Lovie Smith: “It’s A Good Life Being A Defensive End Here”
September 21st, 2015
(Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
A rarely heard theme from the 2014 version of Lovie Smith was accentuated by the head coach tonight.
If Jon Gruden were the one talking, he’d say, “You call yourself edge rushers; Jiminy Christmas, you got a bunch of freakin’ freight trains exploding the pocket every other dropback. Ten sacks? You should get 20!”
Lovie was more calm and cool on the Buccaneers Radio Network, explaining like he did last year, that there should be plenty of sacks for his defensive ends, assuming they can win some 1-on-1 battles.
“It’s a good life being a defensive end here, when you have that push,” Lovie Smith said on WDAE-AM 620. “Best defensive lineman in football, interior lineman in football in Gerald McCoy. Clinton McDonald played well, has played well two weeks in a row. Will Gholston, I talked earlier about some of the plays we got from him inside. And Henry Melton really did some good things. Both weeks he’s done some good things, too. So that’s what you’re getting.
“When you’re a quarterback and you’re getting that pressure [up the middle], you have to do something. And a lot of times, of course, especially when you’re playing next to Gerald, but even when our guys are in a 1-on-1 situation, and that’s where Jack [Smith] loves being in that position, when it’s a 1-on-1 situation and he can just beat the tackle off the edge. And he did that well yesterday.”
Translation: A strong edge rush on this Bucs team can be accomplished by average defensive ends. Joe agrees.
Enter Jacquies “Jack” Smith. He’s got 10 1/2 sacks in his past 11 games, including three yesterday. He leads the NFL with four sacks.
Is the 25-year-old a special edge rusher, or just a guy off the 2014 waiver wire taking advantage of a smothering interior rush?
Joe doesn’t care. Smith is producing in a huge way. If Smith can rack up a dozen sacks this year, then Joe would advise the Bucs to pay the man, erect a statue of him on Himes Avenue, and avoid a Michael Bennett situation.
September 21st, 2015 at 7:54 pm
Bosa who? Man just wait on it.
September 21st, 2015 at 7:57 pm
His sample size is big enough to say he’s an emerging star. Congrats to him!
September 21st, 2015 at 8:02 pm
Exactly !!
McCoy is so damn disruptive straight up the middle while taking onto blockers. The guy leaves every interior lineman in sacks over the last few years while he has had no help at all.
If Jack and company can get around the edge … Lookout. McCoy will get 10 + the next 5 years in a row while he gets 10+.
I know we are two games in , but I see the potential. Potential I have not seen in a decade.
I cannot wait for next year. A couple more O and D linemen, another weapon and DB…
A year under their belts for this draft class….
They win the division next year.
This year I want 7+ wins with this schedule.
September 21st, 2015 at 8:02 pm
For hours on end the Joe’s left that article at the top of the page of JBF with the headline reading : Jamies is the Man.
Got everyone riled up with that one Joe and it’s been at the top for hours. Good call I loved it!
September 21st, 2015 at 8:04 pm
Buc1987 Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Dayum it Joe. My comment? Me? The one that posts the most on your site is awaiting moderation? Really?
September 21st, 2015 at 8:06 pm
Anything on GMC ???
September 21st, 2015 at 8:18 pm
GMC STATUS –
He is fine. Will play
September 21st, 2015 at 8:21 pm
My game balls go to Jac Smith and Ali Marpet.
September 21st, 2015 at 8:24 pm
DB55..I agree!
September 21st, 2015 at 8:28 pm
With honorable mentions to Jameis Winston for that 52y bomb to Louis Murphy. On the run, 50 yards in the air, I’d like to see MM do that but his arm can’t hang with the messiah’s.
September 21st, 2015 at 8:34 pm
But I thought the experts on this here site say Mccoy is overrated? He disappears, right? Bunch of clowns I tell you.
September 21st, 2015 at 8:48 pm
I felt better when I woke up this morning than I did last Monday, that I can tell you.
