Players Are Tuning Out Lovie
December 16th, 2015
Evidence is mounting that too many Buccaneers are tuning out their head coach.
And the evidence comes from Lovie Smith himself.
Anyone who pays attention to Lovie regularly knows the head coach is obsessed with forcing takeaways, aka turnovers. Lovie preached it to his Bears in Chicago, and he sang the takeaway song on his first days as a Buccaneers overlord.
Lovie is all about takeaways. He expects three a game from his defense. He drills stripping the ball in training camp. Takeaways are a hallmark of his philosophy.
Therefore, it is very noteworthy that Lovie said Monday that his players are not absorbing his message of taking the ball away.
“The emphasis on how important it is hasn’t gotten through yet,” Lovie said, when asked about how the Bucs’ defense hasn’t had a turnover in three consecutive games.
“As we build our program, this is what we would like to do and this is how eventually I think you have to win, but we’re not there yet. Our record says we’re not there. We’re making progress toward it, but we’re not there. On days like [Sunday] – you see what happened – no turnovers offensively, correct? You have to take the ball away. It’s as simple as that and we didn’t. It would have helped an awful lot in only a seven-point game.”
That’s pretty darn telling for Lovie to acknowledge that his team, his defense, doesn’t get the importance of forcing fumbles, and stripping the football and pouncing on it.
Joe is nearly speechless. Lovie is nearly two years into his Bucs tenure.
Speaking on the Buccaneers Radio Network on Monday, Lovie said there is a similar comprehension problem when it comes to the Bucs leading the NFL in penalties. They had eight more on Sunday.
Lovie said he thought his players would understand the impact of penalties by now because they had troubles with penalties early this season and coaches emphasized correction. But, Lovie said, players haven’t figured it out.
So what will it take for the Bucs to be accountable when it comes to listening to the fundamental philosophies and orders from their head coach?
There’s either a serious coaching problem and/or there’s a handful of players that need an emphatic wake-up call or a new address.
December 16th, 2015 at 11:07 am
Maybe this is a case of Raheem’s philosophy of “I will tolerate you until I can replace you” at work?
December 16th, 2015 at 11:11 am
reaching
December 16th, 2015 at 11:12 am
Joe, you are completely right! maybe they just need to get rid of the ones that do not understand what football is all about. NO EXCUSES!!!
December 16th, 2015 at 11:15 am
@grafikdetail Exactly. Sweet attention-grabbing headline, Joes. Nothing to see here.
December 16th, 2015 at 11:16 am
Did I imagine Lavonte`s pick against the Falcons?
December 16th, 2015 at 11:17 am
It’s very difficult to force turnovers when you can’t breathe on a QB, and you don’t have any playmakers in the secondary.
December 16th, 2015 at 11:18 am
Penalties are a product of a lack of discipline and lack of talent both of which are products of bad coaching and bad talent evaluation, which are both earmarks of a Lovie Smith team. It starts at the top….
December 16th, 2015 at 11:18 am
I’m interested to see how a draft where he is allowed to go after replacing some of our defensive players with guys that will grow within his system is going to turn out. The one glimpse in to that we’ve gotten thus far has been Kwon. That’s going pretty well. We needed a serious face lift on offense to compete in the league today. The team understood that and invested appropriately. Now, I think Lovie is going to get some guys that he can work with. Not the knuckleheads he’s having to jam in to the lineup every week who can’t figure out how to play within the rules of the game, much less at a high level.
December 16th, 2015 at 11:19 am
Yes, exactly right and at this point of the season the Buccaneers cannot replace any of the players yet.
December 16th, 2015 at 11:20 am
Even with those things, it’s unrealistic to expect 3 turnovers per game. Every now and then you just have to be better than the team across from you and beat them without the help of them giving you the ball. It’s not against the rules to force the offense to punt the ball multiple times per game. At least I don’t think it is.
December 16th, 2015 at 11:21 am
I have tuned Lovie out as well.
December 16th, 2015 at 11:22 am
“There’s either a serious coaching problem and/or there’s a handful of players that need an emphatic wake-up call or a new address.”
I think we can all agree it’s the latter! What do you expect though?? Take off your Tampa hat and look at the names on this damn ROSTER!! It’s a joke!!!
“It’s as simple as that” – Lovie Smith
December 16th, 2015 at 11:22 am
Seems like kind of a reach on this one…
December 16th, 2015 at 11:26 am
I notice Lavonte goes for the strip every single time he has a chance. Conte seems to also. That’s about it, as far as I’ve noticed
December 16th, 2015 at 11:27 am
I’ll refer you to a couple key articles on this very site that will give you all you need to know in terms of why the defense isn’t performing well.
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2015/12/still-tinkering-at-cornerback/
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2015/12/daquan-bowers-returns/
If you’re desperately trying to find a way to fit in Jenkins at CB because you don’t have better options and you’re bringing in Bowers to play on your line, your problem is a lack of talent. That’s the end of the discussion. Once you get better talent on the team then we can talk about how they’re being used.
