“Perfect Opportunity” Has Lovie Buzzing
November 25th, 2014
Chatter from Lovie Smith on his radio show last night seemed to provide good insight into one of the more frustrating elements of this season.
That would be Michael Johnson’s lack of production.
While praising new, emerging starting left defensive end Jacquies Smith (four sacks) for his edge rushing, you could hear in Lovie’s voice how he believes the Bucs have largely squandered a year-long opportunity.
“As a defensive end, how could you not like playing here when you, you know, you have a chance to see Gerald McCoy playing next to you?,” Lovie said. “You know people are going to be really concentrating on Gerald. And so you have a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the situation, and he’s been doing that.”
Johnson, of course, only has three sacks, and he’s been rather lifeless. McCoy is the top pass rushing defensive tackle in the NFC, and inside mate Clinton McDonald has four sacks, too.
The Bucs are ranked tied for 18th in the NFL in sacks.
That “perfect opportunity” Lovie speaks of can’t be wasted next season. And, regardless of his Johnson’s fat contract, Joe does not believe Lovie will bank on Johnson snapping out his funk in 2015, unless Johnson proves himself over the next month.
There’s just too much at stake.
November 25th, 2014 at 8:27 am
Yea, that is why Lovie will use the Bucs 1st rd pick on a DE and Harry will no longer be a Bucs fan when that happens
November 25th, 2014 at 8:53 am
So Lovie is implying Johnson doesn’t like playing here?
November 25th, 2014 at 9:04 am
Notice how he doesn’t take any responsibility for badly evaluating the player who was a one year wonder while lining up next to Geno Atkins, but as soon as Atkins was taken out of the equation showed his true level of talent with just 3 sacks…
November 25th, 2014 at 9:07 am
Lovie has a taste of what things can be for the Bucs with a pass rush…..it will be very, very difficult for him to pass up on a top DE…..especially if we pick 4th or 5th….we need picks so trading up for a QB is unlikely, so both Mariota & Winston will be gone and the likely one of the best DEs will be there for us…..
November 25th, 2014 at 9:44 am
tampabaybucfan –
i doubt the we will be picking 4th or 5th I would bet 2nd or 3rd which will leave at least of the QB’s on the board. QB is the only position that Lovie and the Organization can justify picking in the first round. Glazer clowns need to “sack up” and force this pick. No excuses.
It’s a different league now. You must have a QB and the bucs don’t have any. It’s clear that the “Lovie” final decision maker is not working. There is too much money involved the Glazers must assume control / leadership over THEIR team. No more let’s see what he can do with 8. he is done. Nothing more than a backup. It’s not secret that I hate 8 with a passion that being said his sideline demeanor is discouraging too. McCown cheered his team on and supported his fellow players. Stick in the mud 8 was not negative but was not that positive leader or “IT” guy. Look at the winners they all have a little fire. Glennon, Johnson and a few others just don’t have that.. We don’t need felons but a little personality and passion would do some good. Winston;s is not a felon and would fit nicely. LOL. I like Evans jumping up and down and getting pissed off. Love that… He is not being selfish or a me guy. He is being a fiery competitor that HATES to lose or make stupid mistakes. Several times this year we could see Evans visible upset when mistakes or bad plays happened. bottom line on Johnson he got his pay day and that is that. .
November 25th, 2014 at 9:51 am
With the way the Raiders, Jags, and Jets are playing we will probably be picking fourth…….top two don’t need a qb and some team might just trade up to take one of the two top Qbs. We need a franchise stud DE
November 25th, 2014 at 10:03 am
LOVIE SMITH TRACK RECORD. .
Chicago BearsNFL5-11
BearsNFL11-5
Chicago Bears13-3*SB
Chicago BearsNFL7-9
Chicago BearsNFL9-7
Chicago BearsNFL7-9
Chicago Bears11-5
Chicago BearsNFL8-8
Chicago BearsNFL10-6
TB BucsNFL 2-8
“
November 25th, 2014 at 10:08 am
As much as we all want the monster DE, it’s doubtful we see one.
OL and QB come first.
November 25th, 2014 at 10:19 am
Randy Gregory and Leonard Williams watch please. Lovie is drafting one of them, not a QB.
November 25th, 2014 at 10:20 am
biff barker Says:
November 25th, 2014 at 8:53 am
So Lovie is implying Johnson doesn’t like playing here?
_______________________________________________________
In that small excerpt, Lovie Smith was talking about Jacquies Smith, not Michael Johnson.
November 25th, 2014 at 10:43 am
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet 57m57 minutes ago
#Bengals OT Andre Smith has a tear in the tricep/bicep area, source said. He needs surgery next week and his season is over.
Somebody call Jason Licht to get on the phone and make the Bengals a deal they can’t refuse to return OT Anthony Collins. Hurry! Throw Johnson in and make them a package deal. Send’em all back!
November 25th, 2014 at 10:50 am
It all depends on how injured Johnson is, and how much of that they may be hiding.
November 25th, 2014 at 10:52 am
Maybe we can rethink the plan of not letting the new FAs compete? Maybe rethink not signing Clayborn to his final contract year? This outfit makes the Raheem era look like Bill Walsh glory years.
November 25th, 2014 at 11:18 am
tmaxcon, your worried about whats going on on the sideline?
November 25th, 2014 at 11:43 am
I think that in the 1st 2 rounds, you can pick up quality starters.
So I propose trading down TWICE int he first round, in order to pick up 2 2nd round picks.
I would prefer to have 4 second round picks than 1 first and 1 second round pick.
Imagine drafting 2 guards, (great value in the second)
A DE, and a MLB?
Or drafting a new FS, MLB, DE, and Guard?
4 is better than 2 in my mind, and there are always 2nd rounders that outplay 1st rounders
November 25th, 2014 at 11:52 am
Using that logic, if he was a force playing next to Geno why wouldn’t you assume he would be a force next to Gerald?
Unless you’re implying that Geno is the better DT….
November 25th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
“Kleenex” Johnson is a classic Tarzan vs. Jane poster child.
He is weaker than circus lemonade and should be ashamed of his play. No excuse for how invisible this guy is on Sundays.
While watching the game focus on #90 for a series… You’ll be sick to your stomach seeing how he gets man-handled easily and very often takes himself out of the play entirely.
Thanks for nothing D-Bag!
Go Sucs!
November 25th, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Eliot
Unfortunately he is not the only one.
November 25th, 2014 at 2:06 pm
So teacherman who is your QB? If we have a shot at one of the two QBs we HAVE to take one. How would we compete with these two backups. Ceiling is 4 wins next year with one of these two hacks. Time for a bold move and a chance to be contenders down the road!
November 25th, 2014 at 8:37 pm
Jamis is a Huge gamble, and Mariota is a moble QB with a history of knee problems,.. these guys are Not the answer!