Lovie Identifies Starting Rotation At DE
March 25th, 2015
Lovie talked to Joe about DEs
The Bucs were in the hunt this offseason for manbeast, bad-boy defensive end Greg Hardy, after they lost a bid for veteran DE Trent Cole, who took his 85.5-sack resumé to Indianapolis.
So now what?
Today in Arizona, Joe asked Lovie Smith where he stands at the position.
Keep in mind the Bucs return to the practice field in about 3 1/2 weeks.
JoeBucsFan.com: Last year you used the term “starting rotation” a lot in March. What would that be now at defensive end, and is Henry Melton in the mix there?
Lovie Smith: Well, you just look at who we had last year; I’m just going with guys who took a step up, I think. Jack Smith did a good job. How many sacks, 6 1/2 sacks like that. That’s ok with limited amount of play. You go through Jack, Larry English, Lawrence [Sidbury]. T.J. Fatinikun, just of all the players, this guy was a security guard working, playing in the Arena league without a per diem. And now he just got better and better. Those are four young players, you start, you know. We like all of them. We like the direction they’re headed. And again, we have the draft.
It’s interesting that Lovie left out DE Will Gholston but was quick to mention Sidbury, who Jason Licht dropped major love on before season’s end. Joe included Melton since he lined up some at end for Dallas last season, but it seems Lovie didn’t want to go there.
Yes, the Bucs could use upgrades at defensive end. As Lovie said, the draft awaits, and it’s supposed to be very deep in edge-rush talent.
March 25th, 2015 at 6:20 pm
Those names should strike fear in the hearts of NFL quarterbacks everywhere!
March 25th, 2015 at 6:20 pm
If your a high draft pick then people are more quick to throw around the bust word. This is how you become a household name, seems alot of people will get a shot this summer just hope some promising high draft pick is in the mix from the second or third round
March 25th, 2015 at 6:20 pm
How can this be when we haven’t drafted Donte Fowler yet?
March 25th, 2015 at 6:28 pm
Jasmith 6.5 sacks is okay? Pound for pound best production on the dline.
March 25th, 2015 at 6:33 pm
Lovie used ac lot of FA money last year and gave up the whole draft on offense last year. This year,going with Famous No1. I am sure he wants a new toy (DE)
to play with at No.2 Then he will worry about OL in rds. 3&4. IMO
March 25th, 2015 at 6:40 pm
As TBBF points out. It’s not as important where the sacks come from as long as they come. If it’s a team effort and the total numbers are good I don’t mind not having a “star”. In fact I prefer a team effort because a “star” can get hurt and then you lose a big part of your rush. Can you say GMC?
TBBF makes another excellent point. It’s not just sacks. That may be the glamour stat but QB hurries are also good and how about some freaking batted and tipped passes.
March 25th, 2015 at 6:48 pm
As long as he doesn’t go all Josh McNown on us and start anointing actual starters
March 25th, 2015 at 6:55 pm
I know gmc benefited off of ja smith pressure
March 25th, 2015 at 6:58 pm
Jacqueis, TJ, Larry and Lawrence, holy smokes this reminds me way too much of our CB scenario a few years back
March 25th, 2015 at 7:00 pm
Draft williams n we will have a top 3 d line
March 25th, 2015 at 7:04 pm
Hey DB. You hit the nail on the head. GMC makes those around him better. If he had another player of his caliber on the line it would make the other two guys look like superstars. Sapp and Rice made McFarland what he was. No disrespect to Booger whatsoever but when you have Two beasts applying pressure it gets alot easier for you to make plays that get funnelled your way
March 25th, 2015 at 7:10 pm
Hey DB. You hit the nail on the head. GMC makes those around him better. If he had another player of his caliber on the line it would make the other two guys look like superstars. Sapp and Rice made McFarland what he was. No disrespect to Booger whatsoever but when you have Two beasts applying pressure it gets alot easier for you to make plays that get funnelled your way
March 25th, 2015 at 7:12 pm
No disrespect to Ja Smith either. He was the only one that knew how to step up and unite with GMC in the QB quest.
March 25th, 2015 at 7:23 pm
I’d like to see more LB, CB & Safety action this year…..LVD’s sack #s fell off due in part to the scheme.
After last year’s disaster with Johnson….I’m OK taking some chances with some young guys wanting to be Bucs and wanting to excel.
March 25th, 2015 at 7:30 pm
Let’s keep this simple:
1. Marcus for QB
2. Chip for HC
3. Big Dog for GM
—BOOM—–
March 25th, 2015 at 7:34 pm
People are quick to attack Lovie’s offensive ineptitude, and justifiably so to a degree. I’m willing to give him the credit of knowing defense. He’s been pretty solid over the years when in comes to the front 7. If he sees talent in what we have, I’ll trust him on that. He’s a defensive guy, let him coach up the defense. I suspect the offense is where we need a genuine injection of talent.
