Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow
September 30th, 2013
One Buc Palace is a mess right now, and who knows when it will get cleaned up.
How bad is it? Yesterday, depending on who you believe, defrocked franchise quarterback Josh Freeman agreed/was asked/ordered off the sidelines with his teammates and sent to a luxury suite to watch the game (Joe scanned the luxury suites with his binoculars at one point during the game and there are several empty suites at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway).
If the stench of the angst between Bucs commander Greg Schiano and Freeman isn’t strong enough for you, there is also the odor of an 0-4 record and a really smelly streak of 1-9 for the Bucs in their last 10 games, which is starting to remind people of the feces of the Raheem Morris Era. He was jettisoned after losing 10 in a row.
At least with Schiano, this season, the Bucs (sans the loss to New England) are not getting their doors blown off like the Bucs were with Morris, if that makes readers feel better.
Joe is starting to wonder if Freeman is trying to get Schiano run? Aside from his subpar performance this season in his first three starts, he did leave the field with the lead in the first two games. One reason he was benched was that he was late or outright missed team meetings/functions.
But now it is becoming ridiculous with Freeman’s running to BSPN despite strict orders not to, and not heeding his team’s wishes to talk to the local pen and mic club.
Not sure what type of (dumb) advice Freeman is getting but he is doing one hell of a job making himself virtually unsignable. At best, his actions are making him look like a petulant child. Just what team is going to sign a guy – at quarterback, no less – who, when things don’t go his way, starts blowing off team meetings and becoming such a distraction he is almost told to go home. Did Vince Young pull stunts like this? Matt Leinart? Brady Quinn?
Just who the hell is going to trade (or sign next season) a quarterback proven to meltdown under pressure who, when things don’t go his way, does his best to behave like a four-year old missing a second bowl of ice cream from mommy?
Some team leader this guy is. Some team guy Freeman must be, the way he is shatting in the middle of the Bucs’ locker room like this. Think his teammates are happy trying to defend him the way he is being a massive distraction?
But this also brings up another point. If Freeman is acting this way, then is he just one of many others who have tuned out Schiano? Has Schiano lost the locker room?
Joe doesn’t think so, yet. The Bucs have lost three games by a total of six points. That isn’t a sign of a team that has packed it in.
Schiano, if people don’t know this yet, likes to run a tight, controlled ship. Freeman’s feet stomping and crying have become a distraction like he probably never imagined or has ever experienced. And what has now become a giant boil on the rear end of Schiano won’t go away until Freeman himself goes away.
It has gotten to the point where Joe would not be shocked if Freeman is suspended for his behavior, deemed detrimental to the team, or told to stay home or is simply cut.
In the meantime, Freeman has likely cost himself thousands if not millions of dollars in future earnings.
He said/she said: So Josh Freeman’s agent now says Greg Schiano lied about Freeman being told to go sit in the corner, eerr, go sit in a luxury box and stay off the sidelines yesterday? Schiano said in his postgame press conference that it was a mutual decision between him and Freeman.
Until Freeman quits playing Helen Keller with the local pen and mic club, the same group that defended him and his shaky performances for far too long, we will never really know the true answer to this story. But Joe can understand why Schiano asked/ordered the way Freeman has been throwing childish tantrums.
Freeman active/inactive: Schiano said he will take it on a weekly basis whether Freeman will be active or inactive for future games.
Now for this, Joe wags a finger at Schiano. Who really believes Freeman will ever wear a Bucs game jersey on the sidelines again? After the stunts he has pulled, Freeman is done. The only weekly decision Schiano will make about Freeman is to remember to write Freeman’s name on the inactive list. Freeman, barring something unforeseen (like Schiano being fired midseason), will never be seen in a Bucs uniform on gamedays again.
Telegraphs: Yesterday, Patrick Peterson noted he got his picks, one which turned the game and his second sealed the win for the Desert Rats, because rookie quarterback Mike Glennon was telegraphing passes. Just like a rookie, you know?
This is why Joe thinks it is laughable when fans cry about “play-calling,” which is sort of an empty crutch. Let’s see, you have one of the best running backs in the NFL, two road graders in Donald Penn and Carl Nicks on the left side, and a rookie quarterback of a third round pick making his first NFL start, and you want to not run the ball and pass, say 30 times? Really?
