Like Fans, Schiano Expects Improvement
July 5th, 2013
Joe reads the comments on this very corner of the Interwebs, hears the callers on sports talk radio, talks to the fans at various watering holes, etc.
Bucs fans are so anxious for a postseason berth this fall, they can taste it.
Well, so does Bucs coach Greg Schiano. In a podcast on NFL.com, Schiano strongly implied he expects the team to be better this season and he’s hungry to satisfy Bucs fans’ appetites for the playoffs.
“You know, I don’t really put a time limit on it,” Schiano said about turning the once hapless Bucs around. “It’s a win-now league. So, we were trying to win yesterday. I think we did some things our first offseason [winter of 2012], some acquisitions that really helped. And without a doubt, we did it again this year. So with Mark Dominik our GM and everybody involved, I think there is a commitment to winning from the top down, from the Glazer family down and that’s the most important thing. That is what I sensed when I sat down to interview with them. They are very serious about winning and winning championships. That’s why I thought it was a great situation.”
Yes, Joe too believe the Bucs should be better this year. The team very well may have gone from one of the worst secondaries in the NFL to the best. They have a running attack, a powerful offensive line, dynamic receivers. Yes, this team should be better.
Playoffs? Joe’s not going there yet. The only way the Bucs could guarantee a playoff berth is winning the division and Joe can’t go there yet.
The NFC is so damned stocked this year with top teams, it wouldn’t shock Joe one bit if a team won 11 games and missed out on the playoffs (Joe is not saying that will happen, but could happen). The NFC is the best Joe has seen since Bill Walsh, Joe Gibbs, Bill Parcells and Mike Ditka roamed the sidelines.
The Bucs very well could have a tremendous season, winning 10 games, and be watching the playoffs at home. That’s how good the NFC should be this year.
July 5th, 2013 at 7:08 am
Hey joe what happened to your site? I only can open up JBF world press blog.
July 5th, 2013 at 7:59 am
Our fate this year will rest squarely on the shoulders of Josh Freeman.
July 5th, 2013 at 8:24 am
Joe, I would like to thank you for working so early on a holiday weekend. I greatly appreciate your hard work in getting us all the latest Bucs info.
Rusty, I had that issue on my phone, but it seems to be normal on my computer.
July 5th, 2013 at 8:31 am
Chris,
Your statement regarding Freeman is true, but it is only true by default because every NFL team’s fate rests on the shoulders of its starting QB.
Yes, Freeman is quite capable of being inconsistent (Jaworski calls him an enigma) and assuring that we don’t make the playoffs. And to Joe’s point, he could play very well, win 10 games and still not make the playoffs as happened in 2010.
I get that he’s the key, but we also cannot have injuries at key positions; the defense has to hold up as I suspect it will; and we’re playing a very tough schedule.
Going to the playoffs is doable this year but is not going to be easy under any circumstance given the competition in our own division and the NFC at large!
July 5th, 2013 at 8:37 am
Well, I spoke too soon. I am now getting the word press site on my PC as well.
July 5th, 2013 at 9:01 am
Of course the jerks will come on here and write that saying we have a tough schedule is only an excuse. That even if we were to win 10 or 11 games and still not make the playoffs it will be all (how do they say?) jfro-6pak’s fault. They are nothing but a bunch of neanderthals that just don’t understand team concept. They always put the blame squarely on Josh’s shoulders but the smart guys out there know that Josh doesn’t play all positions.
We clearly would’ve made the playoffs last year if we had the defense. But a lot are too stupid to understand logic. This years schedule is tougher than last years and if we achieve 10 or 11 wins that would be a huge accomplishment considering.
July 5th, 2013 at 9:06 am
I agree with Joe.
The NFC is shaping up to be a very tough division. Right now, even though I detest them, I think the Falcons have the best team. That’s before any games are played of course.
I think the Saints have another couple years of good football in them, but they are on their way toward rebuilding after that.
The Panthers are going to remain competitive, but I think cam is going to hit a wall for a year or two. I think he needs to mature a bit as a person and a player. Until then they will likely be the weakest team in the NFC South. At least until the Saints claim that position in a couple years.
But when all is said and done? I think the Bucs and Falcons will be in a constant struggle for division lead. If Freeman does well, and I believe he will, our only weak spots will be our lines.
Teams will pick on Spence until he proves himself (which will be hard in his rookie year).
On the oline we have some great players, but both tackle positions are questionable. Penn is aging. Though he is playing at a high level now, going into the future we will need a quality replacement soon. That won’t be easy.
July 5th, 2013 at 10:42 am
I really like Freeman but I am concerned with his inconsistancy. We saw him panic several times and rush or make errant throws (even short passes). I believe the key to Freeman is to encourage him to run when he is challenged.
The biggest difference in the “Good Freeman” vs the “Bad Freeman” is that the “Good Freeman” ran and ran very well. In 2010 he was the 2nd leading QB rusher behind Michael Vick. He is leaner and probably quicker now. I think Sullivan & or Schiano have discouraged his running for fear of injury.
