Gerald McCoy Goes Deep Inside The Mike Smith Change Approach
December 16th, 2016
Clashing voices
So what turned on the light for the Bucs defense, turning it from patsy to punishing?
Yes, we’ve already been told how Bucs coaches sought player feedback after getting clubbed by the Falcons on Thursday Night Football. Defensive coordinator Mike Smith, especially, wanted players to reveal their strengths and perceptions.
But how exactly did it all go down?
Gerald McCoy joined the [Chris] Simms and Lefkoe podcast this week and took fans inside the meeting rooms of One Buc Palace.
“Coach Smith sat back and let the players talk,” McCoy said.
“He would go through a play and he would let the players say what it is and what it isn’t and why. And when guys were speaking up, we found out right then that guys were thinking two different things about the same play. So, if you got guys thinking two different things about the same play, then you’re already messed up. Because that means you can have 10 [guys] doing one thing and one doing the other on defense, and you’re going to get exposed. This is the NFL. So it was our communication, guys being on the same page. Once coach let us talk it out as players, and we really got to speak up, and we’ve been having a lot of players-only defensive meetings. It’s helping us man. … It’s completely changed our game.”
What a visual that is: Mike Smith sitting in a big leather chair watching defensive players review film of a play and be in complete disagreement about what is happening and what should be happening.
Fantastic teaching technique right there.
Joe sure will miss Smith when he gets his next head coaching gig.
December 16th, 2016 at 10:45 am
I would think that player-only meetings would be a given.
December 16th, 2016 at 10:50 am
Hope the defense soaks up all it can while he’s here
December 16th, 2016 at 10:50 am
Way to earn that big check Mr. Softie!
December 16th, 2016 at 10:51 am
HE IS OUR NEW KIFFIN HE MUST BE RETAINED!
December 16th, 2016 at 10:52 am
And if the wheels happen to fall off, you can say you never believed in the system anyways.
December 16th, 2016 at 10:57 am
These checks keep cashin’……that’s what I’m talkin’ bout.
#SoftForever93.
December 16th, 2016 at 10:59 am
Any teacher or coach knows that without understanding of the message it doesn’t matter what you are trying to teach.
Our D was basically the definition of INSANITY for two and half years. Same thing, week in and out. So much indecision, allowing the offense to dictate to us, we were so predictable I was calling where the ball would go from my couch!
Credit to the coaches and the players for figuring it out. Credit to the new additions for bring some attitude and pop to the D. A long suffering fan base is finally RE energized and looking forward to Sundays again. Go Bucs!
December 16th, 2016 at 11:01 am
I’m with Blake
December 16th, 2016 at 11:10 am
Lets see if this Defense can shut down dallas then we will truly know if we got something or Not. 5 good games does not make you….Superbowl ready.
December 16th, 2016 at 11:14 am
No way he stays. He’s leaving at some point and good for him. We have to find a replacement.
December 16th, 2016 at 11:30 am
Mike the only team that has shut down Dallas is the Giants. We are playing as good as anyone in the league right now, and finally with some swagger. Enjoy it!
Win or lose in Dallas we still have a legit shot at the playoffs if we finish off the NFC South opponents left on the schedule. That being said, I am going to say something I hear up here in Jersey 4 times a year.
BEAT DALLAS!!!
December 16th, 2016 at 11:30 am
Jay Hayes is the replacement
December 16th, 2016 at 11:33 am
AMBER ALERT:
Missing: Big Dog Haynes
If found, please tell him everything will be ok, simple as that.
December 16th, 2016 at 11:40 am
Glazers,
Offer Smitty a big fat raise and the Asst Head Coach title, please!!!
– Buccaneers Nation
December 16th, 2016 at 11:56 am
Smith isn’t even on the top 5 radar of candidates right now. This Buc uprising is barely over a month old. The Bucs would have to go deep into the playoffs for that to happen – like NFC championship game deep. Period.
December 16th, 2016 at 12:00 pm
Still want Gym Shorts (Jim Schwartz) Joe?
December 16th, 2016 at 12:22 pm
I got it!!!
Lets fire Dirk and promote Smitty!
LMAO. JK!
December 16th, 2016 at 12:26 pm
@Doosh- Your name says it all! What riveting insight!
December 16th, 2016 at 12:27 pm
Come on Joe, let’s not presume he’s already gone.
Instead, let’s show him the love and begin a LOUD, active fan campaign throughout Raymond James at the last home game chanting “Keep Coach Smith”, and then continue the campaign on radio call-in shows (local and national), and every fan blog site we fans all visit throughout the post-season and beyond.
After all, Captain and Tennile did once sing, “Love will keep us together” back in the 70’s. Hated the song, but I’d tune up my guitar and gladly sing it if he stayed!
December 16th, 2016 at 12:27 pm
Hard to believe Smith leaving is thought of as a done deal. The Glazers can afford to retain his services. How much money has been poured into failed players? Hit him with an offer that he won’t refuse. The fans demand it. You can’t take it with you, the cash.
December 16th, 2016 at 2:26 pm
Jacksonville makes so much sense. Smith has made no secret that he wants to be a head coach in the NFL. You can all pretend like he’s going to stay, but he’s as good as gone (barring a melt down from our defense). It sucks, but at the same time it’s a good thing because it means we are winning. Good teams get their assistants taken from them. Great teams keep winning. I think we’re gonna be a great team.
December 16th, 2016 at 2:34 pm
@Hawaiian buc
Exactly. Plus I sincerely believe we have had this potential for a while. Lovie held us back and a lot of DCs can succeed with our talent.
I hate to see him go but I won’t be surprised and I’ll be confident in Koetter’s decision.
December 16th, 2016 at 3:03 pm
Amen Hawaiian Buc, completely agree… especially about us becoming a great team… the good times are finally back, go Bucs!!
December 16th, 2016 at 3:09 pm
Thinking maybe Jay Hayes jumped ship to have a chance at D-coordinator when Smith leaves. Perhaps Dirk sold him on that idea. Just speculatin’… We don’t know. Being a great D-line coach doesn’t mean you’ll be a great coordinator. Duffner has some experience as a coordinator. Maxie was considered a real up-and-coming defensive coach in Tennessee, so he could be a candidate. And Jon Hoke has run college defenses. There are no shortage of candidates on staff, and unless there’s someone vastly better available externally, I think Coach K would opt for continuity in scheme and terminology by hiring within.
December 18th, 2016 at 3:03 am
Try hard to keep Smith here but if he goes to Jax anyway, hire from within his replacement, and keep as many of our good players as we can, and especially start the Tandy Man! Beat Dallas today!!!