Lovie, Marinelli And Revis
January 2nd, 2014
Darrelle Revis caught Lovie Smith’s eye long ago.
As excited as many of Joe’s readers are with the new coaching staff taking shape at One Buc Palace, there remains concerns for some of the fate of stud cornerback Darrelle Revis.
New Bucs coach Lovie Smith and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli are loyalists to the Tampa-2 coverage scheme, a scheme in which cornerbacks often play zone. Revis is a terrific man-to-man press corner and at $16 million a year may be a bit pricey for a zone coverage guy.
Some believe Revis is a goner from the Bucs, as he is signed to a series of one-year pacts. The Bucs could cut Revis, and not suffer a dime of a penalty in a cap hit.
So the mystery is, what will Lovie do with Revis? One former Bears front office type who worked with Lovie believes Revis will be just fine with Lovie in Tampa Bay. Greg Gabriel, then a scout with the Bears, remembers traveling to Pittsburgh with Lovie to scout Revis at Revis’ pro day.
@greggabe: I was at the Revis’ pro day with Lovie. He loved him then. Don’t know how he feels now but Lovie is an Ole DB coach
This is the way Joe looks at it: Do we have that short memory of just how horrid the Bucs pass defense, specifically the secondary, before Revis came to Tampa Bay? Even a hobbled Revis was light years better than the Adderall Twins, gun-toting Aqib Talib and spa-hopping Eric Wright.
Good coaches just don’t dump star players because they don’t fit a specific system, especially an All-World corner which comes around about as often as Halley’s Comet. If Lovie and Marinelli are as good as what they are believed to be, they will find a way to craft coverages that best utilizes Revis’ skills, not do a square peg/round hole force feed.
If the Bucs do unload Revis, well, let’s say that will raise Joe’s eyebrow big time. You just don’t wash your hands of a guy like Revis because you didn’t aquire him. Hell, even former Bucs commander Greg Schiano attempted to work with DJ Toes on the Line.
January 2nd, 2014 at 8:22 am
So with this report Joe is it safe to assume the Cowboys let merrinelli walk to us is he officially on our payroll now?
January 2nd, 2014 at 8:30 am
Bud nasty. That is my question too.
January 2nd, 2014 at 8:37 am
So Marinelli is the spark plug that got the guys to play to their utmost in the Dungy/ Gruden regime….if he doesn’t come here….motivationally a big yawn….better than Rah but no Tomlin or even a Gruden……very disappointing. Looks like we will be looking up at the other teams in our division for at least a few more years.
January 2nd, 2014 at 8:42 am
Hey Joe, I’m confused about the Marinelli thing. Is he in or out? Or are you just writing a story contrary to the previous to F@#k with us?
January 2nd, 2014 at 8:44 am
He doesn’t run a conventional Tampa 2 so that’s not even an issue.
It’s only an issue if the Glazers made it some kind of financial mandate for Lovie get Revis to restructure or he’s gone type thing.
January 2nd, 2014 at 8:44 am
Lovie!s teams love creating the turnovers.
44 takeaways his last year at Chicago.
Revis is a turnover machine and would be even if getting safety help. Like Ronde. Or Tillma at Chi.
I’m betting Lovie will dispell this immediately and state he wants Revis. Lovie is a great defensive coach he will know just how to use Him. I’m also sure the Glazers already discussed this with him.
January 2nd, 2014 at 8:45 am
Mason Foster should be the one that is worried. He is great at rushing, but pass coverage is very questionable, and we know that does not fly in the tampa 2.3( or whatever version we are up to now). The Middle linebacker is historical a very good at pass coverage!
January 2nd, 2014 at 8:49 am
Marinelli wasn’t even on Lovie’s staff in 2006 when bears went to the Super Bowl.
Yet they played great defense.
I certainly hope we get Rod, but if not were still gonna play great defense IMO.
January 2nd, 2014 at 8:49 am
It is a little early to be annointing Marenelli as our DC…right? He is under contract with the Cowboys, after all.
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:01 am
Marinelli is a difference maker, as long as he’s not head coach, it’s a great hire for a young defensive line.
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:04 am
Eric…what kind of D did they play in Chicago when some of their great players aged…..seven time Brian Urlacher among them…..crappy D his last years. And a year after he is gone they had the worst run defense in the league.
