Tedford’s Business Decision
December 6th, 2014
During offseason practices, Jeff Tedford used to coach players passionately through water breaks. That’s what was happening in this photo. Don’t worry about Tedford, He’s still getting paid.
Bucs fans and analysts are playing conspiracy games and engaging in sinister talk when it comes to yesterday’s official departure of offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford.
Joe can’t go there, but Joe does see the business side of Tedford’s move.
If we accept Tedford’s public statement yesterday as fact, and there’s no reason not to, then we accept that Tedford is now healthy but has opted not to return to the Buccaneers because he doesn’t want to disrupt the management of the offense — on the field and behind the scenes.
And, per Tedford, “I have decided – with the organization’s blessing – that it would be best if the Bucs moved forward without my return and I, now healthy and stronger for having gone through this temporary setback, will pursue other opportunities.”
So in regular guy talk here’s what happened:
Tedford had a cardiac event. Tedford had surgery. Tedford needed more time to recover than he hoped. Tedford reluctantly stepped aside and handed over his offense. Tedford got healthy 10 weeks later. Tedford looked at the state of the Bucs — and his bank account — and made the business decision to move on.
Still Cashing In
The San Francisco Chronicle reported a couple of years ago that Tedford reached a contract settlement with the University of California when he was fired by “Cal” after the 2012 season.
Tedford was to be paid $5.5 million over three years (2013, 2014, 2015) as terms of the deal. As a public university, the deal was public record. One stipulation was that Tedford would be paid less money if he took a new job that paid more than $1.5 million per season.
So it’s pretty safe to assume the Bucs offered Tedford a two-year contract for a few nickels under $1.5 million with, perhaps, a club option on a third year that included a raise.
Cold Reality
These days, a typical NFL offensive coordinator lasts for two seasons, three if he’s lucky. Feel free to look it up. That also was Lovie Smith’s track record in Chicago.
Joe suspects Tedford took a look at his lost 2014 season, which wasn’t his fault, and realized getting a clean slate somewhere else was in his total best interest.
Joe can’t blame Tedford for a second. Walking away now removes this ugly Bucs offense from Tedford’s resumé.
That’s simply a smart career move.
Bucs fans might be bitter at Tedford, but Joe can’t be mad at the guy. He got sick. Tedford referenced yesterday that he ignored symptoms, likely meaning he was working too hard for the Bucs and didn’t want to miss any time.
Life happens. And business isn’t for the weak.
Joe wishes Tedford well.
December 6th, 2014 at 10:35 am
Still the fact remains: Lovie can never find and hold onto a competent offensive coordinator. Buc fans will suffer because of it.
December 6th, 2014 at 10:37 am
Who is the best OC we can get now?
December 6th, 2014 at 10:39 am
Tampa Bay… The Den off Despair.
Good luck to Tedford.
December 6th, 2014 at 10:43 am
Sorry, already lived through this with Urban Meyer at Florida. I have no doubt Tedford got ill. I also have no doubt his “dream” job will suddenly materialize. What a coincidence. But did I want him back, no. Not reliable and proved nothing before he left. Good bye.
December 6th, 2014 at 10:47 am
Real smart business decision by Tedford. Who wouldn’t do the same thing. Stay and work with this mismanaged franchise or start fresh with another.
December 6th, 2014 at 10:49 am
Why not mike shannahan? I think he would be a perfect OC.
December 6th, 2014 at 10:53 am
Plus I think big money in offseason is better spent on coaching than free agents :p. But just imagine that with me. Shanahan focusing strictly on offense again? I would fear the bucs
December 6th, 2014 at 10:53 am
He did what was in his own best interest and as such I can’t really have a problem with it. Can’t say I wouldn’t do the same. Lovie’s gonna struggle to find a good co-ordinator, so much so that Arroyo has a legit shot to come back because it’ll represent continuity for McCown as starter next year.
December 6th, 2014 at 10:55 am
Shannahan is a lock to be a HC again, RGIII’s meltdown makes him look right about the DC mess, possibly even brilliant for getting himself out of that mes. No way he takes an OC job.
December 6th, 2014 at 11:01 am
ColMustard5 Says:
December 6th, 2014 at 10:49 am
Why not mike shannahan? I think he would be a perfect OC.
————————————————————-
I agree that Shanahan would be a good choice, but I would prefer his son, Kyle, the current OC in Cleveland.
Check out his resume.
tickrdr
December 6th, 2014 at 11:09 am
So that means tedford will be ready next year?
