“I’d Like Him To Continue To Infect People”
June 2nd, 2018
The underlying failures of the Bucs’ defense last season are a bit mysterious.
Joe’s not talking defensive linemen and cornerbacks here.
It had to be more than just a lack of talent that led to the Bucs allowing more yards than any other team.
Coaching? Passion?
If you heard linebackers coach Mark Duffer on a recent episode of the Ira Kaufman Podcast, then you might think the Bucs were lacking enough fire for the game on the defensive side of the ball.
Duffer was asked about matching Kwon Alexander’s fire as his coach. Duffer, a 44-year coaching veteran, quipped that Kwon had to match his passion, but Duffner quickly said Kwon makes people around him better and the Bucs need more of what he offers.
“Football, especially at linebacker and defense, it’s about actions. It’s about energy. It’s about enthusiasm,” Duffner said. “You know, I can see that when we go to the library we got to be quiet, or perhaps at church at different times. But when we’re playing football, not nonsensical energy, but stuff that’s appropriate and focused on us getting better. He’s got that and I love that.
“… No, [you can’t coach that] you got to bring that. And really, frankly, in this game, that’s a positive. When people have energy and have enthusiasm, people tend to feed off of that and I’d like [Kwon] to continue to infect people with that enthusiasm.”
Hopefully, the many new pieces added to the defense lean more toward Kwon than, say, the Chris Baker side of life. And it sure would help if Kwon stayed healthy this season, something he might have to do in order to command the kind of contract he wants for 2019.
June 2nd, 2018 at 1:50 pm
But I thought it was all about having fun on defense?
Which one of our players does not belong …….. hmmmm?
June 2nd, 2018 at 2:00 pm
Duffer= Duffner*
June 2nd, 2018 at 2:33 pm
Love my dude Kwon bc of what he brings.
But I’m gonna bring this back to 93 quick and throw out a thought: any chance that 93 holds this team back. Ya he gets that push and that jump, but when it comes to the huddle, I’d almost prefer him to stfu.
June 2nd, 2018 at 3:16 pm
The undisputed leader of our defense is Kwon…
The rules to playing defense at a high level…
Play smart, fast, relentless, and most of all, Play p!ssed off…When all 11 players on defense play with this mentality, the opposing offense doesn’t stand a chance…
June 2nd, 2018 at 3:44 pm
Kwon gives u everything he’s got.
He might take a bad angle here and there but he is the heartbeat of this d
June 2nd, 2018 at 4:45 pm
I’m sure Bucs’ defense is as hyped as I am adding so many good players. Get em f#ckin PUMPED Kwon, especially on game day.
June 3rd, 2018 at 6:38 am
This is why V.V. is such a good draft pick. It’ll be hard for O linemen to get to our 2nd level. Kwon, David, and Co. will stay clean to make more plays.
June 3rd, 2018 at 8:21 am
“…not nonsensical energy.”? I immediately thought of eating w’s and most of the other pre-game pep rallys these professionals have.
June 3rd, 2018 at 10:39 am
Our defense gave up at the end of several games that we could’ve won last year. Just let the opposing offense walk all over them to take back a game at the very end. If nothing else is improved upon, that cannot happen this year.
June 3rd, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Offense needs their own leaders-sure we have Jaboo but he needs to remain quietly focused. Ryan Jensen and Donovan Smith could stand to step up and say some words. Smith needs to get himself more involved as he tends to take a break every other set of downs.
June 3rd, 2018 at 2:19 pm
Infect isn’t a word I’d use near a Bucs locker room