Vinny Curry’s Eyes Are Wide Open
May 25th, 2018
New Bucs Super Bowl DE speaks
Iconic Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette once wrote that brash and big-talking veteran defensive lineman Brentson Buckner directing young players how to behave was as if “Hugh Hefner were teaching a class on abstinence.”
It was a great line about the intense man who recently became Bucs defensive line coach.
Buckner was wildly outspoken during his playing career and it got him lots of places, from Bill Cowher’s doghouse to major television commercials. But Buckner was more than talk; he was good enough to be a key cog — and defensive end and defensive tackle — for two Super Bowl teams.
After a move to media, Buckner jumped into high school coaching and got back in the NFL as a coach.
Following success in Arizona, he’s the new sheriff of the Buccaneers’ overhauled defensive line.
Big-money Bucs veteran free agent defensive end Vinny Curry, a 29-year-old fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Eagles, told Joe yesterday that he is captivated by Buckner and believes he can make him a much better player in a hurry.
In six seasons with the Eagles, Curry told Joe he never had a d-line coach who played in the NFL. That, combined with Buckner’s passion and unique style, is a difference-maker, Curry said.
“Man, I love it. He’s the man. Nothing but excellence. You know what I mean?” Curry said.
“He’s just trying to push you. He’s not talking down on you, but when he’s talking to you, you can’t take it personal. He’s just pushing you to get the best out of you, and for what’s best for the team. So that’s the greatest thing I like about him, a great teacher, a great mentor, just a great guy just to be around and to learn from, a guy that actually played on an high level.
“He’s known to have one of the best get-offs in NFL history. And that’s what I pride myself on, getting off the rock, and just to learn from him … he’ll smoke me off the ball still. … He demonstrates through the drills with us and everything. Like I said, I’m just trying to soak up as much information as I can.”
Telling stuff from Curry, a grizzled veteran with a ring.
But even better than all the Buckner chatter is the passion that oozed from Curry during the conversation. (Joe has more to share another time). He is absolutely no Chris Baker as a free agent signing.
Curry is out there grinding hard during voluntary spring practices and was more than happy to talk under the blazing sun following two hours on the field.
Man, if Buckner can just get the most out of 75 percent of his talented defensive line, the Bucs should win a fat pile of games this year.
May 25th, 2018 at 8:14 am
Amen, Joe. AMEN!
May 25th, 2018 at 8:16 am
Buckner is really making a name for himself thus far. If it really translates to the field, we might not be in bad shape.
May 25th, 2018 at 8:20 am
Good talent, good depth, good coaching. Bodes well.
May 25th, 2018 at 8:23 am
Wonder what JPP Baker thinks of his new coach. Oh wait….
May 25th, 2018 at 8:26 am
I think the media is way overboard with all the Buckner love and you’d be the first one to turn on him if the line isn’t getting sacks. Yes he’s just a teacher said please remember that he won’t be on the field on Sundays. These guys are all vets except Spence and Vea so they should be performing at a high level regardless. I’d be worried if they were leaning something new
May 25th, 2018 at 9:09 am
This is a good story Joe. It got my juice pumping this morning. Its not just about Buckner. Its about ALL the new blood we have on the Dline. Heres hoping!
May 25th, 2018 at 9:26 am
You would think JPP would show up for at least one OTA. Yano, meet his team and coaches. Show that he’s here to win.
wtv
May 25th, 2018 at 9:29 am
All these lineman are learning something new. A new attitude of excellence. This line will turn the D-fence around.
May 25th, 2018 at 9:45 am
sounds like we have our next HC in house already!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!
May 25th, 2018 at 10:12 am
I could be wrong but I dont remember any players on our defense praising the Dline coach last year like they’re praising Buckner.
May 25th, 2018 at 10:32 am
Buckner should have been our new DC. I don’t like it. Smells kinda..Tampa Bay-ish a la memoirs of Culverhouse!!
May 25th, 2018 at 11:02 am
I like Buckner and expect much better this year, but some posters are just too funny. I remember a bunch that were saying Jay Hayes should be DC before last year. SMH. GO BUCS!!
May 25th, 2018 at 11:37 am
Buckner was a great hire! As a coach, if you can get the attention of your players and get them to buy what you’re selling, that’s big. But if you can teach them to take their game to another level, that’s greatness. We will see where this goes, but it seems to be trending in the right direction so far!
May 25th, 2018 at 11:38 am
JW is going to Blow up this year. Bucs gonna Dominate if defense line plays to the hype.
