Brooks Addresses “Toes On The Line” Discipline
June 22nd, 2012
In the aftermath of Kellen Winslow’s admission that he couldn’t deal with non-padded practice anymore because it was too much work to run around and learn in a disciplined fashion, many Bucs fans are applauding the team’s transformation under the New Schiano Order.
Count Derrick Brooks in the mix. The Bucs icon explained why “toes on the line” is criticial and offered some great perspective during an interview on the Ron and Ian Show on WDAE-AM this week.
“Is his whole tenure going to be like this? I don’t think so. I just think he has to come in and set his foundation down in terms of discipline, meaning everything we do is going to be disciplined, whether we put our toes on the line or running a sprint, that’s going to be disciplined. You know what, that’s an offsides penalty or not an offsides penaltly in a game,” Brooks said.
“He’s transitioning these small decisions that, ‘Hey, these are going to be our habits. These are going to be our foundation that we’re going to build on.’
“It’s going to transition. Think about when Mike Tomlin first went to Pittsburgh. All the veterans hated him. (laughs) ‘Oh, we’re not a college team. He’s got us doing all these things. We’re not a college team. We’re in pads every day.’ Now look, three or four years later they love him. And [Tomlin] has transitioned his coaching style to fit his football team. I see a similarity here with Coach Schiano. But, you know, I’m never going to be a guy that goes against discipline because I think this football team needs it in every single area.”
Asked if he saw evidence of the Bucs’ lack of discipline last season, Brooks chuckled and said it was clearly evident on the football field. “It wasn’t hard to figure out,” Brooks said.
Brooks went on to say everything that encompasses transforming into a disciplined football team in a new defensive system might very well lead to a rough start for the 2012 Bucs defense, one Brooks points out has a very young front-seven that has a lot of players in their “learning phase.”
Joe, too, is unsure how long it will take for the Bucs’ defense to scare offenses. Joe’s not expecting that to happen in 2012. However, tackling well, not playing soft, and big years by the playmakers in the secondary will go a long way toward Bucs fans not cowering under a blanket every time an opponent runs a handoff.
June 22nd, 2012 at 8:42 am
This is why Win-slow will never reach the level of Mr Brooks, as a HOF player or as a man!
June 22nd, 2012 at 8:48 am
I agree, this defense is not likely to be world beaters, even by the end of this year, but we can be respectable if:
– The 4 starters on the D-line miss no more than 4 games total all year
– Eric Wright doesn’t have an issue that causes him to miss games
– Mason Foster is the MLB needed to run this defense
I think the secondary will be fine, despite all the flack Biggers gets, he has shown he can play well against teams 2nd and 3rd WR, which is what he’ll be asked to do this year.
The LB play in general will be better, Black may never live up to the contract he signed, but the coaching he’s getting will help. David may make some mistakes as a rookie, but that’s to be expected.
IF (big if I know) the D-line stays healthy, I’d say look for this group to rack up at least 20 sacks on their own, probably closer to 30.
Apart from the injury question, I really think the biggest question of “how’s a player going to do on the defensive side of the ball” for THIS season lies with Foster . The team clearly believes that he is going to be the starting MLB for the foreseeable future, and while I believe he can be a good LB at the NFL Level, I’m yet sold on his ability to be the “QB of the Defense”.
I can’t wait for this season to start.
June 22nd, 2012 at 8:49 am
Yeah, the whole Winslow thing was very revealing. It’s easy to see why he is bad news for a team that is young and undisciplined. He may fit in with a bunch of vets but his attitude is really bad for what Schiano is trying to do here. Like I said before, for the scheme that Sullivan is going to run Winslow is not going to be missed. A good blocking TE is a must.
June 22nd, 2012 at 8:59 am
Admittedly, the defense is a concern, but I don’t think winning is a bridge too far. Everyone will probably agree that on paper due to FA and the draft, the Bucs look like an improved team.
Throw in a few fundamentals, a little discipline, a full off-season, coupled with a little luck and we may surprise a few people.
A 10 game losing streak makes us forget that with what some say was inferior coaching and suspect talent, last year we beat the fearsome Falcons, the supreme Saints, and put a scare into the powerful Packers.
I’m just saying (hoping) that with a little confidence (no quitting) and a little luck (fewer injuries), we could do better than expected!
June 22nd, 2012 at 9:02 am
offense will be way ahead of the defense…hopefully fans will have some patience with the defense.
June 22nd, 2012 at 9:12 am
Winslow was more of a pants on the ground guy than a toes on the line guy.
June 22nd, 2012 at 9:13 am
Winslow sucks Bobby. He is on the SeaHawks as a personal favor for Kellen Sr. (a real player).
I am glad we have discipline.
I am also stoked we got rid of Hayneswurf. That guy is a complete oversized waste of talent.
I hope our D plays with some intensity. Last year’s D was laughable. I had a bad feeling about this team after watching Matt Forte have his way on us in London.
June 22nd, 2012 at 9:14 am
Winslow is such a baby. It is too bad, he could actually be a much better player if he wasn’t so darn selfish.
He could care less about winning. He just wants “his”.
June 22nd, 2012 at 9:30 am
T in Orlando,
I agree with your projections, and expectations for our D-Line.
This is a make or break year around the D-Line. I could very easily see Michael Bennett playing for a new contract, and in order to clear room for his $$$ we may have to cut ties with another DL that has an $11,000,000.00 salary and does not now how to tackle.
June 22nd, 2012 at 9:33 am
“Is his whole tenure going to be like this? I don’t think so. ”
That’s the crux, right there. The OC and DC will get to Xs and Os later. Right now, Schiano wants discipline, fundamentals and commitment.
I highly doubt once games start, he’s going to be running tackling drills the week before. At least I hope not!
June 22nd, 2012 at 10:07 am
“We need a players coach”…………….”everything will be great” (4-12)
“We need a disciplinarian”………………”everything will be great”
I suppose this rutgers porridge is jusssssssssst right.
June 22nd, 2012 at 10:12 am
This defense couldn’t get any worse. I agree with Brooks, and trust in what he says. He is my favorite NFL player ever. I am pumped up for things to get started.
June 22nd, 2012 at 10:19 am
“He receives comfort like cold porridge.”
June 22nd, 2012 at 10:23 am
“We’re in hell right now gentlemen. Believe me. And we can stay here, get the $h!t kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light. We can climb outta hell… one inch at a time.”
June 22nd, 2012 at 10:27 am
Brooks and Kiffin, man those were the days…………
June 22nd, 2012 at 10:48 am
Eric. My God, your unending non humorous sarcasm is beyond old. Since you hate the Bucs and where they are headed, cheer for anyone else than the Bucs. We (true Buc fans) don’t need you or care what you gave to say.
June 22nd, 2012 at 10:58 am
BucsNBeer:
Outstanding!
June 22nd, 2012 at 11:38 am
Whatever comes out of Derrick’s Mouth is Gospel. Tells it like it is. And does a fantastic job on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
June 22nd, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Derrick Brooks is all class. Such an honor to have him be a member of my favorite football team, one of the true all-time greats.
June 22nd, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Winslow is a piece of S**T floating in the bowl. One flush and he’s gone.
June 22nd, 2012 at 1:55 pm
thegregwitul,
Prepare to be lectured by Miguel Grande on Brooks, et al and classiness.
June 22nd, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Words of wisdom. Nuff said.
Winslow can be BMOC in Seattle all he wants. Who gives a crap.