Does Lovie Have “The Appetite?”
June 22nd, 2015
Even though Lovie Smith calls himself a glass-half-full dude, the head coach must have a terrible taste in his mouth after last season.
However, Lovie might want to stick with what he thinks tastes good, speculates one longtime Bucs beat writer.
The Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud, via the 620wdae.com audio below, speculates Lovie might not have “the appetite” to use the strength of Jameis Winston and build the offense around his talents and those of Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans and Austin Seferian-Jenkins.
Stroud dismissed the idea that it would be wise to make Doug Martin and Charles Sims the key cogs in this year’s version of Lovieball.
As Joe wrote earlier, Lovie is raving about Dirk Koetter’s immediate impact.
But, yes, Lovie wants to run the ball a lot. And why wouldn’t he?
The real question here is whether Lovie will be fearless and trust his offensive coordinator, who has a sound and diverse resume. Koetter pounded the rock in Jacksonville and got strong years from David Garrard. In Atlanta, he shined with putrid offensive lines and knew how to get the ball downfield.
Frankly, Lovie really doesn’t have reason to fear. He’s already survived a horrific season filled with embarrassment and humiliation. Trusting Koetter implicity sure seems like Lovie’s best bet. Just rely on Koetter’s appetite and figure out how to stop the Panthers from throwing to Greg Olsen over and over.
June 22nd, 2015 at 1:38 pm
Lovie didn’t mess with Marcus Arroyo….so why in the world would he not trust Koetter with the offense.
And….for those who think Lovie was directing Arroyo….I have the same question….why after that experience would he not rely on Koetter.
The Bucs have rarely had a running game in their entire history…..we always seem to set up the r
June 22nd, 2015 at 1:38 pm
Every pass Olsen caught I cringed worse. How come nobody covered that guy? He made the Bucs D look like chumps. I can see one game, but a repeat. If he does it again I’ll be a fit for the funny farm. WTF!
June 22nd, 2015 at 1:38 pm
This is why Lovie will fail. To set in his ways and unable to adapt. Maybe the next coach will know how to utilize the talent here
June 22nd, 2015 at 1:39 pm
We seem to always set up the run with our passing game…..why change now…especially with this line?
The key is the short passing game over the middle……the same game that all other teams use against us successfully….
June 22nd, 2015 at 1:51 pm
I don’t know if I wanna see Winston throwing the ball 50+ times like schiano did glennon after benching freeman, we watch too many people anoint him the franchise qb after seeing him complete 70% of his passes most of which were checkdowns
June 22nd, 2015 at 2:25 pm
Have a feeling good guy Mason Foster was tasked with covering Olsen over the middle. Had to have impacted plans for his future.
June 22nd, 2015 at 2:32 pm
Last year is a perfect example of how Lovie doesnt know offense. He doesnt even like to score when we’re losing. If he doesn’t let Koeter do his thing, we’re screwed.
June 22nd, 2015 at 2:44 pm
Bucs claimed Foster was slow in pass coverage. For Lovie’s defense, that is critical.
June 22nd, 2015 at 2:51 pm
To say Lovie does not care about scoring when 12 of his 13 draft picks are offensive players is crazy. You don’t trade for brandon Marshall, Jay cutler, hire Mike Martz etc. the architect of the greatest show on turf if you do not care about scoring. Has it yielded the results fans want to see? No, but he does try.
June 22nd, 2015 at 3:33 pm
Tiny Tim – there are no participation trophies in the NFL.
Jaibuc – I’m willing to bet Olsen caught more catches against Goldson than Foster.
June 22nd, 2015 at 3:54 pm
WS99 Says:
June 22nd, 2015 at 3:33 pm
Tiny Tim – there are no participation trophies in the NFL.
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I didn’t say it was. What I did say is Lovie has attempted on several occasions to put out a offense fans can be proud of. This just in, it takes more than Lovie wanting a good offense. Players have to execute, positions coaches have to coach better ie offensive line. My point is who ever says Lovie doesn’t care about offense is incorrect. You don’t draft Jefferies to pair with Marshall if you don’t care about scoring. Its a lazy argument to suggest otherwise. Its like many who wanted to compare Winston to Russell. It is not true, but it is low bearing fruit.
June 22nd, 2015 at 4:23 pm
Mike F’n James! Pound the rock!
June 22nd, 2015 at 4:33 pm
To say Lovie does not care about scoring when 12 of his 13 draft picks are offensive players is crazy.
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If your going to quote me, quote me correctly. I said he doesnt like to score when were losing. He pretty much said so himself along with showing it on the field. You may continue.
June 22nd, 2015 at 4:45 pm
Couch Fan Says:
June 22nd, 2015 at 4:33 pm
If your going to quote me, quote me correctly. I said he doesnt like to score when were losing. He pretty much said so himself along with showing it on the field. You may continue.
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First off, please show the quote where lovie said he doesn’t like to score when he is losing. Second of all, this is not the only thread where lovie takes a beating for his offensive philosophy etc. by posters such as yourself. I read the threads. I just chose to write on this one as it relates to offense and Lovie as a whole. Sorry you took it so personal. If you notice I did not reference your comments at all in my post. I was speaking to the masses who continuously want to dog Lovie. Yes, you fall in that category overall. If I were speaking to you specifically, I would have referenced your comment like I did in this post or I would have typed @ couch fan. You may continue if you like.
June 22nd, 2015 at 9:41 pm
All of this depends on how “hands on” Lovie is with the offense in-game. I believe he wants a potent offense. He has tried to boost it in Chicago with the trades and here with the Draft. Intent and success are two different things. The fact that he didn’t want to try to push the ball down before the half doesn’t mean he never wants to score. If it were me, I would have tried, and I think he made a bad choice there, but that doesn’t mean he hates offense. Let’s see what happens now that we have a proven OC. I feel he is a guy who could stand up to Lovie in spots and run what he feels is best, even if it contradicts Lovies thoughts.
June 24th, 2015 at 7:19 am
Too easy. Can’t remember the game but it early last season. We’re at the 40-something before halftime and the offense just downs it. After the game Lovie said he didnt want to take the chance of scoring points before the half because something could go wrong. All the timidness of Dungy without the defensive wisdom…