“Schoolin’ My Soldiers”
October 24th, 2014
Too much has been made about how Leslie Frazier’s knowledge of some Vikings personnel might be able to help the Bucs. Rarely will something like that materialize into a true positive.
However, left tackle Anthony Collins’ intimate knowledge of the Mike Zimmer defense the Vikings employ, that’s more worthwhile.
Collins, as a member of the Bengals, lined up for years across from that defense in practice and training camp. It’s familiar to him, and that means he’ll have — and has — excellent recognition of what might be coming his way, as well as at his linemates.
This week, just call him Professor Collins.
“I played against that for six years. I know the ins and out of that. Schoolin’ my soliders about a Mike Zimmer defense was fun this week,” Collins told Joe yesterday. “And we’ll be ready to play Sunday.”
As for talking about what has ailed the Bucs’ offensive line, Collins won’t go there. He’s following what he called a Lovie Smith edict.
“Word is we’re not looking back. We gotta look forward. So we can’t talk about nothing,” Collins said. “We can’t talk about nothing in the past. Coach is sticking to that.”
Joe went on to advise Collins that Gerald McCoy said the Bucs defense was playing soft, and Joe asked Collins whether he thought that applied to the offense at all.
“Can’t look backwards. Gotta look forward. So we’ll be playing physical on Sunday,” Collins said.
More physical?
“Physical. Physical. We’re physical now. We were physical before. Now that’s a great answer,” Collins said with a smile.
October 24th, 2014 at 9:36 am
Being Physical, probably the most over-used cliche in modern football. How about playing WELL, and making the right DECISIONS? If physicality was all that is needed Dashon would be MVP every year. Learn how to win games by any means necessary INCLUDING but not limited to “Being physical”.
October 24th, 2014 at 9:41 am
Blah…blah…blah…canned answers….from top to bottom…..PR/Coached speech…from pre draft prospects….to rookie orentation..OTA’s…..same answer for very occassion year after year….situation after situation…I can spit out their answers before them
October 24th, 2014 at 9:41 am
Forget Collins, Michael Johnson was on that D-line in Cincy under Zimmer as well. He probably knows the defense even better.
October 24th, 2014 at 9:42 am
Soft. All the new players are soft. The guy that picked them is soft.
October 24th, 2014 at 9:43 am
You can know a maniac with a chain saw is coming at you but still be powerless to do anything about it. The Bucs offense plays against their defense in practice…..gives the offense a false sense of greatness!!!!
October 24th, 2014 at 9:48 am
That edge would be relevant if our guys knew what they were doing. Having intel on the opposition only works if you know what you’re doing and can adjust what you’re doing to take advantage of weaknesses. We can’t adjust because we don’t have the basics down yet. Play a solid, well executed, well coached game and then we can start talking about using advantages
October 24th, 2014 at 9:49 am
won’t mean beans.
October 24th, 2014 at 9:54 am
It’s no great mystery, miles of tape exist. Regardless of what scheme Zimmer runs, it’s still about lining up and beating the guy in front of you.
October 24th, 2014 at 9:57 am
The irony is if Schiano had forbid his players to talk about past games the pen and mic (and some fans) would be crying about what a controlling prick he is. Lovie forbids his players to talk about the past and nothing…smh. Double standard for the media darling that has his team regressing (except Glennon)?
October 24th, 2014 at 10:29 am
Fraizer ain’t Gruden and this isn’t the 2002 Bucs team so knowing anything about your opponent means nothing here.
October 24th, 2014 at 10:30 am
Toes…they cried about how Schiano wiped his nose the wrong way.
October 24th, 2014 at 10:33 am
Saw that we signed Orie Lemon. Wonder if he starts.
October 24th, 2014 at 10:36 am
Nobody should have to motivate a guy who makes millions doing something he claims he loves to do…football is a physical game where every snap you should be the most physical you can be coaches cant teach or coach physicality so this crap about being more physical is a joke if you do come out and low and behold you’re more physical all this means you were really half assing prior to this game….all this tough talk don’t mean crap if it doesn’t translate into a win Sunday!!!
October 24th, 2014 at 10:44 am
Thanks, Joe, for all that printed dialogue the value of which is zilch. Come on Bucs, play the friggn game to the best of your collective abilities! Lovie speaks from experience, keep your mouth shut lest people find out how much you really know. Better yet, get a few penalties for punching an other team guy in the mouth. Betcha Glazer would pay your fine in a heartbeat.
October 24th, 2014 at 10:50 am
my Vikings come to the bay and punish you guys for mistreatment of Eric page
October 24th, 2014 at 11:02 am
willie.D Says:
October 24th, 2014 at 10:50 am
“my Vikings come to the bay and punish you guys for mistreatment of Eric page”
Ooooh Willie.D…don’t try to scare us with such rhetoric. Most of us go into each week expecting to lose. Atleast that’s what I do anyways. It’s easier that way these days.
October 24th, 2014 at 3:36 pm
Of all the teams we face with “transplanted” fans here we get a Viking troll in here. That’s rich!
October 24th, 2014 at 3:39 pm
And speak for yourself 87, I expect to win each game. It’s much harder that way.
October 25th, 2014 at 10:59 am
I picked every game wrong so far, so I’ll just stand over to the side.