Don’t Expect A Defensive Leadership Change
June 5th, 2015
Joe really had a good laugh reading Rick Stroud’s story about Lovie Smith possibly getting more involved on the defensive side of the ball this year.
Lovie appeared to leave the offense in the hands of a guy completely overmatched last year, and his trusted veteran QB was at the helm. Never once did Joe hear a peep about Lovie getting disproportionately involved on the offensive side of the ball last year.
Special teams were — and are — in the hands of Lovie’s old friend and handpicked guru Kevin O’Dea.
So we’re to believe Lovie will spend more time this year on defense?
Joe’s having trouble believing that, unless Leslie Frazier is much closer to getting fired than anyone might think.
Bucs officials, including Frazier last month, are happy to spout out all kinds of stats explaining how stout the Tampa Bay defense was during the final 10 games of 2014. Frazier was calling them Top-5 in many categories.
Joe sure hopes Lovie invests more time this year on the quarterback position, specifically counseling, teaching and mentoring his prized rookie QB.
Also, on offense is where Lovie’s core of youngsters reside after drafting a dozen or so offensive players the past two years. It’s hardly a stretch to say the head coach’s impact is needed more on that side of the ball.
June 5th, 2015 at 9:30 am
Lovie knows offense, and he is gaining knowledge watching his choice Jameis at QB. He has been all in on Winston from his comments. That should be good enough for those questioning his offensive insight.
June 5th, 2015 at 10:49 am
Lovie’s expert instruction will consist of him saying “…kinda simple as that” and “…as much as anything…” after whatever Frazier says! Really driving the point home to players like no other expert can!
June 5th, 2015 at 11:44 am
Lovie will be risking more if he takes control from the Defensive Coordinator. Tactically, it would be wiser for Lovie to sit back and let Frazier fail with about the same amount of talent as last year, ( the DE is a hair better as the bust clayborn and ghost were upgraded with backups. But worried about the safety position could be even worse!!!)
then comes 2016 with the top 5 pick ( of a DE ) and then Lovie jumps in and looks like the hero!
June 5th, 2015 at 11:52 am
“Lovie’s old friend and hand-picked guru Kevin O’Dea”
Gotta love how the nepotism running through the ranks of OBP are alive and well! Don’t look now but a direct correlation to production on Sundays is clear for all to see. How did the following areas perform in 2014?
Special Teams (O’Dea)
Offense (Tedford)
Oline (IHOP)
QB (McCown)
Defense (Frazier)
Dline (Cullen)
GM (Lapdog)
Etc…
But whatever we do DON’T BLAME LOVIE!!!
June 5th, 2015 at 11:59 am
Why do you keep worrying about the safety position Buc Realist when the two guys we had starting for the last couple of years were a couple of overrated stiffs.
Baron was unable to make plays in any defense and the Hawk played more like a dove while he counted his money.
Conti excelled in Lovie’s Cover 2 in Chicago and McDougal was coming on at the end of the year. Add a less expensive clone in Swearinger and Keith Tandy and it really isn’t that bad and an upgrade over last years.
Lovie is what every good coach in the NFL is and that is an administrator. He hires what he feels are the most capable people or the job and lets them do it.
If you fail, you are out. IF the defense doesn’t get better and the offensive line fails to improve, look for Frazier and Warhop to start packing their bags.
June 5th, 2015 at 11:59 am
then comes 2016 with the top 5 pick ( of a DE ) and then Lovie jumps in and looks like the hero!
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The sad part is that will be beginning of the slow death of the Bucs… Lovie has already been given a free pass and can do no wrong after being annotated hero then we get to live through 5 to 6 years of 8-8 and 9-7 and one an done in the playoffs never really challenging until the regime is replaced. by that time the roster will be nothing more than prove it deals and system specific has beens. mccoy and lvd will join gruber in the misery hall. that is exactly why i have no patience for lovie and his band of merry coach impersonators.
June 5th, 2015 at 12:12 pm
conte never excelled at anything but getting injured.
just like the rest of Lovies crap free agent class this year nothing but injured players on prove it deals.
June 5th, 2015 at 4:27 pm
Lovie Smith is the best person I have ever seen at talking, and saying nothing.