Schiano Walking The Plank?
September 27th, 2013
It has not been a good couple of weeks for Bucs commander Greg Schiano. His team lost its first three games, coughed up late lead twice, and Schiano was taken over the knee of his mentor Bill Belicheat with a drubbing in New England that, barring injury, will be the last time Bucs fans see Josh Freeman taking a snap wearing a Bucs jersey.
Soon after the game and for a full day, Schiano was adamant, bordering on angry, claiming Josh Freeman was his quarterback.
But he forgot one word: “Backup.”
Then came the news Freeman had been benched. Not a way to start the 2013 season, a season David Whitley of FoxSports.com believes will end with Schiano being asked to clean out his office.
The Bucs are winless and Freeman’s been terrible, so you can’t fault Schiano for the move. You can fault him for how Freeman’s gotten increasingly terrible since the coaching staff arrived.
Part of that is undoubtedly on Freeman. But whether he was overrated from the start or undisciplined or whatever, his relationship with Schiano was terminally ill. As bad as that has become — and Freeman wants out, according to FOX Sports sources — the real problem is nobody in uniform is connecting with Schiano.
It’s never good when players hold a private meeting and one of the topics is whether the coach rigged the vote for team captain so his quarterback would get jobbed. The other hot topic was debating whether Schiano should dress as Sgt. Hulka or Bobby Knight for Halloween.
First, off, Joe doesn’t believe Schiano wrecked Freeman. Freeman wrecked Freeman. He started off slow last year and had his career season until December approached. Historically, Freeman has been horrible in December. So if Schiano blew up Freeman, how the hell did Freeman have such a good year last season and, at one point, look like a top-5 quarterback in the NFL? People seem to have a very selective memories.
Also, look at the progress the Bucs have made defensively in the past two seasons. Joe really doesn’t understand how people can say Schiano has been a complete failure unless they are simply blinded by hate and rage.
Look, Team Glazer has never made a coaching change until a coach has had three seasons. Could they break their pattern? Sure, but history suggests, no.
Will this season be a trainwreck? It already is. “This Joe” firmly believes Team Glazer decided to pacify the freeloader fans, who screamed about why others wouldn’t spend their hard-earned money so the whiners could get games on TV free. Yesterday’s move to end blackouts quelled the unrest for many Bucs fans, who Joe has never seen this angry before. In a span of three days, Schiano went from being respected if not liked by Bucs fans, to being reviled nearly as much as Raheem Morris. It’s a stunning turnaround.
If the Bucs lose Sunday, they likely could start the season 0-7 (and who knows where the losing will end) and make a run at the first pick in the draft and begin to really fall unravel. Then who knows what Team Glazer will do with Schiano?
Right now Schiano’s best antidote is to win games. It cures all ills and is the game’s best deodorant.
September 27th, 2013 at 10:09 am
I think its becoming obvious what happened with the QB change. The players in the locker room saw one guy coming in, putting in tons of work and doing everything he can to be ready for gameday. They saw another guy do just enough to keep his job, despite the fact he has tens of millions of dollars on the line. At 0-3 they figured why don’t we go with the guy who clearly cares more? So the captains went to Schiano and said “Coach, make the change. We’re ready for it”. Schiano went upstairs, conferred with the higher ups, and when he got the ok, the changed was made.
Whether Glennon is truly better or not remains to be seen. But everything I’ve read and heard about him suggests he’s a football junkie who will work as hard as he needs to in order to give himself the best chance to succeed. They had seen enough from Freeman to know he was never going to be that guy. He’ll do enough to keep his job, which simply isn’t enough anymore.
September 27th, 2013 at 10:11 am
Ok, just for fun. If we have the first pick in the draft, should we take Clowney ro Bridgewater? I don’t really see that as possible. The Jags are sooooooo bad, not way they win a game this year.
And its interesting, Walter Football has us having the #2 pick, a much more likely outcome. So with the Jags first and obviously taking Bridgewater, is it wise for us to take Clowney? I say yes, then trade for a Carson Palmer/Alex Smith type QB.
September 27th, 2013 at 10:13 am
It really sucks that I am thinking about the draft only 3 weeks into such a promising season…..
September 27th, 2013 at 10:13 am
Freeman is history. You’ve got the spotlight Mr. Schiano. Better win!
September 27th, 2013 at 10:18 am
Go Bucs!!
September 27th, 2013 at 10:21 am
I wasnt around for 0-26 so I cant relate to that.
But I can honestly say this is the lowest I have ever been as a Bucs fan. A season with so much promise has turned into a joke. There is no excuse for a roster with these players losing 8 out of 9 games. NONE.