December 16th, 2015 at 11:28 am
I tried to tell the “Sheep” (lovie loyalist) this many weeks ago!!! Lovie had even changed some of his scheme a little to try to calm the chatter a bit!!!! Thank you Joe for verifying my “source” who was right again!!!!
Jameis says:” Buc Realist, why do the sheep act that way???”
The Buc Realist says:” Because they have been “TOLD” too!!!!”
December 16th, 2015 at 11:34 am
I guess this means the players haven’t been voting in Joe’s “Lovie Confidence Poll”
December 16th, 2015 at 11:37 am
Ummm… yeah Joe’s are reaching here with this one. C’mon guys, quality not quantity.
Ok. So, the head coach says players aren’t getting his repeated message over two years and Joe should ignore it and think it’s no big deal. You might want to head to Buccaneers.com.– Joe
December 16th, 2015 at 11:44 am
@hertz
and not only what Joe said, But he is up on the podium, pointing the finger at the players!!! saying that they are the ones not getting it, they are the ones who are not executing my great scheme.!!! and that rubs some of the players wrong!!! I heard the same rumblings many weeks ago as well!!!!
December 16th, 2015 at 11:45 am
@ The Realist
Point blank:
1. Is there anything Lovie can do to change your opinion of him? Win a Super Bowl in how many years? Or will no amount of success change it?
2. Name who should have been hired in 2014 instead of him.
3. Name who should be hired now instead of him.
I’m not even saying Lovie is a great coach but, some people just love to bitch but don’t actually have a solution. Do you have anything constructive?
The team isn’t perfect, but, I like where it’s headed overall. If Lovie can’t get them over the hump, he will eventually be Dungy’d. And, the next guy takes us all the way.@ The Realist
Point blank:
1. Is there anything Lovie can do to change your opinion of him? Win a Super Bowl in how many years? Or will no amount of success change it?
2. Name who should have been hired in 2014 instead of him.
3. Name who should be hired now instead of him.
I’m not even saying Lovie is a great coach but, some people just love to bitch but don’t actually have a solution. Do you have anything constructive?
The team isn’t perfect, but, I like where it’s headed overall. If Lovie can’t get them over the hump, he will eventually be Dungy’d. And, the next guy takes us all the way.
December 16th, 2015 at 11:48 am
@TBR – Lovie’s scheme got him to the super bowl and made his previous team a perennial contender with a feared defense. He’s a lot more proven than any of the guys we have on the team who have done nothing, comparatively. He had people buying in while with Chicago. That’s why Tillman was able to punch the ball out regularly and Urlacher is going to the hall eventually. They bought in to the system and they played within it.
December 16th, 2015 at 11:50 am
@Love and Warrick Dunn
The sooner you realize that this is not 1996, the better off you will be!!! Lightning is not going to strike twice, When lovie fails, the “next Gruden” is not going to swoop in the next year and win the Superbowl!!!
December 16th, 2015 at 11:52 am
Interesting….We’re constantly reassured that professional athletes don’t need motivation, discipline because of all the $$$$$$$$. That’s the big scam that you suckers fall for.
December 16th, 2015 at 11:54 am
@ Realist
Is there a reason you never answer the questions posed?
December 16th, 2015 at 12:02 pm
Seriously.. Turnovers are a symptom of pressure and coverage. A fumble is 99% luck. We have had neither.
December 16th, 2015 at 12:03 pm
@love and warrick dunn
why would I answer a bunch of your questions when we both know that they will not be what you consider “valid and correct”. I learned a while ago that you cannot not talk sense to the senseless!!!!
I think Lovie is not the right head coach from what he has done since coming to the Bucs, You think lovie is a good coach for what he did a long time ago, and what reminds you of past regimes from 20 years ago!!!!
December 16th, 2015 at 12:12 pm
Really Joe? His defense is tuning him out because they couldn’t take the ball away? Yes that’s what Lovie said. –Joe Because all a player has to do is to decided to take a ball away and it’s done, right? As if the offense has no control over that. What a shameful headline for such a shameful take on a subject you clearly don’t understand. What does in to a turnover? Luck, talent, making plays. We haven’t been lucky, we don’t have much talent, and we’re not making many plays… that is hardly tuning the HC out. I suppose the early 70’s Bucs also tuned out Jim McKay, because i’m pretty sure he must’ve said something about winning a game every-once-in-a-while but yet they couldn’t…or was it that they weren’t lucky, had little talent, and didn’t make plays?
