Lovie: “There’s No Doubt We’re Headed In The Right Direction”
November 2nd, 2014
Breathe easy, Tampa Bay fans. Take a deep breath. Don’t go digging a six-foot hole in the strawberry fields of Plant City, or go planning a Denver vacation just so you can smoke loads of marijuana legally to ease your Bucs-fan pain.
Following today’s senseless, nut-kick loss to the Browns, Lovie Smith said, “There’s no doubt we’re headed in the right direction” during his postgame news conference.
There you go. That should calm your 1-7 nerves.
Lovie went on to say winning, not improvement, is the challenge.
“We gotta find a way to win a game now, is what we have to do. That’s what we haven’t been able to figure out. And we’re running out of time,” Lovie said. We’re at the halfway point of our season now. It’s about November football. Playing your best ball right now. And we haven’t.”
Before the game on the Buccaneers Radio Network, Lovie also shared his strong feeling that the team is improving steadily.
“Behind the scenes we continue to get better, and that has to lead to wins,” Lovie said.
Somehow, all this optimism isn’t ending Joe’s Tums addiction.
Barring a tremendous turnaround in the second half of this season, Joe suspects the next thing to calm him will be a stud offensive coordinator signed in December, followed by a franchise quarterback prospect drafted in April.
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:01 pm
When he means the “right direction” he means back to the basement next year with $20 million in his pocket.
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:03 pm
Lol, with all due respect coach, there’s some doubt.
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:04 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOOs8MaR1YM
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:09 pm
now I know the REAL reason lovie is in Tampa Bay … this is an audition for Comedy Central … bwahahahahahahahahaha ….right direction! hysterical!!! his improve talents are getting really good!! he’ll be on the air before long … really too funny!!!!!!!!!
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:09 pm
What would you expect him to say…..he also said we were a bad football team.
I’m going to go way out on a limb here…..but….not this year but I believe Lovie will eventually turn this team around…..I know that’s a very unpopular opinion but I think it probably one silently shared by many. If you don’t agree with me that’s fine….but at least you should be hoping I’m right.
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:10 pm
By “right direction” does he mean next years number 1 draft pick?
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:10 pm
Hopefully he’s talking about his severance talks.
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:10 pm
Or a sale of the team.
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:11 pm
Please, Lovie. Just shut up already. I can’t take the losses AND your idiotic speeches after each one. You sound like a clueless bum.
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:12 pm
Lovie needs to be evaluated by medical staff. His delusional behavior maybe a symptom of early onset dementia. I wish him well
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:13 pm
1-7 = “right direction”
Got it
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:13 pm
Major Wright….leading tackler for Bucs today…..don’t miss Barron yet….
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:16 pm
@ RastaMon
That is freaking hilarious!!!!!
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:18 pm
Coach – there is something to be said for not running the ball in the second half and the lack of pass rush from your $$$$ Defensive Line!!!
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:18 pm
Yes, right direction: 2-14 this year, 4-12 next year, 6-10 in 2016, 7-9 in 2017….
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:18 pm
Right now there are only about 7 that think Lovie will eventually turn things around.
Tampabaybucfan
Lovie
Licht
The Glazer Brothers
Lovie’s Son
Lovie’s Wife
So, I’m in pretty good company, I guess!!!
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:22 pm
the man is delusional, inept, incompetent, and absolutely out of his freaking mind, how can you be headed in the right direction with a blocked punt, a blocked field goal, and you can’t even stop b.( freaking ) hoyer on third and 16 backed up at what the 2 yard line. your tampa 2 just aint cutting it, your top dog on defense mr GMC can only manage 1.5 sacks. real game changer 24 sacks in 4 years, big whoopee doo. you can’t beat a team who can not rush the ball, we the fans are the real losers here, because we have to watch this nonsense for another year or two, until the glazers clear some numbers on their books, and get serious about shopping for a competent head coach.
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:22 pm
I actually did see improvement this game. We applied consistent pressure with our d line, we could actually run the ball effectively, and we even forced a turnover on defense. Not only that, but Mike Evans had a little bit of a coming out party of his own today. Those are facts, but unfortunately the L is also a fact. I would put most of the blame for this loss on the special teams.
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:23 pm
@ TBBF
You can add me to that list too.
