Todd Bowles & Larry Foote: Continue to Evolve | Bucs Total Access

Team Reporter Casey Phillips sits down with Head Coach Todd Bowles & Buccaneers Run Game Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote following the Week 11 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. They discuss HC Todd Bowles’ defense, the energy the team brings, and look ahead to the upcoming game against the Rams.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
That's what's not three? What's three?

Speaker 2 (00:05):
This is Buccaneers Total Access with head coach Todd Bowles.

Speaker 3 (00:09):
That the hell of a job going back, Go back, Go.

Speaker 1 (00:15):
Robbie, Big up those a sideline route.

Speaker 2 (00:17):
It is Pot Pauw, Pop Paul, my Cabots or the
guy try pall over it.

Speaker 1 (00:22):
Touch Down, Tampa Bay Fire, the Canets, Get Up, Going
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Speaker 2 (00:27):
Whether you're in the stands, on the field, or celebrating
with your greatest fan, Advent Health make sure you're ready
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Health Exclusive Hospital of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Fire, the
Cannons Now your host, Bucks team reporter Casey Phillips and
head coach Todd Bowles.

Speaker 4 (00:46):
Welcome into the Todd Bowles Show. Casey Phillips here with
head coach Todd Bowles and no tough outcome in that
game against the Bill's Big picture takeaways from you, guys
were several of the stack categories if you kind of
looked at them on their own of how many takeaways
and certain things it would have felt like a win.
What was it at the end that really ended up
making it go the way it did, and the big
picture of things you've.

Speaker 3 (01:06):
Seen again, we did some really good things. We ran
the ball very well. We ran for two hundred yards,
time of possession was thirty five minutes.

Speaker 5 (01:14):
We won the turnover battle, and we stopped the run.

Speaker 3 (01:17):
When you do that, you have a very good chance
of winning a football game. But I thought defensively the
big plays in the first half really hurt us and
special teams wise. The kickoff, so it seemed like we were
starting at about midfield almost every time. Every time we
scored and got some momentum, the next kickoff and lost
the momentum, So we got to do a lot better

(01:39):
job covering kicks right there. And I thought defensively, the
two plays in the first half should have never happened.
That was either a misfit or either a busted coverage
on the back end of routine coverages. It wasn't pressure
from that standpoint on the deep throw, so we got
to do a lot better job than that. But when
we covered well, we didn't rush well. Up front, we

(02:00):
didn't cover so that goes hand in hand, and you
know a lot of that plays into it, and going
up there with a tough place to play in that quarterback.
They're a good team on their own. We don't need
to help them.

Speaker 4 (02:10):
And yet you brought up the Russian game. We had
two hundred two rushing yards, most rushing yards in a
first half since twenty sixteen as a franchise with one
hundred and thirty six. We knew going in that that
was an area of weakness on the Bills defense Statistically,
What were the things that you felt like you guys
were really able to do to get those numbers and
take advantage of.

Speaker 3 (02:28):
The offensive line had a really good week of practice.

Speaker 5 (02:31):
I thought they were really focused.

Speaker 3 (02:32):
And came off the ball and got some movement, and
Rashad and Sean did a great job taking advantage of that.

Speaker 5 (02:37):
Baker even ran the ball a few times.

Speaker 3 (02:39):
Himself, but we were getting positive yards all the way
down the field. When you can run the ball and
someone knows you're going to run the ball and you
do it anyway, that says a lot about our front.

Speaker 4 (02:48):
Yeah. And Sean Tucker, I mean, what a day for him.
Three touchdowns, two rushing, one receiving, his first multi touchdown
game of his career, one hundred and six rushing yards,
thirty four receiving yards, and five point six yards of
care What stood out about particularly this game for him
and what you hope he could take from this and
replicate in other weeks.

Speaker 5 (03:07):
They were giving him the edge.

Speaker 3 (03:08):
You know, when Sean has a lot of speed, when
he can get outside, he can really take off you
off tackle runs. He was hitting a hole quicker and
you can see his confidence growing till now you just
want him to grow.

Speaker 5 (03:19):
Off of that.

Speaker 3 (03:20):
Obviously, where Shot had a very good game himself, Sean
had the game breakers this game. It can only help
us going forward when we got guys that we know,
we trust in there that can run the ball no
matter who's back there.

Speaker 4 (03:31):
And I know he had a career best forty three
yard touchdown run went so well on that play.

Speaker 3 (03:37):
He had Tristan as a lead blocker number one. Tristan
bulledoze the safety or at the corner, whoever that was.
He bulled those the dB and Sean has four to
three speed and once he gets the edge, you're not
gonna catch him.

Speaker 4 (03:48):
Yeah, there were a couple of plays where it was
very evident that Tristan was bullying some people back there
and it was it was fun to watch. Was this
one of his better games, particularly in the run side
of things. So they really just noticed it.

Speaker 3 (04:02):
It really was, No, it really was. He looked like
the old Tristan yesterday. He was out there having fun.
He was flying around, very good athlete once he gets
out on the edge, and he wouldn't have nobody else
better leading that way.

Speaker 4 (04:13):
And overshad also averaged over five yards of carry. I
saw one, you know, really nice stiff arm. Love when
he throws those out every few games or so. What
was this in terms of his whole season? Where did
this rank? In terms of his efficiency with the runs
he was given, he.

Speaker 3 (04:27):
Was very efficient. I thought he was great up in
the inside. He broke some tackles, he made some hard runs,
he made some tough runs, but his cuts and his
reds were outstanding.

Speaker 5 (04:34):
So he had a very good game.

Speaker 4 (04:36):
How about the play of the offensive line in the
past game? What stood out about that?

Speaker 3 (04:41):
Gave Baker some time? You know, we ran the ball
quite a bit, but it gave Baker some time. He
gave him some chances down the field, and we got
rid of the ball quick most of the time. But
I thought the protection from that standpoint.

Speaker 5 (04:50):
Was very good.

Speaker 4 (04:52):
And then, how did you feel like Baker played over
all in this game.

Speaker 5 (04:55):
I thought he played tough. I thought he played gritty.
You know, he took.

Speaker 3 (04:58):
Advantage of the runs they gave him, even when he
had to scramble, played smart. Obviously the one turnover you
liked to have back, but he gave us a chance.

Speaker 4 (05:06):
In terms of Baker, we knew he hadn't run the
last few games as much before this. Was that largely
just kind of injury related or was there certain things
game plan wise? It it made sense to bring back
a little bit more of this game.

Speaker 5 (05:18):
A little both, a little of both.

Speaker 3 (05:20):
Part of it they were cutting off the lanes for
him in the previous games, and then part of it
was a little nicked up, and then coming back in
this game, you know, he had more rests, he felt
a lot better and when he saw something he took it.
And there were like two game plan runs that we
had in their form so completely worked and completely fooled them.

Speaker 4 (05:36):
Yeah, and what went well on his touchdown run? What
was it like for you watching that one?