Joe can’t be responsible for your reading comprehension. –Joe
December 16th, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Buc Realist is spot on, first of these are “lovies guys” on defense and they are terrible and they could not be coached to run the LOvie 2, so they are either dumb not good at football or dont listen to the HC, so Lovie made it easier I suppose and blitzed and played different coverages. I thought Lovie saw the light, but no it was not anything new…and now we have Thursday where the bucs have a spot that points to a dog game by them where gurly runs up and down the field on the bucs, evans may show is arse and the bucs look like they will implode and it may be a time to dump lovie and the 6-10 record
December 16th, 2015 at 12:18 pm
When 95 said when asked about his hands to the face penalty in the Saints game he said his just the result of playing hard. The players don’t get it and that’s coaching.
December 16th, 2015 at 12:20 pm
And the excuses for Great ole nice guy Lovie continue. LoL. Despite these guys being Lovie’s hand picked guys. Despite being 29 games into Lovie’s tenure as coach. Despite only having 1 back to back win during that stretch. Despite fielding a team that is contsantly flat and stupid penalty ridden and mistake prone. The excuses continue…
Turnovers are nice but I rather Great ole nice guy Lovie have his D focus more on stopping teams on 3rd and long. How about teaching the D how to stop letting teams drive down the field and chewing up large amounts of TOP(usually resulting in points). How about actually doing his job and actually coaching guys up so the “sheep” as Realist calls them stops using the silly “We have no talent” excuse when really we are just injured which every team has to deal with. But alas I know the excuses will continue.
December 16th, 2015 at 12:22 pm
” Lovie said, when asked about how the Bucs’ defense hasn’t had a turnover in three consecutive games ”
Uhhhh the interception by LVD against Ryan last week doesn’t count?
Also You guys I’ve been trying to tell you this for weeks… don’t bother with realist anymore.
December 16th, 2015 at 12:25 pm
When QBs have all day to pass, interceptions will take a fortunate bounce off someone’s hands.
Regarding penalties, I’m not sure I blame the coaches if the players are idiots. And as others have noted, it’s hard to change personnel mid-season. And with dressing only 46 players, you can’t bench a lot of people.
Bottom line is I don’t buy Joe’s thesis about this indicated that Lovie has been tuned out.
December 16th, 2015 at 12:26 pm
as several of our defenders from those glory years are fond of saying, “it’s not just the x’s and o’s, it’s the jims and the joes”….bucs still need to restock the cupboards on defense with more discipline and talent. it’s nice to have a few star players to build around but the non-stars need to be physical and assignment sound for the whole thing to work
December 16th, 2015 at 12:40 pm
Realist what defense would you run with no pass rush and no quality corners?
December 16th, 2015 at 12:44 pm
@Couch Fan
You’re absolutely right!!! We should fire Lovie and HIRE A GUY LIKE DAN QUINN!!! Look at ALL THE SUCCESS he is having in ATLANTA!!!
All I want for Christmas is a smarter fan base…..
May God have mercy on your soul…
“It’s as simple as that” – Lovie Smith
December 16th, 2015 at 12:47 pm
I could of sworn Lovie has had 2 off seasons now to bring in his guys. So he is given a pass because he can’t coach them up and we blame it all on lack of talent? Not to mention a few of the players he’s brought in has had success on other teams… but under great ole nice guy Lovie they are horrible. Hmm…
Yea sounds like its all the players fault. (Sarcasm). You do realize the “lack of talent” excuse can be used for every bad team thats ever exhisted right? Good coaches coach up.
“It’s as simple as that.” -Great ole nice guy Lovie
December 16th, 2015 at 12:47 pm
All defensive schemes depend on the front 4 getting constant pressure. Pressure felt is pressure applied and if a qb feels he’s going to be more apt to miss his mark. This is the same now as it was 20 years ago. Lovie has not had a good defense from the moment he got here. He’s had to work with what he had. It’s not his fault the free agents he brought in didn’t work out. He thought they would as any coach would think but it didn’t. What you glass is always empty the little old women up here don’t acknowledge is Lovie went out and got a franchise qb, something he never tried to get before. He then pretty much went all out on offense in his first two drafts to “put fans in the stands”. It was a huge effort being he only had 2 offensive weapons when he took over. In 2 seasons he has the 9th ranked offense after being the 31st last year. Now he has to build his defense and that’s going to take some time.
December 16th, 2015 at 12:52 pm
Lovie Smith eh, meh. The Bucs deserve a better HC. I’m downgrading if the Lovie poll appears.
December 16th, 2015 at 12:57 pm
I think something telling is that there is an article on pro football talk about lovie smith taking a jab back at mark Barron last year after he was traded essentially saying mark Barron was too passive and passive safeties are not needed for his defensive scheme . What really struck a cord is when I proceeded to read th comments section there were not many bucs fan that commented but rams fans from lovies days Viking fans and bears fans and I can’t help but notice the verbatim same complaints they had with the Tampa 2 lovie and Leslie’s scheme and how it mad qbs look like hall of famers. It’s easy to say the people complaining on here and say well they are just being negative but it seems to be a pattern and his responses to the Criticsm were the same for the last ten years . Lovie is holding the team back . Good coaches like bill belle chick adjust schemes to the players they have rather than blaming shortcomings on the players . I’m kind of disappointed they did better than expected because that guarantees lovie another year. Unfortunately I will not stick around to see that as a yearly season ticket holder I am not renewing we need a new coach . And to the dude asking people questions as if he was a gm take that somewhere else how can you tell people there opinions are wrong I respect yours as you must respect others.
