New York Giants South
June 2nd, 2012
Expect new Bucs offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan to run an offense similar to the Giants'.
Joe is asked this question often, mostly on Twitter:
What kind of defense will Greg Schiano run?
Nobody short of Schiano really knows. Every time he is asked this question, he gives some evasive answer such as, “We will run some four-man fronts and some three-man fronts.”
Translation: Wait until September to see.
The question Joe cannot remember any fan asking him yet is, “What kind of an offense will Greg Schiano run?”
Well, it will be a run-first offense for sure, since the Bucs loaded up on running backs in the draft and added Carl Nicks. Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune is of the mind that the Bucs will run Mike Sullivan’s offense, which will be a version of the New York Giants, offense. That’s what Cummings detailed in a TBO Bucs Q&A.
Q: Coach Schiano impresses me by trying to instill work ethics back in the Bucs. His selection of experienced ex-pro assistants and his style are impressive. My concern is his ability to develop a pro-caliber offense. The Rutgers offense was mediocre by college standards and the jump to the NFL is a concern. Can Schiano make the leap scheme-wise?
Al, Belleview
A: Well, the Bucs aren’t going to run Schiano’s offense. They’re going to run his defense and Mike Sullivan’s offense. We’re still not sure what Sullivan’s offense will look like but the word we have from the players we’ve talked to, including QB Josh Freeman, is that it will look a lot like what the New York Giants have been running lately. That makes sense since Sullivan came from the Giants, where he was receivers coach and then quarterbacks coach. That offense has won two Super Bowls so it must be rather effective. It’s primarily a rush-oriented attack that takes shots down the field, which is definitely what Schiano wants.
— Roy Cummings
While the Giants do like to the throw the ball downfield, it’s a run-first offense, even with Eli Manning at quarterback. The Giants have thrown two- and three-headed running back monsters at defenses.
This tells Joe right there that not just Muscle Hamster and LeGarrette Blount will get plenty of work, but scatback Michael Smith could see plenty of touches.
June 2nd, 2012 at 10:46 pm
I’ve got a good feeling about Sullivan…seems like the real deal.
June 2nd, 2012 at 11:25 pm
Some of the critics here need to consider the following. They were the youngest team in the NFL last year, There was no off season due to the strike and as projected by most of the analysts, they would be affected and not fair well in the regular season. The coaching staff was absolutely horrible in all facets as a professional coaching staff. There were also some key injuries along with some players hitting the sophomore slump. It’s clear why the team went 4-10.
This is going to be a much better year than last and I would be happy if they went 8-8. I’m optimistic though and believe they will do much better and possibly win the division. Before passing judgement, I prefer to wait and see how they handle themselves in the preseason games as it will be pretty evident what they’ll be like in the regular season.
With respect to Schiano and the coaching staff, I’ll believe in them until given a reason not too. I also believe Dominick has done a good job and if the measurement of bad GM is failed draft picks, then there are no good GM’s in the NFL. I’m confident in making this statement, because every team has had failed draft picks.
June 3rd, 2012 at 12:20 am
@Drew +1
I agree with you about Michael Smith, Joe.
Could this be the year that Tampa gets the ground game that we’ve always wanted?
June 3rd, 2012 at 12:20 am
Actually Woody is clueless. This is what happens when you speak with out knowing.
The Giants were 59% pass 41% rush last year.
the Giants were a pass first team last year. The Giants had 2 thousand yard receivers, and no 700 yard rushers.
So shut up Woody, and stop adopting his incorrect b.s. Joe, when you are way off.
The Giants were a pass first team.
June 3rd, 2012 at 12:35 am
good post drew!!! nice to see someone being positive…..my god thomas you are so negitive
June 3rd, 2012 at 1:57 am
Again, Thomas 2.2 plays the fool. Looking at only one statistic to rationalize his delusions. The Giants were more of a pass first team last year, that is true. Of course, if you look at it and see that they had the worst yards per carry (3.5) in the league, there’s a good reason for that. So, they moved to the passing game. Yet, if you look at the 3 season prior to that, they had 7th most attempts, 13th, and 7th. They have typically run the ball more than passing. The other thing is that the average for the entire league was 544 passing attempts to 436 rushing attempts. Which shows that the entire league was really about 55% pass/45% rush. After all, it is a “passing” league.
So, Joe… keep on keeping on. I’m glad we can get ALL the info from you, rather than edited information that is just what you want us to see.
Thomas 2.2, football is more than one game, or one season… there is a history. Historically the Giants have been a run first team. Narrowing your focus makes you look clueless and shows you speak without knowing what you’re talking about.
June 3rd, 2012 at 3:06 am
BamBam:
Coming from you, Joe is humbled. You are one of the more (most?) intelligent posters Joe has. Joe always enjoys your insight. Thoughtful, reasoned.
June 3rd, 2012 at 3:10 am
Drew:
Joe isn’t sure the Bucs will win the division, but from the practices Joe has witnessed, the attention to detail is striking. For that reason alone, Joe believes that the Bucs will be ready to play every game, unlike the previous administration where the team seemed to be unprepared week after week.
