TAMPA — Building a well-respected and relevant football team is a lot like building a community of pricey condominiums. It happens in phases, and coach Lovie Smith believes the Buccaneers have entered the final phase of their redevelopment under him.
Having already proven this year that they can win on the road, win back-to-back games and avoid prolonged slumps by winning after playing poorly the week before, the Bucs need only to prove they can win consistently to complete the building project, Smith said.
“This is the final stage of our growth, our rebirth, whatever you want to call it,’’ Smith said.