Reviving 2012 Glory?
March 11th, 2015
Before Lovie Smith was fired in Chicago and hung out in his basement with Jeff Tedford and others, Lovie finished coaching the Bears to a 10-6 record and the NFL’s fifth-ranked defense in 2012.
Two guys anchoring the back of that defense could be reunited in Tampa.
Major Wright started every Bears game at strong safety that year. Earlier this month, the Bucs re-signed Wright, the one Chicago player Lovie quickly brought with him to Tampa and actually stuck on the roster.
Chris Conte started all but one game at free safety alongside Wright in 2012. Today, Conte is in town being courted by Lovie and Jason Licht.
Both are just 26 years old, though have had their share of injuries.
Joe can’t imagine Conte would be expensive. And Joe suspects Lovie yearns for more players who know his system, which has a steep learning curve by NFL standards. (See Leonard Johnson & Mike Jenkins getting re-signed).
The Bucs have emerging Bradley McDougald at safety now, along with Schiano-era holdover Keith Tandy, who is a special teams standout. There’s also overpaid Dashon “Hawk” Goldson still in the nest. Joe’s having trouble believing Hawk will fly another year in Tampa.
March 11th, 2015 at 11:29 am
Please don’t overpay. Good depth is needed. But please don’t overpay.
March 11th, 2015 at 11:30 am
I’ve seen the name “Sabby” thrown around a lot with Conte. If that weren’t scary enough he’s a constant concussion liability. Just doesn’t sound like a reliable option back there even if he knows Lovie’s system.
March 11th, 2015 at 11:32 am
living in the past never works…
Conte is fragile. Next Please.
Melton I get. Conte no way. We will need Melton to fill in for McCoy when he gets hurt. Conte would just be a waste of valuable practice time and development for a player who can actually stay on the field.
People forget with all the rule changes and collective bargaining practice restrictions. Every practice and camp rep is more valuable than ever. Wasting time on players or taking chances on position changes and flyers is much more risky now. Instead of taking flyers on people focus on the durable guys who will play on sunday. Jenkins is a waste of time and I fear conte the same way. I am also very very pessimistic about ASJ foot. Call me paranoid but big guys with feet problems never have good endings. nicks and patrick willis anyone.
March 11th, 2015 at 11:43 am
Conte will make us buc fans wish Jake Howell or Cody Grimm was back there… Please don’t do it Lovie!
March 11th, 2015 at 11:45 am
Incompetent Lovie Smith. This getting ridiculous. Looking at you Glazers.
March 11th, 2015 at 11:45 am
Why are fans concerning themselves with the salary cap?
March 11th, 2015 at 11:56 am
Wow, just think of the possibilities!
March 11th, 2015 at 12:01 pm
There is no one you mentioned or anyone that’s in town for a free agent visit that will have a bigger impact than players already on this team. as GMC and LD go so does the bucs defense, none of these guys will be know as anything other than players in this system, lavonte and McCoy will always get the shine or blame for the defense. bruce carter would have a bigger impact
March 11th, 2015 at 12:05 pm
Need a pass rush for it to work. Leanard williams o lineman and glennon
March 11th, 2015 at 12:11 pm
Tandy is the best safety listed, therefore lovie should be cutting him in 3, 2, and
March 11th, 2015 at 12:32 pm
Joe- how about running one of those famous Lovie polls?
March 11th, 2015 at 12:50 pm
Barry Says:
March 11th, 2015 at 11:45 am
Are you serious?
Because using the cap space wisely has as much to do with winning and losing as anything else the front office does… If you overpay guys, you’re eating into what you can spend on other guys. Was that really an actual question?
March 11th, 2015 at 12:57 pm
People need to settle down about Conte. He’s gonna be a backup and special team guy. And he has experience in the system. Seriously people, get a f**king grip.
March 11th, 2015 at 1:00 pm
DallasBuc Says:
March 11th, 2015 at 11:45 am
Your commitment to being negative and hateful on every post is remarkable. Impressive indeed.
March 11th, 2015 at 1:18 pm
What’s wrong with Jake Howell? He would’ve started on most teams and made the most of his only opportunity here.
March 11th, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Sigh. Because Lovies tenure worked out so well in Chi-Town, am I right? Seriously, this guy has no imagination.
March 11th, 2015 at 2:07 pm
The ingredients don’t have to be expensive, as long as there is a good recipe, it might turn out tasting pretty good.
March 11th, 2015 at 2:11 pm
Improving marginally by changing out the weak position players for new worker bees will make this team better. A safey that can defense a couple of more passes, or get an interception or two more than what we had last year might just change the complexion of a game, or two.
March 11th, 2015 at 2:18 pm
Salish- it is not negativity for negativity sake. I am responding to the abject failure that we continue to witness. But hey, we’re a 2-14 football team!
In Lovie we trust, right?
March 11th, 2015 at 3:14 pm
NO…not in Lovie we trust. In Lovie the Glazers should be firing! Come on gang…remember 2014….the total lack of game management? The inability to count to 11 or 12…which was it? No clock managment? The only thing Lovie Smith did well is lie about being 2 games out of first place the first 2 months of the season.
2015 is a wasted season…..hoping that when Lovie drafts the rapist who is slower and fatter than the Big Dog…the Buc’s can actually win at least 2 games next season!
Team Glazer hired a coach who was fired after winning 10 games with a talented staff. He has done absolutely nothing to improve the Buc’s roster and everyone is hoping he will suddenly become this outstanding HC?
What am I missing gang…less talent, same HC and you think they will win more than 2 games in 2015? John Fox was let go in Denver after winning a ton of games in 4 years and the Glazers kept Lovie after a 2-14 stinker?
The Buc’s 2015 season is simply a tax right off for the soccer team! Fire Lovie now…get a real HC!!
Greg Schiano