“He’s Teaching Me A Lot Of Stuff I Didn’t Know”
July 31st, 2016
Kwon Alexander opens up. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
Kwon Alexander dropped a slab of red meat in the laps of those who like to shake their heads at Lovie Smith.
Joe talked to Alexander yesterday after Day 3 of training camp. The Bucs’ middle linebacker shared word of a unified, fast-learning defense.
“Energy good. Man, you know, a lot of chemistry with the defense now. You know, everybody together,” Kwon said. “Everybody just want to go out there; we want to win this year. We’re sticking together. No individuality out there. All team.”
On his new linebackers coach, veteran NFL man Mark Duffner, Kwon spoke of enlightenment. “He cool. He cool, man. He’s a real good coach. He’s teaching me a lot of stuff I didn’t know. I can’t wait to play for him. Technical stuff, new stuff that I never heard of, it’s just making me a better player and I’m going out executing.”
Joe gets that Kwon isn’t yet 22 years old, but it was an eyebrow raiser to hear him reference the deep education he’s getting from his position coach. Keep in mind, last year Kwon was coached by Bucs icon Hardy Nickerson. And Lovie Smith, an ex-linebackers coach himself, pegged Kwon early as the playcaller and voice of the defense. Sure, Lovie and Nickerson didn’t dump the kitchen sink on a rookie fourth-round pick, but hearing Kwon speak of learning new football concepts and skills makes Joe wonder.
July 31st, 2016 at 8:06 am
It makes me wonder too Joe
July 31st, 2016 at 8:41 am
Lovie gets credit for drafting Kwon….I guess…
July 31st, 2016 at 8:41 am
Nothing to wonder, you said it, he was a rookie MLB, calling plays. Previous staff drafted this guy to play A different position but because of their experience, they made a way for Kwon to get out he field and make an impact. You gotta figure Lovie coached and likely learned a thing or two coaching the Bucs LB’s back in the day as well as Brian Urlacher. I would guess that GMC who is under his 4th/5th d-line coach has learned something new from Hayes
July 31st, 2016 at 9:48 am
I wouldn’t read to much into Kwon’s words. He is so young and he still has much to learn. The infamous Bruce Lee was a fan of learning new techniques from everyone he studied with.
Maybe Mark Duffner had a few tricks up his sleeve neither Hardy or Lovie were familiar with or maybe its the way it was taught. And just because Kwon sees it as new doesn’t make it good.
A player should strive to learn something new from each and every coach they play for.
July 31st, 2016 at 9:54 am
This is hardly a surprising. The entire defense was poorly coached for 2 years not just the linebackers. Hardy Nickerson was a great player that being said he was coaching high school and had very little nfl coaching experience when the incompetent one came calling. . Not all great players make great coaches. Urlacher was an All Pro long before Lovie arrived in chicago so lets not rewrite history nor confuse the fact lovie simply is and was a horrible coach whose stubbornness and ignorance did not allow for hin to evolve with the game. The entire lovie smith experiment was a total failure. You can’t live in or try to recreate the past that’s what losers do. The lovie smith expeeiment was nothing more than a failed publicity stunt by glazers. Thankfully there is a qualified staff here now and we should great improvement from all players.
July 31st, 2016 at 9:59 am
Thanks for sharing your – One on One conversations w/”Genghis” Kwon. – Joe
A young linebacker – That goes after every ball carrier with an aggressive tenacity – that can’t be denied#youngsavage
Side Bar: Ya’ll slipping on the “Toddler” Color Rush Jerseys. Where’s the one for Kwon Alexander bruh??.
July 31st, 2016 at 10:05 am
Always good to hear a good player wants to learn and lead.
I agree completely with you Tmax.
July 31st, 2016 at 10:07 am
The only excuse I can possibly think of is that last year the D coaches wanted to spoon feed a rookie…much as Koetter didn’t throw everything @#3 his rookie year.
OK Tmax don’t unload on me…LOL…I’m not saying I accept that excuse…just that it’s the only excuse I can think of…trying to help out Mike and Big Hog. 🙂
July 31st, 2016 at 10:13 am
You’re talking about the same Kwon Alexander that was “turning out Pro Bowl-caliber production” under Lovie Smith’s coaching staff right? Just checking.
July 31st, 2016 at 10:15 am
Stpete
I would not dare go after such a fine gentleman like yourself. You know down deep that i am right but the optimist in you has to look for good and i respect that. The world needs people like you and Tampabaybucfan to offset brutally honest pricks like myself.
