Lovie Smith: No. 13
March 15th, 2015
In some ways, Bucs coach Lovie Smith has been living a charmed life.
Since 2003, only three coaches who guided their teams to the worst record in the NFL survived to coach the same team the following season. That list includes Marty Schottenheimer, Steve Spagnuolo and Lovie.
The main reason Lovie survived 2-14 is his resumé. In breaking down where he would rank Lovie among current NFL coaches, veteran sports columnist Gary Shelton believes Lovie is somewhere in the middle of the pack, specifically at No. 13, so he writes on his own site, GarySheltonSports.com.
Let’s go through them: Smith is obviously behind Belichick and Carroll and Harbaugh. He’s behind McCarthy and Fox and Coughlin. I’d rank him behind Tomlin and Sean Payton and Chip Kelly. I’d have him behind Bruce Arians and Chuck Pagano and Andy Reid.
I’d probably put him pretty close to even with Marvin Lewis and Ron Rivera. Maybe Rex Ryan goes in that class.
So who is he ahead of? The new guys, for one, who have never won an NFL game. That’s Dan Quinn, Jim Tomsula and Todd Bowles. He’s better than Mike Pettine. I’d rather have him than Joe Philbin. I’m not a Jeff Fisher guy. He’s ahead of Ken Whisenhunt and Jim Caldwell and Gus Bradley. He’s ahead of Bill O’Brien and Jay Gruden and Mike Zimmer.
Shelton also noted most coaches who finish last and whiff terribly in free agency, as Lovie did last spring, are often looking for work.
This sure makes one wonder what win total Lovie must attain this year in order to feel safe at night?
March 15th, 2015 at 8:09 am
Well, actual coaching not withstanding, this free agency class will either prove he’s got a better eye for player evaluation than we thought, or solidify once and for all the belief that he operates under a personal-loyalty led cluelessness.
Having the top (or near top) pick in each draft round should make anyone a bit “luckier”, too. Hard to picture the Glazers letting him buy the groceries ever again if this year doesn’t manifest a better team.
March 15th, 2015 at 8:09 am
Lovie Smith will be given the time he needs to build a winner…..like it or not.
The Glazers know they can’t just churn coaches….they really don’t have another good option.
March 15th, 2015 at 8:20 am
I didn’t think I would agree with the 13, but after looking at the list I do. I personally would switch Pagano and Whisenhunt. Pagano hasn’t really done anything except let Andrew Luck fall in his lap. It seems to me Luck is improving but the Colts, not so much. Some people are Jeff Fisher guys, and some are not, so that is kind of a toss up. I am a Jeff Fisher guy though. But at the end of the day, I pretty much agree with this.
March 15th, 2015 at 8:21 am
There are 2 items that will make the biggest impact on Lovie keeping his job beyond this year.
1. Is the new franchise QB developing and showing signs of being the future of the franchise……in other words…..HOPE.
2. Is the defense meshing together and starting to look like the great defenses of old? In other words…..HOPE.
If those two signs aren’t showing, Lovie will be GOING.
March 15th, 2015 at 8:26 am
The pieces are coming together,a little patience and we’ll be fine. He’s a defensive head coach that side of the ball will be top 10 or better for many years under him. The QB throwing passes to a talent like the monster 13 tells me that offense will be a long a long way from shabby as well. I’ma a long way from being an expert,but when I break things down in my mind I see Lovies football team bring scary good over the duration of a lengthy period. We’ve been down so long,don’t think a little more patience is going to destroy anyone rooting for the Buccs.
March 15th, 2015 at 8:29 am
Irony alert about Lovie’s “resume” being why he kept his job: When you break his resume down further, he’s really mediocre. Check out his record against .500 or better teams (i.e. the teams we need to beat to win the Super Bowl). It’s rather pathetic for such an allegedly good coach.
March 15th, 2015 at 8:29 am
How long can Lovie live off that one Super Bowl appearance?
Other first year coaches like Bill o’brien and mike Pettiness won more than loser Lovie. I’d but good money on another 3-5 win season in 2015. If so he’s gotta go. Rookie QB or not.
Glad I didn’t renew my tickets
March 15th, 2015 at 8:30 am
And Dean your exactly right with what you stated. I firmly believe both of which this up coming season will happen.
March 15th, 2015 at 8:44 am
He has to win 11 games just to pull even with Raheem Morris. Enough said.