March 25th, 2015 at 7:48 pm
Barry Says:
March 25th, 2015 at 7:30 pm
“Let’s keep this simple.”
Everyone already knows you’re simple Barry…
March 25th, 2015 at 8:01 pm
TBBF — “some young guys wanting to be Bucs and wanting to excel.”
You hit the primary issue in my mind. Guys who want to be Bucs. For several years now the Packers roll out a roster which is %90 or more players they drafted. These are guys who are Packers with no allegiance or desire to be anything else. This matters, it creates team culture and unity. We need to start operating like this.
March 25th, 2015 at 8:13 pm
It remains to be seen if Jacqueis Smith can maintain his play from last year to next and also if he can do it for a whole season. But I tell you what – that young man was tearing it up at DE last year. Not only did he get the 6.5 sacks himself playing well less than 1/2 the defensive snaps on the year – he also set other linemen up for sacks quite a few times with his frequent pressure. The kid had some real ‘want to’ in him – and the contrast to what M. Johnson was putting on tape was stark as night and day.
I feel very comfortable that we will be fine this year at whatever spot Jack Smith is lining up at. So all we need is for 1 of the other promising young-uns or a draft pick to step up and have a breakout year. It’s certainly possible that we are in better shape right now at DE than anyone thinks. Steve White sure seems to think so in talking about J. Smith, Fatinikum and Gholston – and I respect Steve’s opinion quite a bit – especially when he is talking about D-linemen.
March 25th, 2015 at 8:48 pm
We don’t need distractions off the field like civil lawsuits and possible thefts in the 813. Big Dog said a 2nd woman is going after JW in court and his source is incredible! Big Dog knows it all-just listen to 620 if u don’t believe me guys
March 25th, 2015 at 8:54 pm
buc
You funny. Nothing or no one will stop you. You’re hired as attitude coach for the buccos.
March 25th, 2015 at 8:59 pm
Buc
If you wanna get jacked search YouTube Jameis Winston and watch the 14 min highlight reel. He’s throwing receivers open, effecient in the red zone, throwing bombs with defensive players hitting him as he throws. They even show his scrabbling abilities. It’s beautiful man, beautiful, even nicer than Kate uptons sucking on a Popsicle. Nah it’s not that nice but it’s impressive.
March 25th, 2015 at 9:00 pm
Hey TBBF can you find Pablo to find out what he thinks about Tequila, Smokescreens, and Censorship.
March 25th, 2015 at 9:02 pm
Hey DB. For you I will go watch that. And thanks for the reference. Us Real Bucs fans have to stick together.
March 25th, 2015 at 9:03 pm
Lovie scares the hell out of me – everything he says!
March 25th, 2015 at 9:06 pm
Should I watch the first 15 minutes of the Fla game again tool LOL Just joshin man. Im ready for him if he is the pick bro. Im not a hater
March 25th, 2015 at 9:06 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo was asked what he thinks about Tequilla, Smoking Screens & Seniorship….well, Pablo loves Tequilla…many don’t know that it has many household uses….like killing the crabs….kick-starting fire logs and spiking tacos….as for smoking screens…Pablo has never smoked one but thinks he will try it. Pablo wonders how to light a screen…so Pablo will pour some tequilla on it….now as for Seniorship….Pablo believes in that….Pablo respects Senior citizens like TBBF”
March 25th, 2015 at 9:10 pm
Lovie loves his marginal talent if he feels they fit his system.
March 25th, 2015 at 9:11 pm
Man, Pablo is always on time for this buc fan.
March 25th, 2015 at 9:19 pm
I’m trying not to overreact and say I can’t wait until Lovie gets fired… I don’t mean that I’m pretty sure I don’t mean that
March 25th, 2015 at 9:20 pm
See Barry…nobody CARES anymore…
My wife, she calls Erica Kinsman a gold digging, cleat chasing ho.
March 25th, 2015 at 9:23 pm
What’s with the bog today Joe. Your pages are taking about a good 8-10 seconds load. A lot of traffic, server overload?
March 25th, 2015 at 9:44 pm
Barry has a point..Big Dog knows his stuff and could work hard to be a GM one day. He knows a lot, but I still prolly know more.Go Bucs and Vanderbilt
March 25th, 2015 at 9:45 pm
I tell ya what. If I do get down there this October I will definitely shoot out a way for you guys to contact me so maybe I could catch a game with y’all.