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:05 am
So…are we still tapping the brakes on Marinelli? Would love some tangible news regarding his coming to Tampa!!! Joe, any hard news to that fact yet?
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:10 am
Eric…secondly turn overs are only one measure of a D. The Packers have the same thing…it is a gambling D. But that gambling defense also gives up big plays, which is a killer in big games against good teams. But keep swigging the pewter punch…better put some everclear in it the next few years….if we can’t get someone like Marinelli to put a fire under these D line guys. I suspect Dallas will promote Marinelli and fire Kiffin….Sapp thought Marinelli was the guy anyway and not Kiffin…the Glazers will probably hire him…. sounds like par for the course for the boys.
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:18 am
Joe/ Somebody,
Did I miss the announcement on the release of Sullivan, Sheridan and the rest of the Bucs coaches? Have they all been fired en masse?
We’re hiring replacements right and left so I assume they’re fired, but I’ve seen nothing official. Did I miss something?
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:23 am
Joe really you think the bucs are going to cut bait with revis and go back after talib wow I really had faith in this site now all it has turned into is a gossip and wish list site.
Might want to re-read what was actually written. –Joe
Talib is a problem hot headed injury prone had his best year but Tampa washed there hands of him why would they want him again. Lovie smith is a cover 2 guy but he does not misuse talent Charles Tillman my cousin when played mega train mostly played cover 1 man to man. They also played zone in 1 everybody in zone Tillman in man. Revis might get cut but it will be because he refuses to take restricted contract
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:31 am
Mac.
A few days ago NFL network was talking about the Giants and wanting to hire “Former Bucs OC Sullivan” to run their offense. That is the whole extent of what I have heard.
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:31 am
@ Macabee
It is typical that when a HC/GM is fired, and they’re not replaced by someone already no staff, that usually means the entire staff was released as well (at least coaching staff, personnel department may still have jobs, for now).
New coaches like to bring in “their guys” not be forced fed Coordinators and position coaches who likely don’t hold same core coaching values as the HC.
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:32 am
@Mac
When Schiano went so did his WHOLE 72 man coaching staff from my understanding
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:34 am
The question isn’t whether they want Revis, Tillman made his name for himself by locking up Calvin Johnson in man2man in Chicago, we’ll be playing a ton of man… if we can… the question is, can we afford Revis?
Lovie and Rod are smart men, like me they know that great defenses are built around their DL. The Panthers, Bengals, and Rams know that…. now we do too… but we have to build it. Michael Johnson or Greg Hardy would be great additions to make the D lethal once again. But we have to have the money to pay one of them.
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:34 am
I suggest several of you look up the definition of conjecture. This article doesn’t confirm Marinelli, it’s speculation one hurdle to address IF Lovie and Marinelli are cast in their respective roles.
Possibly drink some decaf
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:36 am
Seems like there is a lot of missing information about what is going on. Everyone seems to have tunnel vision on the HC. Like what’s going on with the GM search? What happened to the rest of the coaches? I sure would hate to lose Wandstatt (I cant spell that dudes name for nuthin) as ST and Cox. We probably have though.
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:41 am
Why is no one talking bout goldson he was a major disappointment besides his fines and illegal hits can you name one play he made that made a difference? He is a top 5 paid saftety
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:48 am
Goldson is a horrible fit IMO and vastly overpaid. I’d put jonathon banks at FS. Think he’s best suited there. Ball hawker.
Revis, honestly his contract is expendable. I hope we cut ties. I’d much rather use that 16 mm in a pass rusher and corner who can play man and zone. Verner and Tillman are fas who will cost less than Revis combined.
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:56 am
Revis ain’t goin’ nowhere!!!
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:57 am
Someone pointed this out, but the Bucs cutting Revis would mean not only giving up a 1st and 3rd (or 4th or whatever), but that they trade 1 year of Revis at $16 million for 6 years of Sheldon Richardson at far below market value. That pretty much would make the Revis trade in the worst ever discussion. Its not happening.
January 2nd, 2014 at 10:23 am
We don’t have to cut Revis. We can easily trade him for a late 1st or early 2nd…smh.
