“Hop On My Back”
April 24th, 2017
Bring it here, says Kwon.
Adorned in a Kwon Alexander t-shirt with an image of the Bucs’ middle linebacker flexing his biceps, Kwon Alexander addressed the Tampa Bay media this afternoon at One Buc Palace.
It was as if Kwon was at the podium before the cameras and microphones saying, “All you idiots who left me, the NFL leader in solo tackles, off the Pro Bowl roster, I’m going to make sure you know me this year.”
Kwon talked about a variety of topics, but nothing was terribly interesting. However, Joe was head-nodding when Kwon spoke about leading the defense this year with Buccaneers.com reporter Casey Phillips.
Kwon was asked how he approaches leading.
“Make sure everybody can lean on me when tough things going down, and I got’em. They can hop on my back anytime,” Kwon said.
Such an easy answer from a 22 year old who is a true alpha dog: Get on my back and I’ll point you in the right direction.
Joe really and truly isn’t trying to knock Gerald McCoy, but the ease with which Kwon answers that kind of question compared to the way McCoy does is striking.
Leadership is overrated in the NFL, but it remains important. The Bucs are in great hands with Kwon and America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, as the rocks of their respective units. Joe is confident what happened on opening day of the 2015 season would never happen under their watch.
April 24th, 2017 at 5:46 pm
Some guys lead by example. Some lead by inspiring words and charisma. The former is better. The latter is still important to have. The best leader is one who can do both. Kwon maybe can do both. We’ll see…he’s headed that way. HOWEVER, when I was flying jets and teaching Weapons School out in Las Vegas, a old general named Chuck Horner came and sat us down for a mentoring session; he said in all things, the best leader is being a humble servant. Not being overly religious (and neither was the whiskey toting general), we still knew what he was talking about. So from Horner’s words, to guys like Kwon…Inspire your people. Speak to them. Lead them. Set the example by your actions. And be a humble servant. The rest will fall into place. That said, there’s another guy on the Bucs who seems to be using that model: Jameis Winston.
April 24th, 2017 at 5:46 pm
Kwon was such a steal! He will be the leader of this defense for years to come.
April 24th, 2017 at 5:47 pm
thats cause McCoy dont know how to win. he was drafted by an orginization that was a laughing stock and some people still see us that way.
now we have a different mentality in the locker room. The dreamers expected McCoy to come in here and change everything but that’s not him and never will be. I thanks my lucky stars this team finally has a clue on what it takes to win
April 24th, 2017 at 5:49 pm
That’s really the bottom line with McCoy. A lot of fans don’t like his personality for a leadership role on the team. I think it’s much more about that than his play/pay
April 24th, 2017 at 6:17 pm
I want that shirt Kwon was wearing.
April 24th, 2017 at 6:21 pm
Blah blah. This truly is a click bait article. Nothing gets the McCoy bashers more wound wound up than article that mentions something negative about McCoy and his “leadership.” Now we will see 100 comments, 60% negative made by 10 guys and 4 times as many guys coming to his defense. Joe just teeing it up and watch the clicks go.
April 24th, 2017 at 6:23 pm
Lord nailed it. Who the hell shows up to work with a robe on?
April 24th, 2017 at 6:39 pm
i take his enthusiasm and drive over the leader of the losing cultures defeatist low energy mentality any day.
April 24th, 2017 at 6:41 pm
@Fred E. Buc
Sign me up bro. I’d follow you.
April 24th, 2017 at 6:54 pm
Not all can be leaders. Leaders aren’t developed. They just “have it.”
Forcing McCoy to be a leader puts him in an unnatural position. Let him lead on the field, not with his mouth.
April 24th, 2017 at 7:04 pm
Yeah, blah,blah,blah the usual offseason hype. We been hearing this for the past 15 seasons.
April 24th, 2017 at 7:20 pm
Eric-that KWON tShirt is badass. It’s on sale at 500LeveL for 27.
April 24th, 2017 at 7:48 pm
Funny stuff in this thread.
April 24th, 2017 at 8:04 pm
I forgot about that dewey. Very funny.
April 24th, 2017 at 8:30 pm
StPeteBucsFan…thanks for the words. Those are things passed to me, nothing I came up with.
When thinking about it, GMC isn’t too vocal, not very charismatic, and I remember he tried to be “Jameis” last year pre-game and it wasn’t very fun to watch…the pre-game muster. But he leads by example and is humble, even if some don’t like that. His has clearly thought enough of him to keep voting him as captain…even though they also like McDonald and David as captains too. Someone mentioned here about GMC getting just to tackles in two key games…but I remember also, he probably was to injured to realistically play. I remember against both Dallas NO, two key games, he couldn’t practice all week but played…should have or not, he gave his all too.
April 24th, 2017 at 9:07 pm
Hey Joe. Kwon has a bigger and badder strike. I would run gmc way before I run into Kwon. Imo
April 24th, 2017 at 9:36 pm
Leadership means nothing.
Talent speaks in the Huddle.
Its McCoys defense. And has been since he arrived.
All the” Im not trying to knock McCoy” nonsense is just to get hits.
Joe has been in the bucs locker- and is fully aware that McCoy rules the defensive roost.
April 24th, 2017 at 9:45 pm
Kwon calls the plays and coverages and pretty much plays every down; even the best dlinemen rotate in and out and aren’t in a position to make coverage and assignment adjustments
April 24th, 2017 at 10:32 pm
Just make the tackle and shut your pie hole.
April 25th, 2017 at 4:53 am
Should have been a pro-bowler last year and should be an All-Pro soon.
April 25th, 2017 at 5:15 am
Lamarcus Says:
“Hey Joe. Kwon has a bigger and badder strike. I would run gmc way”
Heh.
Run GMC.
So early I read Run DMC.
April 25th, 2017 at 5:16 am
Hard Knocks will get Kwon Recognition nationally.
April 25th, 2017 at 6:50 am
Fred, your 1st post was spoken like a true patch. Bravo.
April 25th, 2017 at 7:04 am
It’s always nice to see Casey Phillips.