Fight!
July 8th, 2016
Screw with Mike Smith’s players and he will screw with you.
Until the Bucs check in at One Buc Palace to report for training camp, Joe will try to get in the mind of defensive coordinator Mike Smith.
Joe will regularly deliver excerpts and/or highlights from Smith’s book, “You Win in the Locker Room,” available on Google Play and iTunes.
Hey, Bucs defenders. Mike Smith has your back!
In his book, Smith details one reason for the success of his Dixie Chicks teams: he had the back of each and every player so long as they were on the same page he was.
Smith admitted he would hassle opposing players on the sidelines, if that’s what it took to stick up for his troops. And he didn’t give a damn if the NFL fined him or not.
“Through the first six seasons I showed the players on the team that I would literally fight for them. Whether it was telling a trash-talking player from an opposing team to shut his mouth and get off our sideline, or getting in the middle of a scrum on our sidelines and getting fined by the league office for making physical contact with an opposing player, my team knew that I was all in with them and was willing to fight for them both mentally and physically.”
However, Smith confessed he slacked off on that principle, not with any bad intent, but he suspected leaks about the team were seeping out of the locker room that painted the team in a bad light, almost as if someone wanted Smith gone.
Smith writes one of the biggest mistakes he ever made was in his final year in Atlanta, he didn’t stick up for his players like he should have. He got distracted. It was a move Smith writes that he greatly regrets.
You know, Joe will guess nothing fires up a player more than to see his coach stick his neck out for him, even if the player was wrong. That’s loyalty. That’s teamwork. That’s camaraderie.
And apparently, that’s how Smith rolls.
July 8th, 2016 at 8:11 am
Totally opposite mindset from loser lovie who had a long history of throwing players and offensive and defensive coordinators under the bus at a drop of a hat. Lovie never took responsibility for anything. It showed every week when his team came out flat, unprepared and uninspired. Bad coach and a bad guy. Pray for the illini players they need it.
July 8th, 2016 at 8:19 am
Love it. It’s exactly what this defense needs. A firey coach that will lead the way and stick up for that em no matter what. Not a coach that is lifeless throughout the whole game and shows no emotion. That was one thing this defense lacked last year, that fire and passion u need throughout the WHOLE game, and not let it be broken after the 1st play of the game when the offense makes a play. That shows how mentally weak this team was and hopefully can be fixed with the likes of Kwon & Ayers who I think will be one of the captains if not leaders this year. I like this guy more n more every time I hear him speak. He gets it, and knows what it takes for a Defense to be succesful in this league. Do not underestimate the value of Ayers. He’s one of the main keys to resurrecting this defense.
July 8th, 2016 at 8:51 am
Again, SAYING all the right things! If it translates to the play, this will be a treat to watch.
July 8th, 2016 at 8:57 am
God I hate this time of year. All the hype talk and the hope talk and the regurgitation of meaningless opinions.
This defense better look better – that’s all I can say right now.
It’s gonna be a long 3 weeks until camp starts!
July 8th, 2016 at 9:03 am
@Pickgrin- No doubt! It seems like we go through this with every regime change, and that’s a LOT!
The defense can’t be worse, there’s no way. At the very least, we’ve upgraded the talent.
July 8th, 2016 at 9:09 am
Not one word about LOVIE in Joe’s Blog and here goes Tmaxcon crying about LOVIE not taking responsibility ….he don’t have to take responsibility his record speaks for itself and it sticks to him like glue! We buried LOVIE but you just got to kick him down two more feet…get a life man, stick that tounge back in your mouth he ain’t cumming back!
July 8th, 2016 at 9:36 am
BigHogHaynes
Lovie made us all suffer for 2 years it takes time to work through and deal with all that anger and failure that incompetent fool put bucs fans through.
