Hoping “College Mentality Doesn’t Bury” Bucs
August 5th, 2013
Whoa!
Former 10-year NFL fullback Heath Evans, now a talking head on NFL Network, dropped a bomb on Bucs fans during an NFC South preview tonight.
Evans said he loves Greg Schiano’s disciplined approach and says the Bucs can win the division if “the college mentality doesn’t bury this team.” Per Evans, players in the New Schiano Order spoke of a burned out Bucs roster in 2012.
“When you started talking to the older vets on this team last year, they were all complaining about one thing. It came about Week 10, ‘We’re tired. We’re exhausted. We’re beat down,'” Evans said. “And everyone blamed Josh Freeman. But all in all, the film told the story. This team was fatigued and beat-down tired.”
You can catch the full video breakdown here. Darren Sharper also is in the analyst mix, and he dropped a solid nickname on Josh Freeman, “Six Flags,” for his rollercoaster ways.
Now Joe can’t speak to Evans’ sources. He did win a ring with Carl Nicks in New Orleans. Joe’s merely speculating there.
Regardless, it’s a strong claim, and one that Joe has a hard time buying. Fatigue didn’t hurt the Bucs when they pasted the Falcons in the season finale, and surely fatigue didn’t make Danny Gorrer (who joined the Bucs midseason) drop a game-winning interception against the Eagles. Were the Bucs tired when the Rams came to Tampa and punched them in the mouth on Dec. 23?
If the Bucs were tired, well, Joe suspects that won’t be the case this season after players have adjusted to the demands of the regime. Joe was up close and personal with Donald Penn today. The guy almost looks slim. When it comes to conditioning, there’s been a real change of attitude and approach from this time last year.
August 5th, 2013 at 9:54 pm
Evans went to my high school in West Palm Bch. Really good guy. Could def see how a young team, fresh from running free and yungry, could quickly flame out once a real coach with real demands comes into town. Schiano was on em like a dog, every single game. Gotta get to ya eventually.
I’d imagine with accountability from vets now something that is apparent with this team that Schiano can just about let go of the reigns.. that is, until they start losing.
August 5th, 2013 at 9:56 pm
Whatever, just another naysayer. After a while I can imagine some might start believe all this negative analysis of MY Bucs. Those that do are in for one hell of a surprise.
August 5th, 2013 at 9:56 pm
HEATH EVAN NFL KISS ASS SAID BUCCANEERS IS THE LAST IN DIVISION … HE CAN!T PICK HIS OWNER NOSE … I AM BET WITH HIM ANYTHING … HEATH EVAN IS THE KISS ASS
August 5th, 2013 at 9:57 pm
I would think that Mr. Schiano has heard this theory. He watches film too…and has bosses to answer to. I’m guessing he spent last year playing hardball trying to run out the selfish/non-team players. If he is so stuck in his “ways” that he doesn’t adapt, he’s not worth being a coach in any league. A good coach (IMO), adapts to the mentality of his players. I have faith he’ll get the hang of it. After all, he is friends with Belicheat -and that counts for something. Additionally, he has Dave Wannstedt and Butch Davis (both former head coaches). Lets just wait and see – to blame the injuries and fatigue of an NFL team on a “style” of coaching is kinda odd as I think regardless of coaching “style”, the NFL season is tough to get through – PERIOD.
August 5th, 2013 at 10:05 pm
I’m with loung up there, loung is my boy. We know MORE than they do right loung?
If I’m wrong then I just spent 1300 bucks for nothing. I don’t gamble with my money. I doubt that I’m wrong. 2013 NFC South Champs, we are Atlanta’s road block. Once again the Saints don’t scare me either. Schiano IS the real deal people. Let me predict this right now about him. He will turn into a better coach than our beloved Dungy. Same goes for Gruden. Mark my words.
August 5th, 2013 at 10:05 pm
Isnt this old news? Didnt schiano himself suggest this about his own coaching performance last year
August 5th, 2013 at 10:09 pm
This isnt the first time I heard the “coach ran a strict and grueling offseason workout and training camp” deal. I remember hearing players in Pittsburgh after the 2007 season, Mike Tomlin’s first. Saying that they were worn down by seasons end.
Mike Tomlin eased up a bit in Camp and OTAs as it wasn;’t as grueling. Schiano did the right thing. Installed discipline and set the bar high and the players who accepted it are here right now.
