“Contagious” Sweezy
September 20th, 2017
Standout
The Bucs’ biggest dice roll this season came up sevens on Sunday. (For those who don’t play craps, that’s good.)
But J.R. Sweezy is more than just a solid right guard, winning head coach Dirk Koetter said Monday.
Sweezy could make those around him tougher, aka better.
“I thought he did a nice job. J.R. loves football and it shows up,” Koetter said. “It shows up in the way he plays out there. He competes hard to the whistle. It’s not always the prettiest thing, but there are plays where it’s late in the play and he is eight yards down field trying to get after his guy or get after a linebacker. He is going to bring a dimension to our team that can be contagious and [that] you hope other guys feed off of.”
This was Sweezy’s reputation during his three seasons starting for the mighty Seahawks (2013-2015). And it was great to hear Koetter’s take on Sweezy after his first full game action in nearly two years. He lost last season with back surgery.
Joe, though, continues to wonder why Sweezy stands out so much for his football love and his intensity. Why is it so remarkable among the other Bucs offensive linemen? Are they lacking, or is Sweezy that much of a maniac, or both?
September 20th, 2017 at 10:06 am
Why are you trying to bring out questions about the other lineman?? Are they lacking, dude WTH is that, this is about Sweezy doing his job, and not being a turnstile, no one would be surprised if he didn’t play well….but stop trying to find negative stuff, let’s enjoy the victory!!!
Joe enjoys the victory completely. What negative? Joe’s trying to find out what will make this team better.–Joe
September 20th, 2017 at 10:07 am
Maniac.
September 20th, 2017 at 10:09 am
I watched the “coaches film” of the Bears game yesterday…twice.
I can say this: Sweezy is one bad-ass football player. He is tenacious, powerful, nasty and brutal. While not always pretty…what OL is…he is a rare talent at RG.
I can see wht Licht signed the guy. I hope his style of play rubs off on the rest of the line.
The last truly bad-ass OL I can remember in a Bucs uniform was Frank Middleton.
September 20th, 2017 at 10:20 am
Cobra, lol, Ian Beckles was fond of saying Middleton didn’t just want to block you, he wanted to hurt you. I remember him saying something about Tony Mayberry too.
This is the attitude that brings championships.
September 20th, 2017 at 10:28 am
Cobra
I loved Frank Middleton. Another player who got away. Wasn’t it Frank who honestly critiqued a horrible Bucs performance by saying the guys deserved to be called the Tampa Bay Sucs?
September 20th, 2017 at 10:30 am
Sweezy has the ultimate mentality for a football player – search and destroy!!
September 20th, 2017 at 10:32 am
Glad JR’s back is holding up fine thus far after missing all of last year (apparently something that’s never happened in the history of football according to the Joes). Now about those needed Tackle upgrades…
September 20th, 2017 at 10:47 am
Rolling a seven during an established craps game is a big loss and all the bets on the board go away. In fact you never say “seven” at the table– kind of like saying “this guy has a no hitter going.” Only when you’re starting a new game or “coming out” would a seven or 11 win. Your reference to “sevens” would mean 2 sevens which is 14 which is just an OK roll.
September 20th, 2017 at 10:58 am
So what’s the over/under on him playing every game Mike Johnson??? I only ask because you stressed the most doubt about him over the off season.
September 20th, 2017 at 11:03 am
Props to Licht who said we wanted to get bigger/more physical and backed this up.
Upgrades, Sweezy, Beckwith, TJ Ward, moving Marpet, Pamphile at RG, OJ and hell, maybe even Swaggy to clog lanes.
Who am I missing?
September 20th, 2017 at 11:37 am
I also watched a little of coach’s film yesterday and sweezy definitely plays till the whistle.
I also noticed D Smith had a brutal start… but it just looked like rust.
Swaggy looked lazy out there. I mean real lazy… at least in the first half.
September 20th, 2017 at 12:15 pm
How do you roll 2 sevens? Are you using dungeons and dragons dice?
September 20th, 2017 at 12:29 pm
I seem to recall a lot of people on this site accusing Sweezy of stealing money and being a wasted signing.
September 20th, 2017 at 12:39 pm
Funny ain’t it Jaboo,season starts and now the HC singing his praises. Imagine that.
September 20th, 2017 at 12:45 pm
Here’s the thing about Sweezy, he played his entire college career on the defensive side of the ball where he was a try hard guy that despite excellent measurables, wasn’t seen as much of a prospect. He was made ACC Honorable Mention during one of seasons. He brings that try hard defensive lineman approach to the offensive side of the ball. It’s not totally rare, just something we haven’t seen here in Tampa… since… Middleton maybe… It’s a nastiness that isn’t taught, it’s in you or it isn’t and Sweezy has it. Trueblood was fairly nasty too… he just happened to also suck… but he also was a guy that went to/past the whistle.
September 20th, 2017 at 1:58 pm
I wonder if Koetter will employ that Barber 220 in the second half of games all season. Fresh legs bringing that load is not what defenders wanna see. Let me remind everyone most Marshawn Lynch’s rush yards came on runs behind the D linemen turned O linemen. That’s saying something folks. I’m sure the BIGGEST runs were in the second half after BIG Sweeze had worn on some people.
September 20th, 2017 at 2:01 pm
No roster is perfect,but to my eye we have all the necessary pieces.
September 20th, 2017 at 2:10 pm
I love the “nasty” that he brings. It’s very infectious. I thought the interior linemen played very well.
I was cracking up how he “finished” blocks. He literally blocked a guy to the ground, then laid on him to keep him from rejoining the play. I thought it was hilarious!
September 20th, 2017 at 4:23 pm
Middleton wasn’t a “Dungy” player. Too nasty. Not nice enough.
And Dungy’s offenses sucked.
September 20th, 2017 at 11:27 pm
It does seem like joe is questioning the other linemans love for the game. Seems pretty unnecessary. Some guys are wired different. Not everyone is the type to pick a fight. Doesn’t mean they can’t fight though. Sweezy picks fights and backs it up with his play. Marpet seems like the type that won’t pick a fight, but would gladly finish it.
September 22nd, 2017 at 5:54 pm
@casey Morgan. This WAS his coming out party, so the sevens analogy is accurate. First game/First roll, get it. The fact he pluralized it was only a figure of speech. Read between the lines here, this is a news article, not a craps tutorial..
Go Bucs !
September 22nd, 2017 at 6:52 pm
I’m with most of you…many key pieces in place. Signing D Jax reminds me of signing Keyshawn. Overpaying for a final piece of your puzzle is the right methodology. Only concern now is health. Don’t feel the sense of leadership struggle from 93 to 3 like we endured last season. It’s Jameis ship.