Um, this just in: Passing is what lost the game for the Bucs (see above). Did Martin have his best game yesterday? No. But to not use arguably your best player, one of the best in the NFL, and put the ball into the hands of a green as grass rookie, well, that’s why some people are paid to coach football and others are meant to stick to PlayStation.
Kevin Ogletree and Josh Freeman: So, if one is to believe Schiano, Freeman was benched because of performance. Joe gets that. Understands that. Hey coach, if you see it that way, fine. You are the coach. That’s why you are paid the big bucks.
So if Freeman was benched due to a lack of performance – which Joe isn’t against, mind you — then exactly why is Kevin Ogletree ever stepping on the field? He is arguably the worst player on the Bucs right now. He cannot catch a cold. He may be responsible for a loss because his drops have led to drives stalling.
If Freeman isn’t playing because he stunk the joint up, per Schiano, then there is no rational reason why Ogletree is on the field.
That is, unless, there is a double standard set by the coaching staff.
Stop with the player-of-the-hour suggestions: Joe gets this a lot on Twitter. “Hey, why don’t the Bucs pick up [players’ name I recognize]?” Stop it. Stop it now. The Bucs, if they weren’t last week after going 0-3, are out of the playoffs. The season is done, finished. Kaput.
In Joe’s eyes, once you are out of the playoffs, there really is no reason to win games. Better to really stink out loud and position yourself with a good slot for next spring’s draft then to fruitlessly try to get to, say, .500 only to have a middle-of-the-pack draft position. What’s the point? That’s almost as empty as foreplay.
The Bucs offensive line: There isn’t a guy on the Bucs offensive line Joe doesn’t like. All way cool guys. Joe thought this unit was the strength of the team. But a combination of age and health may be undermining the unit.
While Nicks was doing a good job blocking, Martin didn’t have much if any room at all to run. Part of this was the Desert Rats all but dared Glennon to throw the ball and packed it in to stop Martin. Just about everyone expected this to happen.
But perhaps, Joe is starting to think, the Bucs offensive line is, well, not as great as we want to think it is. Maybe this line is just average?
Three-ring circus: Joe has never seen this much of a circus circling around the Bucs. First, Freeman being disposed as a captain, then the players-only meeting before the season, then it was Darrelle Revis allegedly unappy with the defense, then it was Freeman’s benching, then his tantrums, then Schiano suddenly went – as the creator, curator and overall guru of ProFootballTalk.com, the great Mike Florio put it – all Col. Nathan Jessup on the pen and mic club last Friday, and all the rumors floating about the Bucs, this is just insane.
Joe has never seen anything like this before. Every day is another leak/rumor/story/wives tale. To be honest, Joe doesn’t see this dying down any time soon unless the Bucs start winning. There sure must be a boatload of people who want to bring Schiano and Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik down the way there’s a new story each day being leaked about the Bucs. Man.
Turning it around: Schiano professed confidence that his team will turn it around the Bucs who are now spiraling the drain. Of course he would say this. Anyone expect Schiano to say, “You know, things have gotten so out of hand, I really expect us to push the Lions for the 0-16 record.”
If the Bucs cannot turn things around on the Desert Rats, one of the NFL’s dregs, just when can the turnaround happen?
Road signs: Again, Team Glazer has never jettisoned a coach before said coach has worked three full seasons. But the smell of Schiano’s reign ending prematurely is in the air. A team loaded with Pro Bowl talent can’t win; an offense that is impotent; a Raheem Morris-like losing streak; a circus that would shame Ringling Bros. All point to a regime change.
Joe’s not saying Team Glazer will break its self-imposed edict of a coaching change before three years have passed, but in some ways, this team is worse than when Morris was around (the circus atmosphere and daily leaks/stories floated for example).
Around the NFL
Seahawks: Man, this team may just be the best in the NFL. Joe believes they could really give Bill Belicheat a run for his money. Beating Houston on the road is impressive. Well, it helps when Matt Schaub throws a terrible pass late that is picked.
Lions: The Lions are a dangerous team. Yeah, Joe knows Bucs fans mock them, largely due to Matthew Stafford, but this team has a boatload of talent and if they were ever pulled together with some discipline they could make waves.