Speaker 3 (05:41):
I thought he could have got in unscathed. I think
he looks for contact when yes he did, and that's
not good, but it wouldn't be Baker if he didn't,
so I understand that as well. It was a very
good play fake and it worked and he got out
on the edge and he made a good run.

Speaker 4 (05:58):
And then just overall him having that ability to run
a little bit more, what does that do for the
offense overall? When suddenly it's not just Rashad and Sean
Tucker that are the threats with that, but it's also Baker.

Speaker 3 (06:10):
Keeps people honest. You can't really stack the box on
the inside for Rashod and Sean right now, you gotta
be conscious of Baker coming outside and that always freezes a.

Speaker 5 (06:19):
Defender or two.

Speaker 4 (06:20):
And then what happened on his interception and what would
your words be to him about it?

Speaker 3 (06:25):
I think it was just premeditated to throw. He's looking
the other way, somebody wasn't open, and he thought he
had something that he didn't. He just turned around and
threw and didn't look where he was throwing at and
I thought.

Speaker 5 (06:36):
It, you know, it was just a bad play on
that part.

Speaker 4 (06:39):
Overall, his interception numbers this year definitely improved off of
last year. What would you say are the biggest reasons
for that? That it is definitely more of a surprise
this year when he does have an interception in.

Speaker 3 (06:49):
The game, command of the game, understanding where he needs
to get rid of the ball at and not trying
to go for the big plays or make the big runs,
but putting the ball.

Speaker 5 (06:57):
Where it needs to be.

Speaker 4 (06:58):
Sterling Shepherd ended up being the leading receiver with fifty
four yards, also had a nice rush. How important was
his role in that game and what did he do
so well?

Speaker 5 (07:06):
Shep is big.

Speaker 3 (07:07):
You know, he's got veteran leadership, he got veteran presence,
and he can still play, and he can catch the
ball and he knows how to get open.

Speaker 5 (07:14):
Very fiery guy.

Speaker 3 (07:15):
Ran a couple of over routes, which is very well
in his wheelhouse right there, and he made some good.

Speaker 5 (07:20):
Plays for us.

Speaker 4 (07:21):
Your next couple leading receivers outside of Tucker, you know,
Mecca and Cade. Neither of them a huge game for
either one. Looks like they shut down a Mecca a
little bit. What did you see from the two of
them and maybe what could have gone a little better?

Speaker 3 (07:32):
Well, they made the catch us when the ball was
thrown to him. The running game was going so well.
We kind of stuck with that more or less then
open it up as we needed to open it up
right there, but they made some plays for us.

Speaker 4 (07:42):
Casey Philips here with head coach Todd Bowles, I know,
nine of sixteen on third down four the offense, How
did you feel about that?

Speaker 3 (07:50):
As long as we were in third and short and
manageable yards. I thought it was good. Baker made some
throws and got some long yards, and we can be better.
Obviously we were pretty good, but we can be a
lot better there.

Speaker 4 (08:00):
Two of four in the red zone, I know, especially,
I'm sure there was some sadness about not getting in
for the touchdown on that interception inside the ten. Overall
this game and season as a whole, what are the
things that you feel like could maybe improve a little
bit on the red zone offense?

Speaker 3 (08:15):
Definitely, two point plays. Definitely two point plays and winning
first down. You know, we got the ball, defense picked
it off the first play. They kind of stolen us
a little bit. We got to win first down. That
sets up second.

Speaker 5 (08:26):
And third for us.

Speaker 4 (08:28):
And then what didn't go well on those two point conversions?

Speaker 3 (08:32):
Ah, the play design, the execution, the whole thing. I
thought we could have done a better job all the
way around there.

Speaker 4 (08:39):
When it comes to the decision making on that. I
know you also have other people contributing to the idea
of some of the analytics and the decisions there. What
is your mindset of when to go for two and
how early in the game or not waiting until it's
a must thing versus trying to get it sooner in
the game. What kind of factors into that for you?

Speaker 3 (08:57):
It's different, you know, other than the analytical things. You
want to be flowing well on offense, and then you
want to see what.

Speaker 5 (09:03):
Time in the game it is.

Speaker 3 (09:04):
Obviously it's easy to go for it late in the game,
but early in the game, when you're behind by a
different amount of numbers, whether it's four points, whether it's
two points, whether those type of things, you probably want
to go for one. But the second half later in
the game, you probably try to catch up and go
for two.

Speaker 4 (09:21):
Josh Allen three rushing touchdowns. We had talked about the
fact that we know what a threat he is both
facets of the game. What did you see on specifically
those different touchdowns he was able to get.

Speaker 3 (09:31):
On two of them. We kind of went the other
way misfit up front. Obviously we got to do a
better job there. But he's a great player. Taking nothing
from him. He did a good job. They executed better
than we did.

Speaker 4 (09:43):
Outside of those three plays, what did and did not
work in terms of trying to contain him out in
the open field and get to him in terms of
pressure as well.

Speaker 3 (09:51):
I thought we got to him early. We did a
good job pressing him early. That's how we got the turnover.
And then when we covered, you know, he had time
and throw, so he bought time in the pocket and
couldn't plaster as long as we wanted to plaster, so
he made some throws that way, and when we pressured
him a guy got picked off here or there.

Speaker 5 (10:08):
We didn't play the.

Speaker 3 (10:09):
Coverage and he got some quick first downs on us
that way. So but that's the challenge when you have
to play someone like that who can do both things.

Speaker 4 (10:17):
Uh yeah. Take us through the play where Servasier's pressure
led to that Parish interception.

Speaker 3 (10:22):
I think it was the second player of the game,
and he came through. He came through and Nelly came
through and they were both unblocked. Obviously he should have
got the sack for the safety, but we settled for
the interception, which was a nice consolation. Prize right there.
But he ran straight through and he made a play.
Boza has been getting better each week for us, and
he's really starting to make some place.

Speaker 4 (10:42):
Yeah, he also got an interception of his own later
in the game. What went well on that play?

Speaker 3 (10:46):
He played like he practiced. He got two in the
practice that week. He got his hands on a bunch
of balls right there, and usually that translates.

Speaker 5 (10:53):
The game action.

Speaker 4 (10:55):
I know that typically you know you win the turnover ratio,
and it's a very good indicator of winning the game.
I know in this game it wasn't. But you guys
are now tied for the league lead in games with
multiple takeaways with six games already this season. I know
last year you weren't happy with the number of takeaways overall,
and that had been really a big mission of yours
this offseason, talking about how much you wanted the Ballhawks

(11:15):
wanted guys getting more turnovers. How nice is it to
hear that stat at this point in the game in
the season, and what do you think led to that?

Speaker 3 (11:24):
Just being hungry being around the ball. It's great to
see the turnovers. Obviously, you want to stop the big
plays while you get the turnovers and then you'll have
a very good defense.