If Revis is not on the Roster by March 14. We don’t have to fork over a 3rd pick for Revis this year. Instead it will be a 4th. Plus since his contract is not guaranteed we’ll save $16 million in cap space( Let the next team restructure the deal)
We have entirely to many holes on this TEAM. Its not just the NFL, but every major league sport, has cut the fat on their rosters. To improve the overall quality of their
goal to win a CHAMPIONSHIP. With success stories across the board. Just recently I can recall the Giants, Blackhawks and the Redsox trimming the fat to compete.
And as we all know it works in corporate environments, and our everyday life as well. So of course theirs nothing new under the sun.
January 2nd, 2014 at 10:24 am
This post makes sense Joe. As you said, when you HAVE a unique, All World talent on the roster, a good coach adapts his scheme to take advantage of that talent rather than letting that level of talent go because “he’s not a good fit.”
Darrelle Revis also brings the leadership intangible. With him on the roster, the rest of the Bucs’ young, very young secondary has an “elder statesman” of sorts to look up to and learn from. Go back through the interviews of Jonathan Banks and Leonard Johnson about just being in camp with Revis. Then recall when Revis was injured against the Lions and spent the rest of the afternoon “coaching” young Banks through the ordeal of covering Calvin Johnson as a rookie.
The way I see it the Bucs’ accountants should list part of Revis’ $1 million per week salary in the “Paid to Coaches” column of the ledger.
January 2nd, 2014 at 10:35 am
WHEN YOU HAVE A UNIQUE ALL WORD TALENT-YOU NEVER HEAR ABOUT WHAT THEY CANT DO. You continuously hear how the talent is universal, a real plug-play, turn key type type of guy. You never hear anyone say, well this talent can’t play zone…. WHAT!!!
If you paying a guy 16 million a year. He better able to play every coverage know to man+slot, and a little safety if need be( Ref: Mel Blount & Ronnie Lott) lol
January 2nd, 2014 at 10:36 am
Return kicks, pick up the gran kids from karate..etc, etc..lol
January 2nd, 2014 at 10:51 am
Revis wasn’t healthy. Who knows if he ever returns to that caliber he was. All I know is he wasn’t this year. I’ve never seen him get burned that much and by guys like stills , Jackson , Ginn, meachum etc. not even top wrs.
January 2nd, 2014 at 11:02 am
LOL @ “The Adderall Twins”
January 2nd, 2014 at 11:10 am
This is ridiculous. The Bucs have the cap space to sign a big name pass rusher and a few other players AND they can still retain Revis under his current string of one year / 16 MM deals. Why would you dump a top-3 CB who is just now getting back to 100%? It doesn’t make any sense.
I think Revis returns in 2014 and depending on how the year goes, I think the Bucs will redo his contract and give him a nice signing bonus if there is any cap concerns. The Bucs need Revis, especially now that they have an experienced coach. I hope he sticks around.
January 2nd, 2014 at 11:14 am
I love Revis and hope they keep him, but I’m aware of the realities of the NFL and money. I don’t think his skills will even enter the conversation. This will be about whether any CB is worth 16mil in todays NFL.
Agents know the temperature of the NFL and will advise Revis on his options too. I’m betting he stays with a restructured contract.
January 2nd, 2014 at 11:15 am
@thegregwitul
Yep especially when you can improve the overall roster.
January 2nd, 2014 at 11:24 am
@Macabee
I hear you brotha.
January 2nd, 2014 at 11:37 am
Wikipedia is already updated his page on thier site, saying that he is infact the DC for our Buccs… and if its on the internet it MUST BE TRUE!!!!
January 2nd, 2014 at 11:59 am
man obviously some people do not follow their team close enough. Revis isn’t going anywhere, the bucs have plenty of money, and you don’t just release one of the best CB in the game. Lovie will find a way to use him to his strengths. I really doubt we will see a true tampa 2. These TE’s in the league (graham, olsen, gronk) are made to beat this scheme, you can’t put a LB on them cause they win so that forces you into nickel or at least puts your best CB on them. The only thing that scares me is he better hire a damn good OC and let that side of the ball go.
January 2nd, 2014 at 12:06 pm
@ mark2001
Lovie had crappy defenses toward the end?
In 2012 his defense was ranked 5th overall.
