Romeo Crennel Likes Lovie Hire
January 17th, 2014
People think of coaches from the Tuna Parcells tree to be dour individuals with the personalities of angry gators, guys who are only concerned with how to win football games.
That’s not Romeo Crennel. The long-time NFL assistant, who worked with Parcells and Bill Belicheat in New England and had two unsuccessful stints as an NFL head coach, is good guy.
The affable Crennel genuinely wishes for his fellow NFL coaches to do well. One of those is Lovie Smith.
Crennel has been in St. Petersburg this week coaching the West squad of the East-West Shrine Game. Joe caught up with Crennel who thinks the Bucs hit a home run in hiring Lovie.
“I followed Lovie’s career ever since he has been in the league, as both as an assistant coach and a head coach and I think he does just a tremendous job,” Crennel said. “I was excited for him to get this opportunity down here in the Tampa area. I think he deserves it, for one. You win 10 games and then [the Bears] let you go? That’s hard, but that’s the business we are in. He understands that.
“But with this opportunity, it looks like he has a good staff. I think they will get a good GM as well. And Lovie will have that defense humming because he is a defensive guy and it sounds like he has a good offensive coordinator. I expect good things from Love and his staff.”
Now a lot of NFL folks believe Lovie stepped into a gold mine of a situation, that former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik loaded the roster and it just needed a good coaching staff for the Bucs to break out.
While Crennel didn’t deny the Bucs have good players, he threw up a caution flag before people start confusing the Bucs with the 1978 Steelers.
“Yes, there is some talent here,” Crennel said. But “if the talent were really great, you wouldn’t be getting a new coach. There are some things that need to be fixed. I think Lovie has a great football mind and will do well to fix those things. Then, it is good to have some talent when you are trying to fix things and I think that will bode well for Lovie.”
January 17th, 2014 at 8:18 am
Sounds like Crennel just slammed down your “this team is full of pro-bowlers” theory. I agree with Crennel, there is “some talent” but there is a lot of work to do in the offseason.
January 17th, 2014 at 8:22 am
@Realist – nonsense. This team is merely a mobile QB away from a Super Bowl. That’s why it makes sense to give up our whole draft to move up a couple spots to land one of the can’t miss QBs in this draft.
January 17th, 2014 at 8:24 am
@patrick
I thought we stopped that cause the pop-star was shown the door??? is he still in control from a remote location???
January 17th, 2014 at 8:31 am
@Realist – That was sarcasm. It was a reference to the folks on here that are banging the drum to get a QB at any cost despite the fact that we have other much more pressing needs
January 17th, 2014 at 8:42 am
This team is not that talented, yet.
Rock star was a helluva nice dude, but assemble a winner he did not.
January 17th, 2014 at 8:48 am
the way our line blocked you could put tom brady on this team and we would not go to a super bowl
January 17th, 2014 at 8:48 am
@Patrick in VA
Lol, I knew it had to sarcasm coming from you. ITS FRIDAY GENTLMEN
January 17th, 2014 at 8:49 am
GENTLEMEN
January 17th, 2014 at 8:49 am
Lol, I knew it had to be sarcasm coming from you. ITS FRIDAY GENTLMEN
January 17th, 2014 at 8:51 am
Glad to see that we are taking our time, to make sure that we get the right Offensive Line Coach & GM in place
January 17th, 2014 at 8:54 am
Hoping we make sure we make a strong push for C-Alex Mack, G Jon Asamoah to help anchor the line
January 17th, 2014 at 8:57 am
Actually, this team has lots of talent, name me one guy besides Graham, Bresus & maybe Sproles, who you would take from the Saints to replace one of ours, Colston over VJax? Stills over Williams? Ingram over Martin or James?, same with Atl. besides Julio or Ryan, who would you take.. Roddy over Vjax? Jackson over Martin? Rogers over James? lets not even talk about Carolina’s offense, I wouldn’t take anyone off their roster. The Bucs are a very talented team, the coaching and an experienced well coached QB are the main differences between the 4 NFC South teams. Hopfeully these issues were addressed with the hiring of Lovie, we shall see….