Speaker 5 (11:32):
And we understand that as a team and as a unit.

Speaker 4 (11:35):
I know, Jacob Parrish is now the only rookie this
season with multiple sacks and an interception? What about him
has enabled him to have those kind of stats and
then also for you to use him in the way
that he can produce that.

Speaker 3 (11:49):
His work ethic has been outstanding since he's came here.
Very good athlete, very tough, very smart, very strong, understands
the game very well, and plays with his hair on fire.
So it's easy to put him in there and forget
that he's a rookie because he does so many things well.

Speaker 5 (12:06):
And for him to come up.

Speaker 3 (12:07):
With a pick finally, he dropped quite a fewer practice,
so for him to finally get it into set feeling
and I was happy to see for him.

Speaker 4 (12:14):
I know he also got his seventh tackle for loss
on the season, which is the most by any NFL
defensive back this year so far. What has made him
good in that particular stat and how nice is it
when you can have a defensive back putting up those
kind of tackle for loss numbers.

Speaker 3 (12:28):
He's very good at deciphering screenplays and he can pull
a trigger. He's so quick from A to B that
he can get there before the blockers try to set
up and get on them, and those resultant tackle for losses.
He's a very good blitzer as well, so he can
get in the backfield and stop the runner of the
pass game. So he gives us a lot of options.

Speaker 4 (12:45):
I know, Jamel going down early definitely has to put
a wrench into some of the game plan and everything.
So how did that affect what you were going to
be doing? And then just how did Benjamin Morrison look
in filling in form?

Speaker 3 (12:57):
It affected a little bit, but our game plan. Ben
knew the game. Obviously, he had two bad plays. Obviously
he can't have the two plays that he's had. He's
getting more experience and he's coming into his own right now.
But Dean just has more experience right now that has
made more plays. So losing somebody like that and you're
losing your playmaker and having a guy that's just coming
into it having to get more reps, you know, you

(13:19):
lose a little bit mentally that way. But he fought
and he battled. Obviously he didn't lose the game. He
made some decent plays when he.

Speaker 5 (13:26):
Had two busts.

Speaker 4 (13:27):
What are the things about Morrison that have excited you
about his potential and then the things that now you're
working on with him after especially missed a lot of
time due to injury, to get him up to speed
in a little bit more consistent in the game plan.

Speaker 3 (13:40):
I'm seeing things for the first time. I think he's
translating different in the pros than it does in college.
And I think he's very bright mentally, and he's trying
to put two and two together, and I think he's
doing a good job of handling all that. He just
has to handle his spot and not try to see
the entire game. That's when he gets in trouble when
he doesn't look at his side and he tries to
see the entire game, then he starts thinking too much.

(14:02):
When he just goes out and plays this game and
uses his fundamentals and technique, he's great.

Speaker 4 (14:07):
I know, James Cook, he ended up with more receiving
yards than rushing yards. What did you like about the
way you guys faced him? And what do you wish
had gone a little better?

Speaker 3 (14:15):
Did a good job taking him away in a run game.
I mean he's a dangerous threat and after the two
big plays we gave up last week. You know, it
was a premium for us stopping the run and being
gap conscious. I thought that was outstanding. They had a
heck of a play when he came through the line
of scrimmage and caught a touchdown pass for us right there,
and they kind of out ran Nelly chalked that up
the scheme. They did a good job and ran a

(14:36):
good play right there. But other than that, I thought
we did a decent job just trying to contain him
and hold him down.

Speaker 4 (14:42):
I know five of their guys had receiving plays of
over twenty yards, and now you've allowed a little bit
more than forty yard plays in the last two games
than the first eight. I know we talked a little
bit about this last week, but what are the messages
to the guys about what's happening on some of those
big plays and big chunk plays giving up.

Speaker 5 (15:00):
It's being where you're supposed to be.

Speaker 3 (15:01):
You know, some of them were the quarterback had too
much time, then he was getting ready to run and
they came out of coverage and got sucked up and
the ball got thrown over the top because of his legs.
That caused everybody to come out of coverage that way.
We just got to be disciplined in our coverage, and
we got to be disciplined in our past rush lanes
and then the other ones. We just got to be
smart and communicate. You know, if they communicate on defense,

(15:24):
it's hard to bust coverages.

Speaker 4 (15:26):
I know that third and three there was the forty
three yard touchdown pass to Shavers. What did you notice
about that one?

Speaker 3 (15:33):
That was the screen? If I'm not mistaken, that was
a quick That was the quick screen. We misfit two
guys went inside instead of one of them going outside,
and we left a run lane open.

Speaker 4 (15:44):
I know that some of those third down conversions for them,
you know, you held them to six of eleven, but
some of them seemed to be some very big plays.
How did you feel about the third down defense overall?
And knowing that the six of eleven, but then what
the conversions were?

Speaker 5 (15:58):
Gotta be better.

Speaker 3 (15:59):
We got to be better on third down, regardless of
what the conversions were. We got to be better on
third and short. We got to be better on third
and loan.

Speaker 4 (16:06):
I know Tyke Smith started out, especially having a pretty
big game, had to be evaluated for a concussion part
way through. He is now still leading the team in
pass breakups, getting another one in that game. What have
you seen specifically in his pass breakups that are so
impressive getting.

Speaker 5 (16:21):
Good breaks on the ball.

Speaker 3 (16:23):
He gets good looks, He sets up in his zone,
and he can make plays on the ball because he's
comfortable where he's at. He's very confident player and he's
a very instinctive player.

Speaker 4 (16:32):
I know we discussed earlier the kick return that it
was not what you guys were hoping for in the coverage.
What did you notice at this point of what was
such an issue in that.

Speaker 3 (16:41):
For the game, it seemed like everything was an issue.
We just got to be better there. We got eleven
guys over there going to coming down the field. We
have to make plays. That's the bottom line. You have
to make plays, especially when that's what you're on the
team to do.

Speaker 4 (16:54):
And what did you like about I know, the one
bright spot there on sort of the special teams area
was that forced fumble. What did you like about that play?

Speaker 3 (17:01):
Hayes did a good job going down there. The two
gunners got down there and kind of sandwiched the guy
and Hayes got a good rap on the ball, he
didn't have it secure and he got it knocked out
for US.

Speaker 4 (17:09):
Casey Phillips here with head coach Todd Bowles. So looking
ahead of this Rams game, obviously they're having a very
good season. What are some of the biggest things that
you've noticed about what's led to their record this year.

Speaker 3 (17:19):
They finish games, they do a good job getting off
to a faster heart, then they get after. They got
two as rushers that really make a difference. The quarterbacks
playing great football, they got two great receivers, they got
a running game. So Sean does a great job having
them guys ready to play every week.

Speaker 4 (17:34):
Yeah, what do you know about when you're facing a
Sean McVay team. What are some of the indicators of
that and what it's like to coach against him.

