“Ten Wins”
April 25th, 2016
NFL Now talking head expects double-digit wins from America’s Quarterback.
It is almost stunning to think the Bucs have had but one lone winning season since Chucky was jettisoned in January 2009. And that was 10-6 under Raheem Morris in 2010.
Looking back, that has to be one of the most underrated coaching jobs in recent NFL history.
Well, if you listen to former Dixie Chicks offensive lineman Jamie Dukes, the Bucs should match Morris’ only winning season this year. First off, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston is entering his second season. But looking back on his rookie season, Dukes said, Don’t blame Jameis.
Instead, blame Lovie Smith.
“Ten wins. Ten wins,” Dukes said. “If you go back to last year and look at the games they lost, the defense pretty much let the Buccaneers down. That was the oddity of it. Many people felt — me being one of them — thought that Lovie [Smith coming in] — he got to buy the groceries, too.
“When he came in he spent a lot of money on defense and the defense, unfortunately, never panned out. Go back to that Washington Redskins game last year. The Bucs are killing the Washington Redskins. That started the Kirk Cousins run, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”
Dukes later stated he thought Team Glazer “yanked the chain too early” on Lovie, but that Lovie made his own bed with his rotten defense, thus, he had to sleep in it.
As much as Joe is looking forward to the draft, Joe can’t wait for the regular season to kick off — 4 1/2 months from now.
Hat tip to loyal JoeBucsFan.com reader Chris Bell.
April 25th, 2016 at 9:05 am
I like this story, Joe.
No argument from me at all!
April 25th, 2016 at 9:05 am
Would prefer to see the final 53-man roster before speculating on how many games this team will win or lose…..
April 25th, 2016 at 9:16 am
Anything less than 9 wins is a failure imo.
April 25th, 2016 at 9:17 am
Along with what Tom just said.
April 25th, 2016 at 9:26 am
” he got to buy the groceries, too.”
Despite what’s been argued, Lovie had control of the roster.
April 25th, 2016 at 9:36 am
Will, not have Coach Smith to blame. All the credit for the draft was given to the G.M. The failure of the season was blame on Coach Smith. I agree ten wins, any thing less, some one should be fired.
April 25th, 2016 at 9:41 am
Ed, that’s the kind of insane logic that makes this fan base a joke.
I’m not sure what to expect but I’m confident if the Bucs had a competent head coach and d coordinator last year they win 9 or 10 games with an easy back up QB filled schedule
April 25th, 2016 at 9:57 am
If anything, they “yanked the chain” a year too late!!! Anyone one who says that Coach my scheme should have had one more year, just means they did not follow the Bucs, and are just making comments after just looking at the box scores!!! And for a new Head coach, second year QB and New DC with a new scheme, and expecting 10 wins is ridiculous!!!
April 25th, 2016 at 9:58 am
Last year I thought we had enough talent to go 8-8 against that schedule. I predicted 10 wins last year as the blog optimist in the hopes that the Bucs who haven’t gotten any breaks from officials or bounces in the past five years would finally have some luck coming our way. Obviously I was wrong on all counts.
The officials still treated us like the unwanted stepchild, suddenly a great receiver develops vaseline hands, the team continues bone headed plays like the late penalty in the Giant’s game that removed any chance of coming back.
Anybody with eyes can recap last year’s schedule and see we had ten wins in our grasp if we had a coach. I concede the absence of VJAX and Kwon over the final four games didn’t help…but we should have easily whipped Tennessee and Washington…we could have whipped Houston, Giants and Indy if we had a defense.
Ten wins are more than doable next year…but one thing will have a dramatic bearing as it does every year in the NFL…INJURIES…and not just to us but to our opponents. Hopefully if we play another group of backup QB’s this time Mike Smith will not get embarrassed like Lovie.
April 25th, 2016 at 10:00 am
10 wins would be nice but I haven’t set my expectations that high. Honestly if we DONT get blown out every other game I’ll be happy. If we somehow look like an actual professional football team I’ll be excited.
As long as future HOFs like Kirk Cousins, Case Keenum and the coach killer mariota don’t blow us out I’ll be happy. Hell we might even beat a playoff team this year then I’ll have to run around the office naked with an eye patch on.
