History Suggests Schiano Isn’t Patient With QBs
December 17th, 2012
A longtime pregame and postgame radio voice of University of South Florida football, Joe’s friend Justin “The Commish” Pawlowski has lots of experience studying Big East football. And it was Pawlowski who said many months ago that Bucs fans should keep an eye on Greg Schiano’s faith in Josh Freeman because Schiano was rather trigger-happy with his quarterbacks at Rutgers.
Schiano recently used three freshman quarterbacks in three consecutive seasons at Rutgers, Pawlowski said, and the coach’s track record was not one of patience at the position.
Given the current freefall of Freeman, Pawlowski astutely reminded listeners of this bit of Schiano history today on his “Gary and The Commish” show on 98.7 FM.
Joe also would point fans toward the comments of the leader of the New Schiano Order on his radio show last week. Schiano was peppered by a caller about Freeman’s future and the coach explained that he believes in Freeman but if a time comes that he isn’t confident in his quarterback that could change.
“I think that, you know, this is a guy who’s 24 years old, he’s in a new system, quarterbacking a new system, and I think he’s had some great, great moments. And I think there’s also been some that he and I both wish we could redo,” Schiano said last week. “Again, this is a guy who is definitely on the come, understands what we’re doing and is only getting better. I truly believe that he’s going to play great [against the Saints]. And if I ever don’t feel that, then that’s a different story, but I do. I believe in this kind and I believe he’s going to do a great job. The best days are ahead for Josh Freeman and for the Bucs.”
How Schiano feels about Freeman after yesterday’s debacle is unknown. But how the Bucs approach the quarterback position in the offseason will tell Joe a lot about what’s in Schiano’s head.
Joe’s supremely confident Freeman will be the 2013 starter, but if the Bucs magically end up drafting a mid-round quarterback in April, and/or upgrade Dan Orlovsky in free agency, that will tell Joe a lot about how the organization feels about No. 5.
December 17th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
I don’t remember there being NEAR the outcry for Morris’ job in 2009 when he had a horrible first season where he hired and fired both coordinators and did absolutely NOTHING right from the second he set foot in the stadium.
December 17th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Adam i slightly disagree there. People were calling for Rah’s head before he played his first game. The guy was never liked here in Tampa for the most part. However, Rah’s first year was near nowhere near as hopeful as this one. At no point that year were the Bucs in playoff contention. I think when the Bucs got on that little win streak they had and people were mentioning them having a chance at the playoffs people unrealistically got there hopes up. I think those are the fans you are hearing.
December 17th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
I wouldn’t read into a new backup, etc. Teams always try to get players to become better. It would be no different here.
December 17th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
I have watched Freeman for 3 years now and believe he processes information slowly.
December 17th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
I’m thinking Chip Kelly is probably ecstatic that he avoided this mess….
It may be a good thing for the Bucs organization if Coach Shiano won’t put up with QB failures… May be we can finally stop wasting season after season just to realize that a player is an under-achiever and nothing more…
December 17th, 2012 at 6:19 pm
I’m much more intrigued with Adam Weber than Danny O’fer. A month ago there was so much hope…now Buc Nation is simply “pushing a wet rope”. Interested to see how the Bucs respond at home vs.a team with similar talent and first year coach.
December 17th, 2012 at 7:58 pm
I agree with Schiano. Joe, you should always have a reliable backup QB in case Freeman gets injured so that we could still win some games without him. problem is Orlovsky is not a good backup QB whatsoever, so I think drafting a QB would more along the lines of having a reliable backup rather than a look at Freeman’s replacement.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
If Aaron Murray declares then the Bucs need to draft him. period.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
There still is so much hope. My god, the last four games have sucked, and Freeman has regressed in those games, but it’s not the end of the world. The team is still worlds better this year as opposed to last. We have legit playmakers and superstars in Doug Martin and Vincent Jackson. Mike Williams is producing and is a prototypical number two who can be a number one wideout when called upon. Lavonte David is a beast, Mark Barron is learning, Michael Bennett and Gerald McCoy are both playing well, Mason Foster is developing nicely, and Ronde Barber is still out there producing. Carl Nicks will be back next season. There are positives.
There are also negatives; the offensive line is battered, the pass defense is historically bad, Josh Freeman is erratic; a playmaker and rising star one week, lost and confused, rushing throws and forcing picks the next weeks. I think these are correctable mistakes. I expect an improvement from Freeman in year two working with Sully, I fully expect the crappy secondary to be addressed in the offseason with a free agent signing to replace the soon to be released Eric Wright and at least one or two corners in the draft, the line should heal up, we’ll get Clayborn back.
Yes, the quarterback is the most important position on any team and right now our QB is still going through some growing pains, but c’mon, this isn’t the Raheem era, this isn’t even the last days of the Gruden era with mostly washed up vets. We have something here, let’s be patient and let this thing grow. If in a years time we are in the same spot, okay, the complaints will be a bit more valid, whatever that means replacing the coach or Josh Freeman himself. For now, let’s see what happens before we burn the facility to the ground.
December 17th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
@ thegregwitful
GREAT POST! BEST ONE IVE READ ALL DAY. I agree with you 100%. this should be the mindset of all bucs fans, but sadly its not.
December 17th, 2012 at 10:15 pm
We’re saying the same thing now that was discussed when we first drafted Free. The single biggest question was with his accuracy. It’s why both Stafford and Sanchez were drafted ahead of him although he had the “size and intangibles (w/e those are)”. I’m not going to comment on whether they’re better or not, but I will say Free has the same issues he’s had during every aspect of his professional and collegiate careers. We don’t just need him in the 4th Q when down, we need him in the 4th when we’re up and need to get a few first downs to run out the clock, we need him in the second and third quarters when he seems to have zero urgency. Free is not our guy, and we can sit and wait for greatness or seek it out; I vote the latter.
December 18th, 2012 at 12:40 am
Good-bye Gosh, Hello Geno!
The Little General kissed Gosh on both cheeks and pronounced loudly his official vote of confidence.
Then he called Gosh’s agent and told him to start shopping him around the NFL. Tell the other team’s that Gosh had pulled a groin a month ago, hid it from the coaches because he’s such a warrior and the Bucs would confirm it.
Freeman is a coach killer. If the Bucs trade him and draft Geno, they save $4 million and buy Schiano a couple more years as coach. Plus they have that eternal excuse of the youngest team in the NFL and rookie QB.