More Rumbles About Schiano Issues
September 3rd, 2013
There’s a stink that keeps swirling around national media about Greg Schiano having locker room issues.
On NFL Network, former NFL fullback Heath Evans talked about the feedback he got from “older veterans” on the Buccaneers last season and his concern about the “college mentality” of the New Schiano Order.
In a recent, FOX Sports NFC South preview video below, former NFL linebacker Scott Fujita says his sources from the Schiano locker room have painted a picture troublesome to Bucs fans.
“Here’s my concern about the Buccaneers. I’ve talked to enough guys who have spent time in that locker room who have raised questions about the head coach,’ Fujita said. “The sense I get sometimes, is that players aren’t buying in. And if you don’t have buy-in in this league, you don’t have a shot.”
For what it’s worth, Evans and Fujita were both Saints teammates of Carl Nicks. Fujita also works alongside Ronde Barber on the new FOX Sports 1 studio.
To be fair to Schiano, it does take a new coach time to weed out players unresponsive to a new regime. However, Joe must hope that a mega-millions acquisition like Nicks or a team-first icon like Barber were not guys off the Schiano bandwagon.
Joe has no problem with not everyone liking the head coach. All that matters is the on-field performance.
With a potential shot at the playoffs alive, the Bucs didn’t show up when they got smoked 41-0 by the Saints in New Orleans last season, and the Bucs were humiliated at home by an average Rams team the following week. But Schiano did manage to get an extraordinary buy-in from his team to close the season with a victory in Atlanta. Schiano was able to right the ship to close the season.
Joe’s not concerned by these rumbles of locker room issues, though they are worth monitoring.
Also, in the FOX video below, the Bucs are ranked as the 20th best NFL team to start the season and are predicted to finish third in the NFC South. It’s a pretty common prognostication.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:27 pm
The one problem with a 24/7 NFL network is that eventually they run out of legitimate stuff to talk about, so the washed up former players have to spew crap like this to eat up time.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:30 pm
What?!?! A few twenty-something year olds not buying into being responsible and accountable? That’s crazy!!
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Listening to the Cam Newton soundbite at the end of that video I heard Me Me My I Mine My I Me Me I My I Me Mine.
Can’t stand the guy.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Is it me or does Schiano kind of remind you of Captain Harris on Police Academy? In those movies though, as much as they hate Harris, they always ended up being awesome at their jobs by the end of the movie.
All jokes aside, Schiano is my kind of coach. I love a hard nosed disciplinarian. Just like Coughlin, easing the tension will probably work when he does that. But if, and I mean IF, guys aren’t buying in, that’s a huge dilemma, and I just hope it’s only from the knuckleheads that no longer play for this regime.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:34 pm
At the moment, I like Schiano better than any player on our roster. Can’t think of any available coach I would prefer over him at this time. Takes more than a year to get the funk of the previous regime’s stench out of the facilities.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:39 pm
I like Schiano too. old school, hard working, no nonsense guy who is very dedicated to his craft.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:40 pm
Don’t know if this story is true or not, but 1 week before the New England practice, Schiano had the defense practicing the infamous victory formation charge. Not exactly the NFL.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Schiano has already made enough examples to get his message across. If you don’t buy in then don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.
Raheem would tolerate you ’till he could replace you. Schiano will replace you if he can’t tolerate you. I respect the latter.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Winning solves everything. The Giant’s players hated, I mean hated Coughlin. Michael Strahan even said it, but when they won the Superbowl they became best friends. This isn’t something to fret about unless the team is losing.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:45 pm
The Atlanta win wasn’t extroardinary.
Id sy the lack of buy in is most likely due to the man simply not having the competence to coach an NFl team. Coming from Rutgers, where he never won the conference, how could he?
It takes a depth of understanding from years in the league to do it, like Dungy and Jon had. Look at their resumes. Dungy under Chuck Noll and many years coordinator experience. Jon under Walsh, with success at the coordinator position and as head coach of the Raiders.
For some reason we totally moved away from that winning formula. Twice.
Dude has no cred, pure and simple. Neither did Rah.
Not seeing smooth waters ahead.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:46 pm
anytime there’s a new boss in town, especially a disciplinarian, there are going to be people crying. those people are gotten rid of as soon as possible (based on team needs and legal ramifications), just as in business – out with the old farts who know everything and in with the fresh meat with skills and are not afraid of doing the dirty work. i.e. WORK!
and yeah, I would bet money Nicks is one of the guys crying. but he’s one of those they can’t get rid of based on team needs and the money they have paid him.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Lightningbuc hit it on the head, anything to stir the kaka up, make things nice and smelly down here in Tampa seems to be the agenda. Joe, must you really report this as legitimate news? Every coach in the NFL is going to have his detractors, even the most established ones, but for God’s sake, give the man a few years before you turn him into public enemy no. 1!
