“It’s Not Real Talented, Folks”
February 24th, 2014
Back on the WDAE-AM 620 airwaves after spending time with Lovie Smith in Indianapolis last week, Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud was busy this morning defending the Tampa Bay Times’ attack piece on Mike Williams and emphasized to Bucs fans that the Lovie regime is rather queasy about its current roster.
“Here’s the one impression I came away with from Lovie Smith, just in general about this team: It’s not real talented, folks,” Stroud said. “Ok. Like, they’re starting over on offense. Starting over. Starting with the offensive line, going to the quarterback and everybody else. And yes, that can very well include wide receiver.”
Considering the Bucs’ offense was ranked last in the NFL last season with a raw quarterback with limited skills, and with an offensive line that underperformed, it is no surprise that Lovie is ready to start fresh. It would be surprising if Lovie thought he could resurrect the offense with, say, just a new No. 3 receiver and a little shuffling on the offensive line and a blocking tight end.
Joe’s starting to really think the Bucs are going to pursue Browns Pro Bowl center and expected free agent Alex Mack.
Aside from Mack’s talent, and the fact he played years under the Bucs’ current offensive line coach, George Warhop, signing him would free up Jeremy Zuttah to compete at guard and/or fill the role of versatile sixth lineman. Zuttah can play every position, has stayed healthy, and he is a reasonable value at $4 million for 2014.
Keep in mind the contracts of Zuttah, Donald Penn, Davin Joseph and Demar Dotson are not guaranteed for 2014. Joe’s confident all those guys, if they’re still here when the Bucs report back in April, will have serious competition in camp, competition they haven’t experienced in years.
(You can listen to Stroud’s full take below.)
February 24th, 2014 at 12:12 pm
If nicks can bounce back and the Bucs snag Mack, big ifs, it could fix a whole bunch of facets of the offense.
I predict that Licht is gonna be trading players away for picks. O line and WR is especially deep which is fantastic news for the Bucs.
February 24th, 2014 at 12:16 pm
I don’t think too many people are surprised that our offense has little talent.
Our o-line was vastly overrated with hugely unrealistic expectations.
Freeman was an absolutely horrible QB and it took that fiasco in Minnesota for everyone to finally realize it. Glennon is still largely an unknown quantity.
Our TE situation is one of the worst in the NFL, if not THE worst.
Our WR corps has one Pro Bowler, one guy who can’t produce in the clutch and who has a moronically stupid rap group called the Caveman Gang and whose dedication is being seriously questioned, and a bunch of other guys who could never play for any NFL team as a starter or even as a primary backup.
Our RB’s have a Pro Bowler followed by a group that looks talented but who weren’t able to stay healthy enough for long enough.
Our FB is a converted TE who was a converted DE and who run blocks well but is absolutely no threat out of the backfield either running or receiving.
Did I miss anything? Yeah…we’re just slightly un-talented. That’s an understatement.
February 24th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
still can’t believe people think nicks is coming back. that guy will never play another snap.
February 24th, 2014 at 12:33 pm
THANK YOU, talent my a$$. 4-12 record = NO TALENT
February 24th, 2014 at 12:33 pm
@BucsfaninChina Forget Nicks, he’s history.
@FLBoyInDallas you pretty much nailed it.
The good thing about the coming draft is that at #7 we’ll have a very talented kid but it may be not a QB or a DE. I do hope that we won’t give up more draft picks to move up. There’s a lot of depth that will fall to us in the 2nd and 4th round. If Manziel, Watkins, Clowney, Bridgewater, Mack are not there at #7, we need to drop back in the 10-15 and get another 2-3-4 rnd pick for it. Ebron, Lewis, Robinson, Matthews, Barr, Evans, Mosley, Donald, Ford, will still be there and it’s all players I would like to see in a Bucs uniform. If Lovie doesn’t think a lot of talent is there on the roster, I see no reason to waste more picks of this draft
Carr looks motivated to play for the Bucs, if we can get him in the 2nd round, I would be ok with that.
