“That Won’t Buy Him More Time”
February 11th, 2015
Could Lovie Smith get fired after the 2015 season?
Lots of Bucs fans and analysts think the answer to that question is, “Absolutely.”
Another garbage, NFC South basement season (5-11?) in the win-now NFL would end the regime, these folks believe. Especially in a league where first-year coaches often have success. See Andy Reid (2013) and Jim Caldwell, Bill O’Brien and (2014). Heck, O’Brien had garbage at quarterback and his No. 1 overall pick, Jadeveon Clowney, barely played. And we all know second-year coaches surely can win. See Raheem Morris (2010).
But there’s also a camp that believes Lovie would buy himself time, another pass for a dreadful season, by drafting a rookie quarterback, such as Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota. These folks think Team Glazer would never oust a coach less than a year after drafting a potential franchise QB.
Former Bucs guard Ian Beckles (1990-1996) is not in that latter group. The mere notion made Beckles hot on the radio this afternoon, during the Ron and Ian show on WDAE-AM 620.
“That won’t buy him more time,” Beckles said of Lovie.
“The Glazers don’t give a crap why you’re not winning.”
Beckles went on to say more losing from Lovie would make him “no better than Greg Schiano.”
Beckles remains horrified by Tampa Bay’s regression under Lovie and maintains the team is such a mess it should trade down out of the No. 1 overall pick to stock up on draft picks.
February 11th, 2015 at 2:19 pm
Trade down Twice
or
Mariota
February 11th, 2015 at 2:22 pm
Lmao beckles lol. Really?
Yea he’s the voice of reason lol.
I’m surprised that show is even on the air still.
Just dreadful.
February 11th, 2015 at 2:28 pm
Ian consistently makes valid points….
He overcame the odds, played nearly 10 years in the league….solid guard in the day, could use one like him today, rather than the bums they currently trot out there…
Of course “The Kevin” doesn’t like Ian….
He doesn’t like anything….
February 11th, 2015 at 2:28 pm
I think Lovie makes it past his 3rd year. when you factor in a new scheme and new coaches, you have to realize, it takes time. Now factor in a new quarterback and new OC, that should at least buy a year. But, all talk is meaningless if they win.
February 11th, 2015 at 2:29 pm
Trading down can make sense depending on where we land, and we get, obviously.
Winston comes from a more “pro-style” offense as we’ve all heard, but no one from Jimbo Fishers’s system has really had any success in the NFL, so how much does that really matter? He can definitely read defenses and make all the throws, but his footwork and wind-up mechanics need serious work. Can that be fixed? I’m also concerned about his squinting eyes. I like that he stands in there and makes throws into tight windows, but he was doing that against sub-par ACC defenses, and still had 17 INTs.
Mariota also looks to be able to make all the throws, though we have seen less throws into tight windows b/c of the system he came from in college. Not taking many snaps from under center doesn’t concern me. See: Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, or Peyton Manning. His throwing mechanics, release, and footwork are actually much better than Winston’s though, which makes me lean towards him. He is mobile, but he’s not a run-first guy, he keeps his eyes downfield and looks to pass before scrambling.
Every pick is a roll of the dice with the exception of guys like Luck and Manning. Both these guys are leaders, although in different ways. Who’s gonna lead us next year?
February 11th, 2015 at 2:29 pm
Joe doesn’t republish others’ full body of work here without permission. That’s against the law, even if other sites do it daily. –Joe
February 11th, 2015 at 2:30 pm
UCLA head coach Jim Mora, who has spoken very highly of Mariota in the past, took exception to Mayock’s comments. He came to Mariota’s defense on Tuesday during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, saying that he believes Mariota is a special player.
“I don’t agree with that,” Mora said. “And I would venture to say I’ve seen more of Marcus Mariota than Mike Mayock. And I respect Mike. If there is one voice out there that I’d listen to, it would be Mike because he does the work, he doesn’t poach off of other people’s information. He looks at the film, he’s active in calling coaches. But I don’t think that he’s a project. I think the guy is special, that’s just based upon playing him and evaluating and studying him for two years now.”