Lovie will never win a super bowl period. If Shelton really broke down his record, his only summarization would be, Mediocre coach getting a free pass for a super bowl LOSS nearly ten years ago.
Good guy garbage coach / gm.
Next coach please
March 15th, 2015 at 8:54 am
I like some of the optimism here this morning. I have faith that Lovie can turn this ship around, this season will be a big sign. This FA period makes me nervous because the have yet to bring in O-line and DE competition. I would love to see Greg Hardy come in. Cecil Shorts could be a nice addition in the slot as well.
March 15th, 2015 at 8:54 am
Lovie needs 6 wins, if the Bucs QB of the future ( whomever that may be) actually plays like someone the owners and fans want to be the QB of the future. If we don’t have that, then minimum 10 wins or a playoff berth.
March 15th, 2015 at 8:54 am
Agree with Chef Paul about the rankings themselves. And like Chef I’m a Jeff Fisher guy. I think he and Lovie are pretty much in the same place this year. Both have hopefully improved teams. We’ll see.
As to what record? I think we focus too much on numbers without paying attention to how that number is reached. Gruden’s record wasn’t his undoing, it was the collapse at the end of the year.
And so if Lovie won 6 of his first 8 and then only 2 of the next 8 losing the final six it would be perceived differently than if he wins 2 of the first 8 but 6 of the next with a three game win streak at the end. Both are 8-8 but there would be a world of difference in the reaction from all of us.
2-14 sucks! There is no sugar coating that. But what disturbed me as much as that number and NO chance at the playoffs was HOW they got there.
I grew up in Cincinnati and so all my family, cousins, are all Bengas fans. When they get cranky as we are right now with the Bucs they call their team the Bungles…because they mess things up. The Sucks is just too generic to describe the 2014 Bucs. Anybody got a nickname for a team that LOST almost as many games as they were beaten.
E.G. Sometimes you play well enough but as they say the other guys have talent and are getting paychecks too. Sometimes the other team plays worse than you and yet your team finds a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Can you say 2014 Bucs?
March 15th, 2015 at 9:02 am
Chuck Noll won 1 game his first year with the Steelers. He’s in the Hall of Fame. Let’s see what he does with a real offensive coordinator. 7-9 quite possible. New Orleans is in a train wreck. Atlanta has many holes to plug and no depth. Carolina doesn’t really scare anyone.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:03 am
@bucrightoff
he’s really mediocre. Check out his record against .500 or better teams
That is a great point! Really got me to thinking. But to drive it home you need to give us some context and perspective.
I’m a bit suspicious that most coaches pad their records by beating the weaker teams to offset their losses against the good teams.
But you point is very interesting and I’d love to know how other coaches stack up by the metric.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:04 am
The thing that scares me most about right now is
1. I think he may go off reservation and not take a quarterback in the draft
2. He didnt really go after any Oline help in FA. Either L & L have some master plan and all will be well soon enough, OR, they dont think the OL is as bad as the rest of the world, and that is F-ing terrifying. How cioud you ignore the BIGGEST issue on the team when there were solid NFL vets out there looking to be scooped up.
These are just a few reasons that keep me second guessing this duo as the brains behind the franchise.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:06 am
Hey Joe. Why not run another Lovie confidence poll after not signing any OLine talent. See what we have to say now.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:15 am
Well, I think it would take a huge break down for him to be fired after this year, because the team almost has to be much better.
In fact, I believe the Buccaneers may well compete, at least defensively.
Take the cowboys, for example. The first year of Monte’s defense (the same one) they sucked. The second year they were a playoff team.
I still think we have needs to address, but unlike others, I don’t think it has to be done all in the first week of free agency.
On offense, we have to be improved. We’ll actually have a real OC, and that is worth at least 3-5 more wins by itself. Having a good QB (either Winston or Mariota), even as a rookie, will add another couple wins (say 2). It’s the offensive line that is up in the air, and that will all depend on the draft and the remainder of free agency…or any trades that occur.
