Insider Insight On Lovie Smith
January 2nd, 2014
Roster control likely is part of his deal
Gabe Gabriel was a football operations staffer and scout with the Chicago Bears when new Bucs coach Lovie Smith ran the team. He offered insight this morning on the “Ron and Ian Show,” heard on WDAE-AM 620, as to what made Lovie click in Chicago and what his weakness were.
Gabriel also explained what the hiring of Lovie before a general manager may mean for the power structure at One Buc Palace.
Gabriel touched what Joe speculated earlier, that the timing of Lovie’s hire is an indicator of the new chain of command.
“Lovie was hired first, which usually means he has the power, the control over the roster,” Gabriel said. “When Jerry [Angelo] was in Chicago [as GM], he had control of the roster. You know, whether Jerry would be interested in that [structure] remains to be seen.”
Of course, Bucs fans likely will never know whether Smith also is the new personnel chief, regardless of his title or the presence of a new GM. Can Lovie deliver with that kind of control? Bucs fans might be seeing a slightly different look than what was on the field in Chicago.
Enjoy the interview. Gabriel’s a fan of Lovie and goes into his focus on offense and much more.
January 2nd, 2014 at 4:00 pm
May mean that Lovie shops for his own groceries…
Which would seem to indicate that the “new” emphasis is on defense.
I think it will also put a premium on a power-back type – either a power RB and/or a FB that actually carries the ball – only offensive focus will be to strategically give the undersized/speedy defense a chance to catch their wind.
Wonder what it will mean for diva WR’s?
January 2nd, 2014 at 4:08 pm
May mean too that an old buc that they know will work well with lovie will come in (mckay or angelo).
Not sure.
Lovie is great. You won’t see anymore 4-12 or 6-10 seasons will will always be in the hunt but will it be like the dungy years where we can’t get over the hump.
Lovie needs to change his offensive philosiphies… his best year in chicago he had his O ranked 23rd in the league… that was the best.
January 2nd, 2014 at 4:19 pm
The ‘new’ emphasis is on defense?? Since when hasn’t it been? Revis, Goldson, David, Spence, McCoy, Clayborn, Barron, Gholston, Gaitor, Means, etc. Seems like the focus has been defense for awhile.
January 2nd, 2014 at 4:21 pm
@mike n……It all depends on who the OC is. Lovie is not a micro manager.
January 2nd, 2014 at 5:39 pm
i guess the next round of digging for joe and his colleagues is to find out which moves he wasn’t crazy about or which ones he hoped to make but was shot down by his GM. that might give us a sense of what he might hope to do in tampa. i have a feeling making a play for jay cutler wasn’t lovie’s idea, but that is just speculation on my part
January 2nd, 2014 at 6:30 pm
Lol
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:12 pm
I’m sure Lovie will be fine with the team’s assortment of RBs, Matt Forte won’t be confused with Earl Campbell or Alstott and Lovie sure ran the heck out of him.
January 2nd, 2014 at 10:35 pm
MikeN – “Lovie needs to change his offensive philosiphies… his best year in chicago he had his O ranked 23rd in the league… that was the best.”
You might want to look at the 2006 Bear’s offensive stats again, as this statement by you is incorrect.
January 3rd, 2014 at 2:54 pm
@stratobuc… you are correct but i’m now sure how this is calculated… in 2006 espn ranks bears 15, profootball focus ranks them 3rd and nfl.com 24…
Not sure how to read it. I do know rex grossman never had any team #3 in anything in the pros.
Oh well… I do know lovie has a weakness on that side of the ball and I was hoping for a vetern play caller to help… not jeff jaga..i mean jeff tedford