“You Could Say It’s A Few Plays Here Or There, But It’s Not.”
February 1st, 2015
Tony Romo isn’t a Lovie Smith kind of guy
With two games remaining in the 2014 season, Lovie Smith made his famous proclamation, “True football fans can see we’re on the verge.”
He might have been the most confident 2-14 coach in history. (You can read the full quote via the link above).
So with that in mind, Joe stopped in his tracks listening to Tony Romo on NFL Network last night. Romo was on some sort of fancy red carpet and blabbering for a quick interview with Deion Sanders and Melissa Stark.
Asked about the Cowboys’ strong season and about how he feels about the team is “on the verge,” Romo’s face turned sour and he got frustrated. And then he sounded like the anti-Lovie.
“You could say it’s a few plays here or there, but it’s not. We have to start over,” said Romo, who went on to say there are plenty of changes Dallas must make.
Man, that’s quite a different attitude than the one around One Buc Palace. Joe even heard Buccaneers echoing Lovie after the season, including Josh McCown. Heck, Dallas won a playoff game.
So what is the best Bucs attitude? Joe’s not sure, but Lovie is proud to be a glass-half-full kind of guy. Don’t expect him to waver from talking about how close the Bucs are.
February 1st, 2015 at 9:46 am
I thought we are only ONE player away. All I’ve been reading from Joe and the posters is that we simply need a QB. Bring us Famous Jameis and everything will be fine.
Those on this site who have advocated trading down and getting as many picks as possible so as to fill ALL the holes, the anti we’re just a few players away crowd have been ridiculed!
February 1st, 2015 at 9:57 am
Nothing wrong with being optimistic, but the REALITY is that the Bucs are in rebuilding mode. We need to upgrade player talent nearly everywhere you look, especially along the entire offensive line, at both DE positions, middle linebacker, nickel corner, and safety. Oh yeah….we also need to figure out what we are going to do at QB, cause Josh McCown was and is not the answer there! So perhaps a bit of Tony Romo thinking would be helpful here!
February 1st, 2015 at 10:00 am
Well 5 ex Bucs will be playing today…..
February 1st, 2015 at 10:03 am
How about getting a real coach that tells it the way it is instead of treating the fans like a bunch of idiots.
Lovie = fail
February 1st, 2015 at 10:08 am
@ Greg…preach on broth’ah !
I pray the G’Boyz are already looking and planning the replacement for lobotomized Lovie
February 1st, 2015 at 10:11 am
So, now it’s wrong to have confidence? We had little reason to hope after the season we had, so it’s nice to have the last of it stripped away.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:12 am
Just think, by the time Lovie is rebuilding we will look like a team ready for the 2005 season.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:14 am
Confidence must be built upon success…no success…no confidence
February 1st, 2015 at 10:16 am
“Our survey says”……………
Confidence in Lovie surged by 7 points after the last loss of the season!
February 1st, 2015 at 10:18 am
It’s all about where you are. When you are in the playoffs, and even had limited success there, you can critical of yourself in a positive way in order to take the next step. When you are swimming in a cease pool, you have to believe the aromas assaulting your nostrils are heavenly so you don’t quit swimming and drown.
The Bucs have a long way to go to even appreciate the self critiquing Romo is doing. And it all starts with drafting a QB #1 this spring.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:19 am
Wow. Just went thru the front page, determining how many negative to positive articles there are. It isn’t pretty. The advertisements are the only truly positive things. Then you have the Winston Watch article and a story or two related to the draft. The rest? Negative.
Maybe with the record the Bucs had, it is deserved? Frankly, it feels more like there is a campaign to stop us from liking our team. I know Joe wouldn’t actually do that, but it does ‘feel’ that way.
Maybe that’s why the QB-related articles get the most hits? Even though we all have our opinions on who to take, at least the content there is not negative.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:19 am
Greg Says:
How about getting a real coach that tells it the way it is instead of treating the fans like a bunch of idiots.
Lovie = fail
****************
The Bears fans did try to warn us.
BTW, he treats the media much the same way. He gets irate at people just doing their job.