July 8th, 2016 at 9:37 am
I liked the Mike Smith hire from the onset. It’s refreshing to have a coach who can teach the players and work at getting them all on the same page. Smith has a no nonsense air about him while being friendly at the same time. This will rub off, so watch out league the Bucs are back on the upswing. I know, show me first, yet many can see and feel the positive direction our Bucs are headed.
July 8th, 2016 at 9:59 am
Its so refreshing to have coaches that learn and grow from their past experiences!!! So different from that no class Incompetent one with his playbook that he stole that said “Bucs” then crossed out, “Rams” then crossed out, “Bears” then crossed out, Bucs again then crossed out, and finally Illinois!!!!
July 8th, 2016 at 10:52 am
It maybe refreshing, but there are plenty of teams in this league that have experienced coaching with bad teams, with bad defensive back fields, that tells me it takes players with talent. Just because you bring in a guy off the street who knows your scheme does not mean he has talent…he was on the street for a reason, but we have some talent now or so this new staff believes it does, now it’s time to win games! LOVIE ain’t gonna be the one you bash this year! Stop looking backwards it may be a wreak about to happen in front of you!
July 8th, 2016 at 11:12 am
Jeez this Realist and tmax about as clueless as it gets. Not sure why they feel a need to litter almost every thread with irrevalant and innacurate nonsense. Y’all are completely obsessed……..bad coaches happen to every franchise ya know. Not sure y’all have the mental capability or anxiety level to handle being sports fans……that’s pretty freaking sad.
I’m glad football camps are starting soon for my love of football. But giving these guys something new to whine about makes it even better.
July 8th, 2016 at 11:22 am
Buccaneers
Every last letter I typed wax accurate and history proves that. You can not defend the indefensible. No head coach burnt through coordinators like lovie. Every week his buccaneers were unprepared and uninspired those are facts. I realize that does not fit your agenda
July 8th, 2016 at 11:28 am
Tmax, with all due respect brother, just relax. We all know how bad a jjob Lovie did. But a couple things:
First, you call Lovie the worst Bucs coach is franchise history. Im sorry but that has to go to Leeman Bennett and/or Rich Williamson.
Second you say that Lovie looks up to Raherm and Schiano. Sure, those two have more wins than Lovie IN TAMPA. But Lovie’s head coaching exceeds Tampa. Lovie could have gone 2-14 again and he would still be more accomplished than those two. And i’m sorry, but a head coach dosen’t just happen to coach in a super bowl. What he brought to the table was EXACTLY what that ’06 Bears team needed, whatever it may be. So until Rah or Schiano at least sniff a second head coaching job in the NFL, and let alone have success, they are not more accomplished than Lovie. You can’t just forget about his Chicago experience in one breath and hold it against him in another. Unless you don’t want people to take your word seriously.
Sorry. We all know how bad the last two years were. Lovie deserved to be fired, so don’t get it twisted. But Tmax, some of your claims regarding Lovie, are just excessive at best, and at worst, wrong.
July 8th, 2016 at 11:40 am
Well tmax, it’ll just have to be a war of opinions on this one……I suppose I could bring up some facts to dispute you loser comment but I don’t feel like it. The other names your calling him I also see as inaccurate. All we could do is endlessly agrue over it…….. But I do believe there is merit to the fact that the direct opposite is said about Lovie from anybody within the game that has ever spoken about Coach Smith……..that’s ok, you can have your opinions validated on this board by a few other bitter Bucs fans.
I do find it interesting that you believe no other coach has Burnt through one coordinator. My interpretation of burnt doesn’t include losing a guy to illness or replacing an intern.
July 8th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Don’t fall into the trap guys! It’s never-ending with some. I’m just hoping that come football season we can start talking about the relevant coaches and players still ON the team, sorry tmax and Realist.
To me, this staff has only proven one thing; they’re different. They haven’t won any games more than the previous regime and have a lot to prove as far as I’m concerned. This new regime already has far better talent, player-wise, so there had better be some improvement.
Like I said, they’re saying the right things.
