“I Am Not Used To Schiano”
July 16th, 2013
Free agent linebacker Jonathan Casillas isn’t sure what to expect when he reports for training camp next week.
When the wide-eyed flock of Bucs rookies starts practicing with the veterans next week, it will be a rude awakening. No longer are they in Starkville or Raleigh or Champaign or Lansing.
They are now in the big leagues of football. The NFL.
Well, it’s not just rookies who will be baptized into the New Schiano Order. So too will free agent veterans. Last night, Bucs free agent linebacker Jonathan Casillas spoke with Gil Brandt and Alex Marvez, co-hosts of “Late Hits,” heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, and explained even after spending the spring with the Bucs, he’s unsure what will take place next week when he reports to camp.
Alex Marvez: Do you know what to expect in Tampa Bay, right now? Are you familiar with what Greg Schiano may be putting you guys through? Do you know what is going to be asked of you as you try to make an impact in 2013 with the Bucs?
Jonathan Casillas: I want to say I do because I have spent several weeks out there, a couple of months out there in OTAs and minicamp and offseason workouts. But training camp is always different. I know that. The level is going to be cranked up because I am not used to “Coach.” I am not used to Schiano. I am trying to do all I can to be prepared for the worst, whatever he can throw at me.
I understand the climate I am in. New Orleans is a lot similar with the humidity and the high temperatures. Difference is, in New Orleans we actually had an indoor facility. You would go in there several times a week. Being outside in [that weather] every day is tough. You have to go in there every day in shape and make sure you are hydrated every day.
It is a difficult process to keep up because you may lose six-to-seven pounds per practices. That is very tough to keep that on. That is just some of the demands of playing in the southern area like that. I know I am aware of it.
It almost sounds as if the humidity is already in Casillas’ head, like he’s almost psyched out already. It’s like anything else. Players who play in Green Bay or Chicago or Cleveland or Buffalo get used to the bitter, harsh winters of December. As gross as it sounds, your body adjusts.
The thing is, the Bucs hope to use those searing hot September and October Sundays to make other teams wilt. Embrace the heat, don’t fight it, and for Godsakes drink a lot of water.
July 16th, 2013 at 9:07 am
Hmmm… they should try, just for a year, to not practice in the heat every day.
Keep the players in tip top shape. Then simulate games in the week once or twice a week.
July 16th, 2013 at 9:07 am
I hope the team is pushed too hard in camp. Obviously it needs to be intense to a degree to see who can rise to the top of the depth chart, but we need to keep our key guys healthy this year if we want any chance of seeing success.
July 16th, 2013 at 9:08 am
Once or twice a week in the heat.
July 16th, 2013 at 9:08 am
ISNT pushed too hard in camp is what I meant to say
July 16th, 2013 at 9:13 am
This is pretty much why I’m one of the few people who like the Trop more than Ray Jay. A/C is underrated.
July 16th, 2013 at 9:16 am
Nobody gets used to Schiano! My advice to Casillas – keep your eye on Dekoda Watson. Everything that Watson does, try to do it better!
July 16th, 2013 at 9:18 am
Tampa is nothing like NO. The only teams that come close are Miami, Houston and Dallas for outdoor training camps. Miami can be even worse.
July 16th, 2013 at 9:48 am
LOL guys they need to practice everyday in the heat! The heat is our home field advantage, hell if you don’t want them to practice in the heat we need to just put tutus and flags on them.
July 16th, 2013 at 9:52 am
Bonzai, you are right, Tampa is nothing like NO, New Orleans actually sells out all of their games and has a great QB
July 16th, 2013 at 9:53 am
Bonzai, you are right Tampa is nothing like New Orleans, New Orleans actually sells out their home games and has a great QB
July 16th, 2013 at 10:12 am
Tim’s right the heat is the Bucs home field advantage. Wasn’t it Raheem that used to have a few practices a week indoors? I could be wrong though. If the Bucs are going to practice indoors then lets build a dome on top of RJS. If not then maybe save the indoor practices for the actual season. Like when they go up north to play a cold weather game. Just practice indoors and drop the temp down to about 40 degrees. Hmmm I like my idea, maybe I’ll e-mail Dominik and pass it on.
July 16th, 2013 at 10:17 am
The Bucs home schedule really doesn’t give us much of an advantage with heat.
The first 1pm home game is vs Arizona on 9/29 then Phil on 10/13 and then not until 12/6 vs Buff.
I realize that it can be hot at 4pm and night in Tampa but not like 1pm.
I believe the Bucs use the heat to condition their players. That plus our youth shows up in the 2nd half and later in the season.