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:51 pm
Personally I applaud Schiano for the Victory formation charge. I don’t understand why it’s not considered NFL. It’s bothered me my whole life why teams just gave up with 2 minutes left and down by less than a touchdown. Then Schiano does the charge. I LOVE IT. And another thing. It only has to work once, and the entire NFL will be doing it every time they are down by 8 or less.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Coming from the guy who bountied it up for Gregg Williams, I’ll go ahead and not listen to a word he’s saying. If I want input about a bounty program, top of my list Mr. Fujita.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:00 pm
The thing is … are those ex saints talking to current or former player???? Did heath and fujita talk to talib, blount and winslow with an axe to grind, or did they talk to mccoy and freeman. When most guys get the boot, they are not to kind on the way out the door.
The guys loved, loved loved Rah Morris so , you know.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:04 pm
If you look at how Scott Fujita’s insight is Worded, it would give you the impression that his sources are no longer on the Bucs or he’s going off of Stale Material from last year without Actually Being IN The Buc’s Lockerroom. Just an Opinion of course.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:04 pm
@Eric
What’s winning a conference have to do with coaching in the NFL. Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier have won national championships, but stunk in the NFL.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:06 pm
Heath has been coming at the Bucs hard this season. Whats the dudes deal?
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:06 pm
Splengo … don’t take this the wrong way but,
The 49ers almost won the last Super Bowl with the Pistol offense. Not exactly the NFL. The Skins and Hawks are running a zone blocking spread option type offense. Not exactly NFL. Chip Kelly will have his Eagles run the Oregon no huddle offense this year. Not exactly NFL
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:21 pm
RBellBuc,
I won’t, it’s just opinions. But I think you make my point when you say almost. You do know almost only counts in horseshoes. And the word is never used again by people who jump canyons – for obvious reasons. Not exactly the way you want to describe a winner. Think about it.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:23 pm
I am on the fence with Schiano. Firmly on the fence though not 1/2 off of it. Everyone knows there is a difference between college and pro. It’s no secret that he was coveted a few times by NFL teams trying to drag him out of N.J. to be an NFL coach. He kept declining offers. So once again for those that don’t know his history I’m going to drop it in this thread.
From 1996 to 1998, Schiano was an assistant coach in the NFL with the Chicago Bears. For his first two seasons there, he was a defensive assistant, and then was promoted in his third and final season with the Bears to defensive backfield coach.
Schiano served as defensive coordinator for the University of Miami from 1999 to 2000. In 1999, UM finished the year ranked 12th in the NCAA’s Division I-A in points allowed per game (17.2), and in 2000 moved up to 5th (15.5 points allowed per game). His brief 18 month stint at Miami and his roots in New Jersey, made him a candidate for his next position as Rutgers head coach.
While at the University of Miami, Schiano coached: NFL Pro Bowlers Dan Morgan, linebacker, retired; Jonathan Vilma, linebacker, New Orleans Saints; and Ed Reed, free safety, Baltimore Ravens.
In the 2006 season, Schiano’s Scarlet Knights achieved their first Top 25 ranking since 1976. Following week four of the college football season, Rutgers with a record of 4–0 was ranked #23 in the Associated Press and Coaches Polls. The team was ranked as high as #6 in the country (BCS standings) with a 9–0 record after a historic win against the Louisville Cardinals, beating them 28–25 in Piscataway. Throughout the season, coach Schiano and Rutgers were featured prominently in both the local and national media, and Schiano’s motivational phrase “keep choppin'” became part of the lexicon of college football. Rutgers finished the season with a 10–2 record, the first time they had won ten games since 1976. Following the season, Schiano and the Scarlet Knights accepted an invitation to play Kansas State in the inaugural Texas Bowl,[5] where they would go on to defeat Kansas State 37–10, capturing their first ever bowl win. For his work in the 2006 season, Coach Schiano was awarded several Coach of the Year honors, including the Home Depot Coach of the Year award and the inaugural Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:23 pm
I don’t believe the issue is about:
1. Being Old School
2. Being Tough
How about him not knowing what he is doing with PROFESSIONALS!
NICK SABAN was all those things, but he was a terrible NFL HEAD COACH.
NFL COACHES CANNOT BE DICTATORS…..They are coaching
A) Grown Men
B) Players who understand the Pro Game more than an Ex-College Coach.
The lack of signing Veteran Players who could give the Bucs a Legitimate Pass Rush or retaining Veteran Players is a Direct Indictment of the Schiano regime. WHO IS IN CHARGE? The Coach or the GM?
They are both failures and the DISMAL LINE PLAY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL……guarantees that A Blossoming QB in Josh Freeman THE BEST QB THE BUCCANEERS EVER HAD. Walks at the end of the season because It has been PRE-DETERMINED that a Poor season is the Responsibility of FREEMAN!
Raheem Morris – Say what you want, but he did win 10 Games without nearly the Talent Provided Greg Schiano.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:27 pm
po ta toes / po to toes
to ma toes / to mo toes
it hasn’t been around long enough to see if they work. The first time the Bucs win a game by forcing a turnover off the victory formation, everyone will say, Wow, what a great play. If the 9ers win the SB like all the talking heads have projected everyone will say Wow, that Pistol offense is Da bomb.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:28 pm
Schiano has coached ONE season so far. ONE SEASON. I swear to God I have no idea where I got the idea that 50% of the Buc fan base are morons. (sarcasm)
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Schiano has impressed me because he has been willing to show some humility & admit to mistakes. He stated the biggest difference in the NFL is the wide range of ages….I think it took him that first year to learn to empathize with that variance.
