“It Amps Up The Crowd”
May 21st, 2013
Greg Schiano craves competition, but his competition isn’t always competition. Sometimes Schiano wants competition at a position even though there’s already a winner, though he still considers that competing.
Schiano says competition is one of his core beliefs, but the definition is somewhat fuzzy, even though he’s explained his stance about eight times this year.
Joe finds it all quite comical, but Schiano’s recent Mike Glennon-Josh Freeman competition chatter is flustering Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud and TampaBay.com columnist and notorious Joe basher Tom Jones. The two dive into the debate, as it relates to quarterbacks Mike Glennon and Josh Freeman, in the WDAE-AM 620 audio below.
Stroud claims Schiano’s mostly-retracted comments about Glennon competing for the starting QB job create a somewhat hostile media/fan environment for Freeman. “It amps up the crowd,” Stroud explains. (Hear all the takes below)
Joe’s more interested in why Schiano chose his words to national writer Dan Pompeii. As Joe’s written previously, it’s too hard for Joe to believe a smart, detail-obsessed guy like Schiano didn’t know the splash value of his comments.
May 21st, 2013 at 3:20 pm
You know it’s the slow time of year when we’re obsessing over the exact wording of a comment.
Like it’s some sort of dramatic revelation that a head coach wants to push his starters to be their very best by finding the most capable competition he can, and also by making strategic comments about giving said competition as much playing time in the offseason and preseason as possible as well as saying they believe the backup has the ability to start if necessary.
I know. Crazy, right? What was Schiano thinking? Isn’t it his job to protect a player’s fragile ego and pamper him emotionally by avoiding all mention of creating scenarios to push him to perform at a higher level? Freeman is already as good as he can possibly be and he doesn’t need to be pushed to improve.
Right?
And yes, that was all sarcasm for the sarcasm-impaired folks out there.
May 21st, 2013 at 3:36 pm
with some of the outrageous comments on here it can difficult to differentiate between sarcasm and genuine belief. I can tell you right now that some of what you said sarcastically is what some people on here actually believe to be the truth. crazy, I know.
May 21st, 2013 at 3:41 pm
Schiano has gotten both his draft pick and it’s desired effect.
Not thinking he wants Freeman to fail, just saying he’s uncertain Freeman can carry this team to the championship.
May 21st, 2013 at 3:53 pm
@Andrew 1: Seriously! Some of the takes presented here are patently absurd, which is why sarcasm should always be noted by the author, as it doesn’t translate well with the written word.
@Joe: I’m curious, why does Tom Jones bash JBF?
May 21st, 2013 at 3:54 pm
Piratic:
Don’t know that he does. But his history is well documented at TampaBay.com
May 21st, 2013 at 4:28 pm
I think Schiano expects a certain baseline of intelligence from the people listening to his comments. That, in itself, is probably a mistake. As far as I’m concerned there isn’t really any ambiguity in his definition of competition, whether it’s for the starting QB or any other position on the team.
It’s only confusing or ambiguous if you’re looking to generate controversy or to have an excuse to print something.
May 21st, 2013 at 4:33 pm
^ +1
May 21st, 2013 at 4:36 pm
Schiano knows Freeman is the starter. What Schiano wants to foster is an environment where the starter can’t coast/or ease up for a few games because there is no viable backup to threaten that nature of getting complacent. However, with glennon, that would end any inkling of freeman’s complacency and if josh should faulter then you have a plan B in place. Make no mistake Josh is the starter. Glennon is not ready, Yet but with time can be a legitimate starter
May 21st, 2013 at 4:40 pm
@ Piratic Tom Jones bashes everything.
May 21st, 2013 at 6:01 pm
Is tom jon es still stuffing socks in his crotch??? Oh wrong Tom Jones!!!
May 21st, 2013 at 7:11 pm
Well said, Curmudgeon.
I agree with your point, but I’d also like to add that thus far, Freeman hasn’t been the type to coast. He works hard every year.
May 21st, 2013 at 7:14 pm
Joe don’t be so defensive, Tom Jones hates everything
May 21st, 2013 at 8:18 pm
What we have is a Coach putting himself before the Team! As if this is a college system. Schiano so desperately wants to be the center of attention by constantly doing/saying things to buoy him as the unmitigated Boss overshadows THIS IS A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM!
We never hear about X & Os just personnel matters or tough talk philosophy in a league where there is now limited contact both during practice and games.
SCHIANO IS A BUFFOON – Who is rapidly looking like a BAD HIRE
May 21st, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Braheem, you are the only one rambling nonsense and looking like a buffoon.
May 21st, 2013 at 11:33 pm
BRAHEEM IS A BUFFOON, who is rapidly looking like someone who doesn’t have a f**king clue what she is talking about.
May 22nd, 2013 at 4:09 am
http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/passing/sort/passingYardsPerGame
Freeman is NOT the Bucs Problem. A 25yr old QB w/3.5yrs Exp who has thrown 25+ TDs twice is not what Your Coach should be addressing with a 3rd Rd pick when your Defense finished #31 outta 32.
Half of Freeman’s 17 Ints came in week 14 & 15 with back to back 4Int games when the season was already lost.
Where is the Bucs depth at DE & CB? Where they really need it Vs Falcons and Saints? Schiano zooms in on FREEMAN? Bringing in a 24yr old Rookie to push a 25yr old Veteran. Get Real Gentlemen! I initially liked the Schiano hire, but this recent development with creating a needless distraction on a team which needs FOCUS is driving me nuts!
ITS THE DEFENSE STUPID……Mr. “Defensive HC”. Your Young signal caller just led a Buc offense that Broke Franchise records in a new offense with New weapons. Another year should have spurred Optimism not Consternation!
You guys are SHEEP! Demand more outta your Head Coach. Maybe he should be COACHING UP THAT DEFENSE, Let the “O” flow with the OC, and keep his piehole shut. Marky D gave the proper spin on that unfocused 3rd Rd selection citing Talent development of a QB as a potential trade asset, Not Turning the Franchise on it’s head by the Spectre of a Change at the Biggest Impact Position in Professional Sports!
May 22nd, 2013 at 6:57 am
well said!