Accountability Moves Struck Out
October 27th, 2015
Lovie has benched Leslie Frazier and multiple defensive starters
Lost in the groin-stomp loss Sunday was Lovie Smith’s last-minute deactivation of veteran starting cornerback and former Lovie obsession Tim Jennings.
Joe can confirm Jennings was healthy and the decision was about performance.
Simply put, Jennings put a humiliating loaf on film against Jacksonville and was disappointing all season. Slant passes are too much for him. Coverage without clutching and grabbing is a chore, and he hasn’t made any “plays.”
Per the stat sheet, Jennings has one pass defensed in five games (three starts), and no interceptions. (Had no picks with the Bears last year, either)
But Lovie’s move was more symbolic, Joe believes. It was about sending a message, benching a player Lovie hand picked from his days in Chicago, a 2012 and 2013 Pro Bowler.
That accountability message should have inspired fellow defensive players to be on their games and scrambling to keep their jobs. But it didn’t work. Just like benching Alterraun Verner, Leslie Frazier and George Johnson didn’t get the defense rolling. Look at the mess Will Gholston, Johnson’s replacement, put on the field Sunday.
Joe’s not sure what cards Lovie has left. Will Sterling Moore finally get a shot at cornerback, while Mike Jenkins gets a bench seat? Maybe Howard Jones gets more snaps at right defensive end?
October 27th, 2015 at 11:06 am
@Joe
Now that Lovie has point the finger and blame at players. I don’t think that will help the “buy in” now, not that they totally bought in before. Things could get very ugly quickly!!!!
I am starting to hear rumblings, that the back end of the defense feels a little bit like they have been left out to dry!!! The front 4 takes forever to get any pressurs and the coaches keep pounding that all plays must be kept in front of them!! could they be really questioning the system??? is this why the play 15 yards off???? will lovie be fired the day after the last game!!!!!
October 27th, 2015 at 11:08 am
Ya that’s a resounding message. I recall that same “message” being conveyed with:
Verner, Collins, and Johnson.
Problem is, there’s nothing left in the cupboard.
October 27th, 2015 at 11:13 am
Read this!
http://j.school/post/131990824925/green-grass-is-missing-were-dying
October 27th, 2015 at 11:16 am
So Lovie wants to demonstrate “accountability” by deactivating Jennings. First Jennings should not even be on the team. Second, Lovie should demonstrate accountability of his own. When has Lovie excepted responsibility for his own actions? He condescendingly preach to the press about how close the team is and never takes responsibility for the problems. When Lovie holds himself accountable for all of his mistakes then maybe he can look to his players to also do the same. Until then the players will continue to respond to Lovie as they have as they have in the past. They ignore the clown and have sense day one.
October 27th, 2015 at 11:21 am
Sad situation guys. To be honest, we are stuck with the players we have this deep into the season. Lovie has got to keep trying different combo’s. I’m just not the least bit confident in Jennings, Jenkins, Conte or Banks for that matter.
Our Defense has no fire because they are unsure and afraid. Now. We will play well against ATL. We always rise up to good teams. Its the Tenns’ Skins, Texans..teams with nobody QB’s we let shine on. The Defense is all on Mr Smith and Mr. Frazier. Its their specialities. I’m waiting gentlemen….
October 27th, 2015 at 11:24 am
Joe,
Why isnt Sterling Moore getting more snaps? He was excellent in the slot for Dallas last year. Verner has to be a better fit opposite Banks right?
October 27th, 2015 at 11:25 am
Accountability is what we saw in Detroit yesterday and in Miami a couple of weeks ago. I’m still not in favor of blowing out Lovie and Licht — instability is worse than average coaching — but maybe it’s time for some heads to roll. Maybe it’s time for Leslie Frazier and some on the defensive side to go. (Jim Caldwell is an offensive guy and he blew out his OC yesterday.)
I’m thrilled by what I see from the offense but appalled on the defensive side.
