TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith hears the whispers and sees the reports. In fact, just after the Bucs surrendered 48 points to the Chicago Bears in Week 4, an online petition had been set up calling for his firing.
"I've got tracks on my back through the years," Smith said of enduring that kind of scrutiny. "That's part of it."
Media members questioned coach Dirk Koetter's loyalty to Smith. Over the past 2 1/2 seasons, the Bucs have given up more yards (381.1) than any other team in the league, and no coaching change had been made.