January 17th, 2014 at 9:09 am
This Buc’s team gets a little manhandled in the trenches. I think one of the biggest mistakes of M. Dominik was neglecting the offensive line in the draft.
January 17th, 2014 at 9:11 am
@flmike…hates Johnny Football
-C Brian De La Puente over Zuttah
-RG Jahri Evans over Joseph
-Slot Receiver-Kenny Stills over Tiquan Underwood
-RDE Cameron Jordan over Bowers
-CB Keenan Lewis over Revis (Contract vs Production)
-Kenny Vaccaro over over Goldson (Contract vs Production)
January 17th, 2014 at 9:14 am
@joseph mamma
That’s why I don’t understand why he was considered a great talent evaluator.
January 17th, 2014 at 9:20 am
The record is a mirage, rock was brilliant.
January 17th, 2014 at 9:22 am
-LT Jordan Gross over Penn
-C Ryan Kalil over Zuttah
-FB Mike Tolbert over Lorig
-TE Greg Olsen over Tim Wright
We want even mention the Defensive ends..lol
January 17th, 2014 at 9:22 am
A gold mine, Joe, yes, which would include Doug Martin, Mike Williams, and a $16 million CB who should have both legs the same size in 2014….all which Coach Schiano did not have. The media induced, personal, hate-filled firing of Coach Schiano was wrong.
January 17th, 2014 at 9:23 am
@Eric
Lol, Sarcasm is in full swing this morning
January 17th, 2014 at 9:26 am
So who’s rumored to be candidates as O-line Coach?
Gary Kubiack out there?
January 17th, 2014 at 9:28 am
@run to daylight
Starting a season with all the 0-8( with high expectation going into the season), along with all rest of the drama(Not putting Nicks on IR, instead letting MRSA run ramped, not trading Josh before the season started, Keeping Ted Larsen on the Roster, etc ,etc,etc). It was well justified
January 17th, 2014 at 9:30 am
@Seth B
-Jim Michalczik
-Mike Munchak
January 17th, 2014 at 9:36 am
run to daylight should run for the exit. The only thing I know we did right last year was get rid of Schiano.The Glazers paid 9 million dollars to get rid of him. That’s how bad it was!
January 17th, 2014 at 9:37 am
@LuvmyBucs
Bet here is that Coach Schiano would have loved to trade Josh a year ago, sign Carson Palmer, let alone not have to start him. And blaming anything related to MRSA on Coach Schiano makes my point. It was a head coach lynching.
January 17th, 2014 at 9:41 am
EXACTLY, if we were as “talented” as everyone claims we wouldn’t be having another coaching change after a 4-12 season.
January 17th, 2014 at 9:45 am
@LUVMYBUCS
Neither Vaccaro nor Lewis had better years production wise vs Goldson or Revis, they were all about the same by position, yes they were cheaper, better is subjective.
I noticed you selected Stills over Kid-n-Play, I’d take him in that position as well, but would you take him over Mike Williams?
January 17th, 2014 at 9:49 am
EXACTLY, if we were as “talented” as everyone claims we wouldn’t have gone 4-12! Maybe the coach had something to do with that!
January 17th, 2014 at 9:53 am
We do need to fix some of the roster. Since this is the first year of the new regime, I am hoping to see “King Lovie” make some bold moves. First Move is to put a for sale sign on our DE. For Clayborne I hope King Lovie ask for a second round, with bottom negotiation being a higher 3rd round. I know that the Bucs would be selling at a low point. But if you have McCoy taking double teams you need some DE’s that can take advantage.
January 17th, 2014 at 9:58 am
Schiano got Martin hurt playing him like our slot receiver and sending him on to many down field routes. That’s on him o yea and the fact that he was determined to kill martins career n 3 years is on him while we had plenty of useful depth. How is it that we didn’t find out mike James was effective until like what week??? O yea poor evaluation. And speaking of poor evaluation how about those ten sacks from Bennet replacement bowers… you kno what I can go on for days y bother let lovie do his thing stop kicking that same dead carcass let that shyt rot bro.
January 17th, 2014 at 10:04 am
When the New Schiano Order ties one hand behind their backs of talented players the result is 4-12.