“It’s not about the future but everything is about the future”.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:24 am
Bonzai, a campaign to stop us from liking our team? Please. The only campaign was a 2-14 season from an inept and arrogant buffoon.
Harry may have a point… you’ve lost your sense of smell.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:24 am
Anyone who believe’s anything Lovie says is a bigger fool than the speaker.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:25 am
There is one major problem that lies ahead, if we DO take Winston/Mariotta.
There is a definite desire to SIT HIM. That’s almost like not having him.
I agree he has to learn, but both these fellows are smart, savvy football minds that can pick up enough basic run and pass plays during the preseason to handle a game atmosphere. Then our new toy at Offensive Coordinator can start adding a couple plays a week to “round out” their first year progress.
This way we have a rookie gain experience, learn along the way and perhaps gain confidence and start to have a repore with his receivers and running backs, as well as his coaches.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:25 am
MARIOTA please.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:25 am
Pile on time, Lovie has one speed which is muddle.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:29 am
Joe, after your first year on the job, when your board of trustees asks “what do you think about your performance this year?” Are you going to say “you know what? I suck. We suck, and we have a long way to go.”
No. You’re going to exude positive vibes and optimism because HALF the battle in life is mental. Who the hell wants to hear, “we are not going anywhere. Not this year, not next year. I’m just holding this job till something better comes along.
Romo is a vet who has been the team’s QB for around a decade now. He is also clearly telling fans and critics they will work harder yo improve. He is simply saying it with the confidence of having a secure position and the time in. I’m pretty sure Romo, Jerry Jones and the various HCs during his tenure have all said similar comments to what Lovie did. You’re reaching for straws and your negative Bucs pieces are just pandering to the short sighted TB fans. Would you like to admit your failure in assessing Manziel as a franchise QB, or will you just continue to hope Winston doesn’t follow the same path off the field?
February 1st, 2015 at 10:31 am
Biff, I’m sure Bears fans would love to have 10 win seasons again.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:33 am
I think Lovie is still in his basement in Chicago looking at reruns because we sure didn’t see anything modern this year.
If I was the Glasers, I would fire Lovie tomorrow and hire the Seahawks offensive coordinator as my head coach and put him with Koetter and see what we would have.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:35 am
Lovie knows what he is talking about.
8 losses by a touchdown or less, two in OT.
Another year in Lovie’s defense. An OC who makes it through the season.
Jaboo to Evans.
Lots of good things are coming.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:39 am
JVNootz Says:
Biff, I’m sure Bears fans would love to have 10 win seasons again.
—————————
Can’t argue the 10 wins, but years of listening to Lovie’s PC’s about defense, special teams and takeaways was the last straw.
No offense means no playoffs.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:40 am
Hey Eric !…that close win stat is horse sheet !…the opening game is one of those…the Pathers stomped the Bucs….took the foot off the gas with 8 minutes to go and the Buc pulled close…until 8 minutes remaining the Bucs and everyone in the stadium were embarassed and humiliated !!!!!!
February 1st, 2015 at 10:43 am
Eric Says:
Lovie knows what he is talking about.
8 losses by a touchdown or less, two in OT.
Another year in Lovie’s defense. An OC who makes it through the season.
Jaboo to Evans.
**************************
My math says 2-14. Still the worst team in the NFL.
Close losers is the next tallest midget.
BTW, what is a jaboo?
February 1st, 2015 at 10:44 am
I’ve recently seen old video of Dungy speaking to the media and some gameday locker room audio…..if Lovie is on the Dungy coaching tree….he is a sickly diseased branch that needs removal…if one thinking Tony was mild mannered and soft spoken…Lovie is like someone awakening from a quaalude detox
February 1st, 2015 at 10:47 am
Yeah we were such a great team before Lovie ruined it.
I saw a lot of signs of a team coming together.
The man had no QB and five draft choices. He had very good draft with a rookie of the year candidate. He will have another good one with 8 picks.
Go Bucs.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:48 am
“BTW, what is a jaboo?”
Yeah Biff I had exactly the same thought. I’m much more comfortable with “Famous” Jameis than jaboo, especially for a black quarterback.
