What If Bucs Stink Again?
July 10th, 2015
How much time?
There has been rancor amid untold beers at JoeBucsFan.com headquarters, and it’s not about the dipstick who trashed a treasured Rachel Watson poster.
As Joe has stated, the issue is Lovie Smith’s job security. There is a train of thought that “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, buys Lovie time no matter his record this fall. On the flip side, there is thought that if Lovie has another putrid year, he may find himself back in his suburban basement, regardless of quarterback.
Another line of thinking is that if Lovie starts quarterback of the past and quarterback of the future and perhaps quarterback of the present, Mike Glennon, Lovie’s clock begins ticking in earnest.
Conor Orr of NFL.com leans toward the notion that even if Jameis starts, Lovie needs wins.
Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston will be mercilessly compared throughout the beginning of the season and will be fairly or unfairly judged on their statistics and records. But winning is something that heals all wounds, and if either quarterback can get his team near the .500 mark this season, they’ll buy the front office and coaching staff a little more time to get their teams on track.
Look, rookie quarterbacks don’t usually excel in their first year. Joe can think of seven this century: Ben Roethlisberger (who did not start the season), Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan, Russell Wilson, Andy Dalton, Robert Griffin, III, and Andrew Luck. Owners understand this, so why would someone not named Danny Snyder be so irrational as to launch a coach if a rookie doesn’t lead his team to the playoffs?
But Glennon is no rookie. And if he starts and the team is wretched, then Joe would not be surprised if heads roll.
July 10th, 2015 at 10:08 am
Rookie QB or not you can’t be a 2 or 3 win team in consecutive years and expect to remain employed. The Vikings won 7 games with a rookie starting, well not all the games. Good coaches can navigate a team to a respectable record even with a rookie QB. Time for Lovie to do just that.
July 10th, 2015 at 10:10 am
the dipstick who trashed a treasured Rachel Watson poster.
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Wow! The link though, someone would have gotten thrown out the window.
July 10th, 2015 at 10:13 am
Bleacher Report hates our team apparently. They say our stock is down even after going 2-14!! There have been negative articles on there about the Bucs all offseason.
July 10th, 2015 at 10:23 am
If Glennon starts, a big if, and is wretched heads might roll. The same can be said if Winston starts, a likely if, but you really can’t blame it solely on the starting QB. He has to have at least a thin veneer of protection up front. Yeah I’m making possible excuses already.
July 10th, 2015 at 10:24 am
I just don’t buy we are a 2-14 team talent wise. The defense was coming along well last season even with ill-fitting players at MLB, safety and slot corner. We probably fixed MLB whether “The Kwon” or “Get Carter” are in there with more speed, Sterling must be better than Leonard Johnson. McDougald already looks good at safety so the only position I am not convinced at is the other safety position. Swearinger is awfully similar to our previous run stoppers who typically watched passes sail over their heads. Still, D should have dramatic improvement, and the O with Winston alone HAS to be better, right?
July 10th, 2015 at 10:28 am
I think it’s going to be more about how our team looks versus our record. Number one, I think the defense is going to have to show significant improvement. Getting torched by backup QB’s should not be accepted. If they can’t learn the Tampa 2 in 2 years, then the defense needs to be changed (which means the coach needs to be changed). Offensively, Jameis needs to show promise. Interceptions are going to happen, but TD’s need to also happen. He needs to win us some games late. Most importantly, we need to score some points. Did we score 30 points in one game last year? If those things happen and we go 7-9, then I’m all for Lovie staying. If we go 7-9 playing a bunch of backups, and beating a bunch of bad teams, then that’s a different story. We have to show some promise, particularly late in the year. Otherwise, it’s going to be a really tough sell to the fan base.
July 10th, 2015 at 10:37 am
This, too shall pass…or run.
July 10th, 2015 at 10:38 am
Lovie Dovie is a waste. IMO he should have to at least be .500 to keep his job.
July 10th, 2015 at 10:42 am
Lovie cant afford 3-13 or 4-12. 7-9 likely is the minimum. I say that because we only won twice last year. Lovie needs to show improvement and alot of it fast. Even with a rookie under center, Lovie wont survive 4-12.