Heath Evans is one of those that seems highly respectable and I like him as an analyst. Pretty good and honest evaluations. Darren Sharper couldn’t be anymore right on Josh Freeman. I;m not sure fatigue was as big of a factor or how bad it really impacted the play. They did win at Atlanta in week 17 and didn’t show much signs of Fatigue then. I do think youth and inexperience on defense and Freeman crumbling in big games didn’t suit well either.
August 5th, 2013 at 10:18 pm
We came within 1 point of sweeping Atlanta last year, but they are the ones we should be worried about and not the team that blew us out 41-0? With Peyton Back I expect a much better New Orleans.
August 5th, 2013 at 10:24 pm
I buy it. I’ve independently considered that as a possibility before.
It actually makes a lot of sense…. And makes a lot of sense why Schiano eased up this year. They identified the problem and are working to correct it. Schiano and multiple players have come out and mentioned the open discussions they’ve had with the “open door” to Schiano’s office, particularly guys like GMC, who have a lot of pull. Connecting the dots is all too easy.
If this is truly the case, it’s good to know that Schiano if flexible enough to adjust and adapt accordingly.
August 5th, 2013 at 10:43 pm
I DON!T WHY . THEY HATE COACH GREG SCHIANO . I AM DON!T GIVE THE F**K WHAT NFL BULLSH*T SAID . I AM STIIL WITH THE BUCCANEERS. BEC
August 5th, 2013 at 10:48 pm
DO YOU SEE BUCCANEERS LOST TO THE NEWORLEAN 3 TIME ????? NEVER AND NEVER AND ATLANTA ??????? YOU TELL ME
August 5th, 2013 at 11:00 pm
Anyone claiming the Bucs finish last are simply too tied into the bad teams Espn and others that they are obsessed with and don’t put together that the bucs offense was strong last year and their run d was ranked number one. Add the best corner and safety in the game and several solid rookies for defense and you’re looking at a team better than the falcons 1-53. If healthy we’ll all laugh at the haters
August 5th, 2013 at 11:20 pm
Preach it loung, preach it. loung and me will be in here all season long keepin real for you all.
Couch Fan your right about N.O but I expect a split with them and a sweep of Atlanta. I’m not just going by last season either when making this prediction. The past is the past. I can tell you this though N.O. is not going to run over MY Bucs this season at all.
August 5th, 2013 at 11:32 pm
HI .BRO . THIS STORY I AM PISS BRO . JUST LOOKING MY PICK IN SUPER BOWL . RAVEN VS 49 … WHAT I AM SAID ON FACE BOOK …. JUST CHECK BRO . LOUNG LIEM MY FACE BOOK .. SEE YA
August 5th, 2013 at 11:36 pm
@ loung …YOU DON’T HAVE TO YELL ….bro
August 5th, 2013 at 11:37 pm
I only have one thing to say here. What Vets? The only true veteran players we had playing during week 10 were Ronde( who was 300 years old) Dalas Clark ( who hasn’t played a full season in years) Penn who didn’t seem tire and Jackson who didn’t seem tired. Ronde and Clark might have been tired but im sure that had more to do with age and injuries than anything else. And Penn’s and Jackson’s play didn’t really tail off at all. So what Veterans?
August 5th, 2013 at 11:46 pm
If this is true, how did NFL teams manage just a few years ago. You know, when they actually had two a days, and they actually practiced in pads more than a handful of times during the season. I don’t buy it, not for one second. Make absolutely no mistake about it, we lost because Freeman went Trent Dilfer on us for about a 4 or 5 game stretch. 4 picks in consecutive games and someone has the audacity to blame fatigue????? Are you kidding me? You turn the ball over multiple times per game, you are going to lose. Besides, half the damn guys in our horrible secondary weren’t even on the team at the beginning of the season. We were absolutely crippled with injuries, as seems to be the case every year since 2012. Barron may have hit a rookie wall, but that happens to most rookies, hence the term “ROOKIE WALL”.
Heath Evans has never once been anything but critical about the Bucs. That’s totally fine. In fact, I love it. Keep doing it. Hopefully we have some guys on the team that get pissed off, just like Sapp and Brooks (and others) did back in the day. I don’t want any experts to predict success for us. I don’t even want them to know any of our players. We’ll do our talking on the football field come September. For now, I’m totally happy just laying low.
