“Unacceptable”
August 21st, 2015
Lovie Smith discusses 2014 defense.
Yesterday, it was learned that Leslie Frazier was stripped of his playcalling duties.
Instead, it is head coach Lovie Smith who will be the shotcaller when the Bucs’ defense takes the field.
Just before this news broke, Lovie took to the airwaves of SiriusXM NFL Radio and spoke about the defense. He minced no words when discussing the 2014 product with co-hosts Booger McFarland and Zig Fracassi. Booger asked Lovie how it was as a defensive-minded coach to see the Bucs defense get torched like a California summer wildfire.
“[Defense] was unacceptable,” Lovie said. “We didn’t like it. When you come in new, our program will be based on being a tough, physical football team. Like we should have done better there. People really concentrated on what we were doing offensively. But we didn’t play the type of defense we will play around here. At the end of the year, it was better, but we need to start off with that type of play right away this year.”
Perhaps Lovie thought the only way to do that — and maybe in the long run save his job — was to take over the defense on his own? At worst, this move of Lovie taking over playcalling sure isn’t a vote of confidence for defensive coordinator (in name only) Leslie Frazier.
Maybe Lovie believes he can squeeze sacks out of castoff defensive ends better than Frazier?
August 21st, 2015 at 3:04 pm
Joe,
Did he arrive at this decision before or after last Saturday’s game? Did that game weigh-in to the decision?
August 21st, 2015 at 3:07 pm
Does this mean that everyone needs another year to now learn “Lovie’s” tampa2 coming from Frazier’s Tampa 2????
Really the only way I see that lovie’s defense can work is if the offense score early and often. Then Lovie’s defense being in known passing plays and at least 1 DE taking a gigantic leap forward!
Too many if and dreams for that scenario!!!
4-5 wins
which will either make Lovie a career .500 coach of a career Losing coach!!!!
August 21st, 2015 at 3:15 pm
Sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns. Good decision by Lovie to make the change now rather than later. It started with Kwon going all out, playing physical and getting noticed by setting the pace.
Lets hope the rest of the team gets the hint and realize that being a “paycheck” players won’t cut it anymore. Everyone needs to give their best effort all the time.
August 21st, 2015 at 3:16 pm
D@$! Realist!! You actually said something I agree with. And the fact that you just stated it tells me you know this defense can an better yet will be successful. I agree this offense does need to score early. With the weapons in house I feel we will. Good job Realist!!.
August 21st, 2015 at 3:18 pm
@nos-bos
but it won’t because of injuries and rookies!!!!!
August 21st, 2015 at 3:18 pm
Gonna guess Lovie arrived at this decision in January. Just a guess.
August 21st, 2015 at 3:26 pm
Lovie know defense, he was a good linebacker coach for the Bucs. He was a good DC for the Rams, he had a top defense in Chicago. Him and Leslie Frazier can co-exist, as long as Frazier stays out of Lovie way on game day.
August 21st, 2015 at 3:29 pm
And Nos-Bos
and I meant is that the one dynamic we have not seen. Is the Bucs with the lead of at least 10 points by the 3rd quarter. In every other situation. Lovie’s defense was manhandled and exposed!!!!
August 21st, 2015 at 3:41 pm
I like it. Shows Lovie is on his toes this year. Not taking anything for granted.
August 21st, 2015 at 3:43 pm
We shall soon see Realist!! But I do agree this offense is intended to assist this defense with early production. It’s a pass defense oriented defense. Smaller fast defenders if allowed to play with a lead forcing teams to mainly pass this defense thrive. I don’t maybe that’s he hired Koetter.
August 21st, 2015 at 3:45 pm
Still suspect that it drove Lovie nuts seeing his defensive backs constantly leaving huge gaps in coverage against the Vikings. Absolutely no excuse for that. I think we have the personnel to provide tighter coverage, but scheme-wise it just wasn’t happening. Hunch is that there’ll be a big improvement with Lovie handling the defensive calls. We’ve got some pretty decent talent behind our DLine.
