It’s On Mike Smith
October 15th, 2017
Exclusive video of Larry Fitzgerald running routes against the Bucs secondary.
No, it’s not Mike Smith’s fault that Buccaneers defensive ends have just one sack this season. That unthinkable travesty is about talent, as in lack thereof.
But the Lovie Smith defense rolled out today is on the Bucs’ new defensive coordinator.
Perhaps more than in any game this season, the Bucs knew exactly what was coming, a steady diet of Adrian Peterson followed by shots down the field. Arizona is a simple team, and the Bucs were nowhere near up to the task.
Far too often Larry Fitzgerald and friends were wide open beyond belief. Fitzgerald, on one deep pass, caught the ball over the middle, braced for a hit that never came, looked around, and then still had room to takeoff. That’s when Joe opened the bourbon.
Vernon Hargreaves is still auditioning to be a Rooms-To-Go spokesman assigned to couch cushions. And the Bucs safeties should be embarrassed.
Today’s Bucs first half rivaled what Tampa Bay delivered in Atlanta three years ago, when they trailed 35-0 at the half to a crap Falcons team, ironically coached by Mike Smith and Dirk Koetter. It just cannot happen, and it’s on the defensive coordinator.
Make a freaking adjustment. Call back-to-back timeouts and set up a prayer circle if you have to.
Team Glazer has to be wondering why this defense has regressed. Does Kwon Alexander mean that much? Perhaps he does?
October 15th, 2017 at 7:40 pm
Hahaha….best pic ever!
October 15th, 2017 at 7:41 pm
LOL
that’s hillarious
October 15th, 2017 at 7:43 pm
Embarrassing.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:43 pm
This effort was too bad to be on any one guy. And Smith is NOT the “new” DC. He’s had two offseasons, two preseasons, a full season and a quarter, and he has buku experience…and turns this in….AGAIN this year. Two of five games blowouts. But wait…the offense is what can’t get into the end zone. Three games now (MIN, NE, ARI), they can’t do it until it’s garbage time and the opposing D has hit the showers mentally. This is on Koetter more than Smith. They both earned a solid “F”, only because we can’t give them a “G” or and “H.”
October 15th, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Time to bench VH3
October 15th, 2017 at 7:45 pm
We finally agree Joe! Yay!
The positive I took from this is that at least he identified the problem at halftime, and defense looked so much better the second half.
Still, this loss is 100% on defensive coaching staff. Luckily, it’s still early in the season, hopefully, we can learn something from this.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Kwon DOES mean that much. And maybe Tandy does too (if that means Conte doesn’t have to see the field)
This team needs a CB so badly it makes the lack of a DE look like a small problem.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:46 pm
Love the picture and caption.
Here’s one: What the lower bowl of RJS will look like by Week 8.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:47 pm
VH3 and koetter got to go
October 15th, 2017 at 7:48 pm
Game should have been tied. Everyone knows you take that 3 at end off half to only be down 21 after a crapy half and tou get ball to start 2nd. Another head scratcher by Koetter.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:48 pm
“BFFL Says:
October 15th, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Time to bench VH3”
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it’s ashame he’s not playing like a 1st rd talent
I hated seeing what happened to Johnathan Banks, Verner, and Mark Barron…………but now we’re seeing another DB struggling?????
October 15th, 2017 at 7:49 pm
Seats are warming up quickly
October 15th, 2017 at 7:51 pm
We talkin about routes. that’s funny, routes.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:52 pm
It seems to me like the players are tuning out Mike Smith.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:53 pm
“Dewey Selmon Says:
October 15th, 2017 at 7:51 pm
We talkin about routes. that’s funny, routes.”
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LOL
“we talkin bout practice….practice!”……….thanks IVY!!!!!!!!!
October 15th, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Let’s not forget the dufus who drafted Hargreaves, Aguayo, ASJ……and signed FAs like MJ and all those awesome Dlinemen.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Ladies and Gentleman, I give you our NFC South Basement Dwellers.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:55 pm
Why doesnt Smith understand that our 4 man rush is doing nothing? It hasnt worked last year and hasnt been working all year this year?
Why are we not adjusting?
Why is J.Evans covering the sideline? and why did we not cover the endzone on that 3rd TD?
We have gotten run over in this defense twice now by Cas Keenum and the good QBs are completing over 75% of their passes on us.
Smith didnt even have a contingency play to stop AP on that first drive…..We just stayed in soft dropback zone and let them run all over us.
