Call Rob Chudzinski
December 29th, 2014
Ok, you can stop celebrating the No. 1 overall pick. It’s time to get serious about finding the guy who will coach that pick.
That’s the new Bucs offensive coordinator, a guy the Bucs should have started their hot pursuit of last night.
There’s no reason to screw around. It’s one critical hire. Lovie Smith can’t blow this. Team Glazer and Jason Licht can’t allow it.
Former Panthers offensive coordinator and Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski has experience with a No. 1 overall pick. He did a masterful job turning Cam Newton into a first-year success after Newton — and all rookies that 2011 season — missed three months of the offseason because of the asinine NFL lockout.
At the time, many said Newton had no shot of immediate NFL success because he came from a spread offense at Auburn and had no time to adapt to the NFL.
Chudzinski didn’t let that happen, and Newton has since praised the education and forced adjustment that was crammed into him by his former coordinator.
Chudzinski may not be the best name out there, but he is legitimate, and there’s no question he can manage an entire offense. The former University of Miami tight end is a coaching lifer who has served under his share of big names, and Joe likes that Chudzinski knows how to use a big tight end.
He had a big voice in swinging the trade with Lovie Smith’s Bears for Greg Olsen back in 2011. And Olsen’s career blossomed from there.
No, Joe’s not endorsing Chuzinski, but the Bucs have to move fast to interview quality candidates.
Chudzinski was hired early this year by the Colts as an advisor, under his friend Chuck Pagano. Joe’s confident Chudzinski would be interested in talking.
December 29th, 2014 at 8:14 am
Right on Joe. This is Lovie’s LAST chance, if he doesn’t get this right her will never coach in the NFL again. Time to grow a pair, and get a good OC. Let the OC do his job and run the O the way he needs to for the Bucs to win games. Lovie, time to put your ego aside, and realize it is 2014( almost 2015).
December 29th, 2014 at 8:14 am
Should be hired today
December 29th, 2014 at 8:16 am
Lovie Smith = OC Killer.
Simple as that….
December 29th, 2014 at 8:18 am
I’d be delighted if we could land Chud.
But why would he want to coach offense for Lovie when there will be opportunities elsewhere?
December 29th, 2014 at 8:27 am
I really don’t understand where you guys get that Lovie is this iron-fisted coach who demands that his assistants do things by the letter that he lays down. How many times have we heard from players this year, and from interviews of players in Chicago, how Lovie not only operates at a CEO level where he lets his coaches coach but, what’s more, wants very little to do with the offense. He thought that we needed to run more but didn’t intervene. That tells you everything you need to know right there. Any OC that comes in here will legitimately be the head coach of the offense. Lovie cannot wait to turn it over to a competent coach that can handle the duty.
December 29th, 2014 at 8:37 am
Personally speaking, I have the feeling that Lovie still believes in the system he was brought up under as a coach, Dungyball 1.0. The belief that defense wins championships, and that the offense should score just enough points to win, and to hold on to the ball with a strong running game. Of course, Dungy got that philosophy from Chuck Noll and the Pittsburgh Steelers of the 70’s. The thing is, once Dungy got a taste of what a great offense can do (Payton Manning’s Colts), even he changed his outlook on what it takes to win in the NFL. Unfortunately, Lovie hasn’t had his “Payton Moment”, and coaches and preaches like he still believes in Dungyball 1.0.
I think one of the most telling stats the Fox broadcast team showed yesterday was the number of QBs we’ve drafted, who have had success after their stint with the Bucs, where even TRENT DILFER won a Super Bowl. The difference is all of those successful QBs were drafted in the Hugh Culverhouse era. For the 1st time in the Glazer era, we can draft a QB with the number one pick of the draft. A chance to build up an offense around a franchise QB, while our defense continues to improve. But, this can also be a chance to add to our less than stellar history of QB handling. The hiring of a competent Offensive Coordinator in just as important as choosing the right QB. So many things are at stake this offseason, the tension level for Bucs fans is higher now than the past 5 years. A part of me wants to rage at the ineptitude shown by the team this year, but the older, wiser part of me remembers that no pizza out of the microwave is as good as a pizza out of the oven. (ie. it’s gonna take a bit to make the team as good as it can be…be patient! But not too patient! 2-14 is tough to swallow for any reason.)
December 29th, 2014 at 8:38 am
Chudzynski would be a great hire for sure Joe.
December 29th, 2014 at 8:50 am
We need an OC with pro experience. Also one who is given total control of offense without Lovies influence. Lovie doesn’t know how to run an offense.
Gruden didn’t know defense and relied totally on Monte Kifin as Assistant Head Coach to run the D. That worked well and should be the model for our success. Especially if Bucs are going to keep Lovie
December 29th, 2014 at 8:54 am
Fire Lovie, hire the Seahawks OC as HC, hire Rob as OC and let them build and teach a team.
