“No Better Example Of Player And Team Fit”
November 20th, 2015
Renowned NFL Films guru Greg Cosell also works with the Eagles as part of a regular Xs and Os podcast on their official website.
This week, Cosell dove into all things Bucs in preparation for the Philly-Tampa Bay matchup on Sunday.
Cosell raved quite a bit about 21-year-old rookie Kwon Alexander. He said his pre-draft notes specifically stated Alexander, at 227 pounds, was the perfect Lovie Smith linebacker. And Cosell believes Alexander has delivered big time.
He considers Alexander and Lavonte David a premier NFL linebacker tandem and Alexander is “no better example of player and team fit.”
The emerging consistency of the Bucs’ defense — not greatness, consistency — is allowing the Bucs to blitz more, Cosell says, and run various defensive variations not often seen under Lovie Smith.
Cosell also had warm and fuzzy things to say about Jude Adjei-Barimah, the new starting undrafted cornerback.
Of course, Cosell, like most dissecting the Bucs, has great admiration for the disruption caused by Gerald McCoy.
November 20th, 2015 at 4:27 pm
I have to say that I’m honored to use his uncles name.
I tried to think of the greatest screen-name of all time and I came up
with this choice.
That said, McCoy takes a lot of BS from trolls and some of the media.
Once the Bucs start winning the McCoy trolls will have no choice but to go
back under the bridge.
He’s doing exactly what Sapp did: Playing with a bum shoulder.
November 20th, 2015 at 4:50 pm
Go Bucs!!
November 20th, 2015 at 6:01 pm
Howard Cosell broke the news on Monday Night Football that John Lennon was shot. I was watching.
November 20th, 2015 at 6:18 pm
Honestly, I feel that we will get more production out of McCoy and the d-line now that the back end is playing better. The LB’s coverage drops were awful, and there corners and safety play may have been even worse. I noticed a lot more holding on to the ball by Cassell last week. That will lead to more pressure from the line. I hope J. Smith returns healthy because I can see him turning that corner with his speed. Better coverage, pressure from the edge, push up the middle (by McCoy), and timely blitzes will lead to more sacks.
I like McCoy, and I will admit he does need help around him. I made this account after the Giants game because the image of him chatting with Giants players on the Jumbo-tron during a critical TO period pi$$ed me off. None of his teammates were doing that, but our “defensive leader”.
Again, look at the coaches film of the ATL game and watch McCoy’s reaction after Jac Smith’s fumble recovery. McCoy is a talent, and we need him to produce and help get us over the hump.
Go Bucs!
November 20th, 2015 at 6:48 pm
Where’s the link Joe?
November 20th, 2015 at 7:13 pm
I got this feeling we are going to win big in Philly. Our Bucs are improving. Lovie has been sayin from jump, We are a good team. I want to see Lovie do well. Lot of folks have been callin for his head. We beat Philly? Who knows how long the streak could continue..as we keep improving. I”m all in on Jameis. He gets the team motivated and they believe in him. Our Bucs go on a 4 or 5 game winning streak, no telling what could happen if we get all of our players healthy. Lets watch our defense closely this Sunday. If they play well? We win easily.
GO BUCS!!
November 20th, 2015 at 8:30 pm
I have the same feeling I have to admit im impressed with our new qb I see the bucs winning big
November 20th, 2015 at 10:12 pm
Its funny, but you can almost see both sides of the McCoy argument. Yes you can call him disruptive. He takes on double teams and seems to have push into the backfield. And at the same time, you can go for long periods of time in a game. And not even notice he is on the field. It is rare to see McCoy make a really “game-changing” play though. A big sack in a big moment. Or a strip for a fumble to stop a drive late. He just doesn’t have those moments.
So for all the talk of pro bowl this and disruptive that. To me he is just a frustrating player to watch. When you would like to see more impact on the field.
November 20th, 2015 at 10:59 pm
I really do disagree with you there AJ. McCoy is playing hurt. Even then, he draws double teams. That says it all. A lot of his double teams lead to others getting sacks. Teams always game plan for him. And as far as defenses go? Disruptive can be enough…with other help of course.
November 21st, 2015 at 3:50 am
But, it’s his whole career we are talking about here. During McCoy healthy seasons he didn’t make many big plays late in the game. But, I’m sure the excuse is he’s tired… There were long stretches, during his healthy season, he’s getting man handled by one guy. I like McCoy, but I’m going to call a spade a spade.
What’s going on is like everyone but Leborn James playing well enough to win. If McCoy can get a minimum of 5 tackles a game while the defense played like they did Dallas, then our shot of making the playoff are real. Now, it’s just up in the air.
At this point no one is a 100% healthy, yet some guys still produce more than one tackle a game. It’s either suck it up and play or take a game off to heal.
The one play McCoy blew up was a one on one block. There was much more one on one that he just lost them or got push well out position.
It’s not Trolling if it’s true.
November 21st, 2015 at 8:10 am
I listen to Cosell every Thursday on Ross Tucker’s NFL podcast. It’s really refreshing to listen to a guy that doesn’t talk about anything except what he sees on film. I don’t think there’s anyone else like that out there right now.
November 21st, 2015 at 10:26 am
McCoy is and always has been the problem. When we replaced him our defense really started to click. All those slants that were being completed….no more! The sieve that used to be our DB’s……all taken care of and all it took was getting rid of McCoy. He’s been the weak link with the lack of sacks. Oh wait a second….I gues we just replaced the DB’s and McCoy is still playing. Hmmmmm….maybe McCoy wasn’t the problem at all. Maybe fans aren’t as smart as they think they are….. RED86 should be wearing a T-shirt that says “I’m An Idiot”
November 21st, 2015 at 3:52 pm
@Bobby, You can’t argue with imbeciles, when McCoy gets pressure and creates havoc there is nobody there to get the qb when he is flushed from the pocket. We need more defensive line help, period.
November 22nd, 2015 at 1:00 am
Good teams are built in the trenches and the points on the lack of help from the DE’s is dead on. Now that we are finally getting the support needed from the secondary it becomes a glaring need for QB pressure. What do Jacquies Smith, George Johnson and Howard Jones have in common? UDFA’s. Look how well a 4th round DE pick is playing? William Gholston. When Cosell refers to the emerging consistency, the driver is that this group is now reacting as opposed to thinking. Which is the key to this defense. Jude Adjei-Barimah, Sterling Moore, Alterraun Verner, Chris Conte, Bradley McDougald, Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David now are confident in their roles and are executing. The Eagles are going to be a true barometer of how improved this team really is? This is a game against a good football team. A game we have no right winning.