ESPN: Reboot The Defense
October 3rd, 2018
Good ol’ days!
Jenna Laine may not have called for Mike Smith’s head. But the Bucs beat reporter for ESPN came one sentence away from calling for a new Bucs defensive coordinator.
In a well-written takedown of Smith, Laine types that while Bucs coach Dirk Koetter may have a point that replacing Smith in October won’t bring the desired results, the defense simply cannot continue with the ineffectiveness that has become commonplace the past 20 games if not longer.
In short, Laine is calling for a full reboot of the defense, as best as possible during a bye week. She documented some reasons why.
Sunday’s game marked the 19th time in 36 games since Mike Smith was named defensive coordinator (in 2016) that the Bucs defense gave up more than 400 yards. The unit has given up 296 explosive plays under Smith, more than any other team in the league over that time period, and it has also surrendered 36 touchdowns on explosive plays since 2016, tied for second in the NFL.
This season, the Bucs’ defense is giving up almost 446 yards per game. By comparison, in Lovie Smith’s final season in Tampa, his defense was giving up 340.4 yards per game.
It’s gotten so bad that an online petition was created calling for Mike Smith’s job, and it had nearly 900 signatures by Tuesday morning. Although, it’s far from the first time fans have voiced their frustration about a defense that continues to add talent but has nothing to show for it.
This is why Smith is — or should be — in such hot water. He has several players 31 other NFL general managers would trample each other in an effort to sign if they were on the street: Gerald McCoy, Lavonte David, Brett Grimes and Justin Evans to name a few.
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht spent a lot of draft capital — and more importantly Team Glazer loot — to upgrade the defense and it has grown worse! Not only is that difficult to comprehend, it’s unacceptable since it is commonly believed the coaching staff is in a win-now-or-else mode.
Yeah, yeah, the Bucs are 2-2. We should be celebrating in the streets, right? (Talk about how Bucs’ fans’ standards have fallen.) If not for two historic, nobody-saw-coming games by Ryan Fitzpatrick (of all people) this team would be winless.
And unless every person collecting a check in the NFL or paid to cover or analyze the NFL is dead wrong, including those who have been paid big-time money to run NFL teams, this Bucs squad has talent. Shoot, even Bucs coach Dirk Koetter talks about how much talent this team possesses.
Yeah, the defense needs to reboot, turnaround, reassess, you pick the verb. Sadly, after watching this defense the past 20 games, with a road game in a dome next up (Smith’s results in domes the past two seasons are atrocious), Joe has no hope left for the defense.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:08 pm
We all knew Mike Smith was a bad hire from the get go. He has done nothing to disprove that. Rex Ryan is available.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:09 pm
Funny how we haven’t seen Realist, the leader of the “real” fans on here defending Mike Smith now that it’s obvious that the 5 game streak of the defense being good was a total fluke and that the guy sucks at coaching defense in the modern day NFL game.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:10 pm
It’s aggravating that people say the only reason we won those two games was. Because of Fitzpatrick. Other than the New Orleans game we held philly to 20 points also shut Pittsburgh out in the second half. I agree we should’ve been fired smith but this team is good and it seems every week us fans find something negative to scream about.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:13 pm
I signed the petition and I think all of us who come to this site should to.
Joe: Please run a confidence poll on Mike Smith. Lets see where this fan base is at.
If its truly as bad as I think it is then Jason Licht or the Glazers need to step in because this sh!t is unacceptable.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:13 pm
SMITH WILL TAKE ALL THE COACHES AND GENERAL MANAGER DOWN AT THE END OF THE YEAR IF DIRK DOESN’T DO SOMETHING TO IMPROVE THE TEAM…
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:14 pm
We are clearly not in a win now or else mode otherwise Dirk wouldnt be asking stupid questions like “What then?”… Dirk seems to care about nothing other than keeping his bestie happy.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:14 pm
This is why Koetter just wont hack it in the NFL, he can’t make the hard decisions. He’s weak where he should be strong and strong where he should be weak, dudes an anomaly.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:15 pm
Dirk has already accepted his fate.
“Jameis will be here alot longer than I will be”
WTF kind of attitude is that? If you have that mentality then you’re right he needs to be fired.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:16 pm
I know we are 25% done with the season, but I just can not comprehend what this franchise is doing by not making a change.
If they love Mike Smith and can not stand the thought of letting him go, then give him a pro scouting or advisor position within the franchise.