Of course, bratty Jay Cutler returned to being bratty Jay Cutler yesterday and did his best to help the Lions’ cause. (FYI, the Bucs will very likely be in the market for a quarterback and Cutler could be a free agent.)
Browns: So the Brownies, after blowing up their team in a race to draft Teddy Bridgewater, have won two games thanks to the play of journeyman Brian Hoyer. Really, Brian Hoyer? And the Bucs saddled themselves with Dan Orlovsky as a backup?
Chiefs: The juggernaut known as the Kansas City Chiefs continue to roll. Go ahead and mock Alex Smith if you wish, but Andy Reid has his playing perfect for that offense.
Also, feel free to mock Scott Pioli if you wish. That team was largely stocked by Pioli’s draft picks. Pioli was miserable managing a team –incited an insurrection in the Chiefs’ front office — and couldn’t pick a coach. But he knew what the hell he was doing with the draft.
Colts: What would you expect? They played the Jags, a team so putrid they are embarrassing the football staff at Florida International. Oh, and Gus Bradley said he is sticking with Blaine Gabbert at quarterback the rest of the season. Now there’s a man that knows how to make a run at the top pick in the draft!
Bills: Unlike the Bucs, the Bills have a college coach who seems to know how to win games. Get a lead and hang on. Doug Marrone is also doing this with a rookie quarterback and a solid running back. So why can’t the same success happen in Tampa Bay?
Vikings: Matt Cassel beat the Steelers. Matt Cassell! Man, how the Steelers have sunk to a new low. If you are getting beat by Mr. Turnover Matt Cassell.
Titans: Has Jake Locker finally turned the corner? The Titans quarterback, who fans were beginning to label as a bust, may have had his best day as a pro, tossing three touchdowns in three quarters before suffering a hip injury.
There is some talent on that team. The only thing missing was quarterback play. Now, it appears, the Titans may have the missing piece.
Redskins: Joe isn’t doing cartwheels over the Redskins finally winning a game. They beat the Raiders after all, an AFC West punching bag. That team is putrid.
Broncos: The Broncos are rolling and Peyton Manning is being Peyton Manning. But Manning always plays well in the regular season. His kryptonite is the playoffs. It’s not January yet.
Chargers: Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates went nuts yesterday. When those two are having a good game, the Chargers are as dangerous as just about any team. Just out of curiosity, Joe checked and Rivers has two years left on his current contract.
Patriots: Joe snickers whenever he hears Bucs fans try to defend Freeman by saying he was victimized by drops. What quarterback hasn’t, including Tom Brady, who has garbage receivers, yet he somehow finds a way to win and win big. That’s what Hall of Famers and studs do. They don’t curl up in a fetal position and suck their thumb when a receiver drops a pass or two.
Non-football thoughts:
1. Joe saw a gross sight Friday. He walked into a store, and there was a Christmas display. It was depressing. Why do retailers assault us with Christmas – in friggin’ September!!! – so early? It is appalling. Joe will not visit that store again until January.
If a place puts up a Christmas display in September, why the hell even take it down in January? Just keep it up the whole damned year.
Only way to stop this nonsense is to refuse to buy anything from said stores that ambush innocent customers like this.
2. Typical Rays. Always have to do things the hard way. Had a chance to clinch a wild card this weekend. Now they are in a tiebreaker with Texas where the Rangers have activated a known roid user. Great.
3. Yet another Cardinals playoff berth. Joe isn’t feeling confidence in the Redbirds without RBI machine Allen Craig. If overrated Mike Matheny has either Amy Lynn or Jake Westbrook starting in any postseason game, then he needs to be drug tested.
4. Joe doesn’t give a damn if he is mocked for the following because Joe believes it to be true. Joe swears the other No. 5 in Florida, Jameis Winston, looks more polished as a freshman than Josh Freeman did as a fifth-year pro. If this Winston doesn’t get hurt, he will be something special. Well, he already is.
5. The cracker who called an Atlanta radio station and started bawling on the air because he wanted Mark Richt fired (after the first game!) but couldn’t figure out who should replace him, Joe wonders where that idiot is now after Georgia beat LSU Saturday in one of the funniest games Joe has watched in some time. People that stupid should be sterilized for the sake of the human race.