I like Greg Schiano and believe he will be successful. All he needs is a great QB to be seen as a great coach.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:37 pm
Whats a pototo? And a tomoto?
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:38 pm
Eric, Gruden ran this team to the ground. He was a horrible talent evalueator but a great motivator. Trouble is he was trying to pump up cat’s for a dog fight.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:38 pm
I do like Schiano as a coach as well, but I also think he hasn’t exactly adapted to the NFL like many of us would. I remember Pete Carroll’s first stint as a head coach. He treats his guys like grown men, and he did that at USC as well, blah blah. Whatever. But his first stint was a failure, but always said, he thinks if he had more say personel wise, he’d be more successful in the NFL. Look what he’s done in Seattle. He has a lot of say in who he drafts. The GM there is just a Cap-Oligist pretty much.
In Tampa, I think Schiano can be a very good NFL Head Coach, even a great one. He seemed to let off a bit this Training Camp. I also have to remember, Dom has final say over the draft decisions, roster cuts, and free agent signings/trades. Schiano doesn’t make the final 53 roster cuts decisions.
What Schiano has to learn though, is adapt and copy cat some of the other head coaching philosophies to adapt into the NFL. I would have fired Bill Sheridan if I were him. He hired a DEF. Coordinator who didn’t have a background of his defensive type. So he hired a co-def. coord. from Rutgers. Promote the guy, who cares if he doesn’t have NFL experience. He knows the scheme 10X better than Sheridan.
And please, for the love of God, get rid of the stunts. They run too many. they don’t work. And don’t get too conservative with the lead. That kills teams in the end and allows opposing teams to get back into the game.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:41 pm
More Schiano tidbits :
Schiano was at Rutgers for 11 seasons, taking them from college football laughingstocks to a program that has had winning records in six of the last seven years.
The Scarlet Knights had been to one bowl game since 1869 when Schiano arrived in 2001, but Schiano took them to five straight bowl games from 2005-09, and again in 2011, before leaving for the NFL.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:42 pm
@Curmudgeon
really?
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:42 pm
but both of those saints current players bought into bounty hunting I could care less what they think. if players don’t really buy into schiano then why did every buc free agent this year wanted to come back. and why did nicks and Jackson revis and all those guys who are pro bowl caliber players signed here. the sources they got are from who preston parker I mean seriously its ridiculous
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:46 pm
RBellBuc,
I liked that potato/tomato thing, I thought it was cute. I think I would be safe in saying you will see a SB won using the pistol offense a whole millennium before a single game is won using the victory charge.
Hey look, I want the guy to win, I just think he does some unconventional things on defense like the compulsive stunts and excessive blitzes. And of course, the victory charge.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:46 pm
I agree with tampabaybuc fan. The man has to be entitled to understand the NFL. You cant just kill a guy just going into his 2nd year. First of all during his first year, we saw marked improvement. So much improvement that within that span and a big free agent splurge, there are hardcore playoff rumblings. There’s been something missing since the Dungy years and into Gruden’s first year (Super Bowl). It’s called Swagger. Winning and great defense breeds swagger. I believe that Schiano has not only handled the media excellently but he’s primed to be a great coach. I have seen him begun to trust his veterans and allow them to lead. Guys like V Jax, Revis, Goldson and McCoy are leading and when you have 4 guys like that on your defense, healthy, the whole landscape changes and tilts in our favor. There are a lot of things that need to go right. The team must gel, guys have to stay healthy, particularly the aforementioned men, and Josh Freeman needs to step up. There’s a lot that needs to go right. Pair that with the fact that Joe is dead on with the NFC more loaded than I remember seeing in 20 years and I can’t feel comfortable guaranteeing playoffs this year. I do believe, and more than anything, hope, that Schiano is the guy and we are 2 years away at most.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:46 pm
^^^ That’s probably closer to the reason why Fujita and Evans got their supposed inside info. good job ander
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:50 pm
Don’t forget Michael Bennett’s comments earlier this month. We all knew Schiano was going to alienate guys. He just has to have his team leaders buy in and be a good game coach and he’ll be fine.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:51 pm
Honestly, I hate to say this: But Kellen Winslow was right. Even though Morris got canned, Mark Dominik should have followed him out the door.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:52 pm
I think the victory charge is more of a mental thing he’s injecting into his players.
