“We Just Feel We’re Not As Far Away As A Lot Of People Think”

April 22nd, 2015

lovie and lichtSome view the Bucs as a 2-14 team that came off a 4-12 season, a team that sits on just 30 wins in its past 100 games.

For a lot of fans and analysts, Joe included, that means the Bucs are far from being above average.

But that’s not the mindset at One Buc Palace. Lovie Smith and Jason Licht see all those close games last year and smell the seeds of positive change.

Licht painted a picture of the Bucs being just one draft away from an autumn filled with high-fives.

“Despite our record last year, which was not good at all, unacceptable, but we were still competing,” Licht said on WDAE-AM 620 yesterday. “And, you know, we had a lot of factors working against us, offensive coordinator out for the year. Not to harp on those things, but despite those things, we’re still hanging in there until the very end. And we just feel we aren’t as far away as a lot of people think. If we can hit this [draft] right, if we can really nail this draft, we can make a huge improvement this year and compete for this division. All we have to do is get in the dance and we’re competing for a championship.”

Joe likes the optimism but sincerely hopes this line of thinking doesn’t negatively affect the Bucs’ judgment in the draft.

Sorry, but Joe doesn’t think the Bucs are very close to being a winner. But this line of thinking from One Buc Palace is why Joe wouldn’t be stunned Bucs made a play for Phillip Rivers or Adrian Peterson, guys who could help push many clubs over the top.

82 Responses to ““We Just Feel We’re Not As Far Away As A Lot Of People Think””

  1. miken Says:

    heard you say the same stuff last year Jason

  2. Greg Says:

    I will believe it when I see it

  3. Buccfan37 Says:

    The word “if” sticks out like a sore thumb.

  4. WS99 Says:

    All jokes and sarcasm aside we are on the verge. We are probably a probowl cb n s for the playoffs but most importantly we have to able to protect a 4th qrt lead. Lovie has taken over DC duties in Chicago n late last year so I think Frazier may stay on as a figurehead until roddy roddy piper gets here.

  5. salish_seamonster Says:

    It’s not that hard to imagine, unless you’re part of the crowd convinced that L&L are incompetent and a lapdog, respectively… in which case, I don’t know why one even bothers.

    The defense was trending better during the second half of the year. It’s not hard to imagine a huge improvement based on comfort in the system, and personnel improvements at a few key spots.

    The offense couldn’t get worse, and we now have a proven OC, and should get more playmaking from the QB position.

    But some will find a reason to dump on reasonable optimism. Awaiting the flurry of complainers and haters….

  6. Ray Rice Says:

    30/116 after this year!

  7. Bill Says:

    The more I think about Rivers the less I like the idea. I think Rivers and 2 1st round picks probably makes sense from a talent and draft pick perspective…. then I think about the salary cap implication. Not sure what Rivers contract is or would be, but it would be much more than JW or MM.

    A cheap quality starting QB is the best asset in the league right now, as the Seahawks and Colts would happily attest to. If JW or MM can be that for us, their value relative to a guy like Rivers goes up big time.

  8. robert 9 Says:

    this guy is on drugs.

    lost the OC, had plenty of time to address it and ignored it.

    schiano had free throw multiple games to start the season, MRSA drama, free NFLPA drama etc, etc…..

    they had it made in comparison and choked like 87 on JW at the draft party

  9. sturgis1115 Says:

    10 games for hardy, and you jerks wanted him

  10. Celly Says:

    I’ll admit, i wanted Hardy, but now i’m happy we didn’t get him….

    …but with the way the Cowboys structured his contract, at least he won’t be getting paid to do nothing, like he did last year.

  11. robert 9 Says:

    56-0 @ half time

    how quickly some forget.

    that should be emboldened on a poster at OBP. NEVER forget that………

    but it didn’t seem to matter, they just smile and wave.

  12. WS99 Says:

    The suspension calls for 10 games without pay.

  13. Bigbucs1 Says:

    So many negative ppl here- give it this year and next- we will have at least an 8-8 team- I know that isn’t much but it’s much better than what we have right now! We are an Oline away from being good- whether that is glennon or Winston or mariota, it doesn’t matter- defense is in place, offense needs to get there.

  14. WS99 Says:

    Rob

    More reason to draft fameis. Fameis don’t play that!