February 24th, 2014 at 12:35 pm
I think they are going to blow up the offensive line. They want studs to help protect their new draft investment, QB Derek Carr. If anyone remembers David Carrs first experience in the NFL was painful. He was sacked more than any QB for his first 3 years at the position, and I will guarantee that big brother David and Teddy have been talking about that very subject. They won’t let Derek suffer the same fate, as brother David, or what Mike Glennon endured last year. Our first pick might be an OT. Who knows?
February 24th, 2014 at 12:48 pm
After the Texans take Clowney or Bortles with the first pick and we trade down with St Louis to take Manzeil everything will be all good. We can coach up Meredith and Dotson and hopefully the rest of these guys will get it together and be in shape after having a year to recover from injuries and what not. Trade for this guy that’s fine. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a QB that could get out of the way if he needs to, maybe even gain some yards. I would rather have that than a statue.
February 24th, 2014 at 12:52 pm
I would take Garapolo in round 2.
Mack or Clowny in round 1.
February 24th, 2014 at 12:52 pm
If the talent is really so thin on offense, and I believe it is outside of RB, I have to wonder if dumping top dollar on Alex Mack in free agency is the most cap-effective way to upgrade. I don’t know the answer. Being that he’s a center, it probably won’t be too expensive. Would be nice to see them bag at least 2, maybe 3, capable OL in free agency. I think they have their work cut out for them.
February 24th, 2014 at 12:54 pm
Well… Lovie only has 1 year to prove that he can win. He better hurry up.
February 24th, 2014 at 1:03 pm
Beyond the QB position, I wonder how much influence Tedford will have on the offensive side of the roster. Hopefully it’s him and Licht making the call on that side of the ball. Please Lovie, keep your focus on the other side of the ball.
February 24th, 2014 at 1:10 pm
Buc Fan #237…your right. Lovie better hurry up. He has a season and a half to make this team win. (same as Schiano) Then we are calling for his head. No patience, no taking your time and building something. No excuses Lovie.
I will be Lovie Smith’s hardest critic on JBF.
February 24th, 2014 at 1:11 pm
Truthfully, if it were possible I would address LG, LT and RT.
To me, Nicks and Zuttah are worth holding onto another year.
But it’s not going to be possible to replace all of those AND get a QB, a 2rd CB and a DE.
You cannot do it all in one year.
The more realistic approach?
Address DE in free agency. Look for a RT in the 4th or 5th round of the draft. Get a QB in round one OR bring in one of the guys that have not been cut (yet). Get a CB in round 4 or 5.
Get a WR in round 2.
Trade Bobby Rainey for a 3rd rounder. Use it for Oline.
That would be about the best you can hope for. I really do not thing Mack will be the Bucs pick.
February 24th, 2014 at 1:11 pm
3rd QB I meant.
February 24th, 2014 at 1:12 pm
Dang…sigh…3rd CB I meant. lol…I quit 😛
February 24th, 2014 at 1:14 pm
@bucsQcCity
You are right on the money!.. We have way too many needs and too few draft picks to move up….that is insanity….if we can’t get out player at 7…then trade down a few slots and we will still pick up a solid need starter.
We will certainly restructure O-line contracts and address probably DE/WR/TE/CB in FA and LB & QB in the draft….
I am encouraged that The “L&L Railroad” Lovie & Licht will clean house and get the most out of who is left.
February 24th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
@buccanerr bonzi there is not a gm in the world that will give up a 3rd rounder for rainey. This is such a deep draft.
February 24th, 2014 at 1:34 pm
I’m not a glennon fan, but if there was no talent on offense, vjax has lost a step, a bad oline, 3rd string rb, and no #2 or #3 recievers… how did glennon do a pretty decent job as a rookie? Maybe glennon is the guy?
February 24th, 2014 at 1:37 pm
I tried to scream the same thing last year. That this was not a talented team. So many had playoff pictures in there eyes! If I am Licht right now I have a huge list of players on the roster that can be traded for a reasonable draft picks.
February 24th, 2014 at 1:48 pm
We need to straight after offense in the draft. Minus of course out first pick if clowney is still there
February 24th, 2014 at 1:53 pm
Once you get beyond Martin and Jackson, its woeful.
