“One Word Stuck Out To Me”
December 14th, 2016
Clear change
Perhaps the most significant question in the history of Tampa Bay football (not including “What happened to Josh Freeman?) was posed to Derrick Brooks this week.
It was a simple query by WDAE-AM 620 host J.P. Peterson. Peterson asked Brooks to please explain how a Bucs defense could go from thoroughly dreadful six weeks ago to consistently lights out and suffocating.
Brooks didn’t hesitate.
“It happened, you know, one day at a time, one meeting at a time, one correction at a time, one question at a time. And they did not rush the process,” Brooks said.
“Through that simple approach and more so a self-check in the mirror, you started to get that, where everybody started to understand the simplified version of what they’re doing. … The answers [were] inside the building, and just getting comfortable with what they were doing. Just do it better.
“And one word stuck out to me where I see a very big difference new versus six weeks ago: It’s ‘effort.’ I see a different football team now and the effort plays that are being made in all phases of the football team, particularly on defense. All these spectacular plays and the game-changing plays, they’re happening because the Bucs are making the routine plays through effort. And winning the effort battle, you win the effort battle from the start through the end, you’re going to win probably some battles that you shouldn’t throughout the football game. And I see a lot of that here, really from all phases of the football team, not just the effort.”
Yes, effort is quite a magic tonic, especially at the end of the season when so many teams have players booking tee times and beach vacations to the Dominican Republic.
Finally, teams facing the Bucs are leaving the game knowing they battled a relentless defense. If that continues, Bucs fans will be smiling in January.
Catch Derrick Brooks on Tampa-2 this afternoon at 4 p.m. on WDAE-AM 620, immediately followed by the JoeBucsFan.com Hour at 5.
December 14th, 2016 at 12:06 pm
Agree with Brooks 100%.
The games against the Rams, Panthers, Raiders, and 2nd Falcons the team just didn’t have that hustle or urgency. It was same ole Bucs.
Things started changing against Chicago, and the the effort really ramped up against KC and Seattle.
This team knows how to win. Now we just need to continue to play hard and smart, and get more going on the offensive side.
December 14th, 2016 at 12:10 pm
Effort is overrated. Best way to be successful is for football players to refrain from using foul language.
Regards.
Incompetent Lovie Smith
December 14th, 2016 at 12:13 pm
Brooks is great. I recall him saying there was effort lacking back when we were bad. Thank god for our team Pastor / Motivational Speaker Jameis Winston.
December 14th, 2016 at 12:18 pm
Effort should never be an issue or questioned. Glad Ayers his here to finally lead this defense.
December 14th, 2016 at 12:34 pm
3rd and 3…4th qtr Brees driving for the go ahead TD 1 min left (we’ve seen this before). Brees throws a short pass underneath… any other season this would have been a first down and then some. Suddenly, like a bat out of hell appears McDougald like a missile and makes a savage hit on the WR and stops him short of the marker…4th and 1… Brees has last chance… INT… GAME OVER…McDougald wasn’t even in the TV frame when the ball was caught. THAT MY FRIENDS IS EFFORT! THAT IS THE WILL TO WIN. COVERING EVERY BLADE OF GRASS. AND THE REASON I BELIEVE OUR D WILL BEAST OUT SUNDAY NIGHT AGAIN. #FUKKKTHECOWHOES
December 14th, 2016 at 12:39 pm
I always thought in was going to take the defense 8 games to learn what Mike smith wanted from them & I believe they can still get better but they have to keep working.
December 14th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
The energy is electric. You can feel it at Ray Jay and you can feel it when watching this team. That swagger is coming back. The confidence is titled upward and this team is tasting some success but remaining focused. This is what Superbowl contenders are made of. It’s a beautiful thing. Embrace it.
December 14th, 2016 at 1:14 pm
I agree. You can see it on tv even before the replay. Brooks was pointing out too that the effort starts in film sessions and on the practice field. Very important point for young players.
December 14th, 2016 at 1:16 pm
Its good to know that in 1996 after 9 games the Bucs finally found “effort” and gave “effort” according to Mr derrick brooks!!!!!!
December 14th, 2016 at 1:43 pm
No doubt the effort level has been tremendous but it all started when the D-line got healthy and the pass rush picked up. Winning gets people fired up, which leads to even more effort. But immense effort isn’t enough if you don’t have talent, and we now have the talent up front — that’s what made the difference IMO.
December 14th, 2016 at 1:57 pm
Wish we could get the uni design back that DB is wearing in the pic. I hope DK’s offense fully flowers Sunday night even if there still are a few walking wounded. Go Tampa Bay!!!!!
December 14th, 2016 at 2:08 pm
@tmaxcon…..I agree….he demands relentless effort every play and isn’t scared to call you out if he see’s anything less….GO BUCS!!!!
December 14th, 2016 at 2:32 pm
Well two words stand out to me “BUCTOWN BULLIES”. We not only have effort but we are punking offenses and taking the ball away.
December 14th, 2016 at 2:35 pm
“Who’s your favorite player?”
Well put Parnell! It’s no coincidence!
December 14th, 2016 at 2:52 pm
To any cboys fans that may quietly peeking inn on this forum understand something there is a high “RedTide” coming on Sunday.
December 14th, 2016 at 3:38 pm
Please tell me the Bucs have reached out to Michael Floyd after being cut by the Cardinals. Don’t care about the DUI. Everyone has those.
December 14th, 2016 at 3:45 pm
Cards CUT Michael Floyd.
If we went after Huff, nothing should stop us from going after this guy.
Playoffs baby!!!
Let’s go!
Go Bucs!
December 14th, 2016 at 3:49 pm
Joe, any thought of Michael Floyd getting cut, he has plenty of talent, but always had to contend with 5 different targets each week, he’d be easily the best number 2 WR here, maybe won’t help much the next couple of weeks, but could be a factor in the playoffs
December 14th, 2016 at 4:13 pm
Is Michael Floyd good?
December 14th, 2016 at 5:38 pm
It’s like Neo in the Matrix. He couldn’t become great until like Morpheus said “he’s starting to believe! ” The players are starting to believe they can be great. With every passing game it gets stronger. Having Jameis on this team has been such a good thing. He’s getting all the players to believe! True franchise qb!
December 14th, 2016 at 6:52 pm
Gotta give Ayres top dog billing for nasty, but Clinton McDonald gave a fiery pregame last week too.
Point is D is all about more than one guy. Look at what’s happened since McCoy has had some help.
Hell, look what’s happened since the back 7 has had some help up front.
December 14th, 2016 at 9:05 pm
I think the defense finally bought into what mike smith was doing. It was a new defense, new scheme, new way to play. At the begining of the season the players relied on their instincts and last experience, not so much what they were being freshly coached. But as they played the games and Mike and the stafd was able to get players to fix their technique and instincts. It finally all came together. As many of the bics have said, the team started playing unselfishly, started being a family. Each guy had anothers back and they finallt became a unit instead of 11 guys just running around. It took everything that brooks said and more. I do think the chemistry and leadership played a huge part in the turn around. Past teams would have ignored the coaches and the team would have folded after a beating like the bucs took against ATL. But this team’s leadership and chemistry is too strong to let others give up. I love what has happened here. I have dreamed this would happen countless times. Now i just hope we can sustain this level and become a force for the next decade or 2.