TAMPA, Fla. -- In their eighth loss of the season, something new happened for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The team’s most powerful voice was silenced. And the coach, who usually paints a pretty picture, wasn’t even trying.
Let’s start with coach Lovie Smith. He gave the freshest speech he’s given in weeks, really all season. For a change Smith didn’t try to put a positive spin on Sunday’s 27-17 loss to Atlanta.
“It’s a broken record, really, with me talking to you and telling you how much better we’re getting and we’re making progress -- got to find a way to get a win," Smith said.
Amen. It’s about time Smith addressed how the Bucs have struggled, instead of trying to make it sound like the team is improving. When you're 1-8 and have blown fourth-quarter leads in the last three games and five on the season, you’re not improving. You’re getting worse and you’re getting closer to 1-15. Does anybody really see the Bucs winning another game right now?
I see a defense that’s not half as good as it should be. I see a team with no running game and a ridiculously bad punting game.
All that is probably part of the reason the team’s biggest voice was nearly silent. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who usually always has something to say, didn’t have much to say.
“Usually I know what to say, but at this point, guys, I don’t know," McCoy said. "I don’t know anymore. I know we're going to keep going, but I don’t have an answer for you, I really don’t. I’m sorry."
I don’t know which is more out of character -- Smith not trying to talk about improvement or McCoy speaking the painful truth.
Either way, it’s not good.