April 25th, 2016 at 10:07 am
As is 7 to 9 wins tops.
Stay tuned.
April 25th, 2016 at 10:18 am
I’m thinking 11-12 wins in the regular season and then a SB run… #injameiswetrust
April 25th, 2016 at 10:25 am
I am with DB55 as long as we don’t have to endure blowouts week in and week out. A couple of Lovie’s numerous blowouts will go down in league history not just bucs history. Having a coach who is not afraid of points will be refreshing also. I’ll say it’s improvement anything over 8. I’d like to see 8 to 9 wins this year and a serious play off run next year.
April 25th, 2016 at 10:27 am
Of the analysts I can remember that will say they think Lovie should have gotten fired none are former players or coaches.
If you are a former player or coach and think he should have gotten fired you say, “I don’t agree that Lovie Smith should have gotten fired after just two years, but…”. And then they go on to say one of the reasons why he deserved to get canned.
April 25th, 2016 at 10:27 am
It’s easy to over estimate beforehand, so the easy guess is 6+ wins. That would be progress. Fans always reach for the sky.
April 25th, 2016 at 10:29 am
@Erik
I LOVE the way you think! And unlike probably the vast majority of this board I do not believe you’re crazy for thinking that way.
All the pieces have to fall in place and we obviously have to stay healthy.
But our running back tandem is one of the very best in the league.
If ASJ and ME both play to their talent level and do not get injured we’ll have plenty of targets for #3.
Our OLINE is now very competent…and our defense will improve even if we strike out in the draft. But if we should get ONE great rusher and Jack Smith hits ten and Mike Smith gets some pressure from LVD and Kwon…we could be really good on D as well.
April 25th, 2016 at 10:29 am
Of course he did. Anyone suggesting otherwise is just as likely to argue Jameis Winston is left-handed.
Lovie wouldn’t have taken the job if he didn’t have control of the roster. Hell, Schiano had control of the final-53.
April 25th, 2016 at 10:37 am
Erik and SPBF….I predicted SB berth in 2017. You guys got one more season to go. lol
Bucs Super Bowl 2017!
April 25th, 2016 at 10:42 am
Schedule is awfully tough to be predicting 10 wins for what is still a very young team (especially on offense). While I expect Jameis to make some nice strides, I still think he has a couple of games worth of rookie mistakes (as any 2nd year player likely would). I am optimistic that the team is turning the corner, and think it will be great for years to come with #3 at the helm, but I still say this year is one year too early to predict the team will thrive. Remember, we still have a new scheme on defense with a MLB still in his first 16 games, likely a rookie starter in the secondary or D-Line, and some players who are undoubtedly shell-shocked from the “Lovie scheme” of “bend and then break” football. 8-8 would be a solid year with this schedule and youth , and I think the key indicator will be the continued growth of the offense with an improvement on defense similar to what was shown on offense last year.
April 25th, 2016 at 11:25 am
I..disagree with most of you. Lovie did not have control of the roster. Licht did. You guys ate that..yellow snow so the Lovie firing could be justified. Lovie Smith would not have drafted exclusively offensively 2 yrs in a row, Now way..Jose. HE(Lovie) just does not have it in him to draft offense. Again, I don’t feel sorry for a man who is still collecting a salary from a team for 2 yrs after departure. But..the deed has been done and the..smokescreen applied and eaten by fickle buc fans. You have hung Lovie. So..let him die! Forward Christian soldiers march to your next..Salem witch hunt. As for the 10 wins comment this year? I’d like to have some of that beautiful stuff you are smoking sir!!
April 25th, 2016 at 11:29 am
So if LOVIE had control of the roster, then the foundation in place now surely LOVIE gets credit for it!
April 25th, 2016 at 11:31 am
87
We are in total agreement on your SB prediction. I just believe it’s imperative we make the playoffs this year even if it’s one and done and I think we can do it.
Given the strength of our division it might be as a wild card but I like our chances.
I agree with you though we’re too young and not deep enough to make a real SB run this year.
April 25th, 2016 at 11:41 am
I agree and disagree with Dukes. There were 2 games for sure that no defense on the planet could’ve saved because the offense was that bad. It ain’t on the defense if the offense constantly turns the ball over, right?