October 27th, 2015 at 11:29 am
i’m glad lovie insisted on control of the final 53 and extensive say over personnel in general. it makes it much easier to assign accountability. when the organization selects a player (scouts & GM preparing for the draft or pulling players off of practice squads or waiver wire in-season), it has gone pretty well under jason licht. when the head coach hand-picks a player or coach (m. johnson\a. collins\verner after a year of scouting from the couch, sterling moore\major wright\jennings\jenkins\etc from his former team, frazier\o’dea\tedford as his coordinators….running out of breath) or decides he has no use for a player (mark barron had a 19 tackle multiple splash play game, revis won a superbowl, and zuttah & penn are highly valued on their new teams) it has been a dumpster fire
October 27th, 2015 at 11:32 am
Good interview on MMQB with Mathieu of Az. Gives you insight into how “real” DBs play the game. I wonder what an interview with our guys would reveal.
October 27th, 2015 at 11:36 am
I’m not saying Mike Jenkins is a good player, cuz he isn’t. But you need to quit being so biased Joe. Jenkins actually played a decent game, in fact Jonthan Banks graded as the worst corner in football Sunday according to pro football focus. So if your gonna throw around names, be sure and include everyone.
October 27th, 2015 at 11:37 am
The Bucs lost Sunday’s game in the 2nd quarter when they had a 24-0 lead, took their foot off of the gas, and handed the momentum of the game over to the skins, which they never got back.
“The very best way to protect your lead is to make it bigger.” – Bobby Bowden
October 27th, 2015 at 11:40 am
And before you say pro football focus isn’t credible, they graded Winston as the 2nd best quarterback last week, only behind Tom Brady. So there you go.
October 27th, 2015 at 11:46 am
PFF isn’t credible, sorry. They also had Jameis game against the Texans as better than a 5 TD Aaron Rodgers performance. PFF is just bait articles now, might have had a purpose at some point but not now. Football Outsiders crushes it (of note, Jameis #4 QB last week….Kirk Cousins #2 lol).
October 27th, 2015 at 11:53 am
Yeah, Banks was pretty weak Sunday. Hopefully he will pick it up soon cause we need it bad.
October 27th, 2015 at 11:55 am
One would have to imagine that the heat has been turned up on this unit. In a word they really are ‘awful’. I can’t say that it is one thing specifically(that would be easy to fix!) but they just look lost back there. These are veterans, right?! Why is Jenkins giving his man 5+ yards in coverage? Can anyone cover? Where are the LBs in zone?
This game was a gut-punch! Completely undisciplined and soft! When the game is on the line we “turtled”!
On 3rd and goal at the 1, we pitch the ball to Sims?!!! Whatever happened to between the tackles or QB sneak?!
Mind boggling! I thought by now that we would be viewing better football. To quote the great Lee Corso, “Not so fast!”
October 27th, 2015 at 12:06 pm
If only Lovie would deactivate himself.
October 27th, 2015 at 12:06 pm
@Super Sam Says – “Jenkins actually played a decent game.” Mike Jenkins did not play a decent game. He was rated 57th overall by PFF (25% snaps min) (-1.2), Jenkins was thrown at 6 times with 6 completions. He also gave up the most yards (71, 11.8 avg). He looked slow in coverage. Yes, Banks numbers were not good (-3.9). He was thrown at 8 times with 7 completions. He gave up (66, 9.4 avg) a lot of yards and had 3 missed tackles.. He did not look 100%. Lovie needs to put Banks and Verner at CB and Moore in the slot. That simple. IMO the problem is the scheme. Play after play after play you see confusion in the secondary and linebackers in coverage? Will the players ever get it?
October 27th, 2015 at 12:39 pm
Realist I agree with back 4 that a lot is on d line not getting pressure. Just 1 sack on the last drive could have won the game.
Problem is we play cushion coverage with a bad pass rush. I would like to see us jam / press some receivers and take away the quick option pass so teams can’t methodically dink and dunk us.
Not sure if it’s as simple as that or what. We still need and elite DE regardless
October 27th, 2015 at 12:44 pm
no pressure exposes our pathetic secondary….it’s starts with the over paid nasally boy scout up front…
October 27th, 2015 at 12:51 pm
If incompetent Lovie Smithhad any integrity he would resign, give the money back to the Glazers and apologize to the Bucs fans.
October 27th, 2015 at 12:59 pm
How come Barron, Michael Johnson and Adrian Clayborn look solid for their teams this year? How come Verner, David and McCoy look so bad after having some great years? Lovie is clueless how to coach and use them.
We need a veteran GM to find the next Dan Quinn or Bowles.