Get Ready For Hitting In Training Camp
June 13th, 2014
In many ways, Bucs coach Lovie Smith is old school. Lovie believes in embracing weather elements and being physical. And that’s just what fans can expect with training camp next month.
Minicamp yesterday was only over for a handful of minutes and Lovie was already looking to the future. And the heat. And the crack of pads.
“A lot of coaches say we like to do two-a-days, but you can’t do two-a-days anymore,” Lovie lamented. “Our version of two-a-days we’ll be doing, now you can have a walk-through in the morning. We’ll use all four hours, whether it’s walk-through or practice each day. Most of the time we go out on the football field, I don’t believe in having a lot of – after the first couple of days or so once you can put the pads on, we’ll be in pads just about every day. That’ll be our routine for the most part.
Practicing in pads, “it’s a big jump, so that’s why we know a lot more about our football team. Look at it like when you go out for college workouts and you see the guys go through a lot drills. And when you get hands on with them, get a chance to meet with them, see what they can handle in the classroom, but it’s about the physical part of the game, putting on the pads, so we can’t get too high [now].
“The depth chart means a little bit more, but not a whole lot. We need to see the players in a different situation, especially our linemen, offensive lineman, what can you tell right now? Most of the time you heard me ‘Stop, stop,’ it’s more ‘stop, stop, it’s no contact.’ Now it’ll be, ‘We’re going to turn you loose now on both sides of the football.’ I’m anxious to see some of the 1-on-1 battles: offensive line, defensive line. And even though we won’t tackle and body slam our running backs every play, but the blocking upfront, offensive, defensive line they’re all full speed always. I’m looking forward to that.”
Per NFL labor rules, the first day of training camp (reporting day, July 24) is limited to physicals and meetings, no field work. The second day of training camp is when the first practice is held. During the first two days of practice (July 25 and 26), the Bucs cannot be in pads. After that, buckle your chin strap.
At that point, Bucs fans and Joe can begin to see if the defense is taking shape. During underwear football, which is basically two-hand touch while wearing a helmet, it’s awfully difficult to judge how linebackers and safties are playing, much less a pass rush.
June 13th, 2014 at 2:07 pm
The pads coming on for camp gets me amped and worried at the same time. We need to stay healthy in order to have as good a season as I think we can.
June 13th, 2014 at 2:17 pm
Yes. No injuries please bucs and no more MRSA
June 13th, 2014 at 2:19 pm
I’ll admit I did not like the Lovie or Frasier hi because I thought Lovie was too laid back and frasier hiring jfro was an idiot thing to do.
that being said. I could not be happier than everything I am hearing about the Bucs now. glad they got good people and the team really sounds refreshed.
June 13th, 2014 at 2:19 pm
Bring on training camp. If I have to read the Joe’s reference OTA’s has underwear football (we get it!!) one more time I’m going to go insane. It’s as mind numbing as the Big Dog using ‘ as far as that’s concerned’.
With that said I’m pumped for this years training camp. I believe the fan base is ready to explode and get behind this team.. Go Bucs..
June 13th, 2014 at 2:23 pm
I am excited to see the D do its thing, and I have no doubt they will. But come July we can see if that Oline can keep McCown from getting killed and open holes for Martin/Sims. Man, if they can do that, we could have a very respectable season.
In our first game, the Panthers D may be really good, BUT they have no LT and not one WR that caught a pass for them last year. Bucs win! Bucs win! as Gene will be screaming… Can you almost hear him now…?
June 13th, 2014 at 2:40 pm
Old school dude (pre-CBA) knows that this is where you separate the men from the boys – when you know just what you got. For instance WR Owusu has been impressive at OTAs. But as I recall last year when the bullets were real, he didn’t fare as well. Hope that was just rookie jitters, but this is where we all get to find out.
Looking forwarding to a tough but safe camp for everyone. Can’t afford to lose any troops before we see the whites of their eyes (regular season)! Go Bucs!
June 13th, 2014 at 3:08 pm
“underwear football” and “speed in space”…..both of these wear me OUT!!!
June 13th, 2014 at 3:57 pm
Brandon Flowers released by the Chiefs. Do the bucs look at him ?
June 13th, 2014 at 4:03 pm
Nope. Too expensive.
June 13th, 2014 at 4:06 pm
@ robert8
Frazier never wanted to bring in Freeman, but had to when the vikings owner Zygi Wilf demanded it. Cant exactly to your boss “no” in a situation like that.
Still remember Wilf coaching Freeman on what to say during his intro phone conference. smh.
June 13th, 2014 at 5:53 pm
Six weeks!
June 14th, 2014 at 6:56 am
Bob- I agree this fan base is excited about what is going on right now and ready to go nuts…as far as that’s concerned!
June 15th, 2014 at 7:01 pm
We have more depth now of quality players than ever before and we need real hitting now to give us a big advantage when the real season begins because too many teams pamper their starters to avoid injuries and we can jump them in the Florida heat when the season begins. I believe our guys have learned the new systems better than ever and now they need to play it physically at full speed so it becomes automatic!!!