So…the heat is a net plus for the Bucs.
July 16th, 2013 at 10:20 am
I think it is the heat as to why this team seems to have lost their legs in the last third of the season last year. I agree, that the temperature can be to our advantage, but our opponent only has to endure up 3 hours of it, whereas our players deal with it practically every single day. The body may be able to endure the longer it is exposed, but after a while it has to eventually have some negative effect on their own stamina. I hope Schiano backs off just a little this camp, allow these guys to slowly acclimate themselves to this stifling hot weather. Especially during the season, wearing them out in the heat before games is counter productive in my opinion.
July 16th, 2013 at 10:28 am
I’ve seen my local high school’s cross country team run 4 miles a day in this heat. Course there not wearing pads and hitting eachother either.
July 16th, 2013 at 10:28 am
@Buc n Junkie
You may have a point but surely with 35+ years experience with the heat the Bucs organization has studied this issue before now and has to have come to the conclusion that it is either an advantage or a non-factor.
If they concluded otherwise, it would have shown up in their practice regimen with more indoor practices etc.
July 16th, 2013 at 10:33 am
I don’t think our failure during the last third of the season was do to lack of conditioning or the heat.
I believe it was the following:
Inconsistancy at QB
Mounting Injuries
Coaching
I’d love to see a W-L record for the Bucs with high-heat games. I think we know we haven’t done well in low temps but those are also on the road.
July 16th, 2013 at 10:39 am
The EXACT reason I left that wretched state after suffering through 27 miserable years there. No seasons, too hot and humid, and too many folks not from FL effing up the state. Why they didn’t build a dome is beyond me. I went to FSU and went to 3 games live. Screw the weather there
July 16th, 2013 at 10:39 am
The EXACT reason I left that wretched state after suffering through 27 miserable years there. No seasons, too hot and humid, and too many folks not from FL effing up the state. Why they didn’t build a dome is beyond me. I went to FSU and went to 3 games live. Screw the weather there
July 16th, 2013 at 10:44 am
@tampabaybucfan
I know you’re thinking outside the box and I truly appreciate that but I don’t think the organisation itself has any bearing on whether the head coach decides to practice in or outdoors. If this team is put through the gauntlet in this heat again and they hit that wall 2/3 into the season. We might want to consider this as a possible reason. J.M.O.
July 16th, 2013 at 10:49 am
Are Dan and Jeff the same person??? Lol
Trololololololololololo lololololo
July 16th, 2013 at 10:58 am
he’ll be fine. in a couple of weeks he will be used to it. just got to remember to drink plenty of fluids. think about those construction workers who have to work in this heat every day. if they can manage so can he.
July 16th, 2013 at 11:02 am
@Buc n Junkie
I don’t deny that heat is a factor and it may be a negative one….but, one would think that the Organization would have some input here….especially if their experience is that it has impacted the previous teams in the last third of the year.
Surely, Schiano….given that data would adjust his protocol.
If not, we deserve what we get.
July 16th, 2013 at 11:49 am
ITs FLORIDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
construction workers, migrant workers, landscapers etc….. the all work 1o hour days in this heat. A few several hour workouts aint gonna kill them. Just drink fluids and don’t come in hung over/drained of fluids.
I think it’s over hyped IMO
July 16th, 2013 at 11:54 am
He better embrace the heat and Schiano real quick or find a new team. A real star does not restart a career in a new place by bitching about a new opportunity. Or did I miss something ?
July 16th, 2013 at 11:58 am
Wow for once I agree with robert. ding ding ding ring the bell we have a match.
July 16th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Schiano’s already backed off some, we’ll see if when he did his self evaluation if he considered the heat as one factor for the team hitting the wall. Could it be that they were zapped and needed some rest. The body, for a while can be trained to endure such conditions, but when repeated on almost a daily basis for an entire season it has to have some reverse effect on the body eventually. Anybody ever been heat sick? You don’t just jump back from that on a daily basis. The body eventually can’t take it anymore and you slow down. Keep them fresh coach. A delicate balance, conditioned and fresh.
July 16th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
that’s one thing I think it was rah rah who did right……take em over to Tropicana field for some A/C once in a while!
July 16th, 2013 at 12:27 pm
He knows about the conditioning test, right? Start running now.
July 16th, 2013 at 4:32 pm
I disagree I’d say he’s more aware and prepared for the kind of climate/environment he’s about to endure.
July 17th, 2013 at 6:02 am
Finally a post from Robert on which I totally concur. Being in the construction field myself, those guys have it tough this time of year. Heat is uncomfortable, cold hurts.