Lovie Not Happy With Linebackers
August 29th, 2014
Bucs coach Lovie Smith is not happy with his stable of linebackers.
Joe thinks he can go on record saying the Bucs’ first-team defense is strong. From the day Lovie took over, Joe has not been concerned about the defense.
But, like many football teams, you are only as strong as your bench. When injuries mount — and there will be injuries — a stinky bench is exposed pretty damned quickly.
This is why Joe was a bit surprised to see Lovie so harsh on his linebackers during his postgame comments last night.
“We’re still not where we need to be though, linebacker-wise,” Lovie said. “We’ve had some players play well, but we’re not quite there yet.”
Now how does one read into that? Is Lovie going to clean house of some backup linebackers and have Bucs general manager Jason Licht go dumpster diving next week? Or is he saying he can coach them up?
One of Lovie’s favorite phrases is “we are not there yet.” Joe thinks it is Lovie implying that they wil get there and hard work will pay off.
Lovie hasn’t been totally pleased with the linebackers for a couple of weeks. This makes Saturday’s cutdown all the more interesting.
August 29th, 2014 at 6:22 am
Joe, I agree with your previous post, Lansanah has done very well for himself. Everyone else… ewwwww. I guess Fletcher stays as well, but I can see them looking elsewhere for LB and O line both
August 29th, 2014 at 6:33 am
Wait a second. You mean to tell me that the season starts next week and our HC is saying that the LBs are not ready? After 7 months off, and a whole off season of roster moves to address weaknesses?
I hope Lovie doesn’t try to scapegoat his players.
August 29th, 2014 at 6:34 am
That’s strange,after last night I was thinking that we only had depth in the LB squad..
August 29th, 2014 at 6:38 am
If I made the 53 man roster by the skin of my teeth, I would still be worried.
August 29th, 2014 at 6:41 am
No team has depth at every position and LB is one of the positions that Lovie isnt neccesarily satisfied with, depth wise. Nothing wrong with that.
August 29th, 2014 at 7:02 am
Then why the hell did they get rid of Watson and Hayward, two very proven very capable guys
August 29th, 2014 at 7:06 am
It’s not just the linebackers. I was able to fall asleep before halftime thank god. They were pathetic. I’m glad I didn’t have to pay to witness that embarrassment.
August 29th, 2014 at 7:28 am
To be fair, there were some bright spots last night. Fletcher was good. Larry English should get Bowers spot.
Of course, it was mostly third stringers out there, so most will be cut later today.
August 29th, 2014 at 7:31 am
I just don’t get you folks. Lovie had to do an entire overhaul to get legit level starters and now you’re talking about how we’re supposed to have depth as well? First, it’ll take a year for the team to fully adapt to the new system. Second, they’ll need another offseason to plug the holes they couldn’t get this season and establish some depth. You guys want Lovie to just go over to the NFL player warehouse and pick up a bunch of starter level players. This thing takes time. He and Jason are way ahead of where I would have expected at this point. Hoping for a great record but if we don’t get it together this year, I’m still encouraged simply by the changes made and the direction of the team.
August 29th, 2014 at 7:31 am
Owusu.
He should be cut, but as usual he did just enough in the last preseason game to probably make the team. If Lovie and Licht cut him, my respect will go up a notch.
August 29th, 2014 at 7:39 am
Simply unwatchable……..
August 29th, 2014 at 7:42 am
I can guarantee you this…..Lovie Smith will cut, churn & slash & burn players on his defense until he has got what he wants…..and then he will start all over again.
He will never be totally happy even with a number one defense and that’s exactly where we are headed!!!
August 29th, 2014 at 8:28 am
Hed say that about any part of the defense. Hes a perfectionist.
Thsts whst mskes him a grest coach.
August 29th, 2014 at 8:47 am
Eric…move you’re finger over one key to the left….
August 29th, 2014 at 9:05 am
Patrick in VA Says
“I just don’t get you folks. Lovie had to do an entire overhaul to get legit level starters and now you’re talking about how we’re supposed to have depth as well? “
I get what you are saying and I agree for the most part. I will say this though…because Lovie and Licht brought in so many veterans, health will be an issue. I think that is part of the reason people are so concerned.
But I pretty much agree with you. The only problem is the oline issues were the fault of Licht and Lovie. They could have kept 1 or 2 guys. Zuttah was a suitable center. That would have been one less position to be concerned over.
And Zuttah could run block.
Out of all the cuts during the off season, he is the one I hated the most…really, the only one I hated. Unless you count Eric Page.
August 29th, 2014 at 9:50 am
@Bonzai – I’m not claiming to have this on any kind of inside knowledge or anything like that but what do you think the chances are that Zuttah being jettisoned had less to do with an attempt at a talent upgrade and more to do with a purging of the Schiano influence? I mean, Lovie has an entirely different approach so he would want guys that are more aligned with his approach to things. Both Zuttah and Wright were Rutgers guys so pretty much all they knew was Schiano ball
August 29th, 2014 at 9:56 am
Patton did nothing to show me he should the return man. And I agree bye bye Bowers Hello English is what should happen.
August 29th, 2014 at 10:39 am
Patrick in Va- great post, spot on . I agree .
Zuttah was a mediocre player at best. Amazing how everyone keeps saying that “blah Blah was a great player – I don’t know why they cut him!!
Have you looked at the Bucs record the last Ten years?
Sometimes, even talented players get caught up in the Team atmosphere , and don’t perform nearly up to their ability- because they didn’t have two.
That team quit on Raheem his last year. They quit on Schiano.
Not only did Lovie have to get talented players- he had to purge the bad attitudes from the team.
I don’t think they got rid of anyone- who didn’t prove on Tape that they needed to go
August 29th, 2014 at 10:41 am
Yeah, the backup linebackers have been serviceable; not great. I’m some what disappointed in the play of (MLB) Dane Fletcher. He’s looked average for a guy that was suppose to push Mason Foster for playing time. I also expected more out (WLB) Ka’Lial Glaud.
So if our Scouting Dept. finds better options I’ll understand.
-Henoc Muamba
-Ja’Gared Davis
August 29th, 2014 at 10:52 am
To follow up on that line of thinking, last of the remnants of the Rutgers Schiano men was cut today.