Greg Schiano’s Chances Of A 2014 Return
November 6th, 2013
Joe truly believes Bucs fans are so hoarse from hollering for Greg Schiano’s head on a silver platter that they have worn themselves out .
(A former co-worker of Joe’s once had a dog that had barked itself permanently hoarse, which Joe didn’t think was possible. When the dog tried to bark, it sounded like a dude having an asthma attack).
Given how the drama has significantly died down since leaky Josh Freeman was thrown off the team (hhhmmm… coincidence?), and the near-upset in Seattle last week, Joe’s good friend Justin Pawlowski of WHFS-FM 98.7 spoke with Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune and asked if it is a sure bet that Schiano’s days with the Bucs are numbered.
Cummings has a hunch there is a small chance Team Glazer could retain Schiano for 2014.
“I think there is a chance that he does come back,” Cummings said. “I think it’s probably in the 20%-30% range that he does come back because, again, look at the situation objectively, they’ve been in an awful lot of football games, they’ve proven they can compete in this league, and they’ve had injuries which is a big part of what’s gone on.
“It’s a quarterback driven league, and let’s face it, the quarterback did not help them win those first two or three games. He put them in position a couple times, but they couldn’t get it done. When you make a big quarterback change, that’s a big part of it.
“There’s a lot of little things going on. The MRSA thing, which is not in his control, these things are not necessarily the fault of Greg Schiano, but at the end of the day, when you’ve lost 13 out of 14 and you’re 0-7 in games decided by 3 points or less, that’s a bit of an indictment on your staff as well.”
Now Cummings makes a lot of sense here in that it seemed the season was doomed from the start with the sleepy Josh Freeman circus, the MRSA mess — only a psychotic conspiracy theorist or a lame sports radio host would suggest Schiano planted the MRSA — and a lot of stuff out of Schiano’s control. It’s not completely out of the question Team Glazer could give Schiano a mulligan as a result.
But at the end of the day, doesn’t a coach once or twice have to hang a “W” next to his name, you know, like maybe twice every 14 games? The Packers are without two of their top three pass catchers, their stud linebacker and Hall of Fame quarterback due to injuries. You don’t see Mike McCarthy crying in his beer. The Bears lost bratty Jay Cutler to injury and they are still in first place in the NFC North.
As far as the issue at quarterback, surely the Bucs are likely draft a quarterback next spring. Is Schiano the kind of guy who can develop a quarterback?
November 6th, 2013 at 8:25 am
This regime makes some of the most crippling personnel decisions along with some terrible gameplanning and defensive playcalling which is getting worse. I don’t see how he comes back. Feel like we were this guys crash test dummy for him learning how to coach. GTFO
Also, whatever happened to that NFLPA investigation into the Josh Freeman thing? Love how the last word on it was that the Bucs leaked it. If they found Freeman guilty of it, then they would never set the record straight. That’s some BS.
November 6th, 2013 at 8:37 am
The team has been competitve in games, but they keep losing for the same reasons. Poor play calling, no halftime adjustments and penalties. In eight games, Schiano hasn’t been able to figure it out yet.
As far as Schiano having to deal with injuries, every team deals with injuries. Even with the injuries, the team is still talented enough to win games.
The bottom line is the team and coaching staff have to show improvement. They haven’t been able to do that so far. How do the Glazers sell Schiano to the fan base for another year? By keeping Schiano for another season is telling the fans that everything is status quo. If that happens, you can bet the fans will find their voices again.
November 6th, 2013 at 8:41 am
Nobody in Tampa blames Schiano for the MRSA outbreak. Its the player evaluation and piss poor game planning that most fans are sick of. If Josh wasn’t “the guy” why wait until the season starts to replace him. The lack of any kind of offensive production in the second half is disgusting. Fans are tired of either on the job training coaches or just plain stupid coaches. Experience at the HC position is needed badly at OBP.
