New Defense No Hazard For Hey Jude
September 8th, 2016
Discussed learning Mike Smith’s defense.
There is always a learning curve of sorts for players when a new regime takes over.
So when Lovie Smith and his close family and friends were booted out of One Buc Palace in January, logically, the players held over on defense could be expected to struggle learning a brand new defense.
Listening to Bucs corner Jude Adjei-Barimah, better known as Hey Jude, Bucs coaches did a fantastic job eliminating any obstacles in grasping the new schemes.
“The coaches did a great job,” Hey Jude said. “[Secondary coaches Brett Maxie and Jon Hoke] did a really good job during OTAs and preseason to make sure that we knew every detail and nuance that we needed to know fundamentally.”
It also helped that the Bucs had players familiar with Mike Smith’s defense. Of course, Brent Grimes knew all about it as he played for Smith in Atlanta. But Hey Jude had an understanding of Smith’s defense too. Hey Jude said the defense he played under at Bowling Green was very similar to Smith’s concepts.
“I don’t feel like it was that hard, for me personally,” Hey Jude said of acclimating to Smith’s ways. “It wasn’t that hard. A lot of the concepts I ran in college, a lot of the terminology and the way we called things were similar. It wasn’t difficult at all. It was more getting on the same page as a team. Everybody being able to grasp it at once and being able to communicate as the same time. As a defensive unit.”
This will also explain why Hey Jude, until late in preseason, was listed as the starting nickel corner ahead of first round draft pick Vernon Hargreaves. Hey Jude had a much smaller learning curve. Of course, Hargreaves balled out in games and showed enough in practice to later be elevated to the starting slot.
Hey Jude also noted that in a much smaller way, he and Grimes were sort of like assistant coaches for the other corners as they knew about Smith’s defense more than others.
“Now when we went out there [on the practice field], we spoke on the side and picked each other’s brain,” Hey Jude said. “Especially guys like Grimes who was familiar [with the defense].”
September 8th, 2016 at 3:49 pm
DB I think over time you will come around to liking this kid. As far the slot gose I will be heated if VH3 is not the starting right corner on Sunday. This VH3 slot stuff nonesince. This will be the first thing all off season I will question about the new administration. This dose not require over thinking. Verner is a solid corner,VH3 is a ball hawking corner. He turns into a WR when he sees the ball coming in his direction.
September 8th, 2016 at 3:55 pm
Hey Jude has been impressive considering his climb from where he came from to where he is now in just one season.
September 8th, 2016 at 4:08 pm
He is the son of Nigerian immigrants to Italy. (African drown every day trying to cross the mediterranean to Spain or Italy. Some make it. Some don’t. its a human tragedy of epic proportions. the dirty legacy of european colonialism in Africa.
I live in Africa and study African immigration.
You can’t imagine what Africans will do to get the US or Europe.
When they come here, they come with a desire to study and work.
American born kids are generally very spoiled. White and Black.
Immigrants who come here have a hunger about them.
Jude is a hard worker. He is gonna be solid for us.
God bless and protect him.
September 8th, 2016 at 4:13 pm
Wise words Teacherman. May the “Most High” bless you.
September 8th, 2016 at 4:40 pm
Will be interesting to see who the starters are at corner come Sunday. Hoping for Grimes, VHIII, then Jude in the slot. Good to know that we have solid depth at the corner position.
September 8th, 2016 at 5:22 pm
DB I think over time you will come around to liking this kid
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Let’s see. I’m not looking for much just 1 play on the ball. He’s usually a sound tacklers except for the whiff on brown during the Cleveland game but homie is constantly giving up wide open catches.
He seems to be working hard so hopefully he proves me wrong. That would be great!
September 8th, 2016 at 5:38 pm
Mike Smith already said VHIII will be covering Julio Jones at points. I think they had a great plan all offseason for the CBs:
VHIII & Grimes will start in 2 WR sets
On nickel package, VHIII slides to slot and Verner plays outside
Jude = 4th CB and backup Nickle
This way; when they move Julio to the slot, we can still put VHIII on him. All corners can play man & zone.
It’s just like the D-line imo. We will put out the personnel that make the most sense for whatever we are trying to accomplish.
September 8th, 2016 at 6:27 pm
@Teacherman
Thanks for that excellent perspective. Although I do not have the up close view you have I totally agree with you.
This has been a fact since the beginning of our country. Immigrants come to our country…they become assimilated and by the 3rd generation they are true Americans…spoiled and entitled.
September 8th, 2016 at 7:50 pm
Is anyone here ready for some football.