December 6th, 2014 at 11:11 am
I agree Kyle is a nice choice but he is going to want to be a HC soon I would imagine. As for the Washington situation with Mike…I don’t understand why anyone blames him for RG3. His hands were tied by ownership, not to mention he was practically running the entire organization. Guess we will see haha but I sure hope Licht doesn’t go playing free agency this year….I’m cool building through the draft.
December 6th, 2014 at 11:15 am
Why would Shanahan want to be OC for the Bucs? What do they offer, or more precisely: what can the Bucs offer in 2015? Granted they could offer a lot of coin (but given the Glazer lads’ thriftiness, doubtful they’d back the armored truck up), a very high draft slot (likely top 3 unless the Bucs somehow get to 4 wins:unlikely given this offense and special teams) and perhaps the promise from the Glazer punks and L&L of total autonomy; no meddling by Lovie (if he did not intervene in some of Arroyo’s idiotic adjustments like at halftime in Cleveland why should he screw around with the game plan of a proven guru?)… Simply put, a lot of teams that are much closer to being competitive could probably offer more to get anyone worth considering and its the Glazers/L&L who are gonna get a new OC, do we fans really expect anything good or just more of the garbage we have seen for several seasons now?
December 6th, 2014 at 11:15 am
He doesn’t want to “disrupt the management of the Bucs’ offense”? Are you kidding me? The offense is in chaos. Tedford dumped the ingredients to a huge meal on the kitchen counter, disappeared but now has just enough to time to fix the meal. And he opts out?
Sorry, I’m not buying it. Something made Tedford say, “Heck no, I’m not coming back.” I’m not buying any mutuality on Bucs’ part, unless he royally pissed them off somehow. There is a key fact that we don’t know here.
December 6th, 2014 at 11:22 am
Mike Shanahan, who has 2 Super Bowl rings as a HEAD coach, work for Loser Lovie? LMAO!
December 6th, 2014 at 11:25 am
The fact Jay Gruden hates RGIII and wants him gone is what validates the Shannahans in the DC debacle. Raheem is still there somehow, as is Bruce Allen despite once again being terrible. Bad as we are they might be a bigger mess, the Glazers are bad but at least they aren’t meddlesome.
But that’s what I pray we don’t do is go after RGIII. Zero pocket awareness, now gun shy, and a 50% injury risk every time he runs? No thanks.
December 6th, 2014 at 11:34 am
He saw what Lovie was really about on offense and knew he couldn’t be successful with that kind of system. Don’t blame him at all for leaving.
December 6th, 2014 at 11:35 am
Let’s look at the needed pieces to put Humpty Dumpty back together again….at least assemble a respectable team. Needed pieces:
DE (2), Middle linebacker, Punter.
Offense: LT, G (2), C, QB.
At a minimum, that is 9 players. Sorry guys, but those of you turned off by free agency, overlook the fact that the draft can only supplement 3 or maybe 4 positions. That means 5 or 6 need to come from free agency or keep this crap of a roster and suffer with them next year as well.
December 6th, 2014 at 11:40 am
Not a single prop to me for predicting this announcement a month and a half ago…not from anyone.
I said it then, if anyone recalls. I was the first to predict it.
At the very least, I should get this opportunity to say:
“I TOLD YOU SO!”
I wish Tedford well. I think it would be only proper to send Arroyo to look after him after the season ends.
December 6th, 2014 at 11:43 am
Also as I said then…
…Rod Marinelli will be our new Defensive Coordinator.
Some people seemed to think he wasn’t going to leave Dallas. They are wrong. He wanted out before this year so he could join Lovie. Jones refused to let him out of his remaining year, choosing to instead offer him an extension.
Rod refused. He wants out. It is obvious. And it will help this defense immensely.
December 6th, 2014 at 12:01 pm
This is why I don’t accept Tedford’s statement:
December 6th, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Where do I apply for the OC position? I can’t possibily do any worse.
December 6th, 2014 at 12:13 pm
This entire offense is a horrible joke in every way possible…
1) the offensive line was destroyed and replaced by underperforming turds…
2) the offensive coordinator hired never had any NFL experience and a bad heart…
3) our QBs are bad and bringing in McCown just made things worse and wasted money…
4) every single tight end we have has played horrible and is now injured…
5) how many dropped balls by the receivers and tight ends? Too many to count…or win…
6) how many stupid penalties have negated first downs? Too many…
7) Doug Martin has lost it and Rainey and Sims are fumblers… Great…
If it wasn’t for Mike Evans we would literally have zero offense this year…ZERO!!!
Hey Lovie, pull your head out of your ass!!! You will not win without an offense… Welcome to the NFL circa 2014… Get with it or get the hell out!!!