February 24th, 2014 at 2:04 pm
So, we can agree this isn’t K.C. part II? This team needs more picks, not less.
I really like how this is sounding. Rebuild the O-line, Licht, please.
February 24th, 2014 at 2:05 pm
…………..crickets
February 24th, 2014 at 2:08 pm
^^ Right on. More picks, not less. No way they’re going to trade up for any QB this year (sorry Joe)…
February 24th, 2014 at 2:16 pm
The only talent on this team are: Doug Martin, Vincent Jackson, Darrelle Revis, Lavonte David, Mason Foster, Mark Barron, and Dashon Goldson.
February 24th, 2014 at 2:17 pm
and also, Gerald McCoy.
February 24th, 2014 at 2:26 pm
For everyone who thinks lovie needs to hurry up and win now because this fan base is impatient is wrong. the reason the fan base started calling for Schiano’s head was because his talent base was going the other way. Schiano traded away talent and people thought that was a great idea. he was unwilling to bend and work with players. you could see it in the results on the field. No adjusting. As long as Lovie progresses forward, he has my undivided support. Also, there is talent on this team but the talent does not mesh together. Football is unique because players have to fit schemes and systems. if they don’t, the team will struggle. for example, making Revis play zone is not his strength but it was Schiano’s scheme making it impossible for him to succeed. Talent that does not fit systems and scheme is a waste. But I also agree that the so called talent on the bucs roster was overblown. we have some great talent in spots but more holes than not.
February 24th, 2014 at 2:39 pm
I agree with ctord. I didn’t turn on Schiano because of losses; it was because of how they lost and why. I guarantee even if we are 4-12 (which we won’t be), if you are paying attention you will see progress and fire.
February 24th, 2014 at 2:44 pm
@Orca
@ctord
Smh..So true
February 24th, 2014 at 2:47 pm
Ctord.. amen
February 24th, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Entirely to many holes on this roster, to be giving up draft picks. Actually we should be trying, to acquire more. This draft is literally that deep.
February 24th, 2014 at 2:59 pm
CTord,
I beleive everyone had expectations last year, because Dominick and Freeman needed to step up.
Both, did not, hence the changes.
Give Lovie time.
February 24th, 2014 at 3:00 pm
@ODB (ain’t no father to his style)
Damn skippy!
February 24th, 2014 at 3:07 pm
Joe I know you don’t really take request, but I’d love to get a pulse on what Lovie and Frazier think about Foster. Could he be part of the roster turnover? Is Lovie on the hunt for a better MLB?
February 24th, 2014 at 3:22 pm
Because Lovie Smith has a resume that reflects competence as an NFL Coach, and Greg Schiano did not, more leeway will be given by the fan base.
Riding in on a high horse from Rutgers and barking orders was doomed to epic failure, and fail it did.
February 24th, 2014 at 3:27 pm
You’ll be very disappointed if you think after going after such a big name the Glazers are only going to give him 1 year to turn things around lol.
February 24th, 2014 at 3:28 pm
We could gut the O-line and replace them with FAs and get better play for less cost, pure and simple. We could draft a WR in rounds 2,4,5, or 7 and guarantee a better WR than Dawson or Owusu, not to mention plenty of available FAs that are also improvements over our group. We have the cap room to bring in a top DE if we so desire, but adjusting the scheme to suit GMC better might be all we need (instead of adjusting the scheme to help Clayborn, wouldn’t Clayborn benefit more from GMC having more success than a scheme to hide his deficiencies?). Everything we need can be filled via FA, except QB. To have the best chance of improvement (not just bringing in a guy that’s “equal” to give Glennon a fair chance) we need to get that guy in round 1. My pick is Bridgewater, Joe likes Manziel, many experts like Bortles over both of them. Whichever it is, spend the picks, this year and next to go get him. I don’t see bringing in Garappolo to compete when he’s probably never going to be much better than Glennon. Wait for Murray or McCarron? What’s the point if they’re similar prospects with similar projected “ceilings”. Move up, you may get a Luck, you may get a Freeman, but you make the move with the intent to improve, not just add competition.