March 25th, 2015 at 9:46 pm
Has this site gone mad? It does take longer to open pages…Maybe if Melton, J. Smith and a draft pick we can form a somewhat average pass rush at best
March 25th, 2015 at 9:47 pm
@Mike10 – I won’t overreact either, but I WILL SAY I CAN”T WAIT UNTIL LOVIE IS FIRED
March 25th, 2015 at 9:48 pm
@87’sCool side:
Let me know when you coming down, I get discounts on Bucs’ tickets and we can tailgate too
March 25th, 2015 at 9:51 pm
Barry and Myron – gonna have to disagree, just because someone acts like they know everything doesn’t mean they do. Just bc they like to be the only one heard, doesn’t mean what their saying is right. If he was our GM, we would still be paying off a $100mil Freeman contract, and yet still be the first team calling him in for a tryout now
March 25th, 2015 at 9:53 pm
haha NJ you said it not me
March 25th, 2015 at 9:56 pm
Big Dog for President!
March 25th, 2015 at 9:59 pm
Watching Andrew luck on nfln sound fx cussing his teammates out. Lol
March 25th, 2015 at 10:20 pm
Big Dog, lol.
Has all the info on Winston, but can not tell you. But has no idea what happen to Freeman who is a good friend!!!
March 25th, 2015 at 11:13 pm
Winston’s agent is going to negotiate an early signing in return for Winston going to Chicago……
My prediction….you heard it here first.
Winston wants to be the face of the franchise and his face needs to be on the stage getting his #1 Bucs jersey & hat from Goodell.
If Winston is the Bucs pick….they don’t need to put him through going on the clock and exhausting all trade opportunities…..they need to sign him and send he and his entire family to Chicago!!!
March 26th, 2015 at 1:08 am
People bringing up the packers conveniently overlook that they went from one hall if fame qb directly to another. Without them they would be just like every other team. Lucky enough to be able to do it is what they are and that luck will run out eventually.
March 26th, 2015 at 1:14 am
Or sign him and send his entire family to tampa before the draft. How cool would that be, if on draft day instead of being recorded at his house, they recorded him at Raymond James Stadium right after they call his name at the draft. With the first pick in the 2015 NFL draft, the tampa bay buccaneers select… Jameis Winston- cut to Winston celebrating with family and friends on a big podium at Ray Jay with thousands of screaming fans cheering him on and celebrating! That would be awesome, and I would definitely be at the stadium for that. Sure beats being booed in Chicago. Seriously, somebody make this happen lol.
March 26th, 2015 at 1:23 am
Sure beats being booed in Chicago.
——————————–
Exactly. Makes no sense why people seem so desperate for Winston to go to Chicago when we can see the samething at his house or in Tampa. No need to put the kid through the booing and stupidity of Chicago. I could careless where he puts the hat on and where he holds up the jersey.
March 26th, 2015 at 1:24 am
Dare I say we probably would have more people in attendance for that than for any home game last season lol.
March 26th, 2015 at 1:34 am
This team sucks.
March 26th, 2015 at 2:54 am
Hahaha the people on here that claim Leonard Williams can play DE and get sacks as a DE is so funny . If Leonard Williams was gonna come too TB he would of had a visit & he would of been talked about frequently . He hasn’t because we have GMC and he is a DT. He is slow and not very good as a 4-3 DE . Sure he probably could play vs a lot of the leagues RTs with just physical strength , but I doubt he gets sacks . He has too be quick and he isn’t . He needed too run like a 4.7 or 4.8 and he needed to be closer too 280 if he wanted too be a DE in TB,
March 26th, 2015 at 3:05 am
The best bet is too take Winston No 1 , then #2 take Jake Fisher OT and rotate fisher and dotson around at LT and RT . With the 3rd rd pick we have the opportunity too go after a number of players / or positions of you rather call it.
Slot WR , G , FS , DE
Tyler Lockett slot WR / KR
His dad was drafted by TB
Tre Jackson Winstons G in college
Smith loves jackson FYI…
Gerod Hollimon FS
Ncaa all time interception leader in one season had 14 picks .
That’s crazy and almost unbelievable . Lol
He’s certainly a ballhawk with coverage skills . He lacks tackling skills though from what I heard and isn’t very good in run support . Not a huge need in my opinion either . Tandy will likely get his chance too start.
Last but not least DE Nate Orchard , led NCAA in sacks last season at Utah . Has the height but is a little small at 250 lbs for a 4-3 DE , he could do it I think at LE though and that’s where he would play in TB so why not give him a shot . We can always get a guard in the 4th John miller looks talented . If we go tre Jackson in the 3rd we won’t have a DE in the 4th too look at probably.