Mora went on to say that if he were in charge of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have the No. 1 pick in the draft, Mariota would be the easy pick.
“In my opinion he’s the best quarterback and the best player,” Mora said. “That’s my opinion based upon what I’ve seen, which is a lot of film of him. Anytime you start to go in depth in evaluating these players, you’re going to find holes. There is nobody that doesn’t have a weakness, a deficiency. But Marcus Mariota has such great character, he’s big, he’s fast, he’s strong, he can throw it. To me, he’s a sure thing.”
February 11th, 2015 at 2:37 pm
unbelievable Says:
I’m also concerned about his squinting eyes. I like that he stands in there and makes throws into tight windows, but he was doing that against sub-par ACC defenses, and still had 17 INTs.
——————————-
Freeman had a pretty odd look about him at times out there.
Cue the Winston Wankers in 3…2….
February 11th, 2015 at 2:37 pm
@tom
Beckles was solid? Haha funniest thing I’ve heard all day.
Being solid on terrible teams because no other teams wanted you is hardly solid lol.
Yea he has valid points on where to eat and what chick has a nice butt.
Pay attention and you’ll see that he always thinks he’s right no matter what anyone else says. Thinks he knows everything under the sun.
So some research and you’ll see you’re in the minority.
February 11th, 2015 at 2:48 pm
Love or hate Ian Beckles (and I go back and forth) he is usually right and makes a lot of valid points
February 11th, 2015 at 2:49 pm
SuperSam, why don’t you ask Dabo Swinney who he thinks the Bucs should take? Your infatuation with Jim Mora Jr’s assessment may be the dumbest take every made in these comment sections
February 11th, 2015 at 2:51 pm
If Lovie really does think that he has to win now, then he will not draft a rookie QB at #1
February 11th, 2015 at 2:55 pm
@CBH
Because Mora has had to prepare to play against Mariota multiple times and got beaten badly by him. He knows a lot more about Mariota than Mayock
February 11th, 2015 at 2:56 pm
HAHAHA I love smokescreens! Welcome to Tampa Mariota we cant wait to have you!! Im sure Lovie loves Winston just like he loved Manziel so much last year he wouldn’t get passed pick 7 right? HAHAHAHA Mariota is our new quarterback you guys better accept it or find a new team.
February 11th, 2015 at 3:01 pm
Mariota or multiple picks !
February 11th, 2015 at 3:02 pm
@SuperBuc
And he’s never played against JW so why would his opinion in this mean a damn thing? Seriously….ask Dabo Swinney the exact same thing and I promise you that he’d say Winston is the best QB he’s ever gone against. The difference is, no one is dumb enough to act like that is the end all be all of the discussion
February 11th, 2015 at 3:04 pm
MARIOTA TO EVANS!! TOUCHDOWN BABY!!
February 11th, 2015 at 3:09 pm
@ CBH
What is really off about your comment is that Winston was suspended for the Clemson game this year so it’s really hard to call a QB the best you’ve played against when he’s on the other sideline in street clothes because of dumba$$ behavior
February 11th, 2015 at 3:11 pm
Lovie can’t win fewer games in 2 years than Schiano did, that’s a really tough sell to keep him. The argument some would make to keep him, that he’s a long time NFL veteran head caoch, should actually be the reason he gets fired.
Schiano, with a similar roster and no NFL coaching experience, should not have more wins than Lovie after two years. That alone should get Lovie fired. If he goes 7-9 Raheem beat him in one year with substantially less talent. Lovie was sold as the best coach available last year, so for such a disastrous, embarrassing performance he outta be fired.
February 11th, 2015 at 3:12 pm
@ Cream
LOL, thanks for making a great argument for the Mariota fans
@ SuperBuc
LOL
February 11th, 2015 at 3:21 pm
I’m not a Lovie fan but you got to give a HC 4 years minimum.
February 11th, 2015 at 3:21 pm
Trades are harder than they look: Trade value for the Bucs #1 pick is 3000. If the Browns traded ALL of their picks, including the two first rounders, the total would still be less than 2900. What else do the Browns have that the Bucs might want? A 2016 first rounder doesn’t help this year and I doubt the Bucs would want Johnny M. who has been such a disaster already.