December 6th, 2014 at 12:14 pm
Give Arroyo a medal for making it thru the season. I would like to see him stick around as QB coach. McCown will start this year and Mariotta will sit and learn till the end of Josh’s contract. Call it a redshirt year.
December 6th, 2014 at 12:21 pm
Per Joe …
“Joe can’t blame Tedford for a second. Walking away now removes this ugly Bucs offense from Tedford’s resumé.”
Seriously? It’d be ridiculous to blame Tedford for taking care of himself medically, BUT … to cash out on the Bucs because they’re doing poorly right now? Business decision to move on now that he’s doing good physically? Ya right … whatever happened to loyalty and honoring contracts?
The offensive mess that Arroyo inherited wasn’t of his doing, and my guess is that he didn’t really seek the OC position. Nor was he prepared for it in any way, shape or form. I give him tons of credit for at least trying though. More credit than I’ll give to Jeff Tedford at this point for turning his back on the Bucs now that he’s doing OK.
December 6th, 2014 at 12:23 pm
AT JOE, You were not kidding, check out the list and the hire dates –
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_National_Football_League_offensive_coordinators
I noticed Mike Martz is available……..any thought’s?
December 6th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
Timing is everything. The college season is ending and Bucs and Possibly Tedford need to start viewing their options.
December 6th, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Such a disappointment. I was looking forward to perhaps, for once, seeing a Bucs offense being run by someone who could light up the scoreboard. Now we’ll have to see what Lovie thinks in the offseason. The only encouraging thing is that Lovie referenced around the time he hired Tedford that he wanted to hire a QB guru type of coordinator. Let’s hope he retains the same idea when approaching the search in a few weeks. I don’t even care if he goes to the college ranks again. Just get someone with a modern approach to offense!
December 6th, 2014 at 12:44 pm
He absolutely made a business decision. Joe your theories seem substantial but here is my working theory.
Every experienced play-caller knows he need a QB to match his system and my thoughts are that Glennon and McCown were not worth ruining his resume over.
I believe he wanted Carr out of the draft to run his offense but some how that didn’t happen (strike 1).
I believe that the OL supplied was so atrocious that he couldn’t work with it (strike 2).
I believe the risk versus reward of committing career suicide wasn’t worth a group of overpaid and underperforming FAs (strike 3)
3 strikes I’m out (with a pay check)!
I keep saying it but the Bucs not trading up for Carr really hampered this relationship.
–
December 6th, 2014 at 1:07 pm
The Bucs should have hired the coach the Gators are persuing. Now that guy looks like an offensive minded winner of a coach.
December 6th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
DB55, oi finally agree with something you said.
December 6th, 2014 at 1:26 pm
@fort Myers dave
“The glazer lads thriftiness”
That accusation got old years ago….they have many faults the glazers (appointing front office staff for a start), but as a bucs fan I don’t feel short changed. They have been first to back their GM and HC with a blank cheque when free agency bell rings. Again, that may well be ill advised (backing the wrong ponies), but thriftiness not the issue
December 6th, 2014 at 1:37 pm
Is Tedford possibly going to Oregon State?
December 6th, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Brady hoke has a better chance of going to Oregon state honestly.. Major ties with the higher ups there from his time at Michigan…
December 6th, 2014 at 2:28 pm
@dd
Been thinking about applying for years.
December 6th, 2014 at 3:28 pm
He saw the QB situation & Lovie’s stubborn insistence to play a stinky McCown & said bye bye.
December 6th, 2014 at 3:59 pm
It seems Joe and I are resonating on the same plain when I said,
” I don’t think Tedford would have made any difference with this atrocious offensive line, and I also think Tedford knew this before the regular season started, and with the unexpected heart procedure, it gave him a calculated out, of what inevitably would become a finger pointing train wreck. He did this without leaving a lasting stain, on his illustrious, if not impeccable resume. Smart move.”
December 6th, 2014 at 4:05 pm
The best offensive coordinators are either coordinating an offense for a coach that is going to be fired or is a QB, OL, or WR coach that is looking to step up.
December 6th, 2014 at 5:48 pm
Tedford QUIT!!! He will never coach in the NFL again…
December 6th, 2014 at 6:11 pm
Jason Licht
Key Statement
December 6th, 2014 at 6:22 pm
Coach Lovie Smith August 25, 2014
December 6th, 2014 at 6:39 pm
Quarterbacks Coach: Marcus Arroyo
Tight Ends Coach: Jon Embree
Wide Receivers Coach: Andrew Hayes-Stoker
Offensive Line Coach: George Warhop
Offensive Quality Control: Ben Steele
With almost 2wks before the regular season kicked off, and without ONE experienced NFL offensive coordinator on staff. A decision was made- not even hire a Senior Offensive Asst.