December 16th, 2015 at 1:02 pm
Lovie Smith- players coach. Bill Billicheck- Football coach.
December 16th, 2015 at 1:03 pm
It’s not his fault the free agents he brought in didn’t work out.
——————–
So basically no matter what, its always the players fault and Lovie can do no wrong. Ok. Thank you for enlightening me.
December 16th, 2015 at 1:04 pm
@Couch Fan
Ok, let’s make a deal.. If you can name ONE NFL team(in the last 20 years) that has won a super bowl with talent that is SIMILAR to ours!!…. As much as I hate this….. I will refrain from putting my WANG in your mouth any further!!
I’m also pretty sure that we can conclude that you ENJOYING the experience is NOT the reason that you won’t be able to come up with a LOGICAL answer.
I will continue to pray for you.
“It’s as simple as that” – Lovie Smith
December 16th, 2015 at 1:10 pm
I think turnovers require a good deal of luck in some cases.
December 16th, 2015 at 1:13 pm
Couch Fan and a few others THANKS for pointing that out. It’s seems to escape Lovie’s fans that Lovie has had 2 years to bring in “his guys” to run his defense and he has brought them in. Unless you’re like Bonzai who thinks Lovie handles the draft picks and Licht handles the free agents. Even though I have no idea why he says that all the time.
Lovie’s fans seem to think all he needs to do is draft defense and we’ll be good as gold. Me I’m not holding my breath. If he can’t coach up guys that have already been in the system, then how is he capable of coaching up a rookie in the system? My answer is, he’s not.
December 16th, 2015 at 1:33 pm
Ok, let’s make a deal.. If you can name ONE NFL team(in the last 20 years) that has won a super bowl with talent that is SIMILAR to ours!!….
————————————-
Im not a talent evaluator but I can tell you this. Every team has bottom tier players. Every team also has to use their bottom tier players during the season as every team has issues with injuries. The differnece between the good teams and bad is that the good coaches can actually coach up their bottom tier players… Lovie so far has shown he can not.
I find it comical that you want to hold every player accountable but not the guy who’s job is to coach them up…
December 16th, 2015 at 1:38 pm
@1987, well the one defensive guy he did draft (kwon), has played pretty good. So maybe there is hope that he can coach up guys he drafts.
But I agree, why can’t he coach up anyone else then? At the same time, why does it seem like the players come out flat pretty much every other game? Sometimes I think this team has been so dysfunctional for so long that it almost can’t be fixed. Ah, it’s a Bucs life eh?
I think next season we will get all our questions answered. Assuming koetter is still here, I expect the offense to be more consistent week in and week out, and for gods sake the penalties should be cleaned up. But after another draft and FA, we’ll see if Lovie can actually put together a quality defense. If you can’t do it by year 3, you probably can’t do it at all. And yes, i do realize we have several key defenders who are injured right now.
Also @ OnrLove, what is your constant obsession with wangs and Lovie? Are you 12 years old?
December 16th, 2015 at 1:42 pm
How has he had 2 offseason stop bring in his D talent? 1 defensive player in 2 drafts. Game changers in free agency in the NFL are a joke, so that doesn’t count.
December 16th, 2015 at 1:48 pm
Free agency is part of the NFL. Its part of how you build a team. You dont have to sign super stars but you can absolutely add quality players. Unless you are bad at it and strike out a lot like Lovie. To say it doesnt count is to just give more excuses for Lovie.
December 16th, 2015 at 1:50 pm
“The Buc Realist Says:
December 16th, 2015 at 12:03 pm
@love and warrick dunn
why would I answer a bunch of your questions when we both know that they will not be what you consider “valid and correct”. I learned a while ago that you cannot not talk sense to the senseless!!!!”
Actually you are assuming on many things. I wasn’t a fan of the Lovie hiring. I think he is a good but not great coach. I also don’t have the arrogance of some (ahem) to know what a “valid and correct” answer is to the questions.
However, it telling you don’t have the sack to at least throw an opinion out there. It’s really easy to point out what you think it wrong, but, it’s a lot harder to throw out what you think is right. Lest, you may be shown to be incorrect in the future.
Weak, weak sauce.
December 16th, 2015 at 1:50 pm
@Couch Fan
I’ll take your lack of an answer as a good thing… (wink)
“Im not a talent evaluator but I can tell you this”
-Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this one out….
