Lovie’s Defensive Prowess “A Myth?”
September 20th, 2014
Pat Yasinskas of ESPN suggests Thursday night’s debacle in Atlanta shows Lovie Smith’s defensive coaching acumen to be “a myth.”
Greg Schiano was supposed to be a defensive guy, having been a defensive coach all his adult life. He never trailed a team by 56 points in a game, at least not in the NFL.
Raheem Morris, long considered by many Bucs fans as simply nothing more than a baffoon, had his share of beatdowns as a Bucs head coach, especially in his final season. Raheem, who learned the hard way it is hard to control a team when you are at the bars, never trailed in a game by 56 points.
What happened Thursday night was the Dixie Chicks’ version of Billy Sherman’s March to the Sea, where he made Georgia wail. Bucs beat writer Pat Yasinskas of ESPN was so mortified by what he saw, he claimed Lovie’s defensive wizardry is “a myth.”
The Falcons gained 300 yards of total offense in the first half. The Bucs had 63. But this isn’t about Tampa Bay’s offense — that unit came into the season with questions. Tampa Bay’s defense was supposed to be the team’s strength. Now it, too, has major questions, tops among them: Can the Bucs, who have just four sacks this season, win a game if they keep playing defense like this?
Let’s try to be fair to Smith for a minute. His defense was without injured All-Pro defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and middle linebacker Mason Foster. But Atlanta’s domination was so thorough, McCoy and Foster might not have made much of a difference. Smith and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier simply didn’t have the defense ready for an Atlanta offense that’s very good, even without injured receiver Roddy White.
“I’m embarrassed by our play,” Smith said. “We failed in all phases. It starts with the head football coach.” Smith got that part right.
Smith always talks about how his defense needs pressure up front for it to work. It ain’t working. As Joe wrote Friday, there are all sorts of defenses that can be used. There is no 11th Commandment that states “Thou shalt run the Tampa-2 if you are a Bucs coach.”
Good coaches craft defenses that gets the best out of the talent at hand. Thus far, Smith has failed at that.
So it comes down to this: If Lovie really believes the guys on this team can flourish in the Tampa-2, then forcefeed them so they learn by next year. With the Bucs 0-3 and only a deranged person thinking they can make a playoff run, if the Bucs lose the next 10 games while the defense learns to play this magical defense of his, good.
That just means the Bucs will have a better draft pick next spring. Right now, wins are meaningless.
What a joy it is for Joe to write that on Sept. 20. (#Sarcasm)
September 20th, 2014 at 10:04 am
It’s a myth here
September 20th, 2014 at 10:05 am
Lovie plays an outdate, completely figured out defense. It was figured out in about 2010. That he refuses to make and changes or adaptations to the new era of NFL football is alarming and what will ultimately get him fired. Lovie needs to stop trying to fit the square through the round hole.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:06 am
If the talent is not on the roster or it is injured and not on the field then it does not matter who is the coach and what schemes he is using in his playbook…. Perhaps we just have a team sans talent much like those good old teams that Hugh Culverhouse used to piece together and manage anywhere from 2 to 6 or 7 (on a good year) wins a season on his way to making beaucoup bucks off of us Buc fans…….
September 20th, 2014 at 10:10 am
Defensively
Doesn’t appear that “Plan A” is working.
So is there a “Plan B”
Or are we just going to keep plugging different people into “Plan A”
September 20th, 2014 at 10:11 am
Let’s not forget the current players are the ones L&L WANTED for their system. Either they don’t have the talent-L&L’s fault, the system is suspect or the coaching staff is not very good. I don’t buy that a team can’t learn a system with off season, OTA’s and a full pre season camp to learn it.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:11 am
I’m starting to think that only a deranged person would actually give a crap about this team. It’s alway’s next year, next year, next year. This team has no guts, and they take on the personality of their head coach it seems.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:12 am
It’s a good thing Pat wasn’t around in 1996 for the first eight games. That Tony Dungy guy had no idea what he was doing.
