Peter King Talks Ron Rivera Fit In Tampa
December 10th, 2018
Hillsborough Riverboat Ron has a nice ring to it.
It’s a lot better than Withlacoochee Ron.
Joe wrote a week ago right after the Bucs beat the Panthers that the Bucs win might give accomplished Carolina head coach Ron Rivera a push out the door. A Panthers insider even told Joe that Rivera would be a great fit with the Bucs and Jameis Winston.
Fast forward a week and the Panthers fell yesterday to 6-7 after enduring a tight fourth-quarter loss to the Browns.
That sparked iconic NFL insider and writer Peter King, now of NBC Sports fame, to write that Rivera is an ideal fit with the Buccaneers. Of course, anyone paying attention knows the Bucs will have an opening in three short weeks.
The new owner, David Tepper, doesn’t strike me as a kneejerk guy, and I would be very surprised if he pulled the trigger on Rivera in the middle of a suddenly mediocre year. Now, if he got fired, where would he fit? You’d have to tell me who his offense coordinator would be. I get the feeling that Green Bay and Cleveland, at least, will be looking for the best available offensive mind. Tampa would be an interesting spot for him, because the Bucs won’t want to pay a jillion dollars for a coach, and would be most interested—I think—in a coach who would establish a program and ethos.
Joe will only argue with King on his point that Team Glazer doesn’t want to pay “a jillion dollars” for a head coach. Heck, Team Glazer already has paid a jillion for coaches not to work for them. See the flushed millions after firing Chucky, Greg Schiano and Lovie Smith.
Rivera turns 57 in a few weeks and doesn’t appear to have lost his edge. He’s also done a good job grooming coaches over the years, while managing a challenging quarterback and having physical, tough-minded football teams.
Joe would warmly welcome Rivera, assuming he had a strong plan for the Bucs offense.
December 10th, 2018 at 7:58 am
I’ve always respected Rivera…Bucs could do a lot worse. King painting the Glazer’s as cheap is off the mark…agreed, Joe.
December 10th, 2018 at 7:58 am
He’d be an immediate upgrade but I’m sure somebody here will tell me all the benefits of our brilliant #1 passing attack with our current staff.
December 10th, 2018 at 7:59 am
LOL….you think he’d go from a more talented head case QB to a lesser talented head case QB ?…..L&K&Jamyth thru 2019 then Mt St Helens @ OBP
December 10th, 2018 at 8:01 am
No way on rivera how about vic fangio, who I think even without mack is a great DC and built the 49ersr into a great defense and could get an innovative OC to come with him…..Glazers need to go talk to nick saban first and offer him president and HC of the team and see what happens, the bucs have been horrible for over 10 years and saban would be great at personnel and scouting and would turn this team around quick and probably keep jameis at the helm
December 10th, 2018 at 8:01 am
I would really like to see the Bucs target a young and creative OC like John Defilippo or Josh McDaniels. Tampa is probably going to be one of the hottest openings this off-season, with all of the young talent that’s on this roster and the #1 total offense in the league.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:04 am
No retreads, please. If the Glazers do fire Koetter and Licht then their first hire needs to be a CEO/President who will make future decisions for them, including hiring a new HC and GM. The Glazers have defined insanity for a very long time now – doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result. Enough is enough.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:06 am
Give me an established winning coach over a young coach who we have to watch learn on the job (again) but don’t even consider McCarthy he is awful
December 10th, 2018 at 8:07 am
Can we have McCaffery also?
December 10th, 2018 at 8:16 am
Loyal- 3 losing seasons out of 12, one last year when Rodgers was injured, 125-77 (.618%). Playoffs every other year and a SB. Please explain “awful”. We could only dream of a coach that successful!
December 10th, 2018 at 8:21 am
People calling for NICK SABAN?
Obviously someone young that doesn’t remember that disaster in Miami.
He is not an NFL coach at all. His place is college and he’s proven already the NFL is too big for him. Just because you love Alabama doesn’t mean he would be a good fit.
Not a chance.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:22 am
Riviera is nice and McCarthy is even better but the Bucs should keep Koetter and Licht at this point. Koetter is a top five coach out of all candidate I consider too. Besides Koetter though I would give Jimbo Fisher a serious look for the Bucs though as well. He was Jameis Winston college coach and also has a potent NFL offensive attack. But Koetter, Riviera, Jimbo, and McCarthy are my top candidates.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:23 am
And OMG JOSH MCDANIELS?
What is wrong with you people?
Again a proven disaster as a head coach.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:30 am
I’d take Rivera AND Norv Turner!
December 10th, 2018 at 8:33 am
37% winning PCT for this sorry franchise. The worst in all of sports.