I have no idea what Smith thinks hes doing with this defense. It baffles my mind. Just look at the success rate of other teams on third and 10+ and that should be all thats needed to know to know that Mike Smith is running a terrible defensive system here that will never win
October 15th, 2017 at 7:56 pm
BFFL
No no no
Not of the coach for going for 2 and going for a TD.
There was no reason not to. None.
The defense couldn’t stop a thing.
They made it respectable but never had a chance.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:56 pm
Disagree joe. This one is on Dirk and Mike. Dirk is the HC. It’s his responsibility to game plan and make adjustments if need be. His play calling is predictable and like you said other teams would be drooling if they had the talent we had. Dirk can’t execute and Mike Smiths defense is non existent. Perhaps this is the reason Arthur Blank cut them both in ATL?
October 15th, 2017 at 7:58 pm
It’s almost like this team didnt do anything in Training Camp. VHIII looked decent last year…….No reason for a 2nd year corner to regress in the same defense.
We were horrible and embarassing getting off the field in third and long last year and Smith cant fix it……..3rd and long is the easiest D to play and Smith is struggling……..It should not take 2 years to fix 3rd and long.
This whole coaching staff blows
October 15th, 2017 at 7:59 pm
I explained VH3 lack of focus and drive over summer. Pointed to his selfish ways that he really only cares about fame. I pointed out his Instagram and everyone laughed but it’s not the Instagram ratio or non stop selfies, or not following a single teammate but follows his former gators, or how he never reps the bucs. This guy is a classic bust and if you read between the lines, you won’t be suprised. Jason licht is on the hot seat. You move back (draft this bust) acquire a pick to draft a kicker in the 2nd round, instead of moving up 3 spots and getting the best CB to come out in the last 10 years. Noah Spence is looking average at best as long as we are running s 4-3… now looking forward to this draft not moving up for cook or sh*t just drafting him at 19. Justin Evans looks solid but was that the biggest need? We did sign TJ ward after we drafted him so read between the lines again. Jon Robinson was the man. And he is turning Tennessee around now. Im not even mad at VH3 at this point, it’s the super passive Jason licht that is kinda becoming the problem. Yeah he drafted mike Evans, and JAMEIS but those were no brainers picks. Kwon and all Marpet were great pics but that’s not enough for a extension. Jason licht better pull something out of his as* fast or he out.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:03 pm
It has been said time and again to win on the road in the NFL you need a good running game and a good defense. This team has a horrible defense and once you give up a million points you have no running game. This all comes back to not getting a DE in the draft or running back (hey I wish there was some all time great available this off season, oh wait) which falls squarely on Licht. All this excitement all off season was just us fooling ourselves cause when you look at this team we should have all seen no pass rush, no o line, one corner and a coach who panics but asked his team not to. All in all we are doomed with this staff as they rarely have this team prepared to play and get out coached weekly. I really like the approach of DK but it is clear he does not call the best plays for our talent and does not adjust. Mike Smith I just cannot figure out cause those great Jags defenses were something special but I guess much like the Tamps 2 the game has passed his scheme by. Long story short were toast!
October 15th, 2017 at 8:05 pm
As I rewatch this game
You blame this on Mike Smith
PLEASE
MIKE SMITH DOESNT MAKE PLAYS
missed tackles
GMC only helped up Peterson after Baker makes the tackle
DBs looking everywhere else but at the ball
October 15th, 2017 at 8:06 pm
These player’s are playing the type of defense the DC asked them to play. this defense scheme was used 5-6 years ago and the quarterbacks and the opposing offense coordinators, can read this old fashion defense. The player’s started freelancing in the middle of the third quarter. they have no confidence in any of the coaches,because they never played the game. Shawn King should be the quarterback coach and Rhonda Barber should be the G.M.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:06 pm
I think the second guessing falls directly on our GM…a lot of our high picks are looking like garbage. Hargreaves as a #1 pick, Aguayo a #2 and we kicked Barth to the curb to then fail with aguayo/Folk…Spence is damaged goods…J Evans with a 2nd, Godwin with a 3rd….Evans, Spence, Hargreaves not bringing much to the table for the defense. Aguayo isn’t even at the table anymore. Out of FOUR high rd picks, not a single solid contributor.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:06 pm
VHIII has to be the worst CB in the league.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:13 pm
Cards took many shots downfield today while I took even more shots trying to watch this game without throwing my phone through the local Buffalo Wild Wings tv! This team is actually regressing
October 15th, 2017 at 8:15 pm
Ed I guarantee Mike Smith didn’t say let Fitz run free
Please
Joe Please tell me where GMC was
Let’s try this article “Winston out, GMC No where to be found”
Was his name called once today
NOPE
I know I’m a hater cause I called out the Queen
By The Way GMC I INVITE YOU TO MY HOUSE TO REWATCH THIS GAME
DINNER INCLUDED
October 15th, 2017 at 8:19 pm
Back to the Basement!