Clearly it is not working with Mike Smith. Do something….anything, but don’t keep the status quo. A new voice in leadership is either going to give the Bucs the same results(worst defense in the NFL) or it will be better.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:17 pm
BucThis:
At least he was being honest. 🙂
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:19 pm
How can you reboot something three years in the making if your keeping the guy who came up with the system, why would you reboot something that never worked? You might as well had called for his job because otherwise a reboot is pointless.
I like the joes idea of keeping smith but in like a consultant game planning role and let someone else take over dc duties and control over the scheme.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:22 pm
Wausa- He needs to be honest with himself about Smitty and his Sh!tty defense then too because this sh!t is bananas.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:24 pm
JOE: WE THE FANS OF THIS ORGANIZATION OF THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CONFIDENCE POLL ON OUR DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR MIKE SMITH.
ALL IN FAVOR SAY “I”
I
I
I
I
I
I
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:25 pm
Guess I will Google where to find this petition i hear of. Dont think a petition will help but i need to sign it just in case. The Glazers need to step up yesterday and make a change, petition or not.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:25 pm
So please tell me how it won’t bring desired results. Our defense really can’t get any worse than what we saw Sunday. I would argue that a defense manned by nothing but practice squad players with a competent coaching staff could outplay what we saw Sunday. Maybe we fire Smith, his staff, and every player on that side of the ball. Hold open tryouts. If our kicker had laid an egg that bad we would have gotten a new one by Tuesday.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:29 pm
And the train rolls on….
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Replacing Lovie with another guy who’s defense is stuck in 2005 makes no sense.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:31 pm
BucThis Says:
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:22 pm
Wausa- He needs to be honest with himself about Smitty and his Sh!tty defense then too because this sh!t is bananas.
______________
I am with you @BucThis
It is extremely vexing that the owners and Jason Licht are putting up with a coordinator that just came off having the worst defense in the NFL last year and is following it up with a defense on pace to be the worst ever.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:33 pm
Some of the blame has to go to Licht for decided to cut Tandy and adding no veteran depth.
Our defense was already getting thrashed before last week, so losing Whitehead (late last week) and Conte on short week obviously hurt.
I think Koetter has a point- we’re at 2-2 and he thinks Smith is our best option to to rehab our defense and give us a fighting chance. I know we’re sick of hearing about communication, but none of the starters on the back end- besides Grimes- was here in 2016 when ‘communication’ supposedly solved the problem. These players are young but they can learn. If Smith cares about his reputation at all, he’ll try to fix this mess.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:35 pm
Where are the Glazers on this? I can’t believe they’re just going to sit by and watch the season go down the drain.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:36 pm
Somewhere Chris Conte is smiling.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:40 pm
Where is this petition? I’M SIGNING!
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:41 pm
Nope licht didn’t cut Tandy we could see dirk in hard knocks setting his player board for cutting guys that’s all on sorry dirk for cutting Tandy
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:42 pm
@TampaTown
I agree. But anyone familiar with the recent history of the Glazer’s knows that they don’t like to make big firings during the season. I don’t know why, I just know that’s their MO.
They seem to lean towards giving people enough rope to hang themselves so to speak.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:44 pm
BLITZ BLITZ BLITZ BLITZ BLITZ.
What are we waiting for? Are we afraid we’re going to get beat deep??? Brahahaha!
Our corners are built for man. Do it.
Our d-line (except for JPP) can’t reach the QB. Do it.
We have a safety (not named Evans) who doesn’t know where to line up. Do it.
Our linebackers are built for speed. Do it.
We should be sending at least 5 people on every down. Bring the pressure. Move the QBs off their mark. At least go down fighting.
Instead of a ‘get back’ coach, we need a ‘lets blitz’ coach. Someone in Smith’s ear saying ‘lets blitz’ every defensive play.
BLITZ BLITZ BLITZ BLITZ BLITZ
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:48 pm
When you have this many sportscasters and knowledgeable NFL aficionados saying the same thing – this defensive scheme is old school, not effective in today’s game, and totally predictable – change should be inevitable. How could you arrive at any other conclusion given the Bucs defensive stats. Everyone can see the writing/graffiti on the wall except Dirk. Either that, or he either refuses to read it or act on it.
Bring on the petition(s)!!!!
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:49 pm
MJ Stewart is lost. Out of the 3 rookies, I think he’s a bust so far. He doesn’t know his assignments and he’s slow to recover.
