Greg Schiano Swung And Missed
May 30th, 2012Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
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Not sure how many of Joe’s readers are aware, but the Tom Krasniqi era at WHBO-AM 1040 came to an end over the weekend.
Krasniqi worked the afternoon drivetime shift for the station and had regular guests talking Bucs. One of them was eye-RAH! Kaufman, and Joe was fortunate enough to obtain an audioclip of the interview last week thanks to the ever-talented Rollergirl.
Kaufman explained to Krasniqi and his listeners that after the Bucs departed with tight end Kellen Winslow, new Bucs coach Greg Schiano owed the fans a brief explanation why the team saw fit to trade K2 to Seattle.
“The fans deserve a couple of sentences about what happened with Kellen Winslow. I’m not saying you have to rip into K2, but explain why he didn’t fit into plans. You don’t have to rip the guy. I thought it was an ill-conceived answer [saying he wanted only to talk about players on the current roster]. He had to know what he was going to be asked when he walked up to the [media] scrum.
“[Schiano] saw a guy on film who was getting into Freeman’s head. It was a tough spot for Freeman, getting harangued by a veteran. [Winslow] not getting separation was a factor last year. And he wasn’t a big red zone threat. He was a safe third-and-six guy who wouldn’t break tackles.”
Kaufman also explained he believed Butch Davis had a major say into Winslow being traded, given their histories in Miami and later in Cleveland where Kaufman said the relationship between the two became frayed.
To hear Kaufman discuss other Bucs subjects, click the arrow below.
Audio courtesy of WHBO-AM — (H/T Rollergirl).
May 30th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
IMO this is an issue the Tampa press has totally screwed up. Where are the calls for the GM, Dominik, to address the Winslow trade. Isn’t it the GM who is suppose to make these decisions? The press shouldn’t be on Schiano for this they should be on Dom. Hell Winslow never even played for Schiano and wasn’t it Dom that traded for K2? I haven’t seen one sports writer call out Dom on this one.
May 30th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
This is kind of old news now, but I would agree that the fans are owed at least some explanation of player moves. We don’t always need the entire scoop, but something of some substance that let’s us know why. We do help pay all their salaries. It’s not too much to ask.
May 30th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
I get Ira is doing his job as a journalist…..but Schiano doesn’t owe the fans or the media anything. Period. He’s obviously going to be tight lipped and keep a muzzle on his staff. Local media need to adjust because they won’t be getting much out of this regime. I like it. Let the team’s play on Sundays do the talking.
May 30th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
I think everyone already knew everything ira said, right?
May 30th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
Ira can suck it. Schiano doesn’t owe the local media jack squat or anything else. Ira is apparently to dense to figure it out for himself, and who cares anyway. K2 is gone and he won’t be missed. It is what it is, Ira, get over it.
Really people, do you really need a play by play on why K2 was shown the door??? There has to be at least a dozen good reasons. I can name them if you like, but pick any one and that would be grounds enough, plus all of his guaranteed money was paid out last season. He had big roster bonus money coming if he went to OTA’s, so that is why they told him not to come.
May 30th, 2012 at 7:44 pm
” he wasn’t a big red zone threat. He was a safe third-and-six guy who wouldn’t break tackles.”
I think that is a pretty accurate description of what Winslow brought the Bucs. Bucs need to find someone to fill that role now.
May 30th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
If only the Bucs were ever in 3rd-and-6…
May 30th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Ira is mad because he’s not getting the news hand fed to him and now he actually has to work and pry for news.
May 30th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
You know what the fans deserve? Wins.
That’s it. It’s his ship to run.
May 30th, 2012 at 7:59 pm
Not exactly the way to sell season tickets… or remind locals they helped pay for a stadium.
No, but he (or someone with the Bucs) owes fans an explanation.
