The “Packet Of Paper”
July 3rd, 2016
Bucs linebackers coach Mark Duffner
A very old school vibe is pulsating through the Buccaneers’ new coaching staff.
Joe’s not talking old school as in sticking to a defense that clearly doesn’t work. (See Coach My Scheme)
Joe’s talking about an old school mentality captained by Dirk Koetter. The head coach exudes old school, from his head-shaking when many stats are referenced, to his keep-it-real chatter with reporters, to his applauding of coaches getting intense, to hiring a veteran defensive staff.
New Bucs linebackers coach Mark Duffner is one of those old school men. Duffner, 62, is in his 20th consecutive season coaching NFL linebackers, a pretty impressive feat that speaks to the quality of his work. The Bucs are his fifth team, and he spent several years under defensive coordinator Mike Smith’s smothering “D” in Jacksonville.
Projected Bucs starting strongside linebacker Daryl Smith talked on SiriusXM NFL Radio recently about Duffner. Co-host Kirk Morrison and he shared a couple of kind laughs at Duffner’s expense.
Daryl Smith explained that Duffner is a crazy stickler for preparation and loves ink and printers.
“I already know when we get ready to play somebody, on that Monday, especially Wednesday, he gonna have a packet of paper that has all the clues and everything that we need to get ready to play,” Smith said. “You know, then he’s going to give you another one on Thursday. We’re going to break down so much film. You just know each other. He’s definitely one of my best coaches and I’m thankful to be back with him.”
Morrison, who played one season under Duffner for a season in Jacksonville, laughed when Smith referenced the “packet of paper.” Smith asked Morrison if he remembered the packets, and Morrison said he sure as heck did.
Joe wonders what 21-year-0ld Kwon Alexander will think of a “packet of paper,” as a youngster used to modern technology.
Hopefully, somewhere in those packets is a section on linebackers helping snuff out slant passes.
July 3rd, 2016 at 1:14 pm
For some reason I don’t think the slant pass is going to be a problem for us anymore. LVD’s and Kwon’s abilities were severely ham-strung in Lovie’s scheme. You didn’t see someone trying to pull that repeated slant bullsh!t when LVD was running around in Schiano’s scheme. I see the pass rush improving with the addition of Spawn, Golston in a contract yr, Jacques Smith having another yr under his belt, and the Ayers addition as well.
The LB Corps will be wreaking havoc across the middle under Mike Smith’s Defense and we all agree that the Secondary is going to be much improved with Grimes and Hargreaves along with Verner getting his old position coach back.
Things are looking pretty Bright in Tampa Bay guys!
Have a great 4th of July weekend guys! Stay safe and have fun!
July 3rd, 2016 at 1:38 pm
Saying the slants won’t be an issue anymore is a stretch…but I don’t think it will be as big as an issue.
The truth is, LVD and Kwon were kind of forced to play out of position a lot. They are both so good that they managed some good things, but now there are some holes plugged.
So I think we’ll improve in that area, but we still have some development to go.
July 3rd, 2016 at 2:29 pm
Competence in coaching is such a novel concept it is hard to know how players or fans will adjust to this new approach.
July 3rd, 2016 at 3:57 pm
I can already see the young guys “scanning” the packets of paper into their phones!
July 3rd, 2016 at 4:26 pm
Another heads up on another key cog improving the Bucs defensive engine, one that I was unaware of. Go Bucs!
July 3rd, 2016 at 4:40 pm
Joe,
If the schemes were the problem, then the need for more talented personnel would not have been necessary. The personnel was changed that is an obvious indication as to what the Bucs felt was the problem.
Sort a silly take because every team needs to spend the offseason upgrading personnel. Yes, the Bucs focused on defense in 2016, but that doesn’t mean personnel was the major problem. –Joe
July 3rd, 2016 at 6:32 pm
now that’s funny Joe
July 3rd, 2016 at 7:02 pm
Loggedontosay Says:
If the schemes were the problem, then the need for more talented personnel would not have been necessary. The personnel was changed that is an obvious indication as to what the Bucs felt was the problem.Schemes = coaching, pure and simple.
Talent won’t make up for bad coaching, but coaching can cover some bad talent.
The Bucs added D talent this offseason in select positions. There were no wholesale changes. That speaks volumes for where the front office thought the team was talent-wise…and D coaches got the apple & roadmap.
Res Ipsa Loquitur
July 3rd, 2016 at 7:11 pm
The ^^^post above^ should have read:
Loggedontosay Says:
Schemes = coaching, pure and simple.
Talent won’t make up for bad coaching, but coaching can cover some bad talent.
The Bucs added D talent this offseason in select positions. There were no wholesale changes. That speaks volumes for where the front office thought the team was talent-wise…and D coaches got the apple & roadmap.
Res Ipsa Loquitur
July 3rd, 2016 at 9:07 pm
Not everyone would understand about the thing speaking for itself but it kinda does.
July 3rd, 2016 at 9:21 pm
and the bucs added talent in most defensive coaching positions.Hopefully talent will be evaluated fairly and pets like mike Jenkins will not impede progress of the rest of the team.Lovie also wanted to replace Doug martin and koetter talked him out it.
July 4th, 2016 at 8:02 am
U can have all the talented players in the world but if they don’t know we’re there suppose to be in a defense it won’t do u much good. Like cobra said, good coaching can hide poor talent. We finally have a coach that will play to his players strengths instead of being stubborn and bringing in a scheme that doesn’t fit the talent. That’s how you get the most out of your players instead of handicapping them like Lovie did. Unleash the beast in LVD for once!! He’s shown he’s capable of providing 5 or more sacks when u let him rush the passer and 5 or more pics when u let him roam the field. He’s a perfect example of what I’m talking about. All that talent not being used properly. Time to change that crap around here.
July 4th, 2016 at 8:03 am
Sorry coach, but it’s called a tablet now. Lol
July 4th, 2016 at 5:31 pm
At least this LB Coach can break down an opponent’s offense and give his LBs the keys to look for. That can only help them stop the other team and get the ball back for Winston!
July 5th, 2016 at 9:05 am
Still would of liked to keep Hardy around.
July 5th, 2016 at 12:15 pm
At this point, it would take Duffner too long to learn how to put this stuff on tablets – more time doing that and less time to prep his defense. Keep killing the trees, coach.