Bryan Cox Already Producing Results
August 2nd, 2013
Bucs rookie defensive lineman William Gholston claims that pass rush coach Bryan Cox taught him a pass rush move, something he never had before being drafted by the Bucs.
Two Bucs coaches did a simply outstanding job last year. One was offensive line Bob Bostad and the other was (then) front-seven coach Bryan Cox.
For the most part, Cox was charged with upgrading what was a sieve of a rush defense, the worst in the NFL under (then) head coach/defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. By adding just one player to the front seven (linebacker Lavonte David), the defense went from the worst rush defense in the NFL to the best.
That, friends, is what Joe calls coaching.
This year, Cox’s title and responsibilities have changed. He is now in charge of trying to produce something resembling a pass rush. That’s all he does. One job, one responsibility, one focus: rush the quarterback.
Many defensive linemen rave about Cox. Akeem Spence already said Cox helped him develop a pass rush move, something Greg Schiano said Thursday that Spence didn’t show on tape at Illinois.
Another third day draft pick of the Bucs, defensive lineman William Gholston, is also singing the praises of Cox.
“I have a solid pass rush move,” Gholston told Joe of what he has learned since being drafted. “Before I got to the NFL, I didn’t have a pass rush move. But with the coaches, Coach Cox and Coach [Randy] Melvin, they have really helped me to develop a pass rush. Cox had helped a lot. Every day he is trying to help me, getting in my ear.”
Now this has Joe so happy he could go out and drink some beers (But Joe can’t. Too busy and Joe has to get up very early for practice tomorrow). Gholston has a world of talent but it apparently was not developed at Michigan State. If Cox can turn this guy around like many college football analysts feel is inside of Gholston, well, look out.
Are players going to throw their position coaches under the bus, especially before preseason games have started? Of course not. But you can tell by the smiles, the twinkle in their eyes and the body language. When you ask defensive linemen about Cox, he is already producing results.
And those are results that are sorely needed on the front line of the Bucs defense.
Audio courtesy of WDAE-AM 620.
August 2nd, 2013 at 4:29 pm
Pass rush is so badly needed on this team. The one thing that drives me crazy on the D for the past 2-3 yrs now is the pass rush. Being a Bucs fan it’s something I’m not used to having to deal with. The bad secondary only drove me crazy last season. Please fix them Cox.
“Pretty please with sugar on top”-Winston Wolf-Pulp Fiction
August 2nd, 2013 at 4:57 pm
Article like this gets me pumped to see what these guys can do!
August 2nd, 2013 at 5:16 pm
Another coach, who doesn’t seem to get a lot of accolades, but has done a great job to this point, is running back coach, Ernest Byner. Someone should ask the RB’s what they think of Byner. High praises.
August 2nd, 2013 at 5:31 pm
I am VERY HIGH on this kid. I really think he is going to be a stud DE in the near future. if Bowers doesnt pan out, Im looking for this kid to not only take his place but be great.
“Before I got to the NFL, I didn’t have a pass rush move.”
Wow, what does this say about the coaching at Michigan St.? cant be very good.
August 2nd, 2013 at 6:15 pm
Wow, you have one hell of a man crush on Cox and Dominik!
August 2nd, 2013 at 6:43 pm
Buc’n Junkie , I agree totally. Despite The Fumble, as a coach Byner has produced at every NFL stop.
August 2nd, 2013 at 6:45 pm
Glad this staff puts so much emphasis on coaching and development. As I said when so many were complaining about picking our 3 DL in the later rounds, this staff is not afraid to take on raw talent and make them into good players.
August 2nd, 2013 at 6:46 pm
Andrew 1 , college coaches, remember, have very little practice time with the players as compared to the NFL. Plus they have a lot more players to try to teach, and to sort out for future playing time, etc..
Look at the defensive talent at FSU & Georgia in 2012; on paper, neither team should have ever lost a game.
August 2nd, 2013 at 7:21 pm
@Mike J
I’m sure Byner would love to forget that game! …lol
August 2nd, 2013 at 7:29 pm
Marty said it wasn’t all on Earnest; Slaughter was supposed to block Castille but watched the play instead.Schotty also said Byner’s play was why they were in a position to tie in the first place.
August 2nd, 2013 at 8:09 pm
I’m a big B Cox fan, but to give him all (or even most) of the credit for worst to first in Run D is ludicrous.
As stated,they added David,Gerald improved vs the run, Schiano brought a NFL run scheme, Foster improved due to experience and the main reason…
The pass D was so awful. That always skews the run D stats favorably.
August 2nd, 2013 at 8:41 pm
@Mike J
Yeah, but at least Byner got some redemption win he won the Superbowl with the Skins. It sucks for Cleveland because they came so close.
August 2nd, 2013 at 8:52 pm
On a side note, the Baltimore Ravens preseason game coming up obviously is not a must win…but a win would be a nice confidence builder since they are the SB Champs.
The question is, can Mike Glennon beat their second team. He has consistently overthrown almost every pass over 20 yards.
August 2nd, 2013 at 9:15 pm
But but but Bonzai…robert says Glennon is the man that’s going to replace Freeman. C’mon man. Don’t you listen to robert? After watching the Sapp special on NFL Network. I have to say we as Buc fans we’re spoiled rotten to have him. That’s why when I said earlier in this thread. Being a Bucs fan it’s something I’m not used to having to deal with, not having a pass rush. Warren Sapp spoiled me. Those that missed the special and were in here blogging missed a great show.
August 3rd, 2013 at 5:47 am
The NFL Network piece on Sapp was really well done. It did make me wonder, where’s the swagger on the team now? Nickerson, Brooks, Sapp, Lynch all had it and it spread throughout those great teams. Guess we’ll see.
August 3rd, 2013 at 8:49 am
This guy has the physical attributes to play with the Big Dogs, he just need to be coached up by the right folks. Batting down 10 passes in one season in college is impressive, then for him to admit that since being with the BUCS he’s been taught moves that he never knew on the college level…that speaks volume. Unlike his cousin Vernon, William will flourish in the NFL…why, because he has the right attitude, he’s in the right system, n he has the right coaches that will indeed hold him accountable. Being that his size n height is similar, my hope is that he can mirror what former Panthers Julius Peppers did as a rookie. This guy is hungry and wants to play.
August 3rd, 2013 at 9:51 am
The piece on Sapp will replay on NFL network today and again in the wee hours overnite tonight.