High Comedy From One Buc Palace
December 29th, 2015
Lovie Smith let loose with an all-time knee-slapper yesterday.
Look, Joe has written countless times in recent weeks Bucs coach Lovie Smith returns next year.
Six wins is six wins, and Lovie got that mark, tripling last year’s total and perfectly overseeing the most important franchise transaction in decades: drafting America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston. Lovie could not have handled Jameis any better.
But that doesn’t mean Joe is going to bury his head in the sand about the rest of the team. Specifically, the side of the ball Lovie took over this fall, and to be more direct, the heinous secondary.
Lovie got grilled yesterday in his weekly day-after presser about his defense when Lovie let loose with a response that nearly put Joe on the floor because it was so over the top.
“It’s not a finished product,” Lovie said. “When I say it’s not a finished product, the way you get a finished product is, first off, you have to have the type of player that you are looking for in every position. We’re not there yet.”
Joe was nearly speechless then and still is. Lovie doesn’t have his players, really? This just in: Lovie has final say of the 53-man roster! There isn’t one player on the roster Lovie doesn’t want. Because if Lovie didn’t want him, he wouldn’t be here!
Folks, that’s not just spin, that’s a con. Sure, might Lovie want better players. Good grief, what coach wouldn’t, but again, Lovie has the final say over the roster. If Lovie didn’t want the guy, he’s gone, simple as that, as the head coach might say.
What is Lovie lobbying for, five more years to right his defense?
Let’s take it a step further using Lovie’s false pretense: You think Todd Bowles, in his first year with the Jets and one win from a playoff berth, has a full and complete roster of guys that are his “type of player?” Hell, Bowles doesn’t even have a decent quarterback (no, vagabond Ryan Fitzpatrick is not a decent quarterback).
You think Dan Quinn, in his first year with the Dixie Chicks (same record as the Bucs) has a full roster of guys that are his “type of player?” Or how about Mike Zimmer with the Vikings, one win from an NFC North title in his second season? Please.
These guys crafted a scheme that got the most out of their talents. There is no way you can say Lovie has done the same with his secondary or even his defense.
It was such an outrageous comment from Lovie about not having his type of players, Joe almost thought Lovie was taking a shot at the pro personnel guys at One Buc Palace, but Joe doesn’t think even Lovie would stoop to that kind of a stunt.
If Lovie has a problem with the talent level, he only needs to look in the mirror to find the culprit.
As Joe has stated before, Jameis saved Lovie’s job.
December 29th, 2015 at 12:23 pm
Dude Fitzpatrick has been much better than decent this year. Have you even watched a Jets game?
Also have you seen the Jets defensive roster? It’s practically all 1st rounders lol
Bowles has done a great job but comon man that’s some crazy spin
December 29th, 2015 at 12:24 pm
Agree Joe but I mean the Jets do have the better overall talent on defense. I’m not sure why the Bucs only picked up spare parts from the Bears and then another Ghost Johnson who hadn’t proven anything last offseason.
Here’s to hoping the penny pincher Glaziers open up their wallets this offseason!! Mario Williams, maybe Eric Weddle? I sure as hell hope so its worth a shot.
December 29th, 2015 at 12:26 pm
Wasn’t even Jets No. 1 QB in training camp. Have you even watched him in the past? Why he’s so good, he’s been with more teams than Stewart McClown.
Show Joe any GM who actually wants Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starting quarterback and Joe will show you a man who needs to be drug tested.
December 29th, 2015 at 12:27 pm
As I said before, Obama has just one year left and hopefully so does Lovie….
December 29th, 2015 at 12:31 pm
Giving this dummy another year is pointless. The jury is still out on Winston. He still has a lot to prove. Keep Koetter as OC and find a real HC.
December 29th, 2015 at 12:31 pm
I figured it would only be a matter of time before Lovie played the “I don’t have enough talent card”. This is what happens when your coach thinks he can replace a guy the Revis with a guy like Tim Jennings. I’ll go out on a limb here and say that even the Dashon Goldson trade was a mistake, he’s actually having a decent year and his team is gonna win the division, he was even voted a team captain, I know I’d way rather have him then Major Wright! Lovie is in over his stupid head.
December 29th, 2015 at 12:34 pm
Tell me again why he has EARNED the right for another year. Jameis is Dirks project not Lovies.
December 29th, 2015 at 12:34 pm
I said this early in the season, why even bother asking Lovie any questions? All you get is complete BS coach speak answers and tired cliches. Seriously, Screw Lovie. so sick of hearing him talk.
Team Glazer should tell him to just stfu and not open his mouth until his defense can prove its capable of stopping a bottom-tier quarterback.
December 29th, 2015 at 12:36 pm
So basically, Koetter knows how to maximize the talent that he has on offense, but Lovie can’t figure out how to do the same on defense? Didn’t Lovie bring in all of those players that fit his system?
Lovie has had 2 drafts and free agency periods to get his players.
Lovie = Failure
December 29th, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Lovie has ONE playoff trip in the last nine seasons including this year.
Can anyone explain to me how that isn’t washed up?
Does anyone think that he’s a good coach?
December 29th, 2015 at 12:38 pm
Btw Joe I read your post on bucsnation about how you want Lovie fired a long time ago but you want continuity, that’s why we promote Keotter and the offense will lose no continuity. I liked the intensity you had in that post, you should bring more of that to this website.
December 29th, 2015 at 12:39 pm
Wanna know why this defense has a lack of talent? Lovie Smith needs to find his nearest mirror, because he’s the reason why. And it’s not just the talent he booted, its the fact some of his extremely poor personnel decisions have forced draft picks to be used that could have been used elsewhere (like defense).
Lovie at the absolute best deserves a 2/10 for his first two years here. Why people want to act like he’s done a 6/10 job is ridiculous. He’s been extremely poor. We’d be hard pressed to NOT find a better coach. We have one of the worst coaches in the league right now, no if, ands, or buts about it.
December 29th, 2015 at 12:39 pm
Yes, Koetter has developed Winston well…
December 29th, 2015 at 12:41 pm
Excellent point! Koetter COMPLETELY turned around the offense with three rookies and two guys off the scrap heap in August.
December 29th, 2015 at 12:43 pm
1. Joe writes for Joe. He has never written for any other Bucs-related publication.
2. Joe has never advocated for Lovie to be fired. Not sure what author you are referring to.
December 29th, 2015 at 12:51 pm
If the Bucs were not dumb enough to hire Lovie, he would still be in the basement. He should have never been considered a candidate for the job, but the glazers wanted one more grasp at the glory days. If we want to repeat history, lets fire Lovie and Hire Jon Gruden. We will win a Super Bowl then.
Idiotic hire…..
December 29th, 2015 at 12:52 pm
LMAO at TOM ERDINGTON WTF does OBAMA have to do with the bucs? Keep politics and football separate. We all know theres a few of you guys out there that just don’t want Lovie back because of his skin color
December 29th, 2015 at 12:55 pm
Yeah, man, I agree completely with Lovie.
When I get 5 MIT PhD physicists working for my company then we’ll get the results we want.
