision-making. That was one of those goals to come from last January’s meeting, all of which are written at the three points of a triangle used by the Gracie family, the famed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu clan admired by Sullivan, a former Army Ranger, Jiu-Jitsu blue belt and mixed-martial-arts fanatic.
“It’s on our quarterback guide, it’s something we constantly talk about,” Sullivan said. “Everything else, it has to fit within that framework. If he’s grading out and getting an ‘A’ (in the three goals), we’re going to win.”
While Sullivan won’t be Josh Freeman’s position coach, the coaching change is likely to be a radical one for Freeman. Joe especially is confident in that after reading about how Alex Van Pelt was known for his levity.
As Joe’s written before, it’s clear the Bucs’ coaching hires are going to be all about discipline — the opposite of the previous regime.
February 11th, 2012 at 10:00 am
Wow, good grab. Giants WR and Eli were two big reasons why the G-Men were champs.
I take this signing as an indicator of FA activity?
February 11th, 2012 at 10:38 am
Discipline is sssoooooooooooooooooo important in a game where everyone has to maintain an assignment. This looks like a good hire.
February 11th, 2012 at 10:42 am
I guess that means no more chest bumps.
February 11th, 2012 at 10:44 am
move around and twirl?
February 11th, 2012 at 10:53 am
I’m not a Giants’ fan at all, but thanks to Coughlin and their org for not blocking Sullivan from a nice opportunity to advance. Hopefully the Glazers have learned a lesson about blocking Coaches in the future and discontinue this practice of keeping good men down.
February 11th, 2012 at 10:59 am
Bucs were denied another interview for DC by the 49ers….. Karma sucks
February 11th, 2012 at 11:12 am
And now the Bucs overpay Manningham in free agency and call it a huge signing. Greeeeaaaat
February 11th, 2012 at 11:20 am
Unitas ever work on the twirl move?
February 11th, 2012 at 11:21 am
Go get Blackmon and let’s see what Sullivan , Josh and our offense can do . Has the possibility of being a good hire .
February 11th, 2012 at 11:23 am
Niners deny Donatell from talking to the bucs. What a bunch of douches, not schianos fault about Gruden and Allen not letting assistants interview.
February 11th, 2012 at 11:24 am
I hope the first play he runs is the Benn-D-Round…just to mess with the other teams heads…and the fans. Only the first play though.
And then, the first play of the second half, set up for it, make it obvious…and fake it.
I think even Joe would lose his self control then, lol.
This is interesting. I thought we would be able to determine where the draft would go once these spots were filled. There is a little bit of insight, but not a lot.
I just want to stress one thing to Sullivan – DO NOT give Talib Jiu-Jitsu lessons!
February 11th, 2012 at 11:29 am
ClayBURN94
Isn’t he their secondary coach?
If he were to come here, which he obviously is not now, he would have to be promoted right?
Does that mean the Bucs were going to make him DC?
This could be confirmation that Dominick and Schiano are covering all their bets by seeking out as much coaching talent as possible.
I just wish they would announce all the hires through the Bucs site so we could learn what positions are filled.
February 11th, 2012 at 11:32 am
In all fairness to the 49ers, the man has only been there one year and it’s a bit late to find a replacement.
If the Bucs are looking to get someone from an NFL team, they’ll have to look at teams that have groomed replacements.
February 11th, 2012 at 11:39 am
Joe, for those of you that don’t know, the cornerstone of Judo is self discipline and perfect execution after seeing the opportunity. The off season is going to be brutal to those free spirits that have done their own thing, if they last.
As I have said before the new HC is choosing quality and some teams don’t want to give it up in their assistanct coaches.
February 11th, 2012 at 11:44 am
– – – – – — – – – – –
Jarret Says:
February 11th, 2012 at 11:12 am
And now the Bucs overpay Manningham in free agency and call it a huge signing. Greeeeaaaat
– – – – – – – – – – –
Jarret, why are you assuming the worse already? More than half the people around here have been freaking out over this coaching search, calling the Bucs a joke.
And yet…the Bucs have been assembling a pretty good staff. All Bucs fans should be excited.
I dare Talib to get in Sullivan’s face like he did to Morris in London, lol.
If you truly are a Bucs fan…and I believe you are, Jarret, then wipe the slate clean and give things a chance to work out without judging harshly because of the past.
What would it cost you to do so? Really? I’m not even asking you and others to be 100% positive (I know that’s impossible for some).
I’m a Christian. I’m far, far from perfect…FAR from it. My father was a biker and fighter before he died and I have a bit of his confrontational behaviors that I have a hard time controlling at times.
But I DO believe in the power of the spoken word. I believe spoken or typed words have more power than any weapon.
So…I try to never speak ill of my Bucs, Dominick or the Glazers. Because the grass is always greener on the other side…until you jump the fence and land in mud.
(so okay, I got off on a little rant, lol)
Jarret, just believe a little. That’s all. You are allowed to change your mind later. Everyone is.
February 11th, 2012 at 11:46 am
Tomlin went from bucs DB coach to vikes DC in 2005.
February 11th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Pete, as a Christian you should be as frustrated as anyone with these owners.
You can call it a thorough search but the Bucs hired a guy whos never been an offensive coordinator to control a very young team. I hope it works out but there’s a lot of question marks.
I can get excited about the Bucs the way I use to. The glazers lack of aggressiveness and spending has made it obvious they dont care about winning. Its sad because Tampa has always been such a Bucs crazy town and that has faded in recent years. The Glazers dont instill much hope with the lack of moves.
February 11th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
I am starting to feel better about this team already. They are starting to get some real football people in here to discipline and mold these puppies. If Sullivan could mold and prepare Eli, then I am super excited to see what he can teach Freeman about film study, reads, and preparation. Olsen never produced a great QB, Sullivan has and he will immediately know where Freeman needs to focus on.