Oh, wait. He was at the Trib.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:18 am
I know how to fix our losing ways. Lets trade the Glazers to the Patriots for Mr. Kraft. All of the consistently winning teams have good ownership for the most part. We have to have a major change in this franchise or we will keep stinking worse than if waste management began using Al Lopez Park as a new dump. Actually I would rather smell trash while at the game than to see it on the field.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:22 am
I would imagine that the Glazers will give Lovie the season to get things to get things right. And then another year to dramatically improve
We’re stuck with this folks….unless they Glazers feel it in their wallets, no changes will be made
September 20th, 2014 at 10:23 am
Waaaay back in January, this is what I said
BuccaneerBonzai Says
January 2nd, 2014 at 6:11 am
“If they hire Frazier that will be the kink in the armor. He is too wishy-washy and indecisive. “
https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=104731#comment-3354041
People told me he was a good DC, just not a good HC. Toot – Toot.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:24 am
Joe –
You mentioned draft picks. Although J. Winston (a perfect NFL guy) is apparently the Bucs’ target, do they have to be so openly blatant about going after the number one pick? Embarrassing.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:27 am
Ft Myers Dave
Where do you propose this talent will come from on Defense? It won’t be from the draft, as it has been said time and time again, it takes years to learn this defense.
And what free agent that has Tampa 2 type experience is going to put his career on the line to come here after seeing all the glaring needs?
without a stellar pass rush, and a all pro middle linebacker to cover the tight end/play action, the DB’s are just too exposed in this defense. There’s too many holes to fill and judging by Thursday, Lovie will finish his career without making it to the end of his contract.
Their will be blowout after blowout this year and the stands will be empty. Season ticket sales for next year will be a farce. I just don’t see how the Glazers keep buying tickets to get TV exposure, especially when the TV exposure could easily end up like Thursday night.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:28 am
It’s a good thing Pat wasn’t around in 1996 for the first eight games. That Tony Dungy guy had no idea what he was doing.
_______________
This whole comparing this year to Dungy’s first year is getting old. Dungy was a rookie head coach – this is Lovie’s TENTH season as a head coach. There is NO comparison. Please stop with the stupidity.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:28 am
I may be the only fan that, although thoroughly disgusted, is not ready to throw in the towel on Lovie….I felt the same way about Schiano.
We just can’t keep churning Coaches…..let this play out some. Sure, it hurts and I don’t wear my Buc hat for a while after a game like that….but give him a chance to get down on himself….and I’m sure he is.
I am very concerned about our Offensive playcalling…..if our defense isn’t stout, we need to really open it up…..I do think we have some weapons…..but if I keep seeing 1st & 10 running up the middle plays…..we are toast!!!
September 20th, 2014 at 10:32 am
Joseph Mamma Says
“I’m starting to think that only a deranged person would actually give a crap about this team. It’s always next year, next year, next year. This team has no guts, and they take on the personality of their head coach it seems.”
I know it is frustrating to lose, but Lovie Smith is not a bad coach. He is already established as a winner elsewhere. We’ve been thru multiple coaches over the past 5 years and found no success. Why?
I think we can agree that Raheem was horrible as a head coach. I personally liked Greg Schiano here, and felt one more year would have been best, if for no other reason, then for his draft.
Lovie Smith can and will turn things around, but he is not God. He can’t fix the world in 6 days (or a season) and call it done. If he did not have a track record, I could understand losing trust. But he does, and it is a mostly good one. We just have to give him time and be patient.
But here is the truth of it…do you follow the Buccaneers because they can win, or because they are in your blood? There is a difference. If they are in your blood, you still want them to win, but you also recognize that if they don’t, you still ain’t going anywhere.
Most fans that have the Bucs in their blood are generational fans.
So, win or lose, I’m remaining a fan. I hope you do as well, because I’ve actually come to like your comments (mostly).
September 20th, 2014 at 10:33 am
Remains to be seen if Lovie’s “Tony Dungy-type loyalty” will be his downfall…..He has an unproven OC with a major health issue, questionable DC, already said McCown is still his guy……
More questions now than before the season started if that’s possible.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:34 am
Casual Observer Says
“Although J. Winston (a perfect NFL guy) is apparently the Bucs’ target…”
How do you know this? Because a media person claimed it was the case? Isn’t that what led to disappointment in the team now? High expectations before they were justified?