August 5th, 2013 at 11:53 pm
What’s funny is when all those guys start making their game predictions, how many times will they pick against the Bucs until they finally start picking the Bucs. I already predict that 70% of the ones who have talked unfavorable about the Bucs so far, pick the Bucs over the Jets…. lol Even though they talk about the Jets 24-7, and they hold them in a higher regard than the Bucs, they won’t put their money where the mouths are and pick the Jets.. That would be foolish. 🙂
August 5th, 2013 at 11:56 pm
@ Hawaiian Buc …your so right. I hope they post a bunch of this nonsense that has been said all summer about MY Bucs up in the locker room for all to see. And I don’t mean your nonsense robert or Mean D. I mean the supposed “experts” nonsense.
August 6th, 2013 at 12:17 am
thank you MR hawaiian .. and buc1987
August 6th, 2013 at 12:28 am
I disagree with Evans 4th place prediction, but the fatigue factor caught my eye. I think it speaks to the lack of depth on the Bucs Roster more than anything and also lack of veteran leadership in 2012.
I think Leadership IS on the 2013 Roster, but depth is still a question mark that this preseason needs to solve
August 6th, 2013 at 12:45 am
I felt much the same just watching this team last season. Not just physical fatigue either.
To his credit Schiano said he’d lighten up. What should be noted is that lots of ripped bodies reported to camp.
August 6th, 2013 at 12:49 am
just be healthy BUCS and the big ship go straight .. trust me ,,,
August 6th, 2013 at 1:02 am
Turns out miguel was right haters…Put that in ur pipe and smoke it! Everybody jumped on the old guy daily but ya eating sh!t now. You know who you are!
Joe my first game is tomorrow they made me FS. I will let you know how it went. I have been gone from the site because of off season training. I gained 10lb of muscle. Football fans try playing ball before you go throwing your opinion around!
August 6th, 2013 at 1:23 am
I see Sac is off his meds again.
August 6th, 2013 at 1:34 am
So we aren’t allowed to have an opinion unless we play football? Damn, I missed that in the rules of JBF. What if I sign up in a flag football league? Does that count? How about if I just play a lot of Madden? Am I eligible then?
Panties will now go in a wad in 5, 4, 3, 2 ……..
August 6th, 2013 at 4:04 am
All yall some bitch boys any how..esp hawii 50 ya
August 6th, 2013 at 4:10 am
Hacker
August 6th, 2013 at 5:04 am
All yall some bitch boys??? Gee..what scary language. Do you use that tone when you ask people..”Yall want fries wit dat?”
August 6th, 2013 at 5:21 am
Heath Evans took one to many hits to the dome. Ditto Hawaiian. The new practice restrictions make it that much easier on teams over the long haul. Unless you have a bunch of old-timers. Which we didnt.
That dude Heath is just another NFL network rookie analyst, trying to make something about a team he knows nothing about.
@Sac. keep injecting that shit, and soon you wont have a sac. or keep running your mouth to random people…. and eventually, well, just focus on your upcoming game.
August 6th, 2013 at 5:31 am
And as usual the conversation deteriorates. Thanks for the humor Bobby. I heard Heath Evans last night and it was just another one of his typical Saints bias remarks. How can any team be worked too hard with the NFLPA rules in place? Tired because the team was bringing in street free agents to play in the secondary who were less fit to play? Tired because the depth on the O-Line and D-Line got depleted by injury? Tired because a lot of youngsters were in the line-up and perhaps they did hit the “Rookie Wall”. I guess there’s a “Schiano Wall” in Heath Evans world. Perception vs reality at its best. As I recall, there are tough coaches in the NFL who aren’t classified as “college mentality” coaches. Somebody had to get this team de-punked.
August 6th, 2013 at 7:18 am
Annoying national media once again going off with half cocked ideas of what the truth is. It’s becoming amusing how silly they can be.
August 6th, 2013 at 9:17 am
It really is true they know very little about the team. I heard some predicting our season record and talking about how we “drafted a rookie QB out of Tennessee in the 4th round”. Great research there. I understand. The Bucs have been off the radar since the Sapp years and people feel they are once again ‘the Yucs’. That’s OK. It will be fun to hear them talking about how this team ‘took everyone by surprise’ this year. We who follow the team know it should be no surprise. This team is absolutely loaded with pro bowl talent and if Freeman joins those ranks we will be lethal. I think this year is the breakout year. I look for us to do what San Francisco did when they got Harbaugh, we’re just a year behind. Playoffs for sure this year, super bowl soon.