I like the idea of getting a good center and moving EDS to guard. I think that fixes two spots with one move, saving us developmental time. Then we just have to focus on tackle in the draft.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:19 am
Let’s revisit this question in five years. Defensive head coach along with top level QB play equates to superbowl wins. Ask ya boy Belichek. Lovie had 22 didn’t starting QBs during his tenure in Chicago. I imagine this conversation would be a lot different had he had franchise QB during that span. Jamies will prove to be everything to Lovies legacy.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:20 am
buddha Says:
March 15th, 2015 at 9:02 am
Chuck Noll won 1 game his first year with the Steelers. He’s in the Hall of Fame. Let’s see what he does with a real offensive coordinator. 7-9 quite possible. New Orleans is in a train wreck. Atlanta has many holes to plug and no depth. Carolina doesn’t really scare anyone
________________________________________________________
Chuck Noll was a 1st year NFL head coach when that happened. Lovie entered year 10 and went 2-14. Not even remotely comparable. I get people are going to injury themselves stretching things to make Lovie seem better than he is, but his resume speaks for itself. This isn’t a rookie head coach, we aren’t going to see substantive changes to him, he is who he is at this point and isn’t changing. And who he is based on the resume is very mediocre.
If people are cool being in the 6-10 to 10-6 cycle with a playoff appearance every 3 to 4 years and no shot of actually winning the Super Bowl, Lovie is your guy. Some just wanna do better.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:22 am
What a laugh. JOHN FOX AND RX RYAN????!!!!!! This guy doesn’t know his coaches very well. John Fox is a joke. He did nothing in Carolina, got fired, and failed to get over the hump and win the Super Bowl in two years with the best offensive setup in the league. Rex Ryan is just Rex Ryan…..an overrated guy who will never amount to anything more than an entertaining loud mouth. I would put Lovie down as the equivalent to Andy Reid. Totally different people with two completely different style of coaching…..but I put Lovie and Reid on the same level. No way in hell I would put Ron Riveria, John Fox, Rex Ryan ahead of Lovie. All others are correct though
March 15th, 2015 at 9:22 am
And OMG,give it rest with the Oline crying. We are a ways away from week one of next seasons opening day. It is my belief that the Oline will have been addresses I some form before that time. Geeez.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:23 am
I have no faith in Lovie based on history and facts. He burnt thru oc’s in Chicago, inherited the stars, questionable personnel moves and poor game day adjustments. Lovie will have a couple good seasons surrounded by mediocrity that’s what history proves. What’s going to be the end of Lovie is his inability to quickly adapt. His stubborn philosophies will kill him. He is so stubborn by time he adjusts you look up and bad four win team is a disaster 2 win team. Don’t discount the Way he lost too. I love my team. I’d rather face the facts then live in fantasy land believing Lovie will suddenly learn how to build a oline. He has not in 10 years why now. Lack of signings and two of the signings being players needing prove it deals and the other he is going to switch positions are a total indictment of Lovie’s failures last year. He doesn’t get credit for fixing his own mistakes this year either.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:25 am
Charm ?…. VooDoo charm
March 15th, 2015 at 9:27 am
Kevin
You might want to do a little research on Fox before running off at the mouth.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:28 am
If the Bucs take a QB in the draft, Lovie and the coaching staff should be retained for the 2016 season, regardless of the record in 2015. Rookie QBs need stability. Bringing in a new coaching staff and having him learn a new system would more than likely slow his development. New coaches like to bring in their own players, even QBs. The first pick in this draft could be wasted and another rebuild in order. If Lovie has a bad season this year, he needs to be stripped of any offensive decision making, if he already hasn’t. Let the GM and coordinator make the decisions on that side of the ball but keep the coaching staff in place. Like him or not, Lovie needs to be given at least three years, for the sake of the prized rookie QB and stability.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:35 am
BirdDoggers
As much as I can’t stand Lovie you maybe right. It’s not like bucs will contend this year or the following with all the holes on roster. I’m also not confident the glazer boys have the balls to clip Lovie’s wings. The boys have not got one coaching hire right
March 15th, 2015 at 9:39 am
SO if Lovie’s record after 2 seasons is say 5-27, but he drafted a QB, he should be brought back? Why? With a 5-27 team there’s clearly no foundation or a very poor foundation. Cut bait and walk away before things get worse. You can keep Koetter and fire Lovie you know right?
