The Jameis Of The Defense
April 25th, 2017
Talks leadership and teamwork.
Various Bucs officials, suits and coaches often refer to middle linebacker Kwon Alexander as “the Jameis of the Defense.”
Of course, Jameis, America’s Quarterback, is the unquestioned leader of the Bucs and the face of the franchise. So when Bucs folks call Kwon “the Jameis of the Defense,” it’s a high compliment.
Yesterday, Joe asked Kwon what being put on a pedestal near or even with Jameis means to him.
“Just means I am doing my job,” he said. “That’s all I do. Just do my job and be a leader. Jameis is a great leader. I learn a lot from him. I just do my job and help being a leader on our defense.
“I take that [as a] big role. Keep our defense up with a lot of energy. Keep the defense up. They always listen to me and to what I have to say. I get a lot of respect.”
When Joe followed that up asking Kwon what he learned from Jameis, there was a simple answer.
“Be yourself,” Kwon said. “Don’t’ worry about what everybody else thinks. Just be yourself. We are from Alabama. I’ve known Jameis for a long time. [Jameis takes] the game real serious and I take it the same way. We both want to win so that’s what we are trying to get this team to.”
There is no doubt when Kwon is on the field, he’s the heart of the defense, the pulse. It’s almost in the same spirit as Derrick Brooks, though clearly Kwon isn’t the same player the great Double-Nickel was.
April 25th, 2017 at 6:46 am
Seeing a big difference in Bucs leadership today from what we had around 2000. Sapp was the unquestioned leader of the DLine, although we had several other great DLinemen (especially Simeon). Brooks was pretty much the leader of the LBs it seemed, even though he didn’t call plays. And IMO, Lynch kept the secondary together, although once again we had several great players back there. In other words, Bucs had several leaders at various ‘depths’.
Today, I think we’re building towards a similar leadership structure, but it’s not there yet. At least not to the degree that Sapp, Brooks & Lynch provided. But it’s coming along, and this will hopefully be the year that several strong leaders emerge on defense.
April 25th, 2017 at 6:53 am
Something is telling me LVD is starting to become expendable now??????
……especially considering how much his play dropped off last year
April 25th, 2017 at 7:08 am
Looks like Adrian Peterson 2 times this year. We in trouble now!
April 25th, 2017 at 7:37 am
Lol @ Lavonte becoming expendable.
April 25th, 2017 at 7:51 am
WhatdaBUCisthis Says:
April 24th, 2017 at 8:25 am
@Bonzai says: Or David for showing promise a couple years and then busting? (yes, I said bust…because he’s had two bad years in a row…its up to him to prove otherwise now).
Ah yes…I was roasted on here last year for suggesting we trade #93 n #54.
I have since changed my stance on GMC. It is a travesty they haven’t addressed the line as they should’ve with draft picks… Far as David, DAMN lost all respect when he mentally checked out FIRST PLAY 2 years ago to START THE SEASON!!!!. There both good players but as a fan we want great. That’s life
If ya ain’t first, ya last -Ricky Bobby
There was a losing culture BUT NO MORE
A new era has begun
12-4
GO BUCS
This is KING KWONs defense now.
April 25th, 2017 at 8:01 am
Love Kwon, but how is he going to beat out GMC and David for Defensive Capt?
April 25th, 2017 at 8:48 am
He’s going to become a household name with hard knocks
April 25th, 2017 at 8:53 am
Well there is more than one captain and both LVD or GMC don’t possess the leadership traits that Kwon has. I could see LVD giving it up and not flinching about it.
I could easily see Kwon getting the nod over those two.
April 25th, 2017 at 9:13 am
Off subject. Apparently, we have another 300 lb. girl-hitting “victim”! In “self defense” her face reportedly hit his fist knocking the girl unconscious!!!!
April 25th, 2017 at 9:22 am
So what we learn from JW and KA:
Leaders = When you do your job with passion and others gravitate to you because your energy and performance is top notch. Others don’t knock you off your center. Goal is to be your best to accomplish a goal.
ie., JW, Kwon, Robert Ayers
Good players lacking passion & leadership:
GMC & David
Having a W in your mind drives you pass pain, refs and the opponent.
Football in the NFL it’s a profitable competition which pays for their home and the well being of their family. Passion and leadership pays respect to the game and fans.
Licht is finding leaders!
In Licht We Trust!!!
