Kwon Is Still Kwon
August 11th, 2017
Determined.
Joe’s readers surely have heard this before: Bucs types like to refer to middle linebacker Kwon Alexander as the “Jameis of the defense.”
Why is that? Because Alexander has a drive like Jameis.
Alexander has a ferocious hunger to be great. And he will stop at nothing to attain his goal, whether that is studying film, working out like a wild beast in the weight room, or daily, early-morning meetings with defensive coordinator Mike Smith.
In fact, Alexander had such a desire to learn Smith’s defense last year, the two started a habit of sorts. Smith would show up to work earlier than normal and he and Alexander would have a one-on-one sitdown to go over things. Call it a cramming session. The two hit it off so well it became a daily thing, a ritual.
It seems that has continued, winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said this week.
“Kwon has really embraced the role of leading the defense and being the spokesman for the defense,” Koetter said. “It’s great to see. He meets with Smitty every morning. He wants to be that guy and to be a leader you’ve got to want to be a leader. It’s okay to be a good football player and not say a word, but Kwon has really embraced that role.”
Joe thinks this is cool as hell. It’s almost like a father-son relationship Smith and Alexander have developed.
This is also an example of a key trait Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht looks for in players. Licht is a big believer in heart and drive. Passion. He believes that if a guy has the desire, more often than not, then he will max out his talents and perhaps raise his game beyond what was expected.
One could argue that perfectly describes Alexander. Think about it: If any NFL team believed Alexander would turn out this good, then he never would have lasted to the fourth round.
August 11th, 2017 at 9:06 am
Props to Kwon, but Mike Smith deserves credit for that too. It takes a great coach to get up early for one player.
August 11th, 2017 at 9:09 am
@Joe
Great story!!!! Now we need stories of how Kwon KA58 is now translating all this knowledge and information to all the other players!!!!!!!!! That is the leader!!!!! Put the C on this man!!!!!!!!!! The defense is about to do some special things, now that it has “Real” leadership (coaching and players)!!!!!!!!!!
Stay Healthy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#Free_BUC1987!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 11th, 2017 at 9:16 am
Amen Realist!!! I’m looking for his mindset to permeate the defense. Having him step into the role of “leader” is perfectly acceptable without the need to put down other players who may or may not have previously been labeled a leader. Play as a unit and crush the will of the guy across from you.
In short, BRING THE PAIN!!!
Tonight begins the journey.
#Free_BUC1987!
August 11th, 2017 at 9:42 am
“If any NFL team believed Alexander would turn out this good, then he never would have lasted to the fourth round”
Well the Bucs knew. According to Licht, Kwon was the 28th player on the Bucs Big Board in 2015 – IE a 1st round talent.
But we had used up all our resources getting Winston, D. Smith and moving up for Marpet. Had no picks to work with as Alexander dropped through the 3rd and into the 4th rounds. Then finally Licht found a trade partner and managed to move up in the 4th with what little he had left to snag Kwon Alexander – perhaps the best steal in that entire draft value wise.
The “Grand Slam” was complete and on that day Licht established himself as the new Sheriff in town. One that’s going to be around for a good long while.
August 11th, 2017 at 9:43 am
Bucsfanman, I agree about getting Kwon’s passion for the game & “mindset to permeate the defense”. Actually, looking at the 2nd half of last season and this training camp, I think it already has. In the final analysis it’s still all about results though (gotta ‘EARN IT’ as Coach Koetter says). And that comes down to individual players focusing on their responsibilities & playing at the top of their game each & every game. It’s not all on Kwon in other words. The 2002 Bucs had several great leaders at various levels (Sapp, Brooks & Lynch for starters) … each had different leadership traits, but together they were awesome. This year’s team is similar in a number of ways.
August 11th, 2017 at 9:44 am
Instead of the Tampa! Bay! chant can we do, RED HOT! CHEETO! one time at Ray Jay this year please?!
August 11th, 2017 at 9:50 am
so joe can recognize and appreciate defensive leadership and great drive yet still supports the leader of the losing culture gmc who for 7 years was anything but a WINNER, DRIVEN or a LEADER… It’s a shame we hold a young mid round pick to higher standards than we do an overrated 1st rd 3rd overall soft draft pick.
August 11th, 2017 at 10:10 am
Pathetic maxi pad still doing his thing. Don’t you have anything better to do with your time? Why do you hate a player on the Bucs so much? Do you not realize what type of a person that makes you? Why can’t you just praise Kwon for his leadership without trashing another? Of course I know the answer to this, as we all do.
August 11th, 2017 at 10:13 am
Tmax
It’s a bus life.
August 11th, 2017 at 10:31 am
@tmaxipad
Do you love me for giving you a nickname that everyone uses?
Why are you a maxi pad?
Because you are always on your period! Moody and bitchy!
GMC is an angel. A sweet soul. A servant of men.
“You have to serve in order to lead.”- GMC from Hard Knocks
GMC has never been the problem.
Dom was the problem.
Brian Price was a good pick, but he had a career ending injury.
Adrian Clayborne and Daquan Bowers were very bad picks.
We have not surrounded GMC with enough talent around him.
Imagine Michael Bennett and GMC together?
If Bennett hadn’t questioned the “general” Schiano after that loss to the Redskins, then he would have been resigned.
If you go back in the archives,
I called for us to sign Cliff Avril and resign Bennett.
Instead, the Seahawks did it and won the Super Bowl!
I still think we haven’t surrounded him with enough talent on the d-line.
August 11th, 2017 at 12:35 pm
You know, I started listening to Ian Beckles “In the Trenches” podcast. Missed hearing him on the airwaves and like to hear his take on things. However, I have come to the conclusion, especially since he couldn’t go his very first podcast without taking a shot at GMC, that Beckles must harbor some gay love for #93. Nothing else explains it. No matter where the guy goes, if he has a microphone to talk into, he’s gonna take a shot a GMC, Period, without fail, every time. So either Beckles has become a troll for GMC or is “MO” for him. Maybe a combination of the two like cause and effect. Perhaps since he can’t go public with his forbidden feelings, he lashes out in troll like fashion. So @tmaxcon, Which one are you bro? MO, Troll, or combo? If i had to pick I’d say…MO.
August 11th, 2017 at 1:28 pm
Licht has added Jameis, Evans, Kwon, OJ, Marpet, Spence, Hargreaves, Godwin and D. Smith in the past 4 drafts … that is incredible! I love our GM
August 11th, 2017 at 1:45 pm
I had a horrible experience in basic training…two best friends…one of them black…and a group of Alabama crackers…about 75 were in basic for their reserves…not even going to ‘Nam. It was 1967 and they went nuckin futs because I had a black dude as a best friend…huge no no.
But I’m ready to forgive the state of Alabama…they have given the Bucs 3 of our very best players…#3…Kwon and now OJ. Thanks Bama!
August 11th, 2017 at 1:48 pm
is tmaxipad secretly ian beckles? lol
I’ve honestly never liked listening to Beckles either.
August 11th, 2017 at 2:39 pm
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa! Easy there Teacherman!
It was the Good Capt. Who first appropriately named Tmaxipad!
Im glad to see everyone recognises him for what he is,
But lets not steal the Captain’s thunder!! Lol
I’ve been renaming zombies around here for a looong time!
Cant wait to see Keon and Beckwith together! That will be one dynamic pair! Now, if we can Just get Lavonte back on track, we could have the best 3 LB in football.
And Beckwith- when back to 100%, can also put his hand on the ground, and rush the QB!