February 11th, 2015 at 3:24 pm
Well trading for the Browns would cost at least 3 first round picks, that was the cost for Washington to go from 6 to 2, so from 13-1 is at least 3 firsts and two seconds. But if the Browns are desperate, take advantage of that and get a bounty. With them being the Browns their #1 in 2016 could end up being the #1 pick overall. Imagine that working out? Getting 4-6 premium picks to just pick #1 a year later? We can only dream.
February 11th, 2015 at 3:25 pm
“SuperBuc Says:
February 11th, 2015 at 3:09 pm
@ CBH
What is really off about your comment is that Winston was suspended for the Clemson game this year so it’s really hard to call a QB the best you’ve played against when he’s on the other sideline in street clothes because of dumba$$ behavior”
Pretty sure Dabo’s memory of getting slobberknocked by a freshman Winston at home was still fresh.
51-14, Winston – 22/34 64.7%, 444 yds 3 tds 1int, plus 1 rushing td 197.6 rating.
February 11th, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Jameis demolished Clemson in ’13. Get your facts straight.
February 11th, 2015 at 3:31 pm
Jameis suspension….as I recall he didn’t have enough common sense to understand what suspend meant and had to be told to get off the field and out of his uni….he is going to come unglued in the NFL ,he is not emotionaly equipted nor prepared for the physical and mental beating rookie QB’s take
February 11th, 2015 at 3:34 pm
@ Love
I was at that game, and beleive me, Clemson really stunk. That’s what happens when you play football in a basketball conference
February 11th, 2015 at 3:40 pm
FOCUS GUYS – the question is can lovie survive another losing season? I say unfortunately yes he does bc TB fans for the most part are clueless and winning has never really been a priority except for when Malcolm Glazier had a pissing contest with Kraft to see who can build a better champion.
Today it’s about profits not wins. I don’t really think the org has much of a choice than to keep Loser I’m mean Lovie. Hi Kev.
February 11th, 2015 at 3:40 pm
Not a link party message board here. Thanks. –Joe
February 11th, 2015 at 3:43 pm
http://touch.orlandosentinel.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-82760736/
^^^
February 11th, 2015 at 3:45 pm
Let’s say the Bucs have another “stinker” of a season….less than 5 wins. Does that automatically signal the end to Lovie?
The answer lies in how they handle the QB situation.
1. If they try to run this team lead by another “Grossman”, then he’s gone.
2. If they draft a QB and force him to sit on the bench all or most of the year, then he’s gone.
3. But if they start out of the gate playing the new young stud, have some ups and downs by we see development and progress toward excellence, then we’re off to the races and Lovie is on much more solid footing.
February 11th, 2015 at 3:50 pm
JoeJoe, that moment was halirious, watching Jimbo talk to him on the sideline and his exasperation. When asked later what Winston was thinking, Jimbo shook his head and said something like, I don’t know! He said something about that what he always did and he was just supporting his team. It was strange but funny. But this also illustrates the point that a lot of the Jamis haters are overlooking. While suspended there was no bigger cheerleader on the field that day. He was enthusiastically running the sidelines all game long, cheering,yelling, hugging the backup QB when he came off the field. It’s that football passion that makes him a deadly competitor. He just changes the game when he is on the field.
February 11th, 2015 at 4:01 pm
Liar Smith and his goons were lucky to make it out of 2014 with a job. One of the worst Bucs teams the NFL has ever seen. How many coaches survive after leading their team to the No.1 overall pick? Not many, and if so, not soon after. The fans that aren’t tired of mediocrity have grown used to it, like the kevin.
February 11th, 2015 at 4:10 pm
I like Ian Beckles, but he was a mediocre guard at best and when he used to play we called him Ian Buckles up in the stands.
I don’t know why this makes him such an expert.
Whether he stays or goes will depend on a number of factors, just not L’s and W’s.
February 11th, 2015 at 4:15 pm
Fire Lovie now.