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:24 pm
We’re heading straight to that No. 1 Pick!!!
Thing is, when we draft Winston, I dont think I’d trust Lovie to be his HC!
I honestly beleive Jameis has a higher football IQ than Lovie!!!
Let Lovie lead us to 1-15, then fire his ass…
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:24 pm
Next week is big. Beating Atlanta is almost a must win or the season will get 1-15 ugly. Thing is 1-15 might be the 4th pick this year. Jets, Jags, Raiders all really bad.
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:26 pm
We applied consistent pressure and allowed a mediocre QB with no good weapons to throw for 300 yards, including two 3rd and 15 or longer conversions. Says a lot about how bad this defense is.
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:32 pm
Yeah, right direction… We are 1 new HC away from a winning team…. RJS now the new factor of sadness…. Congrats to the Browns in hiring a winner HC!
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Clearly Coach Smith needs some new quips to get him through the rest of the season. Maybe I can be of assistance:
“Stats are for losers.”
“We’re just not in synch.”
“TOES ON THE LINE!!!”
“something something something MARK ALSTOTT something something something”
“I was brought in because we were a laughingstock.”
“We’re the best team in the NFC”
“Somebody’s got to step up.”
“You take off your underwear.”
“SWEEP THE LEG” (allegedly)
Hope that helps, coach!
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:34 pm
The Glazers need to understand their customer….having this turd as their spokesman and coach of the team is alienating their clients. The front office is getting desperate for sales. They called me in NJ looking to sell some season tickets. For god’s sake fire Simple Lovie
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Stinkfoot…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l56BvNtEbdc
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:37 pm
So tired of the crap that comes out of lovies mouth! I wish he would shut up, man up, and take responsibility for this horrible team. He is being out-coached every game
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:41 pm
I don’t mind some of the things that Lovie is saying, matter fact I prefer them to all hope is lost speeches. I mean c’mon, what do you expect a head coach to say, of course he is going to focus on the positives during his press conferences. Behind closed doors though, I’m sure he has much to say in terms of where we’re lacking. Doesn’t matter though, no matter what he says the fans and the media are going to twist his words if we’re losing, which we are.
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:41 pm
I never wanted to punch Schiano…Lovie on the other hand….
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:46 pm
I can no longer Defend lovie or glennen. The gm cannot evaluate talent and has made a 4 win team worse (didn’t that was possible). I am a season ticket holder and no longer have interest in watching the rest of the season and go to half empty stadium filled with fans rooting for the other team. After 12 losing season with no playoff, I have had enough. Fire the gm and bring in Derrick brooks. Maybe he can tell lovie he is not as good as a coach as he thinks he is.
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:48 pm
If I hear Lovie say one more time “we still haven’t been eliminated from anything yet” I think I’m going to puke
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:51 pm
“There’s no doubt we’re headed in the right direction”.
———————————————————————————–
You have to be beeeep kidding me! This guy is a beeeep joke.
November 2nd, 2014 at 8:03 pm
At this point last year we were 0-8, this year we are 1-7. That’s an improvement. lol
November 2nd, 2014 at 8:12 pm
Man that “right direction” crap has to be used only after a win. For example, if Banks made that pick of Bridgewater last week and the Bucs got an ugly win that could have been called a step in the right direction. A loss is a loss. Next thing you know Lovie is gonna go with the old DEVIL RAY mantra from the HAL McRae years: “Heart and Hustle”; when you heard those words describe a team you had a fairly good idea that the team was gonna suck; like the 2014 Yuks…..
November 2nd, 2014 at 8:15 pm
Lovie went on to say “winning, not improvement is the challenge”.
___________________________________________________
Where did he say that in his quote? I watched his entire PC and not once did he ever say that exact quote.
Plus, if they win one, how would it not be an improvement? Is Joe now the Founding Fathers of the Fire Lovie Movement?
You might want polish your comprehension skills. –Joe
November 2nd, 2014 at 8:20 pm
I’ll tell ya what lovie is doing here, he steps to the podium after a game and mentions 1-2 things that looked better than last week. And then the next week those good things are completely absent, and he hangs on other high points.
Improving is consistency Lovie.. especially when it comes to fundamentals.
