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BY IRA KAUFMAN
If you want to know what’s different about this Buccaneer culture club, ask the outsiders.
That was my mission in Tampa Bay’s locker room this week as the Bucs prepare for Sunday’s home game against the Eagles, a matchup between two of the NFL’s six unbeaten clubs.
Bucs backup QB Teddy Bridgewater.
First up is Teddy Bridgewater, in his 11th pro season since being drafted by the Vikings. He went on to play for the Saints, Panthers, Broncos, Dolphins and Lions before signing with the Bucs only seven weeks ago.
Still, that’s enough time for the veteran quarterback to realize there’s something unique brewing at One Buc Place.
“You start with the superstars on this team,” Bridgewater said. “They’re some of the most humble guys you’ll ever meet. I’ve been in some places where the superstars are arrogant assholes, but here they set the tone and it allows everybody else to fall in line.
“Character’s important. You hope you hit on talent and character with your draft picks, and they’ve done a great job here. Of course, it all starts with Lavonte David. He’s been here the longest and the way he comes to work — he’s a true pro. He’s still here, paying it forward for the next generation of Bucs. That’s what makes this locker room so special.”
Charlie Heck, now filling in as a starter for injured Luke Goedeke at right tackle, is in his sixth NFL season. He played for the Texans, Cardinals and 49ers before signing with Tampa Bay as a free agent in March.
“Out of the teams I’ve been on, this stands out as the best culture,” Heck said. “You can tell everyone has bought in. They show up to work every day, ready to practice. If someone goes down, somebody else is ready to go. And this is definitely the closest offensive line group I’ve been associated with.”
According to Bridgewater, Tampa Bay’s head coach plays a key role in building camaraderie.
“It’s Todd’s personality … he’s a straight shooter,” Bridgewater said. “His door’s always open if you need to talk to him. Baker’s got a little juice to him, but in the end, we’re all spitting images of our boss. It’s a trickle-down effect.”
These guys like each other. They socialize, they talk about their families and enjoy each other’s company.
And it shows.
“It makes you play that much harder when you know the guy next to you,” said Bridgewater. “I’ve also been in places where this is just work. Guys would come in to punch a clock because they didn’t know much about their teammates. Here, guys know about each other’s children and spouses. It goes a long way.”
For Heck, it comes down to the message sent from the stars above.
“There are guys here who have won a Super Bowl and that’s the standard,” Heck said. “Guys like Lavonte and Mike (Evans) are the epitome of leadership and they mean so much to this team. They set the tone and we follow them.”
