“Natural Bender” Clayborn Finds Love
August 1st, 2011
As Joe has written before, Joe can’t get enough of watching defensive line coach Keith Millard. The intensity, the raspy voice and knowing that the guy holds an NFL sack record is a magnetic combination.
Dude is just into it. And he’s very personable and quotable, which Joe always appreciates.
Speaking to eye-RAH! Kaufman, NFL writer for The Tampa Tribune, Millard talked about his affection for Adrian Clayborn.
It took only a few practice sessions for Millard to size up Clayborn.
“I love him, man,” Millard said. “Quick, violent, good hands, natural bender. At Iowa, they wanted their guys to play tight to the blockers, but we need Adrian to get outside to use that quickness.”
So what’s a “natural bender” that Millard referred to? Joe checked in with former Bucs DE Steve White (1996-2001) for a definition. “It means he has good pad level and he bends at his knees rather than his waist,” White said.
Joe suggests you read the entire Kaufman article linked above. Interesting stuff.
Joe’s not expecting miracles from the D-line this year, but Joe suspects it won’t be because the coaches don’t get everything out of them.
August 1st, 2011 at 1:22 pm
I thought Thomas 2.2’s nickname was “natural bender”. LOL!
August 1st, 2011 at 1:58 pm
@Joe –
Any idea whether or not Steve White is going to run his weekly analysis of the DLine this season? I miss his analysis and would love to see his comments on what he thinks of our rookies!
August 1st, 2011 at 2:12 pm
i think it may take a little while for clayborn to learn to just turn it loose because of the defense at iowa that he’s coming from but he will be a damn menace when he puts it all together.
August 1st, 2011 at 2:27 pm
Joe here,
@Kevin — Joe can’t speak for Steve. Hope so. It’s great stuff.
August 1st, 2011 at 3:27 pm
I thoght T-Jack was on a “natural bender”…
August 1st, 2011 at 4:00 pm
I think Clayborn and McCoy are gonna be two successful and popular Bucs! They both seem like genuinely nice guys, who like people. Hope Bowers and Price get in on that 4 Amigos bonding. These guys can grow together into a really fearsome D line. I’m cheering for all 4 of them!!
August 1st, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@Joe
We keep hearing about Millard…is Grady Stretz (the other Def Line Coach) not present right now?
August 1st, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Joe here,
@PeteDutcher — Stretz is there doing his thing. Dominik praised him on the radio today. Millard’s just more fun to talk about, plus he stands out much more.
August 1st, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Good One McBuc. A natural bender can be a good thing from time to time.
August 1st, 2011 at 7:54 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised to see our young D line show flashes of greatness by the middle of the year. Just keep em healthy so they don’t miss games and can work on the chemistry and I’m pretty sure we’re going to have an elite four man rush while being able to drop everyone else to jump passing lanes. This Buc squad has so much potential to be awesome, every draft is like better than Christmas for me these days…
August 1st, 2011 at 7:59 pm
C’mon Joe, don’t you ever watch Mike Mayock on NFL Network. That’s all he ever talks about is whether people bend at the hips and knees or at the waist. Mayock is a must listen if you want to know what “a heavy legged waist bender”, “slewfooted”, “running the arc”, and “loose hips” are.
August 1st, 2011 at 8:59 pm
Brandon:
Love Mike Mayock!