  15. bucrightoff Says:

    Jason Licht after being fired

    “I swear we’re not that far off!”

  16. The Buc Realist Says:

    I watched that horrible $hit last year, and they were not competing! Now they did not lay down like Rah’s team. But they were not competing. I watched other teams not competing after the third quarter because they had the game in hand!!!

  17. bucsbedabest Says:

    I agree. Watch the Gerold McCoy interview on buccaneers.com. McCoy lights up when he speaks about playing with Henry Melton, the work ethic of George Johnson and how much better Jacquies Smith will be this year. As far as Lichts “if we can really nail this draft”, never said better.

  18. Bill Says:

    WS99 Says:
    April 22nd, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    Rob

    More reason to draft fameis. Fameis don’t play that!

    ————-

    LOL, exactly!

    Robert complains about a QB with fire, then complains about the team not having any. What do you do with that?

  19. robert 9 Says:

    we can agree on that ws99

    at that point someone needs to get in everyone’s face, including the coaches……..they just all sat there waiting for the pain to end.

    and for those that say the defense is in place….as bad as the bucs were , how many teams do you think coasted into their games against the bucs? I would say all of them played down to their competition. it’s like tyson vs. richard simmons.

    just show up and make it look like a fight, when it was never even close if they tried. just my .02

  20. Senor Mofo Says:

    We are far, far away.

    Much like a galaxy a long time ago.

  21. robert 9 Says:

    you’ve never heard me complain about jameis competitiveness

  22. WS99 Says:

    Realist

    It’s a new year I’m going to TRY to remain neutral to optimistic. Lol we’ll see how long that last.

  23. armchairGM Says:

    At least if the suspension holds Greg Hardy won’t be available to trash our oline in week 10.

  24. Jolly Bucs Fan Says:

    One more draft is my prediction,

    2016 NFL season we will have OL players in 2nd and 3rd years, and should be pretty solid, Tampa2 D will be in 3rd year, and we can draft a stud DE in rd 1 of the 2016 NFL draft so we should be a top 5-10 Defense, Jameis/Mariota in 2nd season.

    Tell me that is not a playoff team.

  25. Bill Says:

    It all depends on how good of a draft they can produce. If we have a draft like the 2012 Seahawks, then sure, we could see a quick turn around.

    Bruce Irvin
    Bobby Wagner
    Russel Wilson
    Robert Turbin

    If we have a draft like that, we’ll be fine, lol.

  26. tgreg Says:

    Clueless!

  27. Underdog Says:

    “We’re really not that far away and we’re going to depend on a bunch of rookies this year to get us there”

    If they really do beleive that then maybe they should trade for AP and Rivers.
    I also remember last year when they said that they made the free agency moves because they wanted to “win now”. Rivers and AP would sure get the fanbase excited and get the stadium full

  28. bucrightoff Says:

    Jolly Bucs Fan Says:
    April 22nd, 2015 at 4:31 pm
    One more draft is my prediction,

    2016 NFL season we will have OL players in 2nd and 3rd years, and should be pretty solid, Tampa2 D will be in 3rd year, and we can draft a stud DE in rd 1 of the 2016 NFL draft so we should be a top 5-10 Defense, Jameis/Mariota in 2nd season.

    Tell me that is not a playoff team.
    ___________________________________________________________

    Because you’re basing it off hopes and dreams and not evidence. Hasn’t basing like the last 7 seasons on hopes on dreams make you wanna appreciate the evidence based approach?

  29. WS99 Says:

    Bill

    A good craftsman never blames his tools. As a coach you can either develop players or you can’t. There is no garuntee that if any of those players were bucs that they would be as good.

  30. Senor Mofo Says:

    How many more years until our 13-year rebuild is complete?

  31. WalkdaPlank Says:

    Hey Jason!

    56-0 ON PRIMETIME!

    YA BUM!

  32. unbelievable Says:

    @Bill–

    “If”… lol. We can only hope!

  33. Commonsense Says:

    Phillip Rivers, Adrian Peterson and Vincient Jackson all on the Buc’s offense? Ray Jay would look like the Pro Bowl on Sundays. Go Bucs!

  34. Bill Says:

    @WS99,

    Absolutely, the player/coach/scheme mix matters tremendously. My point is if we can produce a draft of similar impact, which might be what an overly optimistic Licht is doing, then I can see it.