September 27th, 2013 at 10:26 am
Coach Schiano did not make Freeman continually oversleep and be late for meetings, photos and camps. The other players saw Freeman’s lack of dedication and knew that they couldn’t win with him and didn’t want to follow or depend on him.
September 27th, 2013 at 10:36 am
Sorry but until this team quits like it did in 2011, nothing will be more embarassing than that. I’m obviously guessing but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs averaged more than 20 missed tackles a game that year. That was straight up disgraceful to watch.
September 27th, 2013 at 10:47 am
Adamant bordering on Angry? C’mon joe. You really are just making sh!t up now to feed the remains of the angry Freemanites.
He simply said “Freeman is out QB”. Nothing adamant or angry about that. Joe it is becoming clear you yourself is nothing more than angry at Schiano. LMAO
September 27th, 2013 at 10:51 am
I have never been so upset to be a Bucs fan. Joe is right that their are a lot of fans angry at Schiano. I can’t even watch this season with the same hope and optimism I usually have regardless of our record. I’m just flat out disgusted
September 27th, 2013 at 10:54 am
“This Joe” firmly believes Team Glazer decided to pacify the freeloader fans…”
Wow Joe. Do you not believe a fan has the right to object through not attending games? Believe me, if this team continues to play it has in the first three weeks nobody will watch on TV either. Expectations were high as evidenced by all of the individuals on this site saying the Bucs would win 10…11…and even 12 games. Disappointment is high.
September 27th, 2013 at 10:54 am
The outcome of the remaining games should tell us the answer to the headline. The first three weeks of the season should be enough for the Glazers to dust off the plank. I believe Schiano is precariously close to stepping on said plank. A team only meeting regarding Schiano’s coaching tactics, a bumbled plan at QB and being outcoached and unprepared in the first three games have all contributed to the putrid start. Freeman deserves part of the blame for not committing himself to his job, but Schiano is the man responsible for the total outcome. Dominik has given Schiano enough talent to win, so I will leave him out of it.
When the season started, I doubt the Glazers intended to pick up the tab on the remaining non premium seats to ensure locally televised home games. Winning was supposed to sell tickets. This might tell us all we need to know.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:01 am
Couch Fan:
Were you there when he said it? Did you see the video?
Joe has been with Schiano enough to know when he is PO’ed and when he is in a good mood.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:01 am
“It’s never good when players hold a private meeting and one of the topics is whether the coach rigged the vote for team captain so his quarterback would get jobbed.”
This was denied by the players themselves, but of course the national media still claims it happens.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:01 am
Joe is clearly apart of the Freemanite mob himself and is doing everything he can to fuel this hatred for Schiano simply because Freewee was benched.
It’s ok Joe. Continue to pout.
Meanwhile we’ll be Winnin with Glennon!! Don’t worry Joe you and the rest of the freemanites will becomes believers!! GO BUCS!!
September 27th, 2013 at 11:03 am
LOL!!!
September 27th, 2013 at 11:04 am
I can’t wait to see this bum get fired
September 27th, 2013 at 11:05 am
@Admin
Yes. I’ve seen every video. I watch the Bucs conferences daily on there website. I seen Monday’s presser and at no time did he seem angry.
He simply said Freeman was our QB. Which at the time was true. Only you and your special friend BD along with the Freemanites would try to mix this around.
Like I said, its ok. Get your hatred out now because in time Glennon will make you believe. And I’m sure you’ll act like none of this ever happened.
Just like the articles for the last week telling us for a FACT Freeman would not be benched this season.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:05 am
Couch says
“Meanwhile we’ll be Winnin with Glennon!!”
I actually believe in Schiano. I think if Glazer sticks with him he’ll make this team into a top contender. Even if it takes 2 more years.
When it happens, it won’t matter how long it happened if we become the next Pats.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:06 am
Next man off the plank: Marky D. Karaoke guru.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:08 am
In 1976 I was there for the 0-26…..sat in the stands at the Sombrero….season ticket holder….everyone wanted McKay’s head & then he took us to the NFC championship in 1979……so in 3 short years from laughing stock of the NFL to 10 pts from a Superbowl appearance.
I believe that Schiano looks bad as does anyone who participates in an old fashioned house cleaning….give him a shot…because I can guarantee you the Glazers will.
Look at how our defense is starting to gel.
I think Schiano was going to go at least one more game with Freeman but got the call from upstairs to yank him.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:09 am
@Bonzai
Im not sold on Schiano or his staff or even Glennon. I just know that there is no reason for anybody to root against the kid yet or simply hate Schiano after 19 games. Makes no sense to me.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:10 am
Coach nut case will continue to implode.
