Mentality-Builder
October 18th, 2016
Mental boost was needed?
Ever since Lavonte David admitted to a mental breakdown immediately following the first snap of 2015 (yes, the first snap.) Joe has been very sensitive to the collective mentality of the Bucs.
Frankly, David’s historic comment shook Joe’s soul to its core.
So Joe was paying close attention when offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Todd Monken talked about the Bucs’ collective psyche against the Panthers. Speaking on the Buccaneers Radio Network last night, Monken seemed to paint a picture of a team that needed a confidence jolt entering the game. And Jacquizz Rodgers and friends delivered it early.
“To see us on the road be able to run it. And on third downs, we ran it twice and got it,” Monken said of the Bucs’ opening drive. “I think that did so much just for our team, our team’s, you know, the feeling of that night and, ‘Ok, we’re good. We’re fine.”
Joe appreciates the candor from Monken. Yes, the Bucs were reeling on a three-game losing streak before facing Carolina. But it’s still disheartening to hear the team might have been a little shaky mentally at kickoff, but that’s reality when you’ve endured so much losing — for so many years.
Joe hopes the Bucs have turned a corner with their collective confidence. If so, they should be able to move to 3-3 after their weekend trip to San Francisco.
October 18th, 2016 at 3:48 pm
Mentality and composure are terrific. All of that is wonderful, but it needs to translate – or its just more words being flung by a soon to be ex-coaching staff. Screw all the self-help talk. Win the damn games!!!!
October 18th, 2016 at 3:50 pm
And by the way, if I had a nickel for all the times I heard of this team either talking about or being described as being on the cusp on winning, or some general equivalent – let’s just say I wouldn’t need to work any more.
Win damn it!
October 18th, 2016 at 3:54 pm
Louis my friend, leave no stone unturned that might make a difference. We should try everything.
October 18th, 2016 at 4:08 pm
Agree that confidence is crucial. It can’t hurt. They haven’t turned a corner as far as I know yet, More like the rounding of a curve at just the right speed dodging the roadkill.
October 18th, 2016 at 4:17 pm
personally Joe. You have all these accolades for all the players that i’m thinking they are reading their own press clippings.
They think they are better than they are.
That goes for coaching and players alike.
October 18th, 2016 at 4:49 pm
A few stories back Joe was discussing Lavonte’s numbers and I thought about his comment last year. Very concerning if a single play can spin a team around and get them thinking they can’t win. A single play! There’s 59 minutes of play time left and already they are depressed and uncertain about the outcome! Mental toughness, control of emotions, focus on consistency and repetition with encouragement from the coaches will go a long way. I just thought at this level of play and the amount of experience a player brings to the field, that they wouldn’t need sound play to pick them up, lift their spirits and help convince them ‘they can do this’. I understand they are still young men with some maturing required. To me, this is where the coaches must add value. It’s not all x’s and o’s. It’s lifting the organization out of the lower levels of the NFL by sound management of players and the whole organization.
October 18th, 2016 at 5:09 pm
VJ is done!!! Placed on IR!!!!!! I tried to tell eveyone after the first game that he was not right!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!
October 18th, 2016 at 5:11 pm
Well… VJax on IR… move on…
October 18th, 2016 at 5:14 pm
Poring my drink out for #83. It was real. #peace
October 18th, 2016 at 5:18 pm
I hate to see it end this way!! He played great for the Bucs!!!! And was one of the very few things that the popstar did right!!!!! and as great of a player he was, he is even more a very valued person in the Tampa Bay Area!!! I hope he has laid done roots as this area is better with VJ83 in it!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!
October 18th, 2016 at 5:25 pm
Agreed Realist and DB55. V-Jax was a consummate pro his entire time here.
Three 1000+ yard seasons in a row.
Damn shame we never got a playoff shot with him here.
Thanks V-Jax. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
October 18th, 2016 at 5:27 pm
Time to call Roddy white
October 18th, 2016 at 5:28 pm
I did warn everyone directly after the first game!!!!!!!!!
The Buc Realist Says:
September 11th, 2016 at 4:54 pm
Is any one else a little worried about VJ83??? he had 2 catches but look very slow and was single covered??? is the injury still bothering him, or age???????????
October 18th, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Queue the 2nd round pick comments…
October 18th, 2016 at 7:29 pm
A trip across the country playing in a different time zone even against a sub par team is no easy task. This game in my opinion is a must win game. The Bucs have to be able to beat the teams they should beat in order to have the confidence and mental strength to steal a game against a team they shouldn’t beat. That’s how you end up in the playoffs. If Jameis plays smart and does not turn the ball over and the Bucs manage to craft a running game this could be an easy win. If they turn it over and get behind early they will have a long day on the left coast.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:34 pm
It is hard to gain confidence while losing. Winning cures all.
October 19th, 2016 at 11:19 am
This team has been losing for a long time, years and years.
Can’t expect this new regime to have cured that culture in 5 games. Keep winning!