Do The Bucs Need Leaders?

September 9th, 2010


There were few Bucs fans who shed a tear that the Bucs cut ties with wide receiver Michael Clayton. But intrepid Bucs beat writer Tom Balog of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune believes that move could backfire.

While Balog readily admits that Clayton’s dropped passes were lethal, Balog writes that Clayton’s locker room presense was significant. Given the fact the Bucs are counting on young receivers, including a pair of rookies, Balog is of the impression Clayton’s absense could hurt more than it can help.

There is nobody on this team for all these young guys to lean on, especially at the skill positions. Tight end Kellen Winslow, maybe the team’s best player, is the offensive unit’s version of Barber.

Worse yet, Winslow has a repellant personality, as far as I can tell.

Teammates might rather seek out Danny the groundskeeper, for personal help, than approach Winslow.

Joe’s had this discussion with Balog before, specifically about Winslow. Joe had mentioned once to Balog that he seems to get along with Winslow quite well, which came as a surprise to Balog.

But Joe has heard this discussion before and really Joe doesn’t have an answer. How important are leaders? Consider the Bucs were beyond horrid last year. Where were those leaders?

While Joe sees where Balog is coming from, Joe is also of the belief that this leaders premise may be a bit overrated.

16 Responses to “Do The Bucs Need Leaders?”

  1. Gary Says:

    Was there supposed to be a link to his article? I wanted some context in that quote. What does he mean he is the “barber of the offense”. Is that a bad thing? Why would a Ronde Barber anything be bad?

    Also would love to know how K2 is a bad lockroom guy. The perception was bad before he came here but I haven’t heard anything once he got here.

  2. DRB Says:

    Clayton’s leadership would fall on deaf ears anyway……..you can’t be a leader if you don’t back it up on the field.

    These young guys aren’t going to listen to someone who talks a great game and drops every pass thrown his way….never would have worked.

  3. The_Buc_Realist Says:

    You don’t need leaders for a 3-4 win season.

  4. oar Says:

    Gary, I believe he means this of Ronde. Ronde himself has said, he does not go out of his way to help the young guys. If they ask him something he will respond, but he does not have that Brooks-type leadership qualities. Meaning he will not let a young player know if he is doing something wrong or right unless he asks him. Lame leadership! That said I would have to agree. Win-slow does not have those leadership qualities either. Funny, they get rid of Havan, whom they said would be one of those to step into the leadership roles.

  5. oar Says:

    BTW I know, I know Hovan was released for playing reasons. And, was probablly smart in hindsight.

  6. Jameson Says:

    The whole point of promoting Raheem Morris was to give the Bucs a players’ coach. You need leaders for dramatic fourth-quarter comebacks and playoff games, neither of which is exactly a high priority this year. That, and the Bucs’ plan in the draft has been to take high-character guys who were longtime captains on their college teams. Gerald McCoy, Arrelious Benn, and Myron Lewis all fit this role.

  7. oar Says:

    Jameson, “You need leaders for dramatic fourth-quarter comebacks and playoff games” Really???? What about player development, help in teaching particular offensive or defensive schemes, player/community learning and promoting, etc, etc? Please(rolling eyes)! There’s so much more to leadership, than fourth quarter comebacks or playoffs. You guys are too funny!

  8. Mauha Deeb Says:

    True leaders lead by example….. Clayton is not the example in which a team should be led. Good riddance.

  9. Ledge Says:

    Leaders lead with the the way they play on game day.

    Intensity,smarts,aggression and role responsibility. O Line Leaders ,Faine, Vincent need to play pissed off! Those DB’s need to behead ANY fool, who thinks that turf belongs to Him! RB’s need to punish any idiot who thinks arm tackles will work!

    My examples are ALL examples of leadership! I swear , sometimes I wonder how many ‘sports writers’ out there…ever put on a Jock Strap.

    Stand on the sidelines of a 4th quarter, 3 pt football game and I will be able to point at the leaders…they may be standing with their hands on their hips during the huddle…but when that ball is snapped…they’re a wrecking ball!…its all in Walking the Walk…the sidelines are full of ‘talkers’…wearing baseball caps.

  10. DieHard Bob Says:

    The leaders will develope and show themselves in due time. In the mean time, the young players should turn to their position coaches for advice . . . that’s what they get paid for.

  11. Joe Says:

    Gary:

    Joe has no idea why the link wasn’t working earlier but it is now. Sorry about that.

  12. tampa2 Says:

    maybe they can buy a leader! Raheen certainly isn’t a leader, much less a coach! And they dumped all the veterans worth a crud. And barber has lost 1, 2, and 3 steps, and and got burnt with no interceptions last year. So he is no leader.

  13. BamBamBuc Says:

    Too bad the team can’t dump all the fans that aren’t worth a crud, you’d be looking for a new team, tampa2.

  14. j lynch Says:

    Truth hurts Bam Bam .

  15. JimBuc Says:

    Crazy that the team drafts a bunch of leaders and yet people fret about a lack of leadership? The people that are fretting are not seeking leaders they are seeking PROVEN leaders. Everyone just wants a microwave team with big names and proven players. Give me a break.

    Was Lynch a leader in 1995? How about 1997? How about Brooks? Was he a “leader” during his rookie season? Of course he was, he has always been a leader, but people did not think of him as a leader in his rookie season, right?

    Leaders will emerge. The Bucs have all kinds of leaders — Freeman, Faine, Caddy, Winslow, TJax, Barber, McCoy. No worries.

  16. BucRayJ Says:

    I’m sure some of the guys served as leaders last year and have emerged yet again this year. Most of it probably takes place on the field and in a locker room setting. It’s a little bit much to ask for more than that during such a horrible time. Guys don’t wanna just stick their neck out their for the sake of blowing smoke.