Speaker 3 (17:42):
Well, they gonna have plays designed for your blisters. They
gonna have plays they get the ball out of his hands.
They're gonna have play action plays that go deep. They're
gonna have different personnel groupings that do the same thing,
and they're really going to test all your reads.

Speaker 4 (17:55):
With it being a Sunday night game and a West
Coast game, what are some of the things that you
guys try to do to make sure the players are
ready to go for that and just some of the
challenges of having that kind of a game scheduled.

Speaker 3 (18:06):
We're got to make sure we hydrate, number one. Obviously,
we got to take care of our injuries during the
week and take care of all those things toward the
end of the week. But when we travel and get
off the plane, the activation with our strength coach is
very important for those guys to stretch and get loose.
Make sure we just come out with a bunch of energy.
That'll be the big thing.

Speaker 4 (18:25):
Yeah, you mentioned Matthew Stafford having a great year. What
are some of the things that are challenging about facing
him and specifically this year.

Speaker 3 (18:31):
But overall, he can get the ball out of his hands.
He knows the offense so well. He knows where all
of his reads are. No matter what blitz you're sending
at him, he knows where to go with the football.
And that's very tough to decipher when you've got to
cover all of them at the same time.

Speaker 5 (18:46):
And he knows where to go with the football.

Speaker 3 (18:47):
But he's very accurate, he's very tough, he's a hell
of a competitor. He's not going back down from anything,
So it's gonna be a four quarter game.

Speaker 4 (18:55):
And Pug and Aaku of course, has really made a
name for himself since coming into the league. What makes
him challenge face.

Speaker 3 (19:01):
He's tough to bring down. People don't really understand that
he can run with the football and he's very strong
after the cats, so he's really tough to bring down.
He does some block and form as well, and with
Devonte Adams on the other side, they have a great
one two punch.

Speaker 4 (19:14):
And you mentioned the guys on the edge, I mean
Byron Young, nine sacks, Jared Verse. You know, what are
the two things that you've seen really those two guys
do really well.

Speaker 3 (19:22):
They kind of like Houston. They really come off the
ball and they collapse the pocket. They really collapse the pocket,
and they make you feel like you're under more pressure
than you actually are. And their NonStop motors makes it
very tough to deal with.

Speaker 4 (19:34):
I know Godwin and Bucky were both able to come
back to practice this last week. What are sort of
the hopes for this week and the continued evaluation process there.

Speaker 3 (19:42):
Just get him more reps and to keep working them
in and see where they are mentally and physically and
make evaluations at the end.

Speaker 5 (19:47):
Of the week.

Speaker 4 (19:48):
Well, coach, thank you so much. We appreciate the time
as always, thank you. Coming up next is coach Larry Foot,
run game coordinator and outside linebackers coach. Right here on
Buccaneers Total Access brought to you by advan Health. This
is Buccaneers Radio.

Speaker 2 (20:01):
Buccaneers Total Access, brought to you by advent Health, Exclusive
Hospital of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dropping back the row,
We've buttoned the blitz of coming after my home plus
e sack from the backfield at the forty two yard line.

Speaker 1 (20:13):
Petavea has his fourth sack of the season.

Speaker 2 (20:15):
Now more with Bucks team reporter Casey Phillips.

Speaker 4 (20:20):
Welcome back into Buccaneers Total Access brought to you by
advent Health. First half of the show we had head
coach Todd Bowles. Now I'm so excited to be joined
by run gabing coordinator and outside linebackers coach Larry Foot.

Speaker 1 (20:31):
Coach, thanks so much for being with us, Thanks for
having me anytime.

Speaker 4 (20:34):
So big picture takeaways for you now that you've had
a day to let this process and go over the
film with everybody, what stands out to you, guys?

Speaker 1 (20:43):
Defensively, we're giving up big plays and that's starting out.
The last few weeks have really bid us in the butt,
and we got to correct that. We're at the point
of the season where adversity she's here and guys got
to respond. We've been here, a lot of our cores
who've been here. Uh yeah, a couple of guys been

(21:03):
here seven years since we got here, so they know
how to respond. And I'm looking forward to it.

Speaker 4 (21:09):
And then I know, Josh Allen is a tough one
to face, even you know, if you do everything exactly right.
I know, three rushing touchdowns for him. That's what makes
him so tough is he's such a dual threat guy.
So what happened on those and just what makes him
so challenging to go against.

Speaker 1 (21:25):
Normally, when the quarterback keeps the ball, they have an
extra guy in the box, and that's what makes it challenging.
And you know, like you mentioned, he's big, he's strong,
he's physical, and uh it's not a typical quarterback. But
they got us. They had a couple of good plays
and uh, you know, came up a little short.

Speaker 4 (21:43):
I know it's probably not maybe as surprising, not necessarily
get a sack against him, because he can be so
hard to bring down. So I'll ask, overall, pressure wise,
how did you feel? Casacks, I know are only one
measure of it. Of course, I know you would have
liked more of those, But what would you say is
kind of the way you felt about pressure overall, whether
or not at sacks, and then also just QB pressures.

Speaker 1 (22:05):
Well, going into the game, we didn't want him to
dominate us with his legs, and he made a couple
of plays. The disappointing part, we wanted to match him
and we came up a little short. We have some
free runners, we have some good design blitzes, and he
beat us a couple of times. And as a former player,
those miss sacks, missed opportunity, they're gonna stick with you
for a lifetime. But you know, he made plays. We

(22:28):
knew that coming in. We just didn't want his feet
and uh to take over the game, and it didn't
for the most part.

Speaker 4 (22:34):
I know that now the defense, you guys as a
team are tied for the league lead in games with
multiple takeaways with six, and I know that's an area
that's really been a focus of coach Bowls and the
defense overall, and they've come from all over the place.
I mean even in you know an Anthony Nelson picked
six and you know, forced fumbles, interceptions, all of that.
So what do you feel like as a defense has
been the main thing that has led to talking about

(22:57):
it to becoming a reality this year on getting more takeaways.

Speaker 1 (23:00):
We'll just seeing it out on the practice field, led
by our captain Levonte David. I know, he probably got
a thousand forced fumbles.

Speaker 4 (23:08):
He's got a thousand of everything on his statue.

Speaker 1 (23:10):
Yeah, you're playing long enough, so no, but we always
talk about it and we see guys like Winfield. He
does a good job just leading by example punching at
the ball, and we preach it all the time, you know,
be ball conscious and uh, that's the difference between winning
and losing.

Speaker 4 (23:28):
We're talking to Larry Foot, the run game coordinator and
outside linebackers coach James Cook also another formidable guy to
go again, So what is it like to prepare for him?
And then just the fact that you have a running
back that can do so much paired with a quarterback
that can do so much with his legs, how does
that make it even more challenging to try to just
prepare for a running back.

Speaker 1 (23:49):
Well, you got to start when he's behind center. When
the quarterback is underneath center and the quarter running back
is at the position, you gotta think heavy run. And
as you see James Cook is think he's leading the
league in rushing. Uh, it's a big challenge, a lot
of speed.

