Out Of The Doghouse
January 26th, 2016
No more of Lovie’s doghouse for CB Johnthan Banks.
One great mystery of the Lovie Smith era is what the hell did Johnthan Banks do to Lovie?
Banks, a second-round pick, showed amazing promise as an up-and-coming cornerback. Who will ever forget, as a rookie in 2013, when Darrelle Revis went down with an injury in Detroit and Banks had to cover All-World Calvin Johnson? And Banks locked him down.
The next year, Banks led the Bucs with four picks in Lovie’s first season with the Bucs. Things were looking up for Banks and the Bucs.
But for whatever reason, Lovie always seemed to have a bug up his tailpipe about Banks. He was loathe to ever compliment Banks, and Lovie seemed hellbent on benching Banks from the moment he arrived in Tampa.
Whenever Lovie was asked about Banks, he would quickly twist the conversation into his bromance with Toast Jenkins. Of all the cornerbacks to constantly verbally hug, Toast Jenkins, really?
Well, Lovie finally did bench Banks. And then Lovie had the gall and the nerve to whine each and every week about a lack of takeaways. Hey Lovie, it was your call to bench the guy who led the team in picks. Look in the mirror!
For reasons totally unknown, Banks was deep in Lovie’s doghouse. How much so? Consider what Banks Twittered out this morning.
Headed back to Tampa didn’t know if I would be making this trip again or not!
— Johnthan Banks (@JBanks_27) January 26, 2016
Yes! Not only does Banks now have a clean slate with a new staff, Joe is willing to lay cash that new defensive coordinator Mike Smith will know how to get the most out of him.
Yes, the Bucs need defensive upgrades in personnel. Still, Joe is willing to guess with the roster as is, Smith will improve the defense. How could he not?
January 26th, 2016 at 10:02 am
Johnthan Banks was on my wishlist when we drafted him. I’m nowhere near ready to give up on him.
January 26th, 2016 at 10:08 am
verner, banks, sterling moore, and of course hey jude…..i have a feeling this unit is way more talented than they showed under the committee of coaches responsible for them the last 2 years. If AV is anywhere near what he showed in Tennessee and Banks can approach the form of his first 2 years, I would put CB a hair behind DE and Safety in terms of needs. That would take a ton of pressure off of our draft
if verner doesn’t look like a reliable top 2 corner in training camp, you’ve gotta reduce his pay or cut him. zero downside to keeping banks in the contract year of his rookie deal
January 26th, 2016 at 10:08 am
One thing you haven’t mentioned Joe is our new secondary coach. He coached up Mike Jenkins to his only pro bowl in 2009 in Dallas, and also made Verner a pro bowler in Tennessee. So Mike Jenkins might not be shown the door just yet, there’s a history there with him and the coaches.
January 26th, 2016 at 10:09 am
Hope he didn’t coach up Toast on how to pull up on tackles. smh
January 26th, 2016 at 10:11 am
Banks showed a ton of promise his first couple of seasons. Was a huge mystery as to why he was benched for Jenkins who was on the downside of his career. Banks still has a ton of upside. Glad Lovie is out.
January 26th, 2016 at 10:11 am
Like I said elsewhere…we may not even need to draft CBs once the new coaches do their thing. That would speed along the defensive development.
I’ve said this before too…Ronde Barber did not produce until his 5th year…and he’s a hall of famer. Up until that point, he didn’t even know if he would make the team from year to year.
My point is…sometimes great CBs take a little time to blossom.
January 26th, 2016 at 10:14 am
Licht knows talent, if he thinks Banks is a player for this team, I am good with that for sure. Lovie can take his bro-mance with toast and go back to the basement together.
January 26th, 2016 at 10:18 am
@joe haha very true.
January 26th, 2016 at 10:23 am
I think our corners are fine. Draft DE in the first, S in the second. Hopefully, Bell from Ohio State will be there.
January 26th, 2016 at 10:23 am
Can somebody help an old guy with a fading memory?
I’m trying to recall the number of times we allowed our CB’s to press receivers at the line?
Seems like we ALWAYS played soft! Lovies defense…let them catch it then tackle them…or cause a turnover. Lovie’s D looks a lot like a prevent defense to me.
I hate playing not to lose instead of playing to win! That was Lovie!!!
January 26th, 2016 at 10:32 am
I am convinced our DB’s (Verner, Banks, Moore, McDougald and even “hey Jude” weren’t coach worth a cuss or had them in a terrible system that they regressed, these guys will be okay with a decent pass rush.
January 26th, 2016 at 10:34 am
If the new coaches have access to his game film from this year, Banks might not get a clean slate.
January 26th, 2016 at 10:37 am
St Pete bucs fan that’s why lovie is gone and mariota looked like Tarkington week 1
January 26th, 2016 at 10:54 am
I was at that game when Banks stepped in for Revis to cover C. Johnson and I watched that closely and was super impressed.
January 26th, 2016 at 10:57 am
Who will be the other 5 secondary coaches?
January 26th, 2016 at 11:03 am
I wonder what exactly he is talking about in this tweet. Did mike smith call banks and let him what his plans are for him next season? It’s certainly an interesting tweet. Also goes to show that maybe not all the players were on the lovie wagon. Heck, I can’t imagine any of the DBs were fans of Lovie and his defense.
January 26th, 2016 at 11:19 am
That’s Joe’s guess. He wouldn’t be flying to Tampa if he thought he was out of a job.
