Lovie’s Job Security
September 16th, 2015
Joe likes to call the first Monday after the NFL season-opening weekend, “Overreation Monday.”
Fans, and sometimes media types, often take the result of the first game over the edge whether it is good or bad.
But Sunday’s beatdown of the Bucs by the previously 2-14 Titans, with a rookie quarterback making his debut against Tampa Bay, was more than bad. It was startling and godawful.
Joe ran out of adjectives Sunday; the Bucs were so ill-prepared on a defense being run by a head coach who is supposed to be a defensive guy.
How bad was it? Normally level-headed Martin Fennelly of The Tampa Tribune is wondering aloud if Lovie Smith returns for 2016.
Fennelly rarely goes after coaches or bigwigs. That’s not his gig. That’s not his style. And so for Fennelly to open up the narrative about Lovie’s job security, that shows how grotesque Sunday’s chain-whipping was and how bad of a job Lovie has done in his 17 games as Bucs coach.
It won’t take many more of these amateur shows to send Lovie out the door. There had already been two debacles like this under him, last season, when the Bucs trailed ever so slightly (56-0) at Atlanta and fell behind 38-0 to Baltimore nine minutes before halftime.
The Bucs never contemplated showing up. At the time, after both of those games, I remember thinking those are the kind of performances that would get a coach fired if it wasn’t his first season.
It’s the second season.
Joe remembers talking to national and local scribes at both halftime and after the game Sunday, and unanimously they couldn’t believe what they saw from Lovie’s defense. In the first game no less. As Fennelly pointed out, the Bucs and Lovie had four months to prepare for Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota and it didn’t look like they spent four hours practicing for him.
At halftime, Joe spoke with two former Bucs briefly. Both know and admire Lovie, and both former players were ashen-faced and, separately, mumbled to Joe as if they were at a wake, “This is bad.”
Joe is far from checking with moving companies to see if they have contracted with the Bucs. That’s, well, premature. It was just the first game. Lovie was right. It’s just one game, albeit a very, very bad one.
The next six games will be very telling. After watching the Bucs win the Chase for Jameis last year, and seeing how they got smoked at the Den of Depression over the weekend, let’s just say Joe has more faith in Sean Payton and his 0-1 Saints bouncing back this weekend than in Lovie.
Joe’s original prediction of six Bucs wins remains in play.
September 16th, 2015 at 5:15 am
Just wait on it.
September 16th, 2015 at 5:23 am
So who’s the next coach gonna be then? Everyone is getting on the wagon for firing lovie but who will replace him?
Bree’s just may throw 8 td’s against this defense.
September 16th, 2015 at 5:28 am
It’s Wednesday. It’s still not to late to fire Lovie.
September 16th, 2015 at 5:41 am
ANYONE BUT LOVIE…”simple as that”….
September 16th, 2015 at 5:45 am
Joe, you mentioned the Ravens 38-0 lead in the first half last year. I was there and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Ravens kept running the same plays over and over, and the Bucs never adjusted.
Same problem this past Sunday against the Titans. It continually looked like the Bucs made minimal adjustments. Bucs defenders looked like robots, programmed to respond to one thing while the Titans ran something else.
From what I saw, there’s still no chemistry on the Bucs defense. Problem isn’t the Tampa-2. Lots of other teams use it successfully. Our problem is more coaching than anything, although mediocre talent at several positions on defense doesn’t help.
September 16th, 2015 at 6:03 am
@bucco
Anyone but lovie?
Yea typical answer. Glad you’re so thoughtful
September 16th, 2015 at 6:03 am
Season’s over, guys. This is a hopeless team with inept leadership to the core. Bucs social media is dead. Joe, I’ve enjoyed your website all these years, so I hope a coaching controversy can keep your hits up. I’m not optimisitic about any coaching turnover, though. This team is a country club for three rich kids playing with Daddy’s money.
September 16th, 2015 at 6:25 am
@thekevin
I don’t know why you keep asking for a name? You know very well how the process works. The Glazers have 16 weeks to gather names. Its just like the draft, right now they need to gather up the 2-3 college coaches with NFL aspirations. Gather some of the Hot coordinators and doing some back ground work of their working habits and interviewing some of the people that have worked for them.
If they are serious, They could hire some personal advisment, to come and look at there roster, and to try to fit some coaches styles to the current talent on the team.
September 16th, 2015 at 6:42 am
@The Buc Realist I agree with you! I’m saying keep Lovie unti lthe end of the season but start the process to have a new GM/coach/staff NOW! Built the next year squad NOW! Have a look at the next serie of free agen NOW!