6. Joe is from Big Ten country and he is a Big Ten honk but that is just some wretched football up there. What the hell has happened to a once proud conference? Purdue got totally waxed by a MAC school this week. The same program that gave us Len Dawson, Bob Griese, Mike Alstott and Drew Brees gets blown out of the stadium by Northern Illinois. The coaching staff there should be happy they are still employed.
7. Johnny Football is one sick dude. He put on another show this weekend, pulling a rabbit out of his hat, dodging a blitzing linebacker, rolling left and firing a bullet in a crowd for a touchdown, threading the needle. That guy is worth the price of a ticket alone.
8. Despite what Al Golden says, Joe thinks the Canes are back. Will be very interesting to see what they do when they travel to Florida State (and it’s overrated defense) later this year.
9. Maryland is undefeated? The Turtles! Somewhere, Norman Chad is raising a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon.
10. Joe has a feeling if the House GOP somehow wins the fight to delay or defund ObamaCare (the latter, doubtful), voters will be so outraged the GOP will lose the House in 2014. Pick a different fight, fellas.
September 30th, 2013 at 9:25 am
Ahhhhhhh, the Freeman slandering continues. 😀
It’s alright, keep talking trash, he’ll enjoy picking up that 6.2 million while kicking back in a suite, watching Greg Schiano melt down, and then starting somewhere else next year.
September 30th, 2013 at 9:28 am
Slander? So all of his actions are made up?
Right.
Oh, he will collect his money. And very likely could be selling insurance next season.
September 30th, 2013 at 9:30 am
Glennon passed 43 times yesterday and many of those passes were not only short of a first down but barely past the line of scrimmage.
FIRE SCHIANO!
September 30th, 2013 at 9:32 am
Butch Davis or Wannestedt?
I’m thinking Butch, he had a heavy hand in the defense I think.
September 30th, 2013 at 9:34 am
Ah so Freeman is an immature nut case.
So what does that make the guy who drafted him?
September 30th, 2013 at 9:35 am
Don’t believe for one minute that Josh is being Childish or problematic. I think he alone is trying to handle this well- in the middle of the sh*t storm of lies and B.S. Shiano is trying to create. He had an impotent, predictable offense last year. Schiano made it worse this year( tight end isn’t a part of this offense??? Idiot!!!). Freeman quietly asked to be traded. Lil Admiral Wackado refuses.offense sucks, as anyone intelligent predicted it would( on this site- that’s primarily me). So Schiano immediately begins blaming Freeman. Innuendoes, leaking rediculous slanders to the Media.( when asked, Phil Sims said he missed a lot of team meetings . Lawrence Taylor said he missed more than he attended.). The TEAM questions if Schiano deliberately miscounted votes for Captain. THE TEAM! Tells you what they think of Shiano’s honesty.
And now the BS continues” I’ll decide in actives 90 minutes before game!” Really?? This whole debacle was preplanned in the off season.
That’s who our ” toes on the line, thermostat at 71*” Wackado coach is.
The sooner we dump him- the sooner the clown Circus stops.
September 30th, 2013 at 9:35 am
By the way, I absolutely love your “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” feature.
September 30th, 2013 at 9:36 am
Hahaha Joe, Freeman will be starting next year.
No amount of slandering you do will change that.
And yes, calling someone a “four-year old missing a second bowl of ice cream from mommy” is slandering them.
September 30th, 2013 at 9:40 am
Joe Knowz:
This weekly column is clutch…the kind of thing that would pique the interest of a popcorn munching Peter King type. Keep this up and he may add you to his talented team on MMQB( not that you’d be interested in a demotion 🙂 ) Well done. As a fellow fan/ listener of Sirius XM Radio and the NFL channel, I too am impressed with Scott Pioli and think he would be a great choice as the Buc next GM. He may have laid an egg hiring Todd Haley and next a sentimental favorite in Romeo Crennel….but man can he pick players. I think his next chance will be a very successful one. Hire him by Halloween, Team Glazer.
September 30th, 2013 at 9:41 am
Entire offense is out of sync thanks to Schiano’s attitude to the pre-season.
