Schiano-Dominik Crew Led 2014 Special Teams
December 30th, 2014
Joe wanted to bring happiness and good cheer to Lovie Smith’s farewell-to-2014 news conference yesterday.
So Joe decided to ask Lovie to name his under-the-radar special teams stars of the season.
JoeBucsFan.com: Coach, outside of Patrick Murray, who you’ve talked a lot about a lot, who were your special standouts on special teams this year that maybe, you know, go under the radar?
Lovie Smith: I talk a lot about Patrick [Murray] because I didn’t know a whole lot about him coming in. But then there is a core of special teams players. I’m going to talk about a guy that you know a lot about, you know, Shepard. You know, Russell Shepard. Just look at him and what he was able to do as a gunner, wide receiver, third quarterback, but just one of the core special teams players that we had – was really pleased with what he was able to do. A guy like Keith Tandy, Leonard Johnson, those were good special teams core players for us. Our linebackering crew as a whole, we have to feel comfortable. I have to say as we go forward that all of them are the reasons why we’re having success with our special teams, too.
Previously, Lovie has talked about how most of his linebackers must be stout special teams players. It was unclear with yesterday’s answer whether Lovie was talking about the linebackers’ special teams play this season, or next.
Regardless, Joe will focus on Shepard, Tandy and Johnson. Hey, those are three Schiano-Dominik guys!
Tandy (2012 sixth-round pick), Johnson (2012 undrafted free agent) and Shepard (2013 waiver pickup) all have one more season remaining on their Bucs contracts. So that’s good news.
The Bucs’ special teams play this season had its ugly moments (leapfrog anyone?). But in all, special teams were probably almost average.
Somehow, the Bucs need to find a return man with some real juice. They failed repeatedly in that department this season.
December 30th, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Our special teams play was actually pretty bad for most of this year.
How about our punter? Terrible. How about our coverage on Devin Hester kick returns? How many of our own kicks and punts were blocked?
Don’t even get me started on the so-called ‘offense’. This team was just awful in every way. The defense started coming around towards the end of the season, so I guess there’s that…
I will give Shepard and Tandy credit for playing well, and Johnson looked improved the last 2 games.
December 30th, 2014 at 6:12 pm
I thought Rainey did well in his limited role as return man.
December 30th, 2014 at 6:20 pm
Schiano’s special teams were pretty good in his two years. We were actually an aggressive punt and field goal blocking team and had success in blocking kicks. Once Lovie gets rid of all the Schiano players, I cant wait to see how shitty the special teams will look. LOL…
December 30th, 2014 at 6:36 pm
Why did we just turn down the chance to coach the Senior Bowl?
December 30th, 2014 at 6:50 pm
Lovie is a lying turd
December 30th, 2014 at 7:03 pm
Randall cobb for return duty/slot receiver, first pick QB, second pick edge rusher, third, fourth,fifth and sixth picks OL
December 30th, 2014 at 7:16 pm
I bet you that Russell could return kicks too. I’ve been talking up sheppard all season and getting laughed at by a few JBF’ers. Just goes to show you what I know, which is nothing at all.
December 30th, 2014 at 7:24 pm
Bobby Rainey actually did a great job on Sunday, with good returns on kickoffs and punt returns. That was the best overall special teams game.
December 30th, 2014 at 7:26 pm
Lovie needs to explain Eric Paige.
He’ll talk about individual play but they regressed as a unit.
December 30th, 2014 at 7:43 pm
I never thought I would say this but, I would welcome back schiano!
December 30th, 2014 at 7:44 pm
Gm, these guys are not smart enough to sign Cobb.
December 30th, 2014 at 7:47 pm
@DB55
“Just goes to show you what I know, which is nothing at all.”
I’m glad your starting to be honest with yourself. I hope other people that post on here follow suit and start realizing the same thing.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:41 pm
Nothing this imbecile has done has worked. He should at least have the dignity to call a press conference in the morning and admit he is over his head. He should forego the remainder of his contract and just go away. Then and only then might he gain his self respect back.
December 31st, 2014 at 1:05 am
Did Lovie really say “linebackering” or is that a typo, Joe?
lol
December 31st, 2014 at 1:07 am
DB55 Says
“I bet you that Russell could return kicks too. I’ve been talking up sheppard all season and getting laughed at by a few JBF’ers.”
Well, I for one, apologize. I thought you were joking, so I was laughing WITH you, not at you.
😉
December 31st, 2014 at 7:19 am
i thought rainey did well also. so he missed out on hester but he could of gotten josh cribbs for nothing
December 31st, 2014 at 11:14 am
Bobby rainey sucked as a punt returner and that’s a laugh saying our special teams was average because they wet the bed just as much as the offense but it shows how forgetful we get, they’ve been average for 4-5 games, the entire team has been horrible special teams is average? you named three schiano guys (4) and it’s 4 guys who have been here long enough to contribute more than they have especially leonard Johnson who started at the beginning of the season. wanna say they are average that’s fine and ill be ok with all of them coming back except Johnson since everytime he’s put in on defense he gets burnt by whoever he lines up against