Raheem Says 2010 Cultivated Offseason Focus
January 6th, 2011
A massive issue facing every NFL team, if there is a lockout of players in March, will be keeping guys motivated and focused on football when they’re essentially free men.
When there’s no weight lifting at One Buc Palace. When there’s no rookie minicamp to report to. When there’s no OTA days for which to stay in shape. When a pile of guys are free agents.
Joe has visions of the Yankees letting Josh Freeman use one of their fields off Dale Mabry Hwy. for daily throwing sessions. He could probably make some serious money selling tickets to that.
In theory a prolonged lockout should be a huge problem for the Buccaneers, who have a young roster of guys that might need a little more guidance than other clubs. And most Bucs are only in the beginning of their development as professionals and benefit greatly from OTA days and even loose supervision.
Speaking on WDAE-AM 620 yesterday as a co-host with Steve Duemig, Bucs icon Derrick Brooks expressed great concern about guys not being able to use the Bucs’ facilities to keep them connected with the team.
When Raheem Morris called in to chat, Brooks asked him about his young Bucs staying motivated. Raheem said the successful next-man-up 2010 season will keep his guys hungry and fearful.
“Having the ability to play as many people as we did, everybody on the team kinda knows, ‘Man, there are a bunch of guys around here that can play. So if I want to get my spot back I better get back into the room and get back into the lab and figure out how I can get better,'” Raheem said. “We don’t necessarily have a Derrick Brooks or a Warren Sapp, which is unbelievable players that are going to go out there and get it done no matter what. Even though I watched [Brooks] come here every day in the offseason. These guys are going to want to keep competing.”
Joe suspects only a select handful of Buccaneers will feel job security entering 2011.
Joe hopes Raheem is right about his players’ drive and focus, but a prolonged lockout, if it happens, seemingly would be a greater handicap for the Bucs versus their more veteran rivals in Atlanta and New Orleans.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
@Joe. I kind of remember that last year the players got some pretty large checks after the season due to the low payroll in 09. Man, they could get even bigger checks this year. Maybe you can do a story on this and remind us how that works? Thanks.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
I was also thinking the Bucs are going to have to pay Blount soon as he was signed for only two years. What’s the chance the Bucs will reward Williams with a new contract? Much was made of him signing quickly so he could get to work. Hope they do something to reward him.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Joe,
A little off topic:
Any words or whispers about which position coaches/coordinators will re-signed or let go and who they might sign, if the latter?
January 6th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
I know in another post yesterday, people were talking about Derrik Brooks joining the coaching staff. I actually think maybe the Bucs could create some kind of a “Quality Control Position” for Brooks where he would coach guys in how to be professionals and help them through personal situations, making god decisions etc.
It’s easy for people to talk about someone being a coach (which is a compliment), but not everybody wants to work those kind of hours. I heard Alsott was offered a coaching position, but he turned it down for that very reason.
January 6th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Joe
I think between Plant, Armwood and other schools that have been supported by the Bucs we can put together something for the young guns. Think Skipper will let them come over to work out with the Rays?
January 6th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Question to Joe or anyone for that matter:
With this lockout potentially looming, why would any underclassmen consider coming out early for this draft?
January 6th, 2011 at 9:16 pm
@lightningbuc,
For a few reasons. #1, they don’t think there is actually going to be a lockout. #2, it’s a weak class, and they will probably be picked higher this year than next (especially because many won’t come out for your reason), thus making them more money. #3, they are sick of school, and want to get out now.
So many underclassmen came out last year because they knew there might be a lockout this year, which is one of the main reasons why this is such a weak draft class. This year, there will be far less coming out early, but there will always be players wanting to get to the NFL early, lockout or no lockout. Ultimately, it usually falls on the advice they get from the people around them. If the people around them are saying they’ve got “inside info” that the lockout won’t happen, they will probably come out early.
January 7th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
It can always happen, but I doubt Derek Brooks goes into coaching anytime soon. Right now it seems he’s focusing his efforts on kids’ education and broadcasting/analysis.