And, besides, Winston could bomb this year. Let him play out this season before deciding he is worthy of being a first round pick.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:36 am
@TBBF,
I’m with you buddy. It looks really bad right now, but Lovie is better than this. Hopefully this is just growing pains. Offensively, we are horrible. Predictable, conservative, and mistake prone. However, defensively we may be worse. That’s shocking, but guys like Brooks, Sapp, etc. said it wasn’t going to happen overnight. I just didn’t think it was going to be this bad. I think we were teased in the preseason, because the starting defense looked fantastic. Another example why the preseason is meaningless.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:37 am
Lovie w/o Urlacher was 12-21 in Chicago. Much of Lovie’s mystique is a myth. And I’m saying this as someone who was a huge Lovie fan.
But you go offering huge piles of cash to Josh McCown, Michael Johnson, send Revis packing, anoint Mike Glennon, pass on every last quarterback in the draft… I have to say that he doesn’t truly know what he’s doing. 🙁
September 20th, 2014 at 10:38 am
All three of the teams that’ve beaten us this season were primarily built through the draft. They’ve developed lots of high quality talent at multiple positions. Panthers and Rams focused on defense; Falcons stressed offense. All 3 are very good teams.
The Bucs took a different route. Terrible drafting required that we pay big bucks for average free agents (competitive teams seem to find ways to hold on to their top players).
We’re simply now paying the price for years and years of poor drafting and marginal player development. Throw in constant coaching staff turnover, numerous offensive and defensive schemes’ changes, and voila … you end up with a bottom-dweller. It’s not rocket science.
It’s going to take at least 2 excellent drafts to right this ship. Whether L&L are up to that task remains to be seen. EVERYONE (including them and me) was far too optimistic at how fast things could be turned around.
But … let’s not give up on them after only 3 games. The Bucs have a lot of talent, but not at all positions obviously. Good teams (like Atlanta) will take advantage of the ‘weak links’ , just like they did against Schiano and Morris and Chucky. That’s what good teams do.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:40 am
Tom Edrington Says
“…already said McCown is still his guy……”
Every head coach will say that when his starting QB is injured. Josh McCown is the starter…until he is not. Look at how many times Jon Gruden claimed a QB was his starter…and how many times he switched.
If Mike Glennon does well enough, he can take the choice out of Lovie’s hands. It will be tough though, because of the condition of the rest of the team and Mike Glennon still has a lot about his game that he has to clean up himself.
However, if he does do well, I would imagine Lovie Smith would be pretty pleased.
Let me just say this, as well. Mike Glennon can help the rest of the team do better. His attitude can uplift the other players. He can demand the best from them. But he had better give them his best back.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:41 am
@Tampabaybucfan
You are not alone.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:43 am
Zam Says:
“Lovie w/o Urlacher was 12-21 in Chicago. Much of Lovie’s mystique is a myth. And I’m saying this as someone who was a huge Lovie fan.”
And Bill without Tom Brady?
Lovie has GMC, L. David and others. Every good coach has good players. That’s how they win. No secret there.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:44 am
@dick2111
That was actually VERY well said.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:46 am
Lovie’s problem is his refusal to change his approach. If in the next 13 games we see the same approach as we did in the first 3 (and naturally his years in Chicago), I’m sorry he needs to be fired. We can’t sit around waiting, hoping, praying Lovie joins us in modern 2014 NFL football, because in the meantime of waiting for him to join the times, this team will be building itself the wrong way (i.e. the 2001 approach to NFL football).
