Was Raheem’s Influence On Display Sunday?

November 20th, 2012

Greg Schiano and the New Schiano Order has been widely lauded these past two days for their intense, detailed preparation leading to success in a brutal situation Sunday — needing eight points to tie with the ball on the Bucs’ 20 yard line, no timeouts and 1:02 on the fourth-quarter clock.

Of course, every fan knows how the happy ending went in Carolina.

But hearing all the love for Schiano reminded Joe of Raheem Morris’ words this summer. Raheem was asked about the knock on his teams being undisciplined. And Raheem responded by laughing that theory off and proclaiming that only highly disciplined teams have success late in games in the two-minute offense like the Bucs did repeatedly in 2010.

It was a fair point by Raheem (though it doesn’t explain 2011), and one that applies to what the Bucs pulled off Sunday.

Joe attends all training camp practices and many other practices, and the Schiano Bucs work on situational football details to the extreme. It’s a common sight to see Schiano with his bullhorn barking out scenarios, “Men, 26 seconds left, we got the ball at our 47 yard line with no timeouts and down by two points. Let’s go.” And needless to say everything ramps up to full speed immediately, much like Joe moves when the pizza delivery guy rings the doorbell.

While Joe is quick to blame Raheem’s lousy leadership for dragging the Bucs into the toilet last season, Joe will credit the former coach for what his team accomplished late in games in 2010. Amazing plays like this in Cincinnati weren’t luck. And Joe has no doubt those experiences helped drive the confidence of Josh Freeman and many other Bucs on both sides of the ball Sunday.

Before this season, Ronde Barber said he was confident the Bucs under Greg Schiano would be able to build on the successes that led to a 10-6 record in 2010 and block out the collapse of 2011. That was very much on display Sunday.

7 Responses to “Was Raheem’s Influence On Display Sunday?”

  1. Biff Barker Says:

    The Bucs have been in every single game this season. That’s the difference between then and now.

    But to Raheem’s credit, he didn’t have the same talent we do today.

    Chest bumps and splather to all.

  2. rachelWatson'sthong Says:

    Good read. A reach at best tho. Mumbles killed our team. Period.

  3. FlBoy84 Says:

    Liked how Rhonde replied “no comment” when asked why this year’s team is night & day from last year after Sunday’s game. When pressed, he gave a quick “new coach & new players” response.

  4. FlBoy84 Says:

    *Ronde

  5. Nick2 Says:

    Raheem has anything to do with success this year??? Wow never thought I would hear that and I certainly don’t believe it for a second. Raheem I believe will go down as the most useless coach the Bucs have ever signed. The Redskins are now 29th in pass defense with Raheem coaching the secondary. Apparently he can’t even position coach anymore.

  6. FloridaGirl Says:

    I hear Raheem’s ‘influence’ was on display at The Patio on S. MacDill during the bye week. Glad that toad is gone.

  7. Oahubuc Says:

    I miss Spurlock.