Brent Grimes is playing way below average.
Isaiah “hello wall” Johnson is garbage. But he does tackle well. We need Whitehead back ASAP.
Last year the DL let us down. This year it’s the secondary.
54 and 58 are garbage in coverage. When is Beckwith coming back? I didn’t expect much from Adarius Taylor, so I won’t mention him.
I think the Bucs once again underestimated age and injuries (Grimes). They took a gamble on VH3 coming back to form by not going after some good FAs. And now they are relying on 3 rookies in the back. It’s a recipe of ineptitude. They should have gone after a FA for the secondary.
Looking at the highlights, Mike Smith gets a lot of the blame for not adjusting but MJ Stewart was consistently dropping his assignments. He has no clue what he’s doing. I think you have to yank him and take your chances with Ryan Smith. Smith actually played well the last time he got significant minutes. Stewart is a liability.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:56 pm
So Rex Ryan, Jack Del Rio and Chuck Pagano are all available but the Bucs are going to stay with SMitty?????
This team needs a shake up, a wake up call, do something Licht, Glazers, please do something.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:57 pm
For all of those wondering about the petition. Go to Change.org
I tried pasting it here but it wont go through
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:58 pm
On Winston’s tipped INT, the Bucs pulled Marpet the LG all the way to RE to block Khalil Mack on a passing play. Why oh why would you do that against the most destructive force of nature? Let me repeat, the Left Guard pulls to the Right End and the Bucs thought that was going to end well against Khalil Mack? They gave him a head start on attacking the QB. I’m literally scratching my damn head. Koetter wants to b!tch about his RBs pass protecting but you pull a stupid stunt like that? Coaching is to blame on that play. Not Marpet and not Winston for not stepping up.
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:59 pm
Conte Piscatelli Says: If our kicker had laid an egg that bad we would have gotten a new one by Tuesday.
Aint that the TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 3rd, 2018 at 3:00 pm
This is the end,
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end.
-As sung by Dirk to Smitty.
October 3rd, 2018 at 3:05 pm
I will keep harping on my previous post. If Smith was an honorable man he wouldn’t accept this garbage and would resign for the good of the team and to help out his friend Koetter. He has had all the time in the world to put, at least, an average product on the field and has failed miserably.At what point does he get it that his scheme or coaching is not getting the job done? We can’t defend a slant or wheel route after 3 years of “ coaching” these guys- all of whom are professional athletes? The boss should always be accountable. Resign your position Mr.Smith and accept another job with the Bucs or elsewhere. Have some mercy on by your friends and players.
October 3rd, 2018 at 3:07 pm
Bring back Lovie for DC….Tampa Two…..maybe Schiano…..stunts anyone???
Dungy?
My Grandmother?
🙂
October 3rd, 2018 at 3:09 pm
Derp says he’s starting Winston but I’d stick with Fitz. On both of their best days Fitz is far better and more accurate. On their worst days they’re about the same, but Jameis makes more mistakes. I believe the Lightning has their first game Saturday night.
October 3rd, 2018 at 3:10 pm
Can we all collectively agree that the bucs should never hire a D.C. named Smith ever again. 🤷🏽♂️
October 3rd, 2018 at 3:10 pm
For all sad words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are these, what might have been.
– William Shakespeare.
Times like these make me look and back and think about what might have been. For example, what if the Bucs had chosen to hire Sean McDermott (who Licht interviewed for the job) as our headcoach in the 2016 offseason and had managed to retain Dirk as our extremely high paid OC. You can bet that our defense would not be realistically close to achieving the dishonor of giving up the most points in league history.
Or perhaps if the we had hired Dirk as the HC and there was no handshake deal between him and Smith, and instead we had hired was clearly the most competent defensive coordinator available in Jim Schwartz. I have no problem making the leap that were Schwartz our DC in 2016 we more than likely would have made the playoffs that season and would currently be close to the top of the NFC power rankings.
… Ah well. Sa La Vie.
October 3rd, 2018 at 3:10 pm
I’d kill to have Schiano back as a DC right now. No way he’d take the job though.
October 3rd, 2018 at 3:13 pm
Monte Kiffin’s grandson?
October 3rd, 2018 at 3:30 pm
BigMacAttack Says:
I’d kill to have Schiano back as a DC right now. No way he’d take the job though.
