Iron Sharpens Iron (Really)

August 3rd, 2018

Crash course.

It is an overused phrase but “iron sharpens iron” isn’t exactly an empty cliche.

As Joe detailed earlier, how is a guy supposed to make a jump in improvement if he is practicing against garbage players? Might be better off practicing against tackling dummies.

(Joe has a note about practice today that involves Donovan Smith and Jason Pierre-Paul you can read and enjoy later.)

That’s why Carlton Davis is sort of geeked to have been selected by the Bucs in the second round of the draft this spring. Every day in practice he is going up against a member of perhaps the deepest receiving corps in the NFL.

And this fact is not lost on Davis.

“Going against our receivers, they’re so diverse in size and speed,” Davis gushed. “I just learn how to play different kind of receivers. A big body receiver like Mike Evans, you have to play different rather than going against DeSean Jackson. They give you different things, so I guess that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned through this first week.

“You’ve got to have a lot of confidence on that island going against DJax, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.”

Just by being selected by the Bucs, Davis is getting a crash course in how to play corner in the NFL.

Joe is sure hoping as a result, the pattern of young corners deteriorating under this current defensive staff is broken by Davis. Also, Davis will have to grow up in a hurry if he is to start right out of the gate against Drew Brees, Carson Wentz and Ben Roethlisberger.

Joe hopes the Bucs’ talented receivers accelerate that growth process.

17 Responses to “Iron Sharpens Iron (Really)”

  1. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    But, can he punt?

  2. Easy Denman Says:

    I have a good feeling about this guy. He’s gonna get tested in practice and in games going against guys like Jones, Thomas, Ridley, Sanu and Funchess.

  3. AlteredEgo Says:

    Sounds good to me…

  4. Chris in WA Says:

    It’s good that the receivers aren’t going easy on these guys because lord knows that Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster won’t on MNF.

    I just have a bad feeling that this is the year Grimes drops off but I hope I am wrong.

  5. BROCKTACULAR Says:

    I”m stoked about the new talent my team has acquired this off season.

  6. 813bucboi Says:

    will he give WR’s the smitty special?….12yards off the ball….free release….well see soon enough….

    #NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!

  7. SOEbuc Says:

    If Smith is gonna play 12 yards off again, it’s at least better with this guys length.

  8. JJV Says:

    Joe,
    Breaking news that Nike will not renew contract with Jameis.

  9. BucEmUp Says:

    Davis is getting a crash coarse in how to play corner in the NFL

    LMAO this must be the joke of the day right? Landing with the bucs is probably the 32nd best option any rookie corner has coming into this league.

    Good luck being successful playing 12 yards off the line bud. Bye the way be prepared for all the “fans” to call you a bust when your actually being coached to leave the wr open from the snap.

  10. BucEmUp Says:

    Wth am.I banned?

  11. BucEmUp Says:

    Guy doesn’t want to play off he wants to play press. Square peg round hole

  12. BigMacAttack Says:

    I like him too. It may take some time but he has the right stuff. Fingers crossed

  13. Not there yet Says:

    We don’t have qb’s that fake you out with their eyes and pump fakes, no way I want any rookie corners starting the first 3 weeks. Give em reps in game and move them along slowly unless Ryan Smith and vh3 play like they did last year

  14. Destinjohnny Says:

    Stud
    Great draft pick

  15. Bobby M. Says:

    I still believe D-Jax mind f’d Hargreaves last training camp…..After that camp, Hargreaves shadow needed a cushion

  16. Trench War Says:

    TBBF

    lol 🙂

  17. Alaskan Abdominal Snowman Says:

    BucEmUp
    Coach K. talked today about how the rookie corners are more physical and not letting receivers off the line.

    He then said some young corners can be a little timid and play way off. My first thought was he just called out Hargreaves.

    I’m pretty positive that Mike Smith said that the corners have some flexibility in where they line up based on preference.

    I see the rookies pressing on one side and Grimes playing off like he prefers. Either way I’m not worried, Grimes doesn’t get thrown on a lot, the other side will be more aggressive, and the pass rush will decrease coverage time.

    Everybody is bent out of shape based on last year or assumptions about what will happen this year. If you are just assuming why not assume the best possible outcome and then you can b!tch and moan when things actually do go wrong.
    I’m excited for this season.
    I have hope.
    Go BUCS!!!