It’s nothing personal against Lovie, but he needs to have an epiphany to change his approach. If Carolina didn’t go into prevent in week 1 the Bucs would be looking at 2 losses of 17 points or more and losing to the legend that is Austin Davis. Patience should be required for a rookie coach, not a guy who’s a 10 year head coach. Lovie needs to show some changes to his approach by the end of the year or undoubtably he should be let go. He needs to prove the game hasn’t passed him by or we’re in for an extended stretch of mediocre to poor play.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:51 am
We played a dome team that was embarrassed by Cincy the game before, and came out fired up and drawing from the home crowd, and they looked like they had really prepared for us more than the short week. We, looked totally unprepared for them, and without Tedford to scheme our receivers open. Atlanta has the biggest back by far too who was healthy. We need to take the beat down as a bonus to get us prepared for Pittsburg who may be too over confident after seeing our last meltdown. I still have confidence in Lovie to improve his defense. I reserve judgment on Tedford til I see what a difference he can make.
September 20th, 2014 at 10:51 am
@Casual Observer. Hush. Nobody has said anything like that. Shoot nobody has even mentioned the draft! Its week 3! Stop putting nonsense out there. And Winston is a retard, so no thank u to Jamies Winston
September 20th, 2014 at 10:54 am
If McCown thumb knocks him out for a while as it appears
Who is backup QB
September 20th, 2014 at 10:59 am
@bucrightoff,
We don’t know if that’s his problem yet or not. We are 3 games in! Now if he pulls a Schiano and refuses to change, I’m right there with you. It would, however, be foolish to change everything after 2 close losses against good teams (backup QB or not, they are good teams). However, after Thursday, it’s time to at least entertain the idea of making some major changes. In particular on offense. Defensively, I don’t know what else you can really do if you can’t rush the passer. Contrary to what most people believe, we aren’t running the Tampa 2 on every snap (at least that’s what I continue to read from experts. I can’t tell what defense we run, unless you consider not covering receivers and not rushing the passer a defense). I don’t care what kind of defense you run, if you don’t pressure the QB, you are going to get torched. You can have Revis, Peterson, and Sherman as your DB’s and it won’t matter. We’ve tried blitzing, and even that doesn’t work. Schiano couldn’t figure it out, but I really thought Frazier and Lovie could. It’s not looking good.
Offensively, we are playing as if we have a 3 TD lead late in the fourth. We are allergic to throwing the ball down the field. Why did we draft Evans – to catch 6 yard passes? Why are we paying Jackson $11 Million – to play in the slot? Are you serious? I’m starting to understand why Southern Miss couldn’t win a game. Who exactly thought it was a good idea to let Arroyo call offensive plays in the absence of Tedford? He couldn’t score points on SMU, what in the hell would lead anyone to believe he is going to beat the Carolina Panthers?!?!?!? Why isn’t anyone calling Lovie on that? I understand losing Tedford sucks and very few teams could survive that, but come on! There’s got to be a better option than Arroyo!!
September 20th, 2014 at 11:02 am
As for the Atlanta game, our team wasn’t there. They didn’t show up. I won’t even say they quit, because in order to quit you have to start. I watched them leave the stadium after the Rams game. It was like a funeral. Never seen anything like it. There’s 2 ways you respond to that: you man up and kick arse the next game or you sulk some more and don’t show up. We know what we chose. I’m sure playing on a short week didn’t help, but there’s no excuse.
September 20th, 2014 at 11:04 am
The drafting problems here date back to the loss of MacKay as GM. The team felt it had the “bones” of a champion in place so it just needed to add touches around the edges. Then the Bucs felt they could not replace their HoF talent. We all remember the Brooks/alstott massacre, the Raheem era and the general torpor of The Rock Star. I think Schiano started us in the right direction, but I am sure the Bucs have 25% of the talent of a typical playoff team. McCoy and David are great, but the Panthers have six comparable starters.
We do not want a lost season. But we have one. IMO Lovie’s real crime was in boosting expectations, not in coaching performance.
September 20th, 2014 at 11:10 am
Hawaiian,
You’re saying the Rams are a good team? They were manhandled at home by the Vikings – who aren’t very good.
September 20th, 2014 at 11:12 am
Hawaiian, that’s why I’m fine with the next 13 games being his chance to prove to us he is willing to change. But if he goes the next 13 games with the same approach, he has to be fired. Bears fans warned us this was going to happen and they look like prophets. Lovie only knows Lovieball and nothing else. He didn’t change then and so far he’s sticking with trying to put the square in the round hole. The Bears now have a coach who’s into modern NFL football and what do you know, they can come back from 17-0 down against a team who has made 3 straight NFC title games. The Bucs down 17-0 in the same situation…would have lost 55-14.
