7 A.M. At One Buc Palace
August 1st, 2016
“It’s awesome,” Dirk Koetter says.
Dirk Koetter shed light today on what makes him smile daily at 7 a.m.
And it has nothing to do with the mind-blowing work ethic of America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
Koetter told media today that it’s the sight of 21-year-old Kwon Alexander at work.
“I love how Kwon’s working with ‘Smitty’ [defensive coordinator Mike Smith]. It’s great to see when I’m going down the hallway every morning at seven o’clock in the morning and Kwon and Smitty are in there on the chalkboard having a 45 minute 1-on-1,” Koetter said. “It’s awesome to see Smitty sitting at a desk and Kwon standing at the board with a grease pen in his hand – it’s awesome. As a guy that’s a quarterback coach, to see ‘Smitty’ and Kwon in there in the mornings does my heart good.”
Months ago Koetter referenced Kwon as being the “Jameis of the defense.” So none of this is too surprising, but the reality of it all is impressive.
About a half an hour after Koetter spoke, Jameis explained that Kwon asked him how to best study and prepare. So Jameis took that inquiry to the Pro Bowl and helped Kwon get some answers.
“One person I met was [Dallas Cowboys linebacker] Sean Lee at the Pro Bowl. And I was like, ‘Sean, how can I get Kwon to get like you?’ From the study points because Kwon always asks me like, ‘How do you study?,’ and I was like, ‘Man, I’m not a middle linebacker, you’ve got to ask [Carolina Panthers linebacker] Luke Kuechly, or one of the main guys.’ So he reached out to Sean Lee, got some information from him. And ever since then, he’s been willing to just want to be the quarterback for that defense and he’s been doing a great job.”
This is awesome, but Joe can’t help but wonder where Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks in this mix. Brooks always says publicly that he’s available to Bucs players if they reach out. It seems odd that Kwon wouldn’t be tapping Brooks for all the tips he could want. Plus, former Bucs Pro Bowl middle linebacker Shelton Quarles is a personnel executive for the Bucs. Joe’s confident Quarles could be one hell of a resource.
Regardless, Joe is so glad Kwon completed Jason Licht’s grand slam in the 2015 NFL Draft.
August 1st, 2016 at 9:24 pm
The days of Mark Dominick polluting our roster with Da’Quans and Roymillers is LONG GONE!!!!
August 1st, 2016 at 9:25 pm
And who could forget the serial king loafer of them all Adrian Slowborn.I ever see Dumbanick on the streets we’re going to throw hands
August 1st, 2016 at 9:41 pm
Chromolly- I’d love to have kept Roy Miller. Beast against the run and still playing great.
As for quarles and db55…. I think he does talk to them too
August 1st, 2016 at 9:41 pm
Love it.
Jameis and Kwon are the young generals of this new Bucs era.
I also think LVD and GMC are going to have monster seasons this year.
August 1st, 2016 at 9:42 pm
Now if Smitty can just keep Kwon away from those wonderful “energy drinks” perhaps he can settle in a play 16 outstanding games this season.
August 1st, 2016 at 9:46 pm
This looks like Kwon Alexander will be one of our best “steals” in the draft in a very long time.
I’ve got my fingers crossed that Ryan Smith is another 4th round steal….we’ll see.
August 1st, 2016 at 10:03 pm
Jason Licth’s grand slam! SMDH! Kwon was a LOVIE pick! That should ruffle some feathers.
August 1st, 2016 at 10:05 pm
lol Throw hands?
August 1st, 2016 at 10:47 pm
It might if it was accurate. #Whoops
August 1st, 2016 at 10:52 pm
I saw ALL the pressers and Kwon got me with head-on chill bumps on places I didn’t know can get chill bumps.
Smitty’s interview..Good lord, I am so damn glad he’s with us..wow..
And I am pulling so hard for Mike Evans, he’s such a good guy and with all he’s been through..I am really praying so hard that he gets those mental mistakes in check..and he will..
August 1st, 2016 at 10:55 pm
Joe..
Derrick Brooks..any chance you can ask him when or if he’s going to reach out to Kwon?..He follows you I think on Twitter..I know I am reaching here, but you’re so respected by our past players..
August 11 is almost here..GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!
August 1st, 2016 at 10:58 pm
Once again BigHogHaynes can’t go 24 hours without proving how ignorant he is…
August 1st, 2016 at 11:16 pm
“This is awesome, but Joe can’t help but wonder where Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks in this mix. Brooks always says publicly that he’s available to Bucs players if they reach out. It seems odd that Kwon wouldn’t be tapping Brooks for all the tips he could want. Plus, former Bucs Pro Bowl middle linebacker Shelton Quarles is a personnel executive for the Bucs. Joe’s confident Quarles could be one hell of a resource.”
– I think Joe, that it’s more about ‘How do you prepare for “today’s” NFL.’ Both Brooks (’08) and Quarles (’06) have been out of the daily grind of game prep for a near decade. Sean Lee started when those guys finished.
August 1st, 2016 at 11:25 pm
I haven’t seen the Bucs like this since back in the glory years. Seriously. The team hadn’t had this kind of energy in ovet a decade. From Lovie, to Schiano, back to Rah and all the way back to the Jeff Garcia era, this is the most pumped I have seen this team to go out and compete. It was just speculation during the offseason but even Mike Johnson would have to admit it counts for something now that we are seeing it manifest in training camp. And soon enough we will see it on Sundays.
August 1st, 2016 at 11:34 pm
@Largo
I was thinking the same thing. I’d find it very interesting if Joe started a feature called…This time a year ago. He could run the most pertinent headline from training camp this time a year ago to provide some perspective.
I know I could probably comb the archives myself but I’m too lazy. I’m hoping Joe has some interns with time on their hands.
But it would be very interesting to see the stories from this time last year.
One meme I remember was everybody freaking about #3’s training camp ints.
August 1st, 2016 at 11:51 pm
Great insight, Joe! Kwan can take over a game by himself–we saw that last year. We also lost our last four games without him so we know how valuable he is. He will be even more valuable this year.
August 2nd, 2016 at 12:50 am
Jason Licht said Kwon was the 28th best player in the 2015 draft based on where he was positioned on the Bucs draft board.
Alexander was chosen by the Bucs in the 4th round with the 124th pick.
What better example of outstanding evaluation is there than this pick?
The Bucs (according to their own draft board) have drafted SEVEN 1st round talents in the last 2 years.
Winston, D. Smith, Marpet, Kwon, Hargreaves, N. Spence and Aguayo all carried 1st round grades according to the Bucs evaluation.
TBBF – Licht also said that Ryan Smith – while not graded as a 1st rounder – was a good bit higher on the Bucs board than where he was selected with the 108th pick in the 4th round.
The front office is KILLING it people.
The Glazers finally got it right in giving full control of the personnel decisions to Jason Licht.
This team with Licht as the GM and Winston as the QB is about to go on a decade-plus long streak of major “relevance”. I think it is very possible we win at least 2 or 3 SBs in the next 10 years.
August 2nd, 2016 at 9:10 am
Big ups Pick.. Now if they can’t understand that they slow.