Offense usually comes to life after the bye: Freeman, Martin and O-line all missed pre-season.
Freeman now benched – and subsequent outrage is costing him free agent $$$
Bucs now 1-9 in Schiano’s last 10. Going nowhere in 2013 with Glennon.
Dominik and Glazers have loaded team with talent + Schiano has finished rebuilding the defense + Freeman could now be resigned cheapER =
Schiano sacked at Bye Week; Freeman gets a new deal.
September 30th, 2013 at 9:43 am
It’s easy to judge Freeman for acting this way but we really don’t know what went on behind closed doors of one buc place. It’s starting to look like Schiano is a snake that set players up for failure if he does not want them there. The truth is starting to come out about this guy. Schiano does not mind loosing as long as he is in full control.
September 30th, 2013 at 9:48 am
This was a major hack job by JBF. Still mad that Josh won’t talk to you?
Sounds like Joe is a “four-year old missing a second bowl of ice cream from mommy”.
Quit whining, last week you were more in Freemans corner and had sympathy towards his plight. Now, you use your bully pulpit to shread him up as much as possible.
You media types act like infants. If you don’t get your way you’ll just smear them all over your blog.
Stay neutral, you would do better.
Life is fluid, as are football seasons. Joe supported keeping Freeman on the field because he was the best option. Freeman’s off-the-field decisions are a different ballgame. Joe’s not going to withhold commentary on Freeman’s bad decisions.–Joe
September 30th, 2013 at 9:48 am
Josh is a 25 year old spoiled millionaire. What is Schiano’s excuse? How does he get a pass? As Head Coach, he’s held to a higher standard.
September 30th, 2013 at 9:49 am
anyone who thinks that there are not MAJOR issues with Freeman needs to listen to the Chris Mortensen interview closely.
September 30th, 2013 at 9:50 am
Joe knows the standards for slander. If that is slander, bring on the lawsuit.
September 30th, 2013 at 9:54 am
Whoa!
Thanks for the kind words, but as Joe pointed out, there is a reason Pioli was run out of Kansas City. He was a terrible general manager.
Would Joe hire him as director of player personnel? In a heartbeat.
But if you can’t pick a coach, which Pioli demonstrated he could not, there’s no way he should be a GM.
Plus, his people skills with his employees was slightly better than Josef Stalin’s.
Here’s a good rundown of the dysfunction in Pioli’s reign of terror in Kansas City.
September 30th, 2013 at 9:55 am
Joe Says:
September 30th, 2013 at 9:50 am
And yes, calling someone a “four-year old missing a second bowl of ice cream from mommy” is slandering them.
Joe knows the standards for slander. If that is slander, bring on the lawsuit.
——————————————
Lol @Joe’s reaction to being called out.
“Sue me!”
Who’s the child again?
September 30th, 2013 at 9:58 am
Walter:
If you are accusing Joe of breaking a law, which Joe knows he is not, if you are that confident, go file papers for a suit.
If you need help, Joe will offer a map of locations of courthouses in Pinellas County.
Joe runs a business and does not take kindly to being accused of breaking federal laws. Try going into any business and pulling that and see how the proprietor acts.
Difference is, Joe’s business partners read these comments as well. Not cool dude.
The only child here is some dude that probably couldn’t cite one element that meets a standard for a slander offense.
September 30th, 2013 at 10:01 am
Have to agree with tonytwocents on Schiano tossing away a win. By starting Glennon and making the offense so one dimensional and predictable. If one is gonna bench #5, why not wait until the bye and at least give the team a decent chance of beating a less talented opponent???? Unless the issues with Freeman run a lot deeper then what is being reported by the media, then I have to hang the loss of the head coach. Coach sure seems to have a lot of control issues which is fine uless it starts costing this teams wins, which it did on Sunday!!!! Sure he gave Glennon his first start, but he also gave the Eagles some nice tape to work with. Would not be surprised if the Eagles putrid D shuts the Bucs down if the Bucs run a similar type of game plan where Martin gets 2.0 ypc. Play calling has been terrible in all the crucial moments of each of these close losses…
September 30th, 2013 at 10:01 am
great post Joe and I agree with you but the only point missing is the Glazers. The Glazers are losing money at the gate, concessions, gear, and publicity. All I know is every job I have had you can be the biggest a hole in the world but when you start costing ownership money, change is coming. We all will never know what is going on and Obviously, Freeman is not the guy and the jury is out on Schaino and Dom.