July 8th, 2016 at 12:22 pm
@Joe- You brought the Beasties?! Now that’s taking it to a new level!!!
“Is your name Michael Diamond? Nah, mine’s Clarence!”
July 8th, 2016 at 12:27 pm
I will offer tmax an apology……..he doesn’t endlessly troll the threads here posting the same tired comments like some others do, well 1 other actually. He’s made a lot of good posts on here and brought up some good points. Ive learned a few things from reading his posts which is one reason why I enjoy commenting/debating.
I formally say I’m sorry for lumping his name with the troll(s). I do actually respect his opinion. I’ll take back my fifth sentence of my first post……..regarding tmax.
July 8th, 2016 at 12:35 pm
the article did also make me think about the different Smith coaching styles.
I don’t remember any time Lovie went to bat for his players on bogus calls.
Still got indelible picture in my head of Chuckie going off on the refs.There times that both Evans and Gholston both were so pissed that went after their defender,at the time I wondered if they did because there was a blatant foul
right under refs nose and ignored it. A player would respect a coach for
sticking up for him mat times like these.
July 8th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
Buccaneers
No apologies needed sir .. we all want the same thing the bucs to be successful. It would be boring if we all agreed how to get back to relevance
July 8th, 2016 at 1:17 pm
Mike Smith
highest winning % HC in Alanta history. Both years 2010 and 2012 had 13-3 records
Problem with Mike in Atlanta was Matt Ryan is not a winning Superbowl QB and he can go only so far
“It was, It is, and It will always will be about the QB” Kobe Faker
***Unless you have a GREAT defense. I include 2002 tampa defense great when we won the superbowl
***Whats all the hate with Schiano? He is a very good coach and like all coaches need a QB to be successful.
Schiano ass should be kissed by the city of Tampa and all their fans for releasing/exposing flawed Josh Freeman.
With Freemans 2012 productive season, Licht and Lovie 100% would have given Freeman a maxed deal and we would never had Jameis Winston
July 8th, 2016 at 1:39 pm
The biggest misconception regarding Lovie is this.
He was brought in to win asap. He was supposed to use his NFL experience, which Schiano lacked, and compete with a pretty good defense and a Mike Glennon coming off a pretty good rookie year.
But he screwed up the roster so much, that it turned into a complete rebuild. I can only imagine how angry the Glazers were landing the worstin the league.
Only due to Lichts drafting is why we look to be on the upswing.
July 8th, 2016 at 2:53 pm
@realist….LOL….how has he learned from his mistakes?….he has yet to coach in a game…he can say he has learned but the proof is in the pudding….produce on the field and then we can call it refreshing….LOL….sounds like mike smith was writing checks his players couldn’t cash and he and his team paid for it by getting manhandled on the field….that’s the best way to shut someone up coach or player….GO BUCS!!!
July 8th, 2016 at 2:57 pm
@ Largo
Lovie is a terrible Coach but…
Lovie brought in Jameis winston here in Tampa
TANK u very much
Lovie picked Jameis in the draft, if Koetter was HC, Koetter and Licht would have chosen Marcus Mariota over Jameis
That is a FACT
July 8th, 2016 at 3:03 pm
I just need to see it in motion before judging. Looks promising on paper. I just hope I never have to see our corners playing ten yards off when we decide to blitz resulting in a check down first down (slant down). It’s the reason I shave my head… so I can’t pull it out.
July 8th, 2016 at 3:56 pm
Kobe, my biggest knock on Mariota is his durability, or lack thereof. He had his peaks and valleys. like any rookie. But was still impressive. Def glad we went with Jameis tho.
July 8th, 2016 at 5:22 pm
Both Tmaxcon and Buc Realist have what is known as the…Lovie Smith Syndrome. The mere hint of Smith makes them break out in hives and babble to bring him back!
July 8th, 2016 at 6:33 pm
Kobe, Licht has wanted Jameis since his freshman season. Koetter may have preferred Mariota, but Licht has always been a Winston guy.
