Pushups, “Self-Denial” Coming Bucs’ Way?
February 15th, 2012
Don’t ask Joe to write intelligently about what kind of offensive Mike Sullivan will bring to the Buccaneers. But as Joe continues his exhaustive research into the Bucs’ new offensive coordinator, it’s clear Sullivan carries a world of respect in many circles.
Hell, the man’s out there doing pushups with his players and making them stay after practice to talk about life and exercise. Giants.com this week said goodbye to Sullivan and explained his pushups regimen.
This season, Manning and David Carr concluded every workout with 15 or more pushups.
The quarterbacks were joined in the exercise by Mike Sullivan, who had Manning and Co. extend their practice time for a few moments when he began coaching the quarterbacks in 2010 after six seasons as the wide receivers coach.
“That’s actually something I started,” Sullivan said today. “I think, at the end of the day when you think your work is done, you can always do a little bit extra. So that was our way of, ‘We can do a little bit extra.’ We did 10 in 2010, that wasn’t good enough, so we did 15 this year. Knock it out, quick stretch, a couple words, and that’s it. Hey, at the end of the day, just when you think you’re finished, you can always do a little bit extra. That was our way of reminding ourselves.”
“Each coach has his own little stamp and the pushups were something that was fun,” Manning said. “This year, we started with 11 and we started to bump it up a little bit. We were a little superstitious, so by the end of the season I think we were doing 17 or 18.”
Also in the story was a quote about Sullivan’s work ethic from Tom Coughlin.
“We appreciate everything he’s done with us and wish him well in his new assignment,” Coughlin said. “He will bring a lot to the Buccaneers program. He’s disciplined, he’s hard-working, he’s efficient, he’s smart, he makes good decisions. He’ll have an immediate impact on all the players in that program because he comes from a background which speaks for itself. Mike is a graduate of West Point. He was a Ranger, so he certainly knows about discipline, sacrifice, self-denial, all those things. We’re sorry to lose him, but we do understand the nature of this business. We wish he and his wife Julie and his two daughters great success in their new assignment.”
Joe wonders whether the returning Buccaneers — there might not be so many — will recognize much under this new regime. Joe’s envisioning a very different environment.
February 15th, 2012 at 9:33 am
No, they won’t, they left an unorganized seemingly amateurish to the point of not even being Jr.College level program and are walking back into a professionally run organized NFL team…
February 15th, 2012 at 9:44 am
The more I read of this Sullivan I love him that much more than I hated Olson.
February 15th, 2012 at 9:50 am
I, for one, am looking forward to our “New Day in Tampa Bay” attitude kicking back into overdrive. Wyche did it, Dungy did it with more success and Gruden did it. I never felt that Raheem embodied the attitude that came with his predecessors putting forth that New Day attitude and culture. I’m excited about Schiano, Sullivan and Davis bringing this attitude back to TB. Go Bucs!
February 15th, 2012 at 9:52 am
I’m going to reserve judgment about the guy until I see him run a creative offense.
February 15th, 2012 at 9:52 am
Great! He can teach Talib how to properly cary a weapon.
I like it.
February 15th, 2012 at 10:01 am
Lmao^^
February 15th, 2012 at 10:05 am
And it’s only February…
February 15th, 2012 at 10:08 am
Those extra push ups will help Freeman get rid of the chub he’s sportin’.
February 15th, 2012 at 10:08 am
Everything I read about Sullivan is impressive. He is certainly the type of coach that the team needs. I’m very, very happy with his background.
That said, the elephant in the room is playcalling. You would think there would be more reported (really, anything reported) on his abilities in that department. I mean, at the end of the day, that is what he will be judged on, calling plays during the game.
Is it just me??
February 15th, 2012 at 10:13 am
@stimpy…….LOL
February 15th, 2012 at 10:13 am
@ALSTOTTSMART!
He never has, so we will see what we have come pre-season….but if he was paying attention to Gilbride and Coughlin, I would assume it will look pretty similar to how the Giants play call.
February 15th, 2012 at 10:19 am
Awesome, we need a drill sargent that is going to whip these boys into shape….
February 15th, 2012 at 10:19 am
Awesome, we need a drill sargent that is going to whip these boys into shape….
February 15th, 2012 at 10:29 am
A strict regimen = discipline or a repetitive way of doing things. Repetitive regimen, doing things over and over again with the desired results leads to culture. Over time, culture becomes a distinction, it is observable and it stands out. You will then start to hear people say “that’s the Buccaneer way”. I like it!
February 15th, 2012 at 10:30 am
I like what I hear about this guy. Being a West Point guy he will be into strategy and knowing the enemy and I certainly don’t look for a bland offense next season.
I hope he uses the drills he used on Manning with Freeman. I think it did wonders for Eli and I certainly think it will improve Josh too. Just makes sense. Why not practice drills the way situations occur in a game? Making Josh throw more under duress and on the run would certainly duplicate our offense from last year…..
February 15th, 2012 at 10:34 am
flmike:
Yes, I’m banking on that. But, there’s no guarantee. So, let’s tally up:
New head coach with no NFL head coaching experience.
New OC with no playcalling experience.
New defensive advisor, who would make for an ideal DC, but is not, either from cheap owners, or some juvenile grudge against his former employer. Either one of the reasons is ridiculous. He’s rich already, and the Bucs need great coaches right now.
No DC. Still.
I’m happy with some of the changes, but, to ignore some of these “let’s hope for the best” decisions is just shortsighted. Let’s see who they sign in FA.
February 15th, 2012 at 10:43 am
Donald Penn doing push-ups after practice? That alone would get me to pay admission to training camp, if it weren’t free. What is his max push-ups count, like 2 or 3 in a row??
February 15th, 2012 at 10:56 am
I cant wait for the first time that Blount and Williams stroll in late for a meeting, or put their heads down to get a quick snooze in during a meeting (a common practice under RahRah), they will immediately be disciplined.
Dont be surprised if you see a few big names, like a Blount, Williams, Talib, Jackson, Winslow, be made examples of by a lengthy suspension, substantial fine or an outright release.
I think Talib and Winslow are already gone, hooray!
February 15th, 2012 at 11:27 am
I just hope his discipline and work ethic rubs off on everybody, offense and defense. When these guys are tired all they should think about is what Sullivan went through in Ranger school, because it is 10 times harder than what any football player has ever done. Maybe that will motivate Penn to lose a little weight.
February 15th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
I haven’t felt this good about the team in a long time. The way they’re approaching everything makes me feel like the team is on a mission to accomplish great things. Time will tell, but I’m buying into this new vision.
February 15th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Thomas, I think everyone will get a clean slate…except maybe Talib & Tanard, who don’t fit the new TBA. Winslow may have to practice more. If he complains, it won’t go well for him.
Remember, it was the decision of Raheem & Olson to keep him out of practices to keep him healthy. Winslow never once refused to practice.
February 15th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
I love it, both my father and grandfather went to West Point and trust me Freeman will get in the best shape of his life. When my father asked me to cut the lawn on a Saturday he was banging on my door at 7 am to cut it. I am telling you this is good for the Bucs. Rah would have them having a beer after the workouts not doing pushups.
February 15th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Thomas 2.2 I am with you!! Winslow and Talib need to be shown the door. Maybe trade them both if you can get anything for them but they really don’t fit this new discipline theme.
February 15th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Love it. These punks need to be made to go out and cut their own switch.