The never give up until the final whistle mentality. I’ll admit it is kind of silly, but I won’t be surprised if we see it again this year.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:55 pm
kennedy I think Bennett is more hurt that he didn’t come back which I understand because the guy plays his tail off. I think those comments about schiano from him are more emotional than realistic about the way he feels.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:56 pm
@Splengo
I agree about all the compulsive stunts and excessive blitzes, but I also believe that once Schiano is convinced it doesn’t work in all it’s glory and excessiveness, he will back off and become more selective when he does decide to use it. Will he completely scrap it? I doubt it, because its like a coach’s signature play. He brought them with him and they are here to stay. You can count on every time a team tries the victory formation, Schiano will try to crash it. Just like shifting on the defensive front line before a punt. It’s legal on defense and if it takes only works one time out of 100, it at least worked. I like the attitude Schiano brings to the table. Never say never. Whistle to whistle.
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:00 pm
I can’t remember who it was, but I’m pretty sure Joe had an article on one of the d-lineman a few months ago (think it was McCoy) who was raving about the discipline and accountability that Schiano has brought.
Ander brings up a good point – was probably the jilted and once again unemployed Preston Parker. Consider the source.
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Bennett played his tail off and produced with an injured shoulder. he didn’t command 8-10 million a year either. He was the perfect starter at LDE in our defense and he didn’t like kicking inside, but did that as well.
I do think that’s another thing Schiano needs to scrap: When does it ever work taking DEs and plugging them inside? I’ll never understand that Schiano philosphy. Justin Tuck did it one year in New York. Doesn’t mean all can.
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:05 pm
I must admit that I am not a huge fan of Schiano’s defense. It is predicated on the d-line getting pressure so that the secondary, that is primarily playing man, won’t be exposed for too long. The problem is we don’t currently have the right personnel rushing the passer (no prolific pass rushers). I fully expect the defense to once again be strong against the run, but get eaten up in the passing game, unfortunately. So, IMO, that is probably what these players are not “buying into”.
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:06 pm
@ ander, ….Bennett made the decision to leave the Bucs, not the other way around….He signed before talking to the bucs…
I like Schiano and I think discipline is good…remember the 15 penalty games with Morris ? No discipline .. And players like Freeman, Jackson and Martin like discipline . It obviously was Preston Parker talking and he is unemployed right now
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:08 pm
Schiano is a great coach, but your only as good as the guys that you surrounded with.
I hope the new guys will be nice additions (John McNulty, Robb Smith, Tony Oden). Surprised to see Safeties Coach-Jeff Hafley still with us (possible Dave Campo upgrade???), and hoping we can pull Darren Rizzi away from Miami next year.
With all that said there’s really only one guy that I can hear going against the grain. DONALD PENN-disrespected Talib to the point where he wanted to smack him with his helmet-when you listen to sound bites, who’s antagonize their fellow teammates. When Dom tried to send Wright to San Fran who did you hear from? Everything starts with Donald, maybe we can trade up and get Taylor Lewan( I don’t know just my thoughts-DMS)
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:10 pm
@ Rahb
not saying being tough, or old school is going to make you a good head coach or anything, its just qualities I like in a head coach. As far as him not knowing what he is doing because he is just starting off, well… everyone has to start somewhere. this game is not rocket science, and he will learn from his mistakes. thats how we all get better. the Bill Belicheats of the world are not falling off trees, and even he struggles when he was first starting off. Schianno certainly has all the qualities it takes to be a good head coaching, and he will get even better with experience.
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:11 pm
@ Ander
Good observation….why would Bennett, Miller & the others miss being there if Schiano was a problem…..the only ones that like being gone are the ones Schiano wanted gone….and for good reason….The jury may still be out on his ability to evaluate or even motivate talent….but it is not out on his ability to determine character….that he knows…and I respect he and Dom’s willingness to get rid of bad attitudes…in the long run that will pay off!!!
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:19 pm
@ Rafael
Not to split hairs here…but I think Bennett left because we made really no effort to keep him.
He obviously knew we did not want him…as is pretty much the case with everyone who is gone. Look at Blount….they almost ignored that he was even on the team.
Wright came back I think for the Atlanta game and I don’t think he was even put in the game.
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:19 pm
If Schiano takes this team to 8-8 or 9-7 then I’m off the fence and buying in myself. I still expect 10-6 or 11-5 this season no matter what the national analyst are saying, or former players are saying or what the preseason looked like. If the Bucs reach 10-6 everyone’s buying in players, fans and the national media. My God, if the Bucs still had Raheem the Dream last season and the Bucs went 5-11 from 4-12 the previous season. Then fans should be bitching about the coach. I think this team is on the right track now and the Glazers are spending money again. The one that’s on the hot seat as far as I’m concerned is Dominik. Although if the team produces a winner this season the Dom is going to be safe. I do know one thing though the Glazers love Dominik so it’s going to be a tough decision for them if they have to let him go.
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:26 pm
…and I’ll add it’s no wonder Bilichick and Schiano are good friends. The Pat’s drafted what like 5 players from Rutgers while Schiano was the coach. I think right now they both have the same philosphy and style as to how they like to coach their teams. Not saying Schiano is the 2nd coming of Bilichick. Just saying stuff like the Pat’s have this slogan up there called “The Patriot Way”. Schiano has this slogan “Buccaneer Man”. Also a lot of former players hate on Bilichick as well. I think Welker was the most recent one to do so.
