Football Gods Wink At Bucs

January 9th, 2017
Passed over

Passed over

New word from BSPN on Mike Smith’s odds of scoring a head coaching gig should make Bucs fans, players and owners smile this evening.

BSPN’s Mr. Insider, Adam Schefter, is reporting the Jacksonville Jaguars want to promote offensive line coach Doug Marrone to head coach.

Bucs defensive coordinator Smith was allegedly a premium candidate, a very hot name, for the Jaguars gig.

If true, Smith’s options/possibilities appear to be down to the Chargers, where reports claim he interviewed last week.

Joe sees the Chargers job as a mess. Philip Rivers turns 36 next season. Antonio Gates is even older. And the team might be on the move to Los Angeles. They’ve got talent, but that’s a rather unstable situation lacking a free-spending ownership team.

Joe still thinks Smith would jump at the Chargers gig, but maybe, just maybe, he would pass and wait for something else, if it were offered.

Regardless, it appears the odds of Smith returning to Tampa Bay as defensive coordinator next season have improved this afternoon. Joe will raise an ice cold beer to that gift from the football gods.

74 Responses to “Football Gods Wink At Bucs”

  1. Make America Brate Again Says:

    He will not be leaving for Florida’s very own Factory of Sadness! If he gets passed over by the Chargers then he will very likely return. Remember, the recent trend in the NFL is to hire young, up and coming coaches.

    Make America Brate Again!

  2. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww man……….that sucks for coach Smith

    Sure I want Smith to stay, but at the same time……….his resume speaks for himself.

  3. The Buc Realist Says:

    WWWWWOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

    Best news all day!!!!!!!

    we really need Mike Smith 1 more year to really settle down the roster!!!!! Its been a while since the Bucs did not have major coaching changes in a offseason!!!!!!

    Go Coach Smitty!!!!!

    and Go Bucs!!!!!!

  4. DallasBuc Says:

    Sucks that we have to wait on him to decide so we can find a replacement.

  5. Nujerzbuc Says:

    For our sakes as bucs fans it would be nice to keep a DC with some sense!!! Give him Montravius Adams in the Second round. Give you a cog in the middle that can take on double teams with some pass rush ability to press the pocket as well.

  6. Nujerzbuc Says:

    Us waiting on him means we will be promoting within DallasBuc

  7. Artemis Rand Says:

    What Smith needs to do is to grow a REALLY big beard and look unkept and then he can stay on as Bucs DC forever.

    Seems to work for the Patriots…

  8. R.O. Says:

    Not Surprised.. been saying it the whole time. They want BB to workout.

  9. Not there yet Says:

    This is all rumor mill news, not banging on you Joes but when he’s 100% a lock to return them I’ll get excited but if he left I think we have his replacement in house and we’d keep on rolling because no matter what everyone knew he wouldn’t be here very long, if he’s going is like him to get on with it instead having the setback of being a playoff team then starting over

  10. Supersam Says:

    Called it.

  11. NewTampaChris Says:

    I like Mike Smith as our DC a lot. But if you were moving your team to L.A., and were going to be the second team in a so-so market, I would think you’d look for a “splashier” hire than Smith.

    Don’t get me wrong — he’s got the best resume of any current candidate. But maybe not the right guy at the right time for the Chargers.

  12. feelthepewterpower Says:

    Buccs should fire Dirk Koetter and keep Mike Smith as head coach to keep him from leaving.

  13. Patrick in VA Says:

    So, Smith wrote a book about leadership. I’m not sure how much of an expert that makes him, but it means that he is at least aware of certain core elements of what it takes to lead effectively. I would think that means he understands how hamstrung he would be in his leadership efforts there in San Diego by the ownership. Perhaps that, coupled with the roster woes they have there, would be enough to get him to take a pass this year and continue to build this thing here in Tampa. It would only bolster his credentials if he comes back next year and has the defense looking hot from opening day rather than having to get everyone on the same page after the first quarter of the season has already passed.