I mean if he goes 2-14, 3-13 but drafts a QB, he’s automatically safe just for drafting a QB? And people wonder why we’re such a horrible franchise? Drafting a QB should not buy Lovie anytime; quite the opposite in fact, since all I ever hear is “Lovie would be so much better with a QB”.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:41 am
@Birddoggers
I agree about the extra season given to Lovie if err when we take a rookie QB. Even great QBs need time to develop. Rookie Elway lining up behind a guard instead of the center was a classic. Lol. Time and patience will be required for a bit.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:46 am
Everyone cheered so loud for Lovie when he was hired, much like Reid and Schottenheimer he has a record of being a good regular season coach only. Don’t whine now that you got what you wanted. I don’t care what Coach the Bucs have if they will just keep one long enough to succeed. Don’t be surprised if the Buc’s trade down for picks, Lovie did say that Glennon is our future. Quit listening to the fans Glazers, run your organization the way that YOU think is best.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:46 am
Free agency can not being going as planned. No way Melton and Conte were priorities. If they were that is scary. They missed out on any potential starters early on. Even if Mankins survives another year you still need 4 starters on the oline. So Nole it is panic time for oline. Second wave is not going to produce 2 starters. You can’t expect more than 3 starters from draft. It’s scary no matter how you look at it. Go look at roster right now. Let’s of work
March 15th, 2015 at 9:46 am
I agree, Joe….it would be a good time for another Lovie Confidence Poll…..I think his stock rose considerably with the hiring of Koetter & the cutting of McCown, Collins & Johnson…
March 15th, 2015 at 9:48 am
Lots
March 15th, 2015 at 9:48 am
Lovie will be here minimally till the end of 2016 season. He will be expected this year to triple the team’s win total to 6. He would have to have not passed on taking a quarterback with the first overall pick in the draft. He will have to show that he can out coach the opponent’s coach during close games, especially in the 4th quarter. He, Licht or someone on the staff must show they are better evaluators of talent in FA/Draft. By the end of the 2016 season he must have a team that can play at least .500 ball or preferably better.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:51 am
Tampabaybucfan
Why should confidence rise when all Lovie did is admit his mistakes. They were still HIS mistakes. The roster is worse now then when season ended. No doubt about that
March 15th, 2015 at 9:51 am
Nole on sat…. As a WHITE man you make me sick. Nice race baiting comments you douche
March 15th, 2015 at 9:52 am
I can’t understand why he still has a job. The Defensive expert made a bad team worse in all facets including defense.
I don’t buy he lost his OC because he had no back up to him nor did he get any and just let the offense flop around.
His defense and the players that keep playing that were no good was beyond loyalty but more like a deer caught in a headlight not knowing what to do.
The QB and offensive line plus the lack of plays was like someone on something that made them like they didn’t care.
I think almost any other coach experienced or not, would have done better, even Joe would have done better except for drafting Johnny Football instead of ME13, and he would have made that work, so I just don’t understand why Lovie still has a job.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:54 am
People out here are so clueless and fickle. Memory retention is in short supply.
For years the team was castigated by fans for not diving into FA and spending more money.
Either it was a caveat of Lovie taking the job or due to a dictum by the NFL, the team spent a lot of money on FA’s.
Unfortunately three of them turned out to be duds. One, McClown, was no doubt hampered by an inept inexperienced OC who had no business in the position but due to a medical emergency on the staff, there was nowhere else to go.
Because the team was in such dismal shape from over 10 years of bad drafting, FA signings and terrible personnel moves, the team paid to much for two of those players.
Due to those two nightmarish moves and the outrage by fans, the team has moved a little moe cautiously this year in FA.
So what do we hear from people out here.
Outrage because the team has ignored signing an edge rusher or starting OL.
To my knowledge the team has tried to sign both, but it is apparently shying away from giving the sweetheart contacts that allowed two signings to put in any type of effort for the team last year.
Not only that, but an overwhelming number of experts claimed the Bucs had the best FA signings of any team last year.
But despite all of this evidence to the contrary, we hear the same Debbie Downers post the same ill informed opinions day after day.
There has only really Ben one high tier OL out there on the market and the Bucs pursued him and he is still unsigned.
The same is true for an edge rusher except he comes with a lot if baggage including a number of upcoming game suspensions that remain unknown.
But despite all the evidence and facts to the contrary you still see the same mindless accusations posted every single day.
Much of this is posted by people who have an unbridled hate of all things Lovie which is based on matters that are not empirically related to football.
BTW Bucrightoff, you are the only one who at least bases his opinion on a credible statistic which might suggest why it is so important to have a winning QB behind center.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:56 am
Nole on Sat.
We were all crying about the Oline last year too. And what did they do? Waited to sign other teams cast offs and made a trade for a player that was both old and really embedded in the city he was playing in. Mankins DID NOT want to be here and it showed on the field.