    Admittedly, that was a spectacular draft, which probably won’t be matched for some time. But it can happen.

  35. Jolly Bucs Fan Says:

    bucrightofff

    If you dont have hopes and dreams than you have nothing lol,

    In all reality I expect maybe a 6-10 7-9 year out of us this year, and realistically I do think that 10-6 and playoffs is not unrealistic for 2016.

    there is some evidence, look at the improvement we had on defense near the end of the year. That alone gives hope that this year wont be dreadful.

    Of course I am banking this on Jameis/Winston not being a bust, but thats not all hope, more of an educated prediction because I honeslty think both will have good NFL Careers.

  36. BucPuck Says:

    Wow I guess I am delusional. I see us much close than you all do. I am going with a 9-7 prediction this year. Win the draft!

  37. Erik the WiseMMan Says:

    The only way L & L are still with the Bucs in 5years is if we draft Super Mariota. Otherwise, it is highly likely that they (& Winsdumb) will be gone in 3 years tops.

  38. Thibs5599 Says:

    Other teams go from last to first why can’t the bucs. Look at teams in the previous several years who went from last to first and you have to admit the Bucs have more talent than them …chiefs for one, especially on te offensove side of the ball. I honestly believe the bucs will trade for AP, and nothing more than a third rounder come draft day, the pats got randy miss for a 4th round pick no way someone gives up a first for a 30 year old running back who just came off a suspension no matter how good he is. Winston, AP, and current offensive core with a real offensive coordinator, along with the improved defense, this team can easly win 8 games next year and be competing for a at off spot. Th Bucs have sucked long enough, and it’s only a matter of time before that streak breaks. And the time is now.

  39. Bucs#1 Says:

    Jason made me laugh so hard I almost Shite myself!

  40. robert 9 Says:

    I’d have a lot more respect for L & L if they looked in the mirror and told it like it was. last year they blasted the team as to you’re record is what it says you are or whatever…it’s as simple as that.

    where’s that talk now? where’s the accountability. they deserve JW.

    we’ll have a laid back coach, idiot GM who can’t get through a presser without mentioning beer, the floppy hat club, a rookie QB, a $hit OL and a divided fan base. one injury to GMC or david and we just might be picking 1st again next year.

    oh the horror.

  41. robert 9 Says:

    koetter is our only hope. let’s hope he gets us competitve again and they fire L & L and give him the HC gig

  42. The Other Side of the Coin Says:

    I’m optimistic. It doesn’t cost me a thing and is a whole lot more fun than sucking my thumb and whining about how bad it’s going to be like so many Debbie Downers here. The Bucs may end up screwing up another season, but it’s the fans who screw up the off season with their endless crying about every article posted. If the Bucs succeed and have a good season then yay. If they crash, well at least I had fun the rest of the year. Go Bucs. Sign Winston.

  43. Lord Cornelius Says:

    Reasons for optmism:

    1. Getting a franchise QB. This is the best thing that can happen to any NFL team.

    2. Top 10 defense for last 10 weeks of the season in points allowed; coming after the bye. This was DESPITE having the worst offense in the league.

    3. Getting a proven OC. People like Robert 9 think you can just replace an OC mid season but it doesn’t work that way. Tedford had been with the team through the entire offseason working his playbook and philosophies. His health conditioin simply was horrific luck that truly F*cked the team over in a way that no replacement OC could fix.

    Just having a QB like Winston who can close games could have given us 6-8 wins last year.

    We had a top 10 defense the last 10 weeks of the year. We look bad on the season because there was the huge blowout losses to the Falcons and Ravens. But after the bye week the defense was very solid. We found a guy who paced for double digit sacks in Jaquis Smith; and have added Melton/Johnson to furthur bolster the pass rush; and added what we hope is an upgrade at MLB in johnson; and definitely a huge upgrade at nickle CB in Spencer.

    There is no reason to think that this defense; if healthy and with moderately improved QB play / offensive play; can’t be a top 5 unit next year if they carry the momentum of last season through.

    I predict it’ll be the best defense we’ve fielded in recent memory (basically post-Gruden)

  44. Bucs#1 Says:

    Well, at least Licht is consistant. He said at the Saints game that the Bucs were only 1-2 players away

  45. Keepitreal Says:

    Get over Philip .. That would give us 2 years maybe, instead of a potential franchise QB for next 15 years. How stupid is that!!