September 21st, 2015 at 8:54 pm
I gotta give another game ball to Conte…a pick..handoff for a much larger return on that pick.
Caused a fumble late in the game. And he sacrificed his body stopping the 220lb freight train Robinson after he had a ten yard head of steam. If Conte doesn’t make that open field stop Robinson might have taken it to the house the way the rest of our DB’s tackle.
September 21st, 2015 at 9:10 pm
Only in Lovies world is conte a starting NFL safety. robinson should have been arrested for cruel and unusual punishment. When conte is your leading tackler 2 weeks in a row you have major issues.
September 21st, 2015 at 9:16 pm
SPBF, I agree on Conte. Even my brother who is a Bears fan (who is also hating life today btw) said that he sees a new and improved Chris Conte, he didn’t see that in Chicago. Probably because of all the injuries. He is known for being aggressive but also for putting his body on the line. Still early to tell, but hope he does well for us.
September 21st, 2015 at 9:44 pm
87 is the biggest JBF sycophant on the site….if he gets moderated we’re all in deep trouble.
September 21st, 2015 at 9:57 pm
@Bucsfan85
Another poster pointed out that he watched Conte in Chicago when he was a young rookie and saw him interviewed after the game yesterday.
He said perhaps Conte was just exhausted but he had glazed eyes and was worried that perhaps he’s been concussed too much. Dude does play with reckless abandon. Just hope he doesnt end up like Dave Duerson a former Bear great. Suicide because of his brain damage.
I was excited to see the N.O. DB light up Louis Murphy…well not excited to see him do it…I really like Murphy he’s a St. Pete guy. 🙂
But that hit illustrates where I think the NFL is headed. Instead of head hunting the Saint blasted Murphy in the sternum knocking the wind out of him. That really really hurts and if you’ve ever had it happen to you it’s scary because for a few minutes you can’t breathe and wonder if you’re dying. Much more painful actually than getting knocked cold and very intimidating. I just wish our DB’s and LB’s could master that art.
September 21st, 2015 at 9:59 pm
His sack total projects to just over 15 sacks for a 16 game season….I’d say that’s pretty good….he’s proven he’s no flash in the pan!!!
Lets see some activity from our LBs, CBs & S……positions….
September 21st, 2015 at 10:40 pm
SPBF you bring up an interesting point. The NFL is so different now. You have a lot more “protection” as a player, but you still have guys giving 110% putting their bodies on the line with or without regards to the new rules or their safety. LOVE to see it, but hate to see them get hurt weather offense or defense. Guys used to be able to play full speed no worries.Now you have to be more cautious of every player around you, and where you hit them, when you hit them, and where your hands are. Trying to play within the rules and still make an impact is a lot harder than it used to be.
September 21st, 2015 at 11:34 pm
Jack Smith is a good edge rusher, but we need more edger rushers. Chris Conte had a good game Sunday, but I still say we need to draft a free safety. 2016 draft should be, 1st DE, 2nd FS, 3rd CB, 4th DE, 5th RB, 6th OL, 7th CB. We need that playmaking FS and another edge rusher to compliment Jack Smith. We need a young speedy cornerback to play the slot, and we need a big cornerback with speed to play on the outside. We need them for depth, right now we don’t have any depth at cornerback. If we draft right, I believe we can have a Top 5 defense in 2017.
September 22nd, 2015 at 12:53 am
our offensive line needs to block well so we can win more games
September 22nd, 2015 at 3:32 pm
Just watched the game again and I can not get over how much Donovan Smith needs to improve. On one play he let Jorden go right to Jameis. Jameis ducked and as he scrambled another Saint player had to push D. Smith out of the way so he could make a play. Jordon ended up sacking Jameis as Smith literally just stood around and watched it all go down. Smith needs to play to the whistle and hit the opponent when the play is still alive. Marpet, Mankins and Evan Smith all played really well. I still don’t get why Conte still gets negative comments after the game he had. He seems like a humble guy who is just giving it his all. What else can you ask for?