My problem is that Lovie didnt learn his lesson from last season. And since many of us around here have such a problem with past behavior patterns, Im really in awe that we arent beating the Oline drum much louder. There were plenty of experienced vets available and we did nothing to improve our weakest links.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:58 am
Lovie is the only head coach to lose to Peyton Manning in a big game.
No one can choke away a big game like Peyton.
March 15th, 2015 at 9:59 am
Where would Chucky rank on this list?
March 15th, 2015 at 10:00 am
This is the NFL not the NCAA. EVERY team has a chance to improve dramatically from year to year and you see it all the time.
AGAIN…it’s not the 2-14 it’s how we got there!
Just look at the first six games before the bye last year.
WE LOSt the home opener. It’s not like the Panthers kicked out butts. It was a six point choke by the Bucs
The Rams LOSS was even worse! We should have gone to Atlanta 2-0.
The Falcons contest we got a true asssswhipping no other way to put it. 2-1
We come back and beat the Steelers IN Pittsburgh with the QB who should have started EVERY game. 3-1
We got to New Orleans and should have had two road wins in a row behind the QB who should have started all year and we’re 4-1
Then the Ravens came to town and they were simply a better team. No excuse there! 4-2
We could have EASILY gone into the bye week 4-2!!! Would that have changed the remainder of the season?
I know if the bullfrog had wings he wouldn’t bump his arse on the big rocks when he jumps. Coulda shoulda woulda and all that. And so we are what a record says we are for 2014…a HORRIBLE team. But there is plenty of room for optimism that we can turn that around quickly even looking at that horrible season.
March 15th, 2015 at 10:03 am
Lovie inherited a bad team. No depth lots of holes. Years of bad drafting. No starting caliber Qb. He had no OC that is a recipe for failure. One free agency one draft and people think this team should be Super Bound the first year really. Yes they swung big time for the fence in free agency and missed but guess what pretty much every nfl expert said the BUC’s won free agency before the season started. He made the mistake of bringing in Mccown but I understand why he at the time was the best free agent QB available and who wouldn’t want to walk into a new job with people you know and trust. Guess what having Arroyo run the offense doesn’t help I don’t care who your QB is. For the people saying Lovie should keep his hands of the offense guess what he does he always delegates and is hands off. We now have a good OC hopefully draft the right QB. I am tired of losing to but guess what you can’t win by changing your coach every two years.
March 15th, 2015 at 10:05 am
^too
March 15th, 2015 at 10:20 am
@OB
Lovie has his job because when hired he was a trusted entity in the area. He is associated with Father Dungy and a reminder of a time at least heading up to our Super Bowl victory. He was welcomed as a HC with NFL experience. Not a coach from college (Schiano) who was medicore at best even at that level. Changing coaches too often sets the team back several years. The Tampa 2 is a system that often comes with a significant learning curve. The defense should show improvement this year. The offense last year was disgraceful, but Koetter I believe will help the offense play considerably better. Adding a more talented quarterback and having success in the draft will obviously improve this team and keep Lovie’s job in place for at least a couple of more years.
March 15th, 2015 at 10:20 am
He’ll get enough time to either win or fail, the Glazer’s can’t afford another Tony Dungy backlash if you know where I’m headed with this. I appreciate everything Dungy did for this team & this community. But Chucky was hated by many, even after bringing home the Lombardi trophy. All I heard was that was Dungy’s team he took to the super bowl. Yeah he might have took over “Dungy’s Team” but if it weren’t for Chucky getting us over the hump & drawing up plays like Jurevicous over the middle in philly. We wouldn’t of ever won anything in this town! Oh & that was one of Chucky’s guys who caught that pass. I wish Lovie the best because I know he’s here for the long haul as Dungy was. And Raheem doesn’t count,lol
March 15th, 2015 at 10:23 am
This year will be a prove it year for Lovie. If the defense actually clicks and Koetter is as advertised it should be noticeable on the field and it will result in a much better record. I’m not as concerned about the record, I just want to see more turnovers, sacks and a run game this season…The wins will follow if those areas improve.
Nice post btw ddneast.
March 15th, 2015 at 10:36 am
As a black man “Kyle”do me a favor and eat a d@#k.
March 15th, 2015 at 10:51 am
Take Mariota, sit him on the bench, go 4-12 and be fired. It’s really that simple for me.