  46. Bill Says:

    I’d love to draft one of the rookie QB’s and add AP. We have the cap space for AP, if we could get him for a 4th then use our 2 and 3 on the OL, I’d be stoked.

  47. Commonsense Says:

    If the Bucs really are just a couple of players away, they must be Superman and The Hulk

  48. bucrightoff Says:

    Thibs5599 Says:
    April 22nd, 2015 at 4:43 pm
    I honestly believe the bucs will trade for AP, and nothing more than a third rounder come draft day, the pats got randy miss for a 4th round pick no way someone gives up a first for a 30 year old running back who just came off a suspension no matter how good he is.
    ___________________________________________________________

    I honestly believe you don’t quite understand the dynamics of the situation. The Vikings have all the power and all the leverage. So you HOPE they’ll accept a poor, below market offer, but that’s not going to happen. They can dare AP to retire and get nothing, or report to Minny and get $16 million. Wanna take a wild guess what he’s going to do?

  49. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Trade For Philip Rivers

    In the Modern Era of the NFL

    Philip Rivers is a better Quarterback, that some of winners & losers of the Super Bowl

    Won the Super Bowl

    • 122. Doug Williams 16,998 1978-1989 2TM
    • 28. Phil Simms 33,462 1979-1993 nyg
    • 114. Jim McMahon 18,148 1982-1996 6TM
    • 125. Jeff Hostetler 16,430 1985-1997 3TM
    • 112. Mark Rypien 18,473 1988-2001 5TM
    • 45. Brad Johnson 29,054 1994-2008 4TM
    • 100. Trent Dilfer 20,518 1994-2007 5TM
    • 15. Eli Manning 39,755 2004-2014 nyg

    And all the ones that Lost

    • 18. Boomer Esiason 37,920 1984-1997 3TM
    • 46. Rich Gannon 28,743 1987-2004 4TM
    • 49. Chris Chandler 28,484 1988-2004 7TM
    • 121. Stan Humphries 17,191 1989-1997 2TM
    • 91. Neil O’Donnell 21,690 1991-2003 4TM
    • 23. Matt Hasselbeck 34,948 1999-2014 4TM
    • 179. Rex Grossman 10,232 2003-2013 3TM
    • 96. Jake Delhomme 20,975 1999-2011 4TM

    Takes A Team to win it all.

  50. Keepitreal Says:

    Jamies and Peterson… Then we’re looking good!

  51. Bill Says:

    @Lord Cornelius,

    Spot on man. I feel like I could have typed that.

  52. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    *Philip Rivers is a better Quarterback, than some of winners & losers of the Super Bowl

  53. robert 9 Says:

    @ lord

    The Ravens fired Cam Cameron mid season and then went on to win the Superbowl

    and it was not mid season, it was before the season ever started.

    one minute you say it’s the OC, and that in an of itself can not be fixed, yet you say jameis could have gotten us to .500?

    can I borrow that foil hat, my tv reception needs some help

  54. Underdog Says:

    It doean’t matter who the QB or RB is, if this o-line doesn’t get a makeover they will not have success. And I am NOT among the group that thinks that Bucs only need 2 new starters there

  55. Schlomie BarMitzvahCircumScissorStein Says:

    “We Just Feel We’re Not As Far Away As A Lot Of People Think”…..Wow, so much merit in that statement. I have a feeling, Leeman Bennett, Sam Wyche, Richard Williamson, Raheem Morris, Greg Schiano, all said the same thing. What they should really say is “We are in denial, the rest of you are being realistic.”

  56. Keepitreal Says:

    @joe… Explain to me how bypassing Winston and taking Rivers for a few years is a good thing? Let’s take a guy that has been on good teams and never been to a SB! Great… NOT!! 2 years we are in the same spot and don’t have the 1st pick. So we continue to flounder. I like most of your posts but this really makes me wonder about Joes sanity.

  57. Dick2111 Says:

    @ Lord Cornelius …

    Thanks for the optimism. Way too much negativism from far too many BEFORE the season has even begun.

    A excellent draft could have a major impact, particularly if we get a franchise QB and a couple of starting offensive linemen. Pick up a couple of quality FA’s after the draft (particularly a starting DE … hopefully) and we could have a decent year (potentially 8-8, but more likely 6-10 or 7-9).

