As much bad stuff (as) they say about T.C., I'll give him...

As much bad stuff (as) they say about T.C., I'll give him that much. You take away the little nitpicky things, but he wanted to win. Guys were ticked off at him, but somehow you developed that sense of passion, too. You were scared not to come in here rested, because he was going to drill you and put your butt in the dirt.