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:29 pm
Guys who coached as an NFl assistant for two years, and afew college jobs are adime a dozen. Probably half the Head Coaches in the Atlantic Coast Conference meet that criteria.
As far as Gruden running the team into the ground, I am surprised folks still come up with that tired nonsense. Last four years of Gruden two Division Titles, three winning seasons.
Four years of disaster after he left cant be blamed on him. The Dungy/Gruden era is without question the best in the history of buccaneer football. Why? Because they had the base of knowing what the hell they were doing in the NFL. Not in the Big East, the NFL.
Again, compare their resumes to Rah and Schiano. Not comparable. Not gonna work. Silly thing to try. Hope and wanting it to succeed doesn’t change the facts. Hope didnt help Rah and it wont help this guy.
The man is a NFL lightweight, in over his head, and the players know it. Many fans do also judging by the blackouts.
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:41 pm
it’s been said time and time again. winning cures all… it’s almost like a soap opera. as long as schiano has the backing of GM and Owners that allow him to weed out players that don’t conform he will be fine. all the rockstar haters dom is not going anywhere. it’s clear the glazers like the job he is doing. I think even if the bucs fall on their faces this year schiano is out and dom stays. If Joesph, Revis, Goldson and McCoy buy in that is all he needs.
I am hoping Mr. Barron knocks SGT WinSLOW out cold Sunday!
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:46 pm
Again ONE SEASON. The blackouts were also there in 2010 when the team went 10-6. Did season ticket sales peak following that season? Nope. There are peaking this season according to what the Glazers have said. Fans are buying up tickets. I expect about atleast 4-5 televised games this season. I was at the Ravens preseason opener and that stadium was packed. It was damn near close to that 85% needed and it was only a preseason game.
It’s going to take a long time for anyone to match what Dungy/Gruden did. Pro coach experience or not. Judging a guy who came from college in his rookie season and took a 4-12 team to 7-9 imo is on the right track. Of course I won’t be able to determine if he’s in way over his head until maybe atleast ONE MORE SEASON.
September 3rd, 2013 at 3:51 pm
I guess SOME people expected Schiano to come into a 4-12 team and lead them to the playoffs the 1st year he was there. I was not one of them. I expected about 6 wins and we got 7. I also saw drastic improvement in the team from the previous team. Hmm thus is why I bought my 1st season tickets ever.
September 3rd, 2013 at 4:06 pm
my expectations for Schiano last year was a 2-4 week improvement. They got 3. We were in many games last year, minus Dallas, Denver, New Orleans, and St. Louis.
I still think we need a new GM. Dom has made too many bad decisions and scrapped the build through the draft because he has failed with several high picks (freeman, 2010 2nd and 3rd rounders, Clayborn is a question, Bowers,) . No head coach can succeed in the situation we have with no depth nor a franchise QB.
The only thing that is going to suck is, if Dom is canned, it’s very hard to see Schaino stick around unless the GM is willing to keep him.
September 3rd, 2013 at 4:09 pm
The reports coming out of the locker room last year seemed to contradict these issues. A lot of the veteran players were praising Schiano for his approach and discipline after the free wheeling Raheem era. Sounds like someone trying to create a story.
September 3rd, 2013 at 4:09 pm
The only thing I still shake my head on is, we had a terrible secondary and terrible pass rush. So , one would think, improve the pass rush first then secondary. We didn’t do that. LOL.
September 3rd, 2013 at 4:12 pm
Coach Schiano, is a good coach, so was coach Morris, however the G.M., is who the player’s are referring to because he lied to them. The G.M. has made coach Schiano, the scapegoat, just like he did with coach Morris. When coach Morris, and the team won the 10 games he was all over the media. When thing are not going well he does not come to their rescue. Coach hang in their maybe one day they will get a real G.M. to help you. He would tell the player’s agents a different story blaming everything on the coach.
September 3rd, 2013 at 4:20 pm
@Eric He was given a 4-12 team and he got them to 7-9 as buc1987 said we are on the right track. The same could have been said about Dungy. He went 6-10 his first year. Schiano wasn’t as lucky as Gruden who inherited a Super Bowl caliber(eventual winners) team in his first season here. This was a 4-12 team when he got here and it’s not a 4-12 team now. I think we need to give him 2 season before we go judging his ability to win games on the NFL level
September 3rd, 2013 at 4:29 pm
Doc Says
“the G.M., is who the player’s are referring to because he lied to them. The G.M. has made coach Schiano, the scapegoat”
^^^^^seriously …what?
You are privy to this type of information how exactly?
That is purely fabricated and unsubstantiated. You can’t just make crap up and expect people to believe you. ….well maybe some lol
September 3rd, 2013 at 4:30 pm
I’m a Schiano guy. After that Raheem Morris Debacle, if ANYONE could straighten out this mess it was an Italian guy from New Jersey.
September 3rd, 2013 at 4:31 pm
What Doc said^^^^. Not saying Morris didn’t deserve to be canned, because, well partying with players isn’t exactly NFL Head Coaching material. But Mark Dominik keeps getting excused for his poor drafting and decision making. In 2009, he trades a 2nd and a 5th for Kellen Winslow, makes him the highest paid TE in the nfl, and he had 3 knee surgeries. LOL.