I know that some would label me a “Lovie apologist” and you’re entitled to your opinion but here’s my point, our 6-10 season was not completely because of our horrific defense. That’s it! Think about the expectations listed here; 10 wins. Why? Because we have new coaches and players that we think are better? What happens, god forbid, we lose any one of our offensive or defensive players and go 6-10 again?
April 25th, 2016 at 11:46 am
@BigHog
I realize you and Mike Johnson are still grieving over Lovie. That’s OK.
And you make a valid point that he had do “something” right.
For sure…he hired Licht…he signed off on #3…he allowed Licht to draft or perhaps you guys would rather give him credit for those four picks.
Whatever….the problem is boiled down to Koetter’s observation last year…in the NFL ultimately the only thing that counts are wins.
And so even if we concede that Lovie perhaps had anything to do with the current strength of our roster isn’t that an even bigger indictment on his inability to coach this talent?
April 25th, 2016 at 12:30 pm
@ED…I agree….10wins with playoffs or someone needs to walk the plank….
@realist….”And for a new Head coach, second year QB and New DC with a new scheme, and expecting 10 wins is ridiculous!!!”….how can you say that when this hc only has 1 side of the ball to focus on….the offensive foundation is set….he only has to build the defense up and has supposedly hired a defensive coach that will put play to the players strength and put players in position to win….expecting 10 wins is the only thing to expect…licht didn’t hire dirk to go 8-8….we could’ve keep lovie for that….with all the actions licht has made in regard to the hiring and firing of staff and signing 30+ year old FA, its obvious licht thinks this team has the talent and staff to win now….10 wins and playoffs or licht may be walking the plank….GO BUCS!!!
April 25th, 2016 at 12:36 pm
@db55 and @tmaxcon…..doesn’t matter if you lose by 1 in triple over time or lose by 56points….at the end of the day your still a loser….there’s no difference in losing every game by 1point vs. losing every game by 40points….you still lost every game….winning 8games after winning 6 isn’t an much of an improvement at all consider most people on here say lovie never improved the team when he won 6games after winning 2 the previous season….GO BUCS!!!!
April 25th, 2016 at 1:02 pm
“@Mike Johnson Says:
April 25th, 2016 at 11:25 am
I..disagree with most of you. Lovie did not have control of the roster. Licht did.”
Oh Mike, Mike, Mike. It doesn’t surprise that you think that. Can you point any evidence, even speculative that Licht had control?
Here’s some to the contrary:
@AdamSchefter
Lovie Smith’s contract contains the clause that gives him final say over all personnel matters on the Buccaneers’ final 53-man roster.
10:45 AM – 5 Jan 2014
Also,
“@JasonLaCanfora
Arizona exec Jason Licht had a very impressive interview with Bucs HC Lovie Smith for their GM opening I’m told. Very much in that mix
10:33 PM – 14 Jan 2014”
Also, explain all those Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys. Does that sound like Licht or Lovie to you?
As for drafting offense, how do you know that wasn’t a directive all the way from the Glazers?
And, how often in your experience have you interviewed for your job with your future subordinate, as opposed to your future boss?
Denial is just a river in Mike Johnson’s backyard.
April 25th, 2016 at 1:08 pm
813
Sorry your Lovie loyalty has effected your thinking. The margin of losses most definitely counts! It’s called fielding a competitive product.
That loss to Tennessee still makes me want to puke. It’s freaking Lovie’s D that started the ball rolling. The Redskin loss was even worse.
And it’s not just the margins that fans DO most certainly see but the fashion you achieve your record. EG If Lovie had been 2-10 heading into the final four games and finished with four straight wins he’d still be the Buc’s head coach even though his record would d have been the same.
Lovie laid another egg…his home record and yet that matters as well.
Psychology, pride, hope all figures into these judgments.
April 25th, 2016 at 1:12 pm
Another, from NFL.com (hopefully Joe allows the link)
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000346645/printable/browns-texans-among-five-teams-with-new-power-structures
Smith has final say over the 53-man roster, with Licht controlling the draft and free agency. (In essence, the GM has leeway to build the 90-man roster, and then the coach is in charge of chopping it down.)”
