Mike Smith Says He’s A Change Agent
January 20th, 2016
No more meltdowns
The five-year stench of losing that infects One Buc Palace can be sucked out of the team very quickly, even without calling in the MRSA hazmat teams of years past.
That’s the feeling of new Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith. He was asked today about the process of installing a new culture for the Bucs’ defense and an entire locker room.
Smith, who spent two months last year writing a book on leadership (as if there aren’t 20,000 books on that subject already), believes a football team can be mentally overhauled in a hurry.
“I think you can change it very quickly,” Smith said. He speedily added that a coach/leader must feel “the heartbeat” of a team so negative change is the not the transformation.
Joe finds all this culture change talk a bit overblown. However, considering how mentally the broken the Bucs have been on defense, it’s applicable to a point with this team. Who could forget Lavonte David’s meltdown on opening day — after just one snap?
Regardless, Smith is going to come in just like any defensive coordinator with autonomy might have done 40 years ago.
After studying film for weeks, his players will arrive to Smith’s rules on April 4. He’ll establish his way and expect to see it on the practice field and in the building consistently. Those he can’t cut it will get booted in a hurry. Dirk Koetter is not about to quibble with his hand-picked defensive captain, a former head coach with nearly a 60 percent winning percentage.
Defense is still about tackling, talent, constantly adjusting and working as a unit under a competent coach. Under Lovie Smith, the Bucs couldn’t pull that off in 32 games.
January 20th, 2016 at 2:56 pm
Our new coaching philosophy “build a scheme around the players” is perfect
January 20th, 2016 at 2:56 pm
I believe Smith will turn the defense into contenders rather quickly. What a good hire, I’m pumped.
January 20th, 2016 at 2:58 pm
Lovie’s fault, “simple as that”…hmmm, interesting concept…build the defense around the players strengths…shouldn’t take 2 years or more to build that… 🙂
January 20th, 2016 at 3:00 pm
Bring this defense up to average and we MIGHT be talking playoffs in 2016.
January 20th, 2016 at 3:03 pm
Like I mentioned before, Mike Smith turned around a morbid franchise, the Atlanta Hawks with multiple appearances in the playoffs. Before that, he headed an excellent defense in Jax. The whiners on defense better get up to speed. There’s a new sheriff in town !
January 20th, 2016 at 3:15 pm
Geez finally an attacking defense that’s not afraid to blitz or play press/man
January 20th, 2016 at 3:29 pm
The culture change isn’t overblown. Perennial losers don’t learn how to fight through it to become a winning team without a culture change… Also, the culture of winning in organizations like the Patriots means high expectations from everyone in the locker room and throughout the organization. How many players have come to Tampa to collect a paycheck without a commitment to winning? Far too many.
That said, I agree the culture can change quickly with the right coach, like Arians did in Arizona.
January 20th, 2016 at 3:30 pm
Sure would like to have Barron back. How many players cut by Lovie would be useful now? Revis! Heck even Ghost Johnson would be valuable probably.
January 20th, 2016 at 3:44 pm
I’ll say it again, if the defensive players did not want a change they should have played better. Their play cost them their coach. They can only blame themselves. Now they can either shape up and play, or whine and get their pink slip.
January 20th, 2016 at 3:53 pm
Grammar police are coming… RUN!!
January 20th, 2016 at 4:14 pm
@salish_seamonster, agree 100%. Speaking of the Patriots, If Jason Licht continues having good drafts and coaching staff can develop players, maybe we can have the kind of sustained success the Patriots have. It would be great if the Gm and head coach were both here ten plus years enjoying that kind of success. Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
January 20th, 2016 at 4:15 pm
Here is joe again, claiming leaders and culture mean nothing. Has the immediate impact of Jameis Winston’s leadership not had any effect on you joe?
I love that M. Smith was able to turn a team, in so much turmoil, over so fast. From season 1 he instantly changed the culture and turned them into a winner. That is impressive. He set the standard for how you take over a franchise. From nothing to playoffs in no time. I believe he and koetter can turn this jing around fast. I can see us getting 8-10 wins next season. Matching or exceeding Lovie’s 2 year win count.
January 20th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
I just watched that presser. Damn that got me jazzed. For this here reason the most.It’s just what the doctor ordered.
January 20th, 2016 at 4:28 pm
I just watched the presser and all I have to say is…. I ain’t gonna need any VIAGRA tonight!!! WOOOOOOOOOO!!!(Ric Flair)
January 20th, 2016 at 5:00 pm
Man Joe you need to do some research on the power of the mind. At some medical facilities they are incorporating mind body connection work with measurable success…not 100% but clearly enough to show just how powerful the mind is…even in curing cancer in your own body.
