Bryan Cox, Jr. Holds No Grudge
January 20th, 2017
DE prospect gets help from Bucs scouts.
If the name Bryan Cox, Jr. sort of rings a bell, it should.
His dad, Bryan Cox, not only was a stud linebacker in his day, he also was a pretty damned good defensive coach for the Bucs under former Bucs commander Greg Schiano.
Alas, Cox lost his job when Schiano was booted in the wake of leaky, sleepy Josh Freeman wigging out. Cox, however, landed with the Dixie Chicks and he’s on the cusp of coaching in the Super Bowl.
The younger Cox played at the University of Florida and this week is one of many players who participating in the East-West Shrine Game practices and events in St. Petersburg. The East-West Shrine Game is Saturday at the Fruitdome and will be broadcast live on NFL Network at 3 p.m.
Joe wondered if Cox had any lingering bitterness because his dad was launched by the Bucs roughly three years ago this month.
He scoffed at the notion.
“Oh, no! Not at all!” Cox said after practice Thursday at Shorecrest High School. “That ain’t even history, man. That’s business. Every day, you have to approach it as a business. Things happen. [Cox’s dad] is where he is now and he has a great opportunity.”
And maybe young Cox’s opportunity could come with the Bucs. He said he had a nice long meeting with the Bucs and one thing that impressed him was Bucs representatives provided feedback on what he needed to work on to stick with an NFL team.
“Some of the scouts said I need to work on my lower flexibility,” said Cox, a defensive end. “I had hip surgery, I am recovering from it but I can get more flexible. I can definitely still improve and I look forward to it.
“We had a good meeting, a good interview.”
Cox’s senior season in Gainesville was a wash due to that hip injury. In his sophomore and junior years, Cox combined for 75 tackles, 36 solo, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
For more on Cox, the video interview below is by Turron Davenport of Football Gameplan.
January 20th, 2017 at 8:33 am
Kid played hard every down. Was injured this year but always brings it. I know he and his dad are happy not to be in Tampa as Dad is getting ready to coach to go to the Super Bowl.
January 20th, 2017 at 9:12 am
I wouldn’t count Aaron Rodgers out just yet mike.
January 20th, 2017 at 9:15 am
I know it’s not PC to look at human athletes like we gauge horses…checking out their bloodlines for indication of possible future success but I can’t help it.
This is one of the reasons I put a positive check behind Cox and Christian McCaffery. Both of their fathers have done it already in the NFL…both these kids grew up on NFL fields and it doesn’t awe them at all…just the family business.
I was a big fan of Brian Cox…if this kid has his fathers nasty attitude he’d certainly be worth a long long look if his hip has truly healed.
January 20th, 2017 at 9:17 am
Hmmmm…..Hip issues and guys named Bryan…Brian (Price) don’t necessarily go well with the Bucs.
January 20th, 2017 at 9:35 am
I was always a big fan of Bryan Cox Sr.
One of my favorite NFL Films videos is of Bryan standing in the visiting tunnel in a playoff game against the Buffalo Bills waiting to be announced to the crowd.
All of the Bills fans were screaming….
You suck Cox!
You suck Cox!
🙂
January 20th, 2017 at 9:49 am
Great story Dave. I love to have the player the other team’s fans love to hate.
January 20th, 2017 at 10:06 am
he has a great motor….plays the game with passion….his game is similar to Robert ayers….GO BUCS!!!!
January 20th, 2017 at 11:13 am
As I recall, Cox was one of the bright spots of the Schiano administration.
January 20th, 2017 at 11:44 am
For every Matthews family legacy there are 20 other father son combos that didn’t work, example Chris Simms, Jarrod Payton, Dorsetts kid, etc booodlines can sometimes get you in the NFL for a cup of tea, but you got to have skills and the right opportunity
January 20th, 2017 at 2:33 pm
That’s just how every NFL analyst (inaccurately) describes Adrian Clayborn’s. 🙁