Lovie Explains His Defense Is “Simple”
December 2nd, 2014
The architect of the Buccaneers defense, Lovie Smith, disagrees with the common perception that his defense is difficult to learn.Speaking last night on the Buccaneers Radio Network, Smith was clear: learning his old school Tampa-2 is not challenging.
“Contrary to what might be out there, we do have a simple defense that you can pick up,” Lovie said. “But there’s discipline involved in the defense and you, not just floating and drifting as a linebacker, there are specific areas that you have to be in.”
Earlier on the show, Lovie offered a similar theme, discussing how defensive players building trust to just focus on their assigned gap and duty is what’s challenging, not the learning itself.
Danny Lansanah is a great example, and one Lovie referenced. Lansanah has played every linebacker position this year, and played most of them quite well. Heck, Lavonte David wasn’t missed the past two weeks.
Yes, the Bucs defense is jelling now, and it’s not rocket science.
Remember, just a few weeks ago, a Bucs defensive icon said Lovie’s Tampa-2 defense “is the simplest defense possible.”
December 2nd, 2014 at 10:00 am
This is why I want Lovie to stay.
Our defense will be top ten year in and year out.
If we can get the offense situated we should start contending.
I don’t see the NFC South as being challenging in the coming years.
December 2nd, 2014 at 10:02 am
Its easy to sit back and point out in film where the player should have been.
But what is the excuse for 2015 blackouts?
What is Lovie’s response to a 50% attendance level in 2015?
How is he gonna handle a giant drop in ticket purchases in 2015?
Those are the questions I want answered.
December 2nd, 2014 at 10:19 am
We are almost there……we need a QB,LT, RG, MLB CB, S & KR….
And, it goes without saying….an OC
And I don’t say that jokingly…..the first 3 can easily be addressed in the draft and the rest in FA…..
Many probably think we need another LG & C but I think the addition of two studs to this line will shore it up.
December 2nd, 2014 at 10:45 am
Goes towards my dumb-players theory.
December 2nd, 2014 at 10:50 am
Which is more “simple”? The Tampa 2 or Buc’s season ticket holders?
December 2nd, 2014 at 10:53 am
The Cover 2 has it is run in the NFL….is Tony Dungy’s defense…he dialed it in when he was DC with the Vikings….Lovie is running what he learned from Tony
December 2nd, 2014 at 10:54 am
Lovie Explains His Defense Is “Simple”
for
OC’s to pick apart
December 2nd, 2014 at 10:54 am
Move Mason over to SLB and Danny to MLB since he has had success in all positions in LB and I think Mason would do better at SLB he has been close to getting to Hawaii and I think his talents will be better suited for SLB and Danny has been surging lately see what he has at MLB, and David is a stud so leave him where he is
December 2nd, 2014 at 11:04 am
The defense hasn’t run it’s course. It, like any other, has weaknesses including short passes and power runs against a lighter, faster D line, but it can still work if given the right players and good coaching. The problem is that it doesn’t allow freelancing studs trying to pad their stats (Barron). Any defense can work, just like any offense can work. The NFL is cyclical- every few years things repeat. Dungy was a rehash of the old Steelers D. The Ravens D is just a rehash of the old Giants D from the 80s. The difference is the players that can read and react quickly to what the offense is doing. It is about having smart players in any system. Is New England’s defense revolutionary? Heck no- just well coached with smart players.
December 2nd, 2014 at 11:15 am
“It’s as simple as that”.
Lovie’s been telling us that all year.
December 2nd, 2014 at 11:18 am
My belief is the defense will be the second coming of the Sapp/Brooks lead defense – MJohnson. My worry is that Lovie will not change his thought process n continue with the conservative Dungy/Mike Shula type offense where the defense put the offense in position to score seven but they become complacent with three points or they play dead n roll over inside the twenty yard line. Lovie is becoming a clone of Dungy we all know the end results that regime. Young Mike Evans who is much better than Keyshawn Johnson is already gesturing ” Throw Me The Dam Ball”. Please Lovie get rid of McCown n stop settling for below performance QBs. Just to give u an idea, the following r Lovie type QBs…Grossman, McCown, KOrton,Caleb Hanie,Todd Collins, Johnathan Quinn,BGriese,Chad Hutchinson.
December 2nd, 2014 at 11:26 am
lovie is simple
simple as that
December 2nd, 2014 at 11:26 am
Usually, when one creates something it is not difficult for them, but is probably difficult for someone else.