Verner and Glennon both took huge steps back today
November 2nd, 2014 at 8:25 pm
I don’t think Lovie cares what anyone thinks. He has the last laugh. A guaranteed contract that if the Glazers were to flip out after lets say a 1-15 season and fire him, he STILL GETS PAID! I hate the emotionless way he just stands there all stoic like and watches his team get beat in every facet of the game. Dungy showed more poise and did foster a feeling that we may be losing but that we were in fact getting better. I don’t see it (improvement). We have an outstanding young receiver in Evans but little else to brag about. Maybe two or three starters on our defense would start anywhere else. McCoy, David and I can’t think of a third I’m so pissed now. Make a freaking play and win a game for gosh sakes. We are horrific. Go Bucs!
November 2nd, 2014 at 8:53 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says:
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:09 pm
“What would you expect him to say…..he also said we were a bad football team.
I’m going to go way out on a limb here…..but….not this year but I believe Lovie will eventually turn this team around…..I know that’s a very unpopular opinion but I think it probably one silently shared by many. If you don’t agree with me that’s fine….but at least you should be hoping I’m right.”
I’m still voting confident in Joe’s next poll. I think he will turn it around, just not this season as we all can clearly see.
November 2nd, 2014 at 8:57 pm
The entire organization from owners to the water boy is an embarrassment to the Tampa Bay area.
November 2nd, 2014 at 8:57 pm
Mr. Patrick Says:
November 2nd, 2014 at 7:48 pm
“If I hear Lovie say one more time “we still haven’t been eliminated from anything yet” I think I’m going to puke”
I concur 100% that shyte right there has to stop. It’s insulting to us fans when he says crap like that.
November 2nd, 2014 at 9:07 pm
I’ve got to agree with Lovie, this was there best game as a team. They still made mistakes but looked much better.
November 2nd, 2014 at 9:11 pm
For people who think that a coach is here for just the money are unbelievable. It’s clear to me that we don’t have 75% of the personnel to run this defense. Also, firing a coach every 2 years is not a good way to build a winning product. Give the man time. Geesh. Wanting the guy fired after a couple games is ridiculous. Have patience.
November 2nd, 2014 at 9:13 pm
It’s also clear to me that this offensive needs a mobile QB. Mccown/Glennon won’t cut it.
November 2nd, 2014 at 9:40 pm
Is Manning mobile?Is Brady mobile?Did anybody watch the game?Did you hear the records they hold?Vick is finished,RG3 is all but finished,and Tim never made it.You are all fools if you think a mobile QB will last in this NFL.
November 2nd, 2014 at 10:05 pm
“There’s No Doubt We’re Headed In The Right Direction”
Yep the drafts almost here Lovie.. only what 5 months away. I can’t wait I wish it was tomorrow.
@Celly wherever you are….now we’re 4 games out of first place. But ya never know any given Sunday right…. next week we’ll be 5 games out…yippee!
November 2nd, 2014 at 10:08 pm
Lovie is a moron.
Any guesses on how outnumbered Bucs fans will be at the Green Bay game?
November 2nd, 2014 at 10:10 pm
Been sold out for weeks. And not by Bucs fans.
November 2nd, 2014 at 10:20 pm
It’s a nice vacation for the folks up north. Frankly it’ll send a strong message to the Glazers or it should. Could be a massacre too with Aaron Rodgers against the Bucs D.
November 2nd, 2014 at 11:15 pm
Joe said:
“Any guesses on how outnumbered Bucs fans will be at the Green Bay game?
Been sold out for weeks. And not by Bucs fans.”
Gonna be a lot of Green in Ray Jay and I bet Fox even go with one of the C teams (Barber and Chris Myers or Sam Rosen and Lynch) for the coverage as opposed to the F team us Buc fans are accustomed to (Diehl and Brennanan or that Kutcher character)….. And of course the game will get a bit more coverage than Fort Myers, Tampa, Orlando and Green Bay/Milwaukee media markets so the whole world can look at all the packer fans and talk about how there is no support for the Bucs ala what ESPN does when the Yankme or BoSox invade the Trop and the game is relevent not to mention getting to watch aaron Rodgers throw for 500 + yards and 6 TDs……….
November 2nd, 2014 at 11:21 pm
Up here in VA they had the Skins/Vikings game on and the Chargers/Dolphins game. They switched the Dolphins game to something else because the whippin that the Chargers were getting. How do you get shut out in the NFL? Awful.