2 out of the dozen HCs that have coached this team ended their career with a winning record.
This sorry franchise wil find a way to screw it up and hire the wrong guy. Its a Buc’s Life. Siege the Day.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:35 am
Keep Koetter fire the GM!!!!! the talent we have on this team is really poor……No running game, no secondary, poor DL poor OL QB´s with plenty of turnovers, how on earth you pretend to win with so many mediocre players……WE NEED TALENT NOT A COACH!!!!
December 10th, 2018 at 8:38 am
Yes to Rivera and Keep Monken.
No to Saban, silly dreamers, he’s a college god and that’s it.
And Hell no to McCarthy. He is a slug and has somehow managed to pretend to be a good HC.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:38 am
For any former HC to even be available would mean that he failed somewhere along the way, that caused him to get fired. Josh McDaniels was just a name that I threw in for an example, but there are many more coaching candidates that I would like them to even consider. It’s definitely going to be an interesting off-season, and we’ll get a better look at exactly who’s available in the coming weeks.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:38 am
Recently spoke with a prominent Super Bowl winning safety (Dwight Smith) and chatted about a potential coach replacement. He said something very interesting, “A college coach had no business coming to the NFL as a head coach.” When I asked why, he said, “Simple. In college you recruit your players, in the NFL you inherit them. Big difference.”
An interesting take from a pro who’s been there, done that.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:39 am
I would be shocked if Carolina let Ron Rivera go. If it happened, YES, a million times yes, I would bring him here. — He is just the right person to stabilize the entire franchise from a coaching standpoint.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:47 am
I wouldn’t mind taking a look at the Bears defensive coordinator he seems pretty creative with his defense and he could find an offensive coordinator to help this team be more consistent, attacking all levels of the field. We run very few good screens or flat passes to our backs and I can’t remember the last time we ran good crossing patterns. Need a youthful coaching revamp.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:50 am
I believe his name is Vic Fangio..
December 10th, 2018 at 8:50 am
Only if you can guarantee me Norv Turner comes along with him. Otherwise – No.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:52 am
@bucsfanman
McCarthy was given a piggy back ride by Rodgers his playcalling and in game decisions cost that team a lot of wins over the years. A family friend is one of their scouts and hearing what he says when we visit them in the summer is telling.
I’d be leery of bringing McCarthy anywhere near a teamwothout a elite qb in place
December 10th, 2018 at 8:57 am
I have been banging the table for Ron look when he is the coach of the Bucs I told u so
December 10th, 2018 at 9:00 am
I sure do hope the new XFL team in Tampa is really good. Us football fans in Tampa are starving for good football here. The two teams that currently play in the den of depression suck out loud for a long time now.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:15 am
I’d rather go with a young Offensive coach – Zac Taylor or Eric Bieniemy and strengthen our Upper Management. We can’t scout OL , RB, CB for our life.
It’s a Bucs Fan Life (Sigh)
December 10th, 2018 at 9:16 am
No HC is answering calls from the G’Boyz
December 10th, 2018 at 9:20 am
The FIRST move is to bring in Derrick Brooks as GM, then let (DB) someone who knows and played the game choose.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:24 am
Fangio is my #1 choice. Please no retreads. Let’s bring in someone who actually could make us better. Rivera will show you how to continue to lose to the Saints when Carolina loses to them twice.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:24 am
THIS IS A PIPE DREAM, STAY OFF OF THE PIPE.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:25 am
KRIS RICHARD!!!!!!!
he developed the LOB and has the dallas defense playing lights out right now…..young and innovative……
we’ll see him up close and personal in a couple of weeks….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!
December 10th, 2018 at 9:32 am
Bring out the big bucks for Vic Fangio
December 10th, 2018 at 9:36 am
@Bucs Fan Since ’76 … “No retreads, please. If the Glazers do fire Koetter and Licht then their first hire needs to be a CEO/President who will make future decisions for them, including hiring a new HC and GM.” We have a winner!
Mike Tomlin went to Pittsburgh 12 years ago from here as a brand-new HC but with a solid track record (defensive backs coaching background in his case). In those 12 years Tomlin has never had a losing season (although he has had two 8-8 seasons in there). Why? My answer would be because he’s got a solid organization behind him. Only ONE VP/GM (Kevin Colbert). Only TWO OCs (Bruce Arians & Todd Haley) until this year. Only TWO DCs (Dick Lebeau & Keith Butler … who came up through the system). A quality organization, led by a GM (now VP/GM) who’s in his NINETEEN year with the Steelers (and who’s only had ONE losing season … 2003 … in all those years). And during that time Steelers have had only TWO HCs (Bill Cowher & Mike Tomlin). Anyone want to compare that track record to the Bucs?