“Every team has bottom tier players. Every team also has to use their bottom tier players during the season as every team has issues with injuries.”
-Some teams have a LARGER group of players in the “bottom tier” than others. I wouldn’t expect you to know this since you are NOT a “talent evaluator”
“The differnece between the good teams and bad is that the good coaches can actually coach up their bottom tier players…”
-GREAT POINT!! Hard to argue against this one… Especially after I watched that Patriots vs Eagles game!!!!!
“I find it comical that you want to hold every player accountable but not the guy who’s job is to coach them up…”
-I find it comical that you BELIEVE that this team is a head coach away from a Super Bowl!!(It must be all the success that Dan Quinn is having in Atlanta)..
“It’s as simple as that” – Lovie Smith
December 16th, 2015 at 1:53 pm
The Patriots this year are a pretty bad team player wise and then add in all the injuries and some how bellicheat gets them playing and it does help having tom brady but their defense is not stocked with all pros, he adjusts to what he is given and actually hands on coaches his players and does not put up with the BS, heck the panthers this year aside from cam who is playing out of his mind who does he have for a supporting cast and i beleiev he has friggin mike shula as the OC
December 16th, 2015 at 2:00 pm
This is nothing but idiotic fan-speak. Fans like to throw around accusations about coaches “needing to coach players up” yet you really couldn’t begin to explain what that even means. The Lovie Smith detractors just say stuff to say stuff without even knowing what they are actually saying.
So go ahead, wise-guy. Why don’t you explain to all of us what coaches do *specifically* to “coach up their bottom tier players” and then explain what you’ve seen at Buccaneer practice that proves Lovie Smith isn’t doing any of that. After all, the media only see the first half hour of practice yet you must have some sort of insight to know Lovie Smith isn’t coaching properly.
Tim Tebow was a bottom tier player. Why could’t Chip Kelly coach him up? The Patriots have cut 16 players since week one, including Dekoda Waston who was definitely a bottom tier player. Why couldn’t the great Bill Belichick coach those guys up?
December 16th, 2015 at 2:10 pm
Ah so OneLove you are a talent evauator I take it? Who do you scout for again? Exactly. You’re just a commenter who likes to fantasize about “sticking your wang” in outher guys mouths.
Again who said anything about being a HC away from a super bowl?… So now you have to resort to making things up because you’ve run out of excuses for great ole nice guy Lovie.
You are using the Pats Vs Eagles game as some sort of validation for what exactly? Arent the patriots routinley injury plagued… I forgot what is their record again? 10-2? Hmm… Clearly 1 bad game isnt the norm amongst the wins. But in Tampa with great ole nice guy Lovie a good game is not the norm amongst all the losses. I understand why you would have to use 1 individual game as some sort of validation for Lovie since you have nothing else other than “We dont have talent”.
Keep the dream alive OneLove, maybe one day Lovie will stick his wang in your mouth.
“It’s as simple as that”. -Great ole nice guy Lovie
December 16th, 2015 at 2:13 pm
D-Rome you clearly dont watch the games. Maybe you should join OneLove in the Lovie circle jerk since you clearly think its all the players fault.
I would explain to you but as Realist said there would be no answer that you would find acceptable since you are clearly in Lovie with Lovie’s awesome coaching style. I mean clearly the team is well coached. I have no reason to think otherwise. I just simply hate him for no reason, right? LMAO
December 16th, 2015 at 2:20 pm
OMG…this is so misleading. Incredibly faulty logic.
First, we have backups that are young and inexperienced forced into starting roles and creating penalties.
Then we have rookie starters that are learning the game in their first year…leading to mistakes and penalties.
All Lovie is saying is that it hasn’t sunk in yet, not that players are not listening.
Way to feed the trolls, Joe!
December 16th, 2015 at 2:21 pm
Couch Fan Says
“…Realist said…”
Lost me there.
December 16th, 2015 at 2:24 pm
Ok. So, the head coach says players aren’t getting his repeated message over two years and Joe should ignore it and think it’s no big deal. You might want to head to Buccaneers.com.– Joe
You added the two years bit, Joe, right? Although he has been here that long, many of the players with the issues have not been.
December 16th, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Buc1987 Says
“Unless you’re like Bonzai who thinks Lovie handles the draft picks and Licht handles the free agents. Even though I have no idea why he says that all the time.”
I say it because it is the truth, and even the Joes flip it around. Do you really think that a coach is hired without the intention of fulfilling his vision for the team? Or that a coach doesn’t direct that vision through his picks?
Come on now…get serious. How would a head coach create his vision for a team through free agency? Doesn’t work that way…and Jason Licht as much as said so multiple times in the off season when he stressed that the free agent blunders were all on him.
December 16th, 2015 at 2:30 pm
Its Funny that StPeteBucsFan has not popped his head in on this. Of course after saying stuff he said here https://www.joebucsfan.com/2015/12/welcome-back-lovie-smith/#comments
maybe he just does not want to Mpologize ( said in Robert Kraft’s drunk voice ) I just hope he does not change his screen name like so many have done around here!!!!!!