Jawin? That might make sense as a play on his name and his record. What’s wrong with “Famous”. 97mph fastball and all the rest. He’s been “famous” since his high school days.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:50 am
http://instagram.com/p/yiOyZ2hMRb/?modal=true
This is a Jaboo.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:51 am
Lovie had carte blanche and complete roster control…his team endured some of the worst azz kickings is Buccaneer history…it was not talent is was coaching
February 1st, 2015 at 10:56 am
“It’s not whether you win or lose, its how you play the game.”
Lovie should give out participation trophies.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:57 am
That positive Lovie attitude got the bears to the Super Bowl.
I’ll take it.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:59 am
Guys, you know what the Patriots have? Consistency. That comes with the same HC and the same QB over time. They have kept a lot of key players over the years and have formulated an identity. They have a plan and they execute it. The coach has HIS guys to do his billing. What our Bucs need is consistency.
Changing head coaches would mean a 4th coach in what, a 6 year span? That does not create consistency. You begin to hinder the full development of players like McCoy and David.
The Patriots have what they call “the Patriot way”. Same goes for Seattle. They’ve built a defense based on personnel to fit their philosophy and schemes. Offensively, they cater to their QBs strengths and supplement him with a strong run game. Their WRs are not even HALF as talented as ours. It starts with everyone knowing the plan, buying in, and executing said plan.
Granted, there are a few teams who got hot quick and had early success. The Seahwaks are proving they are not a flash in the pan and are building a dynasty of their own on CONSISTENCY.
The merry go round of coordinators, coaches, and their philosophies here are killing us.
This off season, Lovie and the Glazers seem to be going ” all in” on a new offensive scheme and building what looks to be a tailored offense for MM. PERSONALLY, I’m excited.
February 1st, 2015 at 10:59 am
Please find me a quote from an NFL coach that says “we’re gonna suck this year”.
February 1st, 2015 at 11:00 am
@Biff says,
“…Bonzai, a campaign to stop us from liking our team? Please. The only campaign was a 2-14 season from an inept and arrogant buffoon.
Harry may have a point… you’ve lost your sense of smell.”
That is almost exactly how I was going to respond to Bonzai. But in addition, Bonzai, let’s not forget the embarrassing Raheem and Shiano years either. There is your “negative campaign”. Bad coaching, bad drafting, mental QB and most of all, bad management by the Glazers.
Bucs fans stay Bucs fans because of what happened 13 years ago. It’s like a marriage gone bad – you are still with her 20 years later, not because of how you look at her now, but because of the feelings she gave you 10 years ago.
Funny, “you have lost your sense of smell” lol
February 1st, 2015 at 11:03 am
@JVNootz
It is about having the correct coach…Lovie is a Peter Principle HC
February 1st, 2015 at 11:08 am
@JVNootz
All excellent points! I’m neither on or off the Lovie bandwagon. But it would be nice to give a coach at least three years. I was no Schiano fan but given Jfro’s meltdown and the MRSA I thought he deserved another chance.
And let us not forget that the Jets fired Pete Carroll after ONE season for going 6-10. Think the Jets would have had a better record over the years Carroll has been gone?
Bill Belicheat was an abysmal failure at Cleveland and canned. Now of course he’s widely respected for his success with the Patriots.
I do not believe Belicheat has the bragging rights of Carroll however. Belicheat has needed Brady to win all these titles and games. He has NEVER done it without Brady.
Carroll OTOH has won with different QB’s and Carroll has won at both the college and pro levels with his national title at USC.
February 1st, 2015 at 11:10 am
Watching excellence today will be depressing…we’ll see plays in one drive ,on either side of the ball,that the Bucs only got a few times all year in 2014…..
February 1st, 2015 at 11:11 am
You guys never learn. Same group that gleefully ran Chucky out of town.
But Lovie will build a winner, whether you idiots deserve one or not.
February 1st, 2015 at 11:19 am
@JVNootz says,
“…Guys, you know what the Patriots have? Consistency. That comes with the same HC and the same QB over time…”
Absolutely inaccurate, IMO. What the Patriots have, and what the Seahawks have is top notch management. And that is why they have consistency. You keep management in place bc they did a good job, not simply for the sake of “consistency”. Historically, the best head coaches are ones that have a long period of experience; I would guess this implies they learn from their mistakes. Hence the argument for keeping Lovie.
