Hotter The Better
August 20th, 2015
Center Evan Smith and his teammates are grinding through steamy practices of late.
Man, the practices the past two days at One Buc Palace have been really steamy. Today, Joe thought he just stepped out of the shower. It was only 10:30 a.m.
Imagine what the Bucs were feeling? Trust Joe, they were broiling.
Bucs center Evan Smith came off the field joking about the heat and using an adjective Joe won’t print, but the root word rhymed with “muck.” Joe totally understood. It was a cooker out there.
Smith thought that practicing under such conditions was good for the development of the Bucs.
“It is hot,” Smith said, dripping like a leaky faucet. “We have been fighting through it. Kind of tough in camp when your numbers are that low. The mental part, we are getting there. Getting better.”
Yes, the numbers of the offensive line are shrinking. Demar Dotson is out for the time being. Kevin Pamphile is the captain of the floppy hat squad. Recently signed Gosder Cherilus isn’t quite up to speed. Josh Allen has his foot in a boot.
Offensive linemen are getting more reps than usual. Hence, they are getting a jump-start on their development, despite roasting in the kiln of the Florida midday sun.
“We are down numbers now so guys are getting a lot of rotation and a lot of reps,” Smith said. “Good for everybody to get all of those reps and get all of that work. We had a pretty good day yesterday. We had a pretty good day today. We still need to clean up some mental stuff. Physically, we are getting better every day.”
If this is what it takes to get the offensive line in gear quickly, toiling in the Florida furnace, then so be it. “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston needs to be kept in one piece.
August 20th, 2015 at 2:44 pm
I don’t know if it would matter if the staff gave the O Linemen fitted Ironman suits. I’m just not feeling good about our Offensive Line. I am holding out hope that in 15-20 years they will gel.
August 20th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
Watching this MF play should give everyone an idea to how great Aaron Rodgers really is.
August 20th, 2015 at 2:53 pm
The heat does not help….hurry up with that indoor facility already. No reason it should not be completed by next offseason. There is plenty of time. It will allow for faster more efficient practices. They said it will be done hopefully by next year…..so that means it will be ready for use by 2019.
August 20th, 2015 at 3:04 pm
Distance runners usually train 4 week days and do their long runs on Sunday (known as Runday). I noticed that during the summer if I do my last day of the week run indoor my legs are much fresher and my times are better on my long Runday. I can only think this would translate to NFL performance too.
August 20th, 2015 at 3:34 pm
Where’s Pickgrin at?? Understand my “psuedo rage” now genius?? As if the Big Dog reiteratting my so called “psuedo rage” in the first 5 mins of his broadcast yesterday wasn’t enuff, now our starting center states for the record that being out in the heat as opposed to the rain is better for their development as well as their endurance. UNDERSTAND YET PICKGRIN??
August 20th, 2015 at 3:43 pm
Dolphins had a perfect season practicing in the heat.
Bucs won a Super Bowl without an indoor facility.
Good players win. Lousy players lose.
August 20th, 2015 at 3:50 pm
buc4life1979 – The only thing I understand about what I see you posting here on JBF is that you are a prime candidate for a Valium/Xanax prescription combo.
I recommend doubling the prescribed dosages – as those are just suggestions anyway…
August 20th, 2015 at 4:15 pm
Heat and humidity yeah. This factor should be the Bucs ace up their sleeve against teams from less hot and humid locales. It has always been said to be an advantage here, in reality not so much.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:09 pm
The effect of the heat on visiting teams in the fall is obviously debatable.
But I’ll take any advantage I can gain and I think the heat “can” be an advantage.
For some reason the Bucs have always seemed to fare better in a no huddle or hurry up offense. We saw what happened when Schiano let MG8 go no huddle on the Seahawks. We saw what happened last week when Fameis ran Kotter’s hurry up offense.
If the Bucs really perfect Koetters hurry up and run lots of plays quickly and most importantly can move the chains and keep opposing defenses on the field then the 4th quarter could really be impacted with some D’s tongues dragging the ground.
August 20th, 2015 at 5:11 pm
I was thinking about doing some research on this whole training in the heat thing and posting it over on the message board. I might still … or maybe I’ll drink another beer instead …. hmmm. At any rate while I was thinking that I did a bit of googleing and found a bunch of articles on the topic. Besides from the Viking player that died from heat stroke, one of the interesting ones was from soccer players who play in games with hot temps. The main point was how many fewer yards the players run in games and how much slower they run where the temp is up versus games at a moderate temperature. The players ran faster for more yards with cooler temps. If its hotter than Hades, your body is expending energy to keep from stroking out, that means less energy available for explosive plays, less energy available to mentally focus on what you are doing. Having said that, I also saw numerous articals about the heat having less effect on those who were acclimated, had proper nutrition and hydration. So bottom line, is we can argue about this till the indoor facility is completed … and then some.
August 21st, 2015 at 3:36 am
Evan Smith is the most out of shape player on the roster. I really think Lovie Smith is about to come to his senses with a lot of these guys and put his drafted players out there on the line. After we lose the Bengals game we really need to give All Marpet the reps at center over Evan Smith. Evan Smith is the sole reason this line is getting destroyed these days and is beginning to look like a turnover machine snapping the ball. Im really pushing for Marpet and his speed and power to be starting at center opening kickoff. Marpet has big potential and maybe pro bowl ready once given his chance at a position hes familiar with as well. Lovie should really come to his senses and continue to develop Edwards and Pamphile as well at their own position as well (RG and RT respectively). Leave Marpet away from the guard position and put him in at center so Evan Smith and his compromisingly bad attitude can walk. Like I said Evan Smith should be cut or traded (if possible).
August 21st, 2015 at 9:13 am
@Jason and others clamoring for Marpet at center.
I understand that thought and the enthusiasm behind it. But are we sure Marpet can actually snap the ball? How do we know he won’t roll it back to the QB when we’re in the gun?
But I get your feelings. And I would certainly know by now if Marpet has any talent for snapping the ball just in case we need to go in that direction.
August 21st, 2015 at 1:09 pm
@Jason..i agree..i would love for lovie to put marpet at center and see how it goes..if hes on par with gilkey than switch him back to guard but I feel hes way better than gilkey..I wish litch and lovie would’ve pulled the trigger on la’el Collins..first round talent that went undrafted..charges were never filed and his name was cleared..we could’ve had d.smith,mankins,marpet,l.collins and d.dotson as our starting oline…they really blow it with passing on him..cant wait until Monday night..GO BUCS!!!
August 23rd, 2015 at 6:19 pm
Why are we hating on Evan smith…? Because he had a high snap that Winston had his hands on and didn’t control it… Or because there was a miscommunication under center and he snapped the ball before Winston was ready…? Let’s be honest here guys, Winston is a rookie QB and I’m gonna bet that Evan smith is gonna be just fine at center. Leave Marpet at RG where hes comfortable. Oh, and let the coaches decided what’s best for this team, lol. So of the stuff you all come up with. Smh.