Lovie Putting His Foot Down
October 24th, 2014
Before Bucs fans turned apathetic — the worst thing for any team is its fans just throwing in the towel — they were downright angry with players they believed were not playing up to their potential.
Oh, there were several names involved. And Joe cannot blame the fans. Well, now it seems Bucs coach Lovie Smith is joining them.
Rarely does Lovie call out players. Earlier this week, he verbally spanked Da’Quan Bowers and Jorvorskie Lane for using PEDs and being suspended. Now, Lovie is calling out players who are coming back from injuries. In short, Lovie said the time is now to live up to your potential.
“[Dashon Goldson] has to and guys know that,” Lovie said. “We’ve missed him. Before the injury, he was doing some good things, missing all of the offseason. He was behind a little bit, but he’s back now. Hopefully he’ll be good to go and all of these guys should help us. Gerald is a couple more weeks with his hand healing up. Michael Johnson – as you talk about our good players – we need all of them to elevate their game, it’s as simple as that. I see them working to do that.”
Joe finds this refreshing from Lovie. Here is the problem though: Joe is pretty sure many Bucs fans, who have all but checked out on the team, are rolling their eyes. “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” they are likely thinking. “Talk, talk, talk. How about results?”
Joe can’t disagree. We’ve heard a lot of talk about how things are going to change since the belt-whipping by the Crows. Time to put actions behind the words.
October 24th, 2014 at 4:51 am
Little to late lovie…….fans have jumped ship on this season. …
October 24th, 2014 at 5:01 am
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October 24th, 2014 at 5:20 am
“…Bucs fans, who have all but checked out on the team, are rolling their eyes. “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” they are likely thinking. “Talk, talk, talk…”
Thats exactly it. So now the team is going to play like we were told this offseason? Yeah, right. Wave the magic wand Lovie… Same bullspit we’ve been told over and over…
October 24th, 2014 at 6:31 am
Right on, Joe.
I’m tired of hearing how smart McCown is.
I’m tired of hearing how great Glennon’s arm is.
I’m tired of hearing how great Dougie is.
I’m tired of hearing how great Michael Johnson is.
I’m tired of hearing how GMC is a great leader.
I’m tired of hearing how you can win with defense.
I’m tired of hearing how great the T2 is.
My dad always said, “Don’t TELL people hard you work. SHOW them.”
It’s time we quit hearing and start seeing!!
October 24th, 2014 at 6:52 am
Inconsistency is a hallmark of Snuffy Smiths coaching career…check his record at Chicago, only had back to back wining seasons once in 10 years, not a very good record…if he lasts out his deal we’ll be looking back on Morris/Schiano/Smith decade as the lost decade in Bucs history
October 24th, 2014 at 6:56 am
Lovie putting his foot down: Hey guys do you mind putting in a little more effort? If not that’s okay I know you’re all busy people. Anyways, toes near the line…whenever you get the chance. Thanks.
October 24th, 2014 at 6:58 am
Fans have already checked out on this year. We just wonder if we are going to have to suffer another year of Lovie.
October 24th, 2014 at 7:07 am
lol “toes near the line” That’s funny as hell!!
October 24th, 2014 at 7:11 am
Chefpaul is right on.
I can’t listen to:
Daily updates on 620 about PRACTICE
Lovie’s radio show
Players’ radio shows
Post game shows (after losses)
3 + hours of pre-game ANALYSIS
Countless es-players coming on radio and giving opinions on Lovie
I just wanna see better EFFORT and eventual RESULTS
Dungy’s first season they started 1-7 and got better, 5-3 in 2nd half
I can wait . . . . .and I guess I will have to.
October 24th, 2014 at 7:22 am
This is one fan who will not be watching any games until this team gets their act together.
October 24th, 2014 at 7:31 am
Lovie is doing his job. Players must learn and execute as soon as possible. It is well know this defensive scheme takes time to get it right. We are right on track.
Bunch of cry babies falling for some media blinders. Is your baby bottle empty?
Remember the history of this defensive scheme created the following:
Dungy’s 1st season started 1- 8 in 1996.
Smith’s first season in Chicago started 1 – 5 in 2004.
Super Bowl in 2002 in case you forgot.
Lovie never said exactly when this team would be relevant. I’ll answer that for you: The Last Quarter of the Season. So fill up your baby bottles with patience and suck on your thumb when the bottle is empty.