December 29th, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Fire Lovie. Promote Koetter. Hire Gus Bradley to coach defense. And lets get the 2016 season started
December 29th, 2015 at 12:59 pm
@ AC – You say to keep Obama out of it…which I wholeheartedly agree btw then you follow that up by doubling down on a race card. Come on man. Lovie just sucks no matter what color he is!
December 29th, 2015 at 1:02 pm
That is not comedy in the least!!! That’s the head coach trying to blame anything but himself. He could have said ” I am working to get the right players in place” or he could have said ” I missed on a few players this year and I am ironing that out ” No, he sent the blame everywhere else but himself. That’s a damn disgrace for any man that considers himself a leader of men. Own up to your mistakes and move forward. I believe Gruden did the same thing and most of you wanted his head on a platter! I’m not on the Fire Lovie bandwagon, but I’m walking right behind it. This coach should get one more year but, he needs a very VERY short leash, as in 0-4 and out. Koetter gets the reigns for the rest of the season.
December 29th, 2015 at 1:05 pm
“This just in: Lovie has final say of the 53-man roster! There isn’t one player on the roster Lovie doesn’t want. Because if Lovie didn’t want him, he wouldn’t be here!
Folks, that’s not just spin…” – Joe
That is completely untrue. IF he had all the players he wanted, he would have gotten the best players in the NFL. The truth is, he can only choose from what is available, so he had to settle until he could get better.
December 29th, 2015 at 1:05 pm
Listening to Lovie makes me wonder what kind of medication the Glazers were on when they hired him. Something rotten in Bucs land.
December 29th, 2015 at 1:08 pm
@ Bonzai – why does he only have ONE playoff trip in the last nine years? Is that good? Are you a Lovie apologist? I don’t understand You? Help us all out.
December 29th, 2015 at 1:12 pm
One of the biggest knocks on lovie is his dismal performance in player evaluation and selection. But how many of us have us have given any thought to his selection of coaches. Not good.
Wide Receivers are young: Evans in only his second year and needs direction to grow; Humphries and Dye are UFAs and really need to coached-up on the fly. Ditto for any WR drafted next Spring.
So who did Lovie hire for this critical coaching position?
ANDREW HAYES-STOKER! How’s this for a CV? *
2005-2006 Tx A&M Grad Assistant
2006-2009 Ch Bears Footbal Operations Assistant
2010-2011 Ch Bears OFF Quality Control
2012 Ch Bears Off Asst/ WR Coach
2013 Florida Atlantic RB Coach
2014 to ? Bucs WR Coach
* Source: Buccaneers.com
And Hayes-Smith is not the only Lovie guy in a critical position:
CB Coach, Gill Byrd is another one (you’re doin’ a heckuva job Gill).
RB Coach, Tim Spencer is another.
And if you want a really good laugh, look up George Warhop on Wiki!
So if you wonder why players aren’t getting better, just look at the coaches brought in by Lovie. Simple as that.
December 29th, 2015 at 1:12 pm
If the Glazers let Koetter walk out the door for another head coaching job when realistically 2/3 of the coaching staff needs to be replaced (special teams and defense) because of mediocre performance would be mind boggling.
With the success of Zimmer and Arians being elevated to head coach, I see no reason why Koetter would not be able to succeed like those two. I’m sure Koetter could continue to help develop Jameis like Arians has resurrected Palmer in Arizona while being the head coaching job. Just like Peyton made Drew Brees.
Really this offseason is not about whether Lovie deserves to stay or go. This is the offseason of retaining Koetter at any cost or for that matter any promotion.
December 29th, 2015 at 1:14 pm
”
Dude Fitzpatrick has been much better than decent this year. Have you even watched a Jets game?
Wasn’t even Jets No. 1 QB in training camp. Have you even watched him in the past? Why he’s so good, he’s been with more teams than Stewart McClown.
Show Joe any GM who actually wants Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starting quarterback and Joe will show you a man who needs to be drug tested”
Um well you should probably go drug test the GMs of all these teams because I’m sure they’d love to that kind of QB play this year compared to what they’ve had:
Texans
Rams
49ers
Eagles
Browns
not to mention the hurt QB teams that could use him in the Colts / Cowboys / Ravens / Bengals / etc
The Jets sure as hell have enjoyed him
~4000 yards, 60% completion, 30 TDs, 12 Int. Yeah i’m sure every other team is getting that kind of QB play this year.
Yeah the guy has had a mediocre career but that doesn’t take away from his accomplishments this year. He made Brandon Marshall look like an elite WR again.
He’s a journeyman but you are acting like he is some scrub QB that the team has overcome when he has been a key part of their success. Your analysis is flawed as all hell when you do things like this
December 29th, 2015 at 1:19 pm
Howard usually avoids talking about his feelings because it makes him fell vulnerable, but:
Howard is on the fence as far as Lovie. Howard has always said the big-piture problem with the Bucs is more the Glazers style of running the team than it is any coaching skill-set. Lovie lost a ton of talent on defense and McCoy was playing at half-power-level. (Props to McCoy for gutting it out. He made Sapp proud). The real problem is that the Bucs are paper thin on defense. Blame Dom if you want but I think it goes higher than that, and goes back longer than that.
On the upside we have Koetter, Winston and a shiny new offense.
If the owner was Howard, he would retain every existing talent on the team from this year and get rid of all the cheap 3rd stringers and replace them with starters or solid depth. Shi**y players kill teams. Guess who the CB was for the Eagles this year?….None other than EJ Biggers.
Koetter had Vjax, Doug Martin, The Messiah, Ali Marpet, Logan Mankins, Sims, Evans and Hawley and Smith. Case in point: There is something to Lovies argument that he has no players on defense. It’s very true. David is the only true starter on defense whose not playing with injuries.
December 29th, 2015 at 1:22 pm
I dont get why lovie automaticaly comes back “by tripleing 2014 win total”?
We won 2 games because of his bad choices. We could of had carson palmer or played glennon all of 2014 and won more. We could of kept penn, larson, big z, and revis and won more. Lovie’s bad choices are why we only won 2 games in 2014 and why we only won 6 in 2015. We don’t have his players because he makes bad personel choices! The schedule was as easy as it will every be and we won 6.
December 29th, 2015 at 1:24 pm
I would fire Lovie and Frazier and then hire Schwartz to turn the defense around.
December 29th, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Can’t wait for another year of excuses and embarrassments.
The list of Cons for Lovie is far longer than the list of Pros.
This team is once again irrelevant except for Jameis.
Freaking Joke!
Siege my ****!
Go Sucs!
Losers again!
December 29th, 2015 at 1:27 pm
I totally disagree with the notion that Lovie “couldn’t have handled Jameis any better”! The guy isn’t a zoo animal. Him and Koetter certainly made the most of the season, but it seemed to me that Lovie just moped around, blaming people besides himself and making excuses the whole year. The more you follow the Bucs (pre-season, pre-game and post game chatter) the more you realize that there is a good chance that Lovie has absolutely no idea what he is talking about and is simply a product of the NFL’s buddy, buddy system.
December 29th, 2015 at 1:30 pm
Depends on if Koetter wants to be HC and if will be a distraction to his OC’ing.
If Koetter wants to be HC it should force the Glazers hand. Then retain Lovie as DC at the same pay….
