Another One In The Plus Column For Sullivan
November 18th, 2012
Joe did have issues today with the Bucs’ conservative playcalling at times and the Bucs’ continued obsession with using D.J. Ware so much on third down.
(Last Joe checked Doug Martin was heralded by Bucs brass before and after the draft as “a versatile, three-down back.”)
But that written, today’s game definitely was yet another big positive for offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan. You can’t hang Josh Freeman’s ugly interceptions and Doug Martin’s costly goal-line cough-up on Sullivan. And “Sully,” as he’s called, had his offense and playcalling raring and ready to open the game, ready when the game was on the line, and ready for the kill in overtime.
The man knows how to make adjustments, and clearly the Bucs are very well prepared on offense.
As Joe’s written previously, Joe’s not sure how Sullivan won’t be in consideration for a head coaching gig after this season, assuming the Bucs offense keeps rolling. He’s got rings. He’s coached under disciplinarians. He’s got a military-officer background. He’s molded quarterbacks. And he’ll have playcalling prowess on his resume.
November 18th, 2012 at 7:59 pm
Man…don’t curse us Joe.. I m all for guys moving up and clearly you could make an argument that he at least deserves consideration. I sure hope he stays as we don’t need to start from scratch with another OC! I’ve been waiting for 36 years for the Bucs to have an explosive offense and finally it has been the best one I can ever remember. It’s nice not to have to win games 7-6 or 13-10.
November 18th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
Its TMZ garbage time. The shock/ridiculous is always just around the corner with this guy.
Hey “Buccanay,” why so scared to use your usual anonymous name? Let’s get real, losing Sullivan is a real potential reality right around the corner. Sorry you’re in denial. –Joe
November 18th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
It is wrong to fault Sullivan for the offense seeming “conservative”. He was not on the field allowing Freeman to be pressured practically every pass play. No time for routes to develop and the ridiculous amount of pressure is on the OL. Freeman had very little time to do anything until the end of the game and OT.
November 18th, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Am I seeing things or do the Pats have 59 points????
Here’s a dream scenario…Bucs make playoffs either by winning division or wild card. Bucs make it to the Superbowl and face Patriots.
We’d likely get killed, but that would be a fine piece of irony.
November 18th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
I still think new OC’s and DC’s should have to coach a minimum of 3 years with their new teams before being eligible to be signed as an HC elsewhere.
November 18th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Joe, dont we have the right to not let Sullivan interview with other teams?
November 18th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Joe, how about you quit bringing it up?
Yes, some of are superstitious.
November 18th, 2012 at 8:24 pm
_&1…. You sneak Freeman. I can name 5 times this season the Bucs needed one crucial yard and got NOTHING or worse by trying to get cute with one yard to go. I can’t remember EVER in 4 years Freeman getting STOPPED on a sneak.
November 18th, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Were you complaining about Ware when he ran over Kuechly on third down, thus picking up a first down? The disrespect this guy get is mind boggling to me.
November 18th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Celebrate the win and get ready for the Falcons next week…..
November 18th, 2012 at 8:37 pm
Teams can’t stop coordinators from interviewing. Agree he’ll be a reasonably popular interview after the season. That doesn’t mean he’ll be a good head coach, but somebody will come after him. Maybe even Carolina.
November 18th, 2012 at 8:39 pm
Saw Doug Martin lay keuchly out too
November 18th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Hopefully some teams will be wary that he’s only had 1 season as an OC, and will want someone with a bit more of a track record.
November 18th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
@Adam…Freeman is something like 22 for 22 on 1 yd sneaks. He has NEVER been stopped.
November 18th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Chudzyinski (sp) from the Panthers was a hot candidate last year after one LOSING season with Cam Newton
November 18th, 2012 at 8:54 pm
FYI teams can stop Coordinators from a lateral move if under contract, but cannot stop a promotion…
November 18th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Joe….quit promoting Sully already 🙂 I’d really hate to see him show up in Carolina. This game may have sealed the fate of Rivera.
November 18th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
i may be mistakin but i believe josh failed at a sneak against tennese last year
November 18th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
@ Hawaiian : Agreed 100% .. Ware has been the insurance NEEDED for the seemingly useless Blount this year.
@ mikeck : I saw that one also. Keuch is only a force in the assisted tackles from what I’m gathering 😉
November 18th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Martin didn’t fumble. Nuff said.
