Bryan Cox Already Producing Results
August 2nd, 2013
Bucs rookie defensive lineman William Gholston claims that pass rush coach Bryan Cox taught him a pass rush move, something he never had before being drafted by the Bucs.
Two Bucs coaches did a simply outstanding job last year. One was offensive line Bob Bostad and the other was (then) front-seven coach Bryan Cox.
For the most part, Cox was charged with upgrading what was a sieve of a rush defense, the worst in the NFL under (then) head coach/defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. By adding just one player to the front seven (linebacker Lavonte David), the defense went from the worst rush defense in the NFL to the best.
That, friends, is what Joe calls coaching.
This year, Cox’s title and responsibilities have changed. He is now in charge of trying to produce something resembling a pass rush. That’s all he does. One job, one responsibility, one focus: rush the quarterback.
Many defensive linemen rave about Cox. Akeem Spence already said Cox helped him develop a pass rush move, something Greg Schiano said Thursday that Spence didn’t show on tape at Illinois.
Another third day draft pick of the Bucs, defensive lineman William Gholston, is also singing the praises of Cox.
“I have a solid pass rush move,” Gholston told Joe of what he has learned since being drafted. “Before I got to the NFL, I didn’t have a pass rush move. But with the coaches, Coach Cox and Coach [Randy] Melvin, they have really helped me to develop a pass rush. Cox had helped a lot. Every day he is trying to help me, getting in my ear.”
Now this has Joe so happy he could go out and drink some beers (But Joe can’t. Too busy and Joe has to get up very early for practice tomorrow). Gholston has a world of talent but it apparently was not developed at Michigan State. If Cox can turn this guy around like many college football analysts feel is inside of Gholston, well, look out.
Are players going to throw their position coaches under the bus, especially before preseason games have started? Of course not. But you can tell by the smiles, the twinkle in their eyes and the body language. When you ask defensive linemen about Cox, he is already producing results.
And those are results that are sorely needed on the front line of the Bucs defense.
Audio courtesy of WDAE-AM 620.