#emotionally unstable
December 29th, 2015 at 1:30 pm
I have an idea! Let’s change slogans and head coaches every year until one combination works, like we did cornerbacks this year. Next year lets go “Loot the Booty” and Dirk Koetter.
December 29th, 2015 at 1:32 pm
T REX Says:
December 29th, 2015 at 1:08 pm
@ Bonzai – why does he only have ONE playoff trip in the last nine years? Is that good? Are you a Lovie apologist? I don’t understand You? Help us all out.
________________________________________________________________
I’m telling everyone this, but try reading his posts with a slightly retarded accent. It all makes more sense this way, just trust me. Trying to understand his points from the basis of facts is pointless.
December 29th, 2015 at 1:32 pm
COME ON JOE , DO YOU HONESTLY THINK THAT LOVIE WAS COACHING WINSTON TO BE WHAT HEIS NOW, AND YOUR NOT GOING TO CREDIT KOETTER, YOUR CRAZY!!! . I THINK HE WAS TOO BUSSY COACHING THE DEFENSE, LOVIE IS A TURTLE !!!FIRE HIM OR IT WILL BE THE SAME SH-T NEXT YEAR , THEN THEY WILL FIRE HIM AND A SEASON DONE LOST !!!
December 29th, 2015 at 1:42 pm
YEL AC SAY: AND WE KNOW THERE IS ALOT OF YOU WANT LOVIE HERE FOR HIS SKIN COLOR. SO WHAT ABOUT IT !!!
December 29th, 2015 at 1:43 pm
CAN’T FIX IT:
Be real! How many defensive coaches would have f’ed with Jameis? Many (Mike Pettine at Cleveland is one of many, many examples).
1. Lovie EASILY could have caved to public and private pressure and not drafted Jameis, or demanded the pick to be traded down for defensive players.
2. If Lovie didn’t want Jameis here, he wouldn’t be here. Period.
3. Lovie hired Koetter to groom Jameis. Repeat that sentence. Lovie could have hired some slug like Brian Schottenheimer instead. Imagine what a cluster that would have been.
4. Lovie got out of Jameis’ way.
5. When Lovie felt the time was right, he nudged Jameis to take more of a leadership role. The team suddenly got into a playoff race.
Drafting Jameis was one of the most important transactions in franchise history and that is not hyperbole. Lovie very easily could have screwed up the works. Instead, Lovie did a masterful job with Jameis. This cannot be argued.
Jameis’ development has Lovie’s fingerprints all over it, just like Lovie’s rotten defense has his fingerprints all over it.
December 29th, 2015 at 1:47 pm
Feel free to describe in detail how Lovie or anyone else could have been better with Jameis. Currently, Jameis has rookie stats that rival the very best that have ever played. This after a terrible start.
Joe’s all ears.
December 29th, 2015 at 1:47 pm
Hmmmm. That post was signed by JoeBucsFan who stated: “Joe isn’t your typical fan blogger. Joe has 40+ years of talking in 3rd person. Joe can write, and breathe and crap football.”
Maybe Joe’s split personality doesn’t realize what his alter ego is doing?
December 29th, 2015 at 1:48 pm
Gotta link for this post on another site Joe never wrote for?
December 29th, 2015 at 1:53 pm
@CAN’T FIX IT
So, have I missed Jameis starting it all over again? He has his millions now.
“you can’t fix it Says:
April 15th, 2015 at 12:15 pm
Your right Robert, If Tampa signs Winston , He will start it all over again after collecting his millions, And will be stuck with this jurk until they trade him or let him go and the Buc’s will have lost a chance to have drafted Mariota, On top of that , will be the laughing stock of the NFL once again !!!!!!!…….”
December 29th, 2015 at 1:58 pm
@Joe
I believe you have an incredibly balanced view of Lovie. He deserves props for putting his neck on the line for #3 and then hiring a great coach to groom him.
But I also agree his defense leaves a lot to be desired. Since we literally haven’t seen the players who were supposed to be playing this defense due to injuries and suspensions I’ll agree with all who deplore the way Lovie’s defense ended the year..no sugar coating it..that product sucked…how much of it will be on the field next year is the real question. I see the defense changing as much as the offense did this year.
We’ve had one good draft and one awesome draft..let’s see what year #3 delivers.
December 29th, 2015 at 2:11 pm
For all the love we give Koetter and Winston while raking the D under the coals we only ranked 19th in scoring offense.
We were 23rd in scoring defense. 16th if you adjust for the league avg for points off of offensive turnovers.
By comparison the scrub Fitzpatrick had the Jets ranked 10th
December 29th, 2015 at 2:14 pm
Idontwannahearitanymore :
Thanks for pointing that out. Will take care of it.
December 29th, 2015 at 2:17 pm
Lol.
The team is making major strides foward.
Apparent to everyone and every expert in the world
Except for the haters here. Who have to be least informed fans Ive ever seen.
TheBucs will be in the hunt next year. All you idiots will be saying what Lovie fans you are- and supported him since the day he got here.
Why not rest those lil pea brains until then
December 29th, 2015 at 2:19 pm
@LordC
Your points about the relative performances of the offense versus the defense are correct.
I think we Buc fans have been both spoiled by excellent defense..won our SB with D…and mediocre to atrocious offense…won our SB with a mediocre pound the rock offense..and a very smart wiley old vet at QB.
And so I must confess I feel like the O has done better than they have relative to the D simply because I have such low expectations for any Bucs O. Now with #3 I at least have some hope…for the FIRST time as a Bucs fan. I don’t know I guess I bought the Dilfer snake oil for a year or two but this is the first year I can remember being really excited about our offense.
Here’s another consideration…that which must not be said. I love Kwon Alexander and I hope he has learned a very valuable lesson..but he definitely hosed the Bucs this year. Just imagine if #3 had been suspended the last four games for a PED. Holy cow can you even imagine. Think what would have happened to our offense. Why are we surprised it happened to our D?
I think our D played as well without Kwon as our O would have played with Glennon instead of #3 at QB.
December 29th, 2015 at 2:31 pm
It’s actually pretty important that the Bucs have their best offense ranking (#7) ever, since the emphasis placed by the evolution of rule changes favors the offense. That is, if you are to put most of your marbles in one bag, put them in the offensive bag because the defensive one will give limited returns based on the current rules.
[Idontwannahearitanymore/Colorado Bucs/C: Beginning Jan. 1, Joe is taking a zero tolerance policy on multiple usernames. Pick a name and stick with it, otherwise you (or anyone else) will be banned. Thank you — Joe.]
December 29th, 2015 at 2:34 pm
“And so I must confess I feel like the O has done better than they have relative to the D simply because I have such low expectations for any Bucs O. ”
I think that’s what has happened with most Bucs fans. To see an almost average NFL scoring offense is like some miracle lol. We figure that is all we need for playoffs & super bowls around here.
The offense did improve dramatically more than the D though from last year to this. However the bar was set as low as possible and so many changes were made on that side of the ball:
No OC to Dirk Koetter
Horrible O-line to drafting 2 premier lineman & signing more for depth
Horrible QB to a franchise QB
Injured bad Doug Martin to revitalized young Doug Martin
This isn’t even considering that the prior draft was ALSO all on the offensive side of the ball.