On the other hand, I have NEVER seen such bone-headed decisions from a HC with 10+ years of experience than this past year. Such as, not hiring a replacement for Tedford and making someone who has NO NFL experience an OC, the total failing of the FAs that were signed, drafting Sims over an O lineman, the obviously desperate trade for Mankins, just to name a few. It truly terrifies me that this is the man who is in charge of player personnel for the next year.
February 1st, 2015 at 11:21 am
The fans are always like that.
NY fans are 20x bigger knee-jerk-dicks than TB fans.
Saying the fans made a bad decision for the team is ridiculous.
If management is letting fans dictate personal moves then its
negligent management. Lol, I’ll never quit laughing at the
shills who want to blame fans for a teams problems.
The Bucs, like the rest of the NFL pay no taxes and Glazers
have Tampa paying for the upkeep on the staduim while they
keep 100% of the money. They make money off of parking for
USF games.
Get over yourself.
FWIW I campaigned hard to keep Gruden back in 2007,
but I sure as hell don’t blame the haters for the current state of the team.
February 1st, 2015 at 11:28 am
@Harry
Agree with you about the horrible decisions but one thing still truly puzzles me.
IF Carl NIcks had been healthy a lot of dominoes would not have fallen. No stupid trade for Mankins, no need to have drafted an OG instead of Sims, the OL would have been far better. NIcks would have made both EDS and Collins better.
But how could they have not known that Nicks career was over? Surely they have a competent medical staff. We still had Nicks on the sideline when preseason practice opened. How the eff did a mistake that huge get made?
February 1st, 2015 at 11:28 am
If we draft and sign FA correctly we can have 7-8 win season. And honestly ill be happy with that. But the following years; i wanna see playoffs
February 1st, 2015 at 11:35 am
St Pete, your first comment was spot on. Those of us who like neither of these QB’s have been ridiculed. My personal opinion is that the Bucs will trade down. I think are running two smokescreens, they are leaking Winston to the local reporters, partly because that is what they want to hear, and leaking Mariota to the national reporters. This is very effective because it leads everyone to conclude that the Bucs are doing to draft a QB, it’s simply a matter of which one. I’m not saying the Eagles will trade up to the top pick because they cannot afford it, but some team will trade up because they will believe that we are taking one of them. Teams trading up for a QB usually overpay big time. We should be able to fill a lot of holes and get a high pick for 2016, given most teams trading with us will likely struggle next year. Smart strategy, I hope it happens.
February 1st, 2015 at 11:37 am
@Eric says,
“…You guys never learn. Same group that gleefully ran Chucky out of town.
But Lovie will build a winner, whether you idiots deserve one or not.”
First, grow up with the name calling. Second, I love Chucky – as a HC. But he SUCKED at drafting; a rather fundamental necessity in today’s NFL. We can argue over the lack of his draft picks that could not stick to an NFL roster even with super glue. Instead, it is easier to point to his coaching record post-Super Bowl. 45-51 will get you fired anywhere. Unfortunately, if Chucky could have swallowed his ego a little and let a good personnel man do the drafting, we would have the equivalent of what Seattle has in their GM-HC.
February 1st, 2015 at 11:44 am
@Stpetebucsfan Says:
“…But how could they have not known that Nicks career was over? Surely they have a competent medical staff. We still had Nicks on the sideline when preseason practice opened. How the eff did a mistake that huge get made?”
Wow, forgot about that truly ridiculous HC decision. Very good point StPete. The first domino? Add that to all the other bone-headed decisions made on the O side of the ball, and now I am beginning to see why CHI fired Lovie after a 10-6 record: he may not call the O plays, but Lovie is a train wreak on personnel decision on the O-side of the ball
February 1st, 2015 at 11:57 am
How many Super Bowls has Romo been to? Why are we getting thoughts from a mediocre quarterback who is only famous because he plays for the Cowboys?
