Looking Beyond Raye’s Record
February 18th, 2012
Almost 66-year-old Jimmy Raye, the less notable senior advisor added to the Bucs’ staff, is a guy Joe hasn’t written much about.
As an extra set of eyes covering all things on the offensive side of the ball, Joe’s all in favor of having Raye around. Hey, if Raheem Morris had some advisors, perhaps the Bucs would have figured out how not to get mauled in the first quarter and first half of games.
Raye’s been coaching in the NFL for, well, forever. And that includes a stint as Bucs offensive coordinator in 1985 and 1986, when he couldn’t figure out how to use Steve Young.
But despite that smudge on his resume, Joe suspects Raye has learned a hell of a lot since then and can fill his current role quite well.
Bucs humorist/blogger “Scott,” of BucStats.com, offered up a detailed and sarcastic look at Raye’s achievements recently.
The Bucs hired Jimmy Raye as senior offensive assistant. Generally, “senior” means that a guy has been around for a while and seen a lot of things and has a certain level of wisdom to pass on. Evidently, it doesn’t mean you had to have any real measure of success because Jimmy Raye has yet to be associated with a really good offense.
The Chiefs in 2000 were his best team, landing at 8th in the league in total offense and sending three players to the Pro Bowl. The team still went 7-9 and that’s the most success Raye has had this decade — or ever. Other teams where he ran the offense: 2001 Redskins (28th), 2004-2005 Raiders (17th, 21st), 2009-2010 49ers (27th, 23rd). And if you want to go digging way back in history, he was Leeman Bennett‘s offensive coordinator with the Bucs in 1985-1986 (23rd, 27th) and the OC for the 1990 Patriots (28th), possibly one of the worst teams in NFL history.
And he’s here to help.
It is easy to laugh — or cry — about Raye’s record as an offensive coordinator, and Joe’s darn glad Raye’s not the Bucs’ offensive coordinator. But that written, Raye’s got loads of position coach experience, including nearly a decade as a running backs coach.
It’s up to Mike Sullivan and Greg Schiano to seize the best out of Raye. Joe’s got to believe there’s plenty there to work with, otherwise the guy wouldn’t have lasted this long in the NFL.
February 18th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
This is by far the biggest joke hire they’ve made so far! Why on earth is this guy on the payroll? What on earth has he to offer? He’s NEVER done anything worthy of mention except LOSING.
February 18th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Like I said before, “All Star cast, this ain’t it”. We’ll see, and I hope they can pull it off. If they don’t open up the check book though, it will be the same re-run of the same movie.
February 18th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
At 66 years of age, he will certainly “energize” the senior citizen fan base.
Tampa is offering several inducements if you are over 65, and buy seasons tickets.
The tickets now come with a lifetime supply of Geritol.
Seriously, this is the hiring that I question the most. Marty Schottenheimer was too old, but now this.
February 18th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Something tells me new OC Mike Sullivan will just nod his head and smile when this guy tries to give advice on the offense..I know i would.
February 18th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Looks like “Moms” Mabley’s” son…….
February 18th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Mr. Raye has been in this league a long time and has seen and learned a lot of things. The Bucs are totally re-writing and forming a new offensive playbook, with all new terminology. My guess is that Mr. Raye will have a lot of input there as well and be another set of eyes once the players arrive. Remember, there’s no substitute for experience.
February 18th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@ Mr. Patrick obvious;y he has hasn’t learned enough, because his offense sucks where ever he goes, how does a guy like this even still get hired?
February 18th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
No downside to having Raye on the staff. It shows that Schiano is looking for experienced NFL guys to add value where the college coaches might be “green”. If Raye was the OC, on the other hand…
February 18th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
@ Apple. I think Marty’s age wasn’t the main factor here. First of all, there’s a big difference between Senior whatever you want to name it and Head Coach. Marty is a great coach, but is he an organized, disciplinarian to the extent that we need it? Is he in it for the long haul? Schiano was the right man. I consider us fortunate to have been the team that made him say yes. Jimmy Raye isn’t going to make or break this offense. He’s there for experience and advice.
February 18th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
The guy has sucked everywhere he’s gone, and he was with us during the worst of the creamsicle years (’85-’86), when we went 4-28!
But like Joe said, at least he’s not the offensive coordinator
February 18th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
I see Raye as just another pair of eyes, evaluation and imput to the head coach. I don’t believe he will carry the tittle of coach. “senior advisor” keep him limited to that!
February 18th, 2012 at 7:50 pm
looks like the black ghost of John McKay in that stupid hat
February 18th, 2012 at 8:04 pm
very good hired,bucfanlostiniowa what you mean by black ghost,i bet he was a better football player than anybody on this site.
February 18th, 2012 at 9:07 pm
Brain- if they use Raye in that capacity, you’re right, it’s a good hire. One thing he knows, is how an NFL schedule works. If he does nothing but help Schiano make the giant leap from Rutgers to the NFL, he will be worth the hire. Hopefully, that will be his main task.
February 18th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
@ hamilton , old, black, wears a stupid hat = black ghost of Mckay. what’s not to understand
February 18th, 2012 at 10:12 pm
He looks like a cross between John McKay and Gilligan.
February 18th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
I hope he’s more like “Mickey” in the the”Rocky” movies
“speed, Greg, speed is what we need! Greasy fast speed!”
Meybe he’ll have the players chase a bunch of chickens around, ala “Rocky2”
Couldn’t hurt, with our flatfooted back 7!
February 18th, 2012 at 11:13 pm
This hire doesnt make any sense to me either…
February 19th, 2012 at 12:00 am
O linemen will have string tied to their ankles to work on balance and footwork. Might actually help. I just hope Jeff Faine is replaced by Zuttah permanently. Then get Cark Nicks away from the Saints to play left guard and the line should be much better.
February 20th, 2012 at 10:13 am
bucfanloseiniowa,wow