April 25th, 2017 at 9:27 am
We’re gonna look back on tgat 2015 draft class when it is all said and done as the greatest draft class in franchise history. Especially if Marpet excels at Center. Still have hope for Donovan Smith to improve as well.
April 25th, 2017 at 9:55 am
Joey, I agree with you. Jameis, Donovan, Ali & Kwon all in one draft class … WOW! And the funny thing is, all the rest after Jameis were surprises when the Bucs selected them. I wonder how many mock drafts had any of those last 3 coming to the Bucs. (We won’t mention Kenny Bell, Kaelin Clay & Joey Iosefa from that draft class).
Personally think Jason Licht hit the trifecta again last year. VHIII & Noah Spence have already made their presence known. I’ve got high hopes for Ryan Smith & Devante Bond this year, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Caleb Benenoch & Roberto Aquayo become key contributors also. That’s 2 very impressive draft classes.
April 25th, 2017 at 10:25 am
Joey & Defense rules – Well stated.
April 25th, 2017 at 10:39 am
LVD is in no way expendable. I agree watching his play slip a little is frustrating, but who would replace him on the d? We need more playmakers, not more projects. He doent need to lead, just play. And hopefully get back to playong with his hair on fire.
April 25th, 2017 at 10:57 am
Lavonte expendable? You are laughable. Lavonte frees up so much with his coverage and edge setting letting Kwon fly around. They make each other better without a doubt. He’s still one of, if not the best, 4-3 OLB in the NFL. Just because his tackle numbers are down doesn’t mean he’s not as good a player. He’s also being asked to do different things from his first 2/3 seasons. As for GMC, another top flight player at his position. Just because he isn’t a loud onbnoxiois guy on the field he gets flack. It’s a joke. Our fan base continually trying to run off its best players is pathetic. Some of you were probably griping about Mike Evans going into this past season because he has “bad hands”. Legitimately pathetic. These guys are the cornerstones of this franchise. Best at their respective positions but because they lead silently (like everyone’s favorite Buc legend Ronde Barber mind you) they aren’t a good leader or don’t play with passion. GMac has played through so many injuries over the years, but he doesn’t have passion for the game? Laughable.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:12 am
@Bucfanman: reportedly but not confirmed, she hit him first! I don’t have a problem with it….learn to be a lady and know that your role is not in a man’s face!!
April 25th, 2017 at 11:56 am
One word for Kwon – Baller.
April 25th, 2017 at 12:34 pm
@thebucsanthem…..I agree….I think he is expandable….especially with no more guarantee money and his play declining…we could trade down and get jarred davis in the early mid twenties, who would be an upgrade over LVD….bigger stronger faster….
I think come Thursday a lot of players that we(the fans) and licht may want may be gone by the time we pick….players like barrnett, cook, fournette, mccaffrey, howard, the Miami TE, harris, the western Kentucky and Wisconsin olineman, corey davis, mike Williams…..throw in 1 qb, safety, garrett, soloman Thomas and the bama dlineman and we’re only at pick # 17….
at that point who would be BPA?….cam robinson, adoree Jackson, the UConn safety or jarred davis….im thinking davis….a player that can play all 3 downs, stuff the run, rush the passer and finally give us production at that strong side LB position…..GO BUCS!!!!
April 25th, 2017 at 2:48 pm
Why does joe insist on calling Kwon “Jameis of the defense”? Why can’t he be Kwon Alexander??? Let the chap be his own name.
April 25th, 2017 at 10:12 pm
OK.. Here it goes..Like it or not..As YOU all know..I could care less!!
Kwon has had a tendency to..fall asleep at the wheel during games..BIGTIME!! I judge all of our linebackers based on the great one..Derrick Books people!!
Kwon is a good player..but not great yet..He’s slower out of the box than Derrick was. However..This could be his year. Perhaps he is a..slow Burn? He needs to get better. Much Better. But his development could just be in steps and not a burst onto the scene like Brooks was. So..I am Waiting!!!!! Ohhh and while I’m sittin here having a double shot of Crown Royal? David Lavonte needs to step up his game tremendously this yr.He becomes..invisible at times in the defense. You can’t have this and become a champion. WORD. ..Yes honey..pour me another……!
April 26th, 2017 at 3:27 am
I love my team. I riding with them and whoever on the squad you can go around the league and find holes in all 32 teams. This season we the fans need to step it up a notch. What Elite NFL teams do you know that doesn’t have a very supportive fan base? If I could afford season tickets I would be at every game/event. All you new comers need to pump the brakes. No im not blind But I LOVE my Bucs