Now was Winslow solid? Yes, but the Return on Investment wasn’t even close of what the caliber of player we got vs what was invested.
Michael Clayton and Derrick Ward? LOL #Rockstar
Eric Wright? LOL #Rockstar
Carl Nicks? Looking even worse now.
Davin Joseph? When he was locked up, he missed time and was twice, in 5 years, finsihed the season on IR. Always had durability issues. Locked him up as games top paid G.
Signed a punter whos not even in the top 20, to a 6 year 20 mil. Deal.
#Rock Star.
And when the pass rush struggles along with the secondary, we sign Dashon Goldson, who even some Niner fans told me, will struggle in Tampa because they have no pass rush. , to an overrated contract. Get all pro Darell Revis. But don’t improve the pass rush, heck forget to add depth up front?
On Offense, they go after tom Crabtree, who I like as a #2 TE, because he “Saw something” that can turn him into a top pass catching threat.
Ogeltree? LOL he sucked last year except week 1. Dom is trying to get that Week 1 performance week after week. Good Luck.
He avoided signing a DE and TE because he wants to give the dissapointments (Bowers and Stocker) a chance to shine.
A part of me thinks Schiano benched the two of them because he didn’t get his wish to upgrade the positions. I heard countless times the new staff viewed Mason Foster better suited to play SLB, who never played MLB before the NFL. Dom repeatedly said Foster is better at the Middle.
September 3rd, 2013 at 4:34 pm
Coach Schiano is a notorious slow starter. At Rutgers, his 2nd season was his worst. It took 3 years before he won a conference game.
“On December 1, 2000, Schiano accepted the head coaching position at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. In 2001, his first season as head coach, the Scarlet Knights posted a 2–9 record (0–7 in the Big East), followed by a 1–11 mark (0–7 Big East) in 2002. This was followed by a 5–7 record (2–5 Big East) in 2003. In 2004, Schiano took on defensive coordinator responsibilities as well, and the team finished 4–7 (1–5 Big East). Although Schiano was producing solid recruiting classes, especially by Rutgers standards, his 3-24 record in conference games and 4–17 record in road games in those first four years were a cause for worry.”
I think Coach’s dismal college record may be a cause for concern unless he can figure out how to schedule Army, Navy or the Coast Guard Academies.
Maybe they don’t need veterans or intelligent players to win in the NFL. They will always have that excuse of saying how young the team is.
September 3rd, 2013 at 4:46 pm
Using the “in way over his head” theory is simply wrong. Was Andy Reid in way over his head with the 4-12 Eagles last season?
How about Schwartz with the 4-12 Lions? Fisher’s 7-8-1 Rams is in way over his head too? Jason Garrett in big D with his 8-8 season is he in way over his head too? All of these coaches have had plenty of NFL experience. The Bucs were a couple plays here and there away from being 9-7 or 10-6 last season in Schiano’s rookie year.
September 3rd, 2013 at 4:50 pm
I wasn’t there and neither was Fudgepackajita. Id bet when the Bucs were winning that the locker room was all good, and when they started to slide that the locker room did too. How is this any different than any locker room in any sport or town? The Saints were 7-9 and what an underachievement that was for Brees and Co. Do we hear Scott talking about that locker room? No because those are all of his butt-buddies. I don’t put any stock in comments like that, and if it came from Nicks, he was hurt after a few games and as a major player he couldn’t have been happy because he wants to play. This is all such BS that makes no sense. Let’s play ball and time for the talking heads to STFU.
September 3rd, 2013 at 4:52 pm
I’m going to piggy-back on Chris’ statement:
It’s not just “Michael Clayton.” Mark Dominik looked at Clayton’s body of work and said, “You know, let’s extend him and make him part of our rebuilding process because I like what I’ve seen from him.”
ANYONE who wants to defend Dominik as a master-talent-evaluator has to SOMEHOW overcome that factoid.
September 3rd, 2013 at 4:53 pm
As much as I hated watching our preseason, I am anxiously awaiting this Jets game. This game and the rest will tell us how prepared the Bucs are for this season and if the are buying in to Schiano’s system. A pure sign of whether a coach is succeeding or not is to watch his first three years. If we can see an improvement this year over next year then I think we are on to something good here again in Tampa. On paper the drafting has been better over the last two years and it has been constant weeding of players that we know were not the best fit for this team. Go Bucs
September 3rd, 2013 at 5:29 pm
Who cares what prior players say. Good or bad they are in the past. What we are really discussing is experience. And for Schiano the most important experience is LAST YEAR. Put that on top of what he brought to the table and we have a HC that is learning and growing just like our second and third year players. I for one expect Schiano’s decision making to be better but I also expect some gaffs along the way. Maybe even a game lost for poor decisions. Like Belicheck and Coughlin haven’t done that in the past! If ultimately Schiano loses the locker room and the designated leaders on the team then he’ll be gone. He probably knows that better than we do.
