“Mindset” Is The Next Step
January 11th, 2017
Call out your brothers, says Robert Ayers.
So where do the Bucs stand mentally?
Veteran defensive end Robert Ayers, the bully on the block, thinks Tampa Bay is getting there.
Ayers played in a Super Bowl with the Broncos and was a favorite of whip-cracker Tom Coughlin with the Giants. He knows what greatness should look like.
Recently on the Buccaneers Radio Network, Ayers explained that former Patriots stud linebacker Jerod Mayo (2008-2015) is a close friend of his. And through that relationship, Ayers shared he knows there’s a total focus in New England on winning every day, every single moment. Competition is part of the everyday Patriots life.
Ayers says that massive level of accountability and seriousness is what the Bucs have to achieve. And it starts and ends with the players.
“Not just the coaches, it has to be the players, too. We have to hold each other [to that winning standard]. More so than the coaches holding us to that standard,” Ayers said. “We have to have that respect for one another [to call each other out]. You gotta be able to challenge your brothers. You gotta be able to push each other.
“I think we’re taking huge steps in getting things in the right direction.”
Ayers added a long rant about how he’s obsessed with winning.
“I think every time I do a rep I’m going to win,” Ayers said. “Teamss that are successful, they have that same mindset.”
Remember last week when general manager Jason Licht revealed to JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman that “a lot of our guys” treated the finale against Carolina as a playoff game? That’s what the Bucs need just a little bit more of — that relentless-fight mindset.
Joe’s glad to hear that Ayers thinks they’re close. He’s not one to sling a bunch of BS.
January 11th, 2017 at 8:40 am
This guy IMHO marks the true turning point of this franchise and the start of a new…….
Wait For It….
“ERA”
January 11th, 2017 at 8:41 am
I love Ayers”Warrior” mentality
I just wished GMC aka “Mr Softie” had this mindset made these kind of comments too.
……..but no, he’s too busy smiling in pregame huddles and putting grandma to sleep with his pregame pep talks.
January 11th, 2017 at 8:49 am
The NEW bucs are determined and driven to win. Unfortunately the hold overs do not share same mentality nor passion for game. It’s a shame and very damaging to team when soft players are in perceived leadership roles. Bullys build character build on Mr Ayers the defense needs you badly to offset the last seven years of soft serv and non existentent “Special” seasons
January 11th, 2017 at 9:00 am
First time taking a crack at this GMC redirect… Perhaps something not talked about enough is the fact GMC is an interior line man…
Most of the negative I hear is that he is not the game changer his contract pays him to be… This leads to the idea he is to soft…
I think the FACT he is a no show some games FOR WHATEVER THE REASON leads us to believe the effort is not there…
HOWEVER…. The only way you can truly evaluate an individual player as among the best WITHIN A TEAM SPORT… Is if the TEAMS around the individual are equal or close to equal…
It will be very interesting to see what direction GMC career heads in NOW THAT HE HAS AN EQUALLY TALENTED TEAM AROUND HIM ON DEFENSE…
Clearly his peers RESPECT the heck out of him…. SO TO SHOULD THE FANS…
Judge not least you want to be judged…. (read between the lines here.)
January 11th, 2017 at 9:05 am
Yap, Yap, Yap all that is…is talk Ayers couldn’t do it by himself, yes he was a starter with a gift for gab, but how many games did he dominate, we still need depth on that D-Line! My new MANTRA: “10 will get you some in” I’m ready for the Yap, yap, yap!!
January 11th, 2017 at 9:33 am
Some of you are just sour bottom whiners.
January 11th, 2017 at 9:41 am
Big Hog, I agree with you on building a wall and needing depth. But, why do you put in a negative jab so often? Does every player on the team have to dominate? In addition to being solid, didn’t he go out of his way to help Noah Spence? And didn’t Ayers improve the play of others on the line? Geez, please give a guy credit even if he doesn’t dominate.
January 11th, 2017 at 9:42 am
Some of you need to raise your standards and expectations.
January 11th, 2017 at 9:43 am
What a year its been!!!! And this offseason is going great!!!! And the Best part of the offseason for the front office and the coaching staff will be the evaulation of who to keep!!!! The “real” leaders have really drawn the line of who wants to win in Tampa!!!! It is becoming easier to see the “real” core of players and how to add to them!!!!!
Good Times are Ahead!!!!!!!
Coaching Improvement Indeed!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 11th, 2017 at 10:05 am
Weird how the players themselves keep talking about lack of effort, calling people out and winning mindsets. They must be talking about Keith Tandy or Akeem Spence no no wait Russell yea that’s it Russell he only had like 5 tackles all season.
Jeez, it’s like Ayers expects Russell to be a HOF or something. Pssft what a fool!!!
January 11th, 2017 at 10:18 am
“We have to have that respect for one another [to call each other out]. You gotta be able to challenge your brothers. You gotta be able to push each other.”…..
I think this is the next step in the culture change….if your on defense, it one thing for your defensive teammates to get on your a$$ but its a totally different ball game when an offensive player starts busting your a$$…..
I think this year we’ll see/hear more players holding each other accountable/ calling each out from both sides on the ball…..it may not be publicized but inside one buc place, I guarantee you ayers will be calling out Dotson and jameis calling out LVD…..evans calling out GMC or grimes calling d.smith….maybe not those specific player but offensive players calling out defensive players and vise versa…..that will bring the team together and show that this is a family, do your job because we expect to win every sunday!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
January 11th, 2017 at 10:53 am
do you guys think that we can get a 1st & 3rd in this year draft for GMC
January 11th, 2017 at 10:57 am
Knock off the GMC negatives. GMC is a highly respected defensive lineman. Who respects him? Fellow players and coaches especially when they are playing against him. Educated fans like me read these blogs to stay informed. This stuff is just junk. What’s wrong with being a nice person AFTER THE PLAY? HOFamer Lee Roy Selmon was famous for it. He sure didn’t get slammed for being a wuss. Disgusting! SMDH.