December 16th, 2015 at 2:37 pm
BucBonzai….Lovie has the final say so of who’s on the entire roster. Period, thee end.
Unless you think otherwise…which you’re entitled to think however you want to think.
That doesn’t make it so.
December 16th, 2015 at 2:42 pm
^^
It’s easy to bash others when you don’t have the cajones to say what you think should be done.
There are no wrong or right answers, Realist. Why are you so afraid to tell people how you would handle it?
For the record, I have been wrong about a gazillion things. I even thought Scott Milanovich could be good.
December 16th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
Couch Fan is packing the heat today. That had to hurt.
OneLovie… I’ll pray that you recover from your burns, and that you can look beyond your wang to make a point. Amen.
December 16th, 2015 at 3:06 pm
I’m on the new address side
December 16th, 2015 at 3:10 pm
@love and warrick dunn
To say that I don’t give opinions here is laughable!!!!! Take a poll if you need to, but I am pretty sure that most will say I give my opinion!!!!
Second, that is the cart before the horse!!! I am here to convince others that lovie is a problem. Once we get to that point you will hear my opinions. I will not waste my time on “Ifs” and “fantasies” until Lovie’s tenure is coming to an end!!!
December 16th, 2015 at 3:16 pm
Lovie IS the problem the game has passed him by and he is trying to catch up on the go, bad hire by the glazers and his 8 wins show that, thanks for getting the bucs to draft jameis but now it is time to go back to the basement lovie
December 16th, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Realist that is cop out. You want Lovie gone, we know.
Bring something new to the conversation.
December 16th, 2015 at 3:40 pm
No you wouldn’t. You won’t because you can’t. You copped out which is understandable because you have been talking out of your ass the entire time. You have no clue what it means to “coach up” players so stop pretending that you do.
You are like many fans in other cities who’s team has a losing record. You really believe the talent level here as a whole is something special when it is not. As a few of the very astute commenters around here has pointed out, when you don’t have a good pass rush it doesn’t matter what defensive scheme you are running. How has firing the head coached worked out in Miami or Tennessee this year? Not well at all now has it? If you talk to those fan-bases they really think things will be much better next year. LOL!
Most of you Lovie detractors need to understand that in order to build a football team you need consistency. Bucs have tripled their win total since last year. I’m sure that fact really bothers most of you. Before any of you whine about 2-14 like an idiot, remember that if the Bucs don’t tank (which they obviously did) then Mike Glennon is *still* your starting QB and the Bucs would be worse.
December 16th, 2015 at 3:40 pm
Makes you appreciate Mike Singletary for doing what he did to Vernon Davis!!!
December 16th, 2015 at 3:47 pm
What a joke. The scheme shouldn’t be based on getting turnovers but stopping the other team, turnovers can’t be relied on as getting them relies on a good deal of luck.
Loser Lovie just doesn’t get that though
December 16th, 2015 at 3:50 pm
@Realist
Don’t be coy.. You surely had an opinion on who should be hired after Raheem? After Schiano?
The guy I wanted called, arguable the worst playcall in Super Bowl history. So, again, I am not afraid to be wrong.
You on the other hand? Jesus, you aren’t enlightening us with a cure for HPV. Spit it out , Marie Curie, we need to know your vision.
Waste your time? You are on message board for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 4 in the afternoon. I think we already left that station.
December 16th, 2015 at 3:53 pm
Giving an opinion isn’t just saying what’s wrong. For once, say what should be done. Who should they hire?
Go on the record. If you have the balls. Or, just piss and moan in every post without offering anything else.
December 16th, 2015 at 4:01 pm
You are like many fans in other cities who’s team has a losing record. You really believe the talent level here as a whole is something special when it is not
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I never said anything close to that but yet you say I’m the one talking out of my ass. It’s ok. I forgive you for having your head so far stuck up Lovi’es rear that you can’t see any faults other than the players. I respect your professional opinion. For a moment there I almost forgot you were nothing more than another commenter.
You sound angry. Btw what does miami or tennessee have to do with Tampa? Hmm. So in your well educated opinion, you are assuming that since it hasent worked before that it cant possibly happen now and we should just stick with a mediocre coach. Great logic there buddy. Amazing how people with such idiotic logic think they are so much smarter than anyone else. LoL. No wonder you were laughing at your own post.
December 16th, 2015 at 4:16 pm
Couch Fan,
When anyone blames the head coach for the team’s woes it’s because they think the talent on the team is better than it really is. By being critical of Lovie Smith week in and week out it is by proxy you believe the team has more talent than it really does. Otherwise, you have no good reason to want another head coach ran out of town. It’s easy to blame the head coach. When it comes to a team’s fans it’s always the lowest common denominator that routinely blames the coach.