February 1st, 2015 at 12:07 pm
@Please Says:
“How many Super Bowls has Romo been to? Why are we getting thoughts from a mediocre quarterback who is only famous because he plays for the Cowboys?”
Because we are light years behind where Romo currently is???
February 1st, 2015 at 12:12 pm
@ Harry
Compare that won loss record post super bowl to after he left.
Naturally you don’t want to include the actual Super Bowl season to his body of work.
Thank you for proving my point though.
Bucs fans – biggest goobers in the league.
But that’s ok the Glazers are through listening to you chumps anyway. Cry all you want Lovie is here to stay.
February 1st, 2015 at 12:34 pm
You can’t anticipate a coach having major surgery early in a season. And you cannot replace a coach with a new OC after you’ve just spent weeks implementing a playbook. Think too, of WHO would want to come in and be (what at the time would be considered a stop gap) at OC. It’s completely inrealistic to think the Bucs could replace Tedford at the beginning of a season after OTAs, training camp, and preseason ball.
February 1st, 2015 at 12:42 pm
What bothers me most is the impatience by fans who pretend we are a team with a rich, storied history. We have had little success. None of it sustained. Even the year we won the SB we shocked the world. Impatience is what got Dingy fired. Impatience is why Gruden never wanted to work with a young QB and develop. Impatience is why Freeman was let loose (instead of coddled) at 25years old w/mental issues. Impatience is why we have run a number of QBs out of town. Impatience is why even today, our fans want a NEW coach and a NEW QB and OC and DC and Stadium etc.
Impatience is why we have no consistency or continuity. We’ve sucked for 30 years people. What is 2or 3 more to see if we actually have something here?
QBs and good HCs are NOT a dime a dozen. They are not out there waiting for the picking. It takes time.
February 1st, 2015 at 1:04 pm
What do you think he should have said?…..after L&L told us we weren’t rebuilding and were a “win-now” team…….don’t you think “on the verge” is better positioning than….we are an awful team that sucks with very little talent and horrible coaching that needs 3-5 years to completely rebuild after the disaster left by Mark Dominick & company.
February 1st, 2015 at 1:17 pm
JVNootz Says:
“…you cannot replace a coach with a new OC after you’ve just spent weeks implementing a playbook… It’s completely inrealistic to think the Bucs could replace Tedford at the beginning of a season after OTAs, training camp, and preseason ball.”
Completely unrealistic?? That’s a rather bold statement. Let’s see… In 2009 Raheem fired Jags, the OC just before the first game of the year and ended up with 50% more wins than Lovie in only his 2nd year as a HC. No, we can’t anticipate Tedford getting ill. But Lovie is paid Millions to make the right adjustments when the unforeseen occurs. Do you really think promoting a coach with NO NFL EXPERIENCE to OC is an intelligent decision??
February 1st, 2015 at 1:26 pm
@Eric Says:
“…Compare that won loss record post super bowl to after he left.
Bucs fans – biggest goobers in the league…”
I never wanted Chucky fired. In fact, I was surprised by the move. Maybe you missed my point. Gruden was good at choosing FAs and he is a great coach – to me, this is proven by his ability to coach to a .500 record with horrific drafts that HE was responsible for.
Also, why are you posting on here? Oh yeah, you are a self proclaimed goober. Lol
February 1st, 2015 at 1:27 pm
The “8 losses by 1 score or less” isn’t even true (it’s 9). What is true, is that it was against mostly crappy teams they lost by 1 score or less…
New Orleans (x2)
St. Louis
Carolina (x2)
Minnesota
Cleveland
Cincinatti
Chicago
You’ll notice that’s one team with a winning record, Derek Anderson twice, Austin Davis, Bryan Hoyer, Jay Cutler and a rookie QB. Not exactly like we played intensely tough competition and lost. We lost to loser teams with crappy QBs mostly. Anyone expecting more than 6 wins next year really needs to check themselves. This is one of the 3 worst teams in the league and it’s not even close to being a contender for anything.
February 1st, 2015 at 1:30 pm
Also, Lovie is mediocrity defined. 30% of the time makes the playoffs, 67% of the time loses to teams at .500 or above.