  14. SCBucsFan Says:

    Come back, Coach Smitty and show them they made a mistake by fielding the best defense in NFL history!

  15. The Buc Realist Says:

    @Joe

    Now we just need dominik to use his “Has inside knowledge” to say the coach smitty is the lead candidate for the chargers job!!!!!!!

    Go BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  16. Buccfan37 Says:

    Coach Smith ain’t going nowhere, don’t try to send him nowhere, don’t look for him to go nowhere, cause he’s not going anywhere.

  17. Doctor Stroud Says:

    I think that the Chargers want another Bucs coach, that is an ex-Bucs coach, Jon Gruden. RO is exactly right. This is good news for Bortles. They also hired Tom Coughlin as Executive VP for football operations.

  18. Mike Johnson Says:

    Mike Smith was fired by Arthur Blanks..ATL for a reason. I don’y think he gets a shot at HC next season. And I think..I hope..he’s smart enough not to take just any HC job. Smith is right where he’s suppose to be.

  19. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    Not there yet Says:
    January 9th, 2017 at 4:29 pm
    This is all rumor mill news, not banging on you Joes but when he’s 100% a lock to return them I’ll get excited but if he left I think we have his replacement in house and we’d keep on rolling because no matter what everyone knew he wouldn’t be here very long, if he’s going is like him to get on with it instead having the setback of being a playoff team then starting over
    —————————–

    Espn is reporting this as well…………….Joe’s more reliable than the rumor mill btw

  20. Lord Cornelius Says:

    I’d be more excited about keeping Smith than any FA we can sign.

  21. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    Mike Johnson Says:
    January 9th, 2017 at 5:06 pm
    Mike Smith was fired by Arthur Blanks..ATL for a reason. I don’y think he gets a shot at HC next season. And I think..I hope..he’s smart enough not to take just any HC job. Smith is right where he’s suppose to be.
    ____________________________

    ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS!?!?!?!

    ………gimme some of what you’re smoking?

    Mike Smith is definitely a good coach and will get another shot at HC again

  22. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    Lord Cornelius Says:
    January 9th, 2017 at 5:09 pm
    I’d be more excited about keeping Smith than any FA we can sign
    ____________________

    Well considering the fact that we really don’t have FA worth keeping, I 100% agree with you

    LOL

  23. Lord Cornelius Says:

    “Mike Smith was fired by Arthur Blanks..ATL for a reason.”

    Sure. You know who else was fired for some reason at some point?

    Bill Bellicheck
    Pete Carrol
    Gary Kubiak
    Andy Reid
    Tom Coughlin

    Those 5 coaches were all fired and did amazing the 2nd time they got a chance to coach. Hell if you throw Tony Dungy in there; then 2nd chance Head Coaches won 8 of the last 13 super bowls lol

  24. Lord Cornelius Says:

    “Lord Cornelius Says:
    January 9th, 2017 at 5:09 pm
    I’d be more excited about keeping Smith than any FA we can sign
    ____________________

    Well considering the fact that we really don’t have FA worth keeping, I 100% agree with you

    LOL”

    I meant FA signings in general – not our own FAs

  25. grafikdetail Says:

    Jags have hired Doug Marrone as head coach… will bring back Tom Coughlin as VP

  26. Bucsfanman Says:

    Continuity, continuity, continuity! I think it’s important for our defense to have Smitty back, if that’s the story.

  27. DB55 Says:

    DB55 Says:
    December 6th, 2016 at 7:50 pm
    EA

    I’m hearing Tom Coughlin returns to Jax. Coughlin has a couple of rings too.

  28. Pit Says:

    And they are Saying tom coughlin will take the job not marrone

  29. DB55 Says:

    For an ignorant fool I sure can call it right ahead of time consistently. I know I’m not a “real buc fan” though that’s prob why I have a clue though huh?

  30. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    How many media guys reported an “inside source” or “team source” that said he was a lock for the Jags?

    Just goes to show that you cannot trust anything you here from the media until it is a done deal.

    I still hold to my statement…if Mike smith leaves after only one year, I’ll loose all respect for him.