    Do agree with @bucrightoff though that it’ll take one more very good draft to really come together. Still, I’m excited about seeing a much better team on the field in 2015 than I saw last year.

  58. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    @Keepitreal

    Listen to what Tedy Bruschi- had to say about Philip Rivers.

    ESPN First Take – Philip Rivers out, Marcus Mariota in for Chargers – Good or Bad Move ?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5V_dhY5oyQ

  59. Bogeyking Says:

    Rivers and AP. That’s a very good start

  60. Bill Says:

    @Robert,

    The Ravens did fire Cameron midseason, but they also replaced him with a member of the existing staff. I suppose you can blame the team for not having a competent OC replacement on staff, but I think you’d be going way beyond the realm of reason. Losing an OC during the season is very rare, and represents a terrible stroke of bad luck. That’s just what it was.

  61. robert 9 Says:

    glennon, trade back and build the trenches. then we might go 9-7

  62. Bill Says:

    Trade back for what? What’s your minimum acceptable offer?

  63. robert 9 Says:

    it’s horrible luck, no dispute there.

    but to not bring in at least someone on an interim or consulting basis after watching the 1st game or two was crazy. thats on lovie

    hey, I wish them the best, but I am not optimistic based on what I saw last year, the trades (fleecing), licht’s body of work, lovie’s coaching and adjustments (or lack of) last year…etc, etc….

  64. ClassyFreddyBlassy Says:

    Blowin’ smoke. Heard this last year, won’t get fooled again.

  65. salish_seamonster Says:

    COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN

    …and then complain some more… don’t bother ever letting a little optimism challenge the certainty of your negativity…

    COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN

    …and then die.

  66. JoeJoes Fungi Nails Says:

    I still can’t get the sickness out of my stomach from the home opener against Carolina…..I was SO excited and confident walking into the game……utterly dejected and demoralized walking out.
    & then the epic blowouts…..
    I really don’t want to hear anymore L&L pep talk ….We’ll no soon enough in September

  67. Mike10 Says:

    I don’t even think I can say that I appreciate the enthusiasm.

    I feel like we’d be better off if they would call it like it is: we suck, we were very bad last year based on several miscalculations on our part, and we have to seriously reconsider how we got about things moving forward.

    I’m glad he can say now that last year was bad, bc each week he told us he “liked what he saw”

  68. Stanglassman Says:

    Thank you Lord Cornelius for the great post.

    Cam Cameron getting fired by the Ravens in his 5th season with Jim Caldwell waiting to take over is just like what happened to the Bucs last year, Really?

    The Bucs had a ton of games that were decided by a one score, I think it was 4 or 5 by a field goal or less. Those are the games Jameis wins and that’s why the Bucs will draft him.

  69. Lord Cornelius Says:

    @ robert

    Jim Caldwell is much more of an OC ready personnel to tab in the waiting than Arroyo. Hell he is a freaking head coach now. Not really an apples to apples comparison

    And Yes I say we could have won 6-8 games with Winston last year even with a terrible OC because that’s how good Jameis Winston is compared to Glennon or McCown in my humble opinion. Dude looked better than any QB the bucs have had in recent memory when he was debuting as a freshman.

    We lost a lot of games close last year. With someone like Winston we likely are putting up 10 more points a game; hence winning more games. IT isn’t that hard or complicated to understand

  70. Iknowmorethanlovie Says:

    Year 7 of the Glazers rebuilding project since firing Gruden. Bucs haven’t finished higher than 3rd in the south. Time to get this turned around or hire a President of football ops. And hire a good front for the first time in a long time

  71. Bill Says:

    Look, Licht and Lovie are the leaders of the team. Even if they know they stunk last year, you don’t “SAY” that publicly. Managers don’t improve their employees by talking about mistakes, but by focusing on opportunities. None of these publicly offered comments are made privately to the media, the players have access to this information too. Some of you seem to think that unless Lovie says the team was terrible, he must be delusional. The delusion is that some of you think he could possibly say that, even if he realizes it’s true.

  72. Stanglassman Says:

    I guess Lord Cornelius didn’t need me. Great points BTW!