He can’t help himself.
There was reports of grumbling way before the Freeman Fiasco. Now he’s actually trying to win with a rookie QB and has stated it gives his team the best chance.
Its only gonna get uglier and uglier. No telling how long it will take to repair the damage.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:12 am
As far as Schiano’s Monday presser, I’l re-post my thoughts on that—
The offense had distanced themselves from Josh and quit on him. That’s why I believe Schiano when he said on Monday Freeman was the starter, but after offensive meetings and gauging the the morale of the offense, I believe Schiano laid his case out to the Glazers to bench Josh based on that.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:13 am
No no eric you got it all wrong. Why your hating on everything Bucs. I sit back and laugh at the stupidity you and others like you showcase daily. I occasionally chime in just to poke a bit of fun at the stupids. LOL
September 27th, 2013 at 11:22 am
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
funniest thing i have read all week
Go Bucs!
September 27th, 2013 at 11:23 am
Couch Fan…..LOL at everything you wrote. Perhaps Joe has nothing else to talk about now that Freeman is out. He has to stir the pot somehow. So now it’s going to be all about Schiano and if he leaves, then it will be onto the next target.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:24 am
For The Computer Virus You’ll Catch Sunday
September 26th, 2013
Yes, Joe’s confident Sunday’s Bucs-Cardinals game will be blacked out from local television. That means loads of Bucs fans will access dangerous unauthorized Internet feeds of the game. These feeds are loaded with viruses and all kinds of stuff that will take down your computer hard drive like Warren Sapp did quarterbacks.
—————————————————————————————
Joe, going to have to come up with a new slogan for the rest of this season.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:24 am
Couch like the slogan!!!! but if it goes south lets go all in with johnny football and get the bay a rockin…. if they are the #1 pick overall and clowney is a once in a lifetime pick then might have to get that but no way the jags win a game this year so they should have that choice
September 27th, 2013 at 11:24 am
Great post, Joe. This paragraph in particular needs to be posted everytime a Freeman article comes up, the same why you remind us that Shaun King was one of three Tampa QBs to lead the Bucs to the NFC Championship game:
“First, off, Joe doesn’t believe Schiano wrecked Freeman. Freeman wrecked Freeman. He started off slow last year and had his career season until December approached. Historically, Freeman has been horrible in December. So if Schiano blew up Freeman, how the hell did Freeman have such a good year last season and, at one point, look like a top-5 quarterback in the NFL? People seem to have a very selective memories.”
This sums it all up, right there, in one paragraph. Nice work, Joe.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:41 am
Can we at least give the man 2 seasons or close to it before running him out of town? Schiano arrived with Freeman already as the starting QB. He can’t be blamed for Rah and Dom’s failure in giving up the 17th overall pick for a guy that had always been inconsistent. Schiano’s guy is Glennon and he is finally getting his first chance. let’s see how it goes before anybody walks the plank. Nobody knows how Glennon will perform. Any insight is purely speculative. I am behind Glennon 100%. I’ve never been associatyed with the “Glennon Mob” but at this point I honestly believe he gives us the best shot at winning.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:41 am
@BucFan
Were gonna have to suck it up and take it. I’m more hopeful now than I’ve been in a very very long time. Like you said yesterday it’s like breath of fresh air.
If Glennon sucks we’ll just have to suck it up and listen to all the hate towards the rookie QB and the coach who is only 19 games into his career. Funny though how these same people gave Freeman 5 years and are STILL attempting to wipe his @ss everytime he takes a sh!t like he’s some kind of god but yet are so quick to turn on any and everyone else.
Gotta love the “real fans” Lol
September 27th, 2013 at 11:42 am
@Being Ickles
Thank ya. If we continue to stink it up I’ll have to think of something else. LoL
September 27th, 2013 at 11:52 am
@couch you may want to fire those t-shirts up this week just in case its a short career……..I am thinking glennon is the next derek anderson guy for the browns at one point……..all the bucs need is a qb to produce some scores at ray jay not the clubs of tampa and we might be 2-1
September 27th, 2013 at 11:52 am
Joe a Freemanite….that’s a long way from “Bust in Waiting”
September 27th, 2013 at 11:54 am
CouchFan,
Splengo is in da house now and is on full mobber patrol. I’ve got garlic and holy water to rid these webs of all mobbers and their sympathizers. Go ahead make my day, say something stupid. Oh, I just read a few of your posts, so go ahead and say something else stupid! Lol.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:55 am
@ Tampamac – I have to agree because a coach stating a particular player provides the best chance to win has to include his assessment of how the rest of the team will play with the new player (Glennon) added to the mix, not just that players skill set. Clearly Josh had lost favor with the offensive team. I also believe, in general, players can be less focused when in their mind the games outcome is almost pre-determined prior to the first snap because some teammates don’t seem commited. Drops result for poor focus. Let’s see how much better the 10 players play with Glennon on the field. If he holds up over time, they will continue to play well with him behind center.