Let him run Coach……..Let him run!!!
July 5th, 2013 at 10:50 am
The biggest difference in the “Good Freeman” vs the “Bad Freeman” is that the “Good Freeman” ran and ran very well.
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What? really? Are you so blind as to see that the “bad Freeman” is also horribly inaccurate, indecisive and at times seems as if hes throwing it to the wrong jerseys on purpose?
July 5th, 2013 at 11:24 am
What? really? Are you so blind as to see that the “bad Freeman” is also horribly inaccurate, indecisive and at times seems as if hes throwing it to the wrong jerseys on purpose?
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Name me one QB that hasn’t made errant throws and I will stop posting my opinions.
July 5th, 2013 at 11:34 am
“Playoffs? Joe’s not going there yet. The only way the Bucs could guarantee a playoff berth is winning the division and Joe can’t go there yet.”
…
Playoffs?……Playoffs?!
No. Actually (unlike Jim Mora) I really think the Bucs are going to stomp this year. I’m thinking that they at least win a Wildcard game.
July 5th, 2013 at 12:56 pm
Name me one QB that hasn’t made errant throws and I will stop posting my opinions.
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The problem isnt that he makes errant throws. Yes you are right that every QB makes errant throws.
BUT very few make them as often as Freeman. VERY FEW.
And I dont care if you stop posting your opinions. I rather like a good debate!
July 5th, 2013 at 1:27 pm
I see the opposite. Because the NFC is such a competitive conference this year, everyone will beat each other up. The norm will be more like 7-9, 8-8. Parity rules supreme. No one is going to run away with 12 plus wins. I think 10 wins will get you a wild card birth, no problem, maybe win a division. Just my opinion.
July 5th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Couch…Really, comeon man. We know you do not like the guy, but there are plenty of QBs playing worse than Freeman. We know you want a top 12 QB, not the number 19 or whatever he came in at last year. We know that stats don’t matter only einning matters, and we all know you think Freeman cost the Bucs the play-offs…You have been very clear and consistant, but that last post is simply piling on.
I still stand by the entire team let us and eacu other down during the slide. If Freeman truely had communication issues with the WR group, then hesitation is normal while you are trying to figure out what is going on. Forcing balls to try and win a game leads to turn overs. The team as a whole (Freeman included) lost those games. I know you guys say that communication is an excuse, and I can only guess that the reason you feel that way is due to you not really wanting an answer. Communication is key, and it takes the entire team communicationg to get the job done. Let’s see if they worked it out this year.
July 5th, 2013 at 2:16 pm
@McBuc
You didnt read what my post was replying to. Had nothing to do with how many others play better or worse than Freeman. It was the difference between the “good” Freeman and the “Bad” Freeman.
July 5th, 2013 at 4:28 pm
Eleven wins and no playoffs–I’ll take that wager. Never happen. Yes, everyone looks stocked and unbeatable this time of year. And then the training camp injuries start; and then the suspensions; and then teams get tired. And the great rookies of last year are game-planned. So which teams are so loaded. Atlanta? Weak offensive line and a secondary loaded with question marks. They beat only two teams that made the playoffs last year! New Orleans. Everyone thinks because Payton is back, they’re a 12 win team. Not with that defense and the decline of Brees. Seattle? They would likely not have made the playoffs if Green Bay hadn’t been robbed on Monday night. They are one or two injuries on offense away from being a .500 team. Can you really count on Harvin? Washington? Will RG stay healthy? What did they add? Minnesota, one year wonders or the real thing. We beat the pants off them. NY Giants? Aging and on the decline. Chicago? A QB less consistent than Freeman. San Francisco–already have suffered some serious injuries. Losers in the Super Bowl often fall off the next year. Green Bay looks solid but has disappointed the last couple of years. Dallas? Philadelphia? Who are these NFC powerhouses? The Buccaneers could finish anywhere between 6-10 and 12-4. But on paper, in terms of raw talent, I think this TEAM is competitive with anybody in the NFC. It doesn’t all depend on Freeman; it largely depends on their own confidence. They have to believe they can beat these teams.
July 5th, 2013 at 4:59 pm
Well said, Buddah.
July 5th, 2013 at 7:38 pm
@Buddah, I agree with you 100%, on paper has no merit, it is on the field that counts. Any team can win/lose on any given game day. The key to success this year is no major injuries and a balanced attack. As my drill instructor used to say opinions are like armpits everyone’s got a couple and they all stink.
Lets be fans that support our team instead of trashing it, remember the players are people with emotions, feelings and life struggles they are not robots which are programmed to function in a void. Be kind to one another and treat others as you would like to be treated, considering others better than yourselves.
I’m looking forward to a great year of Bucs ball!
July 7th, 2013 at 1:38 am
Dusting off the excuses already. NFC is no different this year than normal. Always has been tough, just haven’t been up to the task.
Five years into a rebuild that was touted to produce lasting contenders but no playoffs cause the league is too tough?
Please.