From “Fire Schiano” To “Reversed Course”
November 18th, 2013
Joe understands the concept of changing one’s mind, but this example is oddly extreme.
Bucs beat writer Scott Reynolds, of Pewter Report, boldly and loudly called for Mark Dominik to fire Greg Schiano if the Bucs opened the season 0-5. And then the Bucs promptly opened 0-5, and Reynolds typed up a detailed case of why Dominik should wise up and send the leader of the New Schiano Order to the unemployment line.
But now Reynolds has “reversed course.” Reynolds, typing before yesterday’s win, served up a detailed explanation of why Schiano having to deal with Josh Freeman somehow releases the head coach of responsibility for the mess of the Bucs’ early season losing.
When the Buccaneers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 31-20 in a Week 6 contest to drop to 0-5, PewterReport.com called for head coach Greg Schiano to be fired. There was a disconnect between the players and the coaches, and more importantly, Tampa Bay had lost 11 out of its last 12 games, which was the same 1-11 record Raheem Morris had over his last 12 games before being fired.
We reported the facts as we knew them at the time and felt justified in calling for an in-season regime change. One of the reasons PewterReport.com used in determining that the Bucs needed a head coaching change is that Schiano had bungled the development of quarterback Josh Freeman, who was benched after Week 3 and released a week later after he and his agents had become a distraction by – according to the Buccaneers – leaking information to the media that when reported would look like it was leaked by the team.
After weeks of digging, PewterReport.com has reversed course … (You can read the long explanation here.)
Joe finds this mystifying. Coaches are responsible for losses, poor execution, and getting outcoached — things that happened routinely to the New Schiano Order over a dozen games until last Monday night. These are major sins for a head coach, yet Reynolds is serving up complete absolution?
Joe’s stance on Schiano is simple: prove you can win.
The Bucs are a talented team that did run into unique problems in the first half of the season, some of them self-inflicted. But that mess is in the rearview mirror. If Schiano proves he can play winning football against a tough schedule, then he deserves to stay. Six games remain.
November 18th, 2013 at 10:23 am
First I need to congratulate all the Buc players for an exciting win over Atlanta. I also give credit to Schiano and his staff for pulling out the stops – letting the defense straight-on rush the passer and allowing the offense to play to win.
In no way do I mean for this to be a back-handed compliment, but for the last 3 weeks, 2 in particular where we won, I’ve been seeing a different brand of football – straight on pass rushing, fake punts, on-side kicks, RB passes, and the long ball is back. What’s next, a double reverse? Needless to say – I like it.
But what happened? Why the epiphany now? Are the players just starting to get it or is Schiano finally listening to the players? Is the threat of a one-way ticket back to the AAC (Big Ten or ACC in 2014) gotten Schiano’s attention? I won’t speculate! I will just take a wait and see approach as we get into the teeth of the second half of the season.
I am on record for Schiano to go, but if he can win at the Lions or can win a few (2 or 3) games against teams with winning records, he should be given serious consideration to return for the 2014 season. Having seen the Bucs play the last 3 weeks should let us know whether it’s Schiano or a new coach, there is a lot to work with at the Bucs. Yes, we are better than our record!
November 18th, 2013 at 10:28 am
If it were my organization I would gage his tenure and body of work on execution and I would also have a third party evaluator like Tony Dungy come in and eval the organization from the GM down to decide on the future.
November 18th, 2013 at 10:40 am
FYI Freeman still cannot get on the field in Minnesota. Ponder got chased and they went to Cassel instead. Schiano is vindicated in that regard, and more importantly the franchise was saved by not giving Freeman an extension. If Dominik keeps his job that will be the reason why.
November 18th, 2013 at 10:41 am
As more of the truth comes out about the Freeman debacle, it seems that Freeman came into this season determined to get out of dodge by any means necessary, even if that meant tanking his and the Bucs seasons, to which he was apparently willing and able to execute his plan. That is no way a reflection on the coaches, this team or this organization. That was one player, a very important player mind you, determined to undermine his coaches and his franchise just to get his way. Well, how’d that work out for you Josh….If the Bucs continue to show improvement and remain competitive and even win 2-4 of the next 6, I believe Schiano keeps his job. This team has not quit, that right there tell s you something.
November 18th, 2013 at 10:41 am
The Glazers really don’t want to make a change…they will give Schiano the benefit of the doubt.
I think a lot of the hate for Schiano was because of the percieved way he handled Freeman….benched then cut….but the way Freeman reacted and played since he left coupled with more than acceptable play from Glennon….has quieted the haters.
I also think that Schiano has changed and been humbled….he was on the brink of total disaster and like the Phoenix….rose from the ashes!!!
November 18th, 2013 at 10:44 am
It’s funny how winning changes the outlook. As of two weeks ago, I didn’t give Schiano any hope of seeing another season as the Bucs head coach. The team has clearly not quit on him and Schiano might actually be back next year if they can win a few more games. The troubling thing to me is how long it took this coaching staff to recognize some of their mistakes. Schiano should be criticized for this, regardless of how the season ends. If the team was truly making progress, they should’ve/would’ve been winning games late last season and early this season. That void of winless football is a problem.
November 18th, 2013 at 10:53 am
Seems like you have good sources.
November 18th, 2013 at 10:55 am
Lets beat a real team, then we’ll talk.
November 18th, 2013 at 10:55 am
When you cannot outplay Matt Cassel, that speaks volumes.
November 18th, 2013 at 10:58 am
I for one don’t find it mystifying at all. Maybe it’s because I’m changing my mind on Schiano also. When we were 0-5, there seemed to be no hope for a win. I don’t care what is going on with the Dolphins or Falcons. 4 weeks ago we would not have won either game.