May 25th, 2018 at 12:17 pm
I expect Buckner with all the new players to build them into a very effective DL. Won’t be long before we will be coming up with a name for the group like some of the top DLs in NFL history. Buckner also needs to help McCoy get his double digit sacks for the first time from the inside and Vea to push his double teams backward so the QB can’t step up and has to try to run for his life and our DEs will get lots of sacks and totally disrupt his rhythm. They aren’t going to be able to go to their running game for first downs either. What you can see from our underwear Football our DBs and Safeties are good playmakers who can terrorize opposing QBs once they are under duress on every play. It all starts in the trenches. Until Warhop is replaced our OL will not be as good as our DL but it is just a matter of getting a new OL Coach who can put each player in their best position.
May 25th, 2018 at 2:34 pm
Should be interesting year on the d line
Buck sounds like he isn’t going to let anyone mail it in.
Why am I thinking he will be our coach one day?
May 25th, 2018 at 3:00 pm
Vinnie Curry is a really good player. Glad he’s got the opportunity to start- and show his talents.
I think , playing along side McCoy and JPP- Curry will have a career year.
Hard to believe we actually have a talented Defensive line.
Scary lack of Depth at DE.Hoping Mitch Urien can shine at DE, even though he is more DT.
Glad to see all the love for Coach Buckner. Even though he’s never coached a single game day play!! Some posters are ready to annoint him as DC- with only 6 years coaching experience- as our New defensive Coordinator! Based entirely on a few articles on JoeBuc!! Way to go Joe!
If Buckner gets promoted, I think he owes the Joes a taste!!
I think Buckner will do well. Of course, Former coach Jay Hayes would have done well, if they would have given him And McCoy some help!!
This line should be exciting. Finally
If love to see Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, and Drew Breez knocked on their butts a few times.
May 25th, 2018 at 3:05 pm
Buck is the man! And he’s got the talent to work with. Good luck running on JPP, Vea, Beau, and Vinny Curry!
May 25th, 2018 at 3:43 pm
@ Capt Tim = Scary lack of Depth at DE.
We still have Noah Spence and William Gholston. If it wasn’t for his shoulder, Noah would be starting. Who knows if Buckner can teach or light a fire under Gholston. The guy is a monster in the gym. He just needs some good coaching.
May 25th, 2018 at 4:09 pm
@Capt. Tim … “Some posters are ready to annoint him (Buckner) as DC- with only 6 years coaching experience- as our New defensive Coordinator! Based entirely on a few articles on JoeBuc!!” Was just thinking the same thing Capt Tim. Buckner relates very well to guys like GMC, Curry, etc because he’s ‘been there, done that’ … and has done it at a high level. Tad bit of difference between coaching a DLine & putting together (and executing) a defensive strategy for 16 games each season (plus playoffs hopefully).
May 25th, 2018 at 6:56 pm
Capt Tim,
I agree with that entire post! What I like about those guys is their blue collar approach to the game. I have been arguing that the Bucs have looked like a finesse team since before Barber’s last season! Most of the blame HAS to be on past drafts. Love for the game has to be equal to talent, speed and strength. You have to be able to see through the love for money not to be blinded by potential.
May 25th, 2018 at 10:06 pm
Thanks guys.
Yup, we have some grunters on the line now!
One of old coaches used to say, that a good defensive linemen is like a wild boar. Loves rooting in the dirt, til he finds something.
We really loaded up on those kinda guys!
Unrein, Beau, Vita, Curry.
Man, those guys dont mind mind having a hand in the dirt, head down low, and plowing for daylight!
My kinda guys
JJP is more of a speed guy- and boy did we need that.
And all you hear about him- is that he is driven to be the best! Love it
Gholsten is a gym Tarzan, Field Jane. Jay Hayes was a very good coach. If he couldnt get anything out of a 5 year vet- theres nothing there to work wirh.
Honestly, Gholsten was so bad last year, that they blocked him with Backs and TEs. Ot was sad. And Pathetic. Ayers was the same. Weakest DEs in football- by a long shot.
Still believe spence is too little to hold up at DE. 6’2”, 245# wont get it.
Hes bulit like Von Miller. He plays like Von Miller( stlye wise-not result wise yet)
Then why not use him like Vin Miller, a pass rush Linebacker! He can do it.
They blitz Alexander and David a bunch last year- and they both sucked at blitzing. Not one sack between them.
Spence could fix that. He played LB some in college.
Better than keep getting him hurt, in the land of giants!
May 27th, 2018 at 1:42 am
I love this hire the more I read into it with each article. The Bucs desperately need an edge to them. Not only to compete, but to form an identity and be successful. Hopefully at least one of the 2 rookie dB’s have a hard nosed, take no $hit approach as well as the nasty new Dline. Obviously with Crazy Kwon and Deatth Star David at the second level (Not to mention Bad A$$ Beckweth), if the secondary can have it’s own mean streal, we should be in good shape. The culture of the defense is changing, for the better in my humble opinion. As long as Coach Smitty can do a half way decent job this year, I like where we stand! GANGSTANEERS!! I mean that in a good way BTW-