Speaker 4 (24:04):
Uh.

Speaker 1 (24:04):
The unique thing by studying for him, uh last week,
he he knew how to find it. You know what
I mean by that? Uh we'll say like he floats
back there and he can slide with the best of him.
Another run running back terminology. But uh, I everybody gotta
be disciplined and the corners gotta be prepared as uh,
great speed, So he had challenge anybody on the field.

(24:25):
He's taking out the back door, taking out the front door.
So uh, all eleven guys on the field, you gotta
contain that guy.

Speaker 4 (24:31):
And how did you feel about the way you guys
handled the run game overall, whether it be you know,
josh al Allen or outside of it looking at the
run game in that In that game last night, especially
knowing you held James Cook do a lot less than
he typically gets integrated, I think.

Speaker 1 (24:43):
Uh, they were leading the league in rushing. I think
we when we gave up forty something yards, so uh,
you know we we were proud of that. But you know,
they this was some big plays in the past game.

Speaker 4 (24:54):
I know now you guys have been missing Hassan for
a little bit as well. Uh, what are some of
the biggest things that when he is out that you
lose as a defense.

Speaker 1 (25:02):
Just as athleticism. Nobody on our team, especially at that position,
has what he has and we can do a lot
of things with them, move him off the ball and
create some mismatches for the offenses, but hopefully we get
them back.

Speaker 4 (25:16):
I know. Also, what were some of the things he
was doing particularly well before the injury for you.

Speaker 1 (25:21):
Guys, just the leadership, what he brings on the sideline
and talking to the guys. He does a great job
in the meeting rooms, just teaching those little guys at
the young guys.

Speaker 4 (25:31):
I will make sure they all hear that you call
the guys.

Speaker 1 (25:35):
I treat him like that. But give them guys tips
and keys and how to rush certain guys. He'd been
in this league for a long time and played against
a lot of guys we're going against.

Speaker 4 (25:47):
What are some of the things that you're still working
on with him, And how interest is that for you
as a coach when you do have a guy who
has been around so long, has done so much, and
the way that you still try to make sure you're
helping them continue to improve and get to another level.

Speaker 1 (26:00):
Pro I told you know, I appointed them, guys, say
follow their lead, just just you know, get out there
a little early, put extra study time in, and you know,
if you want to make it in this league. The
good thing about Hassan he reminds those guys you gotta
develop in this league. You know a lot of times
you're a young guy. It takes years to develop your

(26:20):
pass rush. Yeah, y'all still young, you know bras well.
Those guys got to keep their confidence and just keep
chipping away. One day you're gonna look up and you're
gonna be a force in this league.

Speaker 4 (26:29):
So outside linebacker, in your mind especially, is not one
where it's kind of an either you have it or
you don't. That it's a continually evolving thing that it
could be you know, years before someone's really at kind
of their peak at that position in particular.

Speaker 1 (26:42):
Yeah, you gotta learn how to rush, and it's an
instinct They're just a feel that you gotta develop. You
gotta get stronger faster, of course, but you gotta learn
how to rush. I don't seen just Anthony Nelson. You
know he's a rookie w Week first got here in
nineteen and just how he evolved. So I always challenged them, guys,

(27:03):
just keep getting better, keep showing up every day.

Speaker 4 (27:05):
I know that you also had a relationship with Hassan
prior to him coming here that he's even cited as
being part of why he wanted to come here. Was
already having that with you. What do you remember about
when you first got to know him in those early
days of Hassan and just what he's had to go
through in his career, like you said, of the development
and even different positions, different defenses, and all the things
he's gone through.

Speaker 1 (27:25):
Well, Sign played outside backer in college, and I told
him when I went to scout him, I worked him
out of the Temple University. I told him, do not
play off the ball linebacker. You never played it, It's
gonna be a whole different world. He didn't listen. He
was humble. He was a humble young rookie. He said,
whatever you guys want, I would.

Speaker 4 (27:46):
Do it, which is great.

Speaker 1 (27:47):
He didn't listen to me. So four years in the league,
when he was on his way out, they finally moved
on his natural spot. It become all pro. So I
always thought.

Speaker 4 (27:57):
That to you. I told you from just listen to
me when I tell you something.

Speaker 1 (28:00):
I was right once, I'll be right again. But uh,
now it was amazing having him uh and literally I
had to teach him just how to stand off the ball.
You know, go figure in the NFL, you gotta teach
a first round draft pick how to line up and
play middle linebacker.

Speaker 4 (28:15):
Yeah, but it's so different, but.

Speaker 1 (28:16):
It was fun. He's always been a great athlete. You take. Uh,
you ask any coach in this league, give me an
athletic guy. I'll make it work.

Speaker 4 (28:22):
Mm I like that. And what is the biggest part
of those two things? Of like the cause even just
what everybody gets called a defensive end or outside linebacker
and side linebacker. What is it that is so different
about those two positions? But then you have been able
to coach both of those positions.

Speaker 1 (28:40):
Well, y, it's so much thinking you gotta do when
you're off the ball, A lot of communication that's required
of you. If you play off the ball far as
giving checks and talking to the dbs and also to
the front and you gotta think real fast and it
can change real quick. For example, if I'm covering the
number two receiver, I might have number three receiver that
becomes my number two receivers, so two three exchange that

(29:02):
we like to say. But you got to think fast.
You off the ball. You're not, you know, on the
island quite like a dB, but they motion and running
backs out there you can be. And just I grew
up playing in it. When I played in Pittsburgh, I
w we was all in one room. It wasn't an
outside linebacker, coach and inside back in those days. So
I got to learn how to coach it and play it,

(29:25):
uh by just listening to the coach.

Speaker 4 (29:27):
And then this particular defense, I feel like we always
hear about all the things that Bowl's defense requires of guys.
Of that it is, you know, there's a lot going on,
and it's it can be kind of complicated of what
he's asking different guys to do. And I have heard
that outside linebacker in particular is one of the positions
that can take a while for guys to really learn
and involve because it can be a little different than

(29:48):
what is expected of outside linebackers, maybe even what they
did in college or things like that. So what are
the things that this defense requires of them that is
a little bit maybe unique that you end up working
on guys with to understand now being in bowl system,
what you have to do with that role.

Speaker 1 (30:02):
Well, we gonna require you to play like an off
the ball linebacker at times, and uh, you know all philosophy.
The more you can do, the better, and we get excited.
We uh we demand that. You got to think. You
gotta study. You have to go home and study your playbook,
also study your opponent. But uh, that's what he likes
to create different looks for the offenses. So you gotta

(30:25):
stay on your p's and q's.

Speaker 4 (30:26):
That's very true. All right, We are going to take
a quick break here on Buccaneers Total Access brought to
you by Advan Health. We're talking run game coordinator and
outside linebackers coach Larry Foot. This is Buccaneers Radio.

