Glazers Should Rethink Cowher Talks
December 28th, 2009
"I have to keep checking the scores on my Blackberry to believe we beat the Saints on the road."
The rumor that popped up yesterday by Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network — later shot down by Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune— that Bryan and Joel have flirted with Bill Cowher, has former Bucs beat writer Don Banks dizzy.
In short Banks, now a columnist for SI.com, wonders aloud if Bryan and Joel want a Super Bowl-winning coach so bad, why did they get rid of one less than a year ago?
So let me get this straight: Tampa Bay fired its Super Bowl-winning head coach last offseason rather than risk losing its young defensive coordinator to another team that might target him as a hot potential head coaching candidate, only to find out that he maybe wasn’t ready for the job he was given, prompting the Bucs to at least look into the possibility of hiring a Super Bowl-winning head coach?
If you’re confused in any way, I was referencing Jon Gruden, Raheem Morris and Bill Cowher in the previous paragraph. And shouldn’t the Bucs think twice before they discard Morris, given his last-place club is on a two-game winning streak and making a bit of a late-season push for respectability?
To be honest, with the Bucs upsetting New Orleans on the road after winning a cross-country game the prior week, Joe would be surprised — not shocked — if Raheem the Dream didn’t come back in 2010.
December 28th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Hiring Raheem too early for HC is valid and goes along the lines of playing your franchise QB too early. We waited with Freeman and we see the potential, we couldn’t wait with Raheem – as we now see defensively – he would be gone. The Bucs are playing quite well all things considered and I see no reason, regardless of the final game, that Raheem and Olsen should not have the opportunity to be back next year.
December 28th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Joe you’ve got to be kidding right?
If it wasn’t for a missed FG this would be ANOTHER Bucs loss.
I guess you’re ok with Radio’s 4th and inches call – not once but TWICE?
Sure hats off to Olson for FINALLY realizing to run the ball 9 times in a row to set up the game winning FG but without Spurlock’s TD where are the Bucs?
The bigger question to ask is this – would be be more shocked if the Bucs fired Morris or that the Bucs DID fire Gruden last year?
December 28th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Joe is only quoting Don Banks here, Mr. Lucky. .
December 28th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Pull a guy from a Bar stool in Mississippi and he runs one back. Just proves that our special teams coach Biscacia, from the Gruden Staff, gets it. Our HC still doesn’t get it. To even suggest that Olson should come back is Lunatic. One win against a team that looked like shit but at one point was up by 17 isn’t saying much. They still had the rook Freeman throw for 270+ yards with 2 int’s. Freeman threw for more than Brees if I’m not mistaken. Looks like the Saints are trying to shake off the long season blues before the playoffs and are playing less than average ball. Don’t get your panties in a wad guys. These Bucs still stink and we know where they will be at the end of the season. On the couch watching NFL network, If they are men and have it, trying to figure out if they should pack there bags and who will be there new coach. The opportunity to get a coach who has a team concept about running a football operation with a winning record and attitude only comes every so often. I think, even though I thought Rich McKay was an excellent GM, that if Gruden could have come here with his GM from the start who knew his philosophy we would not be having this conversation and Gruden would still be here and things might be a bit different. Just my opinion though. Opinions are like assholes… You know the rest. Go BUCS!!
December 28th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Mr. Lucky, I mean this in the nicest way but the “if” arguments you wrote in your post are silly. I recall hearing Derrick Brooks say (or maybe it was Jon Gruden) that many football games come down to a few plays and whatever team executes those few plays most of the time will win the game. Sure, *IF* it wasn’t for a missed FG the Bucs would have lost that game. If Spurlock didn’t score the Saints would have won. However, Spurlock ran one in for a TD and the kicker *MISSED* the FG so what could have happened doesn’t matter. That’s like Patriot fans saying, “Well, if David Tyree didn’t make that lucky catch on Rodney Harrison the Pats would’ve had the perfect season!”
December 28th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Also, if the Bucs win or perform well next week in my opinion you have to bring Raheem back unless you can make a significant upgrade (i.e Cowher). I really can’t believe I’m saying that as only a couple of weeks ago I felt he should not be given the opportunity.
December 28th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
D-Rome, I feel your pain in regards to conflicting feelings about the coach.
If a major upgrade is available at the HC level, I don’t think it’s an opportunity you can let pass. (Shanahan, Cowher or Schottenheimer).
That being said, Morris has had his team ready to play in the past few weeks and has done a remarkable job with the defense. I m not a Morris fan, but hey, I got to be fair and give him props. Just a few weeks ago, I don’t think there was anyone predicting another win this season.
I just am not sold on the guy winning on a consistent basis.
December 28th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Pruritis Ani:
Marty Chokenheimer is no upgrade.
December 28th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
D-Rome – your point is well taken and I agree with you.
I guess what I “meant” is that “fans” jump on the bandwagon (like after the GB win) and off on a weekly basis.
Sure Morris has gotten the DEFENSE back on track and for that I give him props/kudos.
But on the offensive side some of these calls are just mind-boggling – take the calls on the 4th and inches play. Or how about 2 weeks ago having Freeman’s first snap from center throwing a pick-6 INT?
I just don’t think Morris is a “winning” coach. I mean if Glazers want the Bucs to be the NFC equilalent of Rodney Dangerfield or the Cleveland Browns of the South – then by all means keep Raheem.
December 28th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Joe
I think Schottenheimer would be an upgrade. The guy has won consistently everywhere he has been. Cleveland, KC, Wash, and SD.
Yeah I know his playoff record sucks, but at this point getting into the playoffs would be nice. He builds good teams. In 20 years his teams have only been below .500 twice.
I’d take Schottenheimer over Raheem.
December 28th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Pruritis Ani:
That’s just it. What’s the point of making the playoffs if you can’t win any games. That’s why Dungy was canned and that’s why, eventually, Chucky was canned.
In Joe’s eyes, if you can’t win in the playoffs, better off losing and stocking up on draft picks to make a run down the road.
Chokenheimer, short of Dan Henning or Lumpy Phillips in Dallass, is the ultimate retread coach.
Joe would rather see Marv Levy carted out in a wheelchair than Chokenheimer.
December 29th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I believe you have to upgrade at HC or leave it alone. Chokenheimers last two stints were bullshit. He was setup to fail. I do think he is an upgrade but I would only make a serious move for Cowher. Shanahan is a done deal pretty much in DC. I don’t see any other coach that I would be willing to take a chance on other than that. If you can’t get a pretty good upgrade than stick with the abortion you already have. Go BUCS!