“He Didn’t Blink, Man.”
November 19th, 2014
Have the Bucs found a coaching gem? A prominent Buccaneer thinks so.
Joe is stunned that many Bucs fans believe Lovie Smith already has decided to use a premium 2015 draft pick on a quarterback, and hire a new offensive coordinator for next season.
On the contrary, Joe thinks Lovie would rejoice at the chance to bring back Josh McCown and acting offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo.
Of course, that’s only if the duo can prove itself through the next six games and make that call easy for the head coach.
Joe defines “easy” as Lovie not having to fight off massive fan and media backlash for failing to investing in Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, or any player with true franchise-QB potential.
Last night, McCown painted an amazingly glowing picture of Arroyo during Total Access on the Buccaneers Radio Network. He revealed that not only has Arroyo thrived in his new role, but he hasn’t slipped an inch in his quarterback coach duties.
“I feel like he’s getting better and better every week,” McCown said of Arroyo. “Man, my comfort level on the field, just knowing another good play is coming, another good play is coming. I mean it’s encouraging as a player. It gives you a peace and an ease as a player. And so it’s just really, really hats off to him for what he’s done, the situation that, you know, he was kind of dealt.
“To be able step in and embrace it and find growth in it, and to get better. And he’s doing things, that are helping, you know, making calls and doing things that are helping our team win. That’s huge for us.
“I feel like the time that we spend together. The things that we talk about, we’ll go spend more time together tonight after we get done [on the radio]. And I can feel it play out on Sundays. ‘Oh, yeah, that’s what we talked about.’ I know why he’s going where he’s going with a call because of something we’ve talked about late in the evenings.”
McCown explained that every last quarterback coach detail has been attended to by Arroyo, despite the increased workload.
“Just to put it in perspective, there are different sheets and things and information that he was getting to us as quarterbacks coach before he had this expanded role. And since he’s taken over, none of that has dropped off. He still gives us the same information. … He’s not wavered in that, man,” McCown said. “The detail, the way he approaches coaching the position has not changed one bit. … Sometimes the details can give way to having to worry about the bigger picture, and he’s not let up on the details of what we do as far as playing quarterback. And that’s huge. It’s huge for me. It’s huge for Mike [Glennon]. It’s a credit to Marcus and his work ethic.”
McCown went on to emphasize that Arroyo is still a young NFL newcomer. “He didn’t blink, man. He didn’t blink. He’s gotten better every week. He’s brought, you know, a great presence and attitude not only to our room, but amongst the whole offense.”
November 19th, 2014 at 11:05 am
McCown is starting next year, that’s virtually a lock at this point. Only question is will there be a QB drafted at all? Certainly not with one of the first 3 picks, Lovie will demand defensive players after going offensive exclusive last year. Only offensive players he’ll take are lineman.
November 19th, 2014 at 11:11 am
I loved the fact that they kept going to Evans and kept throwing in the 4th quarter even with the lead. It was nice to see the coaches keep doing what had been working the entire game and playing to win instead of not to lose.
November 19th, 2014 at 11:16 am
I doubt Lovie thinks the way it is portrayed here.
Remember he went and got Marshall and Cutler in Chicago.
And, contrary to conventional wisdom that he does not care about offense, he drafted all offense in last years draft.
That being said he probably has beat his head against the wall for the way his defense has performed this year. I’m sure he longs to fix that.
Can’t really play Lovie ball without the defense, as we have discovered.
November 19th, 2014 at 11:19 am
There was a definite change in the way the game was called after the team moved on from Tedford. It’s certainly not a finished product, nor should we expect it to be when they’re putting it together on the fly like this, but I like the hints I’ve seen from these last few weeks. Hoping that they can keep that passing intensity up while distributing to more receivers and incorporating the run game effectively. But, if we don’t have the run blocking line that we need then it is what it is and we need to air it out. We had inklings of that in the off season when Joe pointed out that all of the linemen we were bringing in had a definite pass blocking flavor to them
November 19th, 2014 at 11:20 am
Maybe Arroyo is just hitting his stride. He was put into an unexpected position at the beginning of the year, and he’s probably still learning.
November 19th, 2014 at 11:28 am
I feel it was rather obtuse of Lovie to draft all offensive players, thinking he could do magic with whatever defensive players he was given.
Always could use depth at Dline and cornerback. Linebacker too
November 19th, 2014 at 11:30 am
Picks by rounds
1-OT
2-OG
3-Center
Do your own research on this guy DE Brandon Kaufusi
if we trade down inthe 1st round we could squeeze Brandon Kaufusi @2 or 3
November 19th, 2014 at 11:32 am
It would seem that Arroyo is at least learning from his mistakes and making adjustments. Will have to watch as the rest of the season goes and see what happens. He was thrown into a pretty hot fire to put out and has done admirably well all things considered.