Exhibit A – McCoy with STUNTS
Exhibit B – Lets run up the middle on 1st and 2nd downs until we fool the college defense we are playing against
Exhibit C – Having Glennon to throw long passes down the sidelines when Glennon is not able to do this.
Remember people Schiano’s few good men (Buccaneer Men) follow orders or people die. LOL
People is not complicated…
January 17th, 2014 at 10:06 am
Right on BucNasty!!
January 17th, 2014 at 10:18 am
Vaccaro is a converted corner, who’s not playing Safety. He can come down in the slot man up better one on one with slot receivers better than Goldson. Don’t get me wrong, but when you factor in his age, versitlity and contract. IMHO the would get the edge of that one.
Dom tried to sell everyone on the fact that he seen no to use to pay “so called” average talent big money this last off season. Instead he traded a 1st & 3 or 4th this year + gave a guy coming off of major knee surgery the largest contract EVER for a player at his position.
Stats
*On Mar 14 2013 New Orleans (NO) Signed CB Keenan Lewis to a 5 year $25.5 million contract. SIGNING BONUS $6,000,000 AVERAGE SALARY $5,110,000 GUARANTEED:$10,500,000
-Now Compare Revis
Apr 21 2013
Traded to Tampa Bay (TB) from New York (NYJ) for 2014 4th round pick [conditional (3rd round if on roster 3rd day of 2014 league year)] and 2013 1st round pick (#13 Sheldon Richardson) + Apr 21 2013 Signed a 6 year $96 million contract with Tampa Bay (TB)
*Snaps in Coverage
-Lewis (526)
-Revis (556)
*Targeted
-Lewis (68)
-Revis (63
*Reception Caught
-Lewis (38)
-Revis (34)
*Yards
-Lewis (466)
-Revis (400)
*YAC
-Lewis (109)
-Revis (159)
*TD’s
-Lewis
-Revis
*Int’s
-Lewis (3)
-Revis (4)
*Standard QB Rating for passing in Players Coverage
-Lewis (67.4)
-Revis (81.4) !!!!!
So as you can clearly see for what we gave up(Premium Draft Picks)+Salary vs Production. They edge us this one as well
January 17th, 2014 at 10:21 am
*TD’s
-Lewis-3
-Revis-4
((correction))
*Int’s
-Lewis (4)
-Revis (2)
January 17th, 2014 at 10:26 am
Schiano NFL career credibility went down hill when he rush the kneel down. Ever since then he’s been criticized.
What made things worst was the ok drafting with the overpaying for either ok talent, injured, or just a bad player.
January 17th, 2014 at 10:28 am
Luv,
I LUV it when you break out the stats sheet. I get more info from you, than I can find on my own, and it takes me longer to NOT find what I can just get from you. You must be pretty internet savvy. Or maybe I’m just a Neanderthal.
January 17th, 2014 at 10:28 am
Like I said last year we could’ve sign 3 guys + Still have a Premium Draft picks
LUVMYBUCS Says:
March 14th, 2013 at 11:54 am
Go Sign Sean Smith, Keenan Lewis, Benard Pollard(To back up Mark Barron) and Matt Shaughnessy ASAP!
LUVMYBUCS Says:
February 16th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
(Outside)
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | Defensive Back
Keenan Lewis | Defensive Back
Antoine Cason | Defensive Back
Chris Houston | Defensive Back
Derek Cox | Defensive Back
Alan Ball | Defensive Back
Darius Butler | Defensive Back
Greg Toler | Defensive Back
Bradley Fletcher | Defensive Back
Jacob Lacey Defensive Back
(Slot)
D.J. Moore
Captain Munnerlyn
January 17th, 2014 at 10:30 am
@LUVMYBUCS
You have to understand that New Orleans had a great pass rush this year. Lewis in our defense would look even worst.
January 17th, 2014 at 10:33 am
@Chef Paul
Lol, I just gotta learn to proof read before I click..lol Nah but seriously, we all do our part here. We’ve got a solid community of BUC brothas on this site. With you being one sir.
