“I Don’t Want To Say It’s A Nasty Tone”
August 5th, 2016
Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith referenced real football players yesterday.
He didn’t say much, but he said enough. The subject came up when Smith was asked about veteran defensive end Robert Ayers, a big-money, free-agent addition in March.
Smith said he’s all about what Ayers is all about.
“I love Robert Ayers’ attitude that he takes. He is a man’s man. Playing on the defensive line, you’ve got to have guys that are very tough. And he’s setting a tone,” Smith said on WDAE-AM 620. “I don’t want to say it’s a nasty tone. But it’s a man who plays football the way it’s supposed to be played. He’s going to be a guy that’s going to help us lot in a number of areas. Not only on the outside but on the inside.”
Umm, did anyone every hear (or see) anything like this from Michael “Ghost” Johnson during his reign of terror on Bucs fans? Nope.
It’s not the first hint of Ayers getting noticed for his edge. Demar Dotson is thinking about hitting the guy, and Joe has written previously that Ayers is a commanding locker room presence behind the scenes. Exciting stuff for Bucs fans, especially if Ayers can lock down 9 1/2 sacks like he did last year with the Giants.
Enjoy Smith’s full WDAE audio below.
August 5th, 2016 at 8:13 am
He bats down passes too, did one at Practice!
August 5th, 2016 at 8:49 am
Exciting stuff indeed.
We need guys like this is every position group and we are getting them!
Bucs are BEASTIN this season, guys, trust me in that.
Did anyone see Jameis talking about the Law of Attraction the other day? Omg, we are seriously winning the SB this season.
August 5th, 2016 at 8:51 am
Typo *in every position group
August 5th, 2016 at 8:57 am
Should have bet the Bucs to win the Super Bowl in Vegas. Can you imagine the payoff. Call it money sprouting wings.
August 5th, 2016 at 9:14 am
Was thinking earlier this morning that Mike Smith must be loving this. Smitty is obviously excited about the quality of the defensive coaching staff that the Bucs have put together. His new defensive scheme and the way he interacts with players seems to have rejuvenated all of the returning guys on defense. Several of our new additions (Robert Ayers, Darryl Smith, Brent Grimes and Noah Spence especially) look like they’re going to add some much-needed leadership and play-making ability to our D. Have a gut feeling that a lot of Bucs fans (and folks nationally) are going to be surprised at how good this defense becomes by mid-season and very possibly earlier.
August 5th, 2016 at 9:14 am
Bucfan
I’m with you. I’d lay some bucks on the Bucs if I was in Vegas. Long shots but the payoff would be great and I think the return would be worth the risk…of a small amount. LOL
August 5th, 2016 at 9:16 am
Buccfan37
I had a friend of mine put 100.00 down yesterday in vegas. 80/1 odds
August 5th, 2016 at 9:44 am
Erik my belief is these folks think you playing when you talk like that. I know better, I’m wit you bro. I wanna say this, many are critical of GMC but honestly what incentive has he really had prior to now to play all out??? I think he’s been going half speed which is kinda scary considering the numbers. I feel he now sees the pieces in place that give him confidence that he is apart of a championship roster and his play will show this. Look man Ima say this dude has the ability that has never been the question. If he plays this season like a man on fire and say put his self in the MVP conversation we are going to and winning the Superbowl this season yo.
August 5th, 2016 at 9:47 am
I was thinking like money flying away forever, out your pocket.
August 5th, 2016 at 9:49 am
I know you gone clap at me Tmax I just got a gut feel about this one bro.
August 5th, 2016 at 10:09 am
NOSBOS
I too am very positive about the season but man everything would have to fall perfectly for the bucs to make a serious superbowl run this year. I am worried about WR and DT… You just never know though. I’ll gladly buy you a beer fine sir if I win LOL…
August 5th, 2016 at 10:38 am
Our players and coaches believe we can be SB champs at the end of this season and that’s all we really need to do it (when u combine that belief with our elite talent, leadership, coaching, etc)…
NOSBOS, I have that same gut feeling bro.
August 5th, 2016 at 11:19 am
🍻 to my last two posting bros.
August 5th, 2016 at 11:25 am
That’s powerful what just said tho Erik. The feel I get when I read alot of post is that folks are thinking next few years. I don’t believe that’s the sentiment at One Bucc Place. My belief is inside those walls they talking Superbowl push this year.
August 5th, 2016 at 11:48 am
This is exciting times for my Bucs..Our Bucs..The Bucs..
August 5th, 2016 at 12:21 pm
You two calm down already. lol
August 5th, 2016 at 2:34 pm
OK – I’m usually more optimistic than many about the Bucs “chances” in any given year – but some of you guys are getting a little crazy up in here.
COULD the Bucs win the SB this season? Yes
Will they? Um – probably not.
The chance they will? Oh about one in eighty….
Lets just enjoy the season and enjoy the development of our mostly young team. If the Bucs play their way into the playoffs – that would be amazing this year. And of course anything can happen once you get an invite to the dance.
Competing for the division late in the season and trying to somehow make the playoffs are realistic goals. Anything beyond that in 2016 is likely just a fantasy.
I do believe that if the Bucs win more games than they lose this year – and if Mike Smith stays – that we will be legit SB contenders in 2017. But a lot of good things have to happen between now and then for that to become reality.
I will say that with Jameis Winston behind center – many things that previously seemed impossible have now become possible and perhaps even inevitable.
August 5th, 2016 at 5:05 pm
Just Win a lot of games Bucs. Then we will see just how nasty you can be. Everybody is talking turds right now. Everybody is 16-0…until that 1st regular season game.
August 6th, 2016 at 8:53 am
I have a ticket at 50:1. Too bad I put only $20 down…