February 11th, 2015 at 4:20 pm
Lovies antics last year of anointing people starters without making them earn it on the field should have put him on his last legs as a HC. He needs significant improvement this year else he should be GONE! Bad player decisions, lack of discipline in coaching principles, him and Licht have a lot to prove!
February 11th, 2015 at 4:23 pm
The Glazers would have to seriously consider keeping Lovie if they draft a QB and the team improves overall. As long as the team is improving and any lack of success is directly attributed to a struggling rookie QB, it would be best to keep the current regime.
If the team doesn’t show any real improvement, it’s adios Lovie. This would be the worst case scenario for a rookie QB. A regime change and a new offensive system. Many cases could be made for bypassing a QB in this draft. Lovie’s lack of job security is one of them.
February 11th, 2015 at 4:23 pm
Dead last in the NFL! There is not much to debate here. Lovie did a horrible job last year. The leash has to be really short.
February 11th, 2015 at 4:42 pm
Sorry, a former average guard on a bad team, and a current radio personality, does not qualify for having the ear of the Glazer family.
I think if the Glazer’s turned to Tony Dungy for advice, they’re not going to oust his recommendation so quickly. Especially since the organization handed over the reigns to the team in order to stabilize the free-fall that had begun.
Firing Lovie fixes nothing, you have no plan, and no assurance that the next guy can fix it. Pittsburgh has proven what stability at the head coach position brings, you can’t keep firing your way to success. I was not a Lovie Smith fan prior to the hire, but his approach requires time and patience. He’s correcting several years of really bad personnel decisions, and he’s trying to bring some identity to the offense after several different philosophies/personnel groupings along the offensive line.
This is what happens when you fire a Jon Gruden and don’t have a good plan in place to replace him, then the guy you have to replace the replacement takes you in a complete DIFFERENT direction, and then you hire a new, new replacement…as I said at the time of firing Gruden – if you get it wrong, it’s an 8 to 10 year process.
We’re in year number 7…I think it’s safe to say that none of us are actually listening to idiot radio announcers or clueless fishwrap HACKS…
Did you hear that EYE-Rah, Dr Stroud, and Woody? Intelligent fans who’ve seen the likes of Leeman Bennet, Ray Perkins, Richard Williamson…and even Sam Wyche (who, as a head coach, made for an excellent GM)….we’re not really paying any attention to you – or the crap fans you’ve raised for the past 6 out of 7 years.
Lets keep it in one lane or the other – driving down both sides at the same time reveals you for the shallow hacks that you are.
Lovie has the ear of the Glazer family – you haven’t proven to know more, or better information. Your support of the team actually sucks, and you’re not doing the fanbase any service. Love wasn’t my choice, but in order to gain some consistency, you kinda have to give a proven commodity some extra time.
February 11th, 2015 at 4:56 pm
Ian speaks with an authority he does not have.
February 11th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
In your argument (White Tiger) it would appear that Greg Schiano (And Dominik) should have been given 1 -2 more years. Iknow many here hated Schiano but give the man some credit they played pretty damn hard for him (Example – Seattle) maybe he was not the long term solution but I would like to have seen what Schaino – Dominik could have done in 2014, Lovies 2 – 14 (Collins-Johnson-EDS) singings were atrocious or as bad as anything Dominik ever did (Haynesworth – Revis)
February 11th, 2015 at 5:18 pm
If Lovie feels like he has to win now then he will draft Leonard Williams who is the “win now” player in this draft
February 11th, 2015 at 5:38 pm
BirdDoggers Says:
February 11th, 2015 at 4:23 pm
The Glazers would have to seriously consider keeping Lovie if they draft a QB and the team improves overall. As long as the team is improving and any lack of success is directly attributed to a struggling rookie QB, it would be best to keep the current regime.
________________________________________________________________
Here’s the major problem with that approach: The bar is exceptionally low right now. 6-10 would be improvement….but it would leave Lovie 16 games under .500 after only two seasons. That is astronomically bad, Schiano, bad as he was, was only 10 games under .500. For Loive to be 60% worse, improvement or not, that should be fired.