Quality organizations start at the TOP. In the Steelers case (and New England’s), that means starting with the OWNERSHIP (Rooney & Kraft seem to have a pretty good VISION for their teams). Quality, long-term GMs have proven to be critical for both those teams (yup, in the Pats’ case, Belicheck also functions as the GM). Both teams have quality, long-term HCs, DCs & OCs as well as quality, long-term QBs. Wow, what a concept … select AND retain quality leadership and good things can happen. Anyone want to compare the Steelers & Pats track records to the Bucs?
December 10th, 2018 at 9:41 am
Don’t be dumb. So a (former) head coach who is unemployed but wants to work would turn down a multi-million contract to work in Florida?
December 10th, 2018 at 9:43 am
Loyal- I appreciate the perspective. Things aren’t always as they seem, I suppose. He’d still probably be an upgrade though, IMO.
Defense Rules- Spot on! Leadership is top-down. You need not look further than the Buc front office and owners. The results speak for themselves.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:45 am
I wouldn’t really mind keeping the head coach and D-cord for one more year and try to get a NFL talent level OFF-LINE, the basics seem to be started center and the guards need experience not dumping. Both OFF-tackles need to go trade?) free agency her DRAFT 2 new tackles the ones now are BAD even with young tackles I don’t think the talent would be less. I would like to try some continuity with some of the coaches. I am 100% for hiring Derrick Brooks as GM maybe Bruce Arians for a couple of years to help train DB also bring back the special teams coach Dungy had as CO-Head Coach and replace the entire strength program.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:46 am
Dam 813,
You must have slept in.
As I was scrolling down I couldn’t believe you hadn’t commented yet.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:54 am
It’s kind of stupid to talk about us having coaches that are currently working. The media always comes up with these stupid narratives that rarely come true. Yes they have new ownership but that’s no reason to fire a coach that has his team in playoff contention almost every year. This year it’s a gimmick offense and it’s been figured out nothing more. If he’s fired we’ll see but I just don’t see it yet
December 10th, 2018 at 10:05 am
no no no no no no!
December 10th, 2018 at 10:08 am
Any quality coach would be crazy to touch the Bucs. Some organizations are just sick, many of us have worked in places like that, and it always starts at the top.
What kind of football team would this be if they were owned by a guy like Jeffrey Vinnick? One can dream…
#FireTheGlazers
December 10th, 2018 at 10:12 am
No to Vic he if I guys remembered he coach the 49ners and kris i smelling a rah rah Morris look Ron Rivera is a great coach also he already loves Jamies he played this team he knows how to fix it and any OC he picks will have a great running attack and I promise the defense will improve under Ron
December 10th, 2018 at 10:13 am
Lol no way … you build your team around offense and sign a defensive minded coach? You guys are …. let me stop laughing
December 10th, 2018 at 10:23 am
Rivera I think would be ok. If he got fired would his also get fired & if he came to Tampa would he bring his own coaching staff. Like Duffner. Like Monken & Buckner. Don’t care about the rest. Also hiring a young coach off of a NFL team like some already mention would be ok. No college coaches especially Saban who screwed over Miami. And pleas no friggin Dungy in any capacity.
December 10th, 2018 at 10:25 am
@Tampabucfan88 … “and I PROMISE the defense will improve under Ron.” I LOVE lines like that Tampabucfan. They’re usually followed though by the words ‘TRUST ME’. (And that’s when the problems begin).
December 10th, 2018 at 10:27 am
If you’re building a savage 3-4 defensive front.
You gotta have the best linebacker coach in the game.
Vic Fangio (LB Resume)
New Orleans Saints (1986–1994)
• 57 Rickey Jackson
• 56 Pat Swilling
• 53 Vaughan Johnson
• 51 Sam Mills
Carolina Panthers (1995–1998)
• 91 Kevin Greene
• 57 Lamar Lathon
• 56 Micheal Barrow
• 51 Sam Mills
Houston Texans (2002–2005)
• 55 Jamie Sharper
• 58 Steve Foley
• 56 Jay Foreman
Baltimore Ravens (2006–2009)
• 52 Ray Lewis
• 55 Terrell Suggs
• 57 Bart Scott
• 96 Adalius Thomas
• 95 Jarret Johnson
San Francisco 49ers (2011–2014)
• 52 Patrick Willis
• 53 NaVorro Bowman
• 99 Aldon Smith
• 55 Ahmad Brooks
Chicago Bears (2015–present)
• 52 Khalil Mack
• 94 Leonard Floyd
• 58 Roquan Smith
• 59 Danny Trevathan
December 10th, 2018 at 10:28 am
Head coaches
• Head Coach – Vic Fangio
• Asst. Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator – Mike Mularkey
Offensive Coaches
• Quarterbacks – Jason Michael
• Running Backs – Sylvester Croom
• Wide Receivers – Bob Bratkowski
• Sr. Offensive Assistant/TE Coach: Rob Chudzinski
• Offensive Line – Russ Grimm
• Assistant Offensive Line – Cameron Norcross
Defensive Coaches
• Defensive Coordinator: Todd Bowles
• Defensive Line – Brentson Buckner
• Outside Linebackers – Ted Monachino
• Inside Linebackers – Mike Caldwell
• Secondary – Dennis Thurman
December 10th, 2018 at 10:30 am
You can have either Todd Bowles or Chuck Pagano Coach the defense.
