It Appears The Crumbling Has Begun
December 17th, 2012
Joe wondered aloud yesterday, based on quotes from various former Bucs players, whether the New Schiano Order and it’s “toes on the line” mantra would wear off once the Bucs are losing.
Well, it sure seems like it is. The Bucs have lost four in a row. Quarterback Josh Freeman has regressed terribly by the week over the past month and is below Blaine Gabbert standards, if you can imagine.
Then, during the 2011-like blowout shutout loss to the reeling Saints, linebacker Adam Hayward lost it and prompted a physical altercation with front-seven coach Bryan Cox, which in Joe’s eyes is totally unacceptable on the sidelines. Unacceptable as in Hayward should find work for another team next season.
It gets worse. An unnamed Bucs player apparently went off on the Bucs coaching staff to the creator, curator and overall guru of ProFootballTalk.com, Mike Florio.
“Can we send these coaches back to college?” one player privately said after the game.
Well, Joe has a major issue with this. First, please explain how your babysitter drinking buddy NFL coach did last year? How’s Jim Harbaugh doing? Or Pete Carroll?
This is just a loser mentality, no other way to put it.
Just do your job or ask for a release/trade Mr. NFL player (who is so upstanding, upfront, brave and honorable he declined to be identifed).
Joe’s going to guess there will be another purge of players this offseason, guys who want to go MMA on the sideline with coaches and dudes who whine about “college coaches” yet grossly tanked games for an alleged NFL coach.
December 17th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Just my Opinion but….Ronde Barber’s photo appeared in that article (and he has the least to lose) so this is a clear sign that he’s done with the Bucs
December 17th, 2012 at 11:18 am
LOL, whoever said it knows they are gone at the end of the season. Praying that new Coaches come in to save their skin another year, rinse, wash, repeat, for the anymouse loser.
December 17th, 2012 at 11:19 am
My comment would be “Can we send some of these players back to college, because they don’t belong in the NFL!”
December 17th, 2012 at 11:19 am
While I would like to see some of this coaching staff on unemployment, this is completely gutless. Of course we should expect nothing less from a member of a gutless team!
December 17th, 2012 at 11:28 am
In the PFT article it says:
“But the reality is that Schiano’s college-style approach to grown men will work only if the team wins. ”
“College style” meaning making players work hard and holding them accountable. Oh, the horror! “College style” is what most of us in the real world are used to. Pro sports is made up of prima donna’s.
A head coach of Vince Lombardi, along with assistants Chuck Noll and Tom Landry, couldn’t of gotten much more out of that group of buffoons on the field yesterday. Nice job Mr. Anonymous, blame a 41-0 game on the coaches. What an ASSCLOWN!
December 17th, 2012 at 11:30 am
Pete Carroll logged in seven years as an NFL Defensive Coordinator, and Head Coach of the Jets and Patriots, before coaching USC. Jim Harbaugh played for years in the NFL, at the QB position, almost took the Colts to the Super Bowl. He knows the game like Elway does in Denver.
Our guy coached Rutgers…………….
That said, the players on the team need to shut up and play hard.
December 17th, 2012 at 11:35 am
Plenty of blame for the loss yesterday goes to Josh Freeman and the secondary. However, alot of this also falls upon Mark Dominik and the Glazers. They took their time in an “exhaustive” search for their new head coach Greg Schiano who I believe was a good choice. Unfortunatley, by the time the time Schiano was hired just about all the good NFL level position coaches were long gone. How many times were we denied a chance to interview NFL level position coaches?
December 17th, 2012 at 11:38 am
We got players who tank, who no coach could get anything out of.
Yet, strangely enough, we have the best GM in pro football………………
December 17th, 2012 at 11:40 am
There is no doubt in my mind that the players lost those 10 games last year based on what happened in London. We are seeing history repeat itself, with Schiano and his position coaches being the target. No one wants to admit that players have the power “not play well” if they desire. On top of that you have medicocre players who have “stepped up”. Schiano is here for the long term. Other than No. 83, everyone else is a temp.
December 17th, 2012 at 11:45 am
The Bucs had a very short amount of time to throw a staff together this offseason. What Schiano and company did was very well done given the amount of time. They drafted well, got rid of cancerous players and set us up for future success. The way this team played last year we could of easily been a 3-5 win team and nothing more.
December 17th, 2012 at 11:48 am
This is not a meltdown. Frustrated team? Absolutely. But this is a collection of all the misfortunes catching up to us. Freeman’s inconsistancy, a depleted O-line who cant handle the blitz. A horrible secondary and a young inconsistant D-line…. they did very well for what they had to work with. But this season was doomed. With another off season of (hopefully) quality free agents and a good draft combined with a coach and staff who will learn from some of the awful mistakes and play calling and clock management… Next year we will be looking up.
December 17th, 2012 at 11:49 am
This quote really pisses me off. That’s the kind of god damn attitude that will just keep us down. I wish we could send some of these players back to college, never mind the coaches.
Raheem Morris babied some of these guys last year and we are still feeling the effects.