There is still one thing that I don’t understand: for Baltimore or like last sunday, the same play is done again and again and the defense is confused every time. It’s baffling for me. How does it work ? the DC calls the play and no player on the field is saying something ? Like for the offense, a denfeisve player can’t calla an audible or something?
I’m like the tampa defense, i’m confused because in European sport (soccer, rugby, and so on) the coach is preparing the team but If the game is not going as planned players as expecting to modify their ways, to adapt …
I know my question probably looks stupid to you but I’m no football expert
September 16th, 2015 at 6:47 am
A new perspective is all we are asking for. Show us a different view. We want to root for our team on Sundays. That is all we want.
Change is a beautiful thing!
September 16th, 2015 at 6:53 am
@joehelldeloxley
Lovie calls the play to Kwon Alexander, who being a rookie, does not have the go ahead to change (audible) the call. He just has not seen enough action yet. Another Linebacker could make the on the field calls, But in Lovie’s defense the Middle Linebacker always makes the call. It is one of the Lovie’s Tampa2 10 commandments!!!!!!
And while some argue that the defense scheme is not the problem, Lovie’s Tampa2 and the wrinkles too it, It is one of the most predictable, reaction defense that is running in the league!!! It has the lowest spectrum of confusion, and looks in the NFL!! It is like a repair man with just one tool for the job! Everyone else has the same tool and just uses it at the right time but everyone else has all kinds of other tools for the job as well!!!!
September 16th, 2015 at 6:54 am
@Joehelldeloxley – “If the game is not going as planned players as expecting to modify their ways, to adapt”
Bingo! Coaches as well. In every situation they should have a plan a, b and c.
It seems like players and coaches are afraid to change their perspective and execute.
Change is a beautiful thing!
September 16th, 2015 at 6:56 am
If Lovie was a real man he would resign right now for the good of the team. I don’t understand why the fans should be forced to watch a repeat of last season. Oh wait I won’t have to. I can switch to another channel.
September 16th, 2015 at 6:58 am
@The Buc Realist – Is time to drop “The Hammer!”
September 16th, 2015 at 7:02 am
@tdtb2015
I have never seen so many people so over the Bucs at this point in the season. I was walking my dog last night and was talking to some ( lovie loyalist) and they would just about spit on the ground when Lovie’s name was brought up!!!
I hope Joe starts to take the barometer of Buc Fans Anguish, because I have never, never seen it like this.
And Please Joe, PLEASE when need the Lovie confidence POLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 16th, 2015 at 7:12 am
@The Buc Realist @tdtb2015
Thank you for your answer.
I always, and still, think that there are only two ways to deal with a team in sport:
1 – define the way you want to play and recruit/train the players you need to play the way you want to,
2 – define a way to play which fits with the players you have.
It seems that whe have choosen the 3rd way, the worst one, define a way to play and play it even if the player are not fitting inside !
I’m seeing another mistake: when you are bad at this points, you have to build something. I mean your defense is bad, your offense is bad, you can’t continue like that. So put all your effort, all your ressources on one of them!
Because my feeling is we split the ressources between offense and defense and finally we didn’t upgrade any of them.
September 16th, 2015 at 7:13 am
I don’t even care what happens anymore. They can change coaches for all I care but one thing I know for sure is they will pick the wrong guy over and over again. It’s a carousel of idiocracy.
September 16th, 2015 at 7:19 am
@The Buc Realist – I was one of those. But you know like all of us here. I just want to see some decent football from our Bucs. I feel for the season ticket holders.
At this point I hoping to see the offense click. That would be a nice change for us to see the growth of our offense even if we lose. I want us to win. But after Sunday, I honestly don’t see who we can beat this year.
September 16th, 2015 at 7:20 am
What the “dumb-masses” dont’ realize is that winning doesn’t matter as much as making $$$, especially as it relates to t.v. revenue. The worth of the team keeps increasing and the NFL is worth billions. It’s now about making money off of the games (Fanduel) that pertain to NFL games.
September 16th, 2015 at 7:26 am
Who I would like as coach is 1) Gruden 2) Josh McDaniels 3) Adam Gase 4) Sean Payton (he would be #1but..) 5) Nick Saban 6) Jim Mora Jr 7) Marty Shottenheimer 8) Art Briles 9) Gus Malzhan 10) Jay Gruden
September 16th, 2015 at 7:27 am
Whisenhut was sighned by the Titans about the same time we signed lovie. I can only imagine if we had Whisenhut and Lebeau where we could be today
September 16th, 2015 at 7:49 am
Your six wins I think will be correct Joe. 6 for both the 2015 season and the 2016 season combined though, that’s if we’re lucky.