I don’t like that it’s that way, but it is. Lovie has to show he can change because he will quickly lose the entire fanbase. This start has already ended what should have been a season long honeymoon period. Another 56-14 type loss to New Orleans for instance and I have a hard time seeing him survive as the fans will abandon this team quickly. Having situations like the Green Bay game this season where half or more of the fans are cheering for the road team will be utterly humiliating to the Glazers.
September 20th, 2014 at 11:12 am
I agree that Lovie as a whole great football coach assumption is a myth. He is just an average NFL head coach who is only as good as those below his command. It’s tough when most of your fighting troops are below average or mediocre at best. It will be a long trudge. Hurry up and wait.
September 20th, 2014 at 11:14 am
BuccaneerBonzai Says:
“And Bill without Tom Brady?”
10-5 in 2008 when Brady was out. Thanks for proving the point.
To be a great coach you have to be better than just one player. Lovie was not.
September 20th, 2014 at 11:26 am
Come on guys…..Lovie was the darling of all the media experts…..”great choice”….now he is a goat?…..I don’t think so…
Stick with him for a bit….I can guarantee you that the Glazers will……they are tired of paying coaches not to coach….
September 20th, 2014 at 11:35 am
If the Season ended today it was a Horrible season ..if He turns it around and goes 8-5 down the stretch than there is hope .. i realy didnt expect more than 7-8 wins …but where i questioned Lovie is McCown …i understand a veteran established QB but this guy is nothing more than a backup .
September 20th, 2014 at 11:42 am
I realize injuries are part of life in the NFL. But in todays NFL, players seem to sit out for ANY reason. Mccoy out with a finger/hand injury??
You,re a defensive lineman!!
I remember Steve Deberg playing a game with a pin STICKING OUT OF THE CAST ON HIS HAND!!
Man Up!! Rich boys.
September 20th, 2014 at 12:00 pm
I am pretty confident that with Glennon starting at QB for at least the duration of McCown’s “injury” the Bucs will be putting up 20+ every game going forward. The problem is I’ve seen nothing to indicate the defense can hold a team with it’s starting QB to under 30+ a game.
September 20th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
If malcolm was still here he would be at the games watching through two eye holes cut out of a paper bag yelling I’m sorry chucky…
September 20th, 2014 at 12:55 pm
Joe
If we have a GM that is in charge, he needs to lead like the GM did in the movie Draftday with his coaches and players. If he is not in charge, who is and if it is Lovie, there needs to be a change because just saying it is on me isn’t good enough, he has to do something to fix all three parts of the game, offense, defense, and special teams.
One burning questions is why did the center hike one over the head in a shotgun and why did he hike it like the QB was behind him when he was in a shotgun, shouldn’t be able to feel him when close?
This team so far is like congress, can’t agree on anything and does nothing.
September 20th, 2014 at 1:09 pm
bucrightoff Says
“Lovie’s problem is his refusal to change his approach…”
Do yourself a favor and go watch his two latest press conferences. In them, he said they needed to make changes.
So your statement is inaccurate.
September 20th, 2014 at 1:13 pm
Jccoz91 Says
“But in todays NFL, players seem to sit out for ANY reason. Mccoy out with a finger/hand injury??
You,re a defensive lineman!!”
That is stupid. It is a BROKEN HAND. You know, one of the body parts a defensive lineman needs to use to make tackles??? Sheesh. Better to keep him out for a few weeks and left it heal.
A broken hand can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Sometimes a little more. If you play him now, it will certainly take more than 4 weeks.
As Lovie said in his Monday Press Conference, at least they know they have injured players coming back. Things WILL get better.
September 20th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
Bonzai uses statements, I use what my eyes see on the field. I “say” I’m still in good shape physically. The eye test says otherwise.
And if you wanna use statements as proof he hasn’t changes, how about “Josh McCown is my quarterback”. We’ve never heard him say something like that before have we?