March 15th, 2015 at 10:59 am
@ddneast
I’m with Jfat that was a nice post. Nice to read a rational, thought out post, minus all the ad hom personal attacks and hyperbole.
Agree completely with your observations.
March 15th, 2015 at 11:48 am
Glazers have learned their lesson that constant turnover leads to perpetual suck. You have to give a respected coach with a long and fairly solid NFL track record enough time to get a bad team turned around.
This team has been in pretty bad shape for awhile – and that has as much to do with bad drafting by the previous 2 GMs as anything.
If you asked a large sampling of players who have played for coach Smith over the years – the vast majority would say they liked playing for Lovie and think he is a good coach.
If you asked a large sampling of NFL coaches and executives what they think of Lovie as a coach – the majority – probably high majority like 8 or 9 out of 10 would say they respect Lovie and think he is a good NFL coach.
2-14 was incredibly hard to stomach – but there were a lot of factors that went into that other than a terrible team with bad coaching.
Patience will pay dividends in this case. With a very qualified OC and major upgrade at the QB position – odds are pretty good that Lovie Smith will be able to get this team turned around and headed in the right direction sooner than later.
If not, then Lovie will be gone in a couple years and the Bucs will start over – AGAIN.
I’m pretty sure that unless we see another 2,3 or 4 win season – that Lovie has 3 full years (through 2016) to get the job done that he was brought in to do.
March 15th, 2015 at 12:49 pm
As a fan I guess winning one Super Bowl in a lifetime aint too shabby.
March 15th, 2015 at 1:33 pm
bucrightoff Says
“SO if Lovie’s record after 2 seasons is say 5-27, but he drafted a QB, he should be brought back?”
I would say it depends on the reasons for a second bad season. Say, for example, if Dirk were to drop dead from an aneurism between games 2 & 3, I would think that would be justification to keep Lovie. After all, it would be a heavy hit to the emotional status of the players and coaches, not to mention being short an PC for another year.
Or, if the team is ravaged by injuries…depending on whether they are players that Lovie brought in or not, there MIGHT be justification.
But, overall? I’d say there would be reason to fire him.
And the quarterback IS NOT a good reason to keep him two more years. A QB can handle a replaced HC easy enough after one year…especially if the OC is still there (or promoted). The next coach will need to be around a few years though.
March 15th, 2015 at 1:36 pm
You never know, next year, Harbaugh might leave college again and be willing to coach Tampa.
And if we go 3-13 in 2015, we’ll be picking top 5 again. So if our QB is a bust, we’d get a second shot. Say, if Winston turns out to throw 40 picks an 20 TDs if he is a buc…or does prison time.
March 15th, 2015 at 2:11 pm
Lovie AND Licht seung and missed on some free agents last year. They never should have paid MJ90 to be their premeir edge rusher snd signing Ant Collins to be a franchise LT was a mistake. And we all know Mccown should have never been handed a starting job. Yea our lack of an OC hurt our entire offense but given Mccown’s history I dont give him the benefit of the doubt.
Now going into year two, all three players mentioned have been cut so apparently they learned their lesson. Their moves this offseason slso suggest they learned. They’re being alot more cslculated and building depth and a good core. We still have the draft so after they draft Jameis or Mariota we’ll see where they go.
I think when you look at this defense from week one to week 16 they improved drastically. Players like Banks and Verner and Mcdougald found their role on this defense and made an impact. Even the dline, while not jaw dropping, became comfortable in their rotations and did well. Kudos to Lovie and Leslie for getting their point across. Now they can pick up where they left off snd hopefully find a quslity edge rusher and nickel corner. After a whole season they know where they need to improve. But no lets fire Lovie so we can bring in some new coach to start from scratch again right.
Now since the Tedford debacle there was no growth on offense. But hey now we got Koetter who has a history if success in the NFL and he gets to start from scratch with a rookie QB. With all of our playmakers we have a chance to develop quickly on offense. If we can get some oline help this thing can really develop.
So no unless we go backwards next year, which I dont forsee happening, Lovie’s here to stay. And yeah if they go 3-13 or whatever then Lovie would obviously be fired because that will have meant we went backwards be it QB development or defense. Im saying here in March Lovie will lead this team to 7-9 with progress on defense and an actual offense.
March 15th, 2015 at 3:11 pm
A good defense and good running game is what the Bucs need this season to win the division.
March 16th, 2015 at 6:15 pm
hey “Joe”, i agree. 13 sounds about right.
today.