Fundamentals, Fundamentals, and a Little More Fundamentals!

Stressing the fundamentals has become a daily routine at One Buc Place. HC Greg Schiano has brought his teacher's mentality with him and he has a daily lesson plan. Fundamentals, fundamentals, and after that, a little more fundamentals.

At some point during every practice Schiano will sound the horn and begin barking "get to stations". Each player's group, divided by position, has an assigned station that the player must immediately report to and begin working on fundamental drills. Offensive players work on ball security. Defensive players work on stripping the ball and tackling.

"Everybody talks about fundamentals, but he hammers it,'' CB Ronde Barber said. "We get fundamentals every day. He's definitely a teacher and that's a good thing. He takes that coach moniker to a whole other level.''

Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said: "We do a tackling circuit before every practice, and I've never done anything like that before. I realize now that, before, I was just playing football. Now, I'm really learning how to tackle and I think it's going to help me a lot.'' McCoy has openly admitted that he has never really been shown the techniques of proper tackling until these drills.

"You have to brush up on your fundamentals; there's no question about that, because you have to have a fundamental base to go with the talent you have,'' CB Eric Wright said. "I think it's something that's necessary and I'm glad we're doing it and doing it every day. Other teams do it, but not on a consistent basis. We do it every day here, and I think it's a good thing.''

Along with teaching the fundamentals for on the field play, Schiano has also been stressing off the field improvement. Weight lifting. This year's team spends time in the weight room every day. Every player has a daily gym assignment designed specifically for said player. As they enter the weight room, a computer is located just to the right of the door. Each player enters his assigned uniform number and receives a print out of that day's workout assignment. Each assignment is designed to maximize that specific player's body structure according to his physical characteristics and playing position.

Fundamentals and details. Like it has been reported, right down to the room temperature being precise during meetings. HC Greg Schiano is leaving no stone unturned to make sure this year's Buccaneers players are prepared and focused.