November 19th, 2014 at 11:34 am
Glad to hear Arroyo is working hard and attending to details. He is to be commended for stepping into a very difficult situation for which he was ill prepared and working hard to achieve a goal.
Unfortunately, his inexperience is a detriment to the progress of the Bucs offense. We need someone in the OC position who has been there-done that many times with a proven system – preferably with a track record of success at the NFL level. Arroyo does not even come close to that criteria. He has very limited play calling experience and is working from someone else’s (modified) system as his blueprint and is basically just making it up as he goes at this point using Tedford’s offensive scheme as a base. Not good enough and the offensive results have not been close to good enough.
I understand why Arroyo was chosen to fill Tedford’s role once it was determined Tedford wasn’t going to be our OC this year (sure would be nice to know how that actually came about) – because you can’t very well change the entire offensive scheme during the season. But, if coach Smith does not make a concerted effort to find the best possible candidate to fill the OC position for next year – then he is not deserving to coach this team. Simple as that….
November 19th, 2014 at 11:34 am
We will lack depth for another year or two. The time they fix the Rockstar mess
November 19th, 2014 at 11:44 am
Joe is reading Lovie’s logical, non-creative mind….for sure….
So many out there are acting like all is well…..just because you managed a round of even par at putt-putt (Redskins) doesn’t mean you’re going to tear up a real golf course…..
November 19th, 2014 at 11:45 am
If we are in position to take a QB, WE BETTER! QB is the most important positiion on the field. I wonder if some people really know football, bring Josh back, thats fine. You have to draft either Winston or Mariota if your in position to do so. The Colts took Luck when they were a 2-14 team, they had plenty of other needs but you NEVER skip on a franchise QB, when he is available. Especially when you NEED a QB.. Save your argument about finding a QB in the later rounds, it’s not going to happen.
November 19th, 2014 at 11:49 am
So now we’re saying it wouldn’t make sense to get an experienced offensive coordinator?
That makes no sense, Keep Arroyo on as a quarterbacks coach, and get an Experienced coordinator.
November 19th, 2014 at 11:56 am
@Another J – Generally when you pick up an experienced coordinator they’re available because they got pitched from their previous position. An OC that is in an OC spot right now is not going to leave that for a lateral move. Maybe we have an up and comer that can grow in to the position and flourish. Just because you didn’t know what his name was before this season doesn’t mean that he can’t be good. I’m willing to see the season out anyway to see what improvements there are. If we’re humming then there’s no need to move on
November 19th, 2014 at 11:59 am
If we hire a new coordinator, that would mean a whole new system. I think it’s best to stick with Arroyo, and see how he finishes the season.
November 19th, 2014 at 12:00 pm
This isn’t Cleveland Joe!! This coach won’t draft who the fans want and it makes complete sense to bring back josh whole a rookie quarterback learns the ropes. I mean that’s what Jacksonville tried to do this year. No one in the nfl media will mention depth if the starters are playing lights out that’s so ridiculous to think that’s the only way to win. Guess what no one is saying we have no depth behind lavonte David but they complain about it behind Gmc because they aren’t being productive enough
November 19th, 2014 at 12:00 pm
Before you shoot par you have to break 80……
Nobody is saying all is well. But all surely all was not well before Lovie’s arrival either.
Takes a little time to work the duck hook OB out of the game.
November 19th, 2014 at 12:15 pm
Lovie is not drafting a QB until at least round 3, most likely later if at all. Remember Lovie is going to be in win now mode next year. 3-13, 6-10 is fired. He is going to believe if he fixes the defense, he can win 10 games with Josh McCown starting. He probably doubts he can win 7 with a rookie starting.
The draft Mariota/Jamies folks need to seriously re-adjust their expectations so they aren’t too angry and disappointed when they don’t draft one. Lovie is taking a pass rusher or OL with the first round pick. Can see it from a mile away, just like there was no chance he was taking Manziel last year.
November 19th, 2014 at 12:34 pm
bucrightoff…I think you’re wrong and I can see that from 10 miles away.
November 19th, 2014 at 12:36 pm
Joe is playing the odds thinking Lovie will stay pat with both McCown and Arroyo because, left to his own devices, Lovie will. He wants as little change on the offense as possible if there is measureable progress in the remaining games.
I’d rather keep Arroyo and draft the QOF. There will be most likely be friction between a high profile OC and Lovie anyway.
November 19th, 2014 at 12:40 pm
@ buckrightoff
I totally agree…..the problem with selecting a new OC is they will force Lovie’s hand with drafting a QB…..if they don’t they are just yes-men……
I can see us trading down with our pick….and possibly selecting a QB in later rounds….in that case….Glennon would be traded at draft time.
