Explaining Lovie Smith’s Defense
March 22nd, 2014
New Bucs CB D.J. Moore explains how Lovie Smith’s defense works.
This subject came to a head just after Team Glazer tagged Lovie Smith as the next Bucs coach. “How will Darrelle Revis fit in?” the NFL sophists wondered.
Many Bucs fans believed Revis couldn’t play for Lovie because Lovie primarily runs a Tampa-2 defense, which is a zone defense. Revis is a killer man-coverage guy. Of course, Revis was released so we will never know or get to enjoy how Revis played for Lovie.
One cornerback the Bucs signed was D.J. Moore, who played for Lovie in Chicago. Moore took a break from his birthday to appear this afternoon on “The End Zone,” co-hosted by Zig Fracassi and Alex Marvez, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, to clear up the confusion over what type of defense Lovie runs.
In short, Moore said, it’s inaccurate to call Lovie’s defense a Tampa-2.
“It is simple. it is real simple,” More said. “The Cover-2 thing [under Lovie] is normally [used] when you are in third-and-long. So, if you are in third-and-seven or longer, 90- to 95-percent you will be in Cover-2. Now if it is third-and-six or less, just about 100 percent of the time you will be in man. It just depends on the down and distance.”
Moore likened the defense to Seattle’s in that the Seahawks are consistent in what type of defense they run, a Cover-3. This way, Moore noted, players are less likely to get confused and suffer from the cliche of paralysis by analysis, and get caught out of position or blow a play.
As to why so many players want to play for Lovie, Moore cited how much he is a stand-up guy and that most players will do anything for him, within reason, such as running through a brick wall.
“I don’t know, I wouldn’t go through a wall for him, geez,” Moore laughed. Lovie “treats you like a grown man. He just tells you how it is. He will tell you what you need to do and what will happen if you don’t do it.”
March 22nd, 2014 at 3:51 pm
I hope we see LOTS of Cover 2 this year.
March 22nd, 2014 at 3:55 pm
I like the cover 11 best…..
March 22nd, 2014 at 4:10 pm
Now all we need is for #38 to figure out what the down and distance is and not to call a coverage from the 49ers or last years BUCS!
March 22nd, 2014 at 4:13 pm
Glad to hear this. If we run a zone defense all the time the saints and falcons punters won’t even come off the bench for each of the two games they play us. You HAVE to incorporate press man coverage or they’ll pick you apart. I’m just glad he had a coordinator for offense ready to go. I feel good about Tedford.
March 22nd, 2014 at 4:30 pm
Great information, Joe. Thanks for letting us know.
March 22nd, 2014 at 4:39 pm
Anyone who has actually watched the bears under Lovey could have answered this for you. They hadn’t run it that often, but when they did- oh boy look out! “Its the cover 2! They’re running the cover 2!” Know what else? They got burned alot in the cover 2.
The Talking heads do not actually watch the things they purport to know about, therefore in their eyes Lovey only runs the cover 2. They area bunch of overpaid buffoons.
Yeah, I said it…buffoons.
March 22nd, 2014 at 4:58 pm
At least we won’t blitz on every single third down, regardless of the distance to go.
March 22nd, 2014 at 5:04 pm
don’t forget about Joe’s favorite play with Clayborn covering Sproles.
I think it’s funny when people compare coaches systems to one another. years ago it was all about west coast offense and yet the decedents of Walsh (Gruden, Holmes, Reid etc…) all have had their own systems that evolved to their desires. same can be said about defenses lot’s of tampa 2 copy cats but each has it’s own identity too… I just want to win. I am a team guy not a player guy so I could care less who they keep or get rid of as long as we win. I do know that I like the defenses signings so far.
March 22nd, 2014 at 5:05 pm
holmgren not homes…
March 22nd, 2014 at 5:09 pm
At least our defense will be a little more difficult to read.
March 22nd, 2014 at 5:47 pm
Our offense will be much harder to predict as well. Loved watching Cal games under Tedford!! We are in for a treat. Guarantee they pick up a burner in the draft!!
March 22nd, 2014 at 7:12 pm
Hey JOE, any word on which way Lovie / Licht are leaning for the #7 pick? We currently have three QB’s on the roster, so your hope for JM is dimming. Offensive Tackle? WR, Sammy Watkins? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks
March 22nd, 2014 at 8:30 pm
@TBBF,
cover 11. LOL! I agree!
March 23rd, 2014 at 8:22 am
Rutgers guy…Joe is not going to know which way the bucs are “leaning” and even if the Joes did they aren’t to tell you just because you asked.
Think about it
March 23rd, 2014 at 12:15 pm
[…] The rest of the article can be found here: JoeBucsFan.com […]
April 12th, 2014 at 8:00 am
[…] and consider how new Bucs cornerback D.J. Moore, who played for Bucs coach Lovie Smith in Chicago, broke down Lovie’s defense on SiriusXM NFL Radio last […]