“More Conservative By Design”
December 10th, 2013
The Bucs’ second half offense this season is as constipated as a dog on a Saltines and water diet. The Bucs try and try and try and rarely does anything good come out. The numbers are historically dreadful.
A caller to Greg Schiano on WDAE-AM 620 last night expressed his frustration and said the offense looks too conservative.
Schiano disagreed but agreed, and also shared his frustration.
“I can’t argue with you on that. I don’t think that it’s conservative, per se. Now this scheme Sunday, it was a little more conservative by design. I mean, Buffalo was having trouble getting anything started offensively. And I really felt like the only way we were going to lose that game was if we turned the ball over. So we wanted to make sure we were smart with the ball,” Schiano said. “But in second halves in weeks the last four or five weeks, I don’t feel like we’ve been conservative. I just don’t feel like we’ve executed very well. And I don’t feel like maybe we’ve given ourselves the best chance for every single half with what we’re doing.
“And you know it’s not that we’re not trying to, because when we make calls and we make adjustments as the game goes on, we’re doing it only for one reason. And that’s to score points. I know the players are trying to execute their jobs. But we’ve certainly had an uphill process in the second half. And we gotta get over that. To become the football team we want to become, we need to get stronger as the game goes on offensively.”
Joe’s heard this before from Schiano, but Joe, zeroes in on how Schiano seems to not be all-in with the playcalling. Obviously, that’s good. He shouldn’t be because it’s not working. But as Joe’s written previously, Joe sees growing evidence that Schiano doesn’t have high marks for Mike Sullivan this season.
Joe will present more evidence of that later today.
December 10th, 2013 at 10:09 am
I think Schiano’s plan was McNulty at OC, now he has that opportunity.
December 10th, 2013 at 10:18 am
Agree, I’d be surprised of Sullivan isn’t interviewing in Houston and Washington in the coming weeks
December 10th, 2013 at 10:26 am
Regarding this game in particular, it was very apparent that Glennon wasn’t sharp early on. I like Glennon, and he could have easily had 4 TDs (the deep cross to Underwood in the end zone that just missed and VJax at the back of the end zone). But he missed a couple easy passes in the flat and because of this, you don’t want him to get a few more bad picks. So I would have done the same thing with a big 2nd half lead…run, run, run. No reason to let Buffalo back in the game.
In previous games, hard to put a finger on it. Its not like they can make HUGE adjustments at halftime…they basically only have 15 minutes, and 5 of those is just getting off and on the field. I strongly feel they need another good receiver, especially with Williams out. I would draft or bring in a Wesley Walker type, though I would love for them to grab Sammy Watkins if he’s available.
December 10th, 2013 at 10:41 am
@Warrenfb12, You are correct. McNulty was desired from the start and will be our new OC next year.
Schiano will remain as HC, McNulty will take over from Sullivan and there won’t be much change in the offensive scheme, but in play calls and adjustments.
December 10th, 2013 at 10:53 am
Schiano said “he felt the only way we were going to lose the game is if we turned the ball over”. Really?!!!! That’s the mentality that causes you to lose close games!!!! The team will NEVER be elite w/ that type of mentality. I knew it, instead of coaching to win, he coaches not to lose. He just confirmed it
December 10th, 2013 at 10:55 am
@bucfanjeff, Hopefully Sheridan has learn how best to allow the d-line to execute. We should get to the playoffs in 2014.
So much talent in our group of players. I just want to see progress rather than egotistical stubbornness. I think that was what got us to an 0-8 start. Change is a good thing. Growth in our coaching staff is better than starting over next year.
Joe- Are there any experienced QB available for next year in free agency? We need to find Glennon some competition.
December 10th, 2013 at 10:55 am
The Bucs offense is similar to the Giants offense, which is
drawing similar complaints from some of the Giants fans.
The Bucs need to use a gameplan similar to the one
used against the Falcons (2nd matchup).
December 10th, 2013 at 10:57 am
Sullyshould have put his A game out if he is looking for a head coaching job in WA or Houston. He may end up an OC there based on last years offense, and he can blame allot on Shiano I am sure. I wuld be shcocked if McNutty does not get the job next year…then we will be running the Rutgers offense too though.
December 10th, 2013 at 11:27 am
The NFL has become a passing league and to be successful now you have to win with offense. Conservative teams that play not to lose will not win either. Bucs need an offensive philosophy to match the defensive philosophy. Be aggressive and make your own breaks. Don’t know if that can ever be in Schiano’s way of thinking
December 10th, 2013 at 12:30 pm
@Que589
What game were you watching? The Bucs were leading 24-3 at halftime, and the Bills were going nowhere. Why in the world would *any* coach have his ‘rookie’ QB throwing the ball all over the field?