September 30th, 2013 at 10:03 am
my apologies joe, saw the glazers paragraph late.
September 30th, 2013 at 10:04 am
Hahaha change “slander” to “being a huge dick” or “Schianoing” then. There, is that better?
The words “lawsuit” weren’t even close to being in my head, you’re the one that threw that out.
September 30th, 2013 at 10:04 am
Im a little troubled by people saying Freeman is a choke artist or that he doesnt perform under pressure. I think Freeman’s best trait as a QB has always been his 4th quarter comebacks. I mean, 2 of his 3 games this year, he led his team to go ahead scores only to have the defense (or poor play-calling) come back to hurt them. Last year, I want to say there were 3 or 4 games in which he did the same thing. Add all those losses to the win column and I think the bucs were in the playoffs last year and sitting at probably 3-1 this year (if we were 2-1 heading into AZ, im quite sure Freeman would have started and likely won.).
September 30th, 2013 at 10:05 am
That’s better.
Only guy being a dick is Freeman.
Or do you think a quarterback trying to blow up his team is the sign of a solid teammate?
September 30th, 2013 at 10:08 am
Freeman will be Keyshawned…
September 30th, 2013 at 10:08 am
Its amazing that Freeman is taking all the blame..the first team the entire pre-season looked horrible. The play calling is becoming predictable and we really only have one playmaker..no slot receiver or tight end.The o-line is playing horrible but Doug is still running HAM!
Maybe its me but I never saw the actions of a coach like Schiano..as a fan u should have concerns.This man set Freeman up to fell..I never saw a coach do this at any level.I honestly think we would have won that game if Freeman played..the win would have help the team confidence going into the bye week..
September 30th, 2013 at 10:09 am
The applicable legal term here is actually “libel” because we are dealing with the written word. Regardless, Joe’s reporting and commentary are NOT libelous, NOT even close. The accusation is absurd. If anything, the media has been very, very, restrained in their reportage, given Freeman’s behavior and the undercurrent of off-field problems.
September 30th, 2013 at 10:15 am
@Joe
Freeman isn’t even allowed to stand on the sidelines, I doubt he considers himself a part of the team. You act like Freeman is supposed to be some kind of cyborg, or that Schiano plays NO PART in this mess.
But hey, I understand, it’s easier to trash Freeman.
September 30th, 2013 at 10:18 am
Joe yes FSU’s defense is overrated this year. They are just stuck over pursuing their across the line. It’s a young line and they’ll learn, and I hope very quickly against Maryland, that they are actually pretty good. We lost 3 DL to the draft this year so a little learning curve is expected.
September 30th, 2013 at 10:19 am
I’m just tired of the Bucs right now. 4 weeks of sh!t offense…
September 30th, 2013 at 10:24 am
Joe … I like your site and I hope being close to the bucs in a business sense does not cloud your judgement. Freeman might be handling this wrong but the root cause is still Schiano .. I doubt freeman will be selling insurance. My money is on him going to Oakland with Ollie.
Joe .. Has Schiano destroyed this team?
September 30th, 2013 at 10:26 am
@Joe,
I truely believed you would bring up the fact that Talib and Blount (2 former Bucs that Schiano also didn’t want on the team) helped secure the Patriots win last night.
I still believe that Blount would’ve beent he perfect compliment to Martin.
And while there are some that might argue that Talib is not a good #1 corner, there is NO ONE that can argue how great he would look on the other side of Revis.
You mentioned how every team has “no interest” in Freeman. Remember, it’s considered tampering to speak on a player currently employed by another team, so people are likely going to shy away from it. Especially knowing that he will be most likely cut (unless Schiano is fired first) it makes more sense to wait out the situation and try to outbid the next guy.
We’ll see how little interest he generates once he becomes a free agent. Lets not forget, Jamarcus Russel got a tryout for a couple teams this offseason.
