Lovie Takes Firm Line On Mike Williams
February 20th, 2014
Lovie Smith is not one to brush off players’ funny business inside and outside of One Buc Palace.
You could just see — and hear — the frustration on Lovie’s face this afternoon when he spoke about Mike Williams before Joe and other media types at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Lovie was asked about dealing with Mike Williams’ minor misdemeanor charges in Hillsborough County and other allegations surrounding the Bucs’ No. 2 wide receiver.
“I’m disappointed,” Lovie said about Williams. “We’re disappointed on some of the off-the-field issues that have come up. We just, you know, we just won’t put up with it. It’s as simple as that. But coming in new you have to kind of set your program up on how you’re going to do things, and that takes a while to get that done. Just him as a football player, he was like the rest of the team. Saw some good things that he did, but there are things that we need to improve upon also.”
Joe’s confident Williams will get a clean slate. His connection with “Doorgate” happened in December, before Lovie was hired.
Bucs players report back to work on April 7 and, per Lovie, and they will learn what’s expected of them immediately. Joe suspects they’ll hear that line he dropped today a few times: “We just won’t put up with it.”
February 20th, 2014 at 2:57 pm
I just heard that. He said they will not put up with that kind of behavior. Lord I hope Williams turns things around, because he would be perfect in the slot. Keep Jackson where he is at and add Kelvin Benjamin in the second round to play the other side.
That would be straight up balling if we get a QB in the first round or in FA to compete.
February 20th, 2014 at 3:05 pm
I hope we trade him away if we can get Watkins. I’d like a QB, but just realistic that one won’t be there worth the 7th, and think a vet and a later round one will work out.
Hope the Tedford claim of wanting speed in space is accurate. Love Jackson, but would like to get a bit quicker on offense. That would help whatever QB we have more than anything.
February 20th, 2014 at 3:05 pm
I hope Mike Williams was listening. There was nothing ambiguous about what Lovie said. Time to get your priorities in order! If it comes to a need for change, Brandin Cooks would look pretty good in the slot!
February 20th, 2014 at 3:13 pm
FB, you are insane. We already need a 3rd WR. You want to trade away one so we need 2?
Better to move Mike to the slot and go with Kelvin Benjamin on the outside. That would give us the best WRs combo in the league.
February 20th, 2014 at 3:14 pm
Macabee, I agree. The full story isn’t out yet on what happened with Mike either, so it may work out.
February 20th, 2014 at 3:43 pm
BuccaneerBonzai,
I hope it does work out. I personally like Mike. We never saw any of this his first 3 years, so maybe he can re-focus.
The O-Line should be listening too! Smith said “the way we paid at the position, we should’ve been the best team in the league almost and that wasn’t the case.’ Somebody may get a salary cut or worse. Speaking publically, I think he’s sending a message.
February 20th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
That doesn’t sound like a clean slate. That is one more chance and if you screw up your out of here.
The more I hear from Lovie the better I like him.
February 20th, 2014 at 6:05 pm
It’s been a while since people were truly held accountable. Schiano held them accountable, but he used more intimidation.
Lovie just lays out the rules and if you break them you are gone. Quick and simple.
February 20th, 2014 at 6:46 pm
Imagine
Signing Michael Vick. Drafting Sammy Watkins and a guard in the 2nd round.
Then, we sign Jared Allen AND Julius Peppers.
And find another corner or 2.
The,
We’re back in business boys!
February 20th, 2014 at 6:58 pm
Jared Allen AND Julius Peppers? Not going to happen. May one or the other.
February 20th, 2014 at 7:56 pm
Love it. This guy is even more hardcore than Schiano but in a way that is more professional. He probably already has more respect in the locker room and doesn’t need to act like a tyrant.
February 20th, 2014 at 8:54 pm
So lets say for arguments sake Williams doesn’t get his act together and Lovie cuts him. Will that really endear Lovie with the same fans who were ready to crucify Schiano for cutting guys like Parker or Briscoe or trade away Talib?
February 20th, 2014 at 8:54 pm
Go read the article about Mike Williams and his partying ways. Read about all the 911 calls, read about the damage he caused to his rental house. The guy has 16 traffic citations since 2010. 16!!!!!! I know that doesn’t make him a criminal, but it makes him stupid. This guy obviously doesn’t learn from his mistakes, or care. He’s an embarrassment to the franchise and I’ve had enough of him. I’d love for him to turn it around, but the chances of that happening are slim. Can’t fix stupid.
February 20th, 2014 at 8:56 pm
@NY Buc,
No, because Lovie is so much more respected. Lovie has a history of success at the NFL level. Schiano, not so much. Most people (myself included) didn’t mind Schiano cleaning house during his first year, because the team was so bad and needed it, plus they were able to win some games. Now if Lovie loses for a couple years and Mike Williams does well somewhere else, then that won’t be good for Lovie. I don’t see either happening.
February 20th, 2014 at 10:03 pm
Sammy Watkins please
February 21st, 2014 at 1:52 am
Yeah, let’s sign Michael Vick!!
Having him on injured reserve will help us a bunch.
That’s all he’s done everywhere else.
Why not play another player to fake injury, and sit out every game.
He can sit next to Nicks!
We could have the highest paid IR in league history!
Smart- real smart