As is typical on internet boards and in forums, there will always be differences of opinion, especially when it comes to new coaching hires in the NFL.But I think Tampa Bay may have actually hit the bullseye with the hiring of Lovie Lee Smith. The reasons are several --1) Instant Credibility- Smith is a bonafide NFL head coach rather than the unknown commodity of a college coach (apologies to Jim Harbaugh)2) He is the "Happy Medium" between the Club Med (Morris) and the Tyrant (Schiano). Lovie can and will command respect from his players and likely do so without having to raise his voice much, curse, or belittle members of the roster (see Tony Dungy)3) Many have questioned Lovie's teams lacking offensive production in Chicago and there is some validity to this. But Lovie is not stupid and I am guessing he picked up some educational tidbits along the way in Chicago. Bringing in Jeff Tedford to run the offense holds no guarantees that the Bucs will become a scoring juggernaut. But Tedford's pedigree at Cal was indeed offense. There is no way of knowing if this will translate over to the NFL. That was also a "concern" for the Chip Kelly offense working up in Philly--school is still out on Kelly after only one season, but his team IS in the postseason.4) Smith will be a familiar face on the Buccaneer sideline vs. an unknown, unproven, unqualified HC. Along with fan familiarity, by and large, the Buc fanbase is far more liklely to embrace Smith than they did his predecessor. It is doubtful that the city of Tampa will display billboards saying "Fire Lovie" in the near future.5) Free Agents will be more likely to put Tampa Bay on their potential list of destinations with Smith at the helm, therby continuing to improve a roster that is already laden with talent.6) The defensive front line is sure to get a boost with the impending return of Rod Marinelli, one of the best D-line coaches ever IMO. Marinelli-another familiar and popular face "coming home" as the possible DC.7) Looking at the previous 6 items, this should undoubtedly turn the W/L fortunes of the Buccaneers into positive territory, thus planting more sphincters into the seats at Ray Jay--and that will, without question, please the Glazer Goons.Welcome Home Lovie!! Looking forward to the draft and OTA's with renewed vigor and excitement.
Add that with Smith's credibility and reputation, higher qualified, more talented coaches will want to come work for him in Tampa.
5) Free Agents will be more likely to put Tampa Bay on their potential list of destinations with Smith at the helm, therby continuing to improve a roster that is already laden with talent.
anyone want to venture a guess as to some likely free agents? Is the a DE out there? Like Bears bringing in Peppers? Lovie will obviously was pass rush?
5) Free Agents will be more likely to put Tampa Bay on their potential list of destinations with Smith at the helm, therby continuing to improve a roster that is already laden with talent.
anyone want to venture a guess as to some likely free agents? Is the a DE out there? Like Bears bringing in Peppers? Lovie will obviously was pass rush?
Peppers, Greg Hardy, Michael Bennett...
5) Free Agents will be more likely to put Tampa Bay on their potential list of destinations with Smith at the helm, therby continuing to improve a roster that is already laden with talent.
anyone want to venture a guess as to some likely free agents? Is the a DE out there? Like Bears bringing in Peppers? Lovie will obviously was pass rush?
Peppers, Greg Hardy, Michael Bennett...
I'd be up for Michael Bennett, Jared Allen....maybe Peppers, if he was cheap. 7.5 sacks is solid, but the games I saw him he didn't look much of a factor.
I keep thinking Lovie has been studying and thinking about what went wrong the first time. Most coaches only have their first time through; that's kind of hard to be able to see things 20/20. As other have pointed out, Belicheck, and I'll add Pete Carrol, also came and went and came back. Supporting this seems to be Lovie himself; he seems to have been motivated all this time and learning. The concern is still the O side of the ball. He's thinking bring in Jeff Tedford. I'll say this much, Jeff sounds Gruden like. Since the entire coaching staff hasen't been hired yet, we should wait to hear who else gets hired. Jeff Tedford is famous for the Qb's he was able to win with in College. The success of these Qbs in the NFL is another story. I'm not so concerned about that. How many Aaron Rodgers come around for any coach to coach up? He made the most of what he had. He was also really good with Hbs. Another Cal product is Wr DeSean Jackson, and Marvin Jones. Those are two that come to mind; I'm sure there's more If I dig some more. Lovie probably knows his D talent; Tedford knows his O talent. This should work out on draft day.
I'm very excited... and I think Lovie will be the face of this franchise for quite some time
Some more talent coming from California . . . Keenan Allen, Db's Steven Williams and Marc Anthony, Lb Mychal Kendricks, De Cameron Jordan, Dt Tyson Alualu, c Alex Mack, Wr Lavelle Hawkins, Dt Brandon Mebane, Cb Nnamdi Asomugha, Lb/De Tully Banta-Cain