And don’t get me started with the MAGIC pill of naming Glennon the starting QB. Yes it is thought that Glennon will become better than now because the stress of not knowing his status will be lifted. Really? This is the NFL not High School or College. People get paid to play. When you are in the game you are the starter.
Are we having fun yet? Do you love this?
Go Bucs!!!! Monday will be a day when the bottles are full…
October 24th, 2014 at 7:36 am
Living in the DC area it’s hard not to draw comparisons between what we see here and what I’m seeing from the Bucs. One of the biggest differences is that they don’t try to sugar coat things here nearly as much as the Bucs do. If they’re bad then they’re bad and that’s what it is. They call a spade a spade. Tampa spends so much time spin doctoring what we’re seeing on the field and trying to make us excited about the s*#$ sandwich that they’re trotting out there every week that they’re losing their fans. Don’t pee down my back and tell me it’s raining. Come out and say that you’re bad and then get better. That’s the key. You have to actually get better. Don’t make us feel better about being bad and so that you can slip further away and then find another way to spin it. Just get better. Figure the system out. Play harder. Be where you’re supposed to be. You call yourselves professionals but you’re dropping the ball at every turn. Pros don’t do that. Posers do that. Posers act like pros but can’t get the job done at the same level. Stop being posers. Stop trying to convince us you can do the job and just go do it.
October 24th, 2014 at 7:53 am
Maybe Lovie should start yelling and cussing at practices to get his message across to the players? Yes the record sucks, but far more troubling is the regression by nearly every player that was on the team last year as well as this year. Think about it, last year’s team had numerous media circus distractions every damn week (MRSA, Tynes’s wife, Freeman’s ESPN interview/meltdown, team Captain ballot gate, and Freeman’s medical record leak issue…and they still remained competitive in most games. This year’s team has one significant off field distraction (Tedford’s absence) yet is 1 win into mid season looking like it will be lucky to match last year’s win total. To say Lovie Smith and staff have been a huge disappointment is being polite.
October 24th, 2014 at 8:03 am
I’m with you Joe Dunn. Show us improvement, let’s see that the players are buying into Lovie’s vision, run the damn ball. Turn Glennon loose, and let’s see if he can get the offense rolling consistently. And , slap scam newton in the mouth the next time we play the stinkin’ panthers !
October 24th, 2014 at 8:32 am
I agree with every comment above, but I’m a glutton for punishment and will stick around to the end. Punishment, that’s what following and pulling for the Bucs has mostly been.
October 24th, 2014 at 8:41 am
Patrick in VA Says:
October 24th, 2014 at 7:36 am
Tampa spends so much time spin doctoring what we’re seeing on the field and trying to make us excited about the s*#$ sandwich that they’re trotting out there every week that they’re losing their fans. Don’t pee down my back and tell me it’s raining. Come out and say that you’re bad and then get better.
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Fantastic insightful post Patrick.
I’ve been harping on this for years.
The way this team handles its PR is an insult to the fans intelligence.
October 24th, 2014 at 8:47 am
Joe:
Is it true that Lansanah was clipped for PED use? Had known about Bowers and FB Lane, but not Lansanah?
October 24th, 2014 at 8:51 am
Uh that would be javorski lane not Danny lansanah
October 24th, 2014 at 9:17 am
I am sad…disappointed, angry, embarrassed and disgusted…..but I haven’t checked out….I’ll be there everyday until it gets better and it will……eventually!!!
October 24th, 2014 at 9:21 am
Touch_Down_Tampa_Bay Says:
Lovie is doing his job. Players must learn and execute as soon as possible. It is well know this defensive scheme takes time to get it right. We are right on track.
Bunch of cry babies falling for some media blinders. Is your baby bottle empty?
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Single digit Wonderlic guy ^^^^.
October 24th, 2014 at 9:22 am
I’m not ordering Sunday ticket until earliest week 4 next year, since that is how long our season has been the past few years.
October 24th, 2014 at 9:25 am
Hey Patrick,
Are you going to the Buc-Skins game? I’ll be there praying for a win. I’m thinking RG3 will be playing by then though.
October 24th, 2014 at 9:30 am
@Skyline Crew – I’ll be there. Leaning toward snagging up some of the dream seats but waiting a little longer to see if the prices drop some more. Also, my office raffles suite seats for skins games so I’ll put my name in the hat for that to see if I can get some free ones.
October 24th, 2014 at 9:33 am
Nice. The wife bought me tickets on the 50 right behind the Bucs bench. I should be able to yell at Lovie for a bit.