  73. Bogeyking Says:

    @ Lord Corn
    Winston has never thrown an NFL pass so it’s impossible to say that Bucs would have won more than 2 games if they had him last year. If that’s the case then with him they may not have even won the 2 that they did. They may have won that 6-8 if Glennon had started all 16. Winston may come to the NFL and be successful or he could come in and really stink. It’s impossible to say for sure either way because he’s still just a college QB. That’s the problem that NFL teams have when drafting a college QB. He may be great or he may stink. With Winston or any of the others you just don’t know

  74. salish_seamonster Says:

    I appreciate the small minority of posters on this site that occasionally allow optimism to peek through the clouds of bullsh!t coming from the whiners and complainers.

    Thank you Lord Cornelius.

  75. Stanglassman Says:

    Yes just like Painter was a NFL QB and Luck was just a college QB a few years ago. I just wonder if they had as many clueless fans.

  76. CLW JB Says:

    The Glazers have made the moves/ trades and spent the money before in FA and won a ring…Gruden/Keyshawn/Rice/Johnson/mCardell etc….

    Rivers, AP and an all OL first 3 rounds to go with McCoy/David/banks trio on d….sounds kind of familiar to me and got us a ring while having multiple winning seasons in a row…

    I wouldn’t be unhappy with that

    JW is talented, no doubt, but can u trust him with the franchise??

    Licht is a lapdog to me- Rich McKay was making the calls and leading – we know what happened when the coach got his GM choice…..hope the Glazers remember and take control…

  77. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    @Robert

    lost the OC, had plenty of time to address it and ignored it.

    One week before the start of the season is PLENTY of time. How short our memories are around here!

    One week before the season started and Tedford was supposed to return. We didn’t know he was totally finished until well into the season. What great NFL OC doesn’t want to come to a team with half the season already gone. What great NFL OC is unemployed midway through a season?

    We lost nine games by one TD or less. Two in OT. We had more than a few games where one play would have been victory. And this with all the obvious faults. We’ve already cleaned up perhaps the most glaring area…our new OC who has more credentials that Tedford much less Arroyo

    Koetter came here with leverage. Lovie has to give him a good deal of autonomy on which offense he wants to run. S.I. reported this week that Koetter is installing an uptempo fast paced offense. IE We are about to finally join the new millenium! No more run..run..desperate pass..punt!!!!

  78. tmaxcon Says:

    Loive has never built a oline in 10 years of coaching. He is not going to magically get it now. Also, unless the glazers have stripped lovie of full control directing anger at Jason Licht is ludicrous and flat out ignorant. Lovie has full control and must receive full criticism for the off season failures last year, the failure of a 2-14 season, and the failed free agency this year. And, yes this years free agency is a failure. Nothing but prove it deals and pray they stay healthy players. Sorry but having the first waiver claim is not going to fix this roster. They will be lucky to get 2 starters out of this draft which is twice as many as they drafted last year. They need 4 starting O-lineman, MLB, safety, and 3rd wr speed guy (no -Murphy is a nice local story but not the answer or he would not have not been cut a bagilzion times.)

    Being honest and accepting reality and facts does not make one a hater, negative or a racist as some like to suggest. Love is nothing more than an average coach and horrendous personnel man but he is a nice guy so the hypocrites and those living in the past blame lovies mistakes on licht and refuse to hold that moron accountable. it’s disgusting.

    Being optimistic is a quality trait but being delusional well that’s ignorant.

    Lovie is paid to win if he does not win it’s a failure regardless of all the creative math and excuses.

  79. tmaxcon Says:

    If anyone should be pissed it should be PETA and the animal lovers. Lovie should be tried for lapdog abuse.

    Jason’s not the problem Lovie is. Go and look at all the playoff teams Lovie has been involved with and then take a look at the number of playoff teams / games Licht’s teams have been apart of… Sorry but Lovie’s only back to back playoff years pales in comparison

  80. Buc1987 Says:

    Schiano had a lot of close games. Much more than Lovie has.

    One could say… so far Schiano is the better coach of the Bucs than Lovie and right now that’s indisputable.

  81. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    Schiano also had a better general manager.

    I’m not saying Mark Dominick was great at everything, but he sure as heck was able to work trades and structure contracts.

    When Schiano came along, his drafting improved a lot too, which leads me to believe Raheem was the reason for the bad drafts before.

    So far as I’m concerned, the only good player Licht has brought in is Verner.

  82. cover deuce Says:

    I feel like all theses guys do is yap yap yap. Shut up and field a winning team first, then you can talk about how close you may or may not be.