February 24th, 2014 at 3:58 pm
The_Buc_Realist Says :
“I tried to scream the same thing last year. That this was not a talented team. So many had playoff pictures in there eyes!”
YES! You did. I disagreed with you.
Then we had fans yelling and screaming all season long that Schiano had enough talent on this team and that this team was built to win now.
Where are those people now? What say you morons now? Do you agree with Lovie?
This team is going 6-10 next season. Yipeeeeeeeeeee I’m soooo excited for this season. Whatever.
February 24th, 2014 at 4:02 pm
WOW look at all the Lovie, love.
How many years does he have for you people to make our team playoff contenders? 3, 4, 5 years? Whatever.
2 years for me. No leeway, BS.
This team went 7-9 in 2012 and 4-12 in 2013. Now people are telling me that Lovie has many years to make this team a winner. BS. 7-9 (under Schiano) is not that far off from a playoff spot. So to me Lovie better damn well win and win soon.
February 24th, 2014 at 4:04 pm
So with hardly any talent on offense dom pays and trAdes for revis 16 million in cAp space wow
February 24th, 2014 at 4:10 pm
Point is,
Its not 1 year lol 😉
And this team has many talented players.
Lovie has gone on record saying it’s what attracted him to the job.
No interpretation by sir Stroud necessary lol
February 24th, 2014 at 4:13 pm
Yeah, I don’t understand the “win now or else” mentality. Sometimes it happens that a coach walks into a supremely talented team and can win right away. Sometimes the situation requires more work. This team needs more work. It’s not Kansas City. We basically need a complete overhaul of the offense and to fill a few significant holes on defense. I believe they’re going to turn over every stone to find competent offensive line play from a group that is no more expensive than what they have now. I think they will turn over the roster heavily and we can hope that 3 years from now they will begin peaking. Just a little realism for the impatient hordes.
February 24th, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Lovie’s first 7 seasons as Bears HC.
2004 5-11
2005 11-5
2006 13-3 NFC Champs
2007 7-9
2008 9-7
2009 7-9
2010 11-5
As you can see he had some very good seasons, but he also had some very lean ones too. Specifically the first season. If the Bucs go 5-11 next season, how many fans will be happy, content and looking forward to a bright future?
or say the Bucs go through a 2007 -2009 stretch like the one above. Buc fans will freaking lose it.
Yes PRB…call me Debby from now on until I see results. Let everyone else wear their pewter and red glasses and expect Lovie to transform this team into winners. I’ll believe it when i see it.
February 24th, 2014 at 4:29 pm
IMO,the fact the Lovie has NFL experience, he should get less leeway than Schiano not more.
February 24th, 2014 at 4:38 pm
That’s great lol, just doesn’t fit you quite as well 😀
February 24th, 2014 at 4:54 pm
Our roster is “Not real talented” and our owners
just dropped 141 MILLION dollars on Wayne Rooney.
What a great scam they have going.
Take tax free money from the Bucs, keep the
Bucs overhead down and build Man U. Brilliant!
141 Million for one player.
It’s a little tough to google.
Sites want to keep redirecting and you
have to be explicit in your search terms.
Hell, It’s almost like someone with a lot of
pull doesn’t want this story to proliferate on this
side of the pond.
I’ll be shocked if this reply isn’t deleted.
Although, myself, I’d be ashamed of helping
to hide stuff like this.
February 24th, 2014 at 4:58 pm
Yes!!!! We got a coach & GM that will not overrate the talent on this team like the media and fans do
February 24th, 2014 at 6:34 pm
Buc1987,
Schiano left Lovie with Glennon and half a draft and no offensive line. Get over it! You and Schiano did this to us! Lol
February 24th, 2014 at 7:12 pm
Mumbles,
All season long we were told that this team is loaded with talent and that there is no excuse for the losing. That Schiano should be winning with ALL this talent. That’s what poster, after poster, after poster kept saying.