October 24th, 2014 at 9:36 am
Right on. You got a tailgating crew or are you just going to roll up at game time?
October 24th, 2014 at 9:47 am
Skyline and Patrick…I’m thinking about going as well. My wife says there are some standing room seats available for $29…we’ll see. I went down to Tampa from VA last season to see us whipped by the Panthers…then went and vacationed all summer in Siesta partly to watch some Bucs training camp…I might be there… I might not… feeling a bit betrayed.
October 24th, 2014 at 9:55 am
@Brandon – Tickets for the Titans game last week got down to $12. If the Bucs and skins continue to be bad then they could continue dropping down to around that level. If that’s the case then I might bring the kids along. May as well throw them in to this downward spiral of misery at an early age while they don’t have the ability to reason with me yet. If I wait too long then they will be aware enough of things to be able to see that this is a sinking ship that they don’t want to jump on
October 24th, 2014 at 10:07 am
I have two tickets, but not crew. ha.
Brandon, did you drive or fly down? I’ve been thinking of going to Tampa for a game. Probably won’t this year though. Wouldn’t be worth it.
October 24th, 2014 at 10:10 am
I flew down last year to see the Atlanta game. was able to do the flight, 2 pretty decent game tickets for my wife and I, room at the Sirata and car for right around $1k
October 24th, 2014 at 10:14 am
This team has no discipline and there’s no accountability or leadership. I don’t like that McCoy has started chirping to the media and calling out his team mates. All points to a dysfunctional locker room and no respect for the coaching staff. To me, it appears that way on the field and sidelines also.VERY reminiscent of 2010 & 2011. I don’t see this ending well. Of course. We’ll beat the Vikes & everyone will sound the all-clear. That’s the problem – we have the talent, when they want to, but we don’t have anyone putting it together & motivating the players with good schemes and support (who’s our QB?). Actually kind of dread going to RAYJAY on Sundays but too much invested to blow it off. Disgusted and out of patience.
October 24th, 2014 at 10:15 am
That isn’t bad.
October 24th, 2014 at 10:36 am
@Patrick
If they’re bad then they’re bad and that’s what it is. They call a spade a spade. Tampa spends so much time spin doctoring what we’re seeing on the field and trying to make us excited about the s*#$ sandwich that they’re trotting out there every week
Just curious Patrick. Are you talking about the coaches and GM and ownership or the media? Certainly the media here has been calling out the Bucs since opening day. And not just the Joe’s but virtually everybody in this community.
Up until this week I guess you could make a case that Lovie/Licht might have been sugar coating but not our media and not our fans.
Perhaps you were referring to Gruden/Snider et al admitting they’re doing a bad job? I do not keep up with DC Media or the Skins for that matter and so I’ll defer to your opinion.
October 24th, 2014 at 10:43 am
@StPeteBucsFan – I’m referring primarily to the organization itself. The Tampa media, what I see of it anyway, has been justifiably hypercritical of everything that the bucs have done. Granted, it’s hard to blame years of spin doctoring on the current regime. They haven’t been there this whole time but they’re bearing the brunt of it coming to a head for most fans. The frustrating part is that you can see that the losing culture is well in tact despite the new office staff
October 24th, 2014 at 10:48 am
Dear lord we went over this stuff yesterday for hours in here about the talk talk talk and no results.
Now it’s become a JBF article. I’m not doing this again Joe. It was a fun ride yesterday, I was on it for an hour straight at one point.
Everyone have at it. Enjoy!
October 24th, 2014 at 11:55 am
disgusting to call this losing coach and his minions professionals. what a privilege it was to watch a pro team and coaching staffs, on both sides of the ball last night (broncos – chargers) HOW NICE to be entertained with their mastery of play calling and execution by their teams players. would you not like to be in this realm of the NFL. one can only dream I guess, but alas we have only stoneface and his merry men of misfits.
October 24th, 2014 at 2:21 pm
at 1-5 and 2 epic spankings from the falcons and the ravens, no amount of talk will change fan perception for the better. it’s almost pointless to make these coaches go out there and talk about the season after the season passes a certain level of futility
October 24th, 2014 at 10:31 pm
dude I think that “crows beating” still has you twitching…you smack nearly evey article with it….keep doing it…personally it was the worst bucs err football team I have ever whitnessed…
October 25th, 2014 at 7:15 am
Most of this so call Tampa bay fans on this site sound like little girl, man up,i will be there like I always do cheering on the bucs