“Automatically Better”

June 15th, 2016
Ultimate respect for Brent Grimes

Ultimate respect for Brent Grimes

Call it street cred, talent, or respect, but it’s a given the Bucs’ defense will be better this season.

Joe has written this numerous times. First, Mike Smith is a better NFL defensive coach right now than Lovie Smith. What Coach My Scheme turned out for two consecutive seasons was a classic display of what happens when stubborn is a core belief.

But it’s more than a coaching change and a philosophy shift at play. The Bucs juiced up the talent on the back end.

Forget all the rookies like Noah Spence and Vernon Hargreaves. They haven’t done squat yet. Look at Daryl Smith, Robert Ayers and Brent Grimes. They represent significant upgrades at every level of the defense, and Ayers and Smith are super versatile.

Grimes is not, but he doesn’t have to be. He’s that good.

Recently on SiriusXM NFL Radio, cornerback Alterraun Verner paid Grimes the ultimate respect.

“When we first got him, one, I was shocked that Miami let him go because I thought he was an extremely good football player, and we were able to snag him away from other potential suitors,” Verner told Bob Papa and Mike Nolan on the Opening Drive. “ I just know for a fact he’s going to help our football team. I’ve been a big fan of his. I think he’s an outstanding corner and, so, I knew from Day 1, once we got him, our team was automatically better.”

Joe agrees with Verner. Grimes is that good. Will Grimes and the other upgrades mean the Bucs are good enough to avoid an 0-2 start after opening in Atlanta and Arizona? That’s the $20 million question.

19 Responses to ““Automatically Better””

  1. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    There is no question our talent has been upgraded on the defense…..with the new coaching, I think the returning players will perform at a higher level….and with the expected steady improvement from Jameis and the offense….we should be in a much better position to win..

    And….as, I’ve been saying (not much coverage here yet) our special teams has likely improved drastically. We know we have a new kicker & punter….but it’s some of the other drafted & undrafted players that have been added that will make the difference….players like Smith, Bond & Vitale.

  2. The Buc Realist Says:

    The incompetent one just said give my guys that know my scheme and i will do the rest!!!!! Luckily we now have coaches that can evaluate the roster!!! Put players in position to compete and succeed!! I think that Coach Smitty replacing coach my scheme will be the similar as Coach Koetter taking over for arroyo (who the incompetent one was fine with for the 2014 season)

    Defensive Coach Smitty= Brent Grimes, Vernon Hargreaves
    coach my scheme = tim jennings, mike jenkins

    nuff said!!!!!!!

  3. Buc1987 Says:

    I’m not going to miss Jenkins…

  4. No_Bucs_Given Says:

    Jenkins was trrrrble

  5. BigHogHaynes Says:

    Dump Trucks Dumping!!

  6. uckinator Says:

    Being better than last year isn’t much of a climb when you start from where worms live.

  7. The Buc Realist Says:

    BigHogHaynes Says:
    June 15th, 2016 at 10:12 am
    Dump Trucks Dumping!!

    You finally get it!!!! They are dumping now because months ago sanitation already picked up the debris and remnants that was the coach my scheme!!! Now the “dump trucks” are finally laying the foundation!!!! Great post by bighogheinous!!!!

  8. Piratic Says:

    @TBR: Please, please, PLEASE stop yelling at us.

    I know you’re excited, but PLEASE, just stop.

  9. tickrdr Says:

    @Piratic:
    Welcome back. I have enjoyed your posts in the past.

    tickrdr

  10. Kobe Faker Says:

    Miko Grimes approves this thread

    “I wanted to be drafted by the Tampa bay Bucs and play in front of poster Kobe Faker” Sterling Shepard

  11. BucNick Says:

    Great stuff Joe as always. I think the DEF this year will be miles ahead of the last two seasons. Question- Josh Robinson- Another good offseason signing for us to build depth. I was impressed with him in Minn but I haven’t heard you mention his name in weeks. How does he look and where does he fit in this puzzle?

  12. Bucsfanman Says:

    I know some want to cover their ears when things are said about a lack of talent but there’s no way you can deny that this year’s acquisitions have more talent in their pinky finger than some of the guys who started for us last year.
    This is one of the most exciting off-seasons I’ve seen in a while.

  13. BigHogHaynes Says:

    @The BucRealist: your a good spin artist, but the truth is the defense will get better because of better talent, yes the scheme will be different but the talent is much better also: Top 10 defence I don’t think it will be that good, maybe 16th best overall Defence, Realist what I get is your blind destain for LOVIE, if we are not rebuilding, and I don’t feel we are, then just give LOVIE credit along with THE HOME RUN HITTER (LICTH) for the foundation that is in place but you would rather keep that TAST OF LOVIE BALLS……..in your mouth!

  14. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    Ok, I’ll take the bait. What is a Kobe Faker?

  15. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    Quit trashing Lovie and quit defending Lovie. HE IS GONE. Let’s get over it and have meaningful discussions about members of the 2016-2017 Bucs.

  16. Kobe Faker Says:

    LOL! Eric, I was banned by Sanders PEPE LE PEW of Bucsnation, the Euro Idiot. I came up with that name from a poster ABLT

    Joebucsfan seems like a great site.

    Im a Jaboo /Tampa fan and LOVE football but I dont drink the koolaid but will say the good and the bad

    *as u can tell, English is not my first language

    my tag-

    “I wanted to be drafted by the Tampa bay Bucs and play in front of poster Kobe Faker” Sterling Shepard

    **If we drafted Sheldon Rankins and Sterling Shepard…we would have made the playoffs this year

  17. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    Kobe, nice!

  18. Mike Johnson Says:

    Automatically better? Yet, this new Buc team has not won one single regular season game. Even Nostrodamus would not touch this one.

  19. firethecannons Says:

    big hog’
    have to admit–you are always mentioning taste of Lovie, his balls–his parts–honestly you sound obsessed with that — just maybe you have an issue?