Bucstop.com’s interview with Tampa Bay Buccaneer Anthony Gaitor

Courtesy: Samuel Lewis/Richard Lewis-FIUsports.comMark Dominik the General Manager for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has a knack for collecting 7^th rd draft picks and putting them in a position to succeed. In the last few years alone guys like Cody Grimm, Eric Lorig, and Dakota Watson have not only made the roster but also seen serious game time. The latest 7^th rd pick the Bucs hope to add to the previous list is Anthony Gaitor a 5-9 175lb corner from FIU.  Anthony is staying in Miami where he is from, training and getting ready for the season while the lockout continues. Anthony was gracious enough to take some time and answer a few questions about the upcoming season, his motivation, and most importantly his family and faith in God.

Steven Thompson-“From Donnie Abraham, Brian Kelly to now Ronde Barber, and Aqib Talib the Bucs in recent history have had successful corners. How do you see yourself in comparison to any of these Bucs players”?

Anthony Gaitor-“well first off I’d like to say that all of those are great corners. I would prefer to not compare myself to anyone. All I want to do is come in do my job, play my role and go from there.

ST-“In your opinion what’s the best part of your game? What’s the biggest weakness?

AG-“Some of the best parts of my game are how athletic I am, the fact that at any time I can make a play, a big time play. I’m also ultra competitive. Some negatives well, honestly I feel that my whole game is my weakness. I feel that every day I try and go to the field and work on every aspect of my game. I feel every day I can get better at everything I do”.

ST-“The so called experts say you lack the speed that one needs to play corner in the NFL and that you’re a corner that struggles in man to man and can only play zone. How would u respond to this’?

AG-“I just don’t get into what people think about me. Everyone has their own opinion.  I believe in my abilities to get the job done. Check the film from the last few years you’ll see that. I don’t allow negative talk or thoughts to affect me ever.

ST-“I’ve seen you do some boxing as training, is that something that is always a part of how you prepare for a season? What else have you been doing during the lockout to get ready for an NFL season”?

AG-“Well I salute all the guys who box out there it is certainly not easy and is very demanding. I box twice a week. It helps with my hand and feet speed and quickness. I have also been putting on weight to hold up during the season a little better, and working on my overall speed. I’ve Just been working hard nonstop to get ready for the season.

ST-“It appears that faith and your belief in God plays a big role in your daily life. Can you tell us a bit about that”?

AG-“I wake up and thank God each day. Without God I would have none of these opportunities. I’m blessed to wake up each day and I owe that to him. I don’t allow anything to take me away from him. Football someday will be over and gone but he’ll always be here for me no matter what. I thank God because he got me here”.

ST-“Does being a 7^th rd pick come into your mind at all? Do you use that as motivation or not think about it? What else motivates you?

AG-“I don’t look at it like that. I don’t have a chip on my shoulder, that doesn’t matter. I always have the same attitude. People don’t feel sorry for you or care what round you were picked in. People are going to look at you as a football player and how you perform. I’m blessed to be in this position. My family absolutely is my motivation. They’ve been with me through the good and bad times no matter what and always will be. I started playing football at the age of 5 because of my uncle so I owe a lot to him, most definitely.”

ST-“Do you consider yourself a shy quiet guy or more of a rah rah up tempo type of person? It appears Raheem believes that later from his comments about how you were so excited when you got drafted”.

AG-“Its kind of crazy because off the field I’m a real laid back guy and fun to get along with. Once I step on that field it all changes. I become cocky and hyped up and love to talk trash. I’m just a whole different animal once I step on that field”.

ST-“How was your time at FIU, was that an enjoyable experience”?

AG-“Absolutely it was. I loved my time at FIU. It’s a great school with great facilities. The coaching staff was awesome and very supportive. I was able to earn a degree in sports management and become the first person in my family to do so”.

The way 7^th round picks have been going in the last few years for the Bucs, Gaitor may be first to do many other great things in Pewter sooner, rather than later.