Luke Stocker Must Be Physical
July 27th, 2012
Jimmy Raye talks offensive philosophy
Joe had a chance to sit down with the cerebral Jimmy Raye, the Bucs’ offensive advisor, and Joe finally got a smile out of him when he informed Raye that former Bucs and Jets tight end Anthony Becht credited Raye for kicking him in the ass to make him a good blocking tight end in New York back in 2002.
Raye said that Luke Stocker will get the same treatment because of how physical the Bucs offense strives to become.
“I’ll defer back to the philosophical approach and the physicalness of which you would like to play and the environment you create,” Raye said. “Anthony [Becht] was the beneficiary of a philosophy and an environment that dictated that the tight end position be played with a high physical intensity, which he benefited from and played a long time and can probably still play.
“So I think the parameters of that in the environment that is created here, I expect Luke Stocker will be the beneficiary of that, and along with the fact that the competition that’s created in the practice format in that environment will hold him in good stead.”
Translation: Stocker better learn fast how to be a crushing blocking tight end.
Raye also assured Joe that Greg Schiano is not trying to build a run-first, throwback offense similar to those of the 1970s.
“I think what the attempt will be and what the fans will see will be is a sound, fundamental executing offense that will have the ability to run the ball, which is necessary to win in this league,” Raye said. “Not that it will be a percentage of run versus a percentage of pass and a throwback. I think it’ll be all-inclusive, take care of the contingencies of the defense and it’ll give us the best opportunity to win the game in the end.”
July 27th, 2012 at 9:36 am
Man I love me some Jimmy Raye; the guy is just a consummate professional that gets results and understands the game.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:49 am
I watched some film last week on Luke. His energy level and tenacity was better than I realized last year on limited reps.
The primary weakness with Luke that I saw was not related to willingness to get physical and put his face on a defender, he just didn’t have the size, strength, thump to move NFL players they way an Anthony Becht or John Gilmore did.
Just a little ass missing upon contact.
Luke is a better athlete than those guys though. I was very encouraged by what I saw on Luke – he is a willing blocker, good route runner with good hands (I know he dropped a couple last year). Luke may be an every down NFL tight end – think Kevin Boss.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:44 am
I have a freind who lives up in Tennessee. When we drafted Luke Stocker, he told me that Tampa will have a new star.
So far, I haven’t seen it.
July 27th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Wow, I agree with Thomas.
I think Stocker had a injury last season. Might have took a little of his thump away.
If Raye can coach/advise Stocker up like Becht that is a awesome offensive c. Earning his keep is Jimmy Rate.
July 27th, 2012 at 11:14 am
Contrabution. Oops darn small keys…
July 27th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
hmm, normally Thomas is an utter tool, but he’s finally got something right. I guess he was due. Stocker was one of our most consistent run-blockers last season, even carrying an injury from training camp. He struggled a little with larger DEs, but he could quite comfortably handle smaller DEs, and routinely locked up linebackers. By the end of the season, I’m fully expecting Stocker to be the starter, and Clark only used in passing packages
July 27th, 2012 at 8:16 pm
Ah, me. I am old-school; I ove the run game. I adored watching Alstott grind down defenses so that they were ready to get on the bus late third quarter. But does that win championships nowadays?