September 27th, 2013 at 11:55 am
Quite frankly, I am sick of the whole mess. All the talking heads, all the negative opinions, are ruining a perfectly good football season. Get over it, let them play. What if Freeman broke his leg? Glennon would start. No one would be arguing over the qualifications of Schiano or the justification for the benching. Football is football, this kind of stuff just happens to every team. Bench the heads and the naysayers and get on with the game. After all even bad football is better than no football. Go Bucs …………
September 27th, 2013 at 11:58 am
Splengo
My #1 Fan!!
How are you buddy? You ready to get made a fool again? LOL Let’s do this!!
September 27th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
@Being Ickles
You could be right. I’ve not seen the guy play at all and nobody has seen him play in the NFL or for the Bucs in a meaningful game. So you could be wrong to. Only time will tell…. I will tend to stay on the positive side until he proves something one way or the other. I was the same way with Josh as well, until he stunk it up for 5 years now.
September 27th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Joe, some of your comments of late are baffling to me. There are a lot of people who have been commenting on your blog, commenting on the radio, and commenting on other forums on their displeasure of Greg Schiano. I’ve never met another Bucs fan who said Greg Schiano is a great coach for this team. Not only that but the reason why Greg Schiano will eventually be more reviled than Raheem Morris is because Bucs fans knew we had poor talent during his regime. That is not the case this year. Greg Schiano is arguably the worst head coach and game manager in the NFL. If 1 – 8 is an unacceptable performance for Josh Freeman (which it is) then it’s just as unacceptable for the coaching staff. Regardless, I’m going to the game on Sunday and rooting for the Bucs. I’m not a Freemanite. I just want to see my favorite team win and right now apart from Mike Glennon the weakness of this team is the coaching staff. I may be mistaken but if this teams loses to Arizona and Philly Schiano will have had just as terrible a run as Raheem Morris did.
Lastly, the way you have been writing lately it’s as if you’re doing damage control for the Bucs. Either that or you’re coming off as someone who doesn’t want to be too critical because you’re afraid of losing access to the team. Make no mistake I love your web site!
September 27th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Mike M,
You’re making sense. You’re on the wrong website. These wastelands are infested with mobbers, ruled by the King-of-all-Mobbers, CouchFan.
September 27th, 2013 at 12:11 pm
I don’t understand why anyone would defend Schiano at this point. The team is in turmoil. We are the laughing stock of the nation. I live in the Bay Area and when I mention that I am a Bucs fan to people they simply laugh. We’ve become the Jets, but at least the Jets were able to reach the AFC championship.
He has lost the locker room, contributed to the regression of the former franchise quarterback, and completely mismanaged SEVERAL close games. The fans are pissed, ticket sales will continue to remain low, and there is not ONE person who is optimistic. I have never seen a season go down the drain as quickly as this one has.
Let’s face the facts. If we want to salvage the primes of our stud vets (Revis, Jackson, Goldson, Nicks) we need to fire Schiano at the end of the season.
September 27th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Splengo I noticed you keep typing my name with no space…. just like the guy who was pretending to be me.
Just sayin…
I’m on to you my #1 Fan.
September 27th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
Ickles,
That is couch’s modus operandi. He is rationalizing a way to jump ship when Glennon bites it. He rides the coattails of winners and jumps ship at the first sign of bad weather – classic mobber behavior.
September 27th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Said like a true Freemanite.^^
September 27th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Couch Fan,
Sorry, didn’t notice. Won’t happen again. Don’t want to dis ya, just want to run ya. Lol
September 27th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
It seems real funny to me that the guy who after half a season was voted most hated coach in the league, the guy who even had referee’s come out in the media and rip him, the same guy that revis said was being to hard or whatever, dashon goldson going to talk to schiano on behalf of the team about his ways….
all that is swept under the rug and forgotten and all the attention is still on freeman the guy thats headed out of town that seems real odd how things keep leaking about him but his most important weapon VINCENT JACKSON hasnt said a word to the media yet but all this nonsense is supposed to be true. the guy is out of here so why is it they are still ripping into him as a person as a player….all things we havent done until schiano got here
we always knew he was inaccurate but come on really whats the point of piling if he’s gone…maybe to take the heat off the head coach, the one thats gonna change up the scheme for glennon but wouldnt adjust for freeman…all these things being said about him now all of a sudden THE GUY THATS BEEN A CAPTAIN EVER SINCE HIS SECOND YEAR ALL OF A SUDDEN IS HAVING TROUBLE DOING THINGS LIKE MAKING IT TO THE TEAM PHOTO? NO ONE SEEMS TO THINK THAT THIS GUY KNEW HE WAS ALREADY DONE ANYWAY…WE NOW KNOW THE TEAM WANTED TO TRADE HIM IN THE OFFSEASON, THEY WERE GROOMING GLENNON IN THE PRESEASON TO TAKE HIS JOB…..