July 10th, 2015 at 10:48 am
The Bucs will NOT go 2-14 or even 3-13 anymore than they will go 14-2 or 13-3. Barring injuries and unforeseen circumstances, this team will settle in somewhere between 7-9 and 9-7 most likely and I will take a one game margin of error in either direction on that prediction.
July 10th, 2015 at 10:50 am
I may be in the minority here, but I love the Tampa 2. The swarming, gang tackling mentality you can have with it is awesome if run correctly with a lot of fast, strong athletic (textbook) tacklers. We are very close to having a very good roster for it. Getting rid of Lovie and the Tampa 2 would put us at a BIG disadvantage now with our undersized defenders if we wanted to run something else…We need to stick with him for a WHILE.
July 10th, 2015 at 10:53 am
I agree we are a 6-10 to 10-6 football team talent wise. We need to start gelling now since the majority of the roster has some time together. We could also use some lucky bounces in our direction for a change.
July 10th, 2015 at 10:55 am
One thing we HAVE to clear up are the BONEHEADED penalties. Our team captains need to start b*tch-slapping people in the locker room if we keep getting those. You can’t afford to shoot yourself in the foot in theNFL and expect to succeed. It’s hard enough to beat the person in front of you.
July 10th, 2015 at 11:01 am
I get the feeling that the weekly disdain about Lovie Smith has more to do with factors outside of the game of football but I’ll exercise my right to keep my opinion to myself. Just know you don’t draft a WINSton level talent and go anywhere any time soon. And because many of you aren’t big enough to hold your breath until you feel he’ll be gone as the Buccs HC I’ll be taking special pride in knowing his presence on that sideline will be bothering you for a long long long time. Defensive HC coupled with elite QB play last very long in that league folks. Just ask ya boy Bill Belichek.
July 10th, 2015 at 11:02 am
To answer your question about another stink, L & L will be fired. Simple as that.
July 10th, 2015 at 11:04 am
I agree with Tony… If this team can’t win at least 6-7 games next year then heads should roll… But I believe Lovie gets a Mulligan for last year… No QB, No OC, new defensive scheme…This team has been a mess and was a mess when Lovie was hired… Gruden, Morris, Schiano now Smith – the team has gotten worse with each change of direction… What’s next? Could it get any worse than 2-14?
I like the way our defense played during the second half of the season… I love the addition of Dirk Koetter… The QB is a rookie but we will be better than McCown by far…
I believe this team will win at least 6 games maybe as many as 8… Winston’s int\td ratio will be a major factor…
July 10th, 2015 at 11:04 am
Lovie is a nice guy. Someone pleasew research and report back on who said, “nice guys finish last.” So far, whoever said it first is still right.
July 10th, 2015 at 11:06 am
6-7 wins is progress. I don’t care if the d is top 10 but if the team only wins 3 or 4 games it’s still a bad coaching job. It shows Lovie doesn’t learn from his mistakes and someone who doesn’t learn from their mistakes is a idiot and should be fired.
July 10th, 2015 at 11:09 am
Anything under 4 wins and Lovie is toast!
July 10th, 2015 at 11:12 am
If we fire him and go away from the Tampa 2 again we will set ourselves back another 3 seasons just replacing defenders. We need a coach for 15 years!
July 10th, 2015 at 11:14 am
PocketPirate I don’t like it either. Hell I didn’t even want to replace Schiano for the mere fact that a new coach as to start all over again. We’ll never get anywhere at that rate.
That being said Lovie will be gone if he gets less than 4 wins in my book.
July 10th, 2015 at 11:18 am
Every post who make should always have a Rachel Watson link
July 10th, 2015 at 11:18 am
College no nothing Schiano got 7 wins in his first season. By week 4 of his second season people erected a billboard calling for his head.
Lovie gets pasted by the Ravens and Falcons in year one and only wins 2 games al season. None at home. If Lovie goes 0-4 out of the gate. This thing will ugly real fast.
July 10th, 2015 at 11:28 am
I just don’t see it happening, and I am not worried about us getting more than 4 wins. Too much talent on the roster for that to happen. Hell, if Winston goes nuts this could be a VERY GOOD football team in a hurry. We certainly have the offensive weapons if the line can keep them upright.