Besides, if he drafts a QB and the team marginally improves, it’s the perfect time to fire him and get an offensive minded coach in here. Lovie being involved in a QB decision should cause more worry than hope. His track record, to say the least, is abysmal.
February 11th, 2015 at 5:38 pm
Yes Mr Patrick we draft a lineman and McCown takes the Bucs to the Super Bowl next year! Brilliant!
February 11th, 2015 at 5:40 pm
I’m leaning towards Mariota. Both QB’s represent a huge risk. There is a 46% bust rate with 1st round picks and the Bucs have certainly had their share.
If it’s 50-50 that either QB will make it I’d rather go for the one who would be fun to root for, not the self impressed juvenile jerk. Poor Jameis was probably doomed once he started reading the press clippings of “Fameis” Jameis.
He never seemed to learn the difference between famous and infamous!
At the end of the day though I agree with Mr. Patrick. If Lovie feels pressure to win now he won’t be picking ANY rookie QB’s. It’s either Williams or trade down if he gets enough picks to increase the odds of filling countless holes on this team.
February 11th, 2015 at 5:41 pm
Lovely needs 9 wins to match schianos record. MATCH not beat but match. #perspective
February 11th, 2015 at 5:54 pm
There is no “win now” pressure on Lovie. I think that’s what got us Raheem and Schiano. What you have now, is someone with a proven track record who is NOT someone you took a chance on. The Glazers hired Lovie, and then they hired Licht. Each has his area of expertise – but each came with certain demands.
With respect: you can’t insert Raheem Morris or Greg Schiano into the logic path. They were low cost/lightning in a bottle type risks. One was a highly sought after internal hire, the other was a friend of a coach outside of the organization.
Lovie is different. He is a proven commodity, he came in having proved himself with almost the same credentials as Gruden, having lost the super bowl he coached his team to…and he did so with mediocre offensive talent. You don’t have the same attitude with a veteran coach with a successful track record – not unless you want every proven coach to bypass Tampa for another 10 years. Nope, you’re stuck with Lovie for a while. The owners know it, so does the media – they’re just one trick ponies, they don’t know what’s REALLY wrong, so they stir up their readers to do the only thing they now how “fire the coach”.
It’s worked so far…
Unfortunately, it won’t work against Lovie – and if they value their careers (and they do) this stuff will subside. The Glazers are committed to Lovie – it doesn’t matter how many times these hacks write otherwise.
February 11th, 2015 at 5:54 pm
@ 4Lyfe
Listen to St. Pete. ^^ He speaks the Truth
February 11th, 2015 at 6:06 pm
Why is that mediocre players at best likeI Beckles, Shawn “buffet bar” King and Reidel Anthony’s opinions are even given any weight.
These guys couldn’t cut it as pros and I don’ think any lasted more than 7 years in the league.
What a waster of a pick Anthony was. Every time I see him on TV I want to do an Elvis on my 60 in Sony.
February 11th, 2015 at 6:32 pm
Trading down is a loser mentality
February 11th, 2015 at 6:44 pm
Bucs terminate McCown contract, does that mean they are bringing in another vet
February 11th, 2015 at 8:51 pm
I actually agree w Beckles on this one.
HOwever, I don’t agree that he should necessarily be fired just because of W’s and L’s! You gotta look at the team as a whole, and if we regress in the way that we moved backwards AS A WHOLE, he has to be shown the door. The exec decisions made last year were atrocious!
If this was a soccer team in Chile, we’d be marching on Lovie’s residence.
February 11th, 2015 at 8:52 pm
i’m not completely against trading back either. I’d rather guess right on 1 of 2 first round draft picks than pick wrong at the QB spot….. AGAIN
February 12th, 2015 at 8:30 am
We can only that Lovie is fired after this season no matter what the reason. Lovie is a moron and we will never win anything with him as our coach. I had hope they would fire him this year.
February 12th, 2015 at 12:56 pm
Man won double digit games 8 out 9 seasons in chicago. Went to a superbowl with rex grossman as his trigger man and won a ring with the rams as DC but he’s a moron and needs to be fired. Please. Thank god Jerry Jones gave Jimmiy Johnson some time after going 1and 15 his first season.