    This team has sucked for so long because of a lack of stability at coaching. He knows this, and if he leaves, he’s a douche.

  31. DB55 Says:

    Coughlin will be senior exec while Doug will be HC.

  32. StAugBuc Says:

    Pit Says:
    January 9th, 2017 at 5:31 pm

    Joe do you ever have original news that you can get yourself? It’s always somebody else you would think at least For the BuCS you should have more access then the others. Oh well……
    ______________________________________________________
    Who the Jags hire is breaking Jags news, not Bucs news

  33. Fred E. Buc Says:

    I’d rather drag my beasting through a mile of broken glass than be associated with the Chargers. Of course, this is what Mike would want. And I wonder what Mrs. Smith would want…not setting up “house” for a two years or more if they move to San Diego/Los Angeles. This could work out to sweeten the pot for staying back here too. Say, nice bump in pay and assistance head coach here (maybe $3.5-4M), but just not the $6-7M he’d make elsewhere.

  34. Buc1987 Says:

    Anthem…in MJ’s mind Mike Smith was fired for good reason and Lovie was fired for no good reason.

    See the logic?

  35. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    Buc1987 Says:
    January 9th, 2017 at 5:45 pm
    Anthem…in MJ’s mind Mike Smith was fired for good reason and Lovie was fired for no good reason.

    See the logic?
    ______________________

    Ha ha ha ha

    Makes perfect sense!

  36. Tampa Tony Says:

    But Mark Dominik said…. ha ha ha

  37. Doctor Stroud Says:

    Milli Vanilli-loving ex-GM Mark Dominick guessed wrong. Then again, he’s not a Jags insider.

  38. Getaclue Says:

    Chargers or Broncos would be better of getting someone like Kyle Shannahan and are both 3-4 teams and have Rex Ryan come in as a coordinator. I don’t think smith is a good fit scheme wise outside of Jacksonville

  39. orlbucfan Says:

    Coughlin needs to stay off the field and in the office. Marrone is the better coaching choice for the Jags. Re: MSmith, I know he wants to be a HC, but San Diego? Plus, if the team moves to LA? That’s a double headache for a HC. If Smith is smart, he’ll park it one more year here. Who is MJ?

  40. LovieBall Says:

    Now Mike Smith knows he needs that defense to be even better to get a HC job. Good news for us!

  41. Dirk Disco Says:

    Can you imagine going to a head coaching gig this year to a team not set at QB? Rivers is done, 49ers are a disaster, Jags are praying that Blake Bortles is the answer (I think you can win with him), and Denver doesn’t have the guy. All of these teams need and the draft is looking sparse for top tier QBs.

  42. Fred E. Buc Says:

    It’s Official. Doug Marrone and Coughlin on the JAX Docket….
    Let’s hold out for Smitty to NOT go to SD.

    http://www.boston.com/sports/nfl/2017/01/09/jaguars-hire-doug-marrone-as-head-coach-bring-back-tom-coughlin-in-front-office-role

  43. AceofAerospace Says:

    I’m banking on the Bucs rewarding him with a super bowl appearance soon and very soon.

  44. MadMax Says:

    Come on Joe’s. No open thread for the National Champ game being played in our stadium?

  45. cmurda Says:

    Sorry for the unrelated post Joe but did the Bucs move the pirate ship for College Nat’l Champ Game? Oh man. That is sac-religious.

  46. Mike Evans GOAT Says:

    C murda
    No, it was there earlier today

  47. Rod Munch Says:

    Mike Smith was hired with the understanding if he did a decent to good job he’d be leaving, and with that I really hope they had an understudy working with him that is ready to go – the last thing we need is to have yet another new defense for the players to learn. If Smith does leave I hope however they put in place is someone who runs this exact same defense, perhaps the week 17 version where Mike Smith finally figured out how to use David.

  48. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    LOOK AT THAT BLOCK BY OJ HOWARD! BEAST!

