“Cool Vibe” Vs. Whip Cracking
April 8th, 2014
Lavonte David was loose and relaxed talking to media today, more than Joe’s ever seen him.
David said he couldn’t believe how “cool” Lovie Smith is and how the “cool vibe” around the organization is a refreshing change.
David even joked that all the assistant coaches seem to be just like Lovie, especially Bucs icon Hardy Nickerson, his new position coach.
“All of them have the same personality. It’s weird,” David said. Nobody’s a rah-rah guy. “Everbody’s cool, chill and ready to get after it.”
No. 54 also painted Lovie as the anti-Schiano.
Reporter: What’s the biggest difference between him and Schiano?
Lavonte David: Quiet guy. Laid back type guy. Cool. You know, he’s all about respect. You know, all about you give respect and you’re going to receive respect and just be all about being a professional.
Nickerson’s long history as a top player in the NFL, as well as Derrick Brooks’ endorsement of Nickerson, really has David hungry to learn. As David said, his notebook will get a workout in every meeting.
Regarding that Schiano discipline. Joe found it interesting that Vincent Jackson said Greg Schiano and Lovie bring a similar discipline focus on and off the field.
April 8th, 2014 at 1:45 pm
Nice update. I really think we are in good hands on both sides of the ball. Can’t wait for the draft to add some studs. Sweets out.
April 8th, 2014 at 1:45 pm
Treating men like men, what a concept.
Lovie has brought respect back to our organization, and will have this defense playing lights out. Now let’s hope Tedford brings some real offense too!
April 8th, 2014 at 1:52 pm
Schiano was doomed the second he signed on. The media was negative about his hiring all the way to the day he was fired. He never had a chance.
April 8th, 2014 at 1:58 pm
Recently we have seen all types of personalities of a HC be successful in the NFL. The fiery Pete Carrolls and Harbaughs and the quiet Tony Dungy and Jim Caldwell. I still believe that there are two main things necessary, respect of your players about you and your system and the dynamics of your coaching staff. This is why I believe that the Bucs will succeed, maybe not this year but the future is bright!
April 8th, 2014 at 1:58 pm
Truth keeps coming out of OBP. Shiano was a bad coach. Could not lead people out of a bad situation. Could not inspire people. Could not make the most out of many of the talents he had. Just control and demanding excessive discipline and could not get a grown men atmosphere in place. What a mess. Thank GOD he’s gone. And a true inspirer is in the house. Whoooohoooo!
April 8th, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Like I said before any of you know it alls….You Can’t coach grown men like a pop warner team. I for one am glad Leperchan got 86d.
April 8th, 2014 at 2:45 pm
I think Schiano was a good coach, just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fans seem more impatient than in earlier years. This is the franchise that was widely called the Yucs for decades. Did’nt stop me from supporting them. Go Bucs!
April 8th, 2014 at 3:01 pm
Good Coach in what league? Not the NFL. Back in the 70’s when they set up franchises it was expected to take 5-7 years for them to become competitive. Going to the NFC championship game in 4 years was considered quit a achievement. I’m still trying to figure out how the media made Schiano such a poor game day coach.
April 8th, 2014 at 3:07 pm
Discipline was not Schiano’s issue. His biggest issue was having the worst GM in the history of the NFL.
April 8th, 2014 at 3:24 pm
I liked Schiano’s style and really thought it would be a good fit for us, particularly after the heinous Raheem Morris Experiment. When he attacked the Giants’ victory formation in 2012, I cheered the “never say die” effort. To me, that was feel-good, throwback, old-school, smashmouth football, and I craved it. I was so disappointed when it didn’t work, but you just can’t argue with 4-12. Whether I like it or not, “toes-on-the-line” football has been successfully relegated to the past. May it Rest In Peace. Thank goodness we have NFL Films. At least we can watch games from the ’70s and ’80s (and earlier) and see what real football looks like.
Now I’m hoping that Lovie can strike the right balance so that hard-nosed football can be adapted to today’s Neutered Football League; and I think that if anyone can, Lovie Smith is the man who can do it. Best of luck to ya, Mr. Smith! We’re all pulling for you. (Well, most of us, anyway…)
April 8th, 2014 at 3:33 pm
Hey Joe thanks for all the articles, your site is great as always.
April 8th, 2014 at 4:13 pm
everybody is cool and chill… laid back!
I like it, we haven’t had the cool vibe thing going since Rah morris was here. I guess there is more than one way to go 4-12
April 8th, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Who is Schiano?
April 8th, 2014 at 4:45 pm
Former #56 will be anything but a “cool vibe” on gameday….
April 8th, 2014 at 4:55 pm
I have a feeling a lot of Tampa fans and USF fans as well, so a Rutgers guy from Jersey was already not going to be embraced by fans. Dude absolutely should have gotten one more year to pull a Rivera turnaround or get canned. Worst case scenario is the team would have had another kick ass Schiano draft class added for the next coach
April 8th, 2014 at 8:48 pm
I wonder if we have more L’s than W’s will there still be that “cool vibe” going on in One Buc.
This season is going to be fun, I am getting asked about our many FA signings from falcon fans when they see me in my Bucs gear out and about around Atl. Planning on going to Bucs falcons in atl this year. Going to be real fun!
April 9th, 2014 at 12:43 am
“Worst case scenario is the team would have had another kick ass Schiano draft class added for the next coach”
——-
Did you really just type that. I’m rolling on the floor here. I know our standards are low, but “kick ass”??? That’s funny. It really is.
What did anyone see from Schiano that would give you any indication he was a good coach, or that he had any chance to turn anything around? Was it his clock management? His in game adjustments? The respect he got from his players? His ability to attract Rutgers players to join the NFL? His ability to bum rush the kneel down? Inquiring minds want to know.
April 9th, 2014 at 10:58 am
Hawaiian Belichick probably isn’t hanging out with Schiano at the combine to ask him pasta recipes nor does the Ohio St coach ask him to help evaluate his defensive schemes and talent for sh!ts and giggles. I’m guessing you’re probably one of the guys who want to pretend that the two very good drafts the Bucs have had once Schiano was coach were either Dom going from horrible for three years prior to awesome or because of an addition to the scouting department, so my points will be lost on you. As for game management the guy the Bucs hired as HC now has that same knock on him even after several years of experience as a NFL HC