Buccaneers players blasted management following team's decision to fire Lovie Smith

There's always one surprising NFL firing, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers releasing head coach Lovie Smith Wednesday certainly fits into that category.

After taking over the No. 1 pick in 2014, Smith rebuilt the Bucs into a playoff contender, falling short of the playoffs but improving to 6-10.

Players under the Smith regime weren't happy and vented on Twitter.

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— Alexander the Great (@Showtime17Kwon) January 7, 2016

3 staffs in 5 years!! Somebody has to be given time for the formula to work!! I was rooting for Lovie, thought he changed the mindset

— Da'Quan Bowers (@DaQuanBowers91) January 7, 2016

Damn, hate that about coach lovie, really thought he would be the guy to take the buccaneers to the next level..

— Da'Quan Bowers (@DaQuanBowers91) January 7, 2016

I DON'T KNOW!!

— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) January 7, 2016

WOW THIS IS CRAZY

— Major Wright (@LilMade21) January 7, 2016

And if you needed any other indication this might have been the wrong move:

"We wouldn't have won 6 games if it wasn't for our coaches, they want it more than the players" - Jameis Winston pic.twitter.com/fIrm9yduHT

— Elliott (@theaveragevoter) January 7, 2016