If you hate Coach Schiano, just be honest and say so. You’re not alone (but maybe in a minority).
December 10th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Que589 Says:
December 10th, 2013 at 10:53 am
“Schiano said “he felt the only way we were going to lose the game is if we turned the ball over”. Really?!!!! That’s the mentality that causes you to lose close games!!!! ”
Then I guess it’s a good thing it wasn’t a close game.
December 10th, 2013 at 1:02 pm
Yeah, when you’re up 21 points and your defense is just dominating the opponent, it makes no sense to go chucking the ball all over the field. I mean, if your QB is Manning or Brady you can probably get away with it. But you’re playing with a rookie QB – why press your luck. Imagine if they started throwing it around and Glennon threw a few pick-sixes and they had lost, after leading 24-3. Everyone would’ve been calling for Schiano’s head for an idiotic strategy.
December 10th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
If Sullivan is let go at the end of the year as a scapegoat. It will prove Schiano is the problem. If Schiano doesn’t like the plays being called then tell “Sully” to work in more passing. I don’t buy a control freak head coach is letting the O-coordinator be in complete control of the offense without out his input.
Schiano plays ball control or “Buc Ball”. How did that workout in the past?
December 10th, 2013 at 4:31 pm
@Patrick
I believe two of the top teams in the NFC play good defense and rely on a running game (Carolina and Seattle).
You have no idea what it take to win football games.
I can’t stand it when people come on here and make blanket statements that make no sense because it fits their arguments.
December 10th, 2013 at 4:58 pm
@SteveBucsFan
You must not watch REAL football. Madden doesn’t count. If you did you would know that both of those teams use the pass to set up the run. You can get a copy of “Football For Dummies” at Wal-Mart for $9.95
December 10th, 2013 at 5:08 pm
I guess he felt that way against Seattle also and look where that got us… A good team will take advantage of those opportunities in the second half and make up the deficit. It’s 4 quarters gentleman he preaches taking advantage of every second in the day and playing to the last whistle …er go the kneel down blowup but this doesn’t look like he’s being accountable for his words he needs to be out of the college ranks cuz I don’t trust em.
December 10th, 2013 at 5:29 pm
@Hawk @d-money
It’s bigger than one game, it’s about the conservative mentality that’s been displayed all season with big & small leads. Were you watching the games in which we had small leads? That mentality is permeated throughout the offense. Why do you think the O struggle to score touchdowns? Conservative strategy & play calling. Elite teams play to win. See Pete Carroll w/ his rookie QB last season. I don’t hate Schiano at all. Don’t hate anyone. I don’t like conservative offenses because they don’t win championships in this NFL era
December 10th, 2013 at 5:30 pm
@Que589….
You are ‘queless’ if you think that wasn’t a good strategy with a three touchdown lead. You eat the clock and you protect the football. If their offense suddenly starts clicking then you can take chances throwing the ball but if you are smothering a team like our defense was then you make the clock their enemy too and you do that by running the football and trying to pick up some first downs in the process and play field position. It worked like a charm. Schiano didn’t say that was the formula for every game.
December 10th, 2013 at 6:24 pm
@Bobby
Actually it’s a dumb strategy because it was one that was implemented in the game against Seattle. A game that was lost. Either you’re clueless or you will act like that game didn’t happen…
December 10th, 2013 at 7:03 pm
@Bobby
It’s an incompetent and clueless strategy. One that led to a lost against Seattle. A game in which we had a “three touchdown lead” but with a conservative strategy, game resulted in a lost. Will not become elite w/ that mentality
December 10th, 2013 at 8:02 pm
@Patrick
Seattle is 21st in passing and 3rd in rushing. Carolina is 29th in passing and 9th in rushing.
In no way is that passing to set up the run. Watch some games.
I’m glad you researched that book because you will be needing it. Come back when you have facts and can contribute beyond making things up.
BTW stop listening to steve deumass. He doesn’t know what he is talking about either.
December 10th, 2013 at 10:15 pm
@ SteveBucsFantasy
Both of those teams run the Zone Read (you can Google that if you don’t know what it is) and they run and pass out of it so defenses can’t zero in on either. But how many championships have they won? If you want to follow a team that has their own conservatism as their downfall then you should become a Steelers or Giants fan. They won their Championships back when your old style of football was popular and are both struggling now.
On an advice note, since you are new to Football, I suggest taking in some High School games or maybe some College games to see the basics and work your way up to the NFL. And stay away from the Arena League and the Canadian League as they will only confuse you. Good Luck