Speaker 2 (30:37):
You were listening to Buccaneers Total Access with head coach
Todd Bowles and Bucks team reporter Casey Phillips. Brought to
you by Advan Health. Exclusive hospital of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Speaker 4 (30:49):
Welcome back into Buccaneers Total Access, brought to you by
Advan Health. We are talking to run game coordinator and
outside linebackers coach Larry Foot. Tell me a little bit
about ya ya this year of what stands out of
what he's been doing, Well, it's.

Speaker 1 (31:03):
Growing, He's growing. You know our challenge, you want to
beat his sack number last year. I think he's right
at it. He's developing, becoming a force in the league.
I really challenge him with off the ball, uh, dropping
and improving in that and he's had he has, but
just that next step every day I want to challenge him.

(31:23):
He's on the surface it becoming one of them guys.
I'm ready for him to kick the door down like that.

Speaker 4 (31:29):
So, you know, I think for fans it's very easy
to just use sacks to evaluate an outside linebacker. That's
an easy thing that we can all see happen, and
especially when we don't always know what they're being asked
to do in other situations. What in your mind is
the way that you evaluate your guys and how many
different factors are there and is it even different per
guy in your room of it. You know, is sacks

(31:51):
always kind of the most important thing, is it not?
How do you tend to try to evaluate well individually?

Speaker 1 (31:55):
It is far as contract.

Speaker 4 (31:58):
You know, at the end of the day, Uh, sax bills.

Speaker 1 (32:01):
Sax payer bills, and uh, you know it's a negotiation
thing between teams and players. Uh. But I look for
just your juice, your juice level, your energy. Are you
uh affecting the quarterback? Mm? And uh you know you
think that comes natural, but mentally you gotta be dialed
in every play giving giving it y'all. And he has been.
He hustles on the practice field. I challenge him from

(32:23):
that standpoint. And at the end of the day, all
the top pass rushers they have that element that they
you know, they just wired energizer bunny mm, you know,
Tasmanian devil, stuff like that. So I really challenge him.
You know, you're a big man. Why won't you moving
like a little man? Hm? And all over the place?
And uh. He he's answered the call so far.

Speaker 4 (32:42):
What are his biggest strengths that he brings separate maybe
even from anybody else on the team.

Speaker 1 (32:48):
Well, he's a ginormous guy, as you know, and he's fast. Yeah,
and you know you don't find those guys every day,
so uh uh. Ev Ever, anytime you watch it, you
can see him running guys down. He ran Josh Allen
down another day. M and he he's a beast.

Speaker 4 (33:04):
Where would you say his biggest areas of growth have
been since his rookie year.

Speaker 1 (33:09):
Sh uh just overall just his instincts. And you know,
I'm still challenging him to that next level, like, Okay,
you feel the offense line and sitting this what you
should have you done? Look at the formation? Ch is
it run or pass? You know, believe it or not.
Those offenses they give away, uh, some keys to tell
you what they're doing, and I expect him to know

(33:30):
those things. You got to get a jump jump on
it and that'll help you get sacks and playing well.
No running past. I really challenged him, like, look at
the formation and tell me what what's about to happen
and you know kind of off the ball, my off
the ball background. But if he can develop that, you know,
it'll get you know, make the sacks go up and

(33:52):
it'll be easier for him.

Speaker 4 (33:53):
Hm. And then I know Anthony Nelson, I mean, God,
that Saints game was wild. Tell me what you think
led to him just having such a dominant performance that night,
and what it was like for you to be watching
that during the game.

Speaker 1 (34:06):
That was his first start. I was happy for him.
You know, A big uh fan of Anthony Nelson. I'd
seen him grow from uh no hair on his face.
Now he looks like a grizzly bear. He wasn't married
and I was married with two kids. Uh so I
wa it was you know, I know his family. Well,
I was at his wedding in Iowa. Believe it or not.
Took me about eight flights to get there, but I

(34:27):
got there. No, but uh, I was so uh. I
was happy for him and just amazing. Gay. I mean,
he had a career day in one game. So uh,
I need to see it again.

Speaker 4 (34:37):
Yeah, that was crazy. And to take us through particularly
how impressive for this position, for his building size to
do what he did on the pick six play? Tell
us how impressed those.

Speaker 1 (34:47):
Well, well that's his basketball background, you can tell. You know,
you can see it grabbing the uh the ball off
the rim and uh got at the highest point and
it was crazy and he ran the running back. I'm
at the quarterback over and uh it was just a
it's surreal moment of sweet and uh it was legendary.

Speaker 4 (35:02):
Really, Yeah, that was amazing. What does his role typically
when you know, like everybody's healthy, what is it that
he provides to the room? And I feel like Bowles
always describes him as sort of steady eddie. How important
is that role and what does he play when again
everyone is healthy.

Speaker 1 (35:19):
Uh, it's important for he cause he plays a lot
of teams too. In last few weeks he's been still
on teams and starting full time. That just speaks to
his character. But I always pump him up with the
young guys cause he literally I mean he helped us
put two banners up in that indoor. Uh both of
Carolina game last year he called the fumble the year

(35:40):
A couple of years before, I think Tom Brady's last
year got the strip sack. Uh, the Mike Evans game
we came back and beat him over there and Raymond James.
So uh he didn't made some uh key plays for
us throughout his career.

Speaker 4 (35:52):
Yeah, it really does seem like he has such a
nose for the big play, especially per snap that he's
in there, that some of those really important moments. How
about Chris Braswell, tell me what some of his biggest
strengths are.

Speaker 1 (36:03):
Uh, he's a big guy also just like yah, Yeah,
he has a great burst. He has a great burst.
You see braswell development. He didn't play a lot of ball,
being a lot of first rounds at Alabama, so he
played his senior year and he's getting better. This is
year or two.

Speaker 3 (36:20):
Uh.

Speaker 1 (36:20):
He gotta learn how to rush the pass, like I
talked about earlier, but his instincts is getting better. Well,
I'm most proud about him. Last year he busted a lot,
you know, a lot of defense playing in the Todd
Bowles defense. And this year he's he's on his assignments,
he making plays.

Speaker 4 (36:36):
Uh.

Speaker 1 (36:37):
Me personally, I thought that was his best game of
the year this past uh Sunday against Buffalo.

Speaker 4 (36:41):
Wow. What uh? What about this game or what makes
you say that about this particular thing? What did he
do or not do that?

Speaker 1 (36:46):
Man? You've seen his energy, You've seen his hustle. He
made a lot of tackle thing in one big tackle
for loss.

Speaker 4 (36:52):
Uh.

Speaker 1 (36:52):
He fit the uh the run well. He had a
couple of good rushes. He did a good job. He
only had sixteen snaps, but he made an impact on
it and he all so played full time on special teams.

