Learning To Tackle
April 18th, 2024
Sad confession.
Joe is starting to come around on this tackling thing.
Overall — Joe is not knocking the Bucs here — the NFL tackling sucks. Joe is a big fundamentals guy. Do the fundamentals right all the time, play after play, and you’ll usually be in good position in the fourth quarter.
The overemphasis on takeaways, Joe believes, has directly led to rotten tackling. Guys are too focused on knocking the ball loose, not putting a ballcarrier on the ground.
Of course, Joe has come around that tackling may not be taught in high school and as a result, it surely isn’t being emphasized in college — at least at schools that don’t have Nick Saban or Kirby Smart as a coach.
Additionally, Joe has heard from guys around the NFL who think practicing tackling on dummies is worthless. Joe thought this was nonsense but after talking to Bucs coach Todd Bowles about this, it makes sense. Tackling dummies don’t move or juke you or hit you with a forearm shiver.
And the dummies that do move, the robot tackling dummies, they don’t stiff-arm you or shake and bake.
When Zyon McCollum was speaking earlier this week, Joe was floored when he said he finally learned to tackle playing for the Bucs.
“It improved when I just finally learned how to tackle, to be honest,” McCollum said. “In college I think I’m just running out full speed, leading with my head, and you know, I hope he goes down, basically.
“My rookie year, missing a lot of tackles, it was like, ‘Ahh that doesn’t really work here.’ So, just learning to use my shoulders, to wrap up, to stay on my feet, [and] to know that I don’t have to be 100 miles per hour to every play.”
That just depressed Joe. It’s not like NFL coaches and assistants don’t have enough on their plates. Now they have to coach guys up on what high school coaches were supposed to do for these players. However, this is nothing new, Gerald McCoy said Greg Schiano taught him to tackle as as third-year pro in Tampa.
Yeah, it’s kind of important that an NFL player knows how to tackle. Thankfully, the Bucs have good, veteran defensive coaches that can take care of that. It shouldn’t be that way, though.
April 18th, 2024 at 9:05 am
“forearm shiver.” Soooo old school. love it!
April 18th, 2024 at 9:07 am
Running at full speed and not tackling sounds like JTS and then Chop Robinson
April 18th, 2024 at 9:45 am
Thank you for the laugh, Joe!
“Tackling dummies don’t move or juke you or hit you with a forearm shiver. And the dummies that do move, the robot tackling dummies, they don’t stiff-arm you or shake and bake.”
April 18th, 2024 at 10:13 am
Nobody wants to get hurt during the 16 games!
April 18th, 2024 at 10:41 am
sounds about right. dude is all over the field…he is where the ball is.
serious upside…and have not looked at the stats but he seems like one of those guys that will become a ball hawk.
April 18th, 2024 at 11:22 am
Ronde Barber should run a tackling clinic for rookie DBs. Best tackler I have ever seen.
April 18th, 2024 at 11:30 am
Joe. Before GMC learned to tackle he kept tearing his biceps and was labeled a bust!
April 18th, 2024 at 11:31 am
Before GMC learned to tackle, he kept tearing his biceps muscle on his right arm and was labeled a bust!
April 18th, 2024 at 11:34 am
I think all around he’s going to be an upgrade over Davis. Offers much more versatility and athleticism, as well as seems eager to be physical. Having watched the Bucs since the late 90’s, I miss CBs like Ronde that were superior tacklers. Ronde stopped dudes on the spot, they literally made you battle for every inch. These modern secondary players want no part of that and it takes its toll over the course of a game. What could have been a 5 yrd reception, turns into an 8 yrd play…..those 2-3 extra yds are the difference. I believe we’ll be drafting Dean’s replacement in the early rds. Both Dean and Davis were on the block, Davis just happened to be the one that got a trade offer but that tells me management is fine with replacing them both, particularly at the ridiculous salaries they collect for never making any plays.
April 18th, 2024 at 12:10 pm
SlyPirate Says:
Ronde Barber should run a tackling clinic for rookie DBs. Best tackler I have ever seen.
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^^^^^Great idea! The Bucs should bring him in during training camp for this purpose.
April 18th, 2024 at 12:12 pm
You guys like to bash my guy
But he a sure tackle and holds down his side on runs and screens
Go Bucs
April 18th, 2024 at 12:14 pm
SB~LV..17 games now.
April 18th, 2024 at 12:18 pm
GMC learned to tackle from Schiano…not a shocker.
April 18th, 2024 at 12:28 pm
@SlyPirate – Great idea! A Ronde Barber tackle clinic. That is perfect.
April 18th, 2024 at 1:10 pm
Bobby M. Says:
“I miss CBs like Ronde…”
LOL – ya think?
HOFer who played more consecutive games and has more sacks and more defensive TDs than any CB in history?
Who wouldn’t like to have a clone of that guy?
April 18th, 2024 at 4:58 pm
I hope McCollum can bring what he has learned to the field this year. Seems like the kid has a lot of talent but not quite all the skills. Would love to see him blow up and showcase his raw talent. I know Todd has a great history of coaching these young guys up so I am excited to see who this kid will be in 2024-2025.
April 19th, 2024 at 12:30 am
McCollum seems like a smart kid.
I think he puts it all together this year. Real opportunity.
And I like Hall too in case of injury.
Secondary should already be better and I think we add 1 more.
April 19th, 2024 at 2:10 am
Why learn to tackle when it will be flag football soon.