August 21st, 2015 at 3:55 pm
I don’t care who calls the plays or what criminals might be on the team. WIN I will still watch every game and go to some….Just WIN. FSU alum…Go Winston!
August 21st, 2015 at 4:13 pm
I’m wit you Dick.
August 21st, 2015 at 4:35 pm
Lovie is sort of a proven DC and known for his defense, this isn’t a bad thing ladies. It’s his future at stake – and I’d rather him be the one making the calls based on his track record. If you think this 2-14 team that has the worst OL in football and a rookie QB is a contender, then you’re nuts and clearly don’t get how these things work. If the Bucs can get to 7 wins thats a huge turn around and I think a very successful season, keep your expectations in check.
August 21st, 2015 at 5:10 pm
Frazier was stripped of play calling because he told Lovie he was going to Blitz Lavonte more!😜
August 21st, 2015 at 6:17 pm
Something must be really wrong for a hands off head coach like Lo ie to get involved personally like this.
Frazier might as well start sending out resumes because Lovie rarelyreacts like this.
Yes Buc Realist we a know your disdain for Lovie. Your posts are always the same. No original thoughts, no fresh ideas, just the same old boring hatred.
You must be the most boring unoriginal person out here like DallasBuc, Tmaxcon and a couple others who post the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over…again.
August 21st, 2015 at 6:56 pm
Rod did you see the Redskins Oline last night. Last season maybe,this season we’ll be a long way from the worst O line bro. Just pay attention it appears half the league is stressing O line worrys. We didn’t do much last Saturday but in all actuality the O line look like the least of our problem bro. Worst O line in the NFL,tell that to RGIII and wait for a response.
August 21st, 2015 at 7:40 pm
Said it before and I’ll say it again, Ron Meeks would’ve been the best choice. He was Dungy’s right hand man in Indianapolis and had the Colts ranked #1 in defense more than once despite most of the Colts payroll and draft going to beef up the offense.
August 21st, 2015 at 8:44 pm
Did he ever coach a team to a Superbowl?
August 21st, 2015 at 8:45 pm
Or did you mean for an DC.
August 21st, 2015 at 8:54 pm
I still haven’t heard an official confirmation come from the team. No offense, but Rick Stroud is NOT the greatest of sources.
August 21st, 2015 at 10:38 pm
Lovie wants to wreck shop! Go bucs!
August 21st, 2015 at 11:12 pm
We can guess why Lovie did this all we want, but the proof is in the results – will the defense take up where it left off last year?
August 21st, 2015 at 11:32 pm
I know the Colts invested their money on offense, but when Frazier was DC under Dungy, their defense was not a force. They had Dwight Freeney but were very average, maybe below average otherwise.
I see this is a “We aren’t going to fire you, but you might want to look for another job Leslie,” kind of move. Or maybe he will be let go next year.
August 22nd, 2015 at 1:07 am
Or maybe Lovie is training him how we wants calls made during games?
August 22nd, 2015 at 3:27 am
No Lovie knows he has the aggressive playcalling technique to pull this 4-3 and nickel defensive alignments off. Hes putting everyone in the right spots for the game coming up. Alexander at middle(man did they come to their senses quickly on Carter at middle) and Moore to nickel corner. Now we need to put Swearinger snd Melton in the starting lineup at safety and end respectively. Good move by lovie smith hes showing intelligence now to me
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:13 am
Yeah Lovie can really pull this coaching thing off. With a 4-3 and a middle linebacker. A safety and an end. Pure intelligence.
Go Bucs
August 23rd, 2015 at 2:27 am
Man DumbestBuc you just regurgitate ignorance ala carte don’t you. The same stupidity and incompetence in your poopsts is never changing. You’re like the caveman character from the Geico commercials. Simply ridiculous. If you understood the defense you would know it takes more than that. Pick up a dictionary!