On the Bears point…i thought the same thing as Cutler. One veteran QB that can properly mange this offense without HAVING to always make the big play will take this team very far. I’m kind of rooting for the Bears to do bad in hopes that Tressman will want to mold his own QB (they have the defensive scoring prowess to help a young QB out) and Cutler will be released.
September 30th, 2013 at 10:29 am
Joe says,
Or do you think a quarterback trying to blow up his team is the sign of a solid teammate?
__________________________________________________________
Josh didn’t blow up his team. Schiano is blowing up his team. If Josh were anything like his detractors were saying then why haven’t we heard any of this prior to Schiano being hired. This is BS, and a smear campaign. So far, the only thing Josh has done that I sort of question but also kind of understand was him going to “ESPN” (I can say it).
All of this crap you keep saying about Josh is only conjecture. You have no proof that it is Josh that is wrong. You’re mad at him because he won’t spill his guts to you. A person doesn’t just go from a mild mannered young man to an alleged raving lunatic without someone playing mind games on him and undermining his career.
Think about that for awhile. Prior to all this, where was all this alleged bad behavior? Don’t say he has a dependency problem because that is an unsubstantiated rumor at this point.
September 30th, 2013 at 10:31 am
When do I get mad that the team hasn’t fired Schiano?
I was thinking after today’s press conference, but maybe the Glazers come out today and say ‘Schiano is our coach’ and then fire him tomorrow.
Good symmetry with how Freeman was handled.
September 30th, 2013 at 10:33 am
Right on … Previous 2 post !!
September 30th, 2013 at 10:35 am
Like the article and serious talk dont like obamacare and think it is a waste of money but better things: Lets get johnny Football and lovie smith
September 30th, 2013 at 10:38 am
Schiano isnt done blowing up the team, even with Josh Freeman having nothing to do with it.
Got twelve games left. That ought to tell us the answer. Free will be long gone by the next game.
Eagles just got blown out. Go out and do your thing coach nut case. Im thinking you wont coach up a win the rest of the year.
September 30th, 2013 at 10:50 am
Now justt let Glennon wing it. When a team is stacking the box they are also taking away the pass within 20 yards. The last pic every defender was on Jackson as ogletree streaked down the sideline. The game plan was bad, beyond 20 yards is where the open receiver was. Did we just witness the passing of the best CB in football torch. Peterson is better than Revis
September 30th, 2013 at 10:51 am
Slander is a tort, and that implies lawsuit. You have no clue as to what constitutes slander. Walter, you’re a punk that talks out if his a-hole. And if you want to sue me for posting that, truth is a valid defense.
September 30th, 2013 at 10:58 am
Freemans now and potentially future employer can read too joe just saying. But yes i agree that when members of the media are ignored or doesnt have their back scratched they get pissy. That freeman interview should have never happened for his own good and his current teams. Freeman was probably already pissed off that a trade for carson palmer was a real strong possibilty. There were trade talks before there were trade talks if that makes any sense… So mix in drops our “pro bowl” o line the wonderous rb who can carry the team with a stacked box a penalty seeking defense questionable playcalling n u get ur qb benched. For a guy who schiano recruited at rutgers who is freeman without the legs. Of course his teammates will “rave” about his preparation to sell him and the fans some confidence. The glazers wont fire schiano afterpromising a no blackout season the fans lol. Freeman needs to come back and the offense needs to go 4 wr setto open up the run on draw plays. PUT PAGE IN THE SLOT! THE JETS RAN ALOT OF MAN TO MAN WITH BLITZES GOT CROMARTIE TO KEEP UP WITH FAST WRS WITH REVIS CONTROLLING #1.
September 30th, 2013 at 11:11 am
This team will get better before the season is over, all aspects of the team will improve. It has’nt got to the misery of the 1980’s decade. “Sometimes are good, sometimes are bad, it’s all a part of life”. George Harrison sang it on Crackerbox Palace. I’ll always be a Bucs fan.
September 30th, 2013 at 11:16 am
The bucs self scout too much as sully put it. Use till they stop it then mix in that other sh it.
September 30th, 2013 at 11:21 am
Give demps the ball in the slot send him on a 9 route and have glennon throw it as far as he can and let his world class speed go get it
September 30th, 2013 at 12:48 pm
If the Bucs make it to 8-8, that would mean you don’t need another top 3 pick. Imagine if bucs tanked it in 1996! The winning at the end of the year set the tone for ’97.
