“Toes On The Line” Works
September 10th, 2012
Aqib Talib blocked his very first punt as a football player yesterday in the Bucs win over the stinking Panthers. “This ain’t last year,” Talib declared.
When Joe approached Aqib Talib after yesterday’s win, Joe asked Talib to put into words how yesterday’s performance in a win over the stinking Panthers would have been simply impossible last year.
Talib was forthright, “This ain’t last year.”
Joe knows what Talib meant. This year, the team has had a purpose since the moment Greg Schiano signed his name to a contract to coach the Bucs. There will be hard work involved in striving for perfection. If you are not on board, get out. If you work hard, there will be rewards.
So the New Schiano Order was born. There will be attention to detail, every little seemingly insignificant element will be done correctly, or not done at all.
This attention to detail was evident when the Bucs did not commit one penalty in the first half. Not one!
(Meanwhile, by the time the Bucs cheerleaders left the field yesterday after their halftime performance, Joe learned Kellen Winslow was flagged twice for pushing off while spinning discs at a trendy Las Vegas poolside bar.)
Schiano “had a plan and he made sure we stuck to it regardless of how we felt, regardless of what we wanted to do,” Gerald McCoy said. “Coach never let us slip. Never, ever.
“I remember once in training camp, someone didn’t have their foot on the line and coach made us start practice all over again,” Gerald McCoy said. “The fans were yelling, ‘Yeah!’ But we were hating it. But when you go out there [Sunday] you see how it pays off.”
“This ain’t last year,” Talib repeated, after he admitted he had never blocked a punt at any level of football prior to Sunday.
No, it is not. It is a New Schiano Order. While it is easy to overreact after the first game of the season, it is a promising start for the Bucs.
September 10th, 2012 at 8:12 am
I found it very interesting that Talib was on Punt Return unit, as well as Clayborne (he recovered the blocked punt). Clearly an emphasis to ensure we get the best possible chances to make plays on ST.
September 10th, 2012 at 8:30 am
Man Talib’s block was perfect!!!! I was freaking out when I saw him block it and Clayborn cover it, couldn’t believe starters were out there… New Schiano Order in full effect!!!
September 10th, 2012 at 8:54 am
Aqib Talib showing supreme athleticism and versatility. I would even almost venture to guess that Talib has become one of Schiano’s favorites. The two bonded while visiting local youth and Schiano has had nothing but positive words to describe our star corner. Talib also tipped the ball that Ronde got his pick on yesterday.
Pretty funny how six months ago half of the fan base wanted Talib banished from Tampa, and I distinctly remember being upset about a report that Stroud broke claiming he had info that Talib would be shown the door.
We’ve watched a young angry violent kid grow up into a Buccaneer Man. Lets just hope we can sign him back at a discount, his market value will probably be at least as high as Finnegan and Carr got (5 year $50mil).
September 10th, 2012 at 8:56 am
When you have someone like Schiano come in with very strict and detailed rules, players will internally (in your mind) question it while doing what is told. What sells them on the approach is wins. It validates what the coach is doing. It’s only one win, but this win is bigger than just the “W”. Now players will buy in more.
If we can generate the same pressure on Manning…whoa..that should be win #2.
The defense was attacking and it was FUN to watch.
September 10th, 2012 at 8:57 am
I am almost willing to admit I was wrong about Talib….almost
September 10th, 2012 at 9:15 am
Won’t pretend I know nearly enough to dissect the game or give insight not seen be others. Will say that that was the most exciting game I’ve witness at RJS in 3 1/2 years. This was a new type of Buc-Ball.
Hope others join the crowd and sell this place out. We were loud enough with many empty seats. iomagine the scene if the stands are full. – MADNESS!
September 10th, 2012 at 9:18 am
Schiano is holding people accountable. He is stressing attention to detail, fundamentals,and physical play on both sides of the ball. The haters on this site will say im drinking the kool-aid after one win but i feel we are definitely headed in the right direction. Ive heard coach referred to as the little general by some fans on this site but if you went to any practices you would’ve seen that he is a teacher first. BUT, if you screw up you will know about it immediately.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:22 am
They’re a real football team now.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:36 am
Baring INJURY I see 4 to 5 pro bowlers on the defense. Clayborn, McCoy, Talib, Barron, and maybe Barber or Lavonte David. I still can’t believe Lavante is making the calls on the defense as a rookie! The offense just needs to show more, and this will be a playoff bound team. IMO. This team reminds me of the 49ers of last year.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:51 am
This teams arrow ^^^^^ is pointing up… Talib looks like a changed man.
September 10th, 2012 at 10:30 am
Said it once, I’ll say it again… Aqib Talib is a good fair man! Now that he finally has some reasonable safety play behind him, the skies the limit for 25!
Mo Claiborne looked good but I’d say Talib, Barron, Martin, and David certainly trumps Talib, Mo Claiborne, and well Sean Jones. Just the thought of Sean Jones instead of Mark Barron turns my stomach on this hungover Monday morning!
September 10th, 2012 at 10:50 am
Man FreemanBomb good call. To be honest I wouldn’t trade Barron or Martin for Claibourne. Our rookies came in and played lights out. David was flying around getting in on every tackle. And anyone who thought Barron was just a run stopper had a moment of clarity yesterday the way he was playing in the pass game. A lot of things to work on but dang that was a great game for us.