Joe…we were told that by you as well. We kept getting reminded of how this team was built to win now. That the Glazers would have never spent so much money in FA for this type of result. Did I not read such stuff? I think I did.
Now it’s down to, half of this team will be replaced, because they have no talent. SMDH
Joe believes the team has a wad of talent. This isn’t 2009.. Joe didn’t say he agreed with the commentary in the post. However, Joe understands a new coach wants his guys and his team makeup.–Joe
February 24th, 2014 at 7:45 pm
I said we had less talent than the locals think. But some folks just wouldn’t hear it. Thanks for the voice of reason, Lovie.
February 24th, 2014 at 8:04 pm
The whole “talented” thing was a creation of the local hacks who moved heaven and earth to make it appear that Dominik knew what he was doing.
February 24th, 2014 at 8:12 pm
lol It’s funny, but you can buy into the made up notion that we are rebuilding too.
Which Lovie also said was not happening.
The offense blew with a bunch of back ups surprise surprise.
Injuries happen and guess what? They also diminish the talent a player otherwise would of provided for the team.
There is still a hell of a lot of talent on this team, no one would be peggin us as next years Kansas City of they didn’t think so.
I for one don’t think you’ll be seeing the last of Davin nor the last of Nicks.
We’ll see, but just because Sir Stroud made an opinion as to what “he came away with” does not mean the sky is falling lol.
February 24th, 2014 at 8:18 pm
Buc1987,
I was kidding about you of course and everything everything you say is correct. But you can’t blame Lovie for that. I heard those things too but I knew better. Most of us screamed to keep Bennett and get busy in early FA. Give Lovie a reasonable amount of time to fix it say a season. We are as disappointed as you are!
February 24th, 2014 at 11:12 pm
The talent is on defense. McCoy, Revis, David. Blow up the offense except for Dougie and VJax.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:14 am
Personally, i would use FA to get my D right and use the draft to get my O Right. That is how they are set up this year. FA is deep in defensive options while the Draft is packed full of offensive help. Outside of Clowney or Mack i would picks Offense with almost every pick this year.
Go for Watkins (say what you want he wont be a #3 on this team will easily out play Mike Will) if he isn’t there trade back for Ebron (TE) or Evans (WR) in the first. Grab Aj McCarron or ASJ with the 2nd round (still really like him) or trade back again and get someone like Garappollo later on in the lower part of the 2nd. and O-Linemen with picks in the 4th and 5th rounds
In FA I would target Alex Mack(C), Henry Melton(DT), Michael Johnson(DE),
Sam Shields (CB), and one possible big time star like Jared Allen, Greg Hardy, or Jarius Byrd (no to Peppers he is simply just too old)
Dream Scenario:
rnd1: Sammy Watkins
rnd2: ASJ
rnd3(trade) Jimmy Garappollo
rnd4&5 OG’s
FA
A+/Splash signing: Alex Mack and Greg Hardy or Jarius Byrd
Fillers: Henry Melton/ Sam Shields/ Josh McCown/ True MLB
*Long Tooth possibilities: Jared Allen, Devin Hester, Charles Tillman
restructure a few contracts and possible trade bait Davin Joeseph or Dashon Goldson for a 3rd round pick!
February 25th, 2014 at 2:20 am
Congratulations Joe, Once again you find a way to try to diminish Glennon and try to encourage Lovey to turn away from him(you are proud that 1 Buc reads your blog). Some of us believe you want be happy until you and sd can dance on his grave.
February 25th, 2014 at 3:13 am
OK then…if the roster is crap and has no talent, then it wasn’t Schiano’s fault…it was Dominik’s.
It seems like you guys want to have it both ways. You want to say it was talented and that schiano sucked. And now you want to say that it wasn’t talented and Dom sucks and we shouldnt expect anymore more than 6 wins.
February 25th, 2014 at 5:11 am
Yup, team is loaded with all pros! We are thick with’em
Isn’t every 4-12 team?
February 25th, 2014 at 10:48 am
Yeah, it’s offense we need to focus on. Defensively we may have the best D-lineman, the best linebacker, and the best DB in the NFL. On offense…..uhh………we got nothin’.