“Coach Smith Brought A Different Attitude”
February 3rd, 2017
Clinton McDonald talks about Mike Smith’s “hit-style life.”
Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith is a very different cat when compared to his predecessor with the same last name.
From embracing radical adjustments to a fiery approach, Mike Smith was no Lovie Smith.
That was one lesson Joe learned from defensive tackle Clinton McDonald’s chat on WDAE-AM 620 yesterday.
“Coach Smith brought a different attitude, a spark to ignite the flame and the fire on defense,” McDonald said.
“We’re just grateful as players to have him back in the locker room, having him back in the coach’s room, breaking down what we need to break down, bringing that enthusiasm, bringing that hit-style life that we like to play on defense. Just being consistent over years is important to the growth and development of a defense. … Coach Smith brings that consistency so far as how he does things and how he challenges us to actually go out above and beyond and present ourselves as [more than] an average football player but a world-class athlete.”
When it comes to “fire,” Lovie was more extinguisher than arsonist.
The Bucs sorely needed a change. And hallelujah that Smith is returning, locked down with a bucket of cash from Team Glazer.
February 3rd, 2017 at 12:25 pm
Mike Smith year 2 should be phenomenal. I suspect his D will be one of the main reasons the Bucs make the playoffs. I expect top 10.
February 3rd, 2017 at 12:29 pm
When it comes to “fire,” Lovie was more extinguisher than arsonist.
Lovie’s speeches are to fireman what GMC’s speeches are to Viagra overdose victims… A miracle!
February 3rd, 2017 at 12:34 pm
No cussing with Lovie! Unless your name is Jameis.
February 3rd, 2017 at 12:48 pm
Love the enthusiasm Buc1987, but the only thing we know for sure right now is that (1) our coaching staff from 2016 is in tact; (2) we’ve got a very good QB returning; (3) we’ve got a decent nucleus of offensive & defensive players to build around; and (4) we’ve got a lot of holes that we’ll need to fill in FA & the draft. And oh yes, it also looks like our 2017 schedule will be even tougher than our 2016 schedule.
Bucs are in a tough division (probably the primary reason why we ended up in the cellar for 5 straight yrs). Since the Falcons are playing in the SB, my guess is that Vegas will pick them as the favorite to win the NFC South again. And if that’s how it turns out, that’d leave the Bucs duking it out with 11 other teams for 2 wildcard spots.
Only point here Buc1987 is that our Bucs must add some key players in FA & in the draft to contend for a playoff slot this year. And oh yes, stay healthy for a change. I think every Bucs fan knows what positions we need to upgrade (WR & RB come to mind for starters, but there are a number of others). It’s the priorities that most seem to take issue with (upgrading the trenches vs adding weapons?). That’s what makes JBF so interesting to some of us.
February 3rd, 2017 at 1:00 pm
JPP and Eric Berry on defense along with our solid contributors brought back I think would give us a great defense. On offense we need that number 2 and 3 WR, RB, and Oline depth or a starter if Sweezy isn’t back and healthy.
February 3rd, 2017 at 1:26 pm
@Defense Rules… Well said!!!
We all see the same strengths… And we will build on that and become something the league ain’t ready for
February 3rd, 2017 at 1:37 pm
Same passive scheme outside of 5 games where they caused a lot of turnovers. Hopefully Smith changes things up a bit in 2017
February 3rd, 2017 at 2:15 pm
It’s not like this defense was like the 1985 Bears.
February 3rd, 2017 at 2:30 pm
The Bucs ditched the malfunctioning Smith for the functioning Smith. What a stroke of genius!
February 3rd, 2017 at 2:49 pm
Eric berry gets franchise tag
February 3rd, 2017 at 2:58 pm
JPP, Campbell or short. Berry not going anywhere. I’ll take a look at Tony Jefferson I believe safety from Arizona. Draft offense. Super bowl calling us
February 3rd, 2017 at 3:18 pm
Berry said he’s not playing under the tag this year I think we should him and campbell
February 3rd, 2017 at 3:59 pm
It is my understanding that the Bucs have the third highest amount of money to spend in Free Agency. Only the Browns and Jags have more. I see those holes getting filled and us winning the NFC south. GO BUCS
February 3rd, 2017 at 4:14 pm
Byrd, here’s what Eric Berry said in an interview with yesterday on NFL Network’s Super Bowl Live (i.e., he has no intention of playing for a second season under the franchise tag).
“I’m definitely not going to play under the franchise tag this year,” he said. “I want to end my career in Kansas City. I want to play there. I love the city, I love the vibe, I love my teammates. I really look at them more than teammates. We’ve been through a lot, and they supported me a lot. And the organization. But I don’t feel comfortable playing under the franchise tag this year.”
I think the Bucs would be wise not to count on getting Eric Berry as a FA this year. KC will find a way to keep him a Chief for the rest of his career.
February 3rd, 2017 at 5:08 pm
@Defense Rules
Carolina went to the SB 2 years ago and they were 6-10 this year. Don’t think that will happen to Atlanta though. NFC South is a hard predicting winner every year. Even more so with the Bucs coming up.
February 3rd, 2017 at 5:47 pm
Everyone expects this phenomenal defense this season becasue of that 5 game stretch….but before and after those 5 games the defense was not good. Opportunistic yes…..but overall not good.
I really hope our offense shows huuuge improvement becasue the defense is not going to live up to expectations
February 3rd, 2017 at 5:48 pm
What TMAX said lmao^^^
February 3rd, 2017 at 6:56 pm
Ok he’s back, the goal is to get better than you were last season, by putting a top 10 defense on the field, maybe like #7 overall! CONTINUE TO BUILD A WALL ……but not in Mexico …dumb ass!!
February 4th, 2017 at 4:35 am
Depth, depth, depth…
February 4th, 2017 at 5:04 am
I’ll continue to drive home my point…..can Joe get a current Bucs player to openly criticize the coach who is no longer here? ie Lovie Smith.
Bucs player “X” says Lovie was no good. Fill in the blank for me Joe.
February 4th, 2017 at 8:58 am
@tmax: Now THAT’S the way to troll.
February 4th, 2017 at 9:11 am
Bill
Why would anyone still playing or coaching in the NFL throw ANY other coach/player under the bus? There is NO upside and lots of downside.
We even have guys here who refuse to believe when other players/coaches say wonderful thing about our players/coaches/GM’s….the old obligatory…”what do you expect them to say”. Well for starters they could say exactly what they say negatively about players…NOTHING…they do not have to be positive.