Joe is taking it to hard. Obviously expectations were too high, maybe because we thought we had a QB in 5. But we’re close to turning this around. 3 game swing here and were 3-1. No one wants to be in rebuilding mode but fact is we still are after Morris era.
I agree playoffs are over, but one top5 player won’t make you that much better unless your really that bad and u need him. But winning 5 of 6 at end of season should go a lot farther that high draft pick.
September 30th, 2013 at 1:13 pm
I understand you wont get any interviews from Josh anymore. So, looks like all trashing from now on. I can’t see too many happy vets in the locker room after the way Josh is being treated. We’ll see if they implode, purposely.
Is Schiano running this site too?
Don’t bring up politics. Could lose half your readers either way.
September 30th, 2013 at 3:28 pm
The play calling is bad, period. The execusion is bad as well. Why not run Martin to the edge, a pitch or something. Off tackle all day long. It was not working. The passing game was working in the first half, so AZ made halftime adjustments, Tampa did not make any adjustments, same as it has been since SHiano arrived. I say fire him now, so the team has an extra few days with his replacement. The guy is too pig headed to change his game plan, simce when is there never room for a plan B?
September 30th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
They are losing more by buying up the tickets to lift NFL blackouts.
Revenue from attendance is really a drop in the bucket when you compare the NFL rivers of revenue, and their projected revenue sources the next decade.
The only people who think attendance is important are half-drunk retirees from Spring Hill and Sun City who call sports radio shows.
September 30th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
Joe…..has Schiano destroyed this team ?
September 30th, 2013 at 4:48 pm
“The only people who think attendance is important are half-drunk retirees from Spring Hill and Sun City who call sports radio shows.”
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Ay….ya schmart ash sumanabich…’erp’ ooo ya callin alf drung??
October 1st, 2013 at 3:37 am
I don’t get why writers turn on people just because they don’t talk to them during a dicey time. Obviously I understand the financial incentive, but the vindictive behavior is just embarrassing. Obviously Freeman’s play hasn’t been good but his media portrayal has become predictably ridiculous. The team does need to figure out who will be the QB next year before signing anyone to inhibiting deals, but clearly this team has way worse problems than the QB.
The whole coaching staff, the overhyped (and overpaid) O-line, and tightends need to be addressed. Even with average coaching, our current defense, and average QB play, this team is a fringe playoff contender. Even Mike Singletary didn’t embarrass himself this badly, despite his team’s talent.
The performance of Talib and LGBT on the Pats definitely adds to the list of questions regarding the Buc staff’s ability to extract production from its talent.
I will say that I thought the biggest let down this season was going to be the guy who is making $16M annually. Even if he’s still overpaid, it is ironic that he’s one of the few actually doing his job well.
October 1st, 2013 at 6:55 am
Read your site almost daily, Joe, but PLEASE leave politics out of it!!!! Unless you want the comments to degenerate.
October 1st, 2013 at 11:03 pm
i am starting to wonder if the media is also complicit in the schiano (ray perkins II)/freeman mess, maybe without the media this situation could have worked itself out more favorably. And arrogant comments from the media about the fan suggestions like the ones below are why I am pretty much done with this mess. One last reminder, tebow means wins and playoffs, anything else means the glazers want the team in another city, los angeles, London, mexico city. and silly media types like joes foolishness below wont get any more of my reader time. why the media hates tebow I will never understand. good luck to the rest of you.
Stop with the player-of-the-hour suggestions: Joe gets this a lot on Twitter. “Hey, why don’t the Bucs pick up [players’ name I recognize]?” Stop it. Stop it now. The Bucs, if they weren’t last week after going 0-3, are out of the playoffs. The season is done, finished. Kaput.
In Joe’s eyes, once you are out of the playoffs, there really is no reason to win games. Better to really stink out loud and position yourself with a good slot for next spring’s draft then to fruitlessly try to get to, say, .500 only to have a middle-of-the-pack draft position. What’s the point? That’s almost as empty as foreplay.
joe not only was your comment wrong, your reference to foreplay was inappropriate. I am not a prude – like I said above, I am done with your error filled assessments.