Is Monte Watching?
December 9th, 2011
Kirwan breaks down football like few others during his weekday show on Sirius NFL Radio, and speaking on the air this week Kirwan said what he sees on film from the Bucs defense would sour Kiffin’s stomach.
“I do worry about what’s going on in Tampa,” Kirwan said. “If you look at them on defense, I was studying them on defense this morning before we came together on this show, there are some really, really bad signs of what’s going on on that defense. Is some of it youth? Yeah, but some of it’s downright bad football. They can’t stop the run right now. Monte Kiffin, I bet you he can’t even look at this Tampa Bay stuff on tape.”
Joe knows some Bucs fans fantasize about Kiffin riding back to town to join Raheem Morris and rescue the once proud Bucs defense. There’s no reason to think that would happen, but Kiffin’s million dollar home on Gulf Boulevard in Redington Beach is still listed with Pinellas County as his primary residence.
Perhaps, if Raheem’s still around, Monte could find some time to help his former assistant — if he can stomach the film.
As for Raheem’s potential return, Kirwan said he expects Raheem to return in 2012 but says Team Glazer’s moves are impossible to predict.
December 9th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Rah staying is not part of anyone’s dream, unless of course you are dreaming of a reason to not renew your season tickets.
Think about a season ticket holders – how many feel that their season ticket payment was money spent wisely?
December 9th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
in relation to yesterdays story….
kiffin > dungy
not like either will happen. but a boy can dream.
“is some of it youth? Yeah, but some of it’s downright bad football.”
December 9th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Stop acting if Raheem’s skills as a defensive coordinator are somehow salvageable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m getting sick of this sh-t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No “consultant” is going to turn this POS around. Got it? Get it? Good!
The only thing that will help this defense is either a new defensive coordinator or a new head coach, or both. End of f-cking story.
December 9th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Joe’s crying from laughing.
December 9th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Just for once I wish Joe would share his true, unedited opinion of the Bucs…especially Raheem Morris. You know, the kind of stuff he would say if you were hanging out with him at Hooter’s after a couple pitchers had already been decimated. That’s what I want to hear. Not this middle-of-the-road, don’t-want-to-offend-the-Bucs-front-office too much stuff. Not playing it safe because he runs a public blog about the Bucs and has public relations concerns to worry about. I mean the real, down and dirty, tell-it-like-it-is Joe the Bucs fan!
December 9th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
So Kirwan NFL Guru watches tape and is appalled at errors that are not due to youth?? Hmmmmm can anyone say terrible coaching?????? Please Glazers come down off your thrown and end this disaster!!!
December 9th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Lane as head coach gets Monte.
December 9th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
I think its because the defense is playing sandlot style – no discipline. In an effort to make a splash play, the leave their assignment, and when you have 2-3 people doing the same, you have holes everywhere.
I can promise you, it’s NOT the scheme. It’s lack of discipline coupled with youthful mistakes coupled with sandlot play. That sh!t doesn’t work in the pros.
December 9th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Cmon now, you can’t hold aman to what he says at Hooters!
I havent told the truth there in 20 years.
Oh, wait a minute, I’m a lawyer………..
Never mind.
December 9th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
LOL!
December 9th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
How ’bout Monte for head coach?
December 9th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
AtlBucs:
Monte left to go coach with his son, that’s what he’s doing now. Unless Lane gets fired, Monte’s done with the Bucs.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Monte was done with the Bucs on Dec 1, 2008 when he announced he was leaving and then quit coaching. Remember that 0-4 Dec, from 9-3 to out of the post season and all our prayers were answered, just 3 months to late to hire a real HC.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Flmike
Yes, I remember that day well. It’s the day our defense died! And, has yet to rise again!
December 9th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Joe here,
@FLBoyInDallas — It’s nice that your calling for Joe’s in-your-face, raw, drunk-at-Hooters take on Raheem Morris and the Bucs.
Joe’s got readers filling his inbox demanding Joe stand on the rooftops and call for Raheem’s scalp immediately.
Frankly, Joe has made it very clear that he believes the Bucs’ ills are far more coaching than talent. And JOe’s made it very clear his opinion that Raheem has earned more games this season before casting a final judgement on him.
IF Raheem can somehow pull a miracle and squeeze 3 or 4 wins out of what’s left of this season and revive the Bucs from the dead — and make no mistake they’re all but dead — then he deserves another shot next year. And, frankly, if he pulls that off, he might just be the best coach for them in 2012.
That written, Joe’s surely not expecting a miraculous turnaround from the Bucs. Rest assured, if Joe reaches the point that he thinks someone should be fired, Joe will make it very clear on this blog the minute he feels that way.
At the end of the day, Joe knows he can’t please everyone or invest the time to try, so Joe has no political concerns. Joe stays true to himself and his readers. That won’t change.
December 9th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
I can respect that answer. You’re giving him the whole season before taking a firm stand. Makes sense to have all the evidence in hand before irreversibly committing to a position on Raheem as head coach. But I also have to agree with you that it’s unlikely anything really changes between now & then, and because it seems so clear to most folks at this point many of them are ready to mail it in with regard to the Morris era.
December 10th, 2011 at 3:18 am
Eric.
I thought about the Lane = Monte angle , too.
Just don’t know if Lane is an answer.
December 10th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
I’d bring Lane here if it meant that Monte came back. I just wouldn’t hire Lane as a HC or anything like that. He’d probably be ok position coach though.
December 10th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
we’re talking Lane Kiffin in here? seriously?
We are in a really bad way right now
December 10th, 2011 at 4:44 pm
i dont care if it would mean the return of Monte….LANE KIFFIN WOULD NOT HELP THIS TEAM IN ANY WAY. besides, i think he realizes he has a good thing going at USC and he is probably better suited for the college level….for a few more years at least
January 2nd, 2012 at 9:10 pm
well, kirwan was wrong about at least one thing in his assessment: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d825a5232/article/bucs-morris-out-after-10game-losing-streak-to-end-season
i think he’s also wrong about there being no reason to think Monte would leave USC for Tampa. i can think of millions of reasons — millions. at least one of which is USC’s remaining sanctions which could very deem their seasons thru 2014 to be all for naught, thanks to Reggie Bush and a bunch of other selfish adults.
but whatever. what do i know? i’m not an “analyst;” i’m just a guy with a computer and bad taste in his mouth.
please come home, monte. please?