Whoever would take it, if they could turn it around, they would be guaranteed a head coaching job next year. Take a unit ranked dead last and get them near or in the top ten unit, that would be big on a resume.
October 3rd, 2018 at 3:35 pm
Totally confident, right guys?
October 3rd, 2018 at 3:51 pm
Swartz for HC 2019?!
October 3rd, 2018 at 3:56 pm
I think that we Buc fans are so used to mediocrity or worse performance with this team that responding negatively is the only thing we know. We have hope when the season begins and by the end of the 1st qtr of the season the only thing we can look forward to is maybe playing the spoiler for another teams shot at making the playoffs during the last qtr of the season…..smh
October 3rd, 2018 at 3:58 pm
Jameis is by far the superior q.b. It’s not even close. The Eagles and the saints have issues on Defense that Ted Monken was able to exploit.
October 3rd, 2018 at 4:02 pm
Chris Simms on one of his podcasts said that the same defense Mike Smith ran in 2003 when he was DC for the Jaguars, is the same defense he’s running now. Don’t Mike Smith know the NFL has evolved since then, make some adjustments man.
October 3rd, 2018 at 4:06 pm
Firing Lovie Smith was the biggest mistake this organization has made since drafting Jameis Winston. Yes his defense didn’t do well in the final 4 games of 2015 but that wasn’t a fireable offense. The fact that Winston stood on the podium at seasons end and threw his HC Under the bus was reprehensible. The Glazerhouse Boys acquiescing to Winston’s and firing Lovie was also reprehensible. I’m pretty sure Lovie is fully regretting Drafting Winston over Mariota at this point. Now the Bucs are right Back where they were at the end of 2015.
October 3rd, 2018 at 4:08 pm
Problem is, Kgh4life, the Bucs don’t have The personnel needed in the Secondary to make those changes.
October 3rd, 2018 at 4:14 pm
Mike Smith’s defensive scheme is totally outdated
October 3rd, 2018 at 4:19 pm
@Bucko40
LOL! Wtf on earth are you talking about? Not only was Lovie a terrible HC who absolutely deserved to be fired, Jameis did no such thing. In fact he clearly stated that he had a good relationship with Lovie and that the coaches clearly wanted to win more than some of the players on the team.
Not only are you wrong, you’re double wrong.
October 3rd, 2018 at 4:23 pm
Oh lol just saw your other comment regarding the secondary, so make that triple wrong.
October 3rd, 2018 at 4:27 pm
All women must be believed, so when she calls for Mike Smith’s head, she should get it.
This is one thing we can all agree on.
Get out the pitchforks and torches.
October 3rd, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Too bad we can’t clone Monte grow him in vat to adulthood in 2 weeks and actually see some real defensive genius
October 3rd, 2018 at 4:40 pm
I would definitely bring in Rex. He’s a fiery competitor and will adjust quicker during the game. Personally I think Smith is suffering from oldtimers. We need a coordinator that’s innovative and up on the new schemes. Like wheel routes, evidently Smith even with a birds eye view can’t see them and adjust. pathetic ..anyone at this point can’t be any worse.
October 3rd, 2018 at 4:42 pm
I’ve figured out that it’s not about Mike Smith at all. It’s not about his scheme.
It’s all about Dirk and his team not being prepared week in and out. It was obvisous his week took the week off and didn’t practice on the short week. Meanwhile our opponents were working their tails off preparing for us. You will never win in this league like that.
Heck, Dirk was asked about the practice schedule during his presser and said he wasn’t changing it? You mean to tell me we don’t need extra practice this week? Get the f#@k outta here!!! We getting staight outworked in this league and always have been since Dirk took over.
October 3rd, 2018 at 4:44 pm
It don’t matter who your QB is or who is calling the plays…….if your competition is working harder then you they ha e a major advantage.
You may as well just spot the other team two touchdowns….,…which we pretty much do anyways as most games on fold
October 3rd, 2018 at 4:46 pm
Yep^^^^^^
October 3rd, 2018 at 4:57 pm
And this is why I wanted this creep fired last year. in front of your own fans against the Panthers his team didn’t bother showing up……..Vikings, Zona…..didn’t show up.
The year before that getting embarrassed at home by the worst offense in the league. Choking up big leads to the Skins and Raiders.
We get into a playoff hunt in 2015 and he team gets physically abused by Dallas then followed that up by not even preparing and getting their asses ✋ to them by a 7-9 team.