This team could be in the playoffs if they had decent mental attitude last year.
It’s really as simple as that!!! Too bad it was too simple for Lovie to figure out.
I love this hire. I watched Smith when the Falcons were on Hard Knocks and I was impressed with his style back then.
He’ll be the perfect compliment to Koetter who can be a bit dry and straight to the point. But Koetter has #3 to provide the uplifting mental attitude…now he has Smith to do it for his defense! GO BUCS!
January 20th, 2016 at 5:04 pm
I strongly believe that a culture change on the defense is way necessary. As much as anything, the Will that Sapp, Brooks, Lynch and Barber showed on our previous great defense led to their excellent play.
If anyone can take the cess that Bobby Petrino and Mike Vick created in Atlanta and turn that around in one season, then I’m game to allow him to change whatever he wants on the defensive side of the ball.
January 20th, 2016 at 5:18 pm
Although, Smith deserves good bit of blame for our struggles. Late in 2008, The Bucs went into Atlanta, 9-4 with a “sure” playoff birth in our sight. A Smith led Falcons team beat us 13-10 in OT, the Bucs fold and lose the last two home games… both of which they were leading in the 4th. Gruden is fired, and thus begins seven years of ineptitude.
January 20th, 2016 at 5:23 pm
Hey guys, can we drop the “it’s as simple as that” crap – he’s gone – get over it!
January 20th, 2016 at 5:29 pm
It’s amazing to me that I have to see that SOB on our sidelines after the years of loathing that man and his snide smiles. I have been a Bucs fan for 39 years and this is the biggest change I have to deal with. *sigh* (even worse than Gruden putting the kabash on my man Alstott!)
January 20th, 2016 at 5:39 pm
@ColoradoBuc
I’m as guilty of “It’s as simple as that” as anybody here. I take your point. It’s valid. So that will be the last I type it.
January 20th, 2016 at 7:00 pm
I agree with ColoradoBuc!
Stop it already with “As Simple As That!”
Is All About The Future!
Go Bucs!!!
January 20th, 2016 at 7:12 pm
All new coaching schemes look good on paper. Talk is smooth..and cheap. I want to see implementation and less..verbalization! Show me..what you got coach Smith. I’m tired of the dainty pretty press conferences. They all sound and smell soooo nice. Win some games and then we will pronounce you certified. Until then? You are just the new starter on the block. I’m sick of the years of speeches, the spinning, the praises for doin nothing and..the losing. Batter up Koetter and Smith…Show us with some WINS!
January 20th, 2016 at 7:18 pm
It’s as simple as that is one of the most memorable sayings/phrases in buccaneer history just like “5 dash 2”, “stats are for losers”, “toes on the line” and “pound the rock”. You can’t simply just throw it out. That phrase will live in buc infamy. It’s as simple as that!!!
January 20th, 2016 at 7:36 pm
I agree that nothing said means a damn, if it doesn’t change what happens on the field. You’ve got to have the talent, the scheme and the will to succeed and win, in order to really have change.
BUT….let us revel in the glory that is this coaching change. Would you rather have Leslie or Lovie heading up our defense? Those two panzies couldn’t coach their way out of Slippery Rock. We need a no nonsense disciplinarian who will set the tone, stop these useless penalties and demand some great play from some good players. Go get ’em Mike and Dirk. We finally feel we have a chance.
January 20th, 2016 at 8:26 pm
Joe
I loved the piñata line you used today. I was literally laughing out loud.
January 20th, 2016 at 9:10 pm
Joe, I figure you’re fairly well educated.
Try reading stuff on sports psychology.
January 20th, 2016 at 9:59 pm
Tackling should be a given, as the players won’t be working so hard to force take aways, to make Lovie happy.
January 21st, 2016 at 5:53 am
Its all coming together. Coach Smith will fix this D! COUNT ON IT!!
Plus we’ll have Kwon back! Imagine that D with drafting Ramsey, sign Mario and Greg Hardy….draft another quality DE, maybe Oakman.
You want change right? There it is!
January 21st, 2016 at 5:54 am
uh oh, im in the mod doghouse 🙁
January 21st, 2016 at 2:39 pm
The honest truth. The defense sucked since Chucky last year. This is not just a Lovie Smith thing. Just like our O Line sucked since then, but now isn’t the issue as of now.