November 6th, 2013 at 8:42 am
IMO, a coach needs to show improvement each game, I don’t see it. Schiano and gang seem to be out coached every game in the 2nd half. If he returns, gotta believe Buc fans will revolt. Bottom line is our Bucs are still 0-8.
November 6th, 2013 at 8:43 am
I think they will look at the Chiefs and look for an experienced NFL coach. Pretty sure Joe has written about that too.
November 6th, 2013 at 8:50 am
J-E-T-S! The Jets are getting it done in almost the exact same situation; sure, no “leaky” Freeman with the Jets, but the Bucs have way more offensive weapons. Imagine how loud the press would be if the Bucs were in NY… scary thought.
Rex Ryan is a real NFL coach, Schiano is NOT. He may be a nice guy, but 1-14, 0-8 in close games, can’t score in the 2nd half and can’t hold a freaking 21 point lead.
R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!
November 6th, 2013 at 9:03 am
I have said this before and after the Seattle game I am more convinced that Schiano will be given 1 more season. I put it at 90%. As I said previously, the Glazers will be aware of the history of Manchester United. The media and thefans were demanding that Ferguson be sacked when they had lousy seasons from 87 -90. Of course he then went on to become the most successful manager in Football(soccer) history and in the process changed Man Utd into the biggest football club in the world.
I think the Glazers will give Schiano a season with his own QB and some excellent draft positions to see what he really can do. The club tried incredibly hard to get Freeman out during the summer and sign Palmer but failed. From there on in it has been one disaster after another but as could be seen in Seattle, the team are still playing for Schiano.
However one note of caution in accepting my prediction of Schiano staying, I also predicted before the beginning of the season that the Bucs would go 11-5 this season!!!!!
November 6th, 2013 at 9:07 am
It depends on what happens in the next 8 games. The last game against Seattle showed us some flashes of good football performance we’re not used to seeing from the Bucs. What will happen if we start seeing more of this? Or allot more of this?
What if we ended 8-8 this season?
November 6th, 2013 at 9:10 am
Cummings, go do something productive with your time. Beating the dead horse of Schiano returning is of little use to us. The headline should have “chances of schiano returning” and right beneath it should say “zero.”
Moving on, nothing to see here.
November 6th, 2013 at 9:38 am
The pop-star has spent the last 5 years learning and making mistake after mistake, so why not.
November 6th, 2013 at 9:44 am
the bigger question to me is, will they keep Dominick. I think the personnel issues are more an indictment on him than on Schiano. i think he has done a bad job as a head coach. Their play calling is less than average, especially in the second half. Their inability to adjust in the second half is definitely a head coaching problem. Their secondary is weak still. Yes, they have shut down one side, but the other is terrible, their linebackers cannot cover TE’s or RB’s. They have poor discipline in zone coverage, and their pass rush is atrocious. This last is where I think Dominick really failed. We lost two of our better defensive linemen, cheaply, and could have filled a lot of holes with some of the money either from Gholsten or Revis. Last, I think they knew about Freeman before the end of spring training, and not making a move then to try to get something out of him is criminal. Schiano needs to fix his coaching, and Dominick must go for sure.
November 6th, 2013 at 9:45 am
Cummings is not alone in thinking that he may get another year. I think it is all together possible but I for one will be sorely disappointed. To the points brought out in the Yahoo article, I will add Glennon as a reason and perhaps the most determining reason and something as simple as a promise made and a promise kept by the Glazers.
Schiano goes as Glennon goes! If Glennon looks like the one in these remaining games, Schiano may be given the chance to finish what he started. If it’s abundantly clear that Glennon is not, then Schiano won’t be allowed to pick his successor.
I don’t know this for a fact, but in the meeting where the decision was made to move on from Freeman, The Glazers may have promised Schiano a reasonable amount of time to put his stamp on the offense – a promise kept.
In this weird and wacky world of football and finance, anything can happen and I’ve learned to never say never!