Meanwhile we signed a bunch of mediocre FAs to try and improve the D. We tried for better FAs (Trent Cole / Greg Hardy / etc) but just didn’t land them.
I love Koetter. But he was given a lot of help and upgrades from what we had in 2013 before his impact was even felt. He did get much better play out of the O-line but does Lovie get credit for keeping the O-line coach we all hated AND also hiring Koetter? A lot of the offseason moves that completely re-vamped the offense were driven by Lovie.
I still think his defense has looked terrible for a defensive coach. No pass there. And if it isn’t a top 1/3 unit in the NFL (i.e. playoff caliber defense) then I am ready to move on because that is what the guy is supposed to be able to do.
December 29th, 2015 at 2:35 pm
Lovie ought to be watching Arizona cardinals games to see what a real agressive defense looks like, great d-line play, cornerback and safety play. Those guys get after the quarterback and never let up, that is the kind of defense I would like to see here, go watch some tape Lovie and see what a really good defense looks like.
December 29th, 2015 at 2:39 pm
Firing Lovie alone will not help this team get to a championship. Sorry fellas, it just won’t. Replacing him with DK isn’t the answer either. One good year here does not a HC make. Has he ever been a sought after HC candidate? No. So why do we think he’s the answer?
Bringing in a new DC isn’t the answer either. Who would you hire? Is that guy gonna make our UFA / scrap heep DL and DB’s stars? Nope. What system will the new DC operate, and which current players fit that scheme, if anyone? Do we bring in a 3-4 or 4-3 coach? Does Jason Licht have the experience or knowledge to successfully identify and bring in the talent to fit that system?
A new HC and DC means more personnel turnover, which means more instability and probably more losing. And how much time do we give those guys before calling for their heads?
I’m no Lovie fan. But the real problem here is the Glazers. They are clueless. Without blind luck they will NEVER hire the right coach, and while he had a nice draft this year, there is nothing in his history to suggest Licht would hire the right people if given the chance.
Thus, if the Glazers do not hire an experienced, successful football guy like a McKay, or Polian, to make these decisions, the best chance we have for success next season is to leave Lovie in place.
December 29th, 2015 at 2:42 pm
I get it, I really do. BUT, let’s pump the brakes a little.
NO QUESTION Lovie is responsible. From our vantage point, it is just plain bad and it HAS to get better.
However, you simply cannot continue to have a turnstile at HC and expect results.
AND, better than half the people on this site were more than willing to let go, oh I don’t know a hall of famer, for the likes of Alterraun Verner and Michael Johnson. Way to save that cap room!!! So, don’t get all holier than thou because we don’t have any talent. You were all gung-ho then!
The defense is bad and clearly needs some help. I am not willing to hit reset again though and set us back again 2-3 years. We know who we have and who we need to replace. Get it done Lovie, they’re lighting the torches in Buc-ville!
December 29th, 2015 at 2:57 pm
really joe?…lol…bowles and Quinn inherited WAY more talent when they were hired…they didn’t have to gut the team and start from scratch….bowles inherited a top 5 defense, solid oline, and a play makers in decker when he took over…the only thing he had to do was find a qb that didn’t turn the ball over and get them to avoid distractions and get them over the new England hump..has he done that yet? ITS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS…Quinn already had a franchise qb ,wr , very good offense mixed in with a decent secondary…Quinn was hired to improve the falcon defense…has he done that yet? HELL NO…lovie had to try and mask the lack of talent with players that knew the system…did it work no, it completely back fired but if you and other people on this site think that lovie hand picked and choose to start someone like jude at cb because it is his guy and he’s better than others at the position than I cant do anything but laugh and be as speechless as you were…players like jude were only playing because those in front of him lacked just as much talent as he did…might as well give someone a chance to see what they can do if the starters are just as bad as the third string players….if people think at the end of preseason lovie said this is the roster that can get us back to the superbowl, then im speechless….its still a work in progress…its only year #2 under lovie…he went from 2 wins to 6wins…if lovie continues the trend he will be 12-4 next year…..GO BUCS!!!!
December 29th, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Its time to cut your losses.
If you expect him to be fired after next season (and who doesn’t) then why bother to keep him now. It just sets you back another year and gives Lovie a chance to screw up the defensive draft picks to fit his”system” that no other sane coach is using anymore.
Glazers just need to suck it up and eat the 15 million they owe him and move on. They will end up losing more dollars in ticket sales and concessions by keeping him than just paying the fuker to go bye bye.
December 29th, 2015 at 3:01 pm
Could we stop saying that Lovie tripled it’s number of victory this year. He’s the one that produced the 2-14 result. Plus they tanked for the first pick so it’s more a 3-13 recordss
What bothers me is that we lose almost all the close games either by penalties, dumb conservative playcalling or awful game clock management. I’m also bothered by Cullen and the clash abd its players on gameday. I’m bothered by the non productive pass rush, our inability to develop safeties and corners. I’m also very suspicious of all the injury we have.. Is there any trainers and nutritionist that look over what the player takes or do?? ASJ, VJ, McCoy, jSmith, Spence, Dotson, Bell, Conte and all the others..
What’s disgusting is that whenever Lovie runs out a player out of town, he’s picked up by another club and starts playing well. MJ is doing fine, LJ is doing an ok job withtve Pats, even Omaheh gets it done. Talib, Blount, Revis, Penn, the center in Baltimore I can’t recall its name athe moment.. We are left rooting for undrafted players and dmall
School
Prospects. Don’t get me wrong, I love Brate, J smith, Marpet and Lansannah but Jesus we do need elite players coming out of credible football program.
Anyway.. I get that we’ll get another year of Lovie but if someone try to lute Koetter away then the Glazers needs to step up and boot Lovie out.if i was the Glazers, I would make a deal with Lovie to make it appears that he step down and retire. That way no one gets publicly hammered and we can look for a bettwr option at HC. Deep inside Lovie has to know that he’s doing a terrible job at the momeny
December 29th, 2015 at 3:03 pm
@john…that Arizona defense is littered with 1st round picks….we only have 1 in McCoy….not saying lovie needs 5-6 first round picks on defense but an increase of talent would sure help…GO BUCS!!!
December 29th, 2015 at 3:14 pm
@bucsqccity…mj from the bengals is still a back up/rotational player…lovie did make the mistake in thinking he could become a starter but that’s it…obviously lovie saw the talent was there but mj wasn’t ready to become the man…lj…come on…lj was horrible with schiano and horrible last year too…he had 1 decent game with the pats…lets see some consistency…talib and blount were let go by schiano not lovie….I have no problem with lovie cutting penn, omaheh and zuttah because we have younger/better players in d.smith, Hawley and marpet….see lovie didn’t do such a bad job after all…GO BUCS!!!
December 29th, 2015 at 3:17 pm
I haven’t comment on a while but this is so ridiculous I have to put my two cents in.
You know exactly what he is saying. Just because he has control over the final roster doesn’t mean every signal signing is exactly what he wants. Sometimes you get the best available, sometimes you make a wrong move, sometimes the player isn’t who you thought he was.
I don’t think for one second that Lovie was implying that he hadn’t had a chance to get his own players.
He’s merely stating a fact, it takes a while to build a team of players that are the perfect fit for your team. It doesn’t happen over night and you surely are going to swing and miss a few times.