January 17th, 2014 at 10:35 am
@sneedy16
But thats been my point all along. A defense does lead from the backend. It lead from the front seven. That’s why we didn’t need to give up all of that for a CB. Instead we should’ve invested more heavliy in our front seven. As we should do now
January 17th, 2014 at 10:36 am
Not saying that signing a few players for the same amount we signed Revis wouldn’t have been better. We could just be focused on finding defensive linemen instead of finding another CB right now if we had went that route.
January 17th, 2014 at 10:41 am
@sneedy16
If we trade him we can still got that route. The plan is there
January 17th, 2014 at 10:42 am
I feel that, that’s what Lovie will do now. Dungy even said it when we signed Revis. The Bucs are building the defense backwards. Premium Dline can take you far. Look at the Giants, I bet you no one really can name a CB on their team, but I bet they can name people on their Dline.
Carolina Panthers CB’s are ok, but that line is a Beast, the same for San Fran.
January 17th, 2014 at 10:46 am
@LUVMYBUCS
I doubt they will trade him. It will be difficult to find a team that will eat that contract without renegotiating to a lower figure. The only teams I see who can afford him at that price would be Dallas Cowboys. Redskins don’t really have draft picks to give up him.
January 17th, 2014 at 10:56 am
January 17th, 2014 at 9:37 am
@LuvmyBucs
Bet here is that Coach Schiano would have loved to trade Josh a year ago, sign Carson Palmer, let alone not have to start him. And blaming anything related to MRSA on Coach Schiano makes my point. It was a head coach lynching.
—————————————————————————————
Wrong choice of a word. It was not a lynching; using Schi’s own words
the Glazers made a performance based decision. Schi is not an NFL caliber coach. Schi never grasped the fact that you can’t treat grown men like college kids.
January 17th, 2014 at 11:08 am
@sneedy16
*If we trade him we can still go that route. The plan is there
January 17th, 2014 at 11:10 am
@sneedy16
Like I’ve said before in a previous post. Once you find a Trade partner (Similar to the way Philly trade Asante Samuels to Atlanta). You restructure the contract, to complete the trade.
January 17th, 2014 at 11:13 am
*who’s now playing Safety
January 17th, 2014 at 11:21 am
Unlike Asante, Revis won’t redo his contract. He just got this contract and will rather be release than take anything less. Example JETS.
January 17th, 2014 at 11:22 am
@BucsFan68
Sure it was a lynching, influenced by the hate crowd carrying their torches. Coach Schiano was being gracious. Much too gracious, but after observing his high character for two years, I’m not surprised.
January 17th, 2014 at 11:51 am
@sneedy16
I doubt that, especially after he reviewing the landscape he’ll understand that In actuality, his contract should be more in the $10-12 million-a-year range.
January 17th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
snore…
January 17th, 2014 at 12:20 pm
“Sure it was a lynching, influenced by the hate crowd carrying their torches.”
I carried that torch proudly, despite the ridicule and hate, from Gauntlet Day onward.
I was proven correct.
January 17th, 2014 at 12:25 pm
you were proven to be a moron, little payasito.
January 17th, 2014 at 2:08 pm
Romeo Crennel is just like any other guy that doesn’t follow the Bucs. He makes assumptions and he knows a couple names.
But without actually KNOWING the team.
I disagree with him 100%. The talent is not the reason we replaced the coach. There is a lot of talent on this team. It just has to have time andd good coaching to develop.
GMC is one of the best DTs in the league, yet he was considered a bust by many going into his third year.
Heck, many Bucs fans wanted Ronde Barbe cut after his 3rd and 4th years, saying he would never be good. He didn’t break out until his contract year.
And FOR THE RECORD, me wanting us to take a QB in the first round doesn’t mean I think it would be a “can’t miss” opportunity.
If anything, it is because Glennon and a first rounder are “CAN MISS” opportunities. Some struggle with math. I get it. But two chances are better than one.
January 17th, 2014 at 2:42 pm
Run to daylight seems to have a grasp on the situation… Thank you for your posts, I agree it was a Lynching!
January 17th, 2014 at 3:42 pm
BRIDEWATER/BORTLES OR BUST!!!!
😉