WHY WOULD HE BE IN THE TEAM PHOTO IF ITS CLEAR HE ISNT WANTED THERE.. DAMN PEOPLE IF YOUR GONNA LISTEN TO THE MEDIA PAY ATTENTION AND DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR….
ROY MILLER, MICHAEL BENNETT, KELLEN WINSLOW, BLOUNT, TALIB ARE ALL DOING VERY WELL BUT WERENT GOOD ENOUGH TO PLAY HERE FOR SCHIANO? EVEN ISRAEL IDONIJE WHO WE PICKED UP FROM THE BEARS CAME OUT AND RIPPED THIS GUY SO LETS SEE IF FREEMAN WILL BE THE NEXT ONE TO TAKE SHOTS AT HIM….YOU GUYS COULD BE TOLD ANYTHING BUT IF ITS IN THE MEDIA IT MUST BE TRUE WOW
September 27th, 2013 at 12:23 pm
LoL Keep tryin Buddy… maybe 1 day…
September 27th, 2013 at 12:29 pm
Maybe 1 day….. That gives me hope. I’m going to raise up off ya for now, but I’ll be back as Arnold sez! Good day Couch Fan.
September 27th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
no indictment against glennon my friend…..but i cant think of anyone praising this pathetic coaching staff but couch fan…. they are saying he had to make the move to a backup quarterback, i didnt know that meant that he will automatically begin to win or coach better
September 27th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Buc4lyfe
Do you ever talk out of your mouth instead of your @ss?
I’m just curious because once again you’ve said something about me that is untrue.
I have very seldom praised the coaching staff. Though that defense is looking pretty good huh? I just dont blame them for everything like you do… Unlike you, I am not giving up on them after just 19 games.
Continue to speak out the wrong hole though. It seems to be what your best at.
September 27th, 2013 at 1:01 pm
Couch
I agree I hope to be positive and send those vibes to glennon this week the bucs are not playing world beaters this season nor this week in my opinion, the saints are probably the best team and the pats are very overrated 3-0, they barely beat the jets and the bills who were throttled by the jets…so in fly the cardinals and the bucs need a win kinda like 1977 when the cardinals were the first home win, and then the fans charged the stadium and ripped down the goal posts…sounds liek a plan this sunday
September 27th, 2013 at 1:14 pm
Sounds really good to me!! 1 win changes everything and I believe that!
September 27th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Couch Fan,
During Raheem’s tenure the Bucs winning percentage was .354. During Schiano’s tenure the Bucs have a .368 winning percentage. At what point do you say “enough is enough” and acknowledge it’s time for a change (again…)?
September 27th, 2013 at 1:24 pm
Raheem had over 60 games to judge him by. Schiano has 19!! Lets not forget Schiano had to clean up Rah’s mess. He’s already turned the D around for the most part, Yes they still have some ways to go but you can’t deny the D is MUCH better now…
I dont know when “enough is enough” but I think he has done well enough to warrant a lot more than 19 games.
September 27th, 2013 at 2:17 pm
I take issue with being called “freeloading fans”. We fans provided that stadium the Bucs play in and we also help pay whatever meager earnings you derive from this website, Joe. It’s not wise to insult the very people you depend on for your livelihood. I for one am tired of witnessing the crap the Glazers put on the field every year and won’t bake out in the hot sun at RJ so that I can smell the stench on the field. The Glazers keep taking flyers on unproven coaches that clearly have a problem getting players to buy in. When the Glazers clean house and get some experience in the front office and coaching staff then I’m sure we “freeloaders” will start going to games again.
September 28th, 2013 at 10:55 am
This week Freeman,wont be the goat,this week it will be this young quarterback, who will be beaten mentally and physical. This coach and admin should be ashamed of what they are about to do to this kid. The buc’s will have to keep every one in to help pick up all the blitzes, no check down receivers. This coach is the worst coach in Buc history and continue to give the press information,that should be kept in the locker room,no wonder the player do not like him.