December 29th, 2014 at 9:01 am
@ISTILLBLEEDORANGE: Your comment is a common misperception of Lovie’s Idea of Rebuilding the bucs. Look at the skill players that we have on offense: Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans, Louis Murphy, Austin Jenkins, Charles Sims, Doug Martin, etc. With the exception of Quarterback and offensive line replacements, this offense was not built to play Dungyball. I know Lovie said that he believes in good defense to win games but you don’t think he would love to score 35 points a game! Of course! All coaches want to play Dungyball. I think it is a misperception of Tony Dungy’s philosphy as well.
December 29th, 2014 at 9:03 am
I like Chuds name being thrown in the mix. I also like quite a few others. Trestman, Oregon’s Scott Frost, Cardinals QB coach Freddie Kitchens, Giants OC Ben McAdoo, old man QB coach Carl Smith of the Seahawks, OC of the 49ers Greg Roman, and Falcons OC Dirk Koetter.
I’m thinking the top names for Lovie, I think he wants an experienced NFL OC first and foremost, will be Trestman, Bill Musgrave (Frazier’s OC in Minnesota), and Mike Sherman.
December 29th, 2014 at 9:06 am
You guys are judging Lovie despite evidence to the contrary, but I’ll address that in another comment. For now, a gift. For those that don’t already have the information, this is accurate as of now. Things could change leading up to the draft:
Bucs 2015 Draft Picks
Round 1 – 1st pick
Round 2 – 2nd pick
Round 3 – 1st pick
Round 4 – 2nd pick
Round 4 – 10th pick
Round 5 – 22nd pick
Round 6 – 2nd pick
Round 6 – 8th pick
Round 7 – 1st pick
December 29th, 2014 at 9:18 am
BuccaneerBonzai: the buc’s 4th rounder got traded to the Pats in the Logan Mankins deal I thought?
December 29th, 2014 at 9:24 am
@Joe
You know I’ve been banging the drums for Chud for awhile now. What do think about hedging that bet and by bringing in the following…
• Chan Gailey – Senior Offensive Asst.
• Jim Zorn – Quarterbacks Coach
• Aaron Kromer-Offensive Line Coach
Your thoughts?
If Team Glazer is serious about turning this ship around. Spending a little extra on Top Notch personnel shouldn’t be an issue.
December 29th, 2014 at 9:25 am
You know I’ve been banging the drums for Chud for awhile now. What do think about hedging that bet by bringing in the following
December 29th, 2014 at 9:27 am
We got a 4th and 6th round in a trade with the Rams Leighroy.
December 29th, 2014 at 9:32 am
I want Roman and Mariota.
December 29th, 2014 at 9:37 am
@Joe
Sound the horns. Began the media storm. Keep hitting on the key issues
“The most effective leaders will lead from behind, not from the front”
December 29th, 2014 at 9:39 am
Any of the good OCs will be waiting for the 49ers and Raiders situations to play out. Much better teams to go to with much better job security. The fact is Lovie’s gonna have a hard time getting anyone decent because of the one and done potential here. If he were more stable maybe, but an 0-3 start to next year and Lovie is gone and the OC likely is too. Just not a stable enough job, and that’s before you consider Lovie’s history with OCs
December 29th, 2014 at 9:47 am
@Meh
Remember Greg Roman is Mormon
December 29th, 2014 at 9:53 am
I would be very happy with Treshman or Chudzinski. Lovie ended the season on a good note (he was smart enough to pull his starters and lock down our #1 pick); hopefully he can get his OC choice right.
December 29th, 2014 at 9:54 am
Fire Lovie….hire a real coach
December 29th, 2014 at 9:58 am
Call the 49ers OC NOW!!!!
December 29th, 2014 at 10:04 am
Maybe LovieDovie should just take over OC duties. After all Lovie can do no wrong!
December 29th, 2014 at 10:04 am
I don’t care if he’s a Satanist.
December 29th, 2014 at 10:08 am
Wrong on this one Joe…we can celebrate hiving the number one pick for months……Licht and Lovie better move on ASAP, and come back to it later. Since when do you and I have any say so about that process? Let’s just bust out all the discussion regarding that number 1 pick.
December 29th, 2014 at 10:08 am
Correction Darrell Bevell is not Greg Roman
December 29th, 2014 at 10:11 am
@meh
I don’t care either way. But you would be amazed how much BELIEFS become a factor and acquiring players or personnel. Sad but true.
December 29th, 2014 at 10:21 am
Regardless of who we bring in at OC, exactly 12 more months of suffering begins today.
Sorry to drop the truth bomb.
December 29th, 2014 at 10:26 am
@ Alan – There’s no misconception. Play tough defense and give yourself a chance to win it in the fourth. That’s Dungy ball and Lovie ball. To get those 35 points you are going to have to air it out. LOL…that ain’t happening with Lovie ball. Lovie is a dinosaur and should be forced to retire. He’s trash.
