Cherilus Will Be Missed
April 17th, 2017
Consummate teammate.
Bucs fans may not miss him, but his now former teammates surely will.
In case you didn’t know or forgot, the 2017 season starts today in a sense, as Bucs players say goodbye to their exotic vacations and high-end women and report to One Buc Palace this morning..
America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, and stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy are scheduled to be available for questions and prodding. Naturally, Joe will be at One Buc Palace.
One guy who won’t be there is tackle Gosder Cherilus. He retired. Bucs fans won’t forget his impersonation of a pair of swinging saloon doors in the December loss to Dallas on Sunday Night Football, and likely won’t miss his absence.
Cherilus’ former teammates will.
Joe remembers two years ago when Donovan Smith was a rookie. Most folks thought playing alongside grizzled veteran Logan Mankins meant that Mankins was the guy to help Smith learn the ropes in the NFL. While Smith told Joe, yes, Mankins helped him, it was Cherilus who was essentially his big brother on the team.
Fellow teammate Ali Marpet also sang the praises of how much Cherilus helped him. Back in January when the Bucs were cleaning out their lockers, rookie offensive lineman Leonard Wester couldn’t crow enough about how much he learned about being a pro from Cherilus.
“He was [big brother-like],” Wester said.. “He would be hard on you because he, like the coaches, could see potential in you so he wanted you to perform well. He was always willing to help. He was always coaching. I could go to him with any football question or any life question. Sometimes, he would tell me something and tell me to think about it for a while and come back to him and tell him what I think and we would discuss it.
“He was really a big time teacher. It’s invaluable. You can’t get than from anyone else. You can only get it from someone who has been in this league for nine years and seen a ton of stuff. Just so much knowledge.”
The value of some guys to a team is often lost on fans, and Joe admits to not noticing often enough. A player like Cherilus can be more valuable than his salary or playing ability.
“The vets like Gosder Cherilus, that man was phenomenal,” Wester said. “Nine years in this league and all the experience he had. His mentality, how he approached every day. As a young player, he is the type of guy you strive to be like. A source of knowledge and wisdom.”
Cherilus won’t be difficult to replace on the field. The Bucs — despite the howling from the PFF tribe and some fans — like what they have on offensive line.
What will be difficult to replace is the impact Cherilus had on his teammates in the locker room, in the meeting room and away from the field.
April 17th, 2017 at 9:05 am
Father Time caught up to Cherilus. Good luck going forward big guy!
April 17th, 2017 at 9:17 am
The impression I get is that there are a lot of character guys on this football team, they have gotten away from the turd selection business (ASJ)k, you look at a guy like Ali Marpet and see a solid guy and the type of guy who grows nicely into that kind of role…..just keep in mind, the NFL is a business of wins and losses and you need to have players good enough to help provide the “Ws”…..I’m sure there are a lot of nice guys in the Cleveland Browns locker room.
April 17th, 2017 at 9:34 am
“… the NFL is a business of wins and losses …”. That really is the bottom line Tom. Fans don’t pay big $$$ to watch their team lose. Vets like Mankins & Cherilus are invaluable, but only if they can maintain enough physical skill to get ‘er done on the field, even if it’s as a backup/rotational player. When the physical skills fade, it’s time to hang up the cleats. Logan & Gos both made good decisions in retiring when they did. The locker room will adjust as new go-to guys take their place, such as Hawley & Sweezy (hopefully).
April 17th, 2017 at 10:47 am
This is the season that will determine if there is any lessons learned from Cherilus or Mankins! ::Continue To Build The Damn Wall!!
April 17th, 2017 at 10:51 am
Any chance the Bucs would give him a chance at a coaching career?
April 17th, 2017 at 10:57 am
Hawk:
Heck of a question.
Not sure Cherilus wants to coach. From what Wester told Joe, Cherilus has his hands in a few different businesses and is heavily involved with a charity foundation he established.
April 17th, 2017 at 11:19 am
Thanks to Gos. He filled in when they were in need and I know he did his best. Wasn’t always pretty but he made some good plays too. I’m thankful for his contribution.
April 17th, 2017 at 11:38 am
Bring him back as an assistant?
April 17th, 2017 at 2:01 pm
Cool Article.
Always nice to hear the lockerroom stuff.
Licht has really improved the Character of this team, and I like his “old guy to mentor Young guy” philosophy.
April 17th, 2017 at 4:56 pm
Good Luck, Gosder!
Thanks for the hard work.
Hope you enjoy retirement
April 17th, 2017 at 5:22 pm
I think most of us knew that one day, Goster would not be on the Roster.
I will miss you!
April 17th, 2017 at 7:07 pm
Hire him as an assistant coach!
April 17th, 2017 at 8:06 pm
Cheers Gos! Best of luck