Lovie Explains Call To Urlacher
February 3rd, 2014
Lovie Smith has invited Brian Urlacher to work with the Bucs defense
Bucs fans like names they recognize. Just look how people did cartwheels when Lovie Smith was announced as the new Bucs coach, and how fans reacted when Lovie announced Hardy Nickerson, mentor to soon-to-be Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks, was named as Bucs linebackers coach.
Well, here’s another name that will surely gets Bucs fans excited: Brian Urlacher. He’s been invited to help out Lovie.
Surely a Hall of Famer someday, Urlacher, who played for Lovie with the Bears and continued the tradition of stout middle linebackers from Dick Butkus to Mike Singletary to Urlacher, has been invited by Lovie to assist in some capacity with the Bucs defense, explains Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.
“Brian is a family member for life,” Smith said. “I’ve had the privilege to be around a lot of great players, any great player I’ve been around is always welcome wherever I am. We’re trying to build something here football-wise, and I’m going to call on the Brian Urlachers of the world, and of course all our former Bucs around here. Derrick Brooks will tell you I’ve been in his ear quite a bit, got a chance to text with John Lynch yesterday… anytime you can have players around your current roster that have been through our system and know what it takes, it’s a good thing. I will always be inviting any old player that I’ve been around.”
This is pretty cool stuff, provided Urlacher accepts the invitation. He’s a bright guy and anytime you have smart people who are familiar with a specific scheme hanging around, that’s not a bad thing.
You just know Brooks will be behind the scenes helping out. Add to that Urlacher and, of course, Nickerson, Joe thinks it is safe to say the Bucs’ linebackers will be well-schooled this fall.
February 3rd, 2014 at 10:06 am
Hey Joe: This may not have anything to do with the above story, but it is one of the most complete breakdowns of a teams situation and needs for the coming year. I would love to see Joe do one of these for the BUCS so we can all get a full overview of the current and future situation.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1921636-seahawks-2014-salary-cap-breaking-down-overall-position-specific-cap-spac
Kind of boring to Joe since the Bucs have zero salary cap issues or concerns for 2014. Maybe if the Bucs actually get up to the cap after free agency. –Joe
February 3rd, 2014 at 10:27 am
There are others coming as well.
February 3rd, 2014 at 12:12 pm
Do others see issues for Mason Foster? Is he likely to work in our new version of the Tampa Two?
February 3rd, 2014 at 12:19 pm
It seems to me that Brooks is grooming himself for a GM position in the NFL someday. Like Ozzie in Baltimore, Brooks would be a dream at the GM position for some team.
February 3rd, 2014 at 12:54 pm
Lou…i think they will give him a chance to get coached up and develop his ability to cover down the field, with a fallback plan of shifting him to the strong side. personally, if he’s not able to be our starting middle ‘backer i think he’s more valuable to the bucs as trade bait. it seems like you can plug any old player into SAM in this scheme, and a bordeline pro-bowler his age might net us a 4th rounder or maybe even a 3rd. his proven abilities would be a great asset to a team running a more downhill scheme like sheridan’s was, or possibly even in a 4-3. plenty of teams seemed to have a problem at that spot last year
February 3rd, 2014 at 12:55 pm
*”…or possibly even in a 3-4″
February 3rd, 2014 at 12:56 pm
Look for LVD to be in full beast mode next year. Can’t wait.
February 3rd, 2014 at 1:17 pm
I wouldn’t trade Foster. He’s solid and willing to do the dirty job to make others like LVD roam free. I do agree that he’s not very instinctive in coverage but I’m sure Frazier and Smith will adjust the scheme to get full advantage of the player on the field. We aren’t in a position to let him go and I do think he’s a buccaneers man! Moving him back outside could do wonder..
February 3rd, 2014 at 4:54 pm
Levonte David will NOT be overlooked for the pro bowl this year guarantee
February 3rd, 2014 at 11:20 pm
I think Foster gets moved to Sam LB and we find a new MLB that has better cover skills.
February 4th, 2014 at 12:18 pm
Get rid of Hayward