Speaker 4 (37:02):
When you talk about learning to pass rush as a
young person in this, is it typically like actually learning
more moves? Is it learning to read the offense a
little bit more? What are some of the elements that
make up having to learn that?

Speaker 1 (37:15):
It's a combination. I tell guys in the off season,
you should get one move and you should you know, uh,
patent it and uh perfect it. Uh. Seeing Anthony Nelson
does it the famous cross toop that a lot of
guys do a in in the league. He didn't have
that his rookie year and he developed that move.

Speaker 4 (37:34):
Uh.

Speaker 1 (37:34):
You gotta know who you are. What type of rusher?
Am I am? I? Am I a guy that has
that ability. I can do a lot of moves, or
I'm a power guy.

Speaker 5 (37:43):
Hm.

Speaker 1 (37:44):
But it's still an instinct. How is the guy blocking you?
Did you get a good get off?

Speaker 2 (37:48):
And uh?

Speaker 1 (37:49):
Did you know his running past so you could play
you could have Uh, especially on first and second down,
could you rush the pass or post to you gotta
slow down and play the run. So it's just getting
a good and his arrows definitely pointing in the right direction.

Speaker 4 (38:03):
We're talking to run game coordinator and outside linebacker coach
Larry Foote. I know that you were incredibly excited about
David Walker, as we all were as a human and
as a player. Tell me what you feel like he
could have been and what you saw from him during
this offseason program that we should be excited about for
next year. Feeling like it's almost like we're gonna get
a bonus draft pick next year, you know when we

(38:25):
get to watch him. So what were the things that
that had you so excited?

Speaker 1 (38:28):
Well, played with a guy in Pittsburgh, James Harrison, about
the same height at about five to nine, probably a
little tall about it. It's gonna sounds like I tell
him he was about five nine, call him sawed off.
But I just loved this film when I was watching
this film this offseason over at Central Arkansas. And just
as he's a dog, you know he's a dog. He's

(38:49):
a little short dude, you know, big legs, but he
plays the game the right way, violent and he's quick.
Even the week at the Senior Bowl, you know, those
guys weren't too big for him, and I was excited
he was mixing it up with our guys. And uh,
unfortunately had the knee injury.

Speaker 4 (39:07):
Yup. That's so tough as a coach now as he
goes through the rehab and you know, having to know that,
I can't imagine for him of excitement for your rookie
year and then you miss out. How do you try
to make sure you're there for him and you incorporate
him and to make sure that he doesn't lose out
on this essentially red shirt year so that he can
be as ready as possible for next year.

Speaker 1 (39:26):
Well, I'm always asking him questions. You got to be
in a meeting room, and the main thing is mentally, Uh,
you wanna get those reps, you know, learn from the
other guys. You need to study tape like you're playing,
and shame on you if you're not. You're not taking that, uh,
taking advantage of it. So I'll just really be on him,
like make sure you focus and you're developing, you know, mentally,

(39:47):
and when you get out there, you ready to go.

Speaker 4 (39:50):
I know Marquis Watts, he was a long shot to
be on the team. He was a tryout guide and
come the more traditional route that you see as drafted
or even undrafted guy like that. What was it back
then that made you guys say, this is someone that
we need to take a chance on and and keep around,
even just coming in as a tryout guy.

Speaker 1 (40:06):
He W it's sort of like David. You know, he's
probably five ten Davis five nine p but uh he
had a lot of uh natural ability. He's quick, uh explosive,
he knows he had a lot of sacks coming out
of Charlotte University of Charlotte, and uh he he has
a good field for rushing the passing. He has a
great field for rushing the passing, and he been getting better.

(40:27):
Uh So I'm excited. Uh I know he's coming back
this week. I wanna see what he does for us.

Speaker 4 (40:33):
What would be the things that he would need to
maybe work on or improve on to see the field
a little bit more. What would be those next progressing
steps that you're working.

Speaker 1 (40:40):
On with well all back ups first and foremost, you
need to make your your your money on teams. You
gotta dominate mm and when your opportunity come on defense,
you take to take advantage of it. But right now,
those guys should dominate on teams. He should be excited
about that. If you get a hat on Sunday, and
you get to run down there and kick off. You
need to take advantage each of it. But any opportunity,

(41:02):
he got to be ready to go when you get
them guys a blow and take advantage. You know, I
told them guys this morning. Film is that's your walk
and breathing resume. Each snap counts and everybody's watching.

Speaker 4 (41:15):
And then going against our offensive line in the off
season and training camp and a little bit in practice.
I mean, we have some really elite guys that of course,
there's been just a wild amount of injuries on that front,
but when they're facing you know, the starters and the
healthy guys. How much does that help your guys? And
what have you seen about especially going against guys like Tristan,
How does that help prepare your group?

Speaker 1 (41:38):
It really takes our confidence because they win more majority
of the time. And I tell my guys that and
I may laugh at them, but Luke and Tristan, they
was getting at us this camp. I'm a little disappointed,
but like you said, good experience, because those are two
of the best tackles in the league. But I expect
going forward that we start winning more than losing. Some guys.

(42:00):
I like it.

Speaker 4 (42:01):
I like the healthy competition in practice. All right, we
got one more segment here on Buccaneers Total Access, brought
to you by Avan Health. We're talking to run game
coordinator and outside linebacker coach Larry Foot. This is Buccaneers Radio.

Speaker 2 (42:12):
Buccaneers Total Access with head coach Todd Bowles. Now continues
brought to you by Advan Health, Exclusive Hospital of the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Speaker 4 (42:23):
We are talking to run game coordinator and outside linebacker
coach Larry Foot. So, first of all, tell me what
this run game coordinator title means. How you work with
bowls on that. I know we also have a past
game coordinator, So what does that end up entailing for
all of you guys, and how you try to work
together in the game plan.

Speaker 1 (42:40):
When we gain start game plan, I try to I
look at all the runs from you know, the whole year,
and I just try to break down here are the
top runs. These will be the runs that give us problems.
This front will help this, or this car will be
good against that. But main thing I present to the
coaches and I present to the players like this is
what we we got to stop and we got to
look out for and give them some tips.

Speaker 4 (43:02):
The run game defense is for both such a huge
priority and something that's been an area of strength ever
since he got here. So what are the things that
you feel like you guys do really well on your
run defense. And if it's a game where you hold
them really well, what does that typically mean You guys
did right well.

Speaker 1 (43:19):
First foremost, we have Vida ve so that that could
just be the whole answer.

Speaker 4 (43:24):
We have Vita vea up front, No, but.

Speaker 1 (43:27):
Everybody buys in. It starts with our leaders, with Lavonte,
with Jamel Dean and guys who've been here Winfield. Everybody
got to buy in. Corner. You know some offenses where
they come out and say, look, we're gonna make your
corners tackle. We're gonna block everybody but the corners. So
that week, those guys got to show up for us.
But it's our expectations that we expect all them guys.

(43:50):
You know that's our standard. Everybody got to tackle. Everybody
got to fit the run, and that's why we've been
so good at I know that that was a.