May 30th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
I understand the argument, but I personally don’t feel like he owes the fans or media an explanation. Even if you disagree with the move (I have mixed feelings about it), even the strongest Winslow supporters have to admit he’s on the decline of his career, and he has some other baggage that could be undesirable for some coaches. It’s not like we gave up a Pro Bowl player, or the leader of the team. I think he certainly could still help us, but we are not doomed because he’s gone. We’ve all heard several reasons as to his departure, and my money would be that they all contributed to the decision, as opposed to one in particular. I would guess that him not showing up at OTA’s was a factor, but obviously under CBA rules it’s not supposed to be. By Schiano answering questions honestly, he opens himself up to getting in trouble. I would prefer he didn’t get up there and lie, and I don’t think that Schiano is that type of guy. Just say nothing and move on.
May 30th, 2012 at 8:11 pm
If Kellen Winslow being on the team is your deciding factor on whether or not to buy season tickets, then you probably should spend your money elsewhere. I think he played well for his 3 years here, but he’s not even in the ballpark of the elite TE’s in the game. Would anyone even rank him in the top 15 TE’s in the game? If he were a perrenial pro bowl player and a team leader, then I would expect an explanation. However, he’s not, so I don’t think Schiano has to explain every single transaction. Besides, it’s not like we don’t already know the answer. Is it really that important to people to hear it out of Schiano’s mouth?
May 30th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
What happened to Krasniqi?
May 30th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Joe is biased because he is a blogger and doesn’t like the idea of a Belichek type media lock down….but he’s reaching because explaining why Winslow was cut has nothing to do with selling season tickets. We’ve spent big in FA and brought in big names as well several older experienced vets, we cut a bunch of dead weight, we had an outstanding draft, and we put together a solid coaching staff. THAT is all you can ask for in the offseason to get fans excited about buying season tickets. Fans aren’t worried about explanations. The media is.
May 30th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Would everyone really feel better if Greg had just said “we felt it was time to move on and other players would be better suited for our offense” “we wish him the best”
The fallacy is that head coaches ever really say what their real reason is for trading a player. Nobody says “the guys a cancer and his knee is shot”.
So, what’s the diff? Do u want no comment or soft peddling?
The real reason guys like Ira get upset is he has no story to print. He’s hardly looking out for fans interest.
May 30th, 2012 at 8:32 pm
No, by a full measure of statistical analysis Winslow was the 33rd best tight end in the NFL.
if you include his non-statistical baggage, you could make a sound argument that Winslow is the least valuable NFL tight end.
This was a simple decision.
There are fans at home who if you asked to run hundreds of routes and 121 targets could give you 60 or so receptions and a 6.5 yards per attempt average and 3 TDs.
Winslow is also one of the worst at breaking tackles.
Schiano is doing Winslow a big favor by not publicizing why he traded him – he is terrible and a cancer and will not start in Seattle and may get cut.
May 30th, 2012 at 8:32 pm
IMHO, we greatly improved our team with Dallas Clark.
Winslow was a cancer we are better off w/o.
Let Pete Carroll baby and spoil him in Seattle ?
Schiano owes Tampa nothing, but a winning team.
I happen to like his tight lipped policy with the media.
He chooses to do his talking ON the field, vs in the media.
May 30th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
The flipside to your argument Joe is that Schiano is in the process of earning the team’s trust.
Selling out a veteran player like Winslow is not a particulary good way to do that.
The near consensus from scribes and fans alike, is trading Winslow was in the Buc’s best interest long term. A plethora of reasons exist, so we pick any two that suit us.
Regardless, Ira’s dismay fortells the future. You are going to get very little out of Schiano. The era of incessant babbling has gone the way of the land line.
May 30th, 2012 at 9:05 pm
If the Bucs were trade someone like say……… Davin Joseph, well now that might require some sort of explanation, because it doesn’t make a lot of sense. The K2 bye bye trade was a complete no brainer for every single Buc fan there is, but somehow the Media doesn’t understand any of the 1000 good reasons for the Bucs doing it. I guess what my other than perfectly clear @$$ is trying to say, is that this deal required absolutely no explanation.
Now I would say Pete Carroll in Seattle may need to explain to his fan base.
“Why would you trade for a one legged, diva TE, that doesn’t practice and (insert all other comments above) that whines to his QB?”
May 30th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
Since when did the freeloading media start buying tickets to games?????
May 30th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
Bucfan4747:
He and the station parted ways.
May 30th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Buxter:
Joe thinks the opposite is true. Winslow sold himself out (and on national TV no less) the way he hounded Freeman all the time.