April 25th, 2016 at 1:20 pm
I dont think 10 wins is ridiculous myself. Looking at the schedule there are 10 games, 4 against Aints & Turdy Birds that are winnable. I hold Jameis to a higher standard than most because I believe in him to win the games we should win. 9 to 10 is my benchmark this year. Anything less would be disappointing.
April 25th, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Love and Warrick Dunn..You ate the..Yellow snow to huh?
April 25th, 2016 at 2:21 pm
@MJ
Frank Zappa has never been my bag.
You can lead the horse to water, but, if you still want to caress Lovie, there’s nothing else that can be done. I gave you your proof. I’m sure those guys are all lying, and your imagination is more accurate.
April 25th, 2016 at 3:21 pm
@st.pete…no lovie loyalty….I just put everyone on a equal playing field….a lost is a lost….regardless…it is what it is…but for some people to say they would be satisfied with 8-8 wins are ridiculous…10wins with playoffs or someone has to walk…GO BUCS!!!
April 25th, 2016 at 3:31 pm
Funny, J. Dukes never gave the Bucs any love until we got his FSU QB on the team, so what is the reason for the love, even though we were putrid
April 25th, 2016 at 4:18 pm
FYI…..having final say over the final 53 is different then having final say over “all” personnell moves. That is what some of you are missing. I believe every coach should have that priviledge. But your gm assembles the 90+ you take into training camp. Sorry if some of you dont understand that.
April 25th, 2016 at 4:36 pm
Some gms have a bonus clause in their contract where they receive more for the amount of starts/playing time their draft picks receive ie Rich McCay. Thats why we had to put up with kenyatta walker, reidel anthony, jacues green for so long. Lovie did not want that hence the final 53. If you think licht took this job and had no say so in personell decisions then you are fooling yourselves. Licht and the scouting department are scouting draft prospects for atleast a year plus. No way lovie or any coach have more knowledge on them in the three months leading to the draft. Thats what the gm is for.
April 25th, 2016 at 4:47 pm
813
Respect your opinion we simply disagree. I do not believe a loss is simply a loss or even that a record is the record.
How was the game lost…did we get beat…or did we lose it ourselves?
Did we look like a professional football team or a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off running around out there.
Again if Lovie had won the last four games in a row and still had that 6-10 record he’s still be here. The direction of a team is incredibly important and Lovie’s teams were trending down.
Koetter will certainly be under the same gun as ALL NFL coaches with the exception of a few like Belicheat and Carroll.
But if his team shows improvement…Mike Smith keeps us from getting blown out…we don’t finish on a long losing streak…he won’t HAVE to win 10…although like you I think he should.
Really depends on what goes into the season. E.G. If #3 goes down in the preseason then all bets are off. Lose any combination of Martin and VJAX on offense of GMC and LVD or Kwon on defense to injury…all bets are off.
April 25th, 2016 at 5:05 pm
@st. pete…much respect…I guess I may be a little ole skool because a loss is a loss imo but I understand where your coming from….even tho the jags lost 1 more game than us and the raiders won 1 more game than us both teams seem to be all on the same page…all 3 of our arrows are pointing up but they seem to be turning the corner a little quicker than us….I still think a loss is a loss no matter how you cut it but other than that I agree with you…GO BUCS!!!
April 26th, 2016 at 5:52 am
Lovie only had to focus on defense and the players themselves labeled the scheme a “fiasco”. Despite Lovie’s interference and poor game management, Koetter’s offense set a franchise record for yardage, beating out 27 other NFL teams. Lovie was fired by the Bears after a 10 win season. The Glazers and Licht recognized why quickly and followed suit. The incident where Lovie stopped a player’s attempt to fire up the team, because he used profanity, is a prime example of why players can’t relate to a HC like that. Cussing and football happens on the field, in the stands, and in my living room on a regular basis. You can’t separate one from the other. Lovie was a handicap for the Bucs. Koetter is a monumental upgrade and Mike Smith will do wonders with the defense. I hope the Glazers will now follow the example of the Rooney family with the Steelers, and leave Licht and Koetter alone for a decade or two. The Bucs need stability in their leadership. It will pay off in the long run.