July 10th, 2015 at 11:35 am
Be prepared!!! Lovie is here to stay for at least two more years no matter what….except if he totally loses the team….the record won’t matter.
The Glazers will not bring in another coach….they have finally learned their lesson.
I think it’s a moot point because the Bucs will show improvement.
July 10th, 2015 at 11:37 am
“The Glazers will not bring in another coach….they have finally learned their lesson.”
TBBF…you base that opinion off of what?
July 10th, 2015 at 11:44 am
doesn’t matter what the thinking is…..all you can do is guess if you don’t work inside one buc place. lovie’s job is not in jeopardy and the reason why is simple. there is no one else who has been talked about as a possible replacement and you cannot bring in another rookie or young coach to a losing franchise it just isn’t smart. if you fire lovie your saying this is a playoff roster and you cant get us there. is this a playoff roster?
July 10th, 2015 at 11:51 am
I wouldn’t be surprised if heads roll of we stink again NO matter who the quarterback is, Lovie and Licht are running out of chances especially after last years free agency fiasco. I’m certain if Mariota and the Titans have more success than Winston and the Bucs its bye bye Lovie. I mean after all was t the the whole reason we drafted Winston ahead of Mariota? He had a lesser “leaning curve”. I’m still not totally sold in Winston. I just read that he broke up a marriage by sending the finance of Orlando Skandrick pics of his privates…. When’s this kid gonna learn?
July 10th, 2015 at 11:52 am
I’ve already stated what I really think needs to happen for Lovie to keep his job yesterday. If the defense plays the way they did last season and Lovie wins under 4 games. I don’t like it, but I think he will be gone.
July 10th, 2015 at 11:54 am
Buc1987 Says:
July 10th, 2015 at 11:09 am
Anything under 4 wins and Lovie is toast!
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False, lovie stays and Frazier goes, Rod comes in.
July 10th, 2015 at 11:54 am
But I’m an optimistic Bucs fan. So I think the team will show dramatic improvement from last season.
July 10th, 2015 at 11:55 am
99…didn’t Rod just sign an extension with the Cowgirls?
July 10th, 2015 at 11:56 am
There’s no way rod leaves a great job in Dallas to come to this train wreck of a team. Not happening.
July 10th, 2015 at 12:01 pm
Then we’re completely fckd.
July 10th, 2015 at 12:06 pm
Lovie was a DC for the Rams for 2 seasons. How did that work out? Does anyone know? Perhaps Lovie can be more hands on the D now that we have a competent OC?
July 10th, 2015 at 12:07 pm
Check that 3 seasons..
July 10th, 2015 at 12:08 pm
Yup he signed a 3y deal in Jan. #FML
Chit man then we’re screwed. Visions of the first NO game in my head. MGM scores 30+ points, has a 4th qrt lead and the defense can’t hold. Even if the son of the football gods carries us to 30+ points EVERY game we can’t win without a DC. Argh, where’s schiano when you need him?
July 10th, 2015 at 12:10 pm
I know I know he lost the Super Bowl to a second year qb who drove the length of the field to score a FG. Lovie even had the greatest show of turf and still couldn’t win.
July 10th, 2015 at 12:17 pm
Yaaaawn I was up until 3 a.m. in a political blog. As the election season nears I’ll be in here less and less. My haters are going to love it. Hope no one misses me too much, but my country is more important than the Bucs.
July 10th, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Blasphemy!
July 10th, 2015 at 12:20 pm
I agree with Pocket Pirate. Way to many penalties. Penalties is a lack of discipline. No more blocked punts and blocked FG. No more 12 men on the field, holding, delay of game, off sides, pass interference and no time outs left at the end of the game. Coach, train, drill, teach, school and regiment into these players that penalties and turnovers lose games. The giveaway/takeaway -8 needs to show improvement. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Charles Sims, Kevin Pamphile and Kadeem Edwards need to show promise as well as Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet. If the Buccaneers continue to lose close games and continue to have penalties and turnovers as he reason those games are lost and players drafted last year and this year struggle, then yes, Lovie needs to be accountable. Bucs need to be above .500. If Lovie starts MG8 Napolean Dynomite then he deserves to be canned.