September 20th, 2014 at 1:18 pm
@ToesOnTheLine
You are doing it to yourself again. You are building expectations that should not be there. Even if Glennon is at the top of his game, the rest of the team is not. If WRs can’t catch, he can’t put up points.
I’m not trying to be a downer, but the simple truth is that there is a lot to address. Until it is, it won’t matter who is QB.
Don’t have high expectations. Just look for improvement with the team for now.
That said…because of Thursday’s game, its kind of like having an early bye week. Some injuries will heal up, the team can work on important weaknesses, etc. We could see a turn around when they play next game, or shortly after.
I just advise to be prepared for a loss. And be prepared for Glennon to NOT do well, even if it isn’t all on him.
September 20th, 2014 at 1:22 pm
Still waiting to hear your reasoning for giving lovie a break. No one gets beat that bad and says lovie needs the right players except homers which I am. Were not the only running a Tampa 2 this year and since no one has said it……. NEWS FLASH THIS JUST IN: the cowboys who no one thought would win a game because of the injuries they suffered in the off season have managed a better defense than ours and a win. Rod marinelli runs they’re defense which is ding ding ding a cover 2. Is lovie or Frazier to dumb to teach a 4-3 with multiple fronts. That lose is on coaches, what kind of changes can be made as far as player personnel if the best players you have are starting?
September 20th, 2014 at 1:22 pm
I hate to make excuses, but were playing with less than half a deck. More like a quarter of a deck. It’s a shame, but the reality is, do the Buccs get beat 56-14 with everyone healthy? Hell no. in fact we probably make a game of it, if not win it out right!
September 20th, 2014 at 1:24 pm
btw, when you dont have the key pieces up the middle….the tampa two is predicated on DT and MLB being strong in the middle…it’s going to be a long night as it…not to mention guys on the outside, and down a cornerback (Jenkins) when the falcons stack three to four receiver sets.
September 20th, 2014 at 1:30 pm
bucrightoff Says
“And if you wanna use statements as proof he hasn’t changes, how about “Josh McCown is my quarterback”.”
Get real. Every coach in the NFL will stand behind his starter. Like Jon Gruden use to say, “He is the starter…until he isn’t.”
What? You think that if Josh is out 3 games and Mike Glennon wins them all and looks great, Lovie will still let Josh McCown start?
If so, you are out of touch with reality.
Josh McCown IS the designated starter.
Until he isn’t.
Mike Glennon can claim the position if he is capable. Really…what else do you expect a head coach to say? You think Belicheat didn’t say Bledsoe was his starting QB when Brady went in due to injury?
Come on, man.
September 20th, 2014 at 1:36 pm
No Bonzai, Lovie is simply to loyal to “his guys”. Just ask Bears fans who would know best. The only way young guys get on the field is if older guys get hurt. He hasn’t changed at all yet. And he better soon or it’s gonna get him fired.
September 20th, 2014 at 1:36 pm
I think the Bucs are great!
September 20th, 2014 at 1:43 pm
@buc4lyfe
Come on, man…first, do you not recall Lovie wanted Rod as DC? Frazier was a 2nd option because Jones refused to let Rod go.
And Lovie doesn’t need “a break”. He is a proven coach in recent NFL history. You act like sticking to your guns is a bad thing. It isn’t. You think Tony Dungy turned this team around by being indecisive? By making constant changes?
No, he had a plan and he stuck to it. And because of that, IN HIS SECOND YEAR, he changed the team from having 22 losing seasons to being a winning team.
Even with Lynch, Sapp and Brooks on the team, his first season was a losing one.
“Oh, but Dungy did not know how to build a defense! Gruden had to do it to go all the way!”
If that is your next point, let me head it off. Gruden would never…NEVER have gotten to the superbowl without the defense and winning attitude Tony Dungy developed here. And he would never have won the SB if he didn’t know the offensive playbook of the Raiders.
And when Dungy left? In his second head coaching gig? He inherited an offense and made the defense good enough to go all the way. Did the Colts make it to the SB without Dungy? No.