8th vs rush
8th vs. pass
led the league in creating turnovers.
Marinelli had nothing to do with it. The man is a great defensive coach in his own right.
January 2nd, 2014 at 12:58 pm
People keep beating the drum that Revis won’t be around in 2014 because of scheme, but it’s patently untrue. I’ve already stated before: Neither Lovie or Marinelli are as dogmatic about Cover 2 as Kiffin or Dungy used to be. Lovie and Marinelli have tailored their defenses to fit specific personnel before, so what reason do we have to believe they won’t do it again? I’ll say it again: if Revis goes anywhere then it has everything to do with money and draft picks and almost nothing to do with scheme.
January 2nd, 2014 at 1:37 pm
yes, and if chip kelly went to the broncos, he’d boot peyton manning in favor of a more mobile QB. experienced coaches know they can coach their entire career without the opportunity to coach & use a guy like revis. i’d be shocked if we didn’t try to build around his skill set in some way. i’d be equally shocked if this coaching staff ignored how good our LBs were making plays behind the line of scrimmage. and wouldn’t you know it, man coverage and blitzing LBs go hand in hand
January 2nd, 2014 at 2:58 pm
Joe, you have been the biggest fire starter for the “cut revis” crowd. I have no idea why you continually bring it up multiple times a day.
It shouldnt be even be considered, not even discussed, revis isnt go anywhere because we dont need to do it. Cutting of great players only happens when said player is: old, hurt, or dont have the cap space to keep him. Revis doesnt fit any of those criteria.
Just drop it joe.
Please. Joe likes Revis and respects his ability. But Revis’ salary alone will bring scrutiny from Lovie and his new GM. The new regime will NOT be playing to win it all in 2014. They may want to buy a lot more quality groceries with that cash to target a Super Bowl in 2015. They may not even be able to afford Revis after hitting the free agent market big this season, and re-signing McCoy and others before 2015. Revis could be considered a luxury at his price. Joe’s merely speculating about the big-picture thoughts of the new regime. There’s a reason no other CB makes anywhere near that cash. –Joe
January 2nd, 2014 at 3:38 pm
I think Revis stays – we’ve heard forever how the Tampa-2 allows for teams to collect and maximize the talent they do have (due to short area quickness, or because they’re big hitters, etc). Tampa-2 teams are supposed to value hitting and strictly locking down “quarters” of the field – supposedly, this allowed us to view DB’s differently than other teams.
Unfortunately, the Tampa-2 still requires some speed and some specific talent – we were not able to replace CB’s interchangeably – even when we ran the Tampa-2 predominantly.
Then the reality set in that the Tampa-2 ONLY works with specific talent – and ONLY when you don’t rely on it as your base defense…
I think if Lovie intends to try a Tampa-2 base defense – he’s in trouble. Too many teams developed schemes and have QB’s that can beat it. I watched Peyton Manning destroy the Tampa-2, right here in Tampa Bay, the year after we won the Super Bowl – when we had Warren, Ronde, and Simeon…the scheme was never the same afterwards. Peyton wrote the book on it – use your massive offensive line to wear the faster smaller d-line out in the first half – keep up the pressure – and when the fatties are sucking wind late in the 3rd quarter, and the pressure starts to fall off – throw seams and 9 routes – watch the slow footed DB’s get exposed and get beat, deep.
The game morphed, I certainly hope Lovie and Ron morphed with it. They should be able to marry their d-line and coverage-LB’s with a press-man scheme.
I’m just salivating at the possibiities of Marinelli drafting Jadevion Clowney, to help set 93 loose and shutting down the outside run with William Gholston – Akeem Spence is the perfect 4/3 over-tackle…and with LaVonte David behind them…man this ddefense could get nasty QUICK! Also might make Revis WANT to be back. Knowing he’s getting older – this could extend his career.
The only area I am concerned about – is offense. That Dungy coaching tree doesn’t put ANY emphasis on creating a “playing to win” offense…
January 2nd, 2014 at 5:04 pm
Release Revis?
Are you dumb? We fired Schiano because Revis hated playin for him.
We are gonna build the best D in the NFL around Revis, McCoy, David, and Barron.
Revis isnt going anywhere!
You could see by the end how much he hated Schianos “yes sir” culture.