The reason why I brought up Miami and Tennessee is because the angry mouth breathers in those cities kept calling for their respective head coaches to be fired thinking the problem with the team had to do with the head coach. Cleveland fans have been banging the drum about firing Mike Pettine all season. They’ll get their wish and they’ll continue to be a losing franchise. I guess that point was missed on you.
Again, you completely dodged my question. Please explain how head coaches “coach up” players on their teams. How does this happen and what do they do specifically to “coach up” players.
I won’t hold my breath…
December 16th, 2015 at 4:17 pm
I already addressed “Realist” in the thread above this.
Where are all these Lovie Loyalist Sheep you like to talk sh1t about? Who the F*ck are they besides OneLove?
Love And Warrick is right on the money. Realist and those like him are the ones who say the same dumb sh1t every week regardless of what the team does or does not accomplish There may as well be a bot on this site doing auto-replies based on a couple different Realist type responses.
It’s INSANELY ironic to see him call others “sheep”. He’s the biggest f*cking sheep on this board; and a slave to nothing but negativity & criticism. He has absolutely no balls when it comes to forming an opinion that can actually be judged later.
The closest thing is his season prediction of 4 wins tops and a bottom of the league defense.
Well you were way f*cking off.
To me this isn’t about Lovie smith anymore. It’s about this guy being a complete jacka55 and giving me a migraine anytime I read his comments. This site needs an “ignore” feature more than any but he could comment as any name so it wouldn’t matter
December 16th, 2015 at 4:32 pm
First let me just say that I dont claim to be a professional expert at anything. I give my opinion. Some people dont like it. Thats fine. Thats what most fans do. Are you a fan of those teams you are speaking of? Have you watched any/all of their games? I havent so I wont pretend to know whether the fans of those teams or right or wrong. Truth is I dont care about those teams. I watch every Bucs game. So I like to think I know what I am talking about when I see the same flat unprepared team come out time and time again. That is not a talent issue. That is a coach issue. That cant be debated but I am sure you will try. You will probably even try to say “Coaches shouldn’t have to get players pumped up to play at this level.” I think thats garbage. It’s a coach job to get his team ready and prepared. I also see an undisciplined team that commits the same stupid penalties week in and week out. Thats also not a talent issue. Yes, some penalties are do to lack of talent but when they are commited consistently every week by multiple players on both sides of the ball, thats a coaching issue. And then theres the issue of not being able to stop simple things like 3rd and long. Again not a talent issue. When you watch the Bucs you see coverage breakdowns that shouldn’t happen at this level. Our guys clearly dont know how to execute or just completley confused, again thats coaching.
I shouldnt have to go into detail about how he coaches at practice when its clear as day that during games they dont know what they are doing.
I’m not saying we are a HC away from a super bowl but I also don’t believe we are lacking as much talent as you are trying to imply. This team is fully capable of making the playoffs with good coaching and stop with the idiotic penalties and just play solid defense.
December 16th, 2015 at 4:33 pm
Essentially the main arguments I’ve seen is that Lovie has had 2 offseasons to get the defense corrected and hasn’t. That’s the biggest argument against him by far.
Ok. Fair point. But what were your expectations? A top 5 defense in 2 years with 1 draft pick spent and only FA acquisitions? A top 10 defense in 2 years?
I’m sorry but given the talent we had when he arrived; that just doesn’t seem realistic. You don’t take a bottom 5 defense and make it top 10 through Free Agency. That’s retarded when you think about it. Seriously our defense has been horrible for years if you haven’t noticed.
This team was completely starting over in the entire secondary, entire offensive line, quarterback position, and receivers outside of Vjax.
Did you really think ANY coach would have gotten this team to a top 5 or top 10 defense just using free agency?
Seattles defense sucked under Pete Carrol in his first year and didn’t get to being a special unit until they nailed 2 drafts basically.
These aren’t excuses; these are the realities of the NFL. If Lovie was supposed to have an ELITE defensive unit in 2 years using ONLY free agents I’d LOVE to see when the F*ck that has ever happened in this league before??
Let’s have a real discussion
December 16th, 2015 at 4:38 pm
lol….this team has zero talent…end of story…quick question for those of you that want lovie gone….how long does it take to rebuild a team with “0” talent? 1 offseason? 2 offseasons?….GO BUCS!!!!
December 16th, 2015 at 4:45 pm
0 Talent? not even gonna respond that that.
Again nobody said anything about an elite defense. Stop making things up. How about just a competent defense? 1 that doesnt allow most teams to drive down the field on them every possession and chew up large amounts of TOP. How about a defense that can stop 3rd and longs a good portion of the time? Is that 2 much to ask after 2 offseasons of Lovie signing his guys? Or does Lovie need 5 years just to get some competent players cuz we all know how great Lovie is as a coach apparently.
