Gholston’s Goal: Double TFLs
July 2nd, 2020
Bucs DE Will Gholston.
One could make an argument that last year Bucs defensive end Will Gholston had his best season since 2016, when he started 14 games and had three sacks and nine tackles for loss.
If it was up to Gholston, he would match or beat those numbers this fall.
One reason Gholston rebounded last season, even though it was his first NFL season in a 34 defense, was likely his new defensive coaches.
It’s hard to believe, but Gholston is entering his eighth season with the Bucs, the the team that drafted him in the fourth round in 2013. Bucco Bruce Arians and his staff is the fourth set of coaches Gholston has had.
Gholston, while appearing on the “Laces Out” podcast, said that he has deep respect Arians, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and the rest of Arians’ staff.
“I think you can tell from the mindset and the way we played last year what he was like,” Golston said when he was asked about Arians. “Everybody respects you like you are a man. They give you the opportunity for you to succeed. They try to put you in the best position not to fail. If you do fail, they give you every opportunity to regain your confidence and regain your strength.
“And you can see by the production, from the defense, the offense, everybody. I think everybody was more productive last year. And it showed. I’ve got a lot of respect for Coach Arians and the whole coaching staff, especially the defensive staff.
“I have had a lot of defensive staffs. I’d say from teaching, to treating you like a man, to being able to go to [coaches] for mentorship as well, this is a great staff.”
How often do you hear that, a player saying he can go to the coaches for help away from the football field? That’s pretty impressive to Joe.
When the hosts, Jarrett Bailey and Kurt Haumesser, asked Gholston to state his personal goals, Gholston said he’d like to double his tackles for loss from last year (he had five in 2019), but that’s not all.
“I want to double my tackles for loss,” Gholston said. “I want to lead my team in tackles for loss. I want to be in the top-five in the league for tackles for loss. I want to be way more productive in the pass rush game. All in all, I want to win and I want to make sure I am not the reason why we don’t win.”
Gholston said he’s been working out almost daily since Valentine’s Day as he has a gym set up in his backyard, and he goes to a local gym. Gholston admitted he also spent time at a “trench camp” designed specifically for defensive linemen.
July 2nd, 2020 at 6:02 am
These are all good things to hear. I don’t think the bar is very high for Will but, he fits in nicely in that 3-4.
July 2nd, 2020 at 6:32 am
Dude REALLY loafed the year after he got paid, but that was under Smitty.Like everyone else he has improved inder Bowles
July 2nd, 2020 at 6:36 am
Gholston has been a solid player for us……run stopper, fairly healthy…..paid just a bit too much but…a keeper.
July 2nd, 2020 at 6:51 am
Will has been a lunch pail Buc for 8 years. Wow, time flies. Solid, never spectacular, dependable. I’ll go out on a short limb, and say he has his best season. I think our whole D takes a big step this year. Eliminating most of the 35 turnovers from the QB position should really help this defense out.
July 2nd, 2020 at 8:19 am
I like Will. He is one of the reasons our D was so awesome vs the run. The man does the job and just keeps chugging. When I see he’s on the field, I know that no run to his side is going to end well for the opposition. Nice interview there.
July 2nd, 2020 at 9:59 am
We’ve been drafting 3-4 personnel and sticking them in a 4-3 defense for years. Until last year. These guys are thriving because they are finally in a defense that matches their skill sets and talents.
July 2nd, 2020 at 10:36 am
He was so close last year. If he can put in more effort we might not miss Nassib as much as we thought.
July 2nd, 2020 at 10:49 am
I love our coaching staff. Arians has created a solid foundation. I believe he has influence Licht as well. Comparing this team with past Bucs teams is really a waste of time like ReListo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!
July 2nd, 2020 at 11:18 am
The man is humble a genuine nice guy met him a few times last year he really was strong AF physically i can see him taking a jump up this year bet
July 2nd, 2020 at 1:46 pm
Brady will help Will and the D by protecting the ball.
I don’t know how many times last yr I saw the D ball out and get the ball back for the O and before they could even get a few sips of gatorade JW would throw a pick and they were shaking their collective heads as they were putting their helmets back on.
No more of that.
July 2nd, 2020 at 4:21 pm
IMNSHO, Will Gholston is the most underrated Buccaneer on the roster.
July 3rd, 2020 at 7:32 am
One of my favorite Bucs.
He blows up OT’s regularly. He goes hard every snap.
I always said he was better suited for a 3-4 Pittsburgh Steeler.
He sacrifices his body every snap.
He was homeless as a child. Slept in a car.
“If you cant respect that. Your whole perspective is wack.”- Jay-Z