December 2nd, 2014 at 11:28 am
this defense is NOT the secon coming…. LOL
even if they do get good they’ll never be good enough to overcome the sorry excuse for an offense and the laid back approach that does not lead to championships.
best we can hope for is to get back to the dungy days where they kept us in the game, then fire lovie and bring in a closer with a winning mentallity.
December 2nd, 2014 at 11:31 am
@tampa add a punter to your list
December 2nd, 2014 at 11:36 am
Umm.. Cutler was also a Lovie QB. And Brandon Marshall was a Lovie WR. I don’t think he’s against having a good offense- just may not hire the right people. Mike Martz has never done anything after his stint running Vermeil’s O in St. Louis with some incredibly talented players. Need an OC in here quickly. Even Dungy brought in Les Steckel who didn’t do a bad job– just couldn’t get along with Kiffin.
December 2nd, 2014 at 12:05 pm
@2015 blackouts
There is a simple solution, They need to draft a Qb. If they Draft Winston or Mariota, ticket sales will increase exponentially.
December 2nd, 2014 at 12:13 pm
went back and watched the game again. Giving kudos to hardy Nickerson for getting his unit ready to play. As for the secondary, I didn’t see major wright, did he play? Verner needs to stop getting burnt just realize safety help is always going to be late so just cover your man.
Mccown had about 4 chances to put 2 points on the board but couldn’t. His first drive which started at the 9 netted 3 points, gotta do better than that. The series went run for no gain, run for 4y, penalty for -5 and a fumble by mccown. Fg.
Started at the 9, now I’m at the 10. (Drake voice)
December 2nd, 2014 at 12:18 pm
Lansanah has really put everything he has on the field for this team. A fantastic addition.
Honorable mention to Clinton McDonald and DE Jaques Smith too.
December 2nd, 2014 at 12:31 pm
How about your boy mccoy almost made a play in the fourth, he almost tipped a pass on third down. They dropped the pass anyway, it would have been a huge third down conversion.
Good job mccoy way to be around the ball. Geno Atkins had 2 big plays in the fourth including a clutch sack but that’s neither here nor there.
December 2nd, 2014 at 12:34 pm
@DB55
Started at the 9 now I’m here….. Started at the 9 now my whole team FUKN here!!!! Lmfao
December 2nd, 2014 at 12:37 pm
EY Aunt Geraldine did what he was paid $100 million to do. Eat up double and triple teams. Shine in the first quarter and come so close in the 2nd 3rd and 4th. Hehhhhhh (French Montana voice)
December 2nd, 2014 at 12:44 pm
@ray
Almost!
December 2nd, 2014 at 1:24 pm
The defense has improved dramatically considering all the yards and points it have up prior to the last 3 games regardless of if verner was playing or not. The offense looks horrible so any of you idiots out there who thinks the owners don’t have complete confidence in a defensive but who lost his coordinator, maybe should find another team to route for… I hear Jacksonville has plenty of room on their bandwagon. You’ll all be here in the offseason holding your breath waiting for roster moves, trades, cuts, new hires and fires lol it’s over and your still crying about what went wrong? The season is over, get ready for next year a better year cuz it can’t get worse
December 2nd, 2014 at 1:47 pm
Ok so easy defenses – does that mean stupid personnel or bad coaching; let’s start actually talking to the fans Lovie and explain what the hell is going on as opposed to throwing us empty, $hit comments like this.
What’s the problem, what’s wrong, you’ve got got 2 wins – you’re not close, so what’s the problem?
December 2nd, 2014 at 3:10 pm
it seems like the adjusting to the Tampa 2 is more about unlearning certain things than it is about learning certain things. if you come from an attacking style defense and if you are just hungry to make plays, it’s hard to stop and say, “that’s mason’s play to make” or “everybody else is moving to the ball, my job is to hang tight in this spot”. you could see that in how we just got eviscerated by any sort of trickery earlier in the year – play action, screens, cutbacks, etc always found a man out of position
December 2nd, 2014 at 3:21 pm
@2015
None of those things are his concern. His job is to win. So far, he is failing. I believe he will succeed. Anyone who can’t see the improvement is blind.
December 2nd, 2014 at 7:27 pm
When the team comes out strong in 2015 and wins some games, a lot of fans will be cured of their ills and come out to the games. If the team drafts a promising rookie QB and hires a decent OC, that will cure many ills BEFORE the season starts.