Beginner’s Mentality
July 31st, 2013
One could make an easy argument that the most valuable player on the offensive side of the ball is Vincent Jackson. Yes, Jackson is as talented of a wide receiver as they come. But it’s the intangibles Jackson brings to the table as a veteran that prove his worth.
Work ethic is a key for Jackson. So much so he believes his mindset along with his work ethic are the reason for his success.
“It’s a beginner’s mentality,” Jackson said. “I come out here like I am trying to earn my job. From there, I act like I have never been in the system. Take notes every meeting. Come out here and work on fundamentals and individual drills. Work on the small things. Catch balls in different positions. That’s what I do every year. I do that at the start of every season and maintain that. Take care of your body and focus on your job.”
Mike WIlliams often points to Jackson for him being the player he’s become. Last year, Williams said, he learned by Jackson’s example of how to be a pro — little things like how to take notes in meeting rooms, how to study film, things that add up to big success.
It’s the word “success” that Jackson uses for the Bucs offense. He believes the team is on the cusp of blowing up this season.
“Another year under our belt [with offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan],” Jackson said. “I think there is a lot more confidence and comfort in what people are doing out there. People are moving a lot fester. We are able to implement new things and add some nuances of our offense. It is fun.
“We added some great pieces to the offense and with guys being in the second year of the offense, guys are more confident in what they are doing. Coaches are more confident in the players in what was going on out there. I think we will be very, very solid on offense this year.”
Now this is an aspect Joe didn’t focus on; now that players are more familar with Sullivan’s offense, they are adding new and different twists in order for receivers like Jackson to get mismatches on, say, a nickel corner.
If coaches are comfortable with players in this offense, Joe is going to guess fans will be happy with the results.
To hear all of what Jackson had to say after practice today, click on the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s good friends at WDAE-AM 620.
July 31st, 2013 at 3:22 pm
Thank the football gods for sending V-Jax to Tampa!
July 31st, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Can’t wait to see the offense this year with Free and Vj …Last year there was a lot of miscommunication on the “option”routes with jf5 and the wr’s …lol. There will be a lot of Crow served up to the uninformed Jf5 detractors …
July 31st, 2013 at 3:29 pm
@couch fan
yes and the fact of the inability of the pop-star to draft a #1 WR
July 31st, 2013 at 3:50 pm
@ realist
Would you rather have Michael Floyd, Kendall Wright or Mark Barron…..those were the next two WR chosen in the draft.
Justin Blackmon was chosen #5……would you have traded up to get him? In 2011 it was Jonathan Baldwin & Titus Young after we drafted AC….would you want any of them?
Saying that Dominck was “unable” to draft a #1 reciever is just like saying New Orleans didn’t have the ability to draft a #1 QB.
Your obsession with trying to trash Dominick at every opportunity is rediculous. It makes you sound like the idiot that others call you.
Please note that I don’t call you an idiot.
July 31st, 2013 at 3:54 pm
Sounds to me like we might see an even better Williams then we’re already used to. I also think realist wants Bruce Allen back.
July 31st, 2013 at 4:05 pm
@1987
Maybe we got this all wrong….perhaps the “Realist” made a pass at Dominick & was turned down…..
I can’t believe how how he goes out of his way to trash him….many times not making any sense at all.
“inability” to draft a #1 reciever?
When you look at the 2011 draft….there really weren’t any #1 recievers….
t
July 31st, 2013 at 4:34 pm
You mean the Bruce Allen that has been to the playoffs with 3 teams that he has managed. Sure, but i would also take Krusty the Clown over the pop-star right now.
July 31st, 2013 at 5:31 pm
Al Davis was the GM of the Raiders. Not Bruce Allen. He has always worked with others that have had a very strong hand in personnel decisions. Al Davis, Jon Gruden, and Mike Shanahan.
Dominik (and his staff) have been almost exclusively in charge of personnel decisions during Dom’s tenure. A big difference from having established people providing input like Davis, Gruden and Shanahan.
The “Redskins” section on his wiki even says that he is splitting GM duties with Shanahan in Washington.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Allen_%28American_football%29
Bruce Allen may certainly be a very good GM but he has also had some luxuries throughout his career that Dom has never had as a GM.
July 31st, 2013 at 5:45 pm
Ssssoooo your saying he works well with others.
July 31st, 2013 at 6:34 pm
Dom’s made mistakes of course he has. The biggest one being Raheem. Except I don’t think Raheem was Dom’s fault, more so the Glazers fault. It was glaring for all to see they were going cheap after Gruden and all those high salaries they had to pay out over the good years. Man U does not help either. I wish the hell they did not own them and the Bucs, but it is what it is.
July 31st, 2013 at 6:37 pm
and another thing about Dom. The move he made to get Martin in the draft shows he does have a clue. It also negates a few mistakes he may have made along the way.
July 31st, 2013 at 7:15 pm
I am saying the likes of Al Davis (pre-dementia), Jon Gruden, and Shanahan have/had very impressive resumes when compared to the likes of Raheem and Schiano. Not to put down Schiano he is just unproven at this level so far. Very different situations when you have someone else essentially acting as a co-GM as opposed to calling the shots from day one with zero experience as the top guy. This was evidenced by his early and frequent mistakes. He has gotten better every year since being hired. I know you would like to think otherwise but there have been less Derrick Wards and more Vincent Jacksons since he was first hired. Less Xavier Fultons and more Lavonte Davids.
July 31st, 2013 at 7:39 pm
Glad San Diego screwed the pooch letting Vincent Jackson go last offseason, and I’m even happier Dom had the wherewithal to scoop him up in free agency. If we going into the season like this: Jackson, Williams, Ogletree, Underwood & Owusu, we should be a little more dangerous at wideout in 2013 than we were in 2012.
July 31st, 2013 at 8:07 pm
I saw a pre-season preview mag, & it had a feature of a look-see by opposing coaches, & for the Bucs, the anonymous guy said,”’Vincent Jackson is the hardest-working wide receiver I have ever been around.” That may not be verbatim but it is pretty close.