Reading more into that statement and feigning disbelieve is just making a mountain out of a molehill (even when there’s no molehill to begin with) to manufacture controversy as usual.
But hey, don’t stop now Joe, it really is what you guys are best at.
December 29th, 2015 at 3:18 pm
@813bucboi, I agree, just love the aggressive nature of that defense, cover 2 and whatever else Lovie is mixing in is just to soft for me. We need a lot more talent, just not fond of this system, I love aggressive defense and offense.
December 29th, 2015 at 3:18 pm
Lovie and his excuses, he is a glorified used car salesman
December 29th, 2015 at 3:28 pm
Yall can laugh at Lovie’s comments. I actually think it’s funny when fans analyze an NFL Head Coaches comments this thoroughly. His comment seemed pretty basic to me and he is getting railed for it. This is why everything Lovie says will be PR focused and not as much to do with football. Trust me if Lovie said exactually how he felt he would be getting demolished by the fans and media. Just seems silly to microscope generic comments that hold little truth to the matters.
December 29th, 2015 at 3:29 pm
Name one all pro on this team. this team has no talent,only role players that would not make other N.F.L. teams. Spend the money and overpay if you have to ,but bring in player’s that wont fake injuries every weak.
December 29th, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Look at the age of the free agent that have came here.. they have been rejects from other teams.
December 29th, 2015 at 3:31 pm
@bucrightoff
You’re a classy guy there, fella. Does it make you feel big and strong to insult people like that? If so, go for it. If you can’t be a man, you can at least pretend.
December 29th, 2015 at 3:34 pm
I don’t mind a turnstile at the HC position until the right coach is brought in. Lovie ain’t it, next man up. The right coach will show what he is worth right off the bat, not like this current failed experiment where misery and spaced out play is a big part of the package.
December 29th, 2015 at 3:37 pm
Lets fire Lovie and hire somebody else. That though is scary. Which competent mind are we actually getting as a replacement in that scenario? We have, after all, just been through two horrible regimes whereas the team was left in a worse position then was given. Lovie has had his failures but has also done a lot of good. Primarly in taking a league worst offense, and heading us to be one of the best heading into 2016. Not to mention that Lovie has proven to be a solid Head Coach in the league before………….Now if ya’ll are talking about coaxing Parcells or Dungy out of retirement or trading for Billechick then I’m with ya……….But don’t throw Coetter’s name out there like he is an instant upgrade…….Because he is unproven and those experiments fail most often.
December 29th, 2015 at 3:46 pm
So long as Lovie is in the fire I’d like to throw in out D-Line who was wost in the league at pass rush. Also we can toss in Mike Evans and Austin Jenkins, neither of whom can catch a Winston line drive.
December 29th, 2015 at 3:50 pm
BuccaneerBonzai Says:
December 29th, 2015 at 3:31 pm
@bucrightoff
You’re a classy guy there, fella. Does it make you feel big and strong to insult people like that? If so, go for it. If you can’t be a man, you can at least pretend.
___________________________________________________________
And if you’re going to keep trolling away with takes that are both dumb and lacking in fact, I’m gonna keep coming back. Besides I’m actually helping you out my man, I’m trying to help people better understand the crap you write. I’m being helpful, so if anything so you should thank me. You’re welcome in advance.
December 29th, 2015 at 3:53 pm
Can we not say we don’t mind a HC carossel? Wasn’t that the main reason for the last decade of losing football?
December 29th, 2015 at 4:04 pm
The free agent acquisitions have been atrocious. This needs to be addressed.
December 29th, 2015 at 4:34 pm
To be fair to Lovie, the drafts have been focused only on the offense. We all know good players rarely move in free agency. The people we signed, the ones you guys call “Lovie’s guys” are not permanent solutions. They were brought in to plug a hole until we found the future. This isn’t rocket science. Do you people really think Chris conte and Tim Jennings were signed to be the future of this franchise? I know most people don’t think highly of Lovie but give the guy more credit than that. He signed guys familiar to his sytem. But that doesn’t mean he expects a lot out of those guys. We know how good they are (or aren’t) and so does Lovie. Lovie had to wait for his defense. And you can expect the next few drafts to be heavy defense. We can blame lovies’ plan to go all in on offense as a bad plan and I wouldn’t disagree, but this team is much more fun to watch with Jameis and the run game doing what they do best. I’m not for Lovie staying but to say Lovie’s defense has all the pieces he wants is just stupid talk.
December 29th, 2015 at 4:42 pm
@john…Im with you…I love watching that defense play as well….don’t worry we will get there very very soon…this draft will focus on the defense and everyone will see them flying around…GO BUCS!!!
December 29th, 2015 at 4:47 pm
@trubucfan….GREAT POST!!!!….even though your not for lovie you can still see he isn’t working with a full deck…unlike realist,couch and bucrightoff,..you my friend are a TRUBUCFAN…GO BUCS!!!
December 29th, 2015 at 4:49 pm
AC Says:
December 29th, 2015 at 12:52 pm
“LMAO at TOM ERDINGTON WTF does OBAMA have to do with the bucs? Keep politics and football separate. We all know theres a few of you guys out there that just don’t want Lovie back because of his skin color”
Dumb race card IDIOT!
I’m the biggest Winston(black) fan ON this site and I can’t stand Lovie Smith anymore. They said the same thing about anyone that disagreed with Obama for about 5 straight yrs. It must be because he’s black. This country has a serious problem and it starts in a particular community of people within it.
You sir are part of that problem.
December 29th, 2015 at 4:54 pm
Since day 1 Lovie has been horible at evaluating anything for this team: OC and DC basically were both fired, he let 3 current NFL OL starters walk out the door, and brought in crap at every step and a defense he singlehadedly brought in and couldnt coach, sorry lovie cant cant coach, if this was a major market city lovie would have been fired last year
December 29th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
BUC87 you are spot on these clowns whether politics or in this case football go straight to the race card because ppl disagree with them and they are what is keeping america a place you cant have open and honest discussions on race and politics w the current administration in dc and tampa…OBAMA will go down as one of the worst presidents in us history and he is multiracial so.. pipe down with the racist crap, he is the epitome of the US melting pot and every american should be proud that the US elected him as president but unfortunately he is friggin a jv president just as Lovie is a jv coach we are stuck with here, both have nothing to do with race… its the results on the field and absolute horrible mismanagement of personnel and philosophy! PERIOD!!!
December 29th, 2015 at 5:05 pm
How about I just show up at the home opener next season with a sign that reads : Fire Lovie Now!
Sound good? I might make up a banner.
December 29th, 2015 at 5:22 pm
DONT FIRE LOVIE! Let him build his team. Firing a coach like Lovie would be the stupidest thing this organization can do right now. Unless Gruden said he wants to come back to Tampa Lovie is our guy. Back him and the team and you will see the best is yet to come.
December 29th, 2015 at 5:24 pm
Thought provoking post, lots of comments, not much progress.
December 29th, 2015 at 5:27 pm
The Colts have signed Josh Freeman…..now thats comedy!!!!!!!!!!
