“Don’t Try To Overmanage Him”
August 12th, 2010
Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher was on fire yesterday on Sirius NFL Radio, displaying a deep working knowledge of the Bucs; it almost seemed like he had a real passion for pewter and red.
Joe was impressed.
Cowher had a lot to say about Josh Freeman and how Greg Olson needs to dial the offensive playbook way back for his young receivers on opening day because they just won’t be able to handle all the speed and complexities of the game by then.
Cowher also was concerned that Freeman is so coachable he could be overcoached and lose confidence.
“You look at Josh, I think Josh is someone that can sometimes take in too much information. I think you’ve got to be very careful and let him just play. That’s the thing with a guy like Josh, just play. Believe what you see. Trust it. And then make a reaction and go with it. If it’s wrong, he’ll learn from it. But don’t try to overmanage him,” Cowher said. “Because I think Josh Freeman is a guy who is going to soak up [everything told to him], so too many people in his hear could make him too mechanical.
“And that’s the only thing I would be concerned about with the guy. I think he has everything. I think you just got to let this kid play. Let him break the pocket. Let him improvise at times. Those are the greatest plays in the world, because the defense won’t know what you’re doing because you don’t know what you’re doing.
“Let him develop as a quarterback confidently and don’t question him. Be careful because potentially you could overcoach him.”
Cowher’s take makes sense on the surface, but Joe’s never developed a quarterback before.
One person Freeman won’t have to worry about being in his ear? A veteran backup.
August 12th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Oh my this Cowher guy is totally wrong for this town.
Everybody in Tampa HATES an improvised play.
August 12th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Cowher knows a little something about Big Ben.
Only problem, Big Ben manifested into his own monster post Cowher. Bill, what ultimately happened to poor Ben reliving the college years?
Anyway, I think Cowher is right.
However, what does this mean now?
Will Josh, after hearing all about this, start to become ‘annoyed’ by the Raheem/Olson duo? Will this be a seed planted in the Freeman’s head, a thought that will grow into total disgust for his current coaching staff?
Thanks Bill Cowher!
Can’t wait until you get here next season!
August 12th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Javier, now you arte at it again. We do not know if the coaches are over doing it with Freeman.
August 12th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Hopefully he doesn’t soak everything in.
laws against running around without your underwear and putting your face on people.
Hey, I saw on Hardnocks that they were pulling fans comments up on a projector, I wonder if they are doing that at one buc place with JBF?
August 12th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
And exactly how many great QBs did he or his coaching staff developed? Is like taking advise from a blind person on what to look for.
August 12th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Did you miss the 2005 Super Bowl win with a second year QB?
August 12th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Joe seems to recall a guy Bill Parcells called the best quarterback to come into the NFL since Dan Marino was drafted was developed by Cowher’s staff. Some handsy-with-women guy named Ben Roethlisberger.
You know, a guy that has two rings.
August 12th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Sounded like Cowher has alot of good common sense! Especially loved his praise of Raheem and Dominik! Said they are a pair on the rise! He really was knowledgeable about the picks, and had some good insights! I think he’ll do a heck if a job in his home state, coaching the Panthers! Not looking foward to facing him twice a year! But definately agree with his opinions on the Bucs! He was much more optimistic and insightful than most commentators! Good stuff Bill, and good luck with the Panthers!
August 12th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
O’Donnell seemed to have a nice career under Cowher too. I know Noll drafted him one year before Cowher took over, but seems like he developed after his rookie year. I think they made it to another Super Bowl with him, but lost it.
Big “isn’t a man” Ben will never be a Dan Marino type QB! I know, I know he has 2 rings and Marino none, but come on!
August 12th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Eric and Javier- never gonna happen! Cowher coached in a real football town- Pittsburgh, where the fans love their team! If you two talked about the Steelers in Pittsburgh, the way you talk about the Bucs here, Someone woulda broke your noses by now! I ‘ve been there, they have some great,loyal fans! Why would you you wanna go from a place like that, to a town where alot of the fans hate the team, and wanna see them fail! Not a chance! He’ll be coaching in Carolina next year. Don’t see any reason for a proven coach to wanna put up with the Whinny, disloyal, mancrush fans like some of the Buc Haters around here. You guys should thank God for Raheem Morris, he’s waaay better than your “team support” deserves!
August 12th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Capt Tim,
Obviously you haven’t spent much time in Pittsburgh.
The Steeler Nation would put up with 3-13 for about two seconds.
I do understand that if Rah fails they are looking strongly at Jimmy Lake to replace him.
August 12th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
And that’s a GREAT QB, they won with great defense if it was up to the QB they would’ve missed the playoffs. I sure hope Freeman doesn’t turn into a bigger Garcia, that’s what Drunkenburger is.
August 12th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Captain Tim,
I think Cowher might be more concerned about getting fired after a winning season or making the playoffs!
Imagine if Pittburg had implemented the “one and done” and “Division Titles are Meaningless” standard to Cowher? Would have run him out of Piittsburg longgggggggggggg ago. Thankfully, Rooney’s understand pro-football. Glazer boys have no clue.
August 12th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
OK, We do not all have to agree, but it is crazy not to recognise Cohwer as a great coach. Also, Big Ben may need to leave his hands to himself when hanging out with college girls, and he may want to ask for ID, but you can not deny the kid can play QB at a high level. No need to arue just to argue.
