Stay Together
November 26th, 2017
Talks team mentality.
It sounds to Joe like too many guys were freelancing.
Prior to the Bucs going on a mini-winning streak, Joe heard way too much chatter from players both on and off the record that guys didn’t care about winning or guys weren’t “communicating” — uh, oh.
Joe doesn’t hear that chatter any longer and maybe Gerald McCoy gave a hint as to why. Last week, GMC, the stud defensive tackle of the Bucs, appeared on “Good Morning Football” with Kyle Brandt, Nate Burleson, closet Bucs fan Peter Schrager and Bucs fans’ it-girl, Kay “Don’t ask me about my business” Adams.
It seems the Bucs were not together as a unit, per GMC.
“We have to stick together,” GMC said. “The past two weeks, Coach Koetter has had different guys stand up in front of the team to speak and it is guys who you don’t usually hear talk. One thing they have all said is that we have to stick together and play for each other. And if we do that throughout the rest of the season, we will like the result. Do the things that we are being coached to do and do it the right way and play together and play for each other, we will like the result.”
GMC also talked about how players had to stick to practice plans, no matter how boring and repetitive they are because, as GMC said, that’s how you win. Reading between the lines, guys were grumbling and whining about doing the same things in practice over and over.
If that is correct, Joe can understand how some players may have mentally checked out. And GMC is right. Practice isn’t about fun, it’s about development and preparation.
Warren Sapp always used to say he was paid for practice because it was so awful and that it truly was work. But on gamedays, it was his time to let loose and have fun.
November 26th, 2017 at 10:09 am
Took 10 games to start doing what they are supposed to be doing? Same attitude I get from my employees these days. Look boss I made it to work on time three days in a row………Wow you are actually doing something you are supposed to do every day and now you want so sort of recognition? Crazy how people think these days it really is!
You mean 8 games? And considering the Bucs won two prior to that, and should have beaten the Patriots, it’s not quite that simple. –Joe
November 26th, 2017 at 10:33 am
You are right it’s not that simple, but in my experience attitude and work ethic or should I say the lack of are the two biggest killers of team chemistry. Only takes a few bad apples and that goes for the business world as well as sports.
November 26th, 2017 at 10:38 am
Didn’t we have almost the exact type of issue last year? Communication? Going Rogue? Assignments?
November 26th, 2017 at 10:39 am
I have to agree with Bucnjim to a large extent. And being a season ticket holder, it really steams me that “professional” players recognize and address a group dynamics problem so late. Three home games left at a thousand bucks a pop. I need to say in game 2 up in Min I noticed something wrong…saw in their hotel and some pre-game stuff. It really took hold in ARI. My assessment is it was player leadership…or lack thereof. No, it’s not that simple, but professionals don’t let it get to be a problem. I’ll add the Bucs still have yet to play a game where they perform as well as they did on opening day…complementary football clicking in all phases of the game. Maybe today is the day. Fingers crossed.
November 26th, 2017 at 10:41 am
@PA Privateer….basically….yes.
And like last year, the best pro teams like the Patriots (playing through Brady’s suspension) and this year rising to the top after a shaky start…solve their issues early…before they become problems.
November 26th, 2017 at 10:41 am
Amazing how theyre coming together and playing pretty good D w/o JW….just saying. I mean I know it was against some crappy teams but we’re one too, so maybe we’ll keep it going and no more crap play. I still think drafting a DE with our 1st will be crucial. Then RB and QB (imo)
November 26th, 2017 at 10:43 am
GET RID OF THE FREE LANCER AND THE ONES THAT CAUSES PROBLEMS …….
November 26th, 2017 at 10:47 am
LOL!!!! Now that the season is almost over and the Bucs are for all purposes out of it Batman wants to share the limelight with Robin errr the rest of the team. What a joke!
November 26th, 2017 at 10:49 am
I’ll add it isn’t that this team narrowly lost a few…they were getting their doors blown off…MIN, ARI, CAR, NO…and absolutely stunk in others…they had to be particularly bad to start 2-6. I remember Schiano’s first year (2012) they were 6-4 at this point and lost a few games by a mouse hair with much less talent…and it was JF5 who spazzed out at the end of that year and it all transitioned ot MRSA and team implosion the next year.
Now, at 4-6, they BARELY beat MIA and NYG. Could easily be 2-8, or suppose they make a kick against NE, 3-7. Again…maybe today is the day!
November 26th, 2017 at 11:11 am
To me that falls squarely on the coaches shoulders. We had the same problem last year and we still didn’t fix it. There should be more discipline in this team.
November 26th, 2017 at 11:20 am
Wait a minute…why didn’t these professionals work it all out in training camp? Thats what they get paid to do! We should be undefeated! Bring on Gruden! Fire Licht! Trade McCoy now…better yet, lets go to a 34 defense this week…it fits our personnel. NUTS. Play hard and disciplined today and we can win. Go Bucs!
November 26th, 2017 at 11:22 am
Combination of bad coaches and players. Get rid of the Coaches and GM to start, then start weeding out the mistake players, i.e. Ward, Martin, Donovan Smith, Ayers, Sweezy and start looking for a new QB!
November 26th, 2017 at 11:28 am
One of the hardest things to do as a coach or manager is to motivate grown men. It’s exhausting trying to find new and creative ways to get these men to perform to their potential. There are a few self motivators which is what everyone now is looking for. Every generation looks back at the previous one and shakes their head, but as open minded as I am to this generation I find myself shaking my head.
November 26th, 2017 at 12:12 pm
Pound The Rock!!
November 26th, 2017 at 12:14 pm
You are what your record says you are = 4-6
4-6 just didn’t happen overnight.
November 26th, 2017 at 12:14 pm
To be honest, this team could win with Fitz as the starting QB IF..we had a Defense. Brad Johnson was no Tom Brady. But he effectively managed the game and let the Defense do its thing. I’d rather have an average Offense and have a great Kick A.. Defense anyday!! You gotta stop people in this league. What good is scoring 40 when your oppnent scores 41?
November 26th, 2017 at 12:56 pm
I agree with Bucnjim. If it’s not about talent of the team is about mentality and work ethic, things this but team is accused of lacking every year and with the enhanced talent level it’s obvious work ethic and arrogance or ignorance is the reason. Two years in a row we have guys talking about teammates believing their own press clippings. The Joe’s are using the injury excuse when before the season started you specified there were no excuses. The talk of having bad practices all season long and here we go, guys don’t care about winning because if they did they wouldn’t get blown out so much
November 26th, 2017 at 5:27 pm
Gerald McCoy SUCK!!!