December 29th, 2015 at 5:34 pm
Damn Max….Freeman keeps getting paid?? lol smh
December 29th, 2015 at 5:37 pm
Hope he saves it…he’ll be cut eventually. You know, its funny. He’s one of the few former Bucs that get picked up by another NFL team and doesnt do well. Many others have. The latest? Look at DJ Swearinger with the Cardinals.
December 29th, 2015 at 5:40 pm
Vincente ….come back and tell us that in the middle of next season when you’re fuming pissed at Lovie Smith.
Have you been pleased with his in-game decisions? He’s building what exactly? When you make dumb decision after dumb decision it’s starts to add up that you’re a dummy. I’m not even talking about the FA busts over the last 2 years. That’s enough to make me want to vomit, so I try to refrain from talking about them.
Jason Licht 2014 “We don’t expect our fans to be patient.”
December 29th, 2015 at 5:41 pm
No chit Max.
December 29th, 2015 at 5:48 pm
Bucs1987-You had asked what Lovie Smith is building. He has built a very solid offensive line. I realize that adds up to a hill of beans at this point but it is a far tougher task then I think many realize………If he were to get fired at least he has left one area in fine shape which is much more then I could say about each of the last 3 Head Coaches we have had.
December 29th, 2015 at 5:50 pm
Anyone watching the Baylor game? Keep your eye on DE Oakman #2….could be a late 1st rounder or top of 2nd.
December 29th, 2015 at 5:52 pm
Buccaneers…legend has it…well actually facts have it. Every single O-line Lovie had in Chicago was garbage. What exactly is he building with the o-line? Mankins is nearly washed up. Hawley and EDS? He’s got Marpet and Donavan Smith. The rest of the guys are simply plug in guys to me.
How come we have SO many fans that want to give Lovie credit for what the offense is doing? I simply don’t get it.
December 29th, 2015 at 6:04 pm
The O line is Licht drafting and their O line coach.
December 29th, 2015 at 6:05 pm
Look it’s like this for me. Screenshot this if you need to. Mark it down and remember it too I’ll still be here more than likely.
If Lovie even turns in a winning record, 9-7 next season I will personally type every single day that I am a moron for doubting Lovie. As of right now it’s damn early, no free agency, no draft, no TC, no preseason yet, and looking at next season’s schedule I see 5-6 wins. So yes I will definitely make it known every single day that I was wrong, but it’s not going to happen.
December 29th, 2015 at 6:06 pm
Baylor O line, #58 Drango…..watch him too.
December 29th, 2015 at 6:10 pm
“Firing a coach like Lovie would be the stupidest thing this organization can do right now.”
WTF are you smoking Vincente!? Firing a coach who has 8 maybe with a lot of luck 9 wins in two full seasons of being overlord of football operations would be stupid? Lovie, much like Ken Wisenhunt, is a coach who apparently cashed in on hype from a Super Bowl loss a decade ago. I place both those guys in the same league as Norv Turner…good at the role of coordinator, but mediocre HC material at best. At least Titan’s ownership realized this and despite the clusterf*ck of a mid-season firing this year they at least didn’t accept complacency for the future of the franchise.
December 29th, 2015 at 6:10 pm
1987-The Bucs have a physically dominating O-Line. It is undeniable that this O-Line is a product of the Lovie regime. Surely Lovie does not deserve all the credit about it. I’m just glad the team has something to build upon for the first time in a long time.
Lovie is the Head Coach and is the first to blame for failure, and rightfully so. He deserves credit for success’s alike.
Hey you asked what he built and I answered your question.
December 29th, 2015 at 6:19 pm
Buccaneers…I’m not faulting you at all. Good post, but I can counter anyone’s post. An argument can be made that the o-line benefited from the weak schedule that they faced, but yes they did look decent this season. Since they have been plugging in holes though, I’d have to say the credit goes to Warhop. Martin doesn’t get those yards without that o-line playing above average.
I’m not arguing with you, I agree with you to a point. I say let’s see what the o-line does in year 3 of Lovie.
December 29th, 2015 at 6:23 pm
Max is doing the scouting for us tonight…
Max…dontcha just LOVE college football man?
December 29th, 2015 at 6:28 pm
Yes Sir! I love my non paying job of scouting….havent been too bad the past 4 years…..finally last year it seems some Bucs staff might have agreed with me lol.
December 29th, 2015 at 6:30 pm
College is where the meat is….no pay, nothing but heart, for the most part. Im about to give up on the NFL altogether. Its getting ridiculous.
December 29th, 2015 at 6:42 pm
1987-I just like to give credit where it is due. I don’t care for the notion that Lovie is D-minded and deserves little to no credit for any good on Offense…….If we had drafted 2 DE’s and grew into a scary Defense Lovie would get most of the credit.
But the revamping of the O-Line should be kept in check. Surely, a lot more minds, beside Lovie, were at work to figure out which Lineman to acuire. What I do know is that Lovie was responsible for creating(basically) our entire coaching staff and personal department.
I really really love where this offense is headed right now. I trust that our current coaching staff can: keep the line strong, figure out our Halfback situation and hopefully bring in a legit WR1.
I don’t like the way we have evaluated free agents but feel that our Bucs know exactually how to get some bang from the draft…….I believe they can fix the Defense and we could have ourselves a team ready to contend yearly.
What I hate is the amount of horrible, dumb mistakes that got repeated every single game thus far. Many times these mistakes were seamlessly neglected and never addressed. I’m talking about 100+ yards in pentaltys per game, dozens of dropped passes/interceptions that had to cost us 100+ points. Missed FG’s and Xpoints………..These mistakes must be fixed because you can’t win football games that way.
Despite all the bad I trust where the orginazation is headed because I believe their flaws are fixable.
December 29th, 2015 at 6:43 pm
The big different between Jets and Falcons is that their coaches inherit a solid team. Jets for the most part had a solid defense. Falcons has a lots of guys that was just in the playoff under Mike Smith. A good qb and wide outs already was in place in ATL. (Got to bang my head for giving ATL compliment.) Both coaches had less holes to fills compared to the Bucs.
Now if one of these guys had to coach the Browns or Jaguars, then I doubt we will be having this conversation. It would be them getting fired like what’s been happening in Bucsville.
Lovie had to follow after Jon Gruden/ Bruce Allen, then the failures of Mark Dominic and his two coaches. There was little to no foundation for a quick turn around like the Falcons and Jets.
This is why I say the Gruden won the SB with Dungy’s players and hard work. He (Dungy) left us with a good foundation. After the SB, things went south. Dungy built the house, Gruden/ Allen set the house on fire after the SB, and for a while we had nothing.
December 29th, 2015 at 6:44 pm
Yep…I watch pro games outside of the Bucs, but nothing compared to how much college ball I watch. It just kicks the hell out of the NFL. It’s also good for scouting players that our team might get and have a little bit of knowledge about who we are getting.
December 29th, 2015 at 6:48 pm
Buccaneers…ya know it’s odd, but no matter who the coach is this team seems to be always riddled with penalties. I’m starting to think it’s the NFL getting back at us for the Gruden deal. I don’t think the league liked that type of deal going on all too much. Many of the calls have been ticky tacky.