But I’ve learned my lesson. I will not have an opinion on whether or not Schinao should be here next year until the season is over. In my own mind, he could still win or lose the job yet depending on how the season ends.
November 18th, 2013 at 11:21 am
And that’s why I hate Pewter Report. They’re horrible journalists. Notice as soon as the tide is shifting they have to reverse course. And why? Because if Schiano is there next year and Scott Reynolds, that spineless jellyfish, is there in the media crowd Schiano is going to remember who dedicated 5 pages to his firing and Reynolds never gets a quote again.
November 18th, 2013 at 11:22 am
@ Chef Paul
The same goes for Glennon…..wait until the end of the season to decide if we need to draft a QB….many fans are quick to judge…because they have that luxury….they are also led by the press and rumors.
Fans, the press and everyone else can change their minds…there is nothin wrong with admitting it.
November 18th, 2013 at 11:22 am
@Joe
[blockquote]Seems like you have good sources.[/blockquote]
Yeah, you could say that…
November 18th, 2013 at 11:27 am
TBBF,
That’s a good point about Glennon. I must admit though, it’ll be hard. I’m starting to fall in love with that kid.
November 18th, 2013 at 11:38 am
I don’t write down stats during the game so I could have forgotten something, but by my count Glennon was 2 for 2 on long balls yesterday. Jackson made a great catch on one of them, but isn’t that the point? Throw jump balls to Jackson and let him win the ball? That has been Glennon’s biggest knock through out the season, and he sure is improving on that so far.
November 18th, 2013 at 11:51 am
That’s pretty much what PR said. Reverse course meant no fire, wait and see. Not no fire he’s da man
November 18th, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Scott Reynolds? And people wonder why I never go to PR. Answer: Scott Reynolds.
JBF is by far a much better site. The Joe’s do a good job. Even though they may piss some people off from time to time. There is a good reason for it. It engages the fan.
Plus PR has these LONG drawn out articles that take forever to get to the point of what the writer is trying to say. Even on the slowest JBF days, I don’t go to PR and have even taken them out of my favorites long ago.
November 18th, 2013 at 1:41 pm
This Schiano love is stupid. The Bucs beat 2 really lousy teams. Many seem to be overlooking this fact. If the Bucs had lost the last 2, they would seriously have to start over from scratch.
Nice wins over 2 of the 3 worst teams in football. Let’s all celebrate fro another week. I need to see much more before I’m believing in this college coach running things.
November 18th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
I guess Schiano’s contract length and salary were never released to the public. I think the Glazers will keep him at least another year even if the team finishes with under five wins. There is too much wrapped up in this coaching staff to bail out now.
November 18th, 2013 at 2:59 pm
Freeman pulled the “I’m a Big Baby” card, but we are on the way back to competitive football.
I agree with @flmike, Freewee hosed us, rather than try to EARN a new contract.
November 18th, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Buc1987… Couldn’t agree more. Before I knew of the Joes…I actually paid PR & Reynolds for the privilege to read his ” tough talk “. It’s a tired site these days…I give Schiano some credit here for keeping this thing ” duct taped together “. I also give Glennon a ton of credit. The next half dozen games will tell a lot. What I don’t want is two wins that might lead to another 4-12/5-11 season under Schiano next season. I ‘m taking an ” all-in ” approach. Beat one or both of our hated NFC South rivals and stomp the Bills and Rams while showing some real growth or completely shat the bed and give us a top draft pick and a fresh regime. What’ll it be, Gregor?!
November 18th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Scott Reynolds was and has been carrying Dom’s water. It’s pretty apparent the Glazers aren’t holding the Freeman bust over Schiano… that pick is Dom’s bride folks.
You can’t make a racehorse out of a jackass.
The Glazers are fully aware that Schiano is getting production from the players drafted during his tenure and is burdened with some underperformers from the Dom and Rah drafts.
Now with Glennon developing, the pick appears golden. The players are putting it out there and team captains are speaking out supporting their coach.
The sunglasses will remain tucked up in the visor for now, but at least the storms have moved off.
November 18th, 2013 at 3:42 pm
TBBF
It seems our continued defense for Schiano the man has paid off.
I encourage everyone read the link that Joe placed in this piece to the rest of that article.
It is really enlightening.
This is exactly why I needed more than just the continued hearsay to believe all those villainous accusations about Schiano.
Hawaiin you always asked me what more I could possibly need to believe the and now I ask with this “evidence” what else would you possibly need to finally put down the pitchfork and understand he’s not the evil man he’s been portrayed to be.
This article is a massive serving of crow in and of itself.
November 18th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
*to believe them
November 18th, 2013 at 6:11 pm
You can’t reverse course after calling for someone’s job. What a joke
November 18th, 2013 at 7:11 pm
As more of the truth comes out about the Freeman debacle, it seems that Freeman came into this season determined to get out of dodge by any means necessary, even if that meant tanking his and the Bucs seasons, to which he was apparently willing and able to execute his plan.
Where is your proof, please? Can you post some links that I can read? Who are your sources?
By the way, would Manziel, and/or Clowney be considered Buc Boys, or Schiano Men, or ass kissers, or whatever adjectives you would like to use?
November 19th, 2013 at 12:31 am
Freeman sucks
And until he can prove otherwise
He not only sucks but he also is a bold faced liar.
We need not proof, he’s the one that made the claim that has yet by the way been proven.
I’m sure he’s loving the pine behind Ponder AND Cassel lol