Obviously, this is not the same Lovie Smith that ran the Bears. He spent all the draft picks on offense. The old Lovie would never have done that. So claiming he cannot build an offense is not true. He was just unable to build the oline in the first year.
And, so far as the defense, it will come together. This crap about Cover 2 being outdated is bull. It is succeeding throughout the league. We just need our players to fully grasp it and trust one another.
There were reasons the Falcons were able to pass so much. Our secondary was not staying on their assigned guys thru most of the game. Obviously, they need to develop more in the system.
IT WILL HAPPEN.
September 20th, 2014 at 1:46 pm
@bucrightoff
Is that so? Sims is young, isn’t he? Spence? Shoot, there are plenty of young guys Lovie favors over veterans. Just look at how the kicker position was changed.
You are wrong. I don’t expect you to admit it, but it won’t change that fact (in this case). Only time will prove it either way.
And believe me…you’ll see me tooting my own horn when I am proven right.
September 20th, 2014 at 1:59 pm
If Lovie is such gem why isn’t he in Chicago?The NFL won’t allow safeties to come up and hit anyone, and that is why you must play man to man and compete for the ball.In the good old days you could hit a receiver without a flag,fine,and suspension.
September 20th, 2014 at 3:35 pm
Part of the problem is the defense just gave up on Thursday night. It doesnt matter what the scheme is if the players dont play. There may be some truth to the idea that Lovie isn’t as good as advertised as a defensive coach. The players have to buy in and actually play in order to find out.
September 20th, 2014 at 3:52 pm
@BuccaneerBonzai
Are you really that slow? Schiano wasn’t accused of running Tampa two while he was here? What do you think Leslie Frazier was running for the Vikings? Lovie said himself he’ll be hands on with the defense and it’s not about losing yes dungy lost but stop OK he was a rookie head coach and he probably had less talent. My friend this isn’t about losing its about looking lost in coverage. It’s about giving up 56 points… Why is it mike Jenkins and verner didn’t play the entire training camp then started? It’s because cover 2 is a base defense most 4-3 defenses use
Please stop comparing lovie to dungy cuz there is no comparison until he does more than have winning seasons
Your an idiot for saying we would not have won the Superbowl if gruden didn’t know the playbook because it was number one defense versus number 1 offense and I like those odds.
Tampa two isn’t outdated it’s badly coached dude Greg schiano first season he gave up the most yards in nfl history and he still never got beat like that. He ran Tampa two also because lapelled Johnson was horrible in man coverage. man why do simpleminded people think our cover 2 is different than any other cover 2 besides the name we call it. If your having that much trouble learning ZONE DEFENSE you shouldn’t be in the nfl
September 20th, 2014 at 4:01 pm
I guess it’s Michael koenen’s fault we kicked to Devin Hester!!!! Lovie drafted the guy, lovie I’d the head coach is his game plan, he has simply to say don’t kick to Hester and they won’t. For example the point that called back due to penalty, they rekicked and out of bounce. Lovie could have said don’t kick to him anymore but you think it’s a coincidence they kept kicking to him? It’s lovie call he’s the coach. What so you fire the special teams coach? There was no game plan on special teams or defense our offense just sucks. Yes I’m saying lovie kick to Hester on purpose, I’m saying that this team didn’t game plan, I’m saying I’ve never seen a team look more lost in coverage in game three than they did on game one
September 20th, 2014 at 11:06 pm
gotta love the dungey sychophants…sorry but that guy won with hall of fame players that sam whyche picked….and didnt win until he was told to leave his boring hands off the offense un indy….he and his tree are overrated….
September 21st, 2014 at 2:34 am
Totally agree Sho nuff, Dungy and his offspring are all way overrated.
It was Sam Wyche’s players that made the Buc’s what they were, and any defense would have worked, with our talent.
The Tampa 2 does not work, w/o a Warren Sapp and a Derrick Brooks, or an Urlacher.
Once Sapp declined, and was traded, our Tampa 2 defense started getting torched.
It is really pretty simple, a Tampa 2 defense, w/o a great consistent pass rush, and an all pro middle linebacker equals disaster, in today’s NFL.