August 6th, 2013 at 9:41 am
i don’t see how a team can be overworked under the current collective bargaining agreement.
Just another example of the wussification of america. How did the old timers survive much less play on Sundays when they practiced in pads all week. I don’t get the national media taking shots at teams when they take 60 second snap shots and read a few twitter feeds and all of a sudden they are experts on every team.
I have noticed watching all the off-season press conferences that Schiano is a different man / coach this year. He set the tone last year and now is letting his team leaders play enforcers. Doesn’t mean he will not step in if needed but by no means is he overworking the team. Bunch of punks the media is… Hard-work built America not that anyone under 40 would understand that concept with today’s entitlement generation. Hawaiian buc fan got it right. Freeman’s implosion did the bucs in and the lack of any secondary. I am not sure the bucs are ready for a super bowl run but I firmly believe they will make a playoff run and sneak up on a few teams.
August 6th, 2013 at 9:56 am
“Now Joe can’t speak to Evans’ sources. He did win a ring with Carl Nicks in New Orleans. Joe’s merely speculating there.”
How could it be Nicks? He wasn’t even there.
This is the exact same thing as the “sources” that claimed Schiano didn’t like Freeman. These guys hear one thing from one person, or a rumor, and they run it as fact. Never bothering to investigate and verify.
Media integrity is a thing of the past.
August 6th, 2013 at 9:57 am
This is a team with. Pro bowler or potential pro bowler at every position:
QB- if Freeman can play consistently like he did in mod season-yes
RB- yes
WR- yes (potentially two)
T- yes
G- yes
C- potentially
CB- yes
S- yes
Dt- yes
Lb-yes(David was a pro bowler in my eyes)
This is more than most teams in the nfl.
THIS TEAM IS LOADED. GO BUCS!
August 6th, 2013 at 10:34 am
I’d feel better if the college mentally wasn’t from Rutgers with not even a Big East Title. Not to mention his coaching hero is Dave Wannstedt.
The other teams got a read on the guy as the season progressed. He didn’t have an answer.
New Year, with NO at full strength, we shall see.
Color me highly skeptical.
August 6th, 2013 at 10:38 am
LOVE THE BUCCANEERS VS ATLANTA FALCON
August 6th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
SacBucs…I hope someone breaks your leg and ends your career.
August 6th, 2013 at 1:52 pm
That’s because you have no clue how to evaluate talent Eric. How do you explain the win at Atlanta to end the season if the Bucs had no answer? I maintain our record should have and would have been 11-5 if we had any pass D at all. I look for us to be at least that this year. Don’t see how you can be skeptical if you watched the games last year. With the additions we made in the off season I don’t see how we regress.
It also shows how little you know about the Rutgers program and how far Schiano brought tht program with literally zero recruiting power compared to the rest of the schools in the Big East. He certainly has Belichick’s respect and looking at Belichick’s record prior to coming to New England you probably would have been ‘skeptical’ about him too.
August 6th, 2013 at 3:13 pm
Eric simply doesn’t have the mental capacity to understand the landscape of college athletics. He is convinced that college football is a level playing field. In his eyes, powerhouse teams like Alabama, USC, and Oklahoma are only good as a result of coaching. Put Nick Saban at Central Florida, Hawaii, or Rutgers and the championships will be pouring in. Isn’t that right Eric?
August 6th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
@Buc1987,
That’s pretty hard to happen in a 40 and over women’s 2 hand touch football league.
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:42 pm
Buc1987 Says:
SacBucs…I hope someone breaks your leg and ends your career.
……………………….
Seriously?! You curse a man’s health and livelihood?! For all your double-rainbow-in-the-sky optimism, that’s some especially dark sauce.
Enough is enough: No-one voted you Julie Cruise Director, JBF is NOT your front parlor, and you are NOT a Glazer so they are not YOUR Buccaneers. Opinions need not be the same as yours to be valid.
That being said, lemme say as a longtime lurker (year 1? 2? of JBF),
I appreciate–and more often than not–share your enthusiasm, but seriously…stop taking names and recording comments and building cases in your mind/on your PC. That (and wishing physical harm upon people) is just SCARY. Please bring the kinder gentler football-oriented non-litigious Buc1987 back to the message boards.