The most unheralded starting Bucs DL is called "Crane" for steadiness.
By JOANNE KORTH
Published August 13, 2003
[Times photo: Toni L. Sandys]
"Those guys deserve everything they get," Greg Spires said of his fellow defensive linemen. "I'm just happy to be a part of this team."
LAKE BUENA VISTA - Defensive end Greg Spires never has operated a crane, but the implication behind the nickname is that he has a heavy-machinery attitude.
Lift things up.
Put things down.
Every day, over and over.
"We call him "The Crane' because he works so hard and comes to work everyday," defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "You see the crane sitting there beside the highway, working every day. He never takes a break."
Spires is the unheralded fourth member of Tampa Bay's big-name defensive line. Given his breakout season in 2002, it might be time to pay closer attention.
For the record, the Bucs' sack-happy front four consists of Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice, Anthony McFarland and Spires. As left end, it is Spires' job to contain as well as rush the passer. His ability to keep quarterbacks in the pocket often sets up his teammates to make big plays.
"Those guys deserve everything they get," Spires said of his much-publicized linemates. "I'm just happy to be a part of this team. We have a lot of superstars on this team, and that's what makes it so good."
Spires' NFL career began inauspiciously. A third-round draft pick from Florida State, he started just seven games in his first four seasons with New England and Cleveland. But defensive line coach Rod Marinelli believed Spires would be the perfect addition to one of the league's most aggressive front lines.
"They're all unique personalities, but when they play together they all mesh because they have that same inner fiber," Marinelli said. "They've got that same toughness and tenacity and they all meld together on game day. They play like one."
Spires, 6 feet 1, 265 pounds, started every game last season, recording a career-high 47 tackles in the regular season. He came on strong in the second half and the playoffs as he became comfortable in Kiffin's scheme.
"He's kind of an unsung hero," Kiffin said. "But believe me, everybody is starting to know who that young man is."
He was at his best in the biggest games. In the playoffs, Spires had 11 tackles and two sacks, including a first-quarter sack of Rich Gannon in Tampa Bay's 48-21 win against Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII. That play is Spires' most-cherished memory from a memorable season.
Now, it's time to get better.
"We're expecting him to build off what he did last year," Marinelli said. "The expectations are high for him. But he gives tremendous discipline to this defense.
"Coming off the left side, you can't let it go quite as much. You have to be about containment, keep the quarterback inside and still rush. He has done that as well as anybody since I've been here."
Spires uses the high standards of his coaches and teammates as motivation. The last thing he wants is to walk into a meeting room and hear from his Pro Bowl linemates that he is not doing his job.
"That's what keeps me going," said Spires, who turned 29 Tuesday. "I don't want to go in there and everybody is laughing at me and telling me to do better, so that's a good motivation for me.
"The coaches put a lot of pressure on you. The players demand a lot from you. When you have pressure coming from both ends, you want to go out there and perform up to your billing. Pressure bursts pipes. It's an old saying, but you have to do it or get out."
So, Spires reports to practice determined to work hard and prove himself worthy of the league's top-ranked defense. A backup most of his NFL career, he is accustomed to fighting and scratching for everything he gets.
Lift things up.
Put things down.
Everyday, over and over - just like a crane operator.
"If they give you a nickname, then obviously they like you," Spires said. "When they give you a name like that, you have to go out there and prove why you have that name."