January 26th, 2016 at 11:20 am
I think it’s pretty simple Joseph. Banks could NOT do what Lovie Smith and Co. asked him to do. Then again, how could anyone though with that HORRENDOUS pass rush!?
I think Banks has a chance to thrive with Mike Smith. I’m sure Mike Smith is going to come in and channel his “inner Wade Phillips” and DUMB the SH!T out of this defense! Simplify the defense so our players can play faster and just make plays DAD GUMMIT!
Lovie refused to adjust. Mike Smith is going to have to adjust.
Good things are coming our way!! WOOOOOOOO!!!
January 26th, 2016 at 11:34 am
I’m fairly certain the Glazers were nonplussed that incompetent Lovie Smith used their football team as a charitable internship program for his children and best friends.
And everyone insisted it couldn’t get any worse than Greg Schiano.
January 26th, 2016 at 11:48 am
in the comments it says he went to pick up superbowl tickets from obp
January 26th, 2016 at 11:50 am
maybe all the DB’s were focused on turnovers and forgot how to bump and cover…According to Lovie, that’s all that mattered > forced fumbles and interceptions
January 26th, 2016 at 11:58 am
Pretty sure since he’s in town he will meet with the coaches. Bucs could have easily Fed Ex’ed the tickets to him.
January 26th, 2016 at 12:01 pm
I just hope he gets his head out of his rear end and elevates his game like his old buddy Darius Slay did . He will definitely get the chance now
January 26th, 2016 at 12:02 pm
Don’t forget the new DB coach we got. Who was the man responsible for Jenkins and Verner’s pro bowl years. If Brett Maxie can work even a little bit of his old magic on this corp, the sky really is the limit for them. My personal favorite would be to have Banks and Moore on the outside with Verner playing slot and Hey Jude in at Dime
January 26th, 2016 at 12:11 pm
Maybe Banks made a comment about Lovies nepotism?
That would certainly do it.
January 26th, 2016 at 12:13 pm
Howard always liked Banks. It certainly would be interesting to find out the truth as to why Lovie would rather have a crappy secondary than start Banks.
January 26th, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Banks fits the mold of other physical corners. His knock was his 40 time but look at Josh Norman & Richard Sherman (4.66 & 4.56). Both those guys do well because they are physical with their coverage and play smart despite having mediocre speed. When we drafted Banks I envisioned him hopefully being a rangy man coverage guy that made some plays on the ball.
Norman wasn’t a big name until this year. Here’s to hoping Banks has similar development
January 26th, 2016 at 12:26 pm
Sucks when a second rounder feels this way.
Makes me think that it was a far more toxic environment between secondary coaches and players than most believed and we all knew it was pretty damn bad.
It makes good sense for Mike Smith to reach out to Banks. he’s got a talented young guy coming into his prime. Hell, I’m certain he was scouted by Atlanta as well every other team.
January 26th, 2016 at 2:39 pm
Lovie’s son was a horrible DB Coach.
January 26th, 2016 at 2:58 pm
Biff:
You are not incorrect.
January 26th, 2016 at 6:47 pm
I never ever understood the Pro-Jenkins and Anti-Banks mentality that Lovie maintained. Either Lovie is that incredibly putrid at talent evaluating or Banks pissed him off something fierce. Don’t get me wrong I’m a Jenkins fan and USF Alum but reality is reality. M Jenk was pretty beast out of school and had a few really nice years but Banks is a much more reliable corner who can make some big plays.
January 26th, 2016 at 8:28 pm
At 6-2 185, Johnthan Banks has the right measurables for an NFL CB. At Mississippi State he set a school record with 16 interceptions. Following his senior season in 2012, Banks won the Jim Thorpe Award for the top defensive back in college football. He fell to the second round in the draft due to a disappointing NFL combine where he ran a 4.59 40 time. When you think about it he is better than just about all the CB’s, with the exception of the big three, entering the draft this year. I just hope that his knee is not the problem because he has not been the same since he injured it in the Houston game. I hope Banks can be the player we all thought he can be but those of you who think we have the right players in our secondary I would suggest watching some film. Scheme or no scheme Banks and Verner really struggled in coverage. The game before Banks was benched in Atlanta, Matty Ice went 37-45 397 yards 2 TD. 82% completion percentage. We need to get one quality CB in FA and let the others fight it out in camp. Our Safeties need help big time.
January 26th, 2016 at 9:32 pm
Banks did not play well at all in 2015 – but what Bucs CB did? Verner had his moments and Moore looked fairly solid for a # of the games he was in there – Jude looked good for about 2 games and then didn’t look good after that.
I think all 4 mentioned are good enough to line up in the NFL – and I think Moore, Verner and Banks are all viable starters. But all are 2s or 3s – not a #1 CB in the bunch. If the Bucs can land ONE excellent CB to go along with these players who will hopefully get coached up (not down) next year – then I think our CB situation will be in pretty good shape.
Not so sure about the Safeties though. McDougald was supposed to be an up and comer (allegedly) – but I did not see much from him last year. Conte made a # of good plays throughout the year – but was far from consistently good.
January 26th, 2016 at 9:38 pm
I’m really excited about these new secondary and defensive backs coaches and I think our DBs are also. I think those two guys were brought in a few days after M. Smith by Jason, Dirk, and Mike for a very good reason