  49. Mike Evans GOAT Says:

    I think us drafting OJ Howard depends on his 40 time. If he runs a blazing 40 then he will shoot up draft boards

  50. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    Well Here’s hoping he runs a 4.55!

  51. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    Clemson is Throwing the game Lol.

  52. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    On a side note, Cam Robinson is not worth a 1st round pick.

  53. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    Dang this Bo Scarborough kid is cutting it up.

    Not sure where he’s projected to go, but I’d get him in the 3rd or 4th were he available.

  54. DB55 Says:

    I’ll take anyone of the DTs on Al dline. They seem to have gumption which is more than I can say about goodest DT tampas ever seen he’s not Sapp but he’s a goodest player and he’s nice. He’s a great guy ya’ll. Yee haw

  55. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    Lol DB55 go home, you’re drunk. XD

    Just playing man, these alabama dlineman are mighty impressive.

  56. Trubucfan22 Says:

    https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/12/smith-jax-chatter-gets-louder/#comments

    Trubucfan22 Says:
    December 31st, 2016 at 3:56 pm
    Smith might get interest and go for the interviews. But it’s no sure thing he gets offered a job. With names like Coughlin and marrone out there, there are some good fully qualified Hc candidates also looking for work. Smith should be a name floated around. I think he is a good coach. Any responsible interviewer would do their due diligence and at least talk to mike Smith. but like i said, it doesnt mean he gets the job.

    Called this back in december.

  57. Buc1987 Says:

    DB…he likes to “have fun” too.

  58. PaBucsfan Says:

    Why is it called BSPN here and many other times, but when Jenna Laine reports it’s called ESPN? I’m just curious.

  59. Mike Evans GOAT Says:

    Is this guy jimmy graham with blocking ability or what?

  60. Pit Says:

    Is it me or Foster the safety of AL looks good. He hits hard good tackling.

  61. Mike Evans GOAT Says:

    Foster is a MLB. Not a safety, and yes he hits HARD

  62. LargoBuc Says:

    Oj Howard with Brate and Evans would torture opposing defenses in the red zone.

  63. Mike Evans GOAT Says:

    Clemson knocked off the big bad SEC giant Bama!!!!!

  64. cmurda Says:

    Woo hoo. What a game at Ray Jay! Respect Alabama and all but I loved every inch of Clemson winning this thing.

  65. Pit Says:

    My bad that tells how much I would like a hard hitting safety

  66. PRBucFan Says:

    Dallas, it’s already been decided if he so chooses to move on, count on it lol

  67. Rojas Says:

    I would trade back pick up some picks and take Howard.

  68. THETRUTH Says:

    PAY SMITH!!! Give him enough to wait anther year and make sure the man in waiting is getting with Smith every day of the year becoming a better defensive coordinator. tHAT WAY NO DROP OFF AND RESPECT FROM PLAYERS when that person takes over when Smith does leave.

  69. ZZBucs!!! Says:

    Next year will have better opportunities for Smitty, makes sense he stays another year in TB, Colts? steelers?

  70. Eric Says:

    Everyone is talking about OJ Howard. I want Mike Williams.

  71. America's Commenter Says:

    The league isn’t convinced that 5 or 6 good games means the defense has turned the corner. They didn’t show up when a playoff berth was on the line, so there is definitely still a lot of work to be done.

    While Smith had an excellent regular season record his first 5 years in ATL, the Falcons went 1-4 in the post season despite having some excellent teams.

  72. orlbucfan Says:

    While Smith had an excellent regular season record his first 5 years in ATL, the Falcons went 1-4 in the post season despite having some excellent teams.
    ———————————————–
    That’s the reason Arthur Blank canned Mike Smith. His and the Dixie Chicks’ fans’ frustration at them not being able to get to the SB. Go figure. Atlanta is a very old franchise, right up there with the Aints.

  73. Lord Corn Says:

    Atlanta lost most those playoff games to the eventual SB champ – bad draws most years but still had to be disappointing

  74. PRBucFan Says:

    With Brate emerging as an elite talent, the Bucs won’t draft a TE first.