The Rub-Off Factor
May 26th, 2016
Joe vividly recalls a chat three years ago with then-Bucs pass rush coach and ex-NFL great Bryan Cox talking about how Gerald McCoy needed to raise his game.
Cox said McCoy needed to bring others along for his Pro Bowl ride. Cox’s contention was the greats of the game make those around them better, and he was talking primarily about McCoy’s mates on the defensive line.
Fast-forward to Tuesday of this week, Donovan Smith was asked about improving. He essentially said it is inevitable for him because he’s driven constantly by America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
“When you have a guy like Jameis [Winston] who’s 24/7, ‘Get better, get better at something,’ it forces you, even if you don’t want to – not saying I don’t want to – even if you don’t want to, to get to that level,” Smith said.
“Being around him – you know, we hang out a lot – it’s always something that I’m looking at whether it’s punching, my feet, keeping my knee inside on my kick, stuff like that. It’s about the little details and stuff like that that I try to fix and look at. I definitely do want it – probably [worse] than anybody – to be the best and I have to do anything to be the best, whether it’s understanding the plays and on the field, so everything.”
That says it all so well.
For those wondering, Joe saw only one man sprinting off the Bucs practice field at the conclusion of the OTA session on Tuesday. It was Jameis, still wearing his helmet.
May 26th, 2016 at 10:18 am
Bucs are in good hands now that Jameis is in the house. He will lead us right into the Suoer Bowl before we know it. He’s something else, bucs fans should thank their lucky to stars to have him on our team!
May 26th, 2016 at 10:52 am
Jameis, Martin, Aguayo, a Defense with Alexander’s mentality and yes we are going to good places in our Buccaneer ship. Sails will definitely be up and running.
Go Bucs!!!
May 26th, 2016 at 10:57 am
I love the intangibles in players licht is looking for. Not only are these players exceptional at what they do, the want to get better by any means necessary.
May 26th, 2016 at 11:00 am
Joe, I noticed that you got the chance to ask Jameis two questions at his OTA presser
A question I would love for Jameis to be asked:
At your end of the season press conference, you said that the goal of the off season would be fixing the “why’s” of why your teammates were playing the game of football. Was there any progress made there during the offseason and can you explain what you’ve seen in that area so far?
May 27th, 2016 at 1:37 am
What stood out to me about Donovan’s comment was that he is the one who brought Winston up, so you know that it was real. I often cringe a little when reporters are interviewing other players and they keep asking the player about Winston. So of coarse they have to support their team mate and say something positive about him. In this case, it was Donovan himself who started thalking about how Winston is pulling everyone with him and making them better. Thats powerful stuff right there!