Hint: We need to beat at least 3 teams with a winning record to win a Super Bowl. Statistically speaking, it’s virtually impossible Lovie will be able to do it.
February 1st, 2015 at 2:00 pm
@Harry, you know who they replaced Jags with? The QB coach, Olson who ran the same O that Jags implemented. They did not go out and hire a new OC from off the streets. Thanks for making my point.
February 1st, 2015 at 2:01 pm
I wouldn’t call new Orleans crappy.
Or cincy.
But the point is we were one or two plays away from winning those games. Usually it was one big error thst cost us.
When those plays start going our way as Lovie continues to add good young players in this draft, as he did last year,we start winning those close games.
We also showed ourselves capable of winning against good teams by defeating Pittsburg.
Go Lovie.
February 1st, 2015 at 2:07 pm
@buc right off,
We lost by 8 points or less. That’s the difference in a score and two point conversion. Those teams didn’t exactly light up the D. The blame should fall on McCown who was supposed to come here and protect the ball. He did not. His turnovers were greatly to blame. That and poor offensive play calling. The Bucs have since gone out and changed the OC, QB coach and HOPEFULLY get a new QB. Learn from your mistakes right? Not a lot of coaches have a Tom Brady fall in their lap. Or the luxury of sitting A. Rodgers in favor of B. Favre. They also don’t get the first pick in the draft year in and year out. Some of these moves can fall on Licht too. Not all Lovie’s doing.
One year is not enough time. Plenty of coaches needed time. Cowher, Coughlin, and Dungy had to build teams. Carroll has done an exceptional job, Bellichick inherited a Parcels built team and had a top 3 ranked D for those 3 rings. That’s often overlooked.
February 1st, 2015 at 3:29 pm
We have maybe 2 elite players 1 above average player and the rest are average or below average. We have a long ways to go.
February 1st, 2015 at 4:37 pm
i just don’t wanna see more blowouts this year. dang, some of those were just agonizing.
our team seems hexed at times. mrsa…really?!? the freeman meltdown was not helpful, but his come-from-behind wins are something i long for. most of the freeagents not panning out the first year is a shake-your-head moment.
i have to trust in lovie/licht, just as i did morris/dominik and schiano/dominik. i truly believe the glazers want a winning team, they are not hugh culverhouse.
on that note, i deeply desire winston at quarterback, or mariota to a lesser extent. i do not feel glennon is starting qb material. i want an offense that can carry the team, if needed, and believed tedford was going to deliver. i believe welcome buc koetter will deliver.
however, if the front office believes a d-lineman or trading down is the proper move, i will eventually support this, too. i will kvetch and moan, as is my prerogative, but support begrudgingly.
i am going to try and stay outta the mariota/winston/whomever else debate today, in reverence to the holy of holy days…the superbowl. it is what we all want our team to ascend…again.
February 1st, 2015 at 4:46 pm
I wouldn’t call new Orleans crappy.
Or cincy.
But the point is we were one or two plays away from winning those games. Usually it was one big error thst cost us.
When those plays start going our way as Lovie continues to add good young players in this draft, as he did last year,we start winning those close games.
We also showed ourselves capable of winning against good teams by defeating Pittsburg.
Go Lovie.
_____________________________________________________________
Lovie is terrible at talent evaluation. Being one or two plays from winning games is still a loss. Schiano lost a lot of close games and because of that he is now an ex-coach. Winning 1 game against a good team means nothing.
Go Lovie will be an appropriate statement to make next year if the Bucs have another losing season. It will be “Go Lovie, you’ve been fired”
February 1st, 2015 at 5:07 pm
Reposted from earlier this year:
Role of the Head Coach and Coaching Staff
Friday, October 10, 2014
6:13 PM
IMHO, the two main roles for the head coach are:
1) Choose the best players from the current roster and potential draft picks, as well as potential free agents available; both with respect to the starting lineups, as well as the backups and practice squad.
2) Once that is done, then offensive and defensive schemes are implemented, taught to the players and then honed over time to improve their individual play, as well as their gelling into a cohesive team.