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/tampa-bay-buccaneers-three-reasons-why-greg-schiano-173900574–nfl.html
November 6th, 2013 at 9:50 am
If he comes back there is a 20% 30% chance of me canceling my season tickets
November 6th, 2013 at 9:56 am
I mentioned several times that there was a chance Schiano would not be fired this year and would get to stay through 2014.
Take the last game. Bucs threw the ball 25% of the time in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarters. They entered the 4th quarter with the lead, yet for that last quarter, they passed over 68% of the time.
The play calling did indeed change. But here’s the thing. Greg Schiano doesn’t call the plays on offense. That’s all on Sullivan. For whatever reason, he decided to throw more, even though the running game was getting it done.
I have two theories on that. First, QB evaluation. By sticking to the running game, all he would learn about Glennon is that he could manage the game. He needs him to pass more to evaluate him…in theory.
The other theory is that Sullivan panicked. He saw the Seahawks gaining and he freaked. This is the more likely scenario in my book. And a clear sign of why this team hasn’t won yet.
November 6th, 2013 at 9:57 am
I’m not sure they draft QB next year. If Glennon continues to develop then I think they try to build a KC type situation with a dominant defense and an offense that can score enough points to get the job done.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:01 am
I have said that I think 4-5 wins in the remaining games and he’s probably retained. I believe that ownership wanted to give Freeman the chance to be the face of the franchise, and that hindered Schiano’s ability to use the QB he wanted. I would not be surprised if Sullivan is replaced by McNulty in the offseason (if not before), as McNulty is the guy Schiano wanted as OC from the start. Possibly will have Butch take over for Sheridan as well, as they can now afford to payout the remainder of his UNC deal. They’ll all have one year to fix it and put a winning product on the field, and if it doesn’t happen, the Glazers will clean house entirely.
Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dom pulls a StL/Wash trade and gives someone one of the top QBs to acquire extra picks lost in the Revis and Carimi trades.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:01 am
I have said that I think 4-5 wins in the remaining games and he’s probably retained. I believe that ownership wanted to give Freeman the chance to be the face of the franchise, and that hindered Schiano’s ability to use the QB he wanted. I would not be surprised if Sullivan is replaced by McNulty in the offseason (if not before), as McNulty is the guy Schiano wanted as OC from the start. Possibly will have Butch take over for Sheridan as well, as they can now afford to payout the remainder of his UNC deal. They’ll all have one year to fix it and put a winning product on the field, and if it doesn’t happen, the Glazers will clean house entirely.
Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dom pulls a StL/Wash trade and gives someone one of the top QBs to acquire extra picks lost in the Revis and Carimi trades.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:04 am
Macabee Says
“Schiano goes as Glennon goes!”
See now, I don’t know if I agree 100% with that. Certainly, if Glennon turns out to be a stud, it will make Schiano look great. Given what we’ve seen, that’s unlikely.
However, you discount the fact that Schiano did not have the opportunity to draft a first round QB, as he may have preferred and been denied.
If this is the case, then the Glazers may well intend to let him do so this upcoming draft. Certainly, Schiano has proven himself a good talent evaluator in when it comes to draft picks.
Remember, we had a starter QB when Schiano came. Dominick believed in him. The Glazers believed in him. Heck, most of the fans believed in him. So Glennon was likely drafted to be a backup similar to Freeman.
Now, in hind sight, we see there are differences between the two. In fact, Gleenon seems to be the exact opposite of Freeman. The weaknesses Freeman had, Glennon does not. The Strengths Freeman had, Glennon does not (long range passes, etc.).
I think Sullivan is history no matter what. Schiano? I would say there is closer to a 30% chance of remaining, unless he loses the locker room.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:16 am
Hell, if they’re gonna bring back Schi Schi next year, bring back Raheem too and let them be co-head coaches.. Let Schi Schi coach the 1st half and Raheem coach the 2nd and we may go 16-0!!