December 16th, 2015 at 4:48 pm
Also I don’t think the talent on the team is THAT bad.
Defensively id think we are mediocre to bad in talent especially now given injuries. We have performed like a top 16 defense. I watch every Bucs game and a ton of other teams. There are much worse defenses out there right now. We’ve had a couple really bad games; a couple really good games; and a bunch of average. That’s personally what I expected given our personnel. Was hoping for better but I’ll take it for this stage
December 16th, 2015 at 4:50 pm
Is competent = to average? If so then we are competent defensively.
If competent = top 1/3 or top 10 in league then no; but that’s a strong “competency” you are looking for
December 16th, 2015 at 5:57 pm
JBF wars. There’s nothing like it on the net.
December 16th, 2015 at 8:54 pm
“Players Are Tuning Out Lovie”
LOL – Joe’s just throwing (conjured) raw meat to the rabid Lovie hating dogs.
80+ comments on the thread – so I guess mission accomplished Jose…..
And tomorrow when they play well and win – it will all be OK again – and the haters will mostly disappear again – right? SMH
Sir, comments are meaningless to Joe. Second, Joe’s not going to ignore the head coach’s strong words when he’s a guy who measures his takes carefully. Lovie said this for a reason. Ignoring it would be silly. –Joe
December 16th, 2015 at 9:34 pm
I want Lovie out clearly, but this is a bit of a reach. Lovie doesn’t really hold them accountable for penalties, that’s why those keep happening. Turnovers is mostly because they talent sucks on defense, though that’s on Lovie for going with Bears retreads so much. I don’t think it’s because they’re tuning him out, it’s cause he’s lousy as a coach.
December 16th, 2015 at 10:51 pm
Hawaiian, I knew we could agree on something. A guy like Bree’s will NEVER turn that ball over against a pedestrian secondary and 30 seconds in the pocket.
Look, Lovie will be here next year. But, if I see the same issues again next year he will be gone. Record and and a young QB are one thing. But repeated mistakes, penalties, a very average defense, and inconsistent intensity and play are inexcusable.
I will continue to vote “little confidence” as long as I see those same issues.
December 17th, 2015 at 8:44 am
The nail has been hit on the head! These grumpy old women who constantly bash Lovie never offer up any examples of who should be coach or any true solutions . They sit up here whine cry and complain saying pretty much the same thing over and over and over and over and over………………. well unless the team wins then they bury themselves back into the wood work. These guys truly fit their political affiliation, republican/conservative /tea party and they all fit under 3 types of personalities; Bill O’Reilly, Rush Limbaugh & Glen Beck. These guys are all a bunch of blow hards who all say the same thing trying to sound like they know what they’re talking about but when they speak it’s all a bunch of rhetoric & mumbo jumbo. No solutions of any sort. Talking to them is like talking to a wall. Taking a line out of their little hand book I will not be pc when I say that a number of them simply don’t want a black coach. Their track records speak for themselves. Lovie will have to be perfect in every aspect of coaching for them to get beyond it. Any of you detractors who panties are in a bunch because I pulled the oooooh ‘race card’ don’t be so sensitive get thicker skin. These guys don’t listen to all the facts only only those that fit their way of thinking. The fact is Lovie has had the arguably two best drafts since the ones that brought us DB,WS,JL &RB. Niw that’s a long time but the Tampa 2 worked then because of the players. Lovie had to completely change this team around through the draft. The 1st two were 95% offense. These guys donot or refuse to see the marked improvement across the board. He has changed from how he was in ChiTown. This time he’s taking care of the offense first then he will change the defense. Next year will be a greater improvement but if course the clowns will still hang to their little downcast teat because the want another kind of coach. If we’re sheep then they’re goats. Sheep are always more preferable.
December 17th, 2015 at 11:01 am
I also love how people take one thing that Lovie says and run off with it like that’s the only thing he teaches. Are you guys serious??? You actually think that he doesn’t know that stopping the other team on 3rd down is like so very important! Well what about the two other downs before that huh??? How do you stop a team on them???? It’s called TURNOVERS fools! Not only do the halt the progress of the other team they give our offense another chance to score! Plus they can deflate the other team and turn momentum back to us.
You guys say that he doesn’t hold himself accountable for the mistakes the team makes? Since when???. He has no choice but to but he has said he has to do a better job of coaching. You know what???? A coach is only a sum of his coaches players and choices he makes. After 13 games it is time to start putting the blame on the players because Lovie has assembled a pretty decent staff from Licht on down to Bajackian (sp?) Lovie is not making them miss easy catches or blocking assignments, personal fouls, false starts, holding and all the inordinate amount of penalties they make. The mistakes the players CHOOSE to make are whats killing this team the most not Lovie so get a grip.
December 17th, 2015 at 11:44 am
They are not tuning him out, they are falling asleep. A speech by Lovie is like a tranquilizer. Zzzzzzzzz.