Tony Oden Sings Praises Of Johnthan Banks
June 17th, 2013
After just one interview, Joe has learned that Bucs cornerbacks coach Tony Oden is adept at coaching non-speak. He had all the empty coaching cliches down pat, such as, “We made a decision this offseason to not look back but to look forward,” which flies in the face of Coaching 101; you learn from mistakes through film study.
Though Oden was not the Bucs secondary coach last year, the Bucs’ pass defense was sinfully awful last season, just a handful of yards (14 to be precise) away from setting a 92-year record for NFL worst pass defense. Oden was absolutely tight-lipped when asked what he learned from last year’s film and how he would correct mistakes. Not even the IRS would be able to get any information out of him.
But when the subject of rookie cornerback Johnthan Banks came up, Oden sang like a bird, praising Banks, effusively.
“He will be up against a lot,” Oden said. “What he is learning is everyone is good here, everyone is fast. You have to play with that sense of urgency down in and down out. Things are going to go wrong and that the most important play for a cornerback is the next one. I think he will be just fine.
“He has confirmed some things we learned about him: He is a very passionate person, very prideful. He wants to do it right. Wants to do it the right way. He is smart and knows how to adjust.”
Banks seems to be, based mostly on Oden’s information, an extension of Leonard Johnson, who Oden highly praised for his exceptional work ethic. While Banks bragged how NFL receivers are no faster than SEC receivers, he will soon find out the NFL is not the SEC. It’s grown man football.
How quickly the Bucs’ secondary improves from last year may depend on how quickly Banks adjusts to the NFL. The strength of a secondary is tied to its weakest link. To date, no one suggested Banks is on Darrelle Revis’ level quite yet.
June 17th, 2013 at 2:52 pm
Joe,
that nfl record that we almost broke, is it for most yards allowed ?? or what exactly?
Last time i checked the saint gave up the most yard last season 7042. The we were at 6078. 29th ranked. That stat has been bugging me ever since the off season started and i never seem to find out which record we almost broke.
June 17th, 2013 at 3:19 pm
Most passing yards allowed in NFL history.
June 17th, 2013 at 3:22 pm
http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=2&season=2012&seasonType=REG&role=OPP&d-447263-n=1&d-447263-o=2&d-447263-p=1&conference=ALL&defensiveStatisticCategory=TEAM_PASSING&d-447263-s=PASSING_NET_YARDS
June 17th, 2013 at 4:00 pm
OHHH!!!
dam of 6078 we gave up 4758 yards. Yeah the additions to our secondary will help out TONS. And I just hope Banks snaps into professional mentality mode and start knowing that our division is full of pass happy QBs. And for sure they all did not come from the SEC
Thanks for the info.
June 17th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
I know the Bucs were high on Banks for quite some time. I watched some of his tape- the guy played really well against some elite WRs. He has quick recovery speed and loooong arms. Kinda reminds me style wise of Aneas Williams- always seemed to just glide along- then pop his arm up to make the pick.
Hope he plays like Aneas in the big leagues- kid should be great fun to watch! Has talent AND intelligence. Sounds driven, too
June 17th, 2013 at 4:14 pm
Not exactly what I would call high praise.
June 17th, 2013 at 4:23 pm
Did Oden say anything about Myron? After all, he defended against all that speed in the SEC also.
June 17th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Well played.
June 17th, 2013 at 5:36 pm
I don’t remember Lewis winning any defensive back of the year awards……
June 17th, 2013 at 5:40 pm
Leonard Johnson is a 4.6 corner.
Johnathan Banks is a 4.6 corner.
They are both AWESOME human beings and true Bucs.
But I am a little worried about them being our starting duo in 3 years. We will need to also draft a few 4.3 corners in the next few years. Because these guys aint gonna get any faster.
I love them both, but not as #1 and #2 corners.
Eric Wright runs in the 4.3-4.4 range and he still got burned last year.
So, we will see….
June 17th, 2013 at 8:01 pm
I think he is saying that he isn’t looking back at the crappy coaching they received last year! Friggin Ron Cooper is now going to stink up the joint at USF!
June 17th, 2013 at 8:33 pm
I reserve judgement until I see him in action in preseason. Watching him in underwear and looking at his footage from college is deceiving even considering all the elite SEC receivers he played against. Let’s see how he deals with 4.4 speed and karate chops off press coverage almost every play. Then we’ll get a true barometer on this kids talent. I just hope he’s a sure tackler, unlike Talib who would refrain from tackling, unless he’s the last line of defense and even then sometimes he reminded me of a bull fighter… ol’e.