September 16th, 2015 at 7:51 am
Deep down inside we all know where this season is heading-nowhere. His team is mentally soft and passive like their leader. His team has many over rated and ineffective players he chose at key positions. His chosen coaches and game planning is not getting the job done. He exudes no fire or passion to inspire his team. He is clueless as well as unchanging. His name is Lovie Smith. Behold the meaning of hopelessness.
September 16th, 2015 at 7:52 am
LOVIE WAS SIGNED HOPING TO BRING BACK THE STABILITY OF DUNGY – LOVIE AINT DUNGY…”simple as that”…
September 16th, 2015 at 7:52 am
No way this team is winning six games!!! Six games? You talking bout six games? Sheesh I wish for 6 wins. Ain’t happening.
September 16th, 2015 at 8:00 am
@Joe
you might think that your prediction is in “play” But I was just thinking that mine was close, But a little optimistic, Oh well that is just what kind of fan I am!!!!
“The Buc Realist Says:
September 6th, 2015 at 11:05 am
4-12 2-4 Last place in the division, Top 5 draft pick, Lots of excuses!!!!
one of the 2 division wins is because the panther will not be able to better their playoff position and will pull starters in the second quarter of the final game!!!
By the way, 4-12 will make Lovie’s career a losing career record!!!!!”
September 16th, 2015 at 8:02 am
Sunday’s poor showing should certainly have Licht and Lovie both on the hot seat. Being so unprepared to play is unforgivable. Unfortunatly the Glazier boys track record of picking coaches is every bit as bad as the current coaching staffs ability to pick free agents.
September 16th, 2015 at 8:03 am
As a general rule, coaches who continue to get blown out in games get fired, simple as that. “Lovie Smith Voice”
September 16th, 2015 at 8:05 am
LICHT DONT COACH, LOVIE DOES, COACHING IS THE ISSUE…”simple as that”…
September 16th, 2015 at 8:11 am
Step 1: hire a president of operations that knows football.
September 16th, 2015 at 8:11 am
I may be in the minority here but I’m willing to let Licht hire at least one head coach before I call for his firing. Lovie though? Off with his head! Same junk defense since 2007 with no signs of changing. Walk the plank!
September 16th, 2015 at 8:12 am
6 wins? In Madden, maybe. In the real world, maybe 3 if the players stop with the penalties and play error free.
September 16th, 2015 at 8:13 am
And other than Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy, the next coach will be saddled with a bunch of undersized defensive players that will all need replacing.
That was the risk in hiring Lovie… Tampa 2 defensive players are a specific breed that often can’t play in other systems. We’ll be bad for several more years.
September 16th, 2015 at 8:16 am
And bucco, it’s both lovie and licht. How many bad personnel moves had we made not to mention I can think of at least 4 FAs that passed us over.
September 16th, 2015 at 8:23 am
After the utter shame and humiliation of this loss I expect Lovie will put together a game plan for the Saints, even though it’s only September and “real” football hasn’t started yet. Time to get to the basement and put pencil to paper, Lovie. Yeah, I know, that pesky little thing called strategy is a bitch…especially when your defensive philosophy…LOL…did I just say defensive philosophy? LOL!!!!
September 16th, 2015 at 8:27 am
Lovie’s job security? Slim to none! As for his replacement, I think Koetter is the logical choice. We have a rookie QB who is struggling, and we’ve already had 3 new offensive systems in the last 3 years. We need some offensive stability, and Koetter has shown that he know how to handle an offense. Make him the interim coach for the rest of the year, and promote Hardy Nickerson to interim DC.
September 16th, 2015 at 8:28 am
So here is a name to consider. Josh McDaniels. I know he got run out of Denver but he was 8-8 after shipping Cutler and Marshall out of town. I think history supports that decision now. He has been part of great staffs and has connections to quality coaches. Oh and his current team is committed to giving its players a competitive advantage, perhaps to a fault, but no one will ever say the Pats were not prepared for a game.
September 16th, 2015 at 8:34 am
I want to resign myself from this, but I just cant! I love my TEAM! And being right about rookies like Marpet, and wanting to watch him succeed and I want to watch Winston develop into who I think he’ll be, a great QB. But my hand is so tired from holding my head in anguish….and my eyes hurt from seeing this current state we’re in…..what gives? It seems here lately I, as well as some fans posting here, could do a better job.
Well, Glazers, HIRE ME! I would work for free just out of love for my team, but the bills will have to be paid at home, around $1500 per month….plus my expenses down there…and Im a cheap eater and hate most resteraunts, so figure another $300 for my food…..I’ll bring my sleeping bag and can sleep and shower in the facility….not a problem! HIRE ME!