January 11th, 2017 at 11:07 am
@bigserious….we could….if someone is willing to take him, licht needs to pull the trigger…then bring in a run stuffing dt like d.poe…GO BUCS!!!!
January 11th, 2017 at 11:08 am
Will Ayers be to this young core what Nickerson was to Lynch, Sapp, Barber, and Brooks?!?!
January 11th, 2017 at 11:09 am
Some of you need to bust out the baby wipes, open your eyes, and realize that this team/ organization is taking great strides towards becoming a consistent winner. Potentially becomong a dominant force for years to come.
First it was Gmc you guys were whining about, now you’re talking crap about Ayers too? Stop being poopy pants cry babies and wake up.
January 11th, 2017 at 11:25 am
@Big
I would would pull the trigger. But what do we know. We’re considered haters. Whatever. he’s a good player, so what. He gets ghost too much for my liking
All players will speak highly of each other. The NFL is a brotherhood! I think he can succeed but his attitude leaves ALOT to be desired. I’m pleading with Licht .. In my # movement
#BUCSbringhomeD.Poe
Bring in Poe and a elite end… Now we talking
Hell bring in Short too. I mean absolutely clogged the middle! Free up King Kwon
January 11th, 2017 at 11:27 am
#FreeKingKwon
January 11th, 2017 at 11:31 am
@ big serious
That’s a very good question and the answer is a big NO.
They will not trade GMC this season, but NEXT season he will be ask to restructure his contract and take less money or else he’ll be traded and the only reasons are:
Got sign huge contracts to Jameis Winston and Mike Evans
THE BUCS WILL NOT GIVE GMC another huge contract……it simply isn’t going to happen……not at his age and he already got a huge contract before.
January 11th, 2017 at 1:02 pm
@Tmax
Some of you need to raise your standards and expectations.
I’m the biggest believer in positive thinking on this board and so I take your point. However there needs to be some balance to those standards and expectations. If you move every player who isn’t at least Pro Bowl then you would have zero continuity. I realize that’s me tossing hyperbole back just to make an example but you get my point.
How about if we meet in the middle. You’re getting to be an older dude right?
Remember the legendary DJ Casey Kasem and his American Top 40?
Loved his tag line….”Reach for the stars but keep your feet planted firmly on the ground.”
January 11th, 2017 at 2:13 pm
@Stepetebucsfan
Yea StPete, you need to take a page out of The Buc Realist handbook and be more positive around here!!!!
Mindset, continuity, maturing, belief are all going to be reasons why next year will be even better!!!!
Go BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!
#Positive Vibe Warriors
January 11th, 2017 at 2:46 pm
I like GMC when he is on BUT this is a biznezz. I think he has been hurt a lot the last 2 years. YES he still played through it but he was not effective. Trade him now while he has some value or before he gets hurt. We never use trades. we usually just let them walk like with Glennon. It is hard to believe that we could not get anything for Glennon…not even a 3rd. I thinkJL was being a little to greedy and its biting him in the @$$ and now all we will get is a comp pick in 2018. I say JL calls up his understudy now with TN and offer him a deal. They have (2) 1st and (2) 3rd round picks. I ask for their #18 and #69 pick for GMC and we use both picks to help build the Lines…something like this for the draft.
#18 – Corey Davis WR Western Michigan
#19 – Malik McDowell DT Michigan State
#50 – DeDe Westbrook WR Oklahoma
#69 – Pat Elflein OC Ohio State
#84 – Jourdan Lewis CB Michigan
#115 – Best OL available
#146 – Jake Butt TE Michigan i think he will slide because of injury
#179 – Best Safety because we will fix in free agency
#209 – BPA
January 11th, 2017 at 2:51 pm
we replace GMC’s big contract with 2 rookie contracts and still have money left for more money for free agency and we get younger
January 11th, 2017 at 2:59 pm
sorry
#115 – Samaje Perine RB Oklahoma
January 11th, 2017 at 7:49 pm
Enough of the soft/McCoy talk already. He is not soft. He is a god fearing man who shows people basic human respect when the play is over. Some posters seem to think that hurts his play. Fact is he is our best D-lineman and one of the leagues most consistently high rated performers. We should be thankful he is on our team and root for him rather than trying to tear him down at every turn and on every article JBF posts (regardless of subject).
January 11th, 2017 at 8:58 pm
I wish ayers had as much talent as he had leadership. What we got from ayers this season was good. But we need to strive to be great.
January 11th, 2017 at 9:07 pm
Funny talk up here by Buc ‘fans’ talking about being positive when all you guys do is talk negative. If it’s not one person it’s another. You guys hold people to standards none of you can get close to. If there is one person up here who is the consumate picture of positivity is StPeteBucsFan and now some of you clowns are trying dogg him. Even one of the Joes is like you all. Always bringingthe past that has no relevance now. You people are truly a classless act.
January 11th, 2017 at 9:22 pm
Well Orl Buc Fan……….. Selmon didn’t always talk about himself, didn’t always make dumb comments, didn’t take lots of plays off BUT HE did play his ass off while being doubled and even tripled, made game changing plays often and constantly made others around him better( McCoy constantly over penetrates and doesn’t make the play) making it very hard on the players around him………….. But oh boy it’s peeps like Orl Bucs fan that go oh boy look he just ran five yards by the rb , what great penetration !!! NO not so fast he does often hang others out to dry on top of everything else………… See they are really opposites !!! Oh obviously you can’t see or hear very good !!!!