July 10th, 2015 at 12:23 pm
Heads will roll if the coaches decide to go with MG8, and we turn in a losing season. I’m sorry but you don’t draft a QB #1 to let him sit behind an average QB. Let Winston start and roll with it. Let him get experience, and as the season goes on…we will win. Especially since the strength of schedule. If Lovie gets fired, he will deserve it. However I do like our GM and OC now, so somehow I hope we produce a winning season.
July 10th, 2015 at 12:24 pm
Not sure Joe either way. If the Glazer’s remember their knee jerk reaction to hiring Raheem and over-reach with Schiano and the drain that put the team down, Lovie’s experience at the NFL level as HC may save him for a longer term no matter this years results. It’s all perspective and the Glazer’s is the only one that counts.
July 10th, 2015 at 12:32 pm
Buc1987 Says:
July 10th, 2015 at 12:06 pm
Lovie was a DC for the Rams for 2 seasons. How did that work out? Does anyone know? Perhaps Lovie can be more hands on the D now that we have a competent OC?
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hahahaha uh yea he ended up getting his first head coaching job. Smith improved the Rams defense, which went from giving up a league-worst 29.4 points per game in 2000 to an average of 17.1 points in 2001. The Rams won the 2001 NFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl XXXVI.
July 10th, 2015 at 12:36 pm
I think anyone would agree we would love to get back to winning nfc championships and getting to the superbowl…..this franchise has just as many nfc championships as lovie smith. and it was no coincidence jon gruden beat his former team as bad as he did, they didn’t even bother to change the plays or protection calls
July 10th, 2015 at 12:47 pm
Am I the only one who still watches 2002 Super bowl highlights and remember the glory days? Miss those days.
July 10th, 2015 at 1:19 pm
In the Immortal words of one Mr. Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers-Happy Trails
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U0oFJehl_k
July 10th, 2015 at 1:25 pm
Joe has a post scheduled for tomorrow morning you will enjoy.
July 10th, 2015 at 1:34 pm
87′
Its all LUV here bruh. We’re all fans-No reason to Hate on U or anyone else for that matter. Unless of course your some racist spineless pig. Or some narcissistic punk, that thinks the sun shines on his or her a$$-and no one else’s opinion- has any value or merit but their own.
It’s all LUV Bruh-Do U
July 10th, 2015 at 1:39 pm
Roll Call
Tmaxcon
MadMaxx
StPete
PR
Where y’all at bruh?
July 10th, 2015 at 1:54 pm
I know I am I the vast minority (perhaps alone on the island here at JBF?), but I for one think firing Schiano before a third year to go fishing for Lovie was a big mistake. Here’s why…Lovie did display a knack for fielding good defenses…a coordinator skill set. Where I believe he falters is talent evaluation and game management. Don’t get me wrong Schiano wasn’t very good at game management either, BUT he was a two year NFL HC with room for growth and improvement in that and other areas he was lacking. At this point Lovie is probably pretty much as good as he ever was and ever will be (which is kind of average at best even with one SB loss). Hell Mike Shannahan has two SB wins on his resume and he’s unemployed. In my book anyway a good NFL HC seem to have certain traits…good eye for talent that fits their system, good understanding of how to teach players to fit said system, a solid structure for doing things, and an ability to get through to players. I believe Lovie only has two of those qualities (and I thought Schiano had or was improving on 3 out of the 4). Oh well…I’m on the 9 wins or bust train for Lovie this season. I am not a huge Lovie Smith fan, and it has nothing to do with anything beyond what I perceive is his ability and potential as a HC for the Bucs
July 10th, 2015 at 2:29 pm
You sound stupid ws99 he was DC of the Rams team that beat the titans in the superbowl. Supersam so call Buccs fans like your self make me scratch my head. You call the Buccs a train wreck but Dez is very unhappy number one,the potential train wreck that may end up being. McClain facing a four game suspension,Hardy facing a ten game suspension couple that with Murray going to a division rival my guesstimation the boys are no longer a playoff team. But the Buccs a squad that clearly tanked a season for the future face of the franchise is train wreck please. Your assessment is a train wreck. Not to mention that weed issue with McGregory.