December 29th, 2015 at 6:49 pm
@Every comments Let’s remember a few of things shall we it was LOVIE that hired koetter not the other way round the idea that koetter has somehow morphed into HC after 16 games is fanciful at a charitable level, was he not the same guy under mike smith in atlanta? Koetter and Matty ice weren’t able to combine to save mike smith’s job in atlanta. Am sure there is semblance of loyalty owed to LOVIE and the bucs to some extent by Koetter…(I will get to JW later). Is it coincidence koetter as morphed into HC material in one season removed from the train wreck in atlanta? is it a coincidence FSU were not dominant this season? before we start throwing accolade here and people under the bus there let’s take a step back an appreciate the rare talent that is JW and why lovie deserves credit for putting koetter and JW together, JW has been good for Koetter’s career thus far just as he earned jimbo those extra millions at FSU am just saying!
December 29th, 2015 at 6:50 pm
I also love college football yet their games will never rival Football Sunday. Too bad NFL and NCAA can’t just flip flop days.
December 29th, 2015 at 6:59 pm
I am just glad Lovies shortcoming was not to make a bad decision by drafting a bad QB in 2014…….It was my belief then and still is that Tampa didn’t want to mortgage the future into a rookie QB from that draft. I believe they were looking a year ahead and figured they could get either Winston or Marioata. McCown was always looked as a stop-gap.
December 29th, 2015 at 7:06 pm
The Jets Todd Bowles and GM Mike Maccagnan are a great example the Glazers should take notice. Maccagnan cleaned house starting when he fired longtime personnel executive Terry Bradway. The Jets FA signings are what has made this team a potential playoff team. From Brandon Marshall to Eric Decker, Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and of course Ryan Fitzpatrick who is playing outstanding.
December 29th, 2015 at 7:07 pm
OnlyGodnoles… I’m a Noles fan too and thank God Lovie sucked so bad last season we got JW. That’s where I’m at.
December 29th, 2015 at 7:25 pm
Three years are more than enough to evaluate the work of a head coach and determine whether the team is heading in the right direction or not. Significant improvements are expected next season, and that doesn’t mean winning seven games. If the Bucs can’t get in the playoff next season, then Lovie should be fired. It’s “as simple as that.”
December 29th, 2015 at 7:28 pm
Bucs need to do like eagles and fire lovie chip won 20 somein games and lovie has 8…. COME ON GLAZERS FIRE THIS BUM
December 29th, 2015 at 7:31 pm
More comedy……eagles have fired Chip Kelly!!
December 29th, 2015 at 7:33 pm
Bonzai set sail with first Mat Veinte on the USS Lovie ..
There is nothing Lovie has done with this team..
Weak A$$ Schedule and mediocre play
This team is weak in the mind and physically…
Players Coaches always go easy in practice that’s why they like him.
Schiano wasn’t liked because he demanded they play football instead of Bowling parties ..
Raheem was a players Coach..See where he ended up a Waterboy.
Lovie has shown nothing
December 29th, 2015 at 7:41 pm
Lovie should be fired because of the D….too much incompetence in the right scheme and play calling. And benching Banks, that was the biggest joke!
December 29th, 2015 at 8:02 pm
Warren Sapp = QB Killa
Gerald McCoy = Coach Killa
December 29th, 2015 at 8:04 pm
To everyone I seem to be getting my as and has mixed up lately in my sentences not sure why! Apologies to you all.
December 29th, 2015 at 8:33 pm
1 more year is only stalling the inevitable firing of Lovie. But whats 1 more wasted year amongst the last 7 or 8. Hell I lost count.
December 29th, 2015 at 8:43 pm
For those yearning for a good firing…no good news for you on the Lovie front but Jeffrey Lurie has just fired Chip Kelly tonight!
That’s a bit ironic eh? What if Kelly had taken the Bucs job? Would he still have a job? Would he have taken Mariota over Jameis?
December 29th, 2015 at 8:55 pm
Eagles FIRE Chip Kelly after DISAPPOINTING 6-9 record
Per Jeffrey Lurie: “It’s a business”
December 29th, 2015 at 9:05 pm
Sucks that the players and now the fans are ok with losing and keeping Lovie
December 29th, 2015 at 9:08 pm
You people, Joe included, read into every little thing the man says do much it’s ridiculous.
He doesn’t have the right players. That’s obvious. They tried done and done hit and done missed
December 29th, 2015 at 9:13 pm
Third try is the charm. Is that the theory?
December 29th, 2015 at 9:13 pm
Wow. Autocorrect
Everyplace it says – done – should say – some
December 29th, 2015 at 9:18 pm
If Lovie is 6-9 this time next year and has a team that has phoned in as many stinkers as the Eagles then he too will get fired at the end of his 3rd year just like Kelly.
December 29th, 2015 at 9:24 pm
Hey Miron one Super Bowl trip and losing does a Coach not make..
Winning 8 games in 32 should a basement sitter make
But players back this guy, Why cause practice is at the movie theater and he calls no one out…Like McCoy who takes his choice of downs to play..
December 29th, 2015 at 9:29 pm
Look Up Mark Barron’s, Dashon Goldson’s, Michael Johnson’s numbers for this year…
Theyre killin it! (Johnsons numbers are average, but still better than what Lovie could get outta him…)
Lovie CANNOT MAXIMIZE TALENT.. Lovie IS INCAPABLE OF ADJUSTING.. Lovie is INCAPABLE OF COACHING… Simple As That!!
Btw, Verner & Banks will be gone after the season… Then watch them go on different squads in ’16, blowing sht up like Barron & Goldson did post-Lovie!
December 29th, 2015 at 9:33 pm
Scotty in Fat Antonio Says:
December 29th, 2015 at 8:02 pm
Warren Sapp = QB Killa
Gerald McCoy = Coach Killa
_________________________________
Lovie Smith = Buzz Killa
December 29th, 2015 at 9:38 pm
We’re not taking you back Myron….sorry bro…you can stop now. (smh)
December 29th, 2015 at 9:41 pm
“1 more year is only stalling the inevitable firing of Lovie.”
Too bad all the Apologists dont see this…
Lovie is gonna gut his squad and staff anyways… I’d rather a new HC come in and do this…
But yeah, the Apologists want continuity… They wanna see Lovie & Sterling More & Hey Jude & Chris Conte & Major Write & Mike Jenkins back in 2016! Its all about continuity!!! …fckin morons.
December 29th, 2015 at 9:41 pm
I am to the party late as I would have shut down a lot of the stupidity that has been written on this post.
Lovie has final say of the 53-man roster! There isn’t one player on the roster Lovie doesn’t want. Because if Lovie didn’t want him, he wouldn’t be here! So, you are implying that you can just pick the talent you want when you want it?
There is no competition for talent. Tampa is the place every talented player wants to come and play. You think Bill Belichick has all the talent on his team that he wants? The only mistake Lovie made is believing that he could depend on Gerald McCoy. Gerald McCoy sucks.
December 29th, 2015 at 9:44 pm
Lovie’s work here is done…
He came in, brought us LovieBall, which resulted in Jameis…
Thank You Lovie… You can leave now.
December 29th, 2015 at 9:51 pm
You think Todd Bowles, in his first year with the Jets and one win from a playoff berth, has a full and complete roster of guys that are his “type of player?” Hell, Bowles doesn’t even have a decent quarterback (no, vagabond Ryan Fitzpatrick is not a decent quarterback).