September 3rd, 2013 at 5:57 pm
ATLBucsFan …I concur
September 3rd, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Thing is, Dom is afraid to admit some draft mistakes. He held on to Myron Lewis for how long for what reason? LOL
Stocker would not make another teams NFL roster currently.
neither would William Gholston nor Kevin Ogletree.
Akeem Spence would be at best a rotational player to start his rookie year. Like his potential, but isn’t ready to start and take on the role we’re expecting him to. That is WHY resigning Roy Miller for 1-2 years would have been a great idea.
Michael Bennett should ahve been resigned as well. Would have allowed Bowers to play his rotational role.
Honestly, I think Schiano was not in agreement with Dom in letting Bennett and Miller go. Those were two good players. I think Schiano is trying to motivate Bowers and has been vastly dissapointed in his performance.
September 3rd, 2013 at 6:16 pm
You are assuming a lot. Afraid or just reluctant to let players go before giving them proper time to evaluate them? I know us expert fans can determine a players future in 1 game and all but Pro GMs arent as wise as us. Lol
September 3rd, 2013 at 6:28 pm
Couch, I agree. How can anyone evaluate rookie players that haven’t played a regular game yet. I guess maybe if someone has a crystal ball up their A$$ they could call it today. Pretty much any team fan could just fall off a truck and become the best GM in the league.
September 3rd, 2013 at 6:29 pm
Sure, they won the last game in Atlanta. Against a team that had nothing to play for. And although they played the game, you could see that Atlanta side players did not want to be there.
I’m not sold on Schiano. And where there’s smoke there’s fire.
September 3rd, 2013 at 6:39 pm
Talk about fringe thinking? I was seriously looking for a song that would be a good conspiracy theme for Chris’s meltdown. lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhcX54ulrzA
September 3rd, 2013 at 6:46 pm
Chris you really think that the GM not the coach picks the guy position? That’s just silly talk. If a GM is making the coach play out of position then what’s the point in having a coach? GM’s would get fired for that stupidity. Jerry Jones even said it himself “I would fire myself if I was a GM” yet he still high involved.
September 3rd, 2013 at 6:50 pm
Said it before and I will repeat. This team has plenty of talented players. What they lack is good, sound coaching! The lack of organization is what is failing here and not the players. If Pre-Season showed anything it was that. For all the preaching about basics and fundamentals we sure saw a horrible lack of those in all 4 games. People want to blame it on Freeman and he is not totally without blame but a good QB will not perform well without confidence in his teammates and Freeman does not have that.
When Tom Brady takes the field he knows when he throws a ball the right receiver will be where they are supposed to be. Josh has no such confidence not should he from what this team has shown him.
Again I fault the coaching. Coaches are not making it happen even though they have been given great ( not just good but great) players. If they can’t do their jobs and mold a TEAM from the talent then who’s fault is it?
September 3rd, 2013 at 7:11 pm
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000211489/article/whos-ireallyi-in-charge-nfc-south-squads-seek-balance
“Mark Dominik, who has full decision-making power over personnel and final say on the 53-man roster. Greg Schiano has control over the 46-man game-day roster and oversees his own staff.”
Dom has the final say on the final 53.
September 3rd, 2013 at 7:30 pm
Chris,
You just stated the one thing that I don’t think any of us disagree with. It was the rest of your rant that was truly conjectural.
September 3rd, 2013 at 7:49 pm
DarylS <~~~another over-reacting to preseason fan
September 3rd, 2013 at 7:55 pm
You think Dom marches into Schiano’s office and says this who goes and who stays? I’m sure it’s discussed and agreed upon and I’m sure if Schiano wants to keep any player bad enough, he’ll get his way. Dom may be responsible but he isn’t a dictator and he has to find players to fit into Coach’s system.
Isn’t it early to criticize our team and throw in the towel? Right now we are tied for first place. Stupidity abounds.
September 3rd, 2013 at 8:02 pm
BigMacAttack : “Stupidity abounds”
50% of the Buc fan base buddy!
September 3rd, 2013 at 8:03 pm
Dominick must answer.
Results = playoffs in 2013, or questions will be raised.
The team must get 30+ sacks.
Mark Barron needs to outshine Keuchly.
We need to make the playoffs.
Dominick traded up to draft Freeman, I hope it pans out this year.
Bo Gucs!
September 3rd, 2013 at 8:06 pm
BigMacAttack,
What is Dom’s record in the 5 years as reigning GM?
How many playoff games have we been to?
We last won a playoff game in 2003, with the last bit of that all time great defense wrapping it up.
Lets go Dominick, lets go! We need playoffs, pass rush and QB play, lets go!
How long is the “rebuild” process?
Wins or walk the plank.
September 3rd, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Why does Barron need to outshine another player on another team at a different position? Why is there even a comparison? Barron only needs to improve. I’m starting to think the Pre-season has caused some to lose there minds… it was pretty bad.
September 3rd, 2013 at 8:13 pm
Couch Fan Says:
September 3rd, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Why does Barron need to outshine another player on another team at a different position? Why is there even a comparison? Barron only needs to improve. I’m starting to think the Pre-season has caused some to lose there minds… it was pretty bad.