December 6th, 2014 at 6:39 pm
Tedford’s statement doesn’t pass the smell test. To say he doesn’t want to upset the team chemistry when Arroyo was just filling in for him until he got better is so much nonsense. I suspect that Lovie must have been really angry when Tedford wasn’t back after about 4 weeks off. That probably led to a loss of confidence in Tedford who has never OC’d in the NFL. I think a rift developed between the two of them. I guess Lovie needs to go back to the basement for some more offensive inspiration for next year.
December 6th, 2014 at 6:48 pm
Magoo
Where Ariel Castro when you need him? Am I right? Too soon?
December 6th, 2014 at 6:54 pm
If Team Glazer Chooses to Retain Coach Lovie Smith
Suggestion:
Hire Rob Chudzinski: Currently Special Assistant to the head coach Chuck Pagano
Chudzinski holds 20 years of coaching experience, including the previous 10 seasons in the NFL. Chudzinski coached five Pro Bowl and five Associated Press All-Pro selections in Cleveland.
Prior to joining the Browns, Chudzinski spent two years (2011-12) as offensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers. In 2011, the team set club records for total yards (6,237) and first downs (345), one year after experiencing franchise lows in both categories. Carolina scored 48 touchdowns overall after recording 17 the year before his arrival.
Chudzinski had two stints with the San Diego Chargers, where he served as the assistant head coach/tight ends from 2009-2010 and tight ends coach from 2005-06. He coached tight end Antonio Gates, who recorded both of his 1,000-yard receiving seasons under Chudzinski in 2005 and 2009.
From 2007-08, Chudzinski served as offensive coordinator of the Browns. In 2007, Cleveland scored 402 points and tallied 5,621 yards of total offense, both of which ranked as the third-most in franchise history. In addition, the team tied for seventh in the NFL in touchdowns and eighth in total offense after finishing 30th and 31st, respectively, the year prior
From 1994-2003, Chudzinski coached at his alma mater, the University of Miami (Fla.). He spent two seasons (1994-95) as a graduate assistant, five (1996-2000) as tight ends coach and three (2001-03) as offensive coordinator. During his three seasons as offensive coordinator, the Hurricanes compiled a record of 35-3 and played in a BCS Bowl Game every year, including two National Championship appearances. Chudzinski helped shape several future NFL Pro Bowlers, including Bubba Franks, Frank Gore, Andre Johnson, Willis McGahee, Bryant McKinnie, Clinton Portis, Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow.
December 6th, 2014 at 6:57 pm
Then Double Down and Hire Cam Cameron or Jim Zorn as the QB Coach
December 6th, 2014 at 7:00 pm
Count your blessing tedford was going to suck big balls in the NFL anyway. Did you not see the first 3 ps games? Ay vey. There’s a reason he was fired, just like lovie dovie.
December 6th, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Lol
December 6th, 2014 at 7:04 pm
@luvmybucs
It won’t work! He sounds like a winner. Lovie doesn’t like that, he’s into “value”.
December 6th, 2014 at 7:10 pm
@DB55
Yeah unfortunately pride does come before a fall. I will always have Luv & respect Lovie Smith the MAN.
The Coach…I don’t know man…
December 6th, 2014 at 7:14 pm
Never personal, always business. (Nino brown voice)
December 6th, 2014 at 7:17 pm
@DB55
LOL #Respect
December 6th, 2014 at 7:22 pm
In reference to preceived drop in season ticket holders/decreased fan participation 2015
Dolemite
December 6th, 2014 at 7:51 pm
Joe go warn MJ. Luvmybucs is going all ghostbusters in him.
December 6th, 2014 at 7:54 pm
It’s just hard for Bucs fans to not be disappointed that Tedford is now healthy and could make a positive difference for our struggling offense. HIS OFFENSE. The one he designed, created, implemented here in the offseason and taught during training camp and the pre-season to all our players and his offensive assistants. We are running Tedford’s offense as a base – and struggling -because the person who is in charge of of the whole thing and is the only one who truly understands all the nuances hasn’t been here to oversee and game plan and call plays on game day.
The fact that Tedford got sick at the 11th hour before the season and couldn’t start the season as OC and then had setbacks and still wasn’t able to come back for many weeks is not something anyone could have expected. Its not something anyone involved could have had a Plan B in place for. Its not anybody’s “fault” that this happened to Jeff Tedford – and the whole scenario is understandable.