October 15th, 2017 at 8:21 pm
Guys………….Not trying to protect VH3 but Grimes got burned Way more than him. Grimes just made up for his mistakes like Pro Bowlers do.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:26 pm
Seemed like every play VH3 was 5 yards, or more at times, off his receiver. It was like watching a bad horror movie. Well Halloween is only 16 days away. I’ll just wear my VH3 jersey and scare all the kids.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:27 pm
Mike Smith sucks! Why is he not putting together blitz packages with GMC/LVD and Beckworth (with Kwon on Injury list). He’s got one week with this Bucs fan to prove he’s got some coaching brain matter upstairs. I’m still po’ed at DK and his offensive (it stinks) game plans with the offense. He’s ham stringing them!
October 15th, 2017 at 8:38 pm
The Bucs are giving up 403 YPG now.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:40 pm
LakeLand Says:
October 15th, 2017 at 8:38 pm
The Bucs are giving up 403 YPG now.
””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””’
If that stat is real, then WOW!!!!……that’s horrific
October 15th, 2017 at 8:41 pm
VH3 IS GARBAGE!!!!!!!! Need to pick up a very good CB in a big trade if they want to have any chance to win games this year.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:47 pm
Is mike smith running the draft????
October 15th, 2017 at 8:47 pm
Croatiabucs?!?!?! I’m croatian
October 15th, 2017 at 8:49 pm
@Atrain
Actually GMC was being double teamed a lot and I heard his name when he pushed the OG all the way back to sack Palmer. Pretty sick play but does no way in hell make up for the rest of this awful first half defense.
October 15th, 2017 at 9:03 pm
TJ played like crap coming of the injury. J. Evans played like crap but they do say Safety is the hardest position for a rookie to grow into it, especially with no OTA practices. Feel Evans can grow into a good safety with time even if it’s a year or two.
October 15th, 2017 at 9:13 pm
Some of our players on defense are just not good tacklers. And then other guys just can’t cover. And one in particular that we drafted in the first rd can’t do either. Looking around for someone else to make a hit. If your not a good tackler then at least slow the guy running with the ball down so help can arrive. I feel bad for some of our players on D that go 100% every snap. When they watch film, surely they can identify the weak among them.
On O we continue to start games with vanilla playcalling and a lack of urgency. We have a head coach that has weapons all over the field. I still believe our coach has the skills to get the most out of their talents. Maybe, Dirk doesn’t trust the offense early in games? Seriously, what is he waiting for? Open up the playbook and get this O rolling early in games!
October 15th, 2017 at 9:46 pm
VHG tightened up in the second half…. made a few tackles…held Fitz up for the strip…but he is playing bad….but I’m starting to think that it ain’t his fault…. judging by what we’ve been seeing it’s all on coaching….GO BUCS!!!
October 15th, 2017 at 9:47 pm
Love the pic!!!😂😂GO BUCS!!!
October 15th, 2017 at 10:13 pm
Well I told you guys. Tandy has been out 3 games and the Bucs have lost all 3!! Hey I coached 27 years and I am not naive to think he can do it himself but he is the glue that keeps that Secondary in tact. They have stunk the place up in their loses to Minnesota, NE and today against Arizona. T J Ward my ass, did you see him get suckered in on the pass to their TE on the one Touchdown? Evans, Conte… Really? Smith and Koetter need to watch some film from last season and realize how valuable Tandy is to their success and quit dreaming on Ward, Evans, and Conte. Choose one of those 3 to pair up with Tandy and Coach them up and salvage this season or the losing will continue and both will be looking for a job when this season ends!
October 16th, 2017 at 12:16 am
Its on Mike Smith,? hat a boy there Smitty.. I like you and Koetter Spin. Last week it was his fault. This week it yours. Next week? I guess the both of you do the combo meal aye? Lets squeeze the assistant coaches, trainers, water boyz in there some weeks for..extra flavor. People its the same team with a brand new name..Its the SOB’S (same ole Bucs). I jsut feel sorry for the fans. And Joe..the Picture with the deer is straight up..Halarious. My wife almost upchucked her beer. Hey at least you know how to make us laugh.
October 16th, 2017 at 1:50 am
We play more damn zone than any team
October 16th, 2017 at 10:29 am
Joe great point. I was wondering why the they never call a timeout and freaking regroup when they are getting it handed to them