December 17th, 2012 at 11:51 am
@ Justin.
Damn right
December 17th, 2012 at 11:52 am
Sometimes the wheels come off. I think last week broke the B ucs. Yesterday was aweful, but I remember beatings when Dungy and Chucky were coaching as well. it happens, but man is it hard to watch. The next two games will tell allot about the team. Hoefully we can fix the secondary in the off season. I am starting to wonder about the DC as well. If nothing else, this may result in our OC being here next year for sure.
December 17th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
When the only HC to ever give Tampa a Super Bowl victory lost the last 4 games of the season, he was purged along with the players that were the heart and soul of this team. Gruden fell from 9-3 to 9-7. OMG!
Jon was in the 1st year of a 5 year contract. Jon had a pretty good handle on the NFL, still does.
The Little General is a bad joke. He does not understand the complexities of the NFL. He wastes time practicing fundamental things like tackling. I always link to the Joe Morgan TD catch where Barron over runs him trying to make a shirt grab tackle but his momentum takes him out of the play. Then Eric Wright tries the old scissors tackle with his legs around Morgan’s helmet and is easily flipped off. The next player tries the old flying hip bump but simply knocks him forward into the end zone.
Why waste time on stupid Pop Warner drills? These players are professionals that have played tackle football all their lives. They are not going to change.
If they sent him back to college, what school would want him? Does Hillsborough Community College have a football team?
Send the Rockstar to Oregon after the Mighty Duck’s bowl game and shame Chip Kelly into accepting that contract he signed last year. Send Schiano back to high school. Another expensive mistake for the Glazers.
December 17th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
I cant imagine how bad the final score would have been had the players talked about the NBA during practice. Or, if the temprature of the road meeting room had not been properly monitored.
Im trying to recall a similar season. Im brought back to the great Ray Perkins first year here in 87. Started out 4-3, before the collapse. Close losses for awhile. Similar philosophy to Mr. Schiano. Liked discipline and “my way or the highway”. Wore thin real quick.
December 17th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Crumbling? Don’t believe it! Since the loss of key players either through injury, trades, or suspensions, they have been running on fumes, now simply out of gas! Bad day at black rock! We’ll get over it!
December 17th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Yeah funny how the unnamed “coward” would say that but I am sure would be all but happy under the worst coach the Bucs have ever had Raheem Morris setting new standards in terrible play and lack of discipline.
We have definitely seen improvement and I think Schianos loyalty or perhaps conservatism prevents him from making a change at QB even if Freeman implodes the rest of the way. Josh was the reason we lost plain and simple. Not sure how players can spin it that our Head Coach is the problem . He might be the only thing we have going fairly well at this point.
December 17th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Schiano is ten times more intelligent than Perkins. He will adapt where necessary, learn from his mistakes, learn what works and what doesn’t in the NFL and field an even more improved team next year. Anyone who thinks this will end up being Perkins Part II isn’t watching closely enough. This was inevitable with the losses on the o-line and secondary, along with a brand new offensive system. It’ll get incrementally better…the Bucs’ arrow is pointing up, not down.
December 17th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Now the Josh Freeman issue is something different entirely. I would honestly try to trade him to KC for their first round pick if they’re open to it. Maybe even add that extra fourth rounder we got from the Pats to sweeten the deal. Geno Smith has all the characteristics that Freeman is lacking: very intelligent at reading defenses, and throws and extremely accurate ball with great anticipation. If the Bucs lose out and end up 6-10 we’ll get a top ten pick and have a chance at Smith. That’s my hope, because I realize now that Freeman’s ceiling is not as high as we thought it was.
December 17th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Sounds like there’s more trash to put out. Schiano will weed out the weak. Can’t do it all in one offseason.
December 17th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Josh was a big part of the blame but it cant all be pinned on him. The D not being able to stop a thing all day had alot to do with it to.
December 17th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
I never thought I’d see the day where we would see a QB who can throw “the deep ball” but can’t hit a check-down. I’m firmly convinced that 2011 was the real Freeman now. Sure, he had his moments this year, but then again, so did Nick Foles.
People say Josh had a bad game. No. Bad to mediocre has been the norm this season. The GOOD games are what have just “happened.”
December 17th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
The Bucs will be fine. Beat downs happen. Atlanta gave one to the super bowl champs yesterday. 34-0. Don’t think it’s a long term problem for the Giants.
Listen, I know the players are getting frustrated watching a secondary that seems unable to stop any passing attack. My guess is they are getting frustrated with Freeman too. Still, it’s the first year in a completely new system with an entirely new coaching staff. I’ve seen promise for the future.
It’s unfortunate that Schiano stepped into a situation where none of the players he inherited were his. He did have a say in the draft and the FA but the prior players he has to live with until he can correct the situation. I believe the problems will be fixed and that probably includes moves in the coaching staff too. He had to throw a coaching staff together under duress. I would imagine he’ll be tweaking that too as things move forward. I’m still optimistic for the future. We got better this year and up till yesterday were competitive in every game. Even good teams get blown out occasionally. It’s certainly no surprise that we finally did.
