Lovie The Stickler
June 15th, 2014
“Details! Details!” was a common scream from former Bucs commander Greg Schiano.
Lovie Smith doesn’t scream. But those details count every bit as much.
Tampa Tribune columnist Martin Fennelly penned a neat offering today highlighting trust, belief and accountability under the Lovie regime.
One example showed how cornerback D.J. Moore felt Lovie’s wrath after a great game when the two were in Chicago.
“I had a game against Dallas,” Moore said with a grin. “I had like 13 tackles, a pass deflected, an interception … I got a D-minus grade. It’s just everything. Lovie wants your technique and your feet just right. Every time.”
Smith smiled at hearing that.
“Even though he got those tackles, it’s just not that,” [Lovie] said. “It’s everything we’re teaching. How many tackles? Thirteen? There were probably 50 plays. What about those other plays? If I see something, I’m going to point it out. We’re going to be consistent with everybody. Each week we get a grade. Each week, everybody is going to know what the standard is.”
Of course, none of this is a big surprise from Lovie. He came to Tampa with an impeccable reputation of playing hard for him and singing his praises.
It’s awesome to see how all things Lovie are being received now with the Buccaneers. It’s great, feel-good stuff. But winning will take more than playing hard and responding to coaching. Remember, the cold reality is Lovie missed the playoffs five of his last six seasons in Chicago.
June 15th, 2014 at 7:59 am
“Remember, the cold reality is Lovie missed the playoffs five of his last six seasons in Chicago.”
Ain’t it the truth, and that was without any unforeseen…stuff you couldn’t make up if you tried like MRSA outbreaks, franchise QB mental meltdowns, and make believe sensationalism generated scandals. Hopefully Lovie doesn’t have to deal with any of that kind of nonsense, it could make life tough for even the most experienced of coaches like Lovie is.
June 15th, 2014 at 8:14 am
In 4 out of the 9 years Lovie was in CHI, the D ranked in the top 10, 3 of those times in the top 5. On offense, in his 9 years, CHI ranked in the top 10 once (#2 in pts, and #15 in yds). That was in ’06, the year the Bears went to the SB. Offense is something Lovie has always struggled with.
The D will be there most of the time. But a lot is riding on Tedford.
June 15th, 2014 at 8:22 am
Wasnt he 29 and 19 in his last three seasons? Thats good enough for me considering Tedford should run a better offense than lovie ever had in chicago
June 15th, 2014 at 8:54 am
@kevin Says:
“…considering Tedford should run a better offense than lovie ever had in chicago.”
As far as the CHI offense goes, Ron Turner had a pretty good rep and he was the OC when the Bears went to the SB and had their highest O ranking. In ’10 CHI hired Mike Martz who is no slouch – “Greatest Show on Turf” in St Louis. Tedford has a long way to go to match that.
Not trying to be Debbie Downer, I’m excited to have Lovie, but being realistic that offense has not been his forte.
June 15th, 2014 at 9:08 am
Joe
It still comes down to having the players, coaching, schedule, and some luck. For example, playing Green Bay in September is much better than playing them there in late December, or playing Denver on Sunday night and then Seattle on Thursday night.
I thing we have the players, coaching but I am not sure about the schedule. Luck is mostly made by effort.
So from the draft and FAs taken by the various teams, what is you take on our schedule so far?
June 15th, 2014 at 9:11 am
Lovie is now a seasoned coach. The Bucs will be where he adds to his coaching progress. Happy Father’s Day men! Rest in peace Chuck Noll.
June 15th, 2014 at 12:17 pm
He had a 10-6 and 9-7 seasons in that period which normally means playoffs.
Worst were two 7-9ers.
Of course if you go back one more year he went to the super bowl after 13-3.
If u narrow up the time frame u can make anyone look bad. Including Belichick.
One thing I know….its a hell of a lot better than what we’ve seen around here.
June 15th, 2014 at 5:36 pm
Yea he also got fired after a 10-6 record his very last season.
So he proved he could get a team to win, it’s not a distant thing.
June 15th, 2014 at 6:41 pm
Spin it how you wish. Bears fans weren’t sad to see Lovie go and they don’t miss him now.
June 15th, 2014 at 11:17 pm
Fans happiness isn’t a good measure. Lots of folks around here were giddy to see Jon let go, and were pleased when Doug Williams wasn’t signed. Both disasters.
If Chicago’s defense plays like they did last year a lot more of their fans will be missing Lovie.
June 15th, 2014 at 11:31 pm
It’s not “spun” it’s just fact and all you have to do is open your eyes to see that plenty of Bears fans wish they still had Lovie just like plenty of Bears fans wish they would have dumped Cutler and kept McCown.