November 18th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
The Panthers have top tier pas rush and that may account for Freeman’s tough day. Their defense played well all day, but in the end, the better team willed it happen. The Bucs just rammed it down their throats in OT.
The Oline had a good day and really came through in the clutch.
November 18th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
Can’t we pull a cardinals and block him or something?
November 18th, 2012 at 9:53 pm
@CanadianBucsFan
@Mainebuc
You can only block an assistant coach from interviewing for another assistant coach position. You can not block an assistant coach from being interviewed for a head coaching job.
If our offense keeps clicking, Sullivan will get interviews. Hopefully, though, teams would want to see more than one good year as an OC under his belt before hiring him away.
November 18th, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Joe – stop bringing it up! Not because I’m superstitious, but so word doesn’t begin to spread that he SHOULD be considered. If enough people say that then he WILL be considered, meaning we could lose him after only one year. Don’t underestimate your influence.
November 18th, 2012 at 10:17 pm
@ Fish
I think the owners and GMs that make head coach hiring decisions keep their fingers on the pulse of what assistant coaches are doing. Buzz generated by blogs and fan sites is not going to push Sullivan to the top of their list any more than not talking about him will allow him to fly under the radar.
November 18th, 2012 at 10:32 pm
I disagree Illuminati.
Other teams, GM’s and Owners can only keep track of so many people. The more they are enlightened on a particular coordinators’ success, the more they will focus on that particular coordinator. I’m not saying that purely because “Joe” hypes him up that he will be considered, but media feeds off of itself and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
November 18th, 2012 at 10:37 pm
I have a question. If the fumble was prior to crossing the goal line, why was the ball awarded to the Panthers on the twenty and not the goal line. It seems to me that there were two possible outcomes of the play. They were ether touchdown or Panthers ball on the six line.
November 18th, 2012 at 10:38 pm
Or, the fumble was into the end zone where it was recovered, which was evidently the decision. Looked like a touchdown to me.
November 18th, 2012 at 11:12 pm
Sully will be here at least two years. He will not get any offers after this season because he’s only now developing a playbook. Not enough experience.
November 18th, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Wally – Fumble into the endzone + Panthers recover = touchback
November 18th, 2012 at 11:18 pm
I hope sully stays for at least two years, pay him and he will stay
November 19th, 2012 at 1:06 am
I don’t see Sully going anywhere just yet. A couple more years of success and it would be more likely. We need him here to continue grooming Freeman.
November 19th, 2012 at 1:26 am
im sorry but the people who think ware is contributing to this offense arent watching the same games. he isnt a good recieving back and hes not good at pass blocking so why not make a linebacker respect martin and free up the middle on third down instead of wasting a body (and cap space) on ware
November 19th, 2012 at 7:51 am
I Do not think coach Sullivan leaves after only one season for a head coach position, maybe after 3 seasons he would consider leaving, but even then I doubt he will leave, remember he is a former Army Ranger who graduated from West Point. He has loyalty and dedication to at least finish his contract with us before he would nice on. Now if he was fired….
D Ware had 8 rushing attempts for 48 yards before this game. That is a 6 yard per carry average. That is not so bad. It am I missing something?
November 19th, 2012 at 8:55 am
Do you really think Im scared to use “usual” screen name? Wow..talk about childish. Had to re-set computer and “usual” name, “BucYea” no longer came up on your site. BuccanAy has been longtime screen name on other sites. Wasnt even sure what name I used on this site.
November 19th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
I was generally happy with the play calling by Sullivan, but hated the handoff to Martin at the goal line on 4th down, and I hated it before I heard there was a fumble. I was driving home, listening in the car, and was begging for a QB rush (I won’t even call it a sneak). As others pointed out, Freeman has been money on the 3rd and 4th and 1 plays. Did the Bucs not learn anything from the Blount fiasco against NO? I know Martin is more reliable, but he had been stopped at points for losses yesterday. And it takes just a little longer for the play to develop when there is a handoff. If the QB takes the snap and barrells forward, he has a decent shot of using his momentum to get the few inches he needs, particularly when he has Freeman’s size. I think that even if the defense knows it is coming, the QB power dive is the most likely play to be successful in that situation.
P.S. I do think that technically Freeman failed against TN last year, but he fumbled the snap, so it didn’t count as a failure I guess since the stats always say he has been perfect in the 4th and 1 situations.