Smith's control of 53-man roster is another leap of faith Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer? ? Sunday, January 5, 2014 
Bucs coach Lovie Smith asked for and was given contractual control of the Bucs 53-man roster, the Times confirmed, which is another demonstration of faith by the Glazer family.Smith never had such a strong voice in personnel matters with the Chicago Bears. In fact, it's an organizational structure the Glazers had for only one season, in '95, when they purchased the team and coach Sam Wyche was also the head of football operations. He was quickly stripped of those duties when Rich McKay was installed as general manager.Smith's control of the 53-man roster almost certainly would limit the Bucs' opportunity to attract an experienced general manager. That's why it's likely someone with ties to Smith, such as Kansas City Chiefs director of player personnel Chris Ballard, would be a frontrunner to fill the role with the Bucs. Smith and Ballard go way back. Ballard, who is also from Texas, played at Wisconsin when Smith was an assistant coach there.What does it mean? Smith has the kind of power reserved for coaches such as the Patriots Bill Belichick. Certainly, after nine seasons as a head coach with the Bears, he knows the type of players that will thrive in his offensive and defensive system. But in addition to his familiarity with the Bucs, if you're looking for the difference between this head coaching job and the Detroit Lions, who have Martin Mayhew as general manager, complete control over the roster is a huge distinction.It also means Smith will have ultimate authority over the NFL draft. The Bucs own the No. 7 overall pick in 2014.
It may not have been written on a contract, but I thought Schiano, except for Freeman, pretty much had control of the Bucs roster, and ESPECIALLY of the draft. He WAS a most persuasive personality... 8) Time will tell as to how Lovie handles it; something new for him. As we all know, it can be a good thing, but it's definitely a potential trap too. Gotta be SMART about it and NOT fall in love with any one player in FA or the draft...
I like it . You need an actual football guy who can overrule the pinheads like Dummynik in the front office.
Problem is, absolute power corrupts absolutely, even in football... ;D
I believe many coaches have final say over the 53-man roster. I don't see that as that big of a deal. What's different is Smith has final say over all personnel which is not mentioned in this article. That's pretty uncommon. I generally don't like that situation because I think whoever is picking the players needs to do it with a longterm perspective, but it seems like more teams are doing it with the coach running the show and having success.
FRG - I have not seen or read that Smith has final say over all personnel - I have however read and interpret what has been written is that he will have final say over the actual 53-man roster - meaning there will be no more forced situations such as the Freeman debacle under Schiano or when Schiano wanted to presumably trade him but was forced to start him or the Morris situation where he was seen discussing whether or not to insert Freeman in a game with Dominik. Now I might have missed something - but his control is over who is on the 53 man roster. That does not seem like the same as total control over all personnel just who is on the final 53 man roster over who sits and who starts.
"after nine seasons as a head coach with the Bears, he knows the type of players that will thrive in his offensive system"Bet you can't say that with a straight face.
FRG - I have not seen or read that Smith has final say over all personnel - I have however read and interpret what has been written is that he will have final say over the actual 53-man roster - meaning there will be no more forced situations such as the Freeman debacle under Schiano or when Schiano wanted to presumably trade him but was forced to start him or the Morris situation where he was seen discussing whether or not to insert Freeman in a game with Dominik. Now I might have missed something - but his control is over who is on the 53 man roster. That does not seem like the same as total control over all personnel just who is on the final 53 man roster over who sits and who starts.
I was looking at this article but may have misinterpreted that. If all he has is control of the 53-man roster, big deal. I'm more concerned about who has final say on draft day and with free agents. Once you have your 90 guys after the draft and tryouts, you generally know who your best 51 or 52 are.
Final say on the 53 is meaningless all coaches have that - in theory - so it isn't news. If he has final personnel control, which it seems is what is being said rather badly in the article, then that is bad. That makes him coach/GM with some dude who does contracts. I never like that arrangement.
Based solely on that article...
Lovie Smith's contract contains a clause that gives him final say over all personnel matters on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 53-man roster, according to league sources.
The way that reads is his control is just over personnel matters with regards to the 53-man roster...Not total control over all personnel matters. Again to me it just means he has final say on who makes the 53-man roster and what players start, dress and see the field.
Not to pile on to Stroud, but it is just so darn easy. If Lovie has total control over player personnel, then there would be no reason to specify a number such as 53. The specificity implies limits, not total control as Stroud imagines it to mean.Also, as Stoud depicts it, Wyche had total in control in 1995. Then the Glazers "stripped" him of that after that year. I guess you could say that considering they fired him. Guess you could call that the ultimate "stripping". LOL at Stroud.