July 8th, 2016 at 6:36 pm
From JBF: You can trace the chase of Winston to Draft Day 2014, as crazy as it sounds. On the scouting trail, Licht became enamored with Winston, knowing he might leave FSU for the 2015 draft, after his second season as the starter. Licht’s brother-in-law asked him via a draft-day text last year whether he preferred Johnny Manziel or Teddy Bridgewater in the first round.
“Winston,” was Licht’s reply.
July 8th, 2016 at 6:38 pm
From JBF:
“We knew that he was going to be a special player, yeah,” Licht said of scouting Winston while working for the Cardinals. “We went and watched him play when I was in Arizona and watched him on tape and talked a lot about him, too. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be a general manager of a team that would have a chance to draft him.”
July 8th, 2016 at 7:07 pm
Careful BuccaneEric75, The sheep will get angry when you take away their illusion that JW3 would have fallen to the second round if not for coach my scheme single-handedly vetting and drafting him all by himself!!!!
Otherwise the incompetent one is just a buffoon that took his team to the very bottom of the league!!!!!
July 8th, 2016 at 7:35 pm
LOL, Realist!
July 8th, 2016 at 8:17 pm
@kobe fakir
if Koetter was HC,Koetter and Licht would have chosen Marcus Marriota.
THat is not a Fact,it is a hypothesis
Since it never happened and never will it can’t be proven.Facts have to be proven.
July 8th, 2016 at 8:26 pm
it would have interesting because licht has said the would be in HC office on a daily basis trying to convince HC of his pick. (Winston).
licht has also said it is not unusual to get Koetterized when he doesn’t agree with you.
Licht would have tried to get Koetter to buy in,just like he did Lovie.
July 8th, 2016 at 8:44 pm
Took his team to the very bottom of the league! Your making me laugh my A$$ off. We were already at the bottom of the league, and all that BS you speaking, we all know who the HEAD COACH was and who had control of roster personnel when Winston was drafted!
July 8th, 2016 at 10:18 pm
After i read his book, i got a whole lot more excited about mike Smith. He is big on culture and i think that is a huge piece the bucs have been missing since Dominick cut Derrick Brooks. Mccoy is a leader sure, but he doesnt being a culture with him. He’s just a fun guy to be around. Winston is the ultimate culture guy you want around. He wanta to win and wants to push his teammates to be winners to. I think the defense was lacking that type if leadership, i think mike smith will infuse that defense with a great culture of winning and dominant defense once again. Kwon will have a major role in this too. I can see kwon being the on field leader this defense needs. Clinton mcdonald and Brent Grimes will surely help out too. I like the feel of the defense. A lot of mature, football focused players. And the guys we drafted all seem to be huge football fans. They love the game and will work their butts off to be great at their craft. I couldn’t be happier with how this defense is looking.
July 9th, 2016 at 11:10 am
LOL Please please
It was Lovie s decision and Lovies alone (Tank you). Lovie is an incompetent and overmatched HC but it was his decision to bring Jaboo to tampa and Licht agreed. As GM he had to state all those articles but please please lol
Lovie gave Licht this GM job.
When Lovie said to rollover, Licht rolled over
When lovie said for Licht to jump in the pool, Licht jumped in the pool
**Lovie went into Jameis parents living room and sat down with Jameis mother and father and told them, He was going to bring Jameis to tampa
EOM
July 9th, 2016 at 11:34 pm
@k.Fakir
it is true that Lovie prevented Licht from jumping in the pool 24 times.Don’t believe he was actually trying to tank games until last half of last game in 2014.
Since he also managed to lose 10 games in 2015 I would call it a skillset.
Lovie failed to follow the cardinal rule of bad management.They look for somebody to make them look good.see Tedford and Arroyo.so lovie, with
Glazer approval hired Licht and Koetter .They went about doing their jobs and through no fault of theirs, their success highlighted Lovie’s lack of success.