&
Mike Mularkey or Jim Caldwell coach the offense.
December 10th, 2018 at 10:33 am
The only thing I know about HC, Coordinators, position coaches is their tenure, Salary Win/loss record, and of course where they have been. So what I am saying is unlike a player performance, I don’t know much about coaching or the selection of one. It seems that whoever would WANT to come to small market, perennial loser Tampa would only do so for money, total control, or a serious mental deficiency. The only other reason might be the sandy beaches, strip clubs, warm weather and cigars. Seriously if you look at our record, ownership, fan base and average tenure this is the ultimate terrible place to end, improve, or start a coaching career. With the exception of Gruden and Dungy over 42 years this has been the burial ground for Coaches. Gruden won a SB over the Raiders (the team he coached the year before) that were basically the result of Years of Dungy development. We’ve had coaches like Parcells use us as leverage for other jobs. So when I hear Mc Carthy, or
Rivera, Cower et al. I don’t get too excited. Some OC or College coach at best and another three years of rebuilding and losing. One might wonder if we should be careful what we wish for.
December 10th, 2018 at 10:33 am
Note: If we hire Chuck Pagano – he’ll probably bring in Ed Reed as an assistant defensive backs coach.
December 10th, 2018 at 10:37 am
doos
lol….
with the combination of my allergies and that horrible 2nd half performance, im surprised i woke up at all…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!
December 10th, 2018 at 10:50 am
No more retreads from the same horrible division. I greed some of the other posters calling for a young offensive minded coach. Defensive minded coaches produce mediocre teams.
December 10th, 2018 at 10:57 am
Watching the bears annihilate the high powered Rams last night – made me a little jealous. That crowd, the city was so energized last night…smh… wow.
Reminded me of the good Ole Buc Ball days.
Lol, who would have thought a team lead by Mitch Trubisky could lead you on a Super Bowl run.
December 10th, 2018 at 11:03 am
Lmfao
December 10th, 2018 at 11:03 am
MTM
U Never heard of Pete Carroll?
How about Chuck Noll, Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Bill Cowher, Jimmy Johnson & Tom Coughlin?
December 10th, 2018 at 11:14 am
Like this guy has been saying for about a week now….JOHN HARBAUGH. Talk about creating an “ethos”, this cat would overhaul the circus into charismatically “fall in line fools and hit someone in the mouth” come game day! See PFT and the great Florio commenting below on what (this guy) has been pining for here….
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/12/09/john-harbaugh-will-be-in-demand-after-the-season/
Glazers can pony up, Licht can pull out all the bells and whsitles to get it done!
December 10th, 2018 at 11:17 am
I wished people would stop wanting us to take the divisions left overs. He wasnt good enough for Carolina, he shouldnt be good enough for us.
December 10th, 2018 at 11:21 am
No to Rivera. Not a good enough winning percentage. Tired of losing.
December 10th, 2018 at 11:27 am
LUV- Isn’t there like a saying or something about championships?!
Did you happen to see the Rex Ryan piece? He sat with the Bears D and talked about the ’85 Bears group.
He said something like, “It’s good to see football being played again” in referring to the Bears defense. To Rex, I say Amen brother Ryan! Amen!
December 10th, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Bucsfanman
No doubt bredren.
December 10th, 2018 at 12:15 pm
My what a mess we have here once again ! I might have it in me to support this team one more time after another regime change ! This crap is so exhausting as a fan . Really …. Raheem , Schiano , Koetter …… I guess you can give a mulligan for Lovie …. pathetic ! Glazers better get a real football mind in the front office to run this team , it is obvious regardless of their good intentions that they do not have Daddy’s skills !
December 10th, 2018 at 2:15 pm
Jason S. Mclaurin
“Riviera is nice and McCarthy is even better but the Bucs should keep Koetter and Licht at this point.”
Riiiight- Dr. Evil