NFL Crowd Likes Mike Smith
February 12th, 2016
The Bucs hiring Mike Smith as DC created waves through NFL circles.
The more Joe hears about new defensive coordinator Mike Smith, the more Joe likes this hire.
Regular readers know Joe pined for the Bucs to hire Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator, partly because he’s a damned good defensive coach, partly because it may have been a precursor to luring defensive end Mario Williams to Tampa Bay.
From what Joe hears, the only time Williams has been a content NFL player was when he played for Schwartz in Buffalo. Probably not so coincidentally, that is where Williams has had his best seasons.
But talking to NFL folks in San Francisco and around these parts, Joe learned Smith and his staff have turned into vampires. They arrive in their defensive meeting room bunker before dawn and often don’t leave One Buc Palace until after dusk. They are grinding, and rarely come up for air until it’s time to go home.
Even Ian Rapoport of NFL Network hears similar stories about Smith, so he told Joe last week.
“On the Mike Smith hire, it’s fantastic,” Rapoport said. “He was the top defensive coordinator on the board. He has a lot of pieces and I think he will do a great job.”
In short, Bucs defensive coaches are leaving no stone unturned to get the most out of the roster.
Also in San Francisco, Joe ran across a very well-known name in NFL circles (sorry, this was told to Joe in conversation, so the gentleman has no reasonable expectation of seeing his name typed) who is a close friend of Smith. The guy told Joe that Smith is so excited about his chance with the Bucs, and is so motivated, that the Bucs will get two years’ worth of coaching from Smith in the first year.
It sure sounds like the new defensive staff is not just motivated, but determined to have a top-shelf defense. Just thinking of that gets Joe worked up.
February 12th, 2016 at 8:16 am
You’ve got to aske yourself…….Which would you prefer….a third year of Lovie Smith running the defense (with the help of a consultant)…..or Mike Smith?
It seems the media (Tampa 2 Mafia) should be asking that same question.
February 12th, 2016 at 8:25 am
The only question I am asking is, Can or will he produce a Defense that stops the opposition from winning. Don’t care if he little Charlie from Egypt. Just win. That’s all I want to see. Win or grab and reel and Rod with a long list of other Buc Hires. Ohhhh..and win within 2 yrs. Since that’s the Buc standard.
February 12th, 2016 at 8:36 am
I really think we will see alot of improvement this year ! I am excited ! Joe, i too was kind of hoping for Schwartz, but I think I am even more excited about Smith. I did read a couple of pieces about Schwartz having trouble getting along with some people… (something about his personality)…. I don’t know the details (or even if it is true) but I am very excited about Smith. GO BUCS !
February 12th, 2016 at 8:43 am
If he just gets 11 guys only on the field that is already an upgrade from last year!!! Can not wait to see what this competent coaching staff can do with the roster!!! They have a lot of work to do to coach the lovie out of these players!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
February 12th, 2016 at 9:59 am
Hopefully Kwon Alexander won’t get suspended again. Kwon missing from the lineup was the biggest reason why the Bucs defense went from giving up on average 22.25 points per game to an average of 29.75 points per game. That’s a seven point jump over the last four games.
February 12th, 2016 at 10:26 am
Imagine!
Coaching!
Simple as that!
The Lovie, and his nepotistic, my way or the highway
February 12th, 2016 at 10:33 am
oops..my way or the highway crap is gone. It’s akin to a card game where you have to work with the hand you have.
Sad that Lovie tried to jam the C2 up your trousers without the DL, safeties and CB’s you need to play it well. Huh? And his apologists wonder why he’s subterranean again?
I’m elated, delighted, euphoric, ecstatic and feel all around really happy that the freaking moronic dinosaur is gone.
February 12th, 2016 at 10:47 am
I’ve said it from day one, this coaching staff is the best we’ve had since the Dungy/Gruden days. Outstanding hires from top to bottom.
February 12th, 2016 at 10:53 am
Simple as that.
