Change Is Norm For Johnthan Banks
July 19th, 2013
One of the obstacles for rookies trying to jump off the bus running into the NFL is change. There’s a new town (far more often than not) to move to, new teammates become familiar with and most importantly, new coaches and likely a new scheme to learn.
Adapting to new coaches shouldn’t be much of a concern with Bucs rookie cornerback Johnthan Banks. While at Mississippi State, Banks had four different defensive coordinators. Banks told Joe yesterday after the first day of Bucs rookie school that change isn’t much of a bother to him.
“I can handle it. I am a grown man. Change is change. You just have to be able to handle it. I am a corner. Whatever they ask me to do, that’s what I will be willing to do no matter what it is.
“I think it is more mental than physical in his camp. [Mississippi State] Coach [Dan] Mullen is very similar in a lot of ways. Both are workaholics. I don’t think [training camp] will be [anything] I cannot handle.”
Banks has an interesting attitude. He’s sort of a quiet buy, but with loads of confidence. It’s not really cockiness, but confidence.
Joe knows many NFL types point to coaching changes as such a disruption that it takes many players a couple of years to fully ingrain themselves into a new scheme.
The fact that Banks has been able to do this four times in four years, when he was a kid, not an adult, and still excel speaks volumes to Joe that he is both a versatile and an intelligent player.
July 19th, 2013 at 2:37 pm
I really like what I hear from this kid. Like you say, Joe… he seems like a quiet guy with a lot of confidence, not cockiness. We now have three guys on our roster that could be second round steals. If Bowers pans out returning from injury and stepping into the starting role, there’s one. Lavonte David, in my mind, has already proven last year he’s a stud in this league. And now Banks. If Banks can step up to be that #2 CB, even better if he can step up and be a 2nd #1 shut-down CB to Revis, things will be looking very exciting on D for years (combined with a couple 1st round guys in Barron, GMC and Clayborn and a 3rd round Foster). If they can keep this group together, it could get scary. That’s 7 of 11 extremely young, potentially talented guys that could create the base of something special.
July 19th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
with that kind of confidence maybe he can help restore the swagger that this defense used to have. I miss that swag.
July 19th, 2013 at 2:46 pm
I like Banks, good head on his shoulders. I hope he earns the #2 job, put Wright in the slot.
July 19th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
Actually, looking at the roster, the entire youth of the team still amazes me (even with the FA additions of Jackson, Nicks, Revis and Goldson). And last year they seemed to be maturing already, until late in the season. Think about this young group of starters and backups if they can grow together this year and in the future…
21 – Spence, Gholston, and Eric Page
23 – Banks, Barron, Bowers, Ahmad Black, Glennon, David, Mike James, Leonard Johnson
24 – Doug Martin, Mason Foster
25 – Freeman, Clayborn, GMC, Ogletree, Watson, Stocker
That’s a lot of 25 and under guys. There are a few more at the 26 group. Looks like where the team is starting to age is on the O-line. Zuttah and Dotson are the youngest at 27, and Penn the oldest at 30. I may have to look up the team average ages across the league and see how we stack up.
July 19th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
I just hope that half our fan base doesn’t turn on this guy when he gives up a completion on third down. We’ve got some pretty tough critics.
July 19th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
@BamBamBuc
Banks has great character, maturity and a “Buccaneer Man” attitude.
As I mentioned in another post…I believe there is little risk of him becoming a Talib. With most rookies, I reccommend that they hire a driver. I don’t think that will be necessary for Banks. His wife can drive him.
With all these young defensive players….you forgot to mention Marvin!!! After all, wasn’t he a third round steal?
July 19th, 2013 at 3:44 pm
Sorry….meant Myron!!!
July 19th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
I think that’s true for a lot of players. Some are able to adapt to changes better than others. Let’s look at our LB’s, Foster, and David, both had good college careers but when Foster was put in the mike position in his rookie year, he struggled. He wasn’t as fast to adapt to the new system and he showed signs of confusion. Whereas when L. David was put in the mike he excelled exponentially. He had the uncanny ability to adapt quickly and precisely, like a veteran. Not many rookies make such an impact in their first year as David did but hopefully Banks can do exactly the same at his position.