Im pretty sure it couldnt get any worse….I just might surprise you….and allow LUVMYBUCS and Bonzai and 1987 (plus a few more) to be brought on as Tier one consultants!
September 16th, 2015 at 8:38 am
@Mike10…
Free Agents were mistakes that Licht had the balls to admit to…his drafts, with the exception of Charles Sims, are acceptable and he understands the importance of building through the draft..
September 16th, 2015 at 8:51 am
So apparently preseason does matter. For those of you like the Joes that insisted it was entirely irrelevant because the outcome didn’t count seem to be the most shocked after that horror show on Subday. All you had to do was watch Incompetent Lovie Smith’s team show up unprepared in the preseason to get a good feel for what to expect.
Lovie Smith is incompetent folks. I know it hurts. I wish every damn day that he would prove me wrong. Not gonna happen.
September 16th, 2015 at 9:02 am
@dallasbuc
I tried to tell the sheep (lovie loyalist) about how they sucker punched the Bengals!!! while they were running just a man on man on their lines, were Had tightends and WR doing crackback blocks on their D-ends, The Bucs were stunting, twist and ran a full game plan on the second pre-season game!!!
what did they say, the same thing that have said about us the whole off-season!! haters, trolls, Animosity, and alleged allegations of racism!!!
September 16th, 2015 at 9:04 am
I think the title is missing some words. It should be
Lovies NEXT job: AIRPORT security.
September 16th, 2015 at 9:16 am
Unfortunately we’ll have to sit through another abysmal embarrassment of a season, because firing a coach mid-season accomplishes nothing. No one can jump in and implement a new scheme mid-year. Face it, we are screwed in 2015. At least the next coach will have a high draft pick to work with.
September 16th, 2015 at 9:29 am
How about we let the GM pick his coach. I bet Licht can pick a winner
September 16th, 2015 at 9:30 am
The Bucs just don’t get no respect from nobody.
September 16th, 2015 at 9:42 am
Think about this fellow Buc’s fans. NICE GUYS FINISH LAST.
It’s more than just ‘ol Leo’s epitaph. It has some real merit.
Nice guy Tony Dungy. Gone and we win.
Nice guy Lovie. Disaster so far. And don’t even consider Frazier as a replacement. He’s softer that Lovie.
We won when Johnnie-boy came in and yelled and challenged Sapp and Brooks.
I would give anything for Rex Ryan. Kick some ass and the players love you for it. Even Shiano had his moments. Mr. FSU sure would fit.
You can expect any of these hard-assed coaches to be gone in 5 years or so, because the style normally runs thin. But in the meantime, they win and build an attitude of toughness.
Let’s look for that in the next coach. Think about it real hard, ’cause I’m afraid that time will come very, very soon.
September 16th, 2015 at 9:54 am
Enough with recycled head coaches. They were fired elsewhere for a reason. No more college coach conversions. They are rarely successful out of the gate. Hire a successful coordinator or assistant head coach with a record of winning.
September 16th, 2015 at 10:27 am
Urban Meyer works for me. Wherever he goes he wins.
September 16th, 2015 at 10:27 am
I disagree Waly…I still believe the best chance to find a good HC will come from the college HC ranks. It’s a different skill set between being a HC and being a coordinator (hence why I think Lovie was and would still make a good NFL DC even with his style of D). I don’t think Lovie can handle the game management, talent evaluation, and personnel moves that come with the territory (or maybe I should say he no longer can, even though I never saw hi really do it in Chicago despite some winning records). Maybe a NFL retread if they got a raw deal at their last stop, but certainly no guys like Norv Turner, Wade Phillips, etc…if they’ve had multiple opportunities and failed then most likely coordinator is more their thing.
September 16th, 2015 at 10:55 am
Lovie is toast and the Glazers can’t get a good coach to commit because they don’t want to be attached to this organization. Remember when Chip Kelly dumped them at the last minute. What would this team look like under Kelly and possibly Mariotta under center. Bucs fans are reduced to dream scenarios because ownership is horrible.
September 16th, 2015 at 11:02 am
Hey! Glazer Boyz!! Swallow your pride and bring back Chucky!!!
September 16th, 2015 at 11:32 am
The brothers don’t have to fire Lovie. They could just copy Jerry Jones and reassign his responsibilities to others, publicly if necessary. Pay him to come to work and to let go of everything he’s screwing up. Sit a starter or two who aren’t getting it done and things will turn in a more professional way rapidly. Simple as that – Management 101.
September 16th, 2015 at 1:27 pm
Raheem Morris got the ax after three seasons. Greg Schiano got the ax after two. Now some want Lovie gone after 17 games.
Now, who exactly is gonna want this job?
September 16th, 2015 at 1:30 pm
Falcons defense looks good