Robert Ayers Connects Tim Tebow And Mike Smith
March 16th, 2016
The new Bucs defensive end likes what his new coordinator represents
New Buccaneers defensive end Robert Ayers just finished a conference call with local media today, and Joe is happy to say Ayers is a comprehensive and thoughtful speaker.
Ayers hit on many interesting subjects.
The veteran defensive end expressed major love for his former defensive coordinator in Denver, Jack Del Rio, the current head coach of the Raiders. Ayers commented that Del Rio was his fourth D-coordinator in his first five NFL seasons, and he loved how Del Rio was a straight, knowledgeable communicator who was all about putting players in position to succeed.
Joe asked Ayers what stood out to him about new Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith, and Ayers said he gets that Del Rio feel from the Bucs’ new defensive chief. Ayers also likes that Smith worked so many years under Del Rio and is cut from the same cloth: Do what works and keep it real.
Ayers later said playing for flexible former Broncos head coach John Fox, who was willing to overhaul the Denver offense to make Tim Tebow a successful quarterback, was a great learning experience and represented his kind of coach. Ayers likes guys eager to make pieces (aka players) work, not force a system on talent that doesn’t fit it.
It’s safe to say Ayers is not a Lovie Smith kind of guy.
Welcome aboard, Robert.
March 16th, 2016 at 12:08 pm
It couldn’t be more fitting lol
March 16th, 2016 at 12:45 pm
Joe, maybe this is the attitude that Super Mario was missing. I’m starting to like this signing more, just on vibes alone.
March 16th, 2016 at 12:49 pm
“he loved how Del Rio was a straight, knowledgeable communicator who was all about putting players in position to succeed.”
Last year’s D roster would have performed so much better under this staff. And Barron might very well be playing SLB here.
March 16th, 2016 at 1:17 pm
I am missing the connection……Tebow/Smith…..is it because Fox picked Tebow & Ayers played for Del Rio? now he’s playing for Smith? Surely I can’t be the only one confused. Enlighten me please.
March 16th, 2016 at 1:21 pm
That’s what intelligent coaches do !!!
March 16th, 2016 at 1:29 pm
TBBF – the (loose) inference is that coaches like Del Rio and Fox (both of whom Ayers played for) are capable of getting the most out of their roster. And Ayers is lumping Smith in with Del Rio since they worked together and coach similarly.
Yea – Its kind of a follow the dots type article.
In other words (I think) – If John Fox can win a playoff game with Tim Tebow as his QB – then surely Smith can whip this Bucs defensive unit (with a few key additions) into a competitive defense. – We HOPE.
March 16th, 2016 at 1:41 pm
@ Pickgrin
Wow…..that’s stretching it. I thought that’s what he was doing….but wasn’t sure.
March 16th, 2016 at 1:44 pm
TBBF
No, it is quite simple. It’s because Tim Tebow was on Lip Sync Battle and did “Eye of the Tiger” which came out in 1982, the same year Mike Smith got his first coaching job at San Diego State.
March 16th, 2016 at 1:48 pm
We would not have signed Ayers if Lovie had gotten another year. Lovie was the problem with the Defense last year which regressed badly under Lovie from the success Frazier was having with the same unit the end of the previous year. I look forward to seeing the progress Smith makes with the same players. Anybody who thought Jenkins would be a great defensive player was not a good judge of defensive talent and then Lovie kept playing him foolishly thinking he could vindicate his own judgment eventually. I think Illinois was stupid to hire Lovie!!!
March 16th, 2016 at 1:51 pm
I think it’s more like Ayers connects Mike Smith to John Fox & Jack Del Rio…..
I think Lovie connects to Tebow on the non-swearing issue…..
Dominick connects to John Fox because they both drafted QBs in the first round that didn’t work out so well……so I guess that means that Mike Smith connects to Josh Freeman….
March 16th, 2016 at 1:53 pm
I’d be very interested in what Miko’s take is on all of this……if we can catch her in a sober moment, perhaps she can let us know.
March 16th, 2016 at 1:58 pm
That’s what intelligent coaches do. ZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZzzzzzzzzOh, wait, what, Ummmmm, No comment!!
March 16th, 2016 at 2:46 pm
Ayers hasn’t done to much connecting with QB’s until his contract year. Stop all the lip service and get double digit sacks
March 16th, 2016 at 3:19 pm
@Tampabaybucfan
The Reference is that Good coaches put good players in position to succeed, and lovie does not!!! and that is why lovie is at a low level college team right now!!!
@bighogheinous
Thats a great impression of lovie at the combine!!!!!
March 16th, 2016 at 4:07 pm
So John Fox could hire Jack Del Rio in 2012 because Tim Tebow saved his job in 2011. Got it!
March 16th, 2016 at 4:21 pm
trade glen and SIGN TEBOW!!!!
TEBOW TEBOW TEBOW TEBOW TEBOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 16th, 2016 at 8:34 pm
I second fifth and sixth the motion that the headline was misleading and non congruent to the context of the story
I was thinking that Timmy Touchdown was coming to Tampa ,
To be our new fullback/ gunner/ nickel linebacker.
Puff puff pass! Puff puff pass!
March 16th, 2016 at 11:56 pm
Joe, does this mean Ayers is going to be playing inside and out? That has to be the implication right?
March 17th, 2016 at 12:42 am
Wouldn’t be a surprise. Mike Smith has basically said don’t pigeonhole the defense into a specific scheme/set/formation.