Daryl Smith: Hard But Smart Camp Looms
June 23rd, 2016
Daryl Smith says Dirk Koetter has a plan
Old man receiver Vincent Jackson spent time watching spring practices with sunglasses on and looking relaxed.
But the oldest Buccaneer had a different kind of April, May and June.
While the Bucs kept Jackson fresh and free of injury, new Buccaneers linebacker Daryl Smith, who has missed only 18 games through 12 full NFL seasons, was on the practice field every minute
Recently on SiriusXM NFL Radio, the 34-year-old Smith explained that Dirk Koetter ran a hard but smart spring, referring to players getting lots of work in without helmets and efforts made to avoid burnout without sacrificing tempo and learning.
“He’s been keeping things fun and interesting,” Smith said of Koetter. “And the way we’ve been working, you know, we’ve been working very hard but also smart. He said it will continue on in training camp.”
Sirius co-host Kirk Morrison, a 2010 teammate of Smith in Jacksonville, needled Smith about Koetter going easy on guys meaning Smith get his share of “vet days,” time off during the summer grind.
“I haven’t taken a veteran day yet. I got some saved up,” Smith said laughing.
Morrison earlier called Smith the “most instinctive” teammate he ever had and a great teacher of young players. That bodes will for Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander.
Smith said former NFL running back Fred Taylor played a big part in his development. Taylor, he said, repeatedly taught him that he was tipping off blitzes and other movement.
As former Koetter possibly running a training camp easier than other teams’, Joe is very cynical about that subject. Two-a-day practices in pads were the norm before the new labor agreement of 2011. Every training camp is too easy nowadays.
June 23rd, 2016 at 2:40 pm
You have too give the old heads some rest, you can’t over work them during camp. What good would they be, come game day?.
June 23rd, 2016 at 3:06 pm
have to agree,Joe
Players are not in the same shape as they were pre 2011. Injuries have increased,I believe because of this.Many teams aren’t prepared to play by the first game of season,and it takes them a game or two to get in SYNC.
June 23rd, 2016 at 3:18 pm
Do you know if the Buccs are practicing the seahawks’ style of rugby tackling, Joe? I heard a guy mention “hawks tackling” on Steve and Landry yesterday and thought that would cut down major on our injuries and concussions. I was watching some of Carroll’s video and he said they can get a lot done even without pads because they practice that method of “safe” tackling. It seems simple, safe, and effective – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOCtUFwxsFU
June 23rd, 2016 at 3:44 pm
Koetter seems to have a little old-school in him, so I doubt he’ll be running an easy camp. However, heat and dehydration are wildcards you have to account for and you don’t want to overlook that. I mean, even in morning practices, the Bucs are gonna be working in higher heat and humidity than most other teams anyway.
June 23rd, 2016 at 4:21 pm
Smith is smart, saving his vet days for the days they are in pads
June 24th, 2016 at 7:43 am
I think this is a smart move not burning out your players and keeping them fresh. As well as the vets. Remeber how Gruden use to give Galloway off and keep him fresh? That certainly worked out for the best. Gruden called him “the white tiger” because u rarely saw him at practice lol. The FL heat is no joke. The sun is NOT your friend Lovie Smith, he is your enemy. It will be interesting to see if this technique benefits us during home games this season.
June 24th, 2016 at 8:18 am
salish_seamonster Says:
“I mean, even in morning practices, the Bucs are gonna be working in higher heat and humidity than most other teams anyway.”
This time of year? Ever been to Miami, Jacksonville, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, New Orleans, Charlotte, Nashville, Chicago, Washington, Detroit, Kansas City, or maybe, Pittsburgh or Baltimore during the summer? No picnic for ANYBODY with full pads on.