Offense Feeling Heat
October 17th, 2018
Gravity of Mike Smith firing felt by offense.
This is a remarkable time to be a Bucs fan. The offense is humming like never before, but — ugh! — the defense.
Things are coming to a head now that someone at One Buc Palace finally had enough of Mike Smith’s ole non-defense and showed him the door. Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said the call was his but just based on how Koetter was adamant Smith’s job was safe just two weeks prior invites speculation that a member of Team Glazer or Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht ordered the hit.
Yes, the defense knows it has to play better if the Bucs hope to play meaningful games in January. But the firing of Smith was also felt by the offense.
Joe spoke with guard Evan Smith today and asked him if the offense is taking anything from Smith being jettisoned. He told Joe the offense is taking a hint from the move that they have to get their act straight, too. Or else.
“Before [Smith’s firing,” I think we have been practicing hard and playing hard, Smith said. “The biggest thing for us I think is getting that confidence back that we had in the first two games.
“If [Smith’s firing] is the wake-up call we needed to bring that swagger back? Whatever it is we have to try to find that again.”
Smith noted that even though the Bucs played well on offense Sunday at Atlanta, the confidence it had earlier in the season wasn’t the same. He believes the Windy City Wipeout drained the offense of confidence.
“I thought those [first] two games we were playing a lot looser, a lot faster,” Smith said. “Then we got into that funk in the Bears game. Things just didn’t feel right the whole game.
“Last week that was a shootout where we didn’t come out on top. We just missed.”
But Smith did not deny that Mike Smith’s firing got the attention of the whole team, not just defensive players. S(p)it is starting to get real and suits working in offices on the top floors of One Buc Palace are expecting bigger and better results, not next season, but now.
October 17th, 2018 at 4:08 pm
Those 1st two games…..
what’s changed since then…
we all know! some put player befoe team though. smh
October 17th, 2018 at 4:08 pm
If Koetter does get fired at the end of the year, I hope the next coach (Jim Schwartz), keeps Monken as his OC
October 17th, 2018 at 4:19 pm
@ Stupid Robert
Ah yes. We should have started Fitzpatrick in Chicago to keep our mojo rolling.
OH WAIT
October 17th, 2018 at 4:26 pm
@Robert
“Those 1st two games…..
what’s changed since then…
we all know! some put player befoe team though. smh”
____________________________________________________
Isn’t that what you just did? In your own cryptic way without mentioning the players name you just did what you accuse others of doing. Such sanctimonious BS
October 17th, 2018 at 4:26 pm
@ stupid robert
Etzel i had to steal that. I am sick of this team losing its “swagger” and going into a nose dive after they get punched in the mouth. It happens every year. Win the first game and then they get drilled in the 2nd game and the next thing you know they are 2-5 or 1-4. No mental toughness at all.
October 17th, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Etzel Says:
October 17th, 2018 at 4:19 pm
@ Stupid Robert
Ah yes. We should have started Fitzpatrick in Chicago to keep our mojo rolling.
OH WAIT
Etzel:
Joe needs to find an ignore feature on its site. That guy that posts every ten minutes about how awful Jamies is would be talking to himself.
October 17th, 2018 at 4:32 pm
Breking news Bucs waive Martino again. When will move on to up and coming player on the practice squad players. Stop making the same mistakes over and over.
October 17th, 2018 at 4:41 pm
Yes Bob I agree. Especially Martino being a wr. A position we are set at. That spot wether practice squad or activating needs to be used for developing a player at a position of need.
October 17th, 2018 at 4:48 pm
Having the *best* receiving corps in the league and being (literally) average at scoring should light a fire under them.
October 17th, 2018 at 4:58 pm
“Play higher on defense and blitz or it’s your a$$ next week Dirk!”-Team Glazer
Vinny Curry did not participate in practice Wednesday. Could the booted Brown Nassib that’s shown up in TB be starting at DE??? Interesting…
October 17th, 2018 at 5:00 pm
guzzie
I agree…..
look out for kris Richard too…..he helped mold earl Thomas, Sherman and chancellor in seattle…..
his title is secondary coach but he calls the defensive plays in dallas and their defense doesn’t even look the same…..its physical and attacking….
we need someone who isn’t afraid to give input for all 3 phases and can help save this defense and especially the secondary
NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
October 17th, 2018 at 5:05 pm
The NFL is a trickery business
We seen how the Bears did the Bucs
Then the Bears let Brock Osweiler light them up for 380 yards, 3 TD
And 35 year old Frank Gore run for 101 yards
I don’t even try to pick these games
October 17th, 2018 at 5:20 pm
bucs have top 5 receivers to go with an average qb .
October 17th, 2018 at 5:20 pm
813 good suggestion
October 17th, 2018 at 5:36 pm
Is Evan Smith worse than Benenoch?
If not, could we start him? Please.
October 17th, 2018 at 5:39 pm
@Guzzie Jim Schwartz will be more of the same losing. He is an Ego-Maniac who is a great defensive coordinator, but stinks with the interpersonal skills.
October 17th, 2018 at 5:40 pm
bench Benenenoch and start Evan Smith
October 17th, 2018 at 6:04 pm
Is Smith better than Benenoch? My six year old sister is better than Benenoch.
Coaching decisions are awful that’s why Dirk and the rest of his boys need to take the long walk after this year.
October 17th, 2018 at 6:29 pm
Guzzie. I agree also. I’ve been pounding the Schwartz drum since before we hired Smitty and complained ever since that we didn’t get as our DC. We just tried the offensive-minded Head Coach route and that worked so-so for our offense and horribly for our defense. We need to go to a defense oriented Head Coach now. I’d be all on board with Schwartz. I’d also be just fine with 813’s suggestion of Kris Richard also. That dude’s a stud coach in the making.
October 17th, 2018 at 6:36 pm
You know things are terrible when you’re asking for Evan Smith to play. Smh
October 17th, 2018 at 6:40 pm
My thoughts are with the bucs defense maybe they weren’t putting player in the best position to succeed. When Dungy came to Tampa he moved Sapp from d tackle to nose tackle and we all know what happened with the defense. With Jamis I hope he doesn’t become a Blake Bortles but maybe he need a stronger qb coach. Look at the qb for the Rams they were all calling the guy a bust however they change coaching staff and the guy is 1 of the top qbs in the nfl
October 17th, 2018 at 7:04 pm
I wanted Schwartz for DC as well before Mike Smith was hired.
As head coach? Not so much. He’s like Dirk, a better coordinator than head coach.
October 17th, 2018 at 10:01 pm
Stevebobucsfan
Sapp wasn’t a nose ever. He’s a 3 tech same as Gerald