August 12th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
CaptTimmy, if not Bill Cowher, then who?
Who will replace Raheem Morris after this season?
You would rather Tampa play AGAINST a coach who has racked up 150+ wins??? Twice a year? Sean Payton isn’t going anywhere either.
Oh man, we need a real coach NOW more than ever. The Glazers should bring in Cowher just so Carolina DOESN’T get him.
August 12th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Javier…hopefully the one we have shows us a great season this year! If not, they should look for a good OC or DC from another team, or maybe try out our own ST guy. It is not a 100% deal that Morris will not get it done. Cohwer thinks he is an up and comer, which people said about him for the last couple of years. Can we please give the “who is the next coach” talk a rest? Once the games start at least?
August 12th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
My take is this – Olson BETTER simplfy the darn playbook. Lets look at Atlanta for inspiration. When Matt Ryan took over as a rookie they cut his passes down to 1/2 the field so he wouldn’t have 3 or 4 receivers to check down to. They also got a running game going. Ryan did fantastic in his rookie year.
Cowher is right about Freeman. Thank goodness they got a QB coach and stopped letting Olson do OC and QB Coach.
Hey Bill did you check out those great house prices in Avalon while you were here?
August 12th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
If Cowher would keep the Tampa 2 and Radio as the DC, I would love having him as the next head coach. And we also wouldn’t have to listen to Raheem laugh and giggle like a little boy in his annoying press conferences anymore.
August 12th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
I was sure impressed with Cowhers knowledge of the Tampa Bay Buccanneers.
August 12th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
“Let him develop as a quarterback confidently and don’t question him. Be careful because potentially you could overcoach him.”
Translation: Don’t screw him up before I take over as head coach next year…
August 12th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
@ Oar :”Big “isn’t a man” Ben will never be a Dan Marino type QB! I know, I know he has 2 rings and Marino none, but come on!”
Oar, you sound like Big Ben will never be even close to what Marino has been as a QB. I disagree, I think Steelers philosophy of running the ball often has prevented Big Ben from showing off his passing skills. Last season we often saw a great passer behind a bad O-line that shred secondaries. Not a fan of Ben’s off the field antics, but I would hesitate to bet against him on the field.
August 12th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Jonny how can u grade an OL when the QB doesn’t stay in the pocket?
If he was a great QB he wouldn’t need 8 to 10 seconds to find an open target. He is just like Garcia, taller and with a much stronger arm.
August 12th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
We have a Coach. His name is Raheem Morris . I hope he successfully coaches the rookies into productive pros. I hope he leads this team to a good record, and has everyone excited about the future. You two sit around and hope for failure. In my life, I expect success! I want the team to win, because I am a Bucs fan. You two want the team to fail, because you hate the Bucs, no matter what excuses you use to rationalize it.
August 12th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Big Ben should be sitting in Prison, playing “watch out for the corn-hole” on Sundays.
August 12th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
We have a coach and his name is Raheem Morris…Close we have a db coach NOT A HEAD COACH11111
August 12th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
“We have a Coach. His name is Raheem Morris ”
Exactly what our problem is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 12th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Capt.Tim Says: We have a Coach. His name is Raheem Morris . I hope he successfully coaches ….
You can HOPE all you want.
I want CHANGE from last season’s dismal results.
August 13th, 2010 at 3:31 am
Eric- “WE” don’t have a problem- you have s problem- you want your team to fail, to lose, to be humiliated. All because they fired a .500 coach you are obsessed with. It’s a moral and character flaw. Being traitorous is always unacceptable, no matter what lies you hide behind.I’m sure Benedict Arnold had some eloquent post about his treachery also. Mr.Lucky- I hope for the team to succeed. You hope for failure, and cry for change. I prefer my outlook. Lil Kids cry when they don’t get what they want immediately, similar to some people here! Adults know that change takes hard work and time! ! Crying about everything immediately is infantile and ignorant. Again, not who I am. I manage to have an attention span longer than 10 seconds. You whinners can stop your feet all you want, someone will be along to change you and give you yer bottled shortly! I just refuse to act like that much of an idiot over a game! I Realize we are rebuilding. No big deal. Some of you are absolutely in a tantrum! Thank god the Skyway bridge jumper platform is being maintanced!
August 13th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Rah will be here longer than you think Javier lol. You ask who will be hear next season?? He will…. lol
August 13th, 2010 at 8:20 am
Jonny, Just my opinion, but what if Big “isn’t a man” Ben didn’t have 2 rings? Would you still compare him to Marino’s success at QB? His records and stats DON’T hold a candle to Marino’s! Never will! Just my opinion though. Nothing to see here folks, move along!
August 13th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
oar, don’t start the “what if he didn’t have Super Bowl rings” argument…. some might jump in about Gruden if it’s all about stats….. I can see the “does his .540 winning percentage really stack up to the great coaches?” argument coming out and then all hell will break loose.
August 13th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
BamBam, You mean like other super bowl winning coaches Tom Flores(.527) and Dick Vermil(.524) that had lesser winning percentages than Gruden? Or Dan Reeves who went to the super bowl 4 times(lost all) with a .535 or Chuck Noll who won 4 super bowls with .566 win percentage? Yeah you’re right, we don’t want that discussion.