Takeaways
August 5th, 2014
Never forget, nor even think, that Bucs coach Lovie Smith is anything but a defensive coach. And in some ways, he reminds Joe of Father Dungy.
The man who helped turn the franchise around preached defense. As he sadly demonstrated, Father Dungy neither cared for nor liked offense. Had no use for it, which essentially killed his days with the Bucs.
But defense? Few were better than Father Dungy, his standards were so so high.
Joe thought of this yesterday when Lovie preached defense to the local Tampa Bay pen and mic club.
“Speaking from the defensive point of view, it’s about taking the ball away – simple as that,” Lovie said. “If you hold an opponent to one hundred yards and don’t take the ball away, it’s an okay defensive game. [You have] got to take the ball away some kind of way. Every day, I go over with our team the turnover ratio and how important that is. When the ball is in the air, you’ve got to come up with it. And we did come up with a few today.”
Damn! Holding an offense to only 100 yards (or less) is just OK if you don’t have a turnover? Man, that’s one helluva standard, and Joe likes it. If your goal is crazy high, and you come close to reaching it, then that means more often than not, good things will happen.
What was it Vince Lombardi said? We will strive for perfection knowing full well we won’t reach it but in the process we will achieve excellence?
As far as takeaways go, don’t be surprised if the Bucs are leaders again this year. Last year, the Bucs were tied for third in the NFL with 31 takeaways, damn near two a game. Most of the same players on defense are back.
As for Lovie’s excellent words, hear more from the Bucs leader by clicking the red button below, courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.
August 5th, 2014 at 2:15 pm
Too bad those takeaways last year were made irrelevant by Gregory’s fear of taking calculated risks on offense.
August 5th, 2014 at 2:56 pm
Scared of first downs.
August 5th, 2014 at 3:34 pm
They must not have practiced getting first downs… just like the hurry up offense.
August 5th, 2014 at 3:48 pm
Father Dungy had no use for offense.
Nonsense.
August 5th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
Schiano must of been saving the good stuff that never came.
August 5th, 2014 at 4:56 pm
Anyone on here think Tedford will even be half as bad as Schiano was. We all know Sullivan lost the head set when the games got down to the wire….it was schiano running both sides of the ball. With Tedford and Barth alone last year would have been 7-9 season. This team will be seriously feared for 16 weeks along with the other competitive teams. Seems like history repeated itself with the Yuc’s and now we are back to Buc Football!!!!!!!!!!!
August 5th, 2014 at 5:24 pm
But I thought turnovers were “completely random” according to the really astute local radio host the ‘Big Dog?’. Wonder if he will go ahead and set Lovie straight on this point? I seem to remember him specifically letting Lovie talk about the importance of creating turnovers in his defense without challenging him on the “completely random” occurrence of turnovers!
August 5th, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Last year was a NIGHTMARE. But I am not one to wish things were different because I love how this year is unfolding. I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Thanks Schiano! It was all worth this! 🙂
August 5th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Warren “Mr. Tactful” Sapp recalled Gruden’s first days at OBP ranting that the offense was going to be held to the exact same standard the defense had been.
Dungy cared about offense, he just didn’t understand how to coach it. The defensive players saw it differently though.
August 5th, 2014 at 6:55 pm
@biff,
“…Dungy cared about offense, he just didn’t understand how to coach it. The defensive players saw it differently though…”
I think Lovie also falls into that category. He is hands off on offense. If Tedford is the real deal, we are fine for at least a year or two. If he is not? There will be a lot of close, frustrating games to watch where we are likely disappointed.
August 5th, 2014 at 7:18 pm
well, thank goodness schiano’s marbles retreated into his body in the second half of every game, it resulted directly in our owners going out and getting a capable coaching staff without delay
August 5th, 2014 at 7:23 pm
If Tony had no use for offense why trade for Keyshawn and bring in Brad?
And draft offensive guys in first round?
He never developed a great offense but to say he had no use for it is silly.
And you can’t coach teams to super bowls like Tony and Lovie without understanding offense.