If anything, Schiano was giving Freeman and others a pat on the back by getting rid or Winslow.
May 30th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Sounds to me he hit a hanging slider in the Rays tank!
May 30th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
JSmall:
LOL. Wow, the Rays need some offense, huh?
May 30th, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Stephen Holder should take note of the difference between Ira Kaufman — an established, esteemed beat-reporter with an articulated opinion, versus himself — a whiny, irritable child with a propensity to throw a tantrum at the slightest dissension.
There’s a reason why one guy gets an NFL HOF vote, and the other gets a deckchair on the titanic.
May 30th, 2012 at 11:20 pm
So why did t kras get the can?
May 30th, 2012 at 11:35 pm
I am a Bucs fan and season ticket holder and I don’t need an explanation!!!! But in case you needed one, the team went 4-12 and is on a 10 game losing streak. Changes will happen!! If no changes happened, the press would then say the fans deserved an explanation for no change
May 31st, 2012 at 12:13 am
Honestly don’t care why Winslow was traded or why the new regime is mum on everything. If this equates to more wins than losses in the regular season, then I’m all for it. With respect to reporters digging for tidbits, oh well, get over it.
May 31st, 2012 at 12:21 am
Listened to the audio and the reporters are looking for banther fodder to feed off. Love this Coach and the respect he’s gaining from his players by staying true to his principles and leading by example.
May 31st, 2012 at 12:51 am
There must be something better to report. Why does a coach owe anyone a response for trading someone. I doubt if he lays awake nites wondering if the fans will approve of the Winslow trade. As for Caugh-Mann, he is irrelevant.
May 31st, 2012 at 2:04 am
Apparently Winslow just flat out wore out his welcome and the most diplomatic way to move forward is to cut ties and not talk.
It’s like having an ex-wife, would you go talking to her new spouse publicly about the prior relationship personal issues?
Very classy by Schiano because now that the media has nothing to talk about since the dirtbags have been removed from the roster the media needs something to talk about. Commendable job so far Schiano.
May 31st, 2012 at 7:58 am
well said architek
May 31st, 2012 at 8:18 am
I thought his answer was fine.. Why do I care about Winslow now that he’s gone?
May 31st, 2012 at 8:48 am
I really liked T Krasniqi, I noticed he constantly had talk on the Bucs way more than all the other sports shows, this really bums me out, and why was it HIM that got the ax? TKras, you’ll be missed!
May 31st, 2012 at 9:00 am
If Krasniki can’t make that god awful show that is on from 6-9 should last about another day. That is terrible radio.
May 31st, 2012 at 9:12 am
@joe.. Where are fans clamoring for an explanation? As stated by many above, the fans don’t need an explanation. We sucked last year and change was inevitable. The media is driving this. The fans expected change. I was a Winslow fan but I don’t need a head coach telling me why he is doing what he thinks is best for the team. The media needs to start asking Dominck about his decisions. Until Schiano starts playing games for real the media and fans need to just relax and let it play out.
May 31st, 2012 at 10:31 am
Buxter:
The flipside to your argument Joe is that Schiano is in the process of earning the team’s trust. Selling out a veteran player like Winslow is not a particulary good way to do that.
Joe thinks the opposite is true. Winslow sold himself out (and on national TV no less) the way he hounded Freeman all the time.
If anything, Schiano was giving Freeman and others a pat on the back by getting rid or Winslow.
Buxter:
Not disagreeing with you there Joe as K2 came from the Meeshawn school of “it’s all about me”. What I am saying is that no player wants to be called out after the pink slip. Freeman and others may take a little bit to adjust, but he’ll come to see the wisdom in this decision very soon.
May 31st, 2012 at 10:57 am
I have to say I disagree with Ira and Joe’s “swing and miss” opinion. There wou be no way to honestly give an explanation without going negative on K2. I commend coach Schiano for taking the high road. You only get rid of a player for one reason…..you feel you’re better off without him. That’s common sense so to go deeper than that would be dredging. Shiano’s a classy guy, he won’t go there. The media just gets mad because they now have to try to make a sandwich with no meat. Or better a yet, a mud pie with no dirt.