November 6th, 2013 at 10:28 am
BuccaneerBonzai,
All opinions are to be respected, but facts are immutable. Schiano could not have been denied a first round choice for QB. We had no 1st round pick. That went for Darelle Revis which Schiano pushed for and applauded!
November 6th, 2013 at 10:31 am
Don”t forget Sheridan, he should also get the axe. Make Wannstadt DC.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:32 am
If Schiano some how manages to return for 2014. What would make anyone sane person think his coaching will improve. All this talk about Glennon improving from week to week, possible assistant coaches leaving or switching positions equates to shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:48 am
MTM, experience could make him a better coach, just like it did at Rutgers. None of us truly know what goes on behind the scenes, so hopefully the Glazers have enough of a pulse of what’s going on to make whatever decision makes this team better moving forward.
November 6th, 2013 at 11:05 am
Joe,
You always speculate that Free was the cause of the leaks by your statements (Leaky Freeman) , however you have forgotten that Ahmad Black who was playing OK was also released at the same time. May be he was the cause of the leaks???
November 6th, 2013 at 11:12 am
SG:
If Ahmad Black was the source of the leaks, he would have been Twittering about it.
November 6th, 2013 at 11:27 am
If the Glazers do bring back Schiano next season, Ray Jay will look like Death Valley on Sundays, the team will still be a National laughing stock, and they will only have themselves to blame
November 6th, 2013 at 12:19 pm
It’s their money. Maybe the team looks better from the owners box but it doesn’t look like it’s improving on the field or learning from past game day decisions so it’s tough to imagine why the owners believe they have the right coaching team in place for the future.
November 6th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
@Joe
The reason the ‘barking’ has subsided a bit is because we (Bucs fans) are just so totally disgusted
November 6th, 2013 at 12:24 pm
To me there are a lot of things here. Predictions were all over the board about the season and how it would finish. 3-13, 11-5, 8-8 2-14. l But it was said it was mainly based on Freeman. But He is gone. To me they fired coaches and replaced them. The O line is not the same nor the Defense. I look at the record last year and see the same OC, DC and HC.
Where did it go wrong? Player change. Coaching changes. System changes. Team we play.
It possible they keep the HC and change OC and DC with some others. But if if that is where the problem is now would anyone want to come here?
November 6th, 2013 at 2:51 pm
If Freeman was NOT ‘Schiano’s guy’, they should have dumped Freeman before the draft. The new qb would have had all of the OTA’s & camp to learn the system. This year, Glennon got many reps in most of the pre-season games that should have gone to Freeman. Last season, Freeman had most of the reps and had a decent season. Do not forget how many losses last year were on the defence.
I have been a season ticket holder since 1977 and if Schiano is not gone by season end, there is a 99% chance I will not renew my tickets.
November 6th, 2013 at 3:03 pm
This “coach” is 7-17. Period. That’s a .291 winning percentage. Stop the excuses. If he doesn’t go…I will (with my money that I would spend on my 3 season tickets next year.
November 6th, 2013 at 3:04 pm
Only IF The Bucs want to guarantee the top spot in 2014 to draft Famous Jameis Winston do you keep Schiano (if somehow Schiano stays ( gulp ) I dont see them drafting a qb). “Eating” the remaining 9 mil of Greggy’s contract isn’t much different than eating the remainder of Bye Gosh! Freeman’s at this point…
November 6th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
Id put the chances of him staying above 50%.
Not in any way based on merit, but just that the Glazers will not be man enough to admit they were wrong so quickly.
Given how little they know about football, they are unable to absorb the ineptitude of Schiano and Dominik.
I look for more horrific decisions to come.
November 6th, 2013 at 8:08 pm
Macabee Says: November 6th, 2013 at 10:28 am
BuccaneerBonzai,
“All opinions are to be respected, but facts are immutable. Schiano could not have been denied a first round choice for QB. We had no 1st round pick. That went for Darelle Revis which Schiano pushed for and applauded!”
You forget the first Schiano draft. We had a first there. In fact, we ended up with 2.