Lovie: Blitzing Was Needed But Not Working
September 16th, 2014
Ask Greg Schiano why he blitzed, and danced and stunted so often on the defensive line , and the former Bucs commander will tell you it was because he didn’t believe his front-4 could rush the passer on its own.
Ask Lovie Smith why the he blitzed Rams third-string quarterback Austin Davis much more than Derek Anderson was the previous week, and he’ll offer the same answer as Schiano.
Lovie explained on his radio show on WDAE-AM 620 last night that the crew filling in for Gerald McCoy, Adrian Clayborn and Michael Johnson forced his hand.
“As a general rule, when we lose players, you want to, you know, put their backup in and keep doing what we believe. But you have to look at what’s working on that day,” [Sunday] we chose to go and blitz a little bit more. As a matter of fact, the last big third down they hit was a blitz that we had on. You know it’s good and it’s bad. As a general rule, in true definite long yardage situations, as far as passing is concerned, we would like to play Cover-2, but yesterday we weren’t able to as much.”
The critical play Lovie was referencing is 3rd-and-9 from Rams’ 48-yard with 1:55 remaining and Tampa Bay leading 17-16. The Bucs sent six after the quarterback with no luck. Davis hit Austin Pettis down the middle. Leonard Johnson was with him but wasn’t turned to the ball and didn’t get his hands up. You can watch it here.
Yes, the Bucs typically would play Cover-2 in 3rd-and-9, but without a pass rush and first-time starter, Joe thinks the blitz made sense there.
Defensive backs have to make plays and Johnson didn’t. That’s usually the case, even in Cover-2, Lovie explained.
“It comes down to a 1-on-1 situation, whether you blitz or you rush four guys, when they throw the ball, it is a 1-on-1 situation,” Lovie said. “It’s just plus-minus on who wins, who wants it more. Sometimes, of course, with receivers now getting taller and taller, it’s a tough matchup when you go man-to-man without any help. And we were in those situatons a few times [Sunday].”
Ironically, the dagger completion on 3rd-and-9 to Pettis against Johnson was nearly identical to the catch by Marques Colston against Johnson to seal the Saints’ Week 2 win in Tampa last year.
September 16th, 2014 at 8:10 am
I doubt we’ll hear from the likes of Steve White and Warren Sapp when Lovie employs the same tactics they chastised Schiano for.
September 16th, 2014 at 8:11 am
in the video Bowers did beat his 1 on 1 and got a qb hurry!!!
September 16th, 2014 at 8:23 am
Pettis caught that ball at !:49 and Bucs didnt call a timeout until 1:37. Those 12 seconds mattered.
September 16th, 2014 at 8:29 am
Of course had lovie chose to try to score points during the rest of the game that 3rd and 9 would have been irrelevant. Walk up the stairs lovie the basements too dark. Lets throw the damn ball around, especially in the red zone, please. Lets go for a blowout win rather than these same old nail biting one pointers. Then shall we lose we can at least sleep knowing we went for it
September 16th, 2014 at 8:46 am
Why did the Bucs let the clock run out and not try for the field goal before the half? Can anyone answer that simple question?
September 16th, 2014 at 8:56 am
@ Jim Walker
The reason why is becouse our savior Lovie plays the game to not loose instead of playing to win.
This is because he is a looser.
September 16th, 2014 at 9:00 am
This game was lost by the coaches….not Leonard Johnson or that play.
At the end of the first half, we had all three time outs and didnt’ stop the clock when they were in position for a field goal…..then when we had the ball and two time outs left we took a knee….we were in decent field position to try to move at least into field goal range. The fear of an interception way down field with no time left would be the worst that could happen.
The playcalling was also very poor…..
My God…this looks exactly like last year’s coaching staff on gameday!!!
September 16th, 2014 at 9:10 am
Well, if they need to blitz, they can forget about that against the more experienced quarterbacks……blitz Matty Ryan and they’ll pay dearly.
Sad as it is.
September 16th, 2014 at 9:28 am
Lovie when interviewed is always saying you know, no lovie I don’t know.
September 16th, 2014 at 9:29 am
I hope Herm Edwards calls up Lovie and delivers the punchline: YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME! Not to not lose it.
September 16th, 2014 at 9:36 am
Maaaaaaane you can’t blitz just for the sake of blitzing sheesh! Lovie is starting to sound clueless smdh. This is why I yelled for Zimmer because he seems to get free rushers year in and year out. Its all in the design and execution and stop waiting until its obvious you’re going to blitz!
September 16th, 2014 at 9:43 am
@joe
Here’s an idea how bout blitzing leonard johnson? and keeping him out of pass coverage since he is the one that’s always getting fried in crucial situations
September 16th, 2014 at 9:50 am
Just like I said attack Leonard Johnson he’ll give you a first down everytime. How could any coach decide this guy is the best at his position with a clear conscious. Why did lovie do all this to promote a team, all the freakin commercials. None of his players even have commercials. One could argue that if we had given schiano a defensive coordinator and Jason licht he could have done better than lovie
September 16th, 2014 at 9:51 am
How do expect to have effective pass rushers if none of our d lineman don’t have speed nor power? (I’m talking functional strength not weight room). Where is Chaz Sutton? Other than gholston and mccoy we’re in the struggle
September 16th, 2014 at 10:46 am
Greg Schanio > Lovie Smith
There should be no reason why Lovie Smith does not get more Wins this year than Greg Schanio Last year.
After all he Brought in “HIS GUY” at quarterback. And if his quarterback is an upgrade and Lovie Smith is an Upgrade as a coach there should be no reason why this does not equal at least an 8-8 season.
Unless of course Lovie is turd of a Coach and his QB is a career backup.
Fire Lovie SMith
September 16th, 2014 at 11:09 am
Greg Says:
September 16th, 2014 at 8:56 am
@ Jim Walker
The reason why is becouse our savior Lovie plays the game to not loose instead of playing to win.
This is because he is a looser.
———–
I’ve taught English the past 13 years. Guess who I think the “looser” is.
September 16th, 2014 at 11:57 am
Brandon said: “I’ve taught English the past 13 years. Guess who I think the “looser” is.”
_______________________________
There are quite a few more important things to get ticked about than simple spelling errors, Brandon. It didn’t make his statement incomprehensible. So why take issue with it?
September 16th, 2014 at 1:23 pm
Agree on end of 1st half not throwing it downfield and go for field goal or td?? Doesn’t every play and every point matter. Lovie should get skewered by the media for that. He would up here in New York. That can’t happen again!
September 16th, 2014 at 1:58 pm
Oh my gosh, it’s the grammer police out again. Cheesh. Can we just stick to fottball please and yes, I did that just to offend your delicate psyche.
September 16th, 2014 at 6:26 pm
i agree with brandon. if you dont understand grammar… how can you understand football? i like lovie. he knows what he’s doing. i bet he beats you haters in madden -.- by the way bobby… its grammar*
September 16th, 2014 at 6:27 pm
defense is to blame not lovie. his mentality will win games if defense gets stops.