Dungy Tree A Factor In Talib Decision
May 11th, 2011
Love Father Dungy or not — Joe assumes everyone at least likes Dungy — the man left an unforgettable positive mark on the NFL.
Joe’s not going to rattle off Dungy’s accomplishments, but the guy was masterful at hiring defensive coaches and discovering young coaching talent.
Speaking yesterday to Tom Krasniqi of WHBO-AM 1040, Herm Edwards, a former Bucs assistant under Dungy, explained that Dungy’s philosophies on managing players are part of Raheem Morris’ DNA.
Edwards said Dungy, Mike Tomlin, Rod Marinelli, Lovie Smith and he are very much about helping guide men to become mature adults on and off the field. Edwards said coaching is empty if it’s only about Xs and Os.
“Tony used to say, ‘If you can make them better men, they’ll be better football players,'” Edwards said. “And Raheem knows that.”
Joe typically would be skeptical of Edwards claiming knowledge of Raheem’s makeup, but earlier in Tuesday’s interview Edwards spoke of a conversation he had with Raheem prior to the 2011 NFL Draft. And history says Raheem worked for Edwards with the Jets and Edwards recommended him to the Bucs, where Raheem came in 2002. So there’s little doubt the two communicate.
Edwards shared this context of Raheem’s mindset when asked what he thought the Bucs might do with Aqib Talib. Essentially, Edwards said he thought Raheem’s first option would be to help Talib reach his potential and to want to counsel him.
However, Edwards said if it were his call, he’d get Talib off his team. Edwards went on a rant about Talib not understanding the responsibility of wearing the uniform and said NFL players only respond to being denied football, not fines.
“What matters in kindergarten? Take the milk and cookies away and don’t let them play recess,” Edwards said. “Players don’t care unless they miss games. … [Talib] needs to be shocked” to help him.
Joe wonders whether Father Dungy has reached out to Talib, who seems like a prime candidate for Dungy’s holy guidance. Surely Dungy could score Talib’s cell phone number in a matter of minutes.
If Joe were Talib’s agent, he’d do everything possible to unite Talib and Father Dungy, whose blessing probably carries considerable street cred in the league office.
May 11th, 2011 at 8:46 am
Yes that is an awesome idea. I say the day the lockout is over the Bucs hold a press conference and say all the right things about Talib and suspend him for 4 games. That would show we are serious and pre-empt the suspension by Goodell.
May 11th, 2011 at 9:29 am
Herm Edwards looks like a scarecrow and as a general rule of thumb, I do not trust scarecrows.
You play to win the game! Hello!?!?
May 11th, 2011 at 9:39 am
if you want to shock him, demoted him to special teams for about eight games. That should do the trick.
May 11th, 2011 at 9:49 am
If he is found not guilty … He should be suspended one game for just being in the vicinity of his sisters domestic disputes.
Ben F*n Roethlisberger F*n assaulted a woman and got a damn 4 game suspension.
Hell the guy Talib supposedly shot at was a woman abusing 14 yr old girl assaulter. It was also Big Bens 2nd reported offense. They slapped his wrist
May 11th, 2011 at 9:50 am
I also think Dungy has a grudge against Tampa .. He offers help to Vick right away but not to someone like Talib on his way to being a jailbird too.
May 11th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Nah, Dungy got his revenge on Monday Night Football. He seems to be fine with tampa and the Bucs.
May 11th, 2011 at 10:49 am
I hear the Bucs will re-sign Tim Wansley for the COlts game this year.
May 11th, 2011 at 10:49 am
Since Talib will be suspended for some depth
May 11th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Dungy tree? Should be called the Kiffin tree. Word? You savvy?
May 11th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Wansley… we have Mack to get roasted this time. I swear if Rah puts him on the field I will lose it!
May 11th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
jvato, really? You defy your own logic. If he’s found not guilty, he should only get a 1 game suspension for being in the vicinity. But then you say how Ben assaulted a woman and got a 4 game suspension. First off, Ben had the charges dropped and was never found guilty of anything. So, if he’s guilty because you think he did it because he was in the vicinity…. so is Talib and should get the same 4 game suspension. If he’s not guilty and shouldn’t get the suspension, you should probably also quit saying Ben assaulted a woman as he was never found guilty either. Also, PacMan Jones was suspended for a year and never convicted of ANY crime. He was in the vicinity of multiple shootings and a suspect, but never found guilty. Yet he still received a full year suspension. You then go on to say the guy Talib shot at was a woma abusing girl assaulter. If we can’t base Talib’s situation on past events such as punching a cabbie or fellow rookie or swinging a helmet and hitting a teammate, then how can you justify saying this guy’s (Billings) past means he was abusing Talib’s sister at the time of the incident. Maybe they were just yelling and calling names without any physical violence. Police stated Talib’s sister had no injuries. If he wasn’t abusing her, what was Talib protecting her from?
May 11th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Yeah .. Just re-read that Meant to say he *shouldnt get a 1 game suspension. MY BAD
May 11th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
As far as Roethlisbeger goes .. I dont need anybody to agree with how I feel about it .. After hearing details and the facts coming out it was one of the more disturbing things I have heard.
Sometimes people cry wolf. After hearing the details from the victim, nothing will change my mind on Roethlisberger. Its Fine if people dont agree with me.
May 11th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
Nice thoughts Joe, but Father Dungy is too busy with other things.
Talib just doesn’t get it – he had his chance after the Blow-up in London last year and the Cabby incident.
This last issue with his sister; I feel for Talib and would have acted to protect my family as well – call 911 first then find a football helmet to crack the guys skull open!
Guns and football don’t mix….
May 11th, 2011 at 7:22 pm
@jvato24
I hate you for reminding me how much I hate our former #31.
@gary
Rah WILL NOT have #33 on the roster. The new 7th round CB makes him as good as gone, and that’s a VERY good thing. Don’t get me wrong, I like the kid’s effort, but his physical talent is lacking in a big way. There were more than a few times this past season when I was embarrassed for him.
May 11th, 2011 at 11:21 pm
Um…..maybe we should wait?? Cause, ya know, we really don’t know if he did anything wrong?
But if Talib did do something wrong, get Dungy to give Talib his holy guidance, and then get Gruden to be Gruden by cussing/ yelling in his face and chewing him out. LOL.
May 12th, 2011 at 10:09 am
MrLucky
“Guns and football don’t mix….”
Unless you’re a NY Giant!