So, with respect to role # 1:
Has Lovie Smith chosen the best players for this roster overall, and then the best starters?
Without comment, I offer:
Jamon Meredith — backup tackle Colts
Davin Joseph — starting RG Rams
Donald Penn — starting LT Raiders
Jeremy Zuttah — starting C Ravens
My memory may be inaccurate, but these were all released or traded PRIOR to training camp/OTAs/preseason.
Was Casillas better than Lansanah in TC/preseason?
Was Tim Wright given any chance to compete at TE?
While Patton has been OK, was Eric Page given an adequate opportunity?
Louis Murphy was our best receiver in preseason, hurt but cut too.
Josh McCown was signed and named the starter before the first pass was thrown?
Maybe he needed all of his guys to run his system, but……..?
With respect to role #2:
Has Lovie Smith “coached them up”. I do agree they have gotten better since the start of the season, but are they playing smart, disciplined football; or do they show lack of discipline, stupid penalties, poor tackling and fundamentals, disorganization, poor clock management, and unimaginative play-calling?
Again without comment, I offer:
Mike Evans gets “stripped” of a sure TD in exhibition by carrying the ball on his “inside” hand.
Illegal procedure, illegal shift, and illegal formation penalties.
Delay of game penalties not the fault of the QB.
Available timeouts not being judiciously spent.
An illegal hands to the facemask on defense in OT, after a stop on 3rd and 10.
Ridiculous interceptions thrown by our “veteran” QB.
So, you decide: are we a well-coached team?
If so, tell me which individuals are playing BETTER than last year, with the obvious exception of a certain gangly QB!
tickrdr
February 1st, 2015 at 5:14 pm
@Eric and JVNootz:
You point to a come-from-behind win @ Pittsburgh, and two overtime losses as indicative that the Bucs are “on the verge”, yet still back our coach, who benched the QB during those games in order to play McCown, even though MG8 and the Bucs averaged more than 5 points per game better than the McCown-led Bucs???
tickrdr
February 1st, 2015 at 5:16 pm
As long as Loser Lovie is the coach the best we can hope for is .500. His mentality and anti offense approach is wrong for today’s nfl. If you are trying to justify 2014’s failure with close losses. Schiano’s had a lot of closes losses as well, to even better teams.
February 1st, 2015 at 5:20 pm
Hard to overhaul the talent with only five draft choices.
Lovie brought a lot of talented players into Chicago.
Given time he will here also. Mr. Evans was an exceptional start.
More to come.
February 1st, 2015 at 5:26 pm
The Bucs defense was ranked 16th by game stats in 2013, and gave up 389 points for the season.
The Bucs defense was ranked 25th by game stats in 2014, and gave up 410 points for the season.
Which offensive or defensive player had a better season under Lovie Smith”s coaching and tutelage in 2014, than they had in 2013????????
But, we were a 4-12 team in 2013,………………. right????
tickrdr
February 1st, 2015 at 5:26 pm
Maybe good Jaquies Smith, Lansanah, McDougald, Murray,
Maybe good Dotson to LT
Maybe good getting something for Barron, Casillas
Sure….lots of pending possibilites
You can take both sides…..Lovie was terrible last year…..but….root for him and even believe he will improve greatly next year. That’s where I am….I’m sure I’m not alone.
For me the wild cards are ASJ, Sims, Pamphile & Edwards….if even two of them turn out to be really productive….it was a good draft.
Good….Verner, McDonald
Questionmarks still not resolved Johnson, EDS, Mankins
February 1st, 2015 at 5:28 pm
I predict Lovie’s confidence poll will be up because of the hires of Koetter & Bajakian……
New Lovie poll please….Joe…
February 1st, 2015 at 6:05 pm
wouldn’t licht have done the hiring of coaches?
February 1st, 2015 at 6:09 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says:
February 1st, 2015 at 5:26 pm
Maybe good Jaquies Smith, Lansanah, McDougald, Murray,
Maybe good Dotson to LT
Maybe good getting something for Barron, Casillas
Sure….lots of pending possibilites
You can take both sides…..Lovie was terrible last year…..but….root for him and even believe he will improve greatly next year. That’s where I am….I’m sure I’m not alone.