July 31st, 2016 at 10:21 am
A few more shovels of dirt on Lovie’s Bucs grave should just about cover it. So happy to have Kwon on this team. Full sails ahead.
July 31st, 2016 at 10:37 am
He cool, man.
I love Kwon lol
July 31st, 2016 at 10:50 am
Any1 else notice that NFL network has had ZERO coverage of bucs training camp? All the other garbage teams are getting air time but NEVER us. I’m soo sick of being the redheaded step child of the NFL. This sh1t has to change this year, MAKE these muthatruckers talk about us.
July 31st, 2016 at 11:04 am
Mr. StPeteBucsFan, I say this with no malice intended, you keep your hand, I can stand and hold my own against the notorious Temax, after reading the blog, there’s nothing here to speak on, Kwon is in his second year with new coaches, new teammates, time to keep learning and growing into a prime time player. This guy is a player, and will no doubt get even better no matter who his coach is this year even if his coach was Temax or Reslist or DB55!
July 31st, 2016 at 11:06 am
tmax…lmao
July 31st, 2016 at 11:12 am
Tmax
I agree with your post except for one word…I would never call you a prick..but you are brutally honest.
What I truly respect about you though is that you are brutally honest about yourself as well. I can handle “brutal” honesty from anyone as long as they include themselves in that honesty and so kudos to you for that,
July 31st, 2016 at 11:14 am
@BigHog
This guy is a player, and will no doubt get even better no matter who his coach is this year even if his coach was Temax or Reslist or DB55!
Hey…now there’s a sentiment I think we all agree with Big Hog. Well done bro.
July 31st, 2016 at 11:21 am
Joe…… Anytime now with some notes on camo today.
July 31st, 2016 at 11:25 am
Did somebody say brutally honest pricks? Well good morning ya’ll. I must admit I would be a better linebacker coach than Lovie. I played mlb in hs. Lmao
July 31st, 2016 at 11:38 am
Did someone call me? Good morning Bucs Brethren.
July 31st, 2016 at 11:39 am
HireJimbo..
You are correct..all this 16 hours of coverage a day..no Bucs YET..maybe it’s the heat out here those fookers can’t take…
Love Kwon’s “alabemah” accent..August 3, he’s turning 22..Just want him to get to Pro Bowl this year.
July 31st, 2016 at 11:41 am
I played offensive guard, would have loved to meet your ass in the trenches!! OOOooooo what rush! PANCAKE! Now that brutality honest but I ain’t no prick!
July 31st, 2016 at 11:51 am
HIRE JIMBO
We were talking about this yesterday. Who the hell cares if the national media is talking about us. I can’t stand sports center anymore. Most the time they are looking down at there Q-cards which lets me know they really dont know jack $h!t. I suppose NFL Network is better, but i think we would have to become a dynasty before any nationals follow the bucs. Stick with better locals
July 31st, 2016 at 11:56 am
Pancakes for breakfast? You’re too sweet BIGHOG but I already ate maybe the next time I go out with your wife you can make us breakfast. #feeltheburn🔥🔥🔥
July 31st, 2016 at 12:06 pm
TMax
Brutally honest prick was my second screen name choice. …..decided on Dooshlarue though, it has a bit more flare.
Keep the truth coming man!
July 31st, 2016 at 1:15 pm
DB55: no thin skin here, as long as she gets what she went out with you for pencil dick!
July 31st, 2016 at 1:47 pm
DB55: So your the reason for my brand new 55 inch big screen! I apologize, thanks for all you do, make sure your having safe sex, just a heads up! She wasn’t my wife, she just went with it! TRUMP SIZE IDIOT!
July 31st, 2016 at 2:48 pm
Good ole Joe throwin out the last of his..Lovie Bait Meat before preseason. Feed’em Joe..Feed’em!
July 31st, 2016 at 2:52 pm
I dont think Kwon is a good example of Coach Smiths failure. He is one of the few success stories from the D over the last two years. I would also hope that he would be learning new things going into his 2nd year and in a new system. But I wont fault anything he did or didnt learn last year as it produced fine results.
August 1st, 2016 at 8:51 am
What is the deal on this site with the habit of accusing people of something based on the thinnest of info and evidence? If a 2nd year player is learning something new, his old coaches must not have taught him anything! Whaaaaat?
In a related note, how many of you are voting for Trump?