2-14? 0-8 at home which is now the worst home record in Bucs history. We’ve been a garbage franchise mostly so anytime to get a bad Bucs record you are really garbage.
Lovie is GARBAGE. The Glazers are crap owners and should sell. They suck.
December 29th, 2014 at 10:45 am
@ T REX: Wow Lovie Trash? That’s harsh bro. That would be like saying that Tony Dungy is trash just because you don’t like his philosphy. You don’t think the bucs were airing it out to Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson this season! what games were you watching? The problem is obvious in that we have to build a line and get a consistent leader at quarterback (clearly obvious to all of us). I just think that your response is the typical overreaction of BUCS FANS! We keep firing coaches and never build consistency and stability for a quarterback! Don’t we get it by now?
December 29th, 2014 at 10:48 am
LUVMYBUCS Says
“…you would be amazed how much BELIEFS become a factor and acquiring players or personnel. Sad but true.”
With good reason. One of the things teams have to watch for is attitudes, which are directly tied to beliefs. Beliefs are not always religious beliefs. Take Warren Sapp. His belief was that only the strong survive. That’s why he bullied teammates, to see if they could take it (he even bullied John Lynch once on a plane to test him).
Beliefs are, and should be, a major part of it. A winning culture? Belief. Buying into a system? Belief.
December 29th, 2014 at 10:51 am
T REX Says
“To get those 35 points you are going to have to air it out. LOL…that ain’t happening with Lovie ball.”
Completely inaccurate. Have you even watched the games this year???? See now, I cannot stand when fans do what you just did. You form an opinion based on uneducated assumptions. Do a little research and watch the freaking games. Get it right.
December 29th, 2014 at 10:52 am
@Alan Bucs
100 percent accurate.
December 29th, 2014 at 11:13 am
@BuccaneerBonzai: Totally agree with you. This whole notion that many Bucs fans have that Lovie and Dungy don’t want to score points is crazy. Even in the Keyshawn Johnson/ Bert Emmanuel days we tried to air it out. Quarterback, Personnel, and a decent running game has a lot to do with whether you are successful or not. Every coach actually wants to win the way the Dungy/Lovie want to win because it takes pressure of your offense actually. The Seahawks and the Green Bay packers are doing the same thing, but they have better quarterback play and offensive line.
December 29th, 2014 at 11:17 am
@ Both of you – having to throw when you are behind is different then gameplanning that way from the start.
Lovie IS TRASH. How many times in ten seasons has he made the playoffs?
THREE! That’s it. Only three times. Worst Buc record in 28 years. He sucks. That’s in his tenth season as an NFL head coach. That’s not an overreaction. He’s hot garbage. I certainly do not trust anyone to pick first after they got us that 1st pick. He made terrible coaching decisions. He made terrible personnel decisions. He made terrible in game decisions.
What makes you think the game hasn’t passed him by? Feel free to educate me boys. This I have to see! LOL!
December 29th, 2014 at 11:31 am
@T REX: Another misconception. Most teams would like to establish a running game first. We all know from watching football that if a team can run the ball effectively it takes pressure of the quarterback to throw every down. No team wants to be one dimensional. Aaron Rodgers has Eddie Lacy. Even though Aaron Rodgers is prolific passer he doesn’t have to throw every down.
By the way Lovie has made some poor decisions this year but still has a winning record, three playoff appearances, and superbowl appearance. Could we say that about Raheem Morris or Greg Schiano?
December 29th, 2014 at 11:37 am
@ Alan – if you are using Morris and Schiano to prop up Lovie that is quite sad and the bar here has been lowered beyond repair.
So you think making the playoffs 3/10 seasons is GOOD and something to be proud of? Most of Lovie’s accomplishments are prior to the offensive rule changes. Winning record?
You need to raise your bar.
December 29th, 2014 at 11:50 am
@ T REX
Making it to the playoffs in the NFL three times is three times more than a lot of other coaches!! You want to get educated? Ok… Put away your Kleenex and stop crying like a lil B!TCH and face reality! Lovie isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. He has at least 2 more years before they even think about letting him go. So go out and buy yourself a Buccs Jersey with the name “I LOVE LOVIE” on the back and spill that haterade bro. It’s not good for the soul…
December 29th, 2014 at 11:55 am
@T REX – Not using Morris and Schiano to prop up Lovie. I am just making the point that we complained about not having an experienced NFL coach for serveral years. We have one now and we want to fire him after one year where he had to come in and clean up on aisle Gruden/Morris/Schiano. The reality is that it is going to take any coach 3 solid years to fix this. Look at the most successful head coaches, Belichek, Tomlin, to name a few are given time and all the tools to suceed.
December 29th, 2014 at 12:02 pm
I would just like to point out that T-Rex is calling someone else a dinosaur.
