The Tedford Two-Step
September 3rd, 2014
Lovie Smith doesn’t seem to be a big fan of questions about offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford this week.
The Tampa Bay head coach was peppered with queries Monday after it was learned Tedford’s ongoing health/recovery prevented him from being at practice — six days from opening day.
Does Tedford’s physical absence matter? Several former Buccaneers have been on local radio airwaves this week saying it absolutely matters in a huge way.
Lovie, however, is playing it cool, talking about how technology is keeping Tedford as an active participant and repeating that the Bucs will be releasing little information on the subject.
You can watch Lovie get a little frustrated by Monday afternoon’s Tedford inquisition in the SportsTalkFlorida.com video below. The Bucs are back on the practice field this afternoon. No word yet on whether Tedford will be there.
September 3rd, 2014 at 5:21 am
I suspect Tedford will be able to call plays from the booth Sunday. Lovie is keeping everything secret that he can before Sunday’s game even if it doesn’t mean a lot to Carolina. Its hard for me to know what Tedford’s involvement/non-involvement would mean to Carolina & their planning.
I am confident that the backup plan is solid should he not be able to participate.
September 3rd, 2014 at 5:30 am
He’ll be in the booth! Jeez enough of the sensationalization!
September 3rd, 2014 at 6:16 am
@Mark – Yeah, sure, the offensive mastermind can only work part-time and isn’t feeling 100 percent for his NFL debut. No problem at all.
September 3rd, 2014 at 6:35 am
He’ll be there. Even if it’s in the booth. I’m sure he will do everything in his power to make his NFL debut.
September 3rd, 2014 at 6:40 am
If our Defense can score 3 TDs…..we won’t need to worry about Tedford.
September 3rd, 2014 at 6:46 am
Only the bucs can lose their OC on opening day.
September 3rd, 2014 at 7:11 am
This could cost us the game/season. What a shame. Get well soon Ted.
September 3rd, 2014 at 7:25 am
Pablo told Harry that we are trading Tedford for Richie Incognito straight up.
September 3rd, 2014 at 7:30 am
What could possibly go wrong? I suspect it will take fans all of 4 drives to start getting outraged.
On a more positive note, it looks like Lovie is handling this like a head coach is supposed to do… he is treating it like any other minor set back, finding a present solution and moving on with the season. Lovie isn’t scapegoating or preparing his excuses… he is being a man that this organization needs.
Remember when Raheem Morris blamed his whole coaching staff just so he could survive another year?
September 3rd, 2014 at 7:41 am
Lovie should’ve seen the writing on the wall when Tedford requested that his interview be held at the KFC.
September 3rd, 2014 at 7:55 am
I also believe he will make his NFL debut. Enough with the secrets. Cant wait til Sunday. Ready to just play some ball. Still can’t believe Mike Jenkins is still ahead of Banks on the depth chart.
September 3rd, 2014 at 8:50 am
What part of HIPPA don’t seemingly educated journalists not understand? The Bucs cannot release any medical info unless Tedford allows them to, in writing. All of a sudden everybody’s life has to be an open book, not everyone wants the general public to know about every bowel movement they take.
September 3rd, 2014 at 9:28 am
Go old school and let Josh call his own plays.
Nobody sent in a play to Johnny U.
September 3rd, 2014 at 9:38 am
Guess I am ‘drinking the kool aid’ but I feel Lovie will get the job done, regardless! Seems he is putting more pressure on himself to win that the fans & media. Sunday can’t get here soon enough.
September 3rd, 2014 at 9:42 am
I doubt Unitas would of even been on the field in today’s NFL.
September 3rd, 2014 at 10:34 am
Why the hand-wringing by Joe and a few others in the media about this issue? It is what it is. Tedford needed to get some plaque removed from his carotid from the rumors I’ve heard, and that’s just that. Period. Give the man time to heal. I’m sure he’s as eager to get back on the field as we are to have him. But damn, some of you are like rabid dogs when you get your teeth into some issue that you have absolutely no control over. He’ll return when he returns. Now can we get back to our regular programming? Damn.
September 3rd, 2014 at 11:51 am
Mindgames, and the local media is helping out.
September 3rd, 2014 at 12:01 pm
Lovie kept insisting Tedford was not back “full time”. That doesn’t mean he isn’t back part time and Lovie also said Tedford is doing a lot of work at home (game planning?).
I think he’ll be in the booth.
September 3rd, 2014 at 12:01 pm
And Lovie is doing everything he can to get the advantage on the Panthers.