February 11th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Thanks for the link’s JOE!
A few things stand out to me, what great reporting, wow very refreshing. Hearing good things about your coaches. I like Coach Sullivan’s three motto’s “leadership, decision-making and accuracy” The unconventional QB drills that actually help improve accuracy throwing while moving. If Coach Sullivan can get these improvements out of #5 and our b/u QB’s this might just be fun to watch. Pound the rock, PA roll out to either side.
Reading the fan posts on these reports it sounds like Pat Flaherty is one of the main reasons for the success of the Giants offensive success, Vet Oline coach who we might check into coming in with Sullivan? Oline/ assistant OC would be a promotion.
I am excited about this hire, but still hesitant…. once bitten twice shy….
February 11th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
I think this guy was a great choice. I have no idea if he’ll work out or not, but I’m pretty stoked about this hire.
February 11th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
We had enough comedy here for 3 years with the comedy production, called pop star, rah and the rejects.
Now we have football men in charge, finally.
It will not be easy to convert this team into a true NFL team in regard to talentband professionalism, but any one of Schiano, Raye, Davis or Sullivan are immensely more qualified and competent than anyone on this prior staff.
Another great hire.
February 11th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
I think the bad coaching excuse is out the window now.
Calling rockstar to the plate.
Batter up !!!!!!!
February 11th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Coordinator jobs don’t count as a promotion par CBA rules.
February 11th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Gracie Jiu Jitsu (Brazillan Jiu Jitsu) is an awesome Martial Art, and will bring Sullivan much respect in the locker room.
All martial arts are about self control and discipline, and of course, respect for the master.
I like this Sullivan Guy already !
February 11th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Okay, I don’t say much…But I have a couple/few points to make…
1. I grew up in Maine…Hating the patriots for some reason, but loving the BUCS because in “Tecmo Super Bowl” on Nintendo… I could win and beat evertyone’s asses…And then I moved to Tampa from Maine…You don’t know paradise until…you lived in Maine with winter for 10 months…and moved to TAMPA!…
2. There F’ing guys are F’ing rich as hell…Just because someone thinks they know what they should do with a team, doesn’t mean they are right…and “THESE PEOPLE” who bought the BUCS and then bought an ENGLISH footballl team…you all suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not to stir up BS, but for most of the people on the board, they can not imagine running a company…let alone a multiB..With a B…Billion dollar bizness…
So MY HOPE!!!….STOP judging people with money until you have it….and guess what, we don’t have it…so that INCLUDES you Dan Silieo….”the earth is in the shape of a football.:::REACT::: lol
February 11th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Sorry Danny…I was drinking and you caused me to recact…you
re still my boy!!!…I listen to you everyday rolling into to work…but you still are an ass…just saying…
February 11th, 2012 at 6:45 pm
I feel good about the last 3 hirings. Wish Davis was the straight up DC though.
Oddly, Jimmy Raye is the guy that really Gives me hope. Not because he is a great coach- he isn’t. But because it really looks like he was hired to help coach the Coach! And that would be a very intelligent move.
Can Shiano coach? Yes, absolutely.
Can he transition from tiny school to Huge NFL franchise??
Odds are against him
Enter Jimmy Raye, with a decades worth of NFL experience- to help the New coach adjust. Raye has seen it all, and can smith the bumps a little for Schiano. If that’s why ge was hired- then it was a brilliant move, and gives Schiano a much better chance to avoid being overwhelmed by the huge leap.
Davis and Sullivan are well prepared. IF Raye can help Schiano with Day to adjustments, he may be ok. If all yhose kids from Rutgers work with experienced NFL men, we may get some small use outta them.
Still need a few Vet coaches
and a new LB Corp
And a new Secondary
But and least now, things are starting fo look better!
I’ll take it
February 11th, 2012 at 9:07 pm
As far as move and twirl, it’s a move I practice frequently!
I’m entirely to friendly with a couple women who are married to trained military snipers!
Like an NFL QB, moving in erratic patterns can save yer butt!
Spin and duck and twirl and crouch and twirl . .
Somedays, getting to the truck is easier than others!
February 12th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
lol Capt.
we used to call it the “old tuck and roll” back in the day.
Tuck your stick and roll out the window/door/roof… here’s hopping you don’t lose a step anytime soon….
February 12th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
The Kung Fu Mafia has arrived in Tampa hopefully Blount can slice through blocks consistantly heading upfield and not to the sidleine or in the backfield for five yard loss. That Jiu Jitsu and pasta combination should make better blockers out of some of these helter skelter o lineman Trueblood in particular
February 12th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
RustyRhino- lol
If I become noticeable by my absence, you’ll know I twirled when I shoulda ducked!
February 13th, 2012 at 10:00 am
“Improved decision-making”
Part of the main triad of decision making incorporated by the Gracie family.
LOVE that he follows them. MMA would not exist without Royce Gracie. The whole premise of the tourney was setup in the 1990’s for one reason: for the Gracies to show their dominance and their style to the world.
Anyway, it is a big time change in coaching.
Schiano, Davis, Sullivan….. DISCIPLINE, DISCIPLINE, DISCIPLINE
I am really liking the way the staff is shaping up.
February 13th, 2012 at 10:02 am
As far as all the BLOCKED INTERVIEWS – – – – – – JOE – – – – – I think I asked this before but no sure if you ever answered:
I thought a team can not block a position coach from interviewing for a promotion?
What is the actual rule there?
February 13th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Mike Sullivan is ready to be an offensive coordinator, and the Bucs made a great choice hiring him. As a Steelers’ fan, I am disappointed the Steelers didn’t hire hire Sullivan instead of Todd Haley.