June 3rd, 2012 at 7:49 am
I like that he was an ARMY Ranger (instant respect). He’s been through 2 SuperBowl winning seasons (respect from the players). Now, he just needs to learn the craft of calling plays. Freeman needs consistency if he’s gonna be successful (it’s seems like he has a new QB coach or O.C. every year. So why would he wanna resign with the Bucs with that much CHAOS)
June 3rd, 2012 at 11:40 am
Running the Giants Offense is a-ok with me.
I have admired the way they get the running game going for years. and Eli hits tons of big plays.
June 3rd, 2012 at 11:47 am
of course the Giants also have a hell of a defensive team also, to make it all mesh…………thats a bit more problematic.
BTW, on the “detail” thing. I ran across an article where COughlin, while with the Jags, measured the distance (in steps) from the home side of the field to the locker rooms. He had his coachs time the distance also-to the last second. He wanted to know precisely how much time they would have to meet at halftime.
likely had the temperature at a certain leval also…….maybe this control freak thing does work.
June 3rd, 2012 at 12:26 pm
The hidden stat is how many times was a run play called and Eli checked out to a pass play. I don’t care wether we are a run first or pass first offense as long as Freeman gets us into the right play according to what defense he sees! Freeman’s decision making has to improve this year and I think his chances got a whole lot better with out K2 in his ear!
June 3rd, 2012 at 2:43 pm
“The hidden stat is how many times was a run play called and Eli checked out to a pass play.”
Unfortunatly, we’ll never know that stat, at least, not for sure. We may guess, from what we see as Free calls the play, but the only times we’ll know for sure is on the rare occasions that Free admits he blew it, &/or those occasions when he gets a post game atta-boy from the coach, for doing it right. And that’s assuming that coach gives him the OK to do it in the 1st place. That , plus those times when QB & receiver are obviously on different pages. Only the team & coaches know who was wrong, & thay rarely tell us. Don’t suppose they should, in either example. as much as I’d like to know, they are internal issues & should be taken care of internally.
June 3rd, 2012 at 6:48 pm
Rock Star didn’t do too bad. Lets see, Blackmon arrested for aggravated DUI and Claiborne with a bad wrist. Two players the usual whining suspects believe the Rock Star should have picked. Hmmm
June 3rd, 2012 at 11:09 pm
BamBam,
Sullivan was a QB Coach wasn’t he? What was he before that? The Bucs website is in the middle of a makeover, and the info on coaches isn’t linked yet. Wiki doesn’t have it either.
I read over it when he was hired, but can’t remember now.
I disagree with you though. Not a biggy, we’re allowed to have differing opinions. I believe we will see more of a running game this year, but I DO NOT believe we will become a run-first team.
Let’s look at past history of the giants (regular seasons only):
2011
589 Passing Attempts
411 Rushing Attempts
2010
539 Passing Attempts
480 Rushing Attempts
2009
542 Passing Attempts
443 Rushing Attempts
2008
491 Passing Attempts
502 Rushing Attempts
2007
544 Passing Attempts
469 Rushing Attempts
5 Year Totals:
Passing attempts: 2,705
Rushing Attempts: 2,305
Difference: 400 attempts
The fact is, the Giants have only been a “run first” team during one year of the past five years.
(If I were to compare the yards, passing results would have blown rushing results away, but that didn’t seem a balanced review. So I went with attempts.)
I know everyone wants to Bucs to be a run first team…but it won’t happen. They will run MORE, but not to the degree that everyone is insisting.
I admit, because Freeman is getting re-educated, there is a possibility that we’ll see more running this year than next year, but even so…we are in a passing division (even though Newton can run, Brees and Ryan are passers).
Not to mention this year we face the Giants, Chargers, Broncos and Cowboys (although the cowboys do run the ball). If we go run first…we will fall behind and have to abandon the run completely again.
No…assuming our defense still has some learning to do…our offense will still have to carry this team. And against the pass first teams we’ll be playing, we will need to score high and score often.
June 3rd, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Kirk…what’s “aggravated” DUI? Was Blackmon aggravated he got caught? 😉
I wanted Clairborne. Even with the wrist it would have been a good choice…however, although I wasn’t expecting the pick we got…I’m happy with it. Excited even.
I don’t believe the Bucs reached…simply because I don’t believe reaching is ever an issue. I believe a team should take the best player available that best fits their goals…keeping in mind whether or not a player of near quality can be picked later in the draft or not.
I’m disappointed they did not address CB, but I knew at least one position would have to be skipped over this year. Can’t do it all in one year, right?
June 3rd, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Dini’s Biceps Says:
June 3rd, 2012 at 7:49 am
I like that he was an ARMY Ranger (instant respect). He’s been through 2 SuperBowl winning seasons (respect from the players). Now, he just needs to learn the craft of calling plays. Freeman needs consistency if he’s gonna be successful (it’s seems like he has a new QB coach or O.C. every year. So why would he wanna resign with the Bucs with that much CHAOS)
.
He’ll extend his contract by the end of this season…if not before it even starts.