What’s The Next “Philosophy?”
October 14th, 2010
Mark Dominik gave an exclusive interview to NFL Radio on Wednesday, only transcribed right here by Joe, and Dominik explained that he’s transitioned from his Jimmy Johnson phase into his Tony Dungy phase.
Mark Dominik: Let’s be honest, we are 3-1 and we played some close games. But one thing we all attribute this success is that we have been building chemistry on this football team. That is how we tried to build the football team. I had a Jimmy Johnson philosophy in changing the roster around and making some hard decisions. Before, we were claiming guys off of practice squads. We have now set ourselves up into what I call the Tony Dungy philosophy in that we will go all young and grow together.
Now this made Joe laugh a bit. Joe’s not sure what “philosophy” Mark Dominik’s past mistakes came under, but that doesn’t matter now. The Bucs are 3-1. Josh Freeman is for real. And Dominik is a budding rock star on the NFL front office circuit for his two drafts.
So Joe has to wonder what philosophy is next?
If the Bucs manage to go 8-8, a tremendous achievement for their talent level and experience, does that mean Dominik would then turn to a get-over-the-hump, get-a-few-premier-free-agents philosophy? And try to accelerate a Super Bowl march with a mix of “ascending players,” as Raheem Morris likes to call them, and established stars?
Surely, Team Glazer remembers its glory years of stockpiling studs and paying a steep price for them, in draft picks and/or cash. It paid off with the ultimate prize and a packed stadium.
For now, Joe just hopes a new philosophy is in play at the end of the season. That would mean the Bucs finished the season strong.
October 14th, 2010 at 10:08 am
It’s about time that someone over at One Buc recognized that chemistry had been lacking last year. We’ve all played on teams that lack that unspoken element and despite the talent fall short.
On the other hand its that unspoken element that helps teams overcome adversity and pull out 4th quarter wins like the Bucs did last week in Cincy.
How do you think Bellicheck keeps winning in NE?
Dungy did it here as well.
October 14th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Thing is, chemistry takes time to build. Last year we had the same 3 LBs starting, but they hadn’t worked together as a unit before. We also started this season with basically the same DBs from last year (at that point, one new starter in Jones, and Biggers in for Talib). Again, these guys needed time to work together. They’re still building that chemistry, as Jackson is out and Grimm is in. D-line is revamped this year and just beginning the chemistry, and may have to continue that next year if we get a new DE.
Funny thing is the O-line should have the most chemistry, and yet they’re struggling more than any position group. Josh Freeman worked hard this offseason to build instant chemistry with his new WRs. It’s a process, but it’s coming together. We still have more pieces of the puzzle to fill in, but I like the chemistry they’re putting together.
October 14th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Bellicheck keeps winning in NE because they have a system they adhere to on the field and they do things like trade Moss. The Pats have something ridiculous like two picks in every round of this year’s draft.
Assuming the yong players continue to progress, the Bucs have at least one more year to focus on the draft. DE, RB, Safety and O-line. Joe always says our O-line is talented. We shall see.
October 14th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Focusing on the draft is a perpetual thing. That will continue long after we have a solid base roster. That’s how the Patriots are able to let veteran players go and pick up extra draft choices or swap for potential younger players. They draft well, trade well, use free agency well and move older players while they still have value. Same with the Eagles and for the most part, the Steelers. Those teams are perpetually replenishing their teams with young talent to replace older talent.
October 14th, 2010 at 11:10 am
Funny how expectations change, saying 8-8 would be a tremendous achievement, but right now, I think if the Bucs finish with anything less than 8-8, Raheem and Dominik are in trouble (even though at the beginning of the year, everyone thought their magic number was 6), a 7-9 finish would mean we closed out 4-8 over the last 12 games, and unless we were really close to winning 6 of those 8 loses, that cannot be considered a good finish after this 3-1 start.
October 14th, 2010 at 11:17 am
Another thing that is lost is the idea of finding late round talent in the draft. Anyone (almost) can make a good first and/or second round pick. Its good fifth through seventh round talent that builds champions. NE has been good at that. Dom is proving he’s pretty good at that, too.
That, I think, is why the Bucs came unraveled so quickly from a Super Bowl team. All those early round picks gone and no ability to find late round talent. McKay had it, Allen didn’t. McKay couldn’t manage the salary cap, and that cost us, too. Dom seems to be adept at doing both, like NE, Philly, and Pitt.