Information Age
July 18th, 2014
Vincent Jackson talked about the reams of “information” he has received from Lovie Smith’s coaching staff.
One week, folks. One week. This afternoon will mark one full week until training camp begins for the Bucs. And while most Tampa Bay fans can’t wait, Joe knows many if not most players can’t wait for training camp to end.
The rigors of training camps past were legion. But the new NFL labor agreement has made them a shell of years past, when training camps were more like Junction Boys than bonding and learning sessions.
So it was a little surprising to Joe to hear Vincent Jackson, talking to Joe’s good friend Justin Pawlowski of WHFS-FM 98.7, say that he cannot wait for training camp to start.
“This time of the year, there are 32 teams that are all optimistic with a fresh slate,” Jackson said. “You are excited. You are ready to go. When you are not in the playoffs [from the previous season] and it is early January, it is tough. You want to get away from it and take a break. But I tell you what, by the time we start with our offseason work in April, you are already chomping at the bit for a new opportunity.
“Lovie has been great. All the coaches he has brought in have been outstanding. I can’t be more impressed with these guys. The amount of information we have been able to take in from the staff and accomplish [in the offseason] has really been light years ahead of what we have had in the past.
“It is exciting. I love the new players that we brought in. We are definitely a better football team across the board. There is a lot to look forward to. But we have to make it work when it counts on the field.”
Now Jackson’s choice of using the word “information” is interesting. Guessing many of you have read the insightful tome that is the “First 100 Days,” typed by Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. In the video where Lovie has his first staff meeting with his coaches, he remarks how he is going to supply his coaches with more data than they have ever had before.
“You are going get more information than any other staff you have ever been on,” Lovie said.
It is also documented in the same story that the Bucs beefed up their analytics department with the new regime. So, are the players being supplied tons and tons of data from the coaches? Is that what Jackson was referring to when he used the word “information?” If so, it’s an interesting angle. The stat geeks have all but hijacked baseball. Is this same mentality seeping into the NFL, and specifically, the Bucs?
Later in the interview, Pawlowski did his best to pry information out of Jackson as to what the mysterious Jeff Tedford offense will look like. Jackson didn’t show his hand, offering only that it would be “diverse” and “dynamic” and it is a fun offense because it is so fast-paced.
July 18th, 2014 at 6:23 am
Sounds like the Bucs are trying to emulate the Rays.
July 18th, 2014 at 7:46 am
info is ammo…
July 18th, 2014 at 8:02 am
Now that JFro-6pak is no longer on this team ( or the nfl ) it seems that finally our offense can handled more than 6 pages of the play book. I know everyone was yelling last year for the offensive coordinator to make adjustments, But when you have a QB that can’t make adjustments, you will get exposed before a whole season, Its no wonder the Bucs were always so bad in Dec. Other team had a mountain of Info on JFro-6pak limited knowledge on plays!
July 18th, 2014 at 9:15 am
“The First 100 days” was a great read.
I picked up on that as well. Lovie telling the coaches they will get more information then they have ever seen but it will require trust.
I am thinking this is more information on opposing players for match-ups.
Bill Belicheck style spying on opponents?
I dunno. But it makes you wonder when you see a guy like Jackson so amped up for the season to begin.
July 18th, 2014 at 9:16 am
Joe can’t say he knows Lovie intimately, but Joe would be floored if Lovie would pull a cheating stunt like that.
July 18th, 2014 at 9:32 am
I’m jacked like everybody else. But the “information” I’m most concerned about is our offensive line. I do not expect McCown or MG to carry the team. But I believe either of them can do an acceptable job given their targets and running backs IF the offensive line can perform.
July 18th, 2014 at 9:49 am
I don’t think an “acceptable job” is good enough to do more than carry us into the playoffs, and in this division even that would be hard.
Look at the Panthers. Great defense. A quarterback that might make mistakes, but can do more things than either of our guys can.
Josh McCown could be an “acceptable” kind of QB. I highly doubt he will have a breakout season.
Mike Glennon, regardless of what the MGMers claim, could be a Chris Sims or a Drew Brees. The truth is we do not know yet. Sims actually showed more promise before his injury.
If we had a solid oline I think McCown or Glennon could have a good chance, but we don’t.
July 18th, 2014 at 9:51 am
Speaking of being a week from the start of the season, 7 (days) is a lucky number for Tampa.
http://www.bucpower.com/gramatica-gb00h.jpg
How about a daily countdown in player numbers, Joe? hehe 😉
July 18th, 2014 at 10:11 am
I agree – I cant see Lovie doing any underhanded stuff like that.
But it is known that the Patriots do allot of Analytics studies. Knowledge is Power stuff.
I just want a Bucs offense not to be the Run, Run, Pass, Punt – rinse and repeat style.
July 18th, 2014 at 10:17 am
@ Bonzai
I was pulling for Sims, I really was. But his issue was his slow delivery. My retina’s are BURNED by the sight of so many ball slapped down in his face.
The kid had heart – playing injured like that – had heart – but his mechanics at throwing were bad.
July 18th, 2014 at 10:37 am
Joe, the Hooded One was one of the many who surveilled opponents. He just got squealed on in the ever pissy McDaniel vendetta that’s all.
Let’s not get sanctimonious, cheating is embedded in every sport imaginable!
The hypocrisy in McDaniel was as quiet as a church mouse when he was benefiting from the filming as the NE OC.
July 18th, 2014 at 11:28 am
After reading the 100 Days article I have become a true fan of Lovie Smith. I already liked him for a coach, but this guy has the aura of a winner. The Bucs, and we fans, are fortunate to have him.