For me the wild cards are ASJ, Sims, Pamphile & Edwards….if even two of them turn out to be really productive….it was a good draft.
Good….Verner, McDonald
Question marks still not resolved Johnson, EDS, Mankins
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Great summary and cannot disagree with anything you wrote. But, IMHO:
What about Penn, Joseph and Zuttah? All gone before the first OTA.
Lansanah outplayed Casillas in preseason, but started as a second stringer.
Eric Page > Patton, and a host of others.
Louis Murphy played well in preseason, but cut then resigned. Still>Herron.
Traded Tim Wright and a 4th rounder for Mankins. TW>>>>>ASJ so far.
Another repost, sorry!
tickrdr Says:
January 29th, 2015 at 10:44 pm
tgreg Says:
January 29th, 2015 at 9:48 pm
Another idiotic Lovie move. Got rid of all things Schiano. How did that work out for Lovie the Loser?
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But, but,……….but; Glennon didn’t make anyone around him any better. (sarc)
Tim Wright, UDFA from Rutgers in 2013 (Note: no Gronkowski double-teams that year):
In 8 starts: 54 receptions for 571 yards, 5 TDs, and BTW, no fumbles.
ASJ, 2nd round draft pick in 2014:
In 9 starts: 21 for 221 yards, and 2 TDs. I also seem to remember at least one stupid penalty, and at least one costly fumble.
Traded Tim Wright for Logan Mankins, AND a 4th round pick.
Channeling my best ddneast: Sheep-skinned= FLEECED.
I’m sure I’m forgetting many others, too.
tickrdr
February 1st, 2015 at 6:56 pm
@lurker
Perhaps its the pre game adult beverages but it’s good to see you so mellow!:-)
February 1st, 2015 at 6:58 pm
I’m really looking forward to this big game! The story lines are compelling, it’s the two best teams in the league and I’m just ready for some football.
While I’m rooting for the Seahawks BOTH teams are great and so I won’t be crushed if the Pats win. I just want a great game unaffected by the zebras!
February 1st, 2015 at 7:12 pm
Let’s not forget the offensive side of the ball:
(As always, I hope I did the “cipherin’, and the “gezintas” correctly)
In 2013, the Bucs scored 288 points, and averaged 277 yards per game.
That included 2820 yds passing (32nd) and 1612 rushing (22nd).
In 2014, the Bucs scored 277 points, and averaged 292 yds per game.
That included 3297 yds passing (25th), and 1375 yds rushing (29th).
In 2013, Josh Freeman was the QB for the first 3 games, and the Bucs’ offense
scored a total of 34 points, which is an average of 11.3 ppg.
In 2014, Mike Kafka played some in Atlanta, and the Bucs scored 7 pts with him as QB. I did subtract that from the total of 277 points, i.e. 270 pts left.
In 2014, Josh McCown played 10.5 games, and the Bucs scored 158 pts, which is an average of 15.0 points per game. He passed for 1880 yds, which is an average of 163 yds per game. (ignoring Kafka’s yards)
In 2013, Mike Glennon was the QB for 13 games, and the Bucs’ offense scored 254 points, which is an average of 19.5 ppg.
In 2014, Mike Glennon was the QB for just under 5.5 games (Kafka’s qtr), and the Bucs scored 112 points, which is 20.4 ppg. He passed for 1417 yards, which is an average of 257 yds per game.
So, it appears that the Schiano/Glennon offense in 2013 scored more points, rushed for more yards, and ranked higher in rushing for the year, than the Smith/McCown offense in 2014. In the 2014 season, MG8 threw for more TDs per game, and fewer INTs per game. He threw for 94 more yards per game than McCown. He scored 5.4 points per game MORE than McCown, and had 4th quarter leads in four of the five games he played, and won a 4th quarter comeback victory @ Pittsburgh, which had never happened in the previous 65 tries by a number of other teams. Yet, he was benched by Lovie Smith??????????
BTW, if you look up that 257 yds per game for MG8, that would rank 10th for the regular season overall, and slightly better than the two quarterbacks playing tonight.
tickrdr
tickrdr