Dungy Not On Same Page As Raheem The Dream

August 10th, 2010
raheemsmile

JoeBucsFan.com photo by Kyra Hallett

Last year, Raheem The Dream made a handful of comments comparing his new regime to the early years of the Tony Dungy era.

Joe wrote a few times about how those were almost ridiculous analogies.

Today, speaking on The Ron and Ian Show, on WDAE-AM 620, Dungy talked about some of the challenges facing the Bucs and about how Raheem The Dream might be better served to play his first team a little longer than he plans to during the preseason opener in Miami on Saturday.

Raheem The Dream told the media that his first unit might only get one series against the Dolphins, so recorded Tampa Tribune scribe eye-RAH! Kaufman. 

Under Jon Gruden, Tampa Bay fielded a veteran team and Buc starters played sparingly throughout the four exhibition games. Although the 2010 Bucs have only two players older than 31, cornerback Ronde Barber and guard Keydrick Vincent, it appears the overall philosophy hasn’t changed.

Morris indicated Tampa Bay’s starters, including second-year quarterback Josh Freeman, may not play past the opening series.

“Every once in a while, you want to see a younger player go, so you let him out there a little longer, or if you’re trying a guy at a different position,” said Morris. “Hopefully, it’s a series apiece for the offense and defense … about 12 snaps apiece and get ’em off the field.”

Dungy explained how he set out to have his 1996 team establish an identity immediately and stick to it at all costs.

Dungy said the Bucs strayed from their plan last year and are trying to re-establish that core identity. For that reason, Dungy said, he would consider giving the Bucs starters more time in Miami so they could really form that identity on the field.

16 Responses to “Dungy Not On Same Page As Raheem The Dream”

  1. goodfellajay Says:

    first..yay

    Browns win
    Carolina win
    Steelers loss
    Bye
    Bengals loss
    Saints win
    Rams win
    Arizona win
    Atlanta loss
    Carolina win
    San Fran loss
    Ravens loss
    Atlanta win
    Redskins loss
    Lions win
    Seahawks win
    Saints loss

  2. goodfellajay Says:

    i cant find the game on tv…i know its on news 8 every year but so far its not there hope they do air it

  3. Kevin Says:

    Gets annoying when you post sort of unrelated comments.

    Raheem got a do-over. Dungy didn’t.

  4. eric Says:

    I never liked the Gruden aproach in pre-season. Half the time starters were pulled when they had not developed any flow. He had a set number of plays and that was it.

    In this situation, they need to leave the starters in till some good things happen and they get some confidence, especially Josh and the new wideouts.

  5. frank Says:

    Im just sick of paying top dollar for one series with my season tickets. It’s insulting. WIsh they had hired Dungy to mentor Rah. 🙁

  6. Joe Says:

    goodfellajay:

    Yes, the games locally will be on WFLA-TV Channel 8.

    For those outside the area, Friday’s Bucs game will be rebroadcast on the NFL Network at 7 p.m. Saturday as well as 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday. Or, for $40, people outside the Tampa Bay area can watch all preseason games of every team live on NFL.com.

  7. ZeroExpectations Says:

    Wow, even the pre-season games won’t be on TV? LOL.

  8. bucfanjeff Says:

    Minor correction Joe, it’s not a Friday game, it’s a Saturday game and will be broadcast live on NFL Network.

    Here is a complete list of games for you DVR’ing pleasure:
    http://blogs.hudsonvalley.com/hudson-valley-sports-tv/2010/07/29/your-complete-nfl-preseason-tv-schedule/

  9. Joe Says:

    ZeroExpectations:

    Wow, even the pre-season games won’t be on TV? LOL.

    Who said that? As Joe typed earlier, Bucs preseason games will be on WFLA-TV Channel 8 (locally).

  10. ZeroExpectations Says:

    @Joe

    Ok, misread that then.

    I am poor. i do not have the NFL Network. I also do not plan on paying the Glazers for their poor product.

    But I’ll watch my team for free. Wooo hooo. And yes, it does count, cause the higher the ratings, the more advertising to the networks, whom ultimately pay the teams big dividends.

  11. Javier n Wimauma Says:

    Raheem needs to head Tony’s advice on this one. Imagine how much experience and confidence Josh Freeman and the WRs can gain by playing the first half of each pre-season game? It is amazing that this is lost on the coaches, all in fear of injury.

  12. Patrick Says:

    The starters need to play A LOT during the pre-season and get plenty of experience and rhythm going before the season opener!! The “starters” that Raheem is saying he’s going to rest have no experience and are unproven.

  13. MOBucs Says:

    I understand not wanting to risk injury, but I’m with Dungy. The second yougest team in the league needs some gametime experience to get acclimated to the speed of a real game. But hey, it’s Raheem’s job on the line and he’ll do whatever he thinks is most beneficial to the team!

  14. Javier n Wimauma Says:

    “..it’s Raheem’s job on the line and he’ll do whatever he thinks…” is beneficial to keeping is sad interim job.

    Dang it MoBuc, we were all about to have a topic that ALL of us, nearly a 100% consensus, could agree on.

    Even Mr. Dungy stated this.

    Don’t give Raheem a pass on this one just because you think he needs an apology/excuse man.

    See, this is what I am talking about. Stick with your logical position and agree that the Bucs need to play the young guys more snaps to gain cohesiveness. Stop enabling Raheem’s poor decision making.

    I’d like for Raheem to grow here and listen to Dungy and alter his pre-season playing time plan and give the young guys plenty of time to gel when the games don’t count and mistakes CAN be made.

  15. MichiganBucsFan Says:

    I agree that Josh Freeman and the Wide Receivers could use as much practice as they can get together.

    But I don’t mind this, the Bucs have A LOT of young guys who are trying to prove things and the fact is that while we are high on potential as of right now we are somewhat low on talent so… he wants to see as much from these other guys to fill out the roster spots with the best possible players. Makes sense to me, its not as though they will only play a series in every preseason game…

  16. BigMacAttack Says:

    I see both points of view here. Raheem wants to start the Season with a healthy team, but Dungy is very smart and Raheem could take a free lesson from Tony’s Playbook. If I were Rah, I might split the difference and let some guys stay in a little longer, depending on how things go, or maybe leave them in for a couple more series. If they look as if they’re hitting on all 8 cylinders, then that’s good enough and bring in the next wave.

    The man said clean him up… so clean him up.