Will Gholston Values Joint Practices, Too
August 22nd, 2024
Bucs DL Will Gholston.
It seems virtually all NFL coaches see value and like joint practices with other teams.
It differs from coach to coach. Father Dungy, Chucky, former Bucs commander Greg Schiano, Dirk Koetter and Bucco Bruce Arians liked joint practices. Obviously, so does Todd Bowles.
Lousy Lovie Smith didn’t. Figures.
The second-most tenured Bucs player, Will Gholston, also likes joint practices but not so much for the reason(s) you may think.
A lot of players like joint practices because they’re mentally shot from beating on the same two or three teammates day after day, week after week. Gholston thinks that’s a hogwash excuse.
In short, Gholston said it’s his job to better himself in practices, no matter who he is facing.
“The mental aspect of OTAs and throughout, it’s about learning the playbook,” Gholston said. “In my opinion [training camp] shouldn’t be mental drudgery.
“All you have is football during camp. You are in the hotel [room]. You have the playbook. You study the plays and you just execute.”
Joe spoke with Gholston after the Bucs held their joint practice Wednesday against the Dolphins.
“I think they are huge,” Gholston said of the joint practices. “To be competing against another high-level guy, instead of competing against the same guy over and over and over?
“I think after Jacksonville [joint practices] we got better. And I think after [practicing against Miami] we will be better for sure.”
Gholston made sure Joe knew the difference. If you compete against the same two or three players week after it’s hard to raise your game much, Gholston explained, because you are seeing the same players with the same moves snap after snap.
In the joint practices, a player is facing someone different with a whole different box of tools.
“I think [joint practices] are a way to sharpen the knife,” Gholston said.
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August 22nd, 2024 at 5:14 pm
RANDOM BUCS TRIVIA
1) Gholston has completed 11 years with the Bucs. AWJ has completed 4 years. AWJ has more tackles and almost as many sacks.
2) Brooks is the Bucs leader in Solo Tackles. Who’s number 2?
If you thought LVD, you’d be wrong. Barber is currently #2. LVD will pass Barber this year.
3) LVD has more TFL Derrick Brooks + Devin White + Kwon Alexander + Shelton Quarles + John Lynch combined!
August 22nd, 2024 at 7:17 pm
Here’s to Will, the glue guy.
Have your best season ever, Will. You next to Vita and Calijah can make the Bucs defense a lot better as a front 3.
Gotta love this dude.
August 22nd, 2024 at 8:33 pm
I love Will Gholston. I watched him when he was at Michigan State and have followed him his entire career here. Will has always been one of those guys who just goes in and does the dirty work on the defensive line. He’s a hard worker and obviously has done something right as he has stayed in Tampa through several regime changes.
August 22nd, 2024 at 9:38 pm
Heyo Joe, I don’t have a lot of time here.
The New Edition from Atlanta is all these clowns talkin anout on national. But we all know without Bobby slapping a few thousand lines down Whit’s throat it ain’t gonna be the dirty birds, it’s the filthy birds by Week 7.
If Derrick Carr beats us once, fire everybody
August 23rd, 2024 at 8:48 am
I hope Will sticks around for a couple more years, most fans don’t realize how important he is. He is one of the main reasons our defense has been so good at stopping the run over the years. Plus he’s a great coach to the young players. As a matter of fact I think he should take a coaching job when his career is over. He would excel in coaching.
August 23rd, 2024 at 9:05 am
Will Gholston has been a solid lunch pail player from the time he came here. He’s a solid attribute off-field, too. I’m glad he has his SB ring cos he stuck it out here through a lot of crap teams and coaches. He should gave coaching a very serious thought when he retires. He’s intelligent, and would be good at it! Just my $.02.
August 23rd, 2024 at 10:21 am
put Big Will in the ROH!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!