November 3rd, 2014 at 12:29 am
I’m shocked that at some point during his presser Lovie didn’t say 17 points should have been enough to win that game, but I have faith, there’s always tomorrow’s presser.
November 3rd, 2014 at 12:38 am
@TBBF
Count me along with the people who agree that Lovie will get this thing turned around. Not this team because a good part of this season’s team won’t be here next season. The team is progressing
November 3rd, 2014 at 10:31 am
If you want to win now…get a new coach. It all starts from the top!
If he can’t motivate them in his first year to play hard, he will never be able to motivate them!
This is his team…he chose it! He let good players go (anyone see Tim Wright yesterday)?
I don’t care what the Big Poodle says….the lack of agression (which improved yesterday) is a direct reflection of the wet milk toast pansy coaching this team!
Greg Schiano
November 3rd, 2014 at 10:32 am
Arizona is winning now.
Hell, the Lambs beat the 49er’s yesterday.
The Raiders are losing…but they are battling every week!
The Eagles lose their QB1 and my goodness they won with the butt tackle boy!
It is all about coaching….I believe Chip Kelly could coach USF to a win over the Bucs!
November 3rd, 2014 at 1:16 pm
Actually, I think we are heading in the right direction. The defense is improving. We absolutely do need a QB. I like Glennon and lobbied for him over McCown but I think a QB that is mobile is a must in today’s NFL and Glennon will be a great reliable backup. We need help on the O-line but we have a beast WR in Mike Evans who will be a perennial pro bowler in the future if he stays healthy. GMC and David are the anchors of a defense that just needs some edge rushers. I’m not ready to throw the towel in on a new coach with a new scheme in year 1 of a team that needed to be retooled. Now, if this continues next year then I’m sure the Glazers will not be so patient.
November 3rd, 2014 at 1:47 pm
How can Lovie say the right direction. People don’t care if the offense or defense are showing signs of improving. It’s the overall record. Looking like the first pick of the draft is what we are improving on.
November 3rd, 2014 at 2:58 pm
We lost our OC and struck out on our fee agents, so a strong team did not materialize, thus 1-7. I do think things are improving and after 2 more games, it could be something almost reasonable to watch. They won’t win, but will be a bit more competitive. Better will not equal wins this year, but better is all we can hope for right now. Melman showcased his cannon yet again with great underthrows….get a new QB in the draft please. A 5-13 record for Melman is all I need to know about him. It’s about time to rotate back to McCown.
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:33 pm
Yes it sucks losing and being 1-7 is obviously not good at all. Getting blown out twice so far this year makes it even worse. And finding ways to lose winnable games the rest of the time becomes increasingly hard to stomach.
But Lovie is not going anywhere – even if he loses all the rest of the games this year. He will get 2 years minimum – probably 3 to make this team “relevant”. Those calling for Lovie’s head now are just wasting your breath.
Count me among those who believe coach Smith will turn the franchise’s fortunes around. It might take 2 or 3 years to accomplish – which sucks – but you simply cannot make up for 8+ years of bad drafting in 1 year. L&L walked into a talent cupboard is bare scenario (and then tried to fill a bunch of holes through FA which rarely works out well) – but they did get some good young offensive talent in their 1st draft IMO. Considering our upcoming draft position – If they will concentrate on building through the draft – then we will be a much better team in another year or 2. (assuming we draft a good QB and bring in a good offensive mind to run the offense – maybe those are bad assumptions – LOL).
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:52 pm
And there is some merit to what Lovie said here. Short of winning the game – you have to look for positives and a # of them were visible. Oline seemed to play somewhat better and opened some running lanes. DL did get some pressure (not enough). Defense stopped the run Banks made some good plays. Major Wright (and McDougle on a couple plays) looked better to my eye than Barron has all season. .
All this against a not very good (IMO) Cleveland team so its hard to tell if these “improvements” will continue to be visible.
More negatives than positives though and of course we lost the game. Special teams was pitiful. Pass protection was not that great. Glennon did not play very well – missed on a # of throws and sucks trying to run for a 1st down. Vdrops was at it again. Verner did not have a good game. Giving up a 1st down when you have a team pinned on their own 2 yard line with a 3rd and 16 is pretty inexcusable.