There are several QBs that could eventually do quite well as there always are.
I think Lovie desperately wants & needs a pass rush!!!
November 19th, 2014 at 12:58 pm
No 87 you hope I’m wrong. You know I’m most likely going to be correct. Lovie is who he is, he’s shown little so far to suggest he’s changed so far, why would he now?
November 19th, 2014 at 1:06 pm
This offense sucks… Mike Evans is the real deal and if weren’t for him we would have ZERO offense…
Arroyo is NOT an NFL quality OC… If Love refuses to upgrade next year and we suck again he deserves to be fired…
There will be plenty of offensive coordinators available… Why stick with Tedford’s stoolie?
Only advantage is see is not having to change the offense AGAIN…
November 19th, 2014 at 1:10 pm
QB coming in draft, Arroyo will remain OC, McCown will start next year and the following year if Lovie survives, McCown becomes QB coach. Lovie loves consistency and his loyalty will be eveident when he keeps our special teams coach and DC (unless Marinelli becomes available-maybe)
November 19th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
The prospect of McCown being the QB and Arroyo remaining the OC just made me throw up a little.
November 19th, 2014 at 1:20 pm
The bucs beat an imploding team and all is well in Tampa what a joke, the defense is still like swiss chesse and mccown is stilla carreer backup who is lucky that mike evqans is a stud…there is no running game and now there comes chicago and 20 degree weather…looking like a nice 30 spot for the bears
November 19th, 2014 at 1:23 pm
Here is a wrench for all the sheep around here that think that a new OC is a given. Lovie’s Job will be on the rocks next year. What OC will want a 2 year deal tied to a head coach that will be on the hot seat???
November 19th, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Na, it was one game, and it was the skins, so Im waiting to see more “winning” consistency. Im still planning on picking top 3-5 in the draft.
Its funny though, we get more coverage from nfl network because its all about RG3 and him focusing on San fran cisco than weve got all season….oh well.
November 19th, 2014 at 1:39 pm
Not sure why you should be stunned, Joe. Most fans just repeat what you’ve said and you’ve said we need a QB in next years draft. Exhibit A: Winston Watch. And obviously all of your readers work inside OBP so they know what Lovie is thinking.
I have no problem with Arroyo staying on as the OC. Continuity is VERY important for organizational success. What I am certain needs to happen, though, is the hiring of a QB coach to help relieve some of the duties that Arroyo has. He can only get better if he has less duties to tend to.
Oh yeah? Where do they have Winston ranked on their draft board? Oh, you haven’t seen it? Then your statement holds ZERO weight.
So let me get this straight:
If you get thrown into a job that you weren’t ready for and do the best you can and actually make improvements over the course of the year, you deserve to be fired?
Would you be saying this same thing if you were promoted at work?
Dom’s mess, not Schiano’s, right? Cause he was perfect and all the good players on our team are guys that he obviously drafted and the bad ones he had no decision on?
I’m just trying to gain some understanding here…
And your suggestion makes even less sense.
1. What’s to say an OC isn’t going to want to work with his own staff of guys he trusts?
2. After working as an OC, whats to say that Arroyo is going to want to stay on as a QB coach? Who’s to say that some college level HC sees him as a young up-and-coming OC?
3. Why would you want to bring in someone who is likely to change the system? Don’t you believe in continuity?
4. Wouldn’t the MOST SENSE be that Arroyo (and Lovie) find and bring in a QB coach that they trust or promote from within (which the probably would’ve done if they felt they had a suitable candidate)?
I’m no GM, HC or director of scouting, but it would seem that those 4 options are all significantly better than what you suggested.
November 19th, 2014 at 1:42 pm
Do you mind giving me this weeks’ powerball drawing too?
And if we would’ve lost to this “imploding team” what would you have said?
“This tampa team is a joke. they can’t even beat an imploding team”
I hope when we start winning more there will be more intellectual conversation and debate in the comments section (like it used to be) rather than all the complaining, trolling and negativity that goes on now.
GoBucs
November 19th, 2014 at 2:01 pm
Arroyo has been double promoted. He went from a college guy to a new NFL QB coach to a NFL offensive coordinator in a few months. And if that double promotion isn’t bad enough the organization didn’t backfill his QB coach role.
You would never put an employee in this position in your business. You wouldn’t feel confident if you were double promoted at your job, of course you’d jump at the opportunity but you just wouldn’t be good at it at first…and maybe not ever.
Same thing happened with Morris. Promoted from DB coach to D-coordinator to HC in a few months and no D-coordinator hired to back fill the old role. It didn’t work. It won’t work now.