February 12th, 2016 at 11:03 am
Read Mike Smith’s book where he details the mistakes he made in Atlanta and what he learned from them so he will never repeat them. His book is amazing. I think Smith might be the “steal” hire of the entire NFL. He is going to shock people with his 7 C’s to build a winning team.
February 12th, 2016 at 11:23 am
I’m taking a wait and see approach on this one. Many of us, including some posters here thought that Lovie was all that as well. He’s saying all the right things but I have to see it to believe it.
Like somebody said up top, “he’s got 2 years!”
Go get ’em Mike!
February 12th, 2016 at 11:37 am
I have no doubts that Mike Smith is an instant upgrade for the Bucs. The improvement will be instantaneous.
February 12th, 2016 at 11:41 am
With JW and Dirk all in on the offense and Smith all in on the defense and 4-6 rookies playing a lot just entering year 2, seems they improve with the same roster.
Imagine a couple DEs and DBs and another WR!
February 12th, 2016 at 1:09 pm
We need to at least spend $30 million of the 51 ee have on acquiring Mario Williams and Jason Pierre Paul and I think it can happen if Paul takes the hometown discount and doesn’t go above $15 million with the asking price. I know we are gonna get three big ones this year in free agency if we can ink Alshon Jeffrey in as welll.
February 12th, 2016 at 1:19 pm
@Mike Johnson
Dungy and Gruden were here 6 and 7 years respectively. So two years is not
the standard. But I am glad it was for the last three coaches because every
of them turned the team in the wrong direction.
February 12th, 2016 at 5:18 pm
SA there Bobby…2 yrs is not enough time to tell if the team is going in the wrong direction. Hell, My bank account was low for 3 yrs then I hit a gold mine. Case in Point. The only thing you build in 2 yrs is nothing for a defense. Good NFL defenses take time. Just ask Denver
February 12th, 2016 at 8:00 pm
@Mike Johnson,
What the heck is a gold mine?
I would like to hit one. I guess.
Just not sure what it is.
February 12th, 2016 at 8:27 pm
And the Bucs have a potential replacement when Koetter is fired in 2 seasons.
February 13th, 2016 at 2:05 am
Mike Johnson Says:
February 12th, 2016 at 5:18 pm
“SA there Bobby…2 yrs is not enough time to tell if the team is going in the wrong direction. Hell, My bank account was low for 3 yrs then I hit a gold mine. Case in Point. The only thing you build in 2 yrs is nothing for a defense. Good NFL defenses take time. Just ask Denver.”
Would you just chill and wait and see? Your LOVE for Lovie is well noted.
February 13th, 2016 at 10:03 am
@87: Is THAT what this Mike Johnson character is all about?! He’s hurt by Lovie’s firing?! Thank you! I had already come to the opinion that MJ had typical meathead takes, but this new (to me) information confirms my suspicions of an axe to grind.
February 13th, 2016 at 1:38 pm
Mike Johnson Says:
February 12th, 2016 at 5:18 pm
“The only thing you build in 2 yrs is nothing for a defense. Good NFL defenses take time. Just ask Denver.”
Except Wade Phillips has only been there for ONE season. STOP it. Just stop it already.
February 13th, 2016 at 1:41 pm
…And another thing Mike Johnson Dungy and Kiffin’s D was GREAT in year 2.
How looooong have you been a fan?
February 13th, 2016 at 11:05 pm
@ mike glad to see that you and have something in common ,you both hit the goldmine !
But if I had a goldmine,the last thing I would bet on is Lovie building a quality
defense. Lets face it lovie free agent philosophy did him in.Too bad he didn’t spend as much watching tape of the free agents that he wanted on his roster.
as the ones he had. Now come on man can you honestly defend keeping Mike Jenkins on this roster for two full years.If you can, take off the rose colored glasses,take two aspirin and see a doc if it don’t clear up.
February 13th, 2016 at 11:14 pm
@mike I meant you and Lovie