“No Doubt I Was Rooting For The Panthers”
September 3rd, 2014
Who knew Lovie Smith was a Panthers fan during all those hours in his Chicago basement last year?
The Bucs head coach explained this afternoon, though there’s no word on whether Lovie does that Cam Newton Superman celebration when nobody is watching.
“No doubt I was rooting for the Panthers [last year,]” Lovie told the Carolina media today. “I think you win games a similar way that Ron [Rivera] had his team winning games last year. Dominating defensive front. Dominating front seven. Play hard on defensive side. Take the ball away.
“On the offensive front, really good on third downs, able to run the football. I think any person that really likes, you know, football would like the way they played last year.”
Joe advises Bucs fans to take note of Lovie’s comments about offense. Yes, Lovie want to pound the rock on Sunday — and every day.
Remember how he applauded 17 first-half rushes against Buffalo?
Once upon a time, Lovie fired Ron Rivera, the Panthers head coach, when Rivera was defensive coordinator in Chicago. Lovie didn’t want to talk about his past with Rivera to the Carolina scribes, but he did call Rivera “a friend.”
September 3rd, 2014 at 2:48 pm
silly smoke……
September 3rd, 2014 at 2:54 pm
Speaking of rooting for the Bucs, PFT’s season predictions just went up and Florio has the Bucs in the playoffs. Dang that dictator Lovie and his lapdog Licht for impressing yet another media type with their offseason moves. Trying to find something negative here…but nope, can’t be done. Go Bucs!
September 3rd, 2014 at 2:55 pm
And yes, it’s obvious Rivera coaches ball very close to what Lovie values most.
September 3rd, 2014 at 2:56 pm
Yeah, probably wishing for them to fail to get a shot at a potential head coaching gig there. Keeping in line with the Dungy mantra in the event the Bucs lose Sunday, “we were just not in sync”.
September 3rd, 2014 at 3:03 pm
More smoke from Lovie Vape. Thats why they loaded up with the “Dunkaneers”
September 3rd, 2014 at 3:23 pm
Lovie once fired his starting QB too.
September 3rd, 2014 at 3:32 pm
I don’t understand why there aren’t more head coaches who want this kind of defense, but also a score at will offense to go with it.
What’s so wrong about being explosive on both sides of the ball!?
September 3rd, 2014 at 3:42 pm
“What’s so wrong about being explosive on both sides of the ball!?”
Great question Rob. Can I make a stab and the others can agree or disagree.
The problem is that it’s very difficult to have an explosive offense without a franchise QB. The top Q.B.’s eat up so much cap space that it forces difficult decisions. Since they’ve already spent the family farm on their QB teams are then forced to win with offense. It becomes a vicious circle. You not only have to pay the QB but some good weapons around him and an O line.
All the analysts yesterday made the point that the reason Houston was able to give Watt all that money is because they do not have a franchise QB and will probably be trying to draft one this year or next. That then gives them four more years before the QB is able to cash in. By then Watt’s contract will have been rendered more affordable by time and the increase in the cap.
The reason GMAC has a great shot at getting money is because we no longer have J Free or any semblance of a franchise QB. OK MGM guys perhaps…but at best the verdict is still out there. At any rate it’s what? 3 more years before the Bucs even have to worry about paying big bucks to Glennon. If they draft a “franchise QB” next year or the year after they have as much as six years.
September 3rd, 2014 at 4:43 pm
Joe. Why do you continue to make it sound like having a running offense us a bad thing. It opens up the pass game tremendously . It’s not like we are going to run 3 times and punt . Not we these weapons. Quit trying to create controversy when there is none.
September 3rd, 2014 at 4:46 pm
Rob Says:
September 3rd, 2014 at 3:32 pm
I don’t understand why there aren’t more head coaches who want this kind of defense, but also a score at will offense to go with it.
What’s so wrong about being explosive on both sides of the ball!?
I think the answer is this: The more points you score then the more points the other teams needs to score, sounds simplistic but really holds true in my opinion.
September 3rd, 2014 at 4:54 pm
Never wrote that.
September 3rd, 2014 at 5:52 pm
There is no psychology like reverse psychology!!! Works great on wives as well!
September 4th, 2014 at 2:03 am
Carolina was lack-luster in it’s efficiency last year, and play-calling. Their offense could of been better if not for Shula’s playcalling.
September 4th, 2014 at 2:08 am
st pete bucs fan wrote: The problem is that it’s very difficult to have an explosive offense without a franchise QB. The top Q.B.’s eat up so much cap space that it forces difficult decisions. Since they’ve already spent the family farm on their QB teams are then forced to win with offense.
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true. And only four elite qb’s have had better seasons the next two-three years after signing the huge contract than prior to signing the huge deal. Flacco? Nope…he signed a mega deal and sucked last year. Talking Brady,Favre (2x), Manning, and Arron Rogers. That’s elite company…..and neither Manning, Brady, and Rogers have won a title since their latest huge contracts.
September 4th, 2014 at 2:10 am
ps – the avg salary of the last eight or so qbs has been around 8 million….well below the highest paid qb’s over the yeasrs. if you’re not tied down to one player you can balance out the team with better players, and that’s what wins titles.