Todd Bowles took over a team with talent and lots of talent. The Lovie took over a team without any talent. The QB for the jets may not be that good but the defense is elite and wins the game for jets. Jets also have an excellent offensive line. The Bucs offensive line would be an offal without Jameis Winston.
December 29th, 2015 at 9:56 pm
Joe Says:
December 29th, 2015 at 12:41 pm
So basically, Koetter knows how to maximize the talent that he has on offense
Excellent point! Koetter COMPLETELY turned around the offense with three rookies and two guys off the scrap heap in August.
This is hypocrisy.
December 29th, 2015 at 10:03 pm
“So basically, Koetter knows how to maximize the talent that he has on offense, but Lovie can’t figure out how to do the same on defense?”
^^^ Best post of the year.
December 29th, 2015 at 10:05 pm
Myron Lewis…do you know how many Bucs fans loathe you?
December 29th, 2015 at 10:19 pm
Joe you are far more guilty of spinning.
Lovie can only work with the level of talent available.
December 29th, 2015 at 10:29 pm
Isnt it funny bucrazedave, you say that, yet look at the ex buc players who seem to be pretty talented on other teams…..go figure.
December 29th, 2015 at 10:42 pm
Max…I was thinking the same thing when I read his post.
It’s going to be a looooooong offseason on this site man, with so many fans hating on Lovie.
Should be some epic battles in here.
December 29th, 2015 at 11:03 pm
I don’t think people understand that it does take time to accumulate talented players. And defensively we have only added 1 defender to this defense in the last 2 years. The other signing were mere stop gaps. People to fill positions. None of them were top talent level guys. We all know it.
The culture change happens this off season. Winston will be the undisputed leader of this team, and the young guys will follow him. For the guys who were here the last 3 or 4 years, they can all be cut for all I care. Because they grew up in a losing culture and haven’t broken free of it. But mark my words this off season is the one that turns the franchise around. Winston is our savior.
December 29th, 2015 at 11:20 pm
I just re-read a quote from Jason Licht, and it has me thinking that maybe Lovie & Co. didn’t expect ever expect this team to even get to .500, even from the beginning of the season. Light said, speaking about Winston:
“”We always had confidence, but I thought there was a chance [Winston] would throw over 30 interceptions his first year. I was willing to go through that, and so was [head coach Lovie Smith]. We knew we were going to struggle at times this year, but as long as that guy’s future was bright, there was a lot of hope for us.”
They never even planned on the team being good this year?!? Can’t decide if this makes me more or less mad about how pathetic the team has looked.
December 29th, 2015 at 11:24 pm
That’s fair.
No one saw Ali Marpet turn into the beast he became. Joe Hawley and Godser Cherilus were not even on the roster when training camp started. No one saw Doug Martin push for the rushing title. Most everyone expected Jameis to struggle (he has, but not like most rookies).
Don’t see anything wrong with Licht’s comment.
December 29th, 2015 at 11:42 pm
Doesnt Lovie have control over free agency? Lovie needs to admit to himself he cant evaluate talent and give up roster control. Just focus on game planning and try to learn how to manage the clock correctly.
December 29th, 2015 at 11:42 pm
Amen Joe
Eagle fans have been upset with another all powerful coach, Chip Kelly and now he is gone, like Lovie, he wants players to fit his system, not play calling to fit he athleticism of the player. You gotta work to your talent, not force your talent to do things they aren’t necessarily suited for
December 30th, 2015 at 12:44 am
The main problem is Lovie is the poorest judge of talent I have ever seen. Promoting Stonehands Shrimp proves it! All the Glazers need to do is call him in and tell Lovie they are prepared to fire him unless he agrees to a change to his contract giving up any personnel control and putting him under Licht. Owners often come to players with the ultimatum of restructure your contract or be cut so don’t tell me it can’t be done. Then tell him his taking over control of the defense spread himself too thin and hurt his success opportunity as a HC so let Frazier run it or hire a new DC to run it like his Buddy with Dallas. Then thank him for getting us Winston and a nineth pick for a top DE in 2016. Then fire his WR Coach and his Son. That will get us to the playoffs next year!
December 30th, 2015 at 12:44 am
Lovie has control over the entire 53-man roster, period. No player is on the roster that Lovie doesn’t sign off on.
December 30th, 2015 at 1:25 am
Owlykat Says:
December 30th, 2015 at 12:44 am
The main problem is Lovie is the poorest judge of talent I have ever seen.
Joe has proclaimed that Lovie decides who can and cannot be on the team. Are you getting an idea how ridiculous you are?
December 30th, 2015 at 3:44 am
From the way I see it Joe, our offense is good minus a few depth supervisions. But the defense, hell we have three guys on defense right now who are good enough to be on an NFL roster. Lavonte David, Kwon Alexander, and Gerald McCoy are essentially doing it by themselves. Do I think Lovie Smith should be fired, if the defense don’t show improvement next year then yes. I loved it when you said earlier that Lovie only cares about the stats that make him look good. That was genius. My only question is how in Gods name are we going to fix the penalty aspect.
December 30th, 2015 at 4:04 am
@Joe … “Most everyone expected Jameis to struggle (he has, but not like most rookies).”
Please tell me it ain’t so Joe. Did I hear an admission in there that Jameis ‘struggled’ at times this season? No problem, anytime a Bucs player struggles it’s always Lovie’s fault. Just ask 90% of the JBF commenters.
December 30th, 2015 at 8:58 am
Joe, Dan Quinn and Todd Bowles walked into situations where there was far more stability in the organization over the past six years than with the Bucs. I’m not sure why it’s so hard for some people to understand when you have constant roster upheaval over a period of years that it’s not going to equal wins. You have brought up Revis several times over the past season. While I agree that you should not let future HoFers walk I can certainly understand that you can’t have $16 million tied up in a single guy. There was, what, $40 million tied up in an offensive line that under performed. The Bucs took a risk with free agent acquisitions last year that didn’t pan out yet at the time they seemed like solid signings for the right reasons, especially Ghost. I felt there has been, and needed to be, an overhaul in the roster. I think if you looked at things objectively you’d see this roster from when Lovie arrived needed an overhaul.
Also, have you actually watched any Jets games? You were way off the mark with Kirk Cousins and you’re way off the mark with Ryan Fitzpatrick. No one is going to confuse those two with Brady and Manning in their primes but you are looking at past failures. THIS YEAR, both of them are playing very well.
December 30th, 2015 at 5:19 pm
For those hating on Lovie and constantly talking about his record… He has an awesome record when you don’t count the rebuilding years with the Bears and Bucs (a total of 3).
The FACT is, his record is better than Belicheats with more winning seasons after 8 years.
December 30th, 2015 at 10:16 pm
Defense Rules Says:
December 30th, 2015 at 4:04 am
@Joe … “Most everyone expected Jameis to struggle (he has, but not like most rookies).”
Please tell me it ain’t so Joe. Did I hear an admission in there that Jameis ‘struggled’ at times this season? No problem, anytime a Bucs player struggles it’s always Lovie’s fault. Just ask 90% of the JBF commenters.
Which QB has not struggled ?