This guy’s team has never been prepared and they never will be. They are too fragile to work hard I guess.
October 3rd, 2018 at 4:58 pm
Meanwhile my freaking back hurts today. That’s because I lifted more then our players did without even trying.
October 3rd, 2018 at 5:08 pm
How do you get to online petition.
I’ll sign that sh!t
October 3rd, 2018 at 5:54 pm
Where is this petition?
I will happily sign.
The defense can’t possibly get any worse.
October 3rd, 2018 at 6:10 pm
Change.org to sign the petition!!!
Joe won’t let me paste in here
October 3rd, 2018 at 6:11 pm
Bucs fans crying like babies. Rats scurrying to shore. Horrible performance for sure. We’ve had some winning performances as well this year and a pretty good half against Pittsburgh. Fire everyone or….count on the better players we have this year to improve, count on a coaching staff under the gun who know more about football than any one of us, to improve, and root for those players and coaches, rather than calling for their heads. Lots (lots) of football to be played. Could be the scheme is bad…not effectively executable. Can Smith change it? Rats say no, but rats also said HC wouldn’t let Monken call plays; rats said Fitz would let us down and we’d be 0-4. My point? You have a right to call for everyone’s head after a 2-2 start and a horrible performance. That doesn’t make all the crying and personal attacks right. We have better players and experienced coaches. Expect more. Root for more (vice tearing everything and everyone down) and enjoy the success we will have this season. Go Bucs!
October 3rd, 2018 at 6:19 pm
@Joe
“She documented some reasons why.”
Hahaha. Most defensive passing yards given up in the history of the league is the only document I need Jenna.
October 3rd, 2018 at 6:23 pm
I Just signed the petition.
October 3rd, 2018 at 6:33 pm
Bucs wouldn’t be in this mess if DK would have canned Smitty last year after the past horrific defensive show. Now the team is in the position that they have no replacement.
October 3rd, 2018 at 6:48 pm
BUC up you guys. The season is young…
Lots of games to be played.
WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS!!!
DILLY! DILLY
October 3rd, 2018 at 8:27 pm
1) nobody-saw-coming games by Ryan Fitzpatrick? Sorry, but I called this well before the season started, predicting the Bucs would go 2-1 & Fitz would surprise as the underdog (altho he’s inferior to Winston as a QB, he has the kind of skills that can be highly effective in the short-term)
2) why not just blame the defense and the team’s losses on Winston? What folks don’t realize is, I don’t care which young QB had come to the Bucs, Deshaun Watson, Wentz, Goff, Prescott, or even Mahomes–the Bucs would still be BAD!
A team’s destiny is dictated by the coaches & personnel managers. PERIOD. We are subpar in both those departments, lucky to even be 2-2.
October 3rd, 2018 at 8:34 pm
Perhaps they could bring in a Defensive Consultant, Until the season is over.
Mike Smith needs to go, or He’s gonna take Dirk out with him!
October 3rd, 2018 at 10:18 pm
LMAO!! Mike Smith will surpass Lovie as the Bucs worst Defense. Just give it a few more games..I guarantee it.
October 3rd, 2018 at 10:19 pm
Dirk is out…
Just a matter of time.
October 3rd, 2018 at 10:22 pm
@Schwifty Buc:
My favorite Shakespeare quote! Very cool 😎
October 3rd, 2018 at 10:30 pm
Visit change.org
Type fire mike Smith in search bar . Well over a thousand and will go to 10000 if word spreads
October 3rd, 2018 at 10:39 pm
BucThis Says:
October 3rd, 2018 at 3:10 pm
Can we all collectively agree that the bucs should never hire a D.C. named Smith ever again. 🤷🏽♂️
AMEN!!!
My thoughts exactly
October 3rd, 2018 at 11:53 pm
Lol no Brent Grimes is washed and has been out preformed by Ryan Smith. Big time.
October 4th, 2018 at 12:14 am
if a woman says throw it in the trash…you throw it in the trash…
#PlainAndSimple
October 4th, 2018 at 2:57 am
Sadly the offense is playing for eveeybodys job. Hope they can do it. Rally around Winston and hope he can go all Mahomes/Fitzmagic like and go on an offensive explosion of his own. Btw i picked up Cam on my fantasy team. Hope yall did too. Go Bucs
October 4th, 2018 at 11:54 am
340 yards a game and got routinely criticized by Joe for being bad at defense. I would love to be that bad at defense.