July 10th, 2015 at 2:34 pm
It’s funny in one post you’ll say “Belicheat” then another post you’ll say Lovie couldn’t stop Brady from driving and setting his team up for a game winning field. Make up your minds,I tend to believe Marshall Faulk when he stated they recorded they’re teams practices. Kinda hard beating and opponent when he knows your game plan.
July 10th, 2015 at 2:36 pm
Lovie Smith “America’s Head Coach”. I love It. And take great pleasure in knowing many of you hate it. Thank you team Glazers.
July 10th, 2015 at 3:01 pm
Ok, enough said enough” for the 329th exchange since the 2-14 disaster and the Lovie Smith blame game would someone show some balls on this site a predict a decent season with playoff implications ect. Ect. This crowd is the biggest collection of pussies I have ever seen. Good thing you guys didn’t storm Omaha beach we would all be speaking German. Bucs are going yo turn it around a kick as in 2015. Have faith and take it to the bank!!
July 10th, 2015 at 3:32 pm
Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun. Says:
July 10th, 2015 at 2:29 pm
You sound stupid ws99 he was DC of the Rams team that beat the titans in the superbowl.
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Lmao you’ll learn to never question me and that I’m far from stupid. Somebody else called me stupid once, ONCE! Luckily you’re a nole and I like your posts so I won’t sweat it. 1999 Rams beat the Titans in SB on Jan 2000 with Peter Giunta as Asst. HC and DC. Lovie was with the Rams from 2001-2003. Lol, I love the passion though. Go on young man please enlighten the rest of the stupidsters around here. No need to apologize, it’s all good. This is the kinder gentler WS99. 😉
July 10th, 2015 at 4:00 pm
87… You mentioned being more absorbed by politics heading into the next go round in 2016. If you are talking about trashing both sides of the same beast, why bother? I know you are not though. Your voice means zilch just like everyone else trying to change the system. It is one party and you aint in it. Knock yourself out 87, to no avail.
July 10th, 2015 at 4:50 pm
I just read that he broke up a marriage by sending the finance of Orlando Skandrick pics of his privates…. When’s this kid gonna learn?
Are we stirring the pot and trolling? Got a link to that “fact” you read?
July 10th, 2015 at 5:17 pm
The Bucs will finish the season with a 10-6 record, Jameis Winston will win offensive rookie of the year. McCoy and Smith each will have double digits sack seasons, Verner will return to pro bowl form, Lavonte will be competing for defensive player of the year.Doug Martin will go over a thousand yards again,Mike Evans will have over 1,400 yards receiving. ASJ will have over 50 receptions, Charles Sims will hav over 40 receptions. Kwon Alexander will get a lot of reps at ILB, Brandon Dixon will prove to be a playmaker at CB.
July 10th, 2015 at 6:13 pm
Good to see I couldn’t get one past you ws99 but since you did your homework I’m sure you noticed that those Rams went from giving up a league high 29 points to 17 points the year of his arrival right.
July 10th, 2015 at 9:00 pm
BucsFan85 Says:
July 10th, 2015 at 12:47 pm
“Am I the only one who still watches 2002 Super bowl highlights and remember the glory days? Miss those days.”
About twice a year for me….
July 10th, 2015 at 9:24 pm
85, yup, I watch with my boys so they know what a Bucs win looks like.
July 10th, 2015 at 9:48 pm
87 in my opinion what we witness then will quell in comparison to what is about to go down. These people come here and hate Lovie,but this man’s track record proves he knows how to build a dominant defense. The whole league is jealous,why because you’ve given him a lion like Jamies to lead his team. Chit is almost unfair. I look forward to reading some of these folks comments a year from now.
July 10th, 2015 at 11:35 pm
Buccfan37 …I’m a registered independent. Politics is my main hobby and it’s hunting season right now!
July 11th, 2015 at 9:05 am
I tend to agree that the penalties are a sign of not enough/improper coaching. That and being selfish and not putting the team first. I do so hope they go away this year!
July 11th, 2015 at 1:17 pm
She wants to dance like Uma Thurman
Bury me till I confess
She wants to dance like Uma Thurman
And I can’t get you out of my head