Daily Bucs Links: Bye Lovie

Calvin Johnson stirs speculation that he might want to retire - SBNation.com
Like another Lions great before him, Calvin Johnson may be retiring early because of football's physical and emotional toll.

The Dolphins scared the Buccaneers into firing Lovie Smith - SBNation.com
Still trying to make sense of the Bucs' decision to fire Lovie Smith after two seasons? Part of the answer is on the other side of the state.

NFL playoff picks and predictions 2016: Experts heavily favor Seahawks, Chiefs in wild card matchups - SBNation.com
The race to Super Bowl 50 begins with the NFL playoffs this week. Our panel of experts is back with their picks for Wild Card weekend.

Andy Reid and the Chiefs are starting over again - SBNation.com
Andy Reid steered the Chiefs out of a 1-5 start to finish the season with an 11-5 record. Now, they're using that same approach with an eye towards a deep postseason run.

Grading the 32 NFL players we thought would break out in 2015 - SBNation.com
In August, retired NFL defensive end Stephen White picked a breakout player for every NFL team. So how'd they do this season?

Sims Leads NFL RBs in Yards Per Touch
Stat Shots presented by Air Force Reserve: Bucs second-year RB Charles Sims averaged more yards when he touched the football in 2015 than any other back in the NFL, nearly breaking a team record in that category.

Ian Rapoport Discusses Coaching Candidates
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport has the latest on the dismissal of Lovie Smith as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Buccaneers Dismiss Lovie Smith
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have parted ways with Head Coach Lovie Smith.

Alterraun Verner wants to remain with Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Blog- ESPN
Cornerback Alterraun Verner had a disappointing season, making just six starts, but hopes to be back with the Buccaneers next season.

Kwon Alexander: Being suspended for Bucs' stretch run 'was very stressful' - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Blog- ESPN
Even though their season is over, linebacker Kwon Alexander was excited to get back around the Bucs after serving a four-game suspension.

Trending in NFL - Bucs surprise by firing Lovie Smith; grading every team's season
Recapping Wednesday's top stories, which include Tampa Bay letting coach Lovie Smith go and NFL Nation's grades for every team's regular season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers dismiss coach Lovie Smith after second season
Veteran coach Lovie Smith, after his second season at the helm for Tampa Bay and to the surprise of many, was fired Wednesday night by the Buccaneers.

Golic: Lovie Smith firing is 'stunning' - ESPN Video
ESPN's Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic react to the Buccaneers firing coach Lovie Smith on Wednesday night and break down what this firing means for 6-10 team this season.

Bucs firing of Lovie stunning, but 8-24 simply can’t be overlooked | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune
I had my doubts all along that Lovie Smith was going to be the man to put the Bucs back over the top.

Bucs fire Lovie Smith after two losing seasons; GM Licht to lead coaching search | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune
The Bucs tripled their victory total during Lovie Smith’s second season as head coach in 2015, but neither that nor the arrival of a franchise quarterback was enough to save Smith’s job. Smith was fired late Wednesday after going 8-24 overall.

Dungy, Lynch hope to be among 15 finalists for Hall of Fame | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune
Safety John Lynch and coach Tony Dungy, key contributors when the Buccaneers emerged as a perennial NFL power, are hoping to advance tonight when the Pro Football Hall of Fame announces its 15 modern-era finalists for the Class of 2016.

Source: Bucs OC Koetter is candidate for head coaching vacancy | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may not look any further than their own back yard to find a replacement for former coach Lovie Smith.

Risk of losing Dirk Koetter factored in Bucs firing Lovie Smith | Tampa Bay Times
The Bucs' decision to fire coach Lovie Smith came Wednesday night as the team weighed the risk of losing offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to another team, and all signs point to him being the team's next coach after the interview process is completed.

Bucs players 'shocked' by coach Lovie Smith's firing | Tampa Bay Times
News of the firing of Bucs head coach Lovie Smith didn't come down until about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, but there was immediate reaction from his players on social media, expressing their surprise even after a season-ending four-game losing streak.

Jones: Bucs can do better than Smith | Tampa Bay Times
Is it the right move? Really, that's the only question that matters this morning. Did the Glazers do the right thing in firing coach Lovie Smith late Wednesday night, three days after the end of the 2015 season?

Cummings: 'There's a real fear around Tampa Bay' - NFL Videos
Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune joins "NFL HQ" to share the local reaction to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers decision to part ways with head coach Lovie Smith.

Bucs fire Lovie Smith | Tampa Bay Times
TAMPA — At 10:21 Wednesday night, two days after saying his team was headed in the right direction, head coach Lovie Smith was fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Arrington: Lovie Smith firing was a surprise - NFL Videos
NFL Media's LaVar Arrington and Elliot Harrison share their reactions to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers decision to fire head coach Lovie Smith.