December 29th, 2014 at 12:03 pm
@ One Love
Calling me names? You don’t sound like love…more like One Hate.
Three times more than a lot of other coaches? That’s your big comeback? I’ll ask again. If lovie only makes the playoffs 3/10 times here in TB – he’ll be fired again. I was behind the hire but the team was so inept and embarrassing. Haterade? The guy is hot garbage. He’ll go 5-11 next year and get fired because he has outdated philosophies that are no longer relevant in today’s offense based NFL. My proof? 2-14. The dude just sat there with that stupid stare on the sidelines. Gawd he sucks out loud. Go read about his problems in Chi-town and it sounds like his first year here.
@ Alan
Sorry – the NFL is set up so you can win and win fast these days. Please don’t ever compare Lovie to Bill or even Tomlin. Lovie took a 4-12 team and made it worse. Is that even possible?
Any of you Lovie lovers – tell me what he did well this year? I’ll hang up and listen…
December 29th, 2014 at 12:11 pm
And how many times has Lovie made the playoffs in the LAST SEVEN YEARS?
Let me say that again…LAST SEVEN YEARS?
ONE TIME…that’s it. Once. That is pathetic.
If Lovie is here 5 seasons and makes the playoffs only once he should be fired. What in his history shows anyone that this guy is going to take us to the promised land? Anyone?
December 29th, 2014 at 12:27 pm
@T- Rex- Sounds like you want to predict the future. Lets get our Offensive Coordinator, quarterback, and O-line replacements in first before we start talking 5 seasons bro! The future is now.
December 29th, 2014 at 12:31 pm
@ Alan
I’m using Lovie past to predict the future. He was fired from Chicago because his offenses never were good enough. What did you see this year?
Does it look like Lovie learned from his mistakes? Yes or no?
December 29th, 2014 at 12:46 pm
@T REX- I do agree that his past of offensive success was not great in Chicago. However, I remember many on this website predicting that Lovie and Licht would go all defense in the draft. They didn’t draft one Defensive player! You don’t think he is trying to learn from his mistakes? they made some bad personnel decisions but drafting Mike Evans, Austin Jenkins, and Charles Sims could set us up well for the future. I am just saying try and be fair bro.
December 29th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Licht needs to make all decisions quickly, without Smith or Glazers input. It’s his job (Authority). He is Smith’s superior, at like it. IMO
December 29th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
@Barry- Think that is easier said than done though. I would think if I am a GM I would want my Head Coaches input because he has to coach and teach these players on a consistent basis. You also would want the owners to at least be comfortable with character concerns because it is their money on the line.
December 29th, 2014 at 1:04 pm
@ Alan
This is getting a little old. The guy just went 2-14 and lost every single home game. The season was a total disaster. How am I not being fair?
And hell, life isn’t fair. When you stink as bad as he stunk this year…people get fired. He was supposed to have this calming affect and make us repectable.
Worst record in the NFL. I’m sorry but I understand he’ll get next year but I need DRASTIC improvement for him to see year 3. 7-9 at least….that’s bare minimum. Otherwise, flush that turd.
December 29th, 2014 at 1:10 pm
@ T-REX we don’t totally disagree but will agree to disagree on several points.
December 29th, 2014 at 1:49 pm
I think the biggest damnation of Lovie is the offensive line. He never could assemble anything remotely decent in Chicago, and the first thing he does when he gets here is blow up our line and continue his legacy of extremely poor talent evaluation. It’s really sad and it is why I was never excited about hiring Lovie Smith. All the great teams have great offensive lines. Lovie is incapable of ever assembling the kind of offensive line needed to be a force in this league. I would not lose any sleep if Lovie is fired. I’m with you T-REX
December 29th, 2014 at 2:27 pm
@Alan Bucs: Lovie/Licht talked about making value picks and what did they do? Picking a not special RB in the 3rd.. yeah well done (Carlos Hyde would have been sth. else but the guy we got is just another RB..)
about predicting the future and all that silly talk:
Just analyse what did Lovie do?
Stupid moves in every aspect of Football operations >> made a very bad team even worse and now YOU DEFEND HIM?!
A guy shoooting another guy should expect consequences and no “oh well maybe he wont shoot anybody in the future..”
December 29th, 2014 at 3:50 pm
@louden- I think you may have missed the overall point I am making. Not totally defending Lovie but if we keep firing coaches within 3 years we are never going to have a consistent winner. People hated Greg Schiano for many reasons but truth be told, who really knows if he would have eventually rebuilt the Bucs? My point is that we don’t really know. We have to create stability within this organization with the same coach, same quarterback and personnel.
December 29th, 2014 at 4:08 pm
@louden- Think you missed my point. Not totally defending Lovie but this team has not had stability for a very long time. You only achieve that by keeping a head coach around for several years.