December 17th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
I want to start out pointing out that Miguel El Magnifico, is a complete assclown and has no football knowledge. This quote goes to show that this team still has some cancers that need to cut loose, this attitude is more the cause of losses than anything else. While I have a lot of respect for Florio, I wish that reporters would only put things into print with the names of those saying them. This player is a coward, a quitter, and a punk. Cant wait to find out who stated this and laugh as they likely wont be in the NFL next season. No GM or HC wants this attitude on their team.
The Bucs are losing for multiple reasons, 1 look at our list of guys on IR, 2 anyone who thought we were going to win more than 7 or 8 games this season head their heads in the clouds or up there ARS!
This is a rebuilding season, new offensive and defensive systems. New free agents and rookies working on a steep learning curve. I say with all the injuries we have, the players over achieved. While I love the guy to death LJ, a practice squad guy at the beginning of the season is our starting corner. The same goes with the o line and d line.
Many guys on this team have played their hearts out for the team and the fans and I say thank you to them. This punk should be sold out so he can go out with the trash late today!
December 17th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
If it says an unnamed player, it means the writer just pulled the quote out of thin air. Same thing happened with the Jets.
December 17th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Florio is a hack, a douche, and a dram queen. He probably made the whole thing up himself.
December 17th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
You know what funny. The Gaints hated their coach at first. I believe we have the right head coach. I wish we should bring Keith Mallard back. I dont know why he was let go.
You guy are overblowing the Hayward issue. I can see Hayward push him the moment he got in Cox face. He was trying to calm him down and get them both back to the sideline. Cox the one tat should be apologizing. Yeah he’s a coach but what kind of message you sending to your team when the coach can disrespect you like that when you trying to help him and the team?
The comment seem like it out of frustration. I rather know who said that to truely weigh on that. If Ronde said it, Then we may want to pay attention to what he’s saying. IF it’s someone from the practice squad, then there sadly little weigh to what is said though you still want to listen to what they say.
December 17th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Actually Ray Perkins spent three years as OC in New England under Parcells, after he left here. I dont think Parcells hired dummies.
Much richer resume than Greg Schiano.
Very tough to win in this league, and you cant expect a guy from Rutgers to leap to the NFL and get the job done. Odds are totally against it.
Reality can be a cold dish.
December 17th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
I don’t care if our current coach was slicing meat in a deli last year, you respect your boss, you put in the work, you earn your damn paycheck. Now, I’m not too worried about one player (and I’m willing to guess it’s not an impact player) who is mouthing out anonymously to a member of the media. I’m worried about Josh Freeman and if he has what it takes to bounce back after an absolutely horrific month of December.
The ‘college mentality’ of NFL coaching that is often mentioned in the media but rarely if ever publicly brought up by a player is old hat. Tom Coughlin is a disciplinarian, and yes, he did dial it back a bit during the Giants first Super Bowl run, but it’s not like he opened a Club Med. The same with Bill Belichick (and notice how both coaches have elite QB’s), and yes, coaches like Gregg Williams in Buffalo and Rod Marinelli in Detroit were also sticklers for detail and discipline and it blew up in their faces (both guys also didn’t have franchise QB’s), but this has very little to do with Greg Schiano and more to do with the maturity, effort and execution of certain players on the Buccaneers. This is still a very young team and the QB is only 24. The staff needs to do whatever it can to either ensure that Josh Freeman is the answer, or provide all the tools to make him the answer, if not, we are back to square one in terms of finding a franchise QB. I’m not ready to give up on Freeman, but these last four weeks have been brutal.
December 17th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
I think Schiano is a good coach out of the Bellicheck, Coughlin mold. Things are his way or the highway. The problem with that is if you loose you have seriously upset players. Apparently, Schiano was on a lot of teams short list of coaches and it was believed that if the BUCS hadn’t taken him he would be in the NFL sooner rather than later.
That said the fans aka the mob is fickle. Belicheck was run out of Cleveland and Coughlin out of Jacksonville. All they did was win 2 Super Bowls and 2 Super Bowls in their next job respectively. Perhaps we should kick Schiano out of Tampa so he can win Super Bowls elsewhere.
Bottom line is the BUCS are rebuilding. They need to retool. Get good at Defense (draft and sign some corners), get a pass rusher or two and loose your sub-par defensive coordinator. On Offense they probably need a tackle, a possession receiver and of course a backup Quarterback who could be groomed in case Freeman messes up or gets hurt.
Oh also kick out the whiney little B**tches complaining about coaches when they probably need to look in the mirror. After you get your butt kicked in anything you can do one of two things look inside at what you can do to get better or quit (aka whine about your coaches etc.).
December 17th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
Mike Florio + unnamed source = unreliable
December 17th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
There is an old saying that people will lose many times in life. But you only become a loser when you start to blame others.
December 17th, 2012 at 10:50 pm
It all starts with the QB, sure there are other issues but if we don’t fix that none of the other things matter.