Inside The Locker Room Mentality With Luke Stocker
November 23rd, 2016
The Bucs’ punishing tight end/fullback speaks out. (Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Tight end Luke Stocker, the Bucs’ fourth-round pick in the 2011 draft, has been talked about by coaches as a future NFL coach.
Stocker carries that kind of respect.
And he’s seen a lot. Stocker was around when the Bucs were 4-2 in 2011, with signature wins against excellent Saints and Falcons teams. Then the Raheem regime imploded and the Bucs lost 10 straight.
Stocker was there when the Bucs jumped out to a 6-4 record in Greg Schiano’s first season. They finished 7-9.
And the punishing blocker also was a key figure when the 6-6 Bucs last year collapsed against second-rate competition to close the season losers of four straight.
So Stocker knows the feel of losing.
Joe talked to Stocker in the giddy Kansas City locker room to get his take on the state of the Bucs, versus past teams that had good starts.
There’s a difference.
“We feel there’s a momentum in this locker room building. I feel like a lot of guys feel like we’re just starting to catch up and catch on to what we’re supposed to do and how we can play,” Stocker said.
“And we’re just kind of scratching the surface a little bit right now. So I think that’s what everyone’s hopeful for and eager about to see like, ‘How good can we be?’ Because we’re not even close to being as good as we can be.
“I definitely feel like our locker room is pretty tight, like everyone knows everyone personally and we get along great. There’s no divide. There’s no this unit over here and that unit over there. Like I feel like we’re all together in this.”
Stocker also shared his take on the riveting Jameisburg Address, delivered by America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, last week. It wasn’t just talk.
“I think when you have one vocal leader of a team like [Jameis], him and Gerald [McCoy] both, those type guys who address the team as a unit, not just talk to the offense or just talk to the defense, but talk to the team as a whole, I think that definitely brings people together and puts our vision on one path and not two separate paths,” Stocker said.
Joe’s leery of doing a cannonball jump into the Bucs’ pool of hope. Joe carries so much baggage from past years.
But what the hell. The water looks great.
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:19 am
Jameis bringing people together. Classic.
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:22 am
It is Rivalry week. GO GATORS!!
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:24 am
Put a smile on ya faces 😀 Tampa Bay. Sunday we ain’t leaving witout a victorrryy..
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:39 am
That’s what I’m talking about Joe! Forget “siege the day”, let’s all “get on the ship”! We’ve gotta stop following the team and get back to supporting it. They’re making the strides and they’re making the changes internally, it’s time for us to update our file on what the team is. This isn’t the team that was tanked by Freeman & co., this isn’t the team that was held down by Lovie and McCown, we’ve got things to be excited about, so let’s get excited!
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:40 am
If we gonna do it then, do it big then!
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:48 am
NOSBOS,
Welcome back brother.
I’m with you. Buc’s win this Sunday.
Happy Thanksgiving to the Joes and to all the JBF guys and gals.
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:54 am
Salute Dave.
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:58 am
Breaking News: Robert Aguayo has just been named NFC special teams player of the week. I know that this will not assuage many Bucs fans who feel that AC/DC-lovin’ GM Jason Licht made a bad decision to reach for him in the second round of this past year’s draft (I don’t necessarily disagree with that). However, I am happy for the kid and for us as fans that he made a contribution to the win in KC! Congratulations! Aguayo NO esta acabado.
November 23rd, 2016 at 10:09 am
Great stuff! The team does have a different ‘feel’ lately.
November 23rd, 2016 at 10:20 am
Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun.
welcome back sir…. Go Bucs!
November 23rd, 2016 at 10:29 am
“IM SORRY , but i have to post this
Difference between other regimes
“It was, it is, and it will always be about the Quarterback” Kobe Faker
This will be last and final post
November 23rd, 2016 at 11:31 am
TMax what’s good my G..
November 23rd, 2016 at 12:52 pm
@SB….DAMN RIGHT…GO GATORS!!!!
November 23rd, 2016 at 1:07 pm
So Kobe FakeFan has now posted 3 different times saying “this will be my final and last post”
You said that yesterday.
And the day before.
And we told you it’s redundant. Every time.
November 23rd, 2016 at 1:32 pm
All of you colleges fans here we talk about Bucs.
Go Bucs and screw all other teams if they get in Bucs way like the stupid gator fans are.
November 23rd, 2016 at 1:51 pm
@unbelievable – Kobe Faker is the same person who says that he’s moving to Canada if XXXXXXXX person gets elected. Much like his opinions about Bucs matters, his comments are useless and baseless
November 24th, 2016 at 12:05 am
McCoy please just dominate a game !!!