UNTIL NOW. The Bucs need his help to improve the offense – HIS OFFENSE. The offense is not good and although lack of talent on the OL and at QB is the main culprit – not having Tedford here running HIS OFFENSE is negatively effecting the overall outcome.
He could do what he signed up to do in the 1st place. Help turn this sucky team into a winning team. He knew there was a lack of talent here when he signed on. But now he doesn’t want to help fix the mess that was partially a result of him getting ill?
Joe – You may say you support Tedford doing what he thinks is in his best interest.
I say – what about the team?
Jeff Tedford – you are abandoning your responsibility to Lovie and the Glazers who hired you and to all the coaches and players and fans as well. All of the above counted on you to come in and help get this pirate ship turned in the right direction. Lovie is a defensive coach. He knows he is not qualified to run an offense and that he needs a good and creative and experienced offensive mind at his side to be a successful NFL coach. Every one involved including you Jeff knew that this was a 4-12 team coming in and that a decades worth of bad drafts along with multiple coaching changes in short succession had left the team in shambles.
This was not a come in and be a good team the 1st year scenario.
Jeff knew all of this and agreed to come here and run the Buccaneer offense to the best of his ability.
But when the going got tough and the team is not winning games – even though he’s healthy now – Jeff doesn’t want to come back because- well its a mess and being associated with it might hurt his reputation.
Screw that. That’s disloyalty. That’s being a quitter. That’s not following through with what he promised to do which is ultimately help the Buccaneer offense to once again become “relevant”. The Bucs could really use his help – even if to just help win a couple of the last 4 games. But he’s walking away “to pursue other interests”.
OK -Whatever. Later Jeff. Good luck I guess.
December 6th, 2014 at 9:34 pm
Pickgrin said:
“Jeff doesn’t want to come back because- well its a mess and being associated with it might hurt his reputation.”
Good point, it is obviously something that weighed big in Tedford’s decision. I still do not understand why he could not sit in the pressbox and simply be an extra set of eyes with a direct line to Lovie and Arroyo? Perhaps he could have spotted the 12 men on the field last Sunday? What a ****ed up situation, and it will be interesting to see where and when Tedford shows up next. But the leaving the Bucs does smell a lot like Urban bailing out of Gainesville doesn’t it? Well time to listen to this great XMas music I have piping in on what used to be an FM sports station here on the SunCoast!
December 6th, 2014 at 9:45 pm
BTW, MGM4Life posted a link to a list of all the current OCs in the NFL and I saw for the Oakland Raiders; OC Greg Olson???? Jesus, talk about recycling and “musical chairs” when it comes to these coaching slots and Olson led the Bucs O to 12+ losses in 2 of his 3 seasons. Good to see the Bucs are not the only franchise making asinine coach hires in this day and age….
December 6th, 2014 at 10:20 pm
I wouldn’t come back either not with this organization. Smart man! There’s a reason he makes millions doing nothing!
December 6th, 2014 at 10:29 pm
as a practical matter each day we can only focus on what we have and not what we wish. sorry, its still a narcissistic world out there – articles like these may help journalists get friendlier coach responses but its 90% likely at this point changes are coming offensively next year from the coordinator on down. I wish arroyo well and tedford and I support tedford leaving as best for everyone
December 6th, 2014 at 11:49 pm
I don’t get your free Lovin Joe. This is a Busch league move no matter the reason. I’d never trust this moron again. Yes I get his isdue but he literally was the main reason this offense has sucked and to leave the coaches, players, owners in this mess no matter the reason is just BS. Joe you are a hard dude to figure out. You hold endless grudges in most things and yet you give this guy a pass. Unreal.. Your a fake IMO ..
December 7th, 2014 at 9:17 am
I don’t think this was any sort of plan by Tedford. I think enteringhe NFL was a goal he had, and when he got here, it was too stressful. He suddenly had heart issues and it probably scared him.
Anyone who has gone through it or is at an age where it is a common thing knows that sort of thing makes you think. Where once, you looked for challenges, you now want smooth, less stressful living. You tend to stay with the things you know.
Also, on top of the heart issues, Tedford had been fired from his last job. His confidence has taken a hit.
That said, I never believed he was coming back.
December 7th, 2014 at 10:25 am
no worries im sure the bucs will find another o coordinator that doesnt make it to the first game…remember that clown that was a fake from boston college…or how about the highest paid lineman in history with the busted toe that turned into an epidemic….the bucs are nothing morethan a retirement check for busted old men fat out of shape hacks like collins and eds and wannabes like mccown…i would love gor this team to go out and find some men with resolve and pride instead of weak and stupid…