Speaker 4 (43:57):
Question about Elijah when he was getting drafted. Knew he'd
be a good pass rusher, but how's he gonna be
in the run game? And uh it was so sad
to lose him this year for both things. But how
impressed have you been with his ability to contribute in
the run game when that was the one question about
him coming in?

Speaker 1 (44:13):
Oh he's from Miami Northwestern. He he he had no problem.
Should Yeah, no problem. Now he speaking of another five
to nine guy, he's probably about five eight.

Speaker 4 (44:23):
But uh, I want you to be the one that
does our roster on our website with the nights.

Speaker 3 (44:27):
Uh.

Speaker 1 (44:28):
But uh no, this was year three. You know, I was.
I was disappointed when he went down, cause you see,
he was about to have a explosive year seeing just
uh the leadership role that he took. He w you know,
I know s them guys were flying all over the
place in the off season working out and training together. Uh,
going into some past specialists guys, but they stayed together.

(44:48):
And uh he got all those guys, He organized all
those guys to be together. So uh, I was happy
for that cause he was taking that leadership role for us.
Sucks that he got hurt, Yeah.

Speaker 4 (44:58):
It really does. We're talking to un game coordinator and
outside linebacker coach Larry Foot. How about the just defensive
line overall? We talked about Vita the level he's playing
at this year, and then the other guys that have
had to step in or step up with Elijah being
out and we're now Collijah and then to Elijah's where
I'm sure makes your job fun in the meeting rooms

(45:18):
thinking about who you're talking about. So what have you
seen from the rest of the D line as well?

Speaker 1 (45:22):
By getting better young Roberts in there starting logan them
guys are holding up well, those guys are stepping up collectively.

Speaker 4 (45:30):
I know. Elijah Roberts to me has been really interesting
to watch of knowing especially that he's kind of had
to adjust his game a bit from what he did
in college to now. So what have you seen of
how he's been able to make that adjustment play a
little bit more traditional D line roles compared to more
than edge rusher.

Speaker 1 (45:45):
Star with Charlie Strong doing a great job with the
whole room, were coaching them up. Rookie, that's hard to
start play defensive end all of a sudden the National
Football League until you move inside and you know you
got to add a little weight. You know, that's a
whole nother mentally, you got to develop instinct wise, how
to take on blocks and a lot more physical in there.
But you've been doing a good job for us so far.

Speaker 4 (46:07):
In general, you have to game plan for a lot
of very talented running backs. Have already faced a bunch
of them this year. In your mind, who are some
of the toughest guys to game plan for or just
to bring down?

Speaker 1 (46:16):
It seems like every week it's just enough. We don't
get a break. We don't get a break. Of course,
we started a season all probably the most dynamic running
back in the game over in Atlanta. So every week,
every week getting ready for the Rams. Both those guys
are similar and a hard attackle I was just writing
in my notes, we got to wrap up cause these
guys break a lot of tackles, they're short, they do

(46:38):
a good job hide and behind blockers, So it's gonna
be another challenge for us.

Speaker 4 (46:42):
Yeah, that Rams offense has been humming this year. Their
record shows it as well. So what do you feel
like is going to be the key defensively to facing
their offense?

Speaker 1 (46:52):
At this point, we got to make more plays than
them at the end of the day. It's a veteran
quarterback Stafford, You've been doing it for many years, and
we got to slow them guys down. They got weapons outside.
We mentioned they can run the ball. McVeigh. You know,
he's still cooking, and it's gonna be a big challenge.
You know, I'm not surprised that that eight and two
we got to go out there in their place, and

(47:13):
I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Speaker 4 (47:14):
Yeah. Tell me about Matthew Stafford and the level he's
playing at this year after again such a long successful career,
But it does feel like this season is reaching almost
peak form, all right.

Speaker 1 (47:25):
I mean just telling how old he is his rookie year.
I played with him my year in Detroit. He's a
rookie when we drafted him. He's getting no no, it
was two thousand and nine. He's still humming it, but
he can spend it. He's obviously a future Hall of
Famer and it's a big challenge, and we still got

(47:45):
a disguise. We're not gonna trick him that much. We're
gonna still have to make plays, but we have to
make it harder for him as possible.

Speaker 4 (47:51):
And how about a guy like pookin Aaku who's really
come on so strong and been such an incredible weapon
for them out of nowhere. It felt like his rookie year.
So what stands out about the challenge of facing a
wider seat.

Speaker 1 (48:02):
He just sliding in that road with Cooper Cup and
it's just every since McVeigh got there, just had that
receiver that you can line up all over the plays
that he blocks, he goes through the line. It's gonna
be a challenge for us, and our corners are up
for it.

Speaker 4 (48:16):
What is the biggest challenge of having to now go
play not only a Sunday night game, which that has
its own challenges, but all the way on the West Coast,
dealing with that time change and the long flights and
all of that. What do you think about that as
a coach, of how you prep your players for it,
and just even what you remember as a player having
to do things like that.

Speaker 1 (48:32):
Well, that trip as a player, I always told myself
I will never be a coach because I remember it's
daylight when you land, and those guys are going to
the office and we're going home to sleep the whole day.

Speaker 4 (48:45):
Yep.

Speaker 1 (48:46):
So I still remember walking by some of them guys
and they'll be sleeping first class and as they're waking up, man,
we heading to the office, and I said, I will
never be a coach.

Speaker 4 (48:58):
Here you are and doing the trip as a coach, but.

Speaker 1 (49:01):
I'm not looking forward to that. That's that's tough. But
we got to adjust, got to work ahead a little
bit on the weekend, when we finalize the game plan.
You get a little few time you peak at your
next opponent.

Speaker 4 (49:15):
What is your approach as a coach because you did play,
and the unique relationship you can have with the guys
and just how you think it kind of affects the
type of coach you are, especially compared to maybe somebody
else who didn't play at the NFL level.

Speaker 1 (49:28):
Outside of football. If you're in my room, I mean
I invest in you big time. If I'm gonna spend
a lot of time away from my own kids, I
got to give them something and bigger than absolutely and
I just want to be a big brother, uncle or
even a father figure. I want to pass down much
knowledge about this league and what you should do on

(49:51):
the field and off the field. But I really invest
in them. If they in my room, I mean, you know,
we're family. Since my first year coach and I'm still
in contact with all my players. I've been to weddings,
and I kind of play that father role, you know.
I encourage all of them to get married, save your money,
and I encourage them whatever uh way I can. But

(50:12):
I really invest in those guys, and I take that serious.

Speaker 4 (50:16):
Well, you definitely do. I've seen it myself, so Coach Foot,
thank you so much for the time today, Thank you
for the way you invest in our guys, and we
just really appreciate it.

Speaker 1 (50:24):
Thank you.

Speaker 4 (50:24):
All right, that's gonna do it for us. On Buccaneers
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