It’s bad management of the organization from the very top and this has happened twice with two different GMs so I blame the Glazers.
November 19th, 2014 at 2:12 pm
Celly Says:
Oh yeah? Where do they have Winston ranked on their draft board? Oh, you haven’t seen it? Then your statement holds ZERO weight.
_______________________________________________________________
Actually Winston is off their draft board completely. Mariota isn’t because he’s a good Christian boy, but Winston might be Satan so Lovie isn’t getting involved. Besides I’m using 10 years of Lovie coaching evidence to show me he’s not tying himself to a rookie QB to save his job. But he will to Josh McCown, bet that.
November 19th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
@bucrightoff – did 10 years of Lovie coaching tell you that he was going to go all offense in this draft?
November 19th, 2014 at 2:21 pm
A. What do you think McCown going to do and pull a RGII? “I really think this kid is in over his head. He tries real hard but obviously we haven’t performed better because it takes 11 guys being in synch. Not one guy, 11 guys, and the blame falls on him.” Of course not, he’s going to praise him because THATS WHAT FOOTBALL PLAYERS ARE SUPPOSED TO DO TO THE MEDIA. Fool.
B. If you pass on a potential franchise QB in favor of a LT, G or otherwise you are an idiot. A complete and total idiot. If Lovie wants to go after a stud DE and thinks that the next Mario Williams is going to win more games than the next Aaron Rodgers then he can dig his own grave and preferably fire himself the next week for gross incompetence.
Also if Lovie was in search of choir boys I’m not sure exactly how Brandon Marshall and Tank Johnson appeared on his roster with the Bears then. It seemed like a lot of money to give Marshall as a free agent if your coach is so sternly against that type of player. But bucright knows all so who am I to say.
November 19th, 2014 at 2:23 pm
*Lovie and the Bears traded for Marshall and his contract. Posted it before I remembered that they traded 2 3rd round picks for him. Sorry.
November 19th, 2014 at 2:51 pm
Lovie is passing on the QB. I’ve already accpeted it, you all should too. That way you won’t throw a fit when he passes on one. But frankly this team is deeply flawed and needs the trenches more than anything.
If Lovie drafts Jameis or Mariota, he has to start them right away. The fanbase will demand it, no way in hell will people accept starting McCown ahead of them. Which comes back to my original point: Do people think Lovie is tying his future to a rookie QB? If the rookie tanks and the Bucs go 5-11, welcome to firedsville for Lovie, meaning his “QB of the future:” won’t even be his QB for long. Lovie is riding McCown next year, or getting another vet. People don’t want to hear it, and that’s fine, but it’s not gonna change what Lovie will do.
November 19th, 2014 at 2:56 pm
Pretty Easy
If Arroyo proves up for the Task- he stays As Offensive Coordinator
We hire a new QB coach
I’m all for waiting another year to draft our QB
Winston is atheletically and skill wise a giant
Mentally- I don’t want the future of this franchise to depend on him!
Mentally- immature to point of being brain damaged
Mariotta- he plays in a system that bears no resemblance to NFL style offense.
Can he adjust to a totally different scheme? Who knows?
November 19th, 2014 at 3:13 pm
It is time for some of you to stop dismissing the Redskins, they still have a better record than Tampa Bay does… if you are what your record says you are, then we just beat a better team.
November 19th, 2014 at 4:11 pm
DUDE THEY ARE 2 – 8!!!!! JUST BECAUSE THEY BEAT THE REDSKINS DOES NOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT THIS ENTIRE COACHING STAFF IS HORRIBLE AND NEEDS TO BE CHANGED!
November 19th, 2014 at 4:19 pm
this sounds alot like the way the bucs organization & fans talk ourselves out of expecting more and\or taking a risk year after year. “good for a first year guy”. “did decent under difficult circumstances”. “earned a chance to develop next year”. let’s go out and use this offseason as an opportunity to get the best playcaller and offensive coordinator out there. period. no qualifying statements about effort, learning on the job, or difficult circumstances
November 19th, 2014 at 5:36 pm
I heard u say this yesterday and was shaking my head. If McCown can keep playing the way he did on Sunday then I have no problem with him staying. But Arroyo better start calling better games than he did against the Redskins and the one against Atlanta was atrocious.
Running 90 percent of the time on first down like we did against the ‘Skins isn’t showing me much of a creative mind for play calling.
November 19th, 2014 at 6:19 pm
my bad is the NFL the premier league for football?…it doesnt look like it considering we’re ok with “getter better” guy and a backup…wow and they wonder why we have better things to do on sunday….
November 20th, 2014 at 4:04 am
Pretty much know lovie will pick a ot in round one then de in round two will also move Collins to guard