K.J. Britt Says Fans Will See A Better Linebacker On Sunday
September 7th, 2024
Not satisfied.
Joe remembers a couple of years ago when backup linebacker K.J. Britt really impressed Joe.
It was a locker room availability. Joe was talking to some defenders about NIL salaries college players were pulling. This was when NIL payments first became legal.
Antoine Winfield was sort of lamenting he was born a year or two too soon when he heard a Notre Dame safety recruit was reportedly offered more cash than what Winfield was making on his Bucs rookie contract.
Joe remarked to Britt that at Texas, Joe had read an auto dealer had bankrolled an NIL deal that any offensive lineman, even backups, who made the Longhorns roster was guaranteed no less than $100,000 a season.
“Where’s the incentive to improve?” Britt wondered out loud.
It’s that kind of mentality that transformed Britt into an NFL starting linebacker. And he hasn’t lost it. This summer Britt told Joe a day didn’t go by without him working on his craft.
“Each and every day in the offseason I was working,” Britt told Joe. “Trying to get fluid. Just trying to prove I can be on the field.”
This was after Britt became a Bucs’ starting inside linebacker.
Remember the strong run defense Britt dished out in the playoffs last year against the Eagles and the Lions? Britt hopes to offer Bucs fans an improvement.
“Each and every game I’m trying to get better. I can’t wait to get out there,” Britt said.
So how much better is Britt now than when he started against Green Bay when Devin White was a healthy scratch? Britt thinks he’s smarter.
“Knowing what is going on,” Britt said of his growth. “Knowing where to fit in with defenses. Just being more comfortable out there.”
September 7th, 2024 at 12:25 am
100k per season to every o-lineman on on a college team? Wild.
[Hate to do it unbelievable, but Joe relies on sponsors to keep the lights on here. Sorry man. — Joe] … lol
September 7th, 2024 at 12:31 am
Talk is cheap, he gotta prove it.
September 7th, 2024 at 12:34 am
Joe always said SEC better watch out. Once those oil boys in Texas and Oklahoma open up their wallets, look out. They’ll just go out and buy good teams.
Shoot, wasn’t Nick Saban crying a couple of years ago when Texas A&M was outbidding him for his recruits? LOL
September 7th, 2024 at 1:16 am
LOL my bad Joe. Wasn’t trying to throw shade their way specifically at all, but I get it. Don’t want the lights ever going off at JBF!
Yeah I believe you are correct on Saban. I mean that always seemed like one of the obvious outcomes of NIL, right? Highest bidder, just like many other things in life.
Coincidentally (or not), Saban never won a championship again once NIL started, huh?
September 7th, 2024 at 1:29 am
The only concern I have with Britt is his speed. He’s so slow. Just watching him in the preseason guys were running right past him. In the playoffs we saw that as well – one play he makes a good tackle inside – then the very next play we was beat outside because he just couldn’t keep up. Maybe with experience he’s able to gain a half step – I think that’s not really feasible, but perhaps. In any case I’m not rooting against him and I hope he proves the team right to have place this much faith in him.
September 7th, 2024 at 6:06 am
FSU needs a QB, Jameis needs to enroll.
September 7th, 2024 at 6:33 am
I just hope Britt is FASTER!
September 7th, 2024 at 7:16 am
Hmm. Britt was in coverage on 124 plays last year, posted a 64 pff, (as opposed to Lavante’s 68) The very speedy DW had a 58 in coverage
September 7th, 2024 at 7:58 am
Can’t see college players getting paid. Joe is absolutely right on buying teams. Don’t like it.
September 7th, 2024 at 9:00 am
I like Britt a lot. He was always a good downhill thumper, but has improved his knowledge and always seems to be in the right place and taking the right angles.
September 7th, 2024 at 9:27 am
This guy is gonna turn a few heads this year, as in KNOCK THEM OFF!!!
The NFL is so rigged that it feels sorry for not Recognizing the greatest run of HOF Line backers in league history. They are gonna give us another one. This time he will get the attention of the media.
Brooks
David
Britt
And the beat goes on!!!
September 7th, 2024 at 1:00 pm
We live in a capitalistic system. Money trumps idealism. Today more so than ever?
Go Bucs. Win on your budget.
September 7th, 2024 at 1:05 pm
I guess I typed a keyword and the algorithm flagged my comment.
Anyway, Go KJ!