WOW I agree with Couch. STOP the presses!
September 3rd, 2013 at 8:18 pm
SteveK…I agree with you on Dom. It is now or never the Glazers opened up their wallet in 2012 and 2013 Dom could have spent the money how he chose. However in 2010 and 2011 did the Glazers open up their wallets? I don’t think so. Does it give Dom a pass? I don’t know. My last name is not Glazer.
September 3rd, 2013 at 8:32 pm
Fishers Rams 7-8-1
Schwartz’s Lions went 4-12
Reid’s Eagles went 4-12
Garretts Cowboys went 8-8
Schiano’s rookie season from college to the NFL took a 4-12 team to 7-9
I rest my case. Patience people. Calm down. Don’t worry be happy 😀
5 more days will answer a lot of questions.
September 3rd, 2013 at 8:36 pm
Couch,
You are right, Barron needs to be his best Barron.
We measure the GM, and ultimate decision maker on how good his picks are. Playoffs and it is all good.
I believe Barron will be really good, I just hope to see it happen.
We were the last rated Pass D in damn near history, of course the #7 overall selection, as a DB looks misguided?
Our GM should answer the public, much like a rock star, and face the music if this team fails to make the playoffs, again.
September 3rd, 2013 at 8:44 pm
“Our GM should answer the public, much like a rock star, and face the music if this team fails to make the playoffs, again.”
Tell ya what Steve if we fail to make the playoffs on the last game of the season I will make a banner up just for you, and I’m serious now no smart ass sh!t here.
It will read Dominik You Suck! the_buc_realist will come over and help me paint it.
No seriously though I will do it. Enough is enough.
September 3rd, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Why am I serious? Because I expect what your expecting. It’s no secret that I am one of the fans on here that expects a Division title this season. Couch Fan will not support me on this sign making though, because he expect’s a 6-10 season. So I guess if we go 6-10 you got what you expected.
September 3rd, 2013 at 8:51 pm
1987,
Thanks, but no banner necessary. Our record will speak for itself. 0-0 right now, and in the driver’s seat to win some games and hopefully makes the playoffs.
Lol at the idea, I like it, but I’d rather just see a “winner”.
September 3rd, 2013 at 9:00 pm
Dom has made a lot of mistakes. Raheem was a big one but he was probably shoved down his throat. Still Raheem was 1 bad call from possibly making history with a scrub team in 2010′. Dom has learned from mistakes and improved. I believe Schiano has a lot of rope to rebuild the team and more than Dom. I think Schiano will get 5 yrs or his full contract. I think the Glazers are tired of playing musical managers and you’d think they replayed the Chucky release numerous times. You will never find a other Gruden unless you can get him back. Honestly, Gruden was my favorite coach and I’d take him back tomorrow. I like Schiano but he’s no Jon Gruden.
Trying to see if we can argue something else for a change.
September 3rd, 2013 at 9:09 pm
SteveK…I’d like to see a winner too, and if it does not happen. We the fans have to find some way to get our point across to the Glazers. So if the team fails to meet our expectations why not let it be known on the last game of the season. Hey I might even wear a paper bag on my head if it gets really bad.
September 3rd, 2013 at 9:17 pm
“Honestly, Gruden was my favorite coach and I’d take him back tomorrow. I like Schiano but he’s no Jon Gruden.”
Yes but there are a few things about Schiano that reminds me of Gruden. His voice and his tone is one thing. Ever listen to Schiano on the radio, he sounds a lot like Gruden. One thing’s for sure he definately sounds like he has a lot more knowledge than Raheem. He makes me want to believe in him. Raheem on the other hand not so much at his pressers. On the other hand I remember the first few pressers with Dungy I was like, Oh boy here we go again another loser coach. Dungy just seemed so bland early on. It’s results that actually matter, and so far Schiano has only had 1 season, so it’s wait and see I guess. I believe in him because I hear it in his voice and his words.
September 3rd, 2013 at 9:21 pm
Buc1987,
If things get that bad, please wear a paper bag, the banner and a Myron Lewis Jersey.
Celebrate the powers that be.
Super Bowls are awesome, it would be really cool to get another trophy.
September 3rd, 2013 at 9:22 pm
The players are getting tired of keeping their toes on the line.
September 3rd, 2013 at 9:26 pm
And Danny knows this how?
September 3rd, 2013 at 9:47 pm
I think Revis is on a mission and wants to go off on the Jets. I look for the Bucs defense to be stifling in NY. I seethe defense on its game and Freeman doing enough to win. I also think Rex Ryan has checked out on his team.
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:06 pm
“I also think Rex Ryan has checked out on his team.”
The more I hear from Rex the more I agree with that. I know a few Jets fans and they already wanted him gone last season.
September 3rd, 2013 at 11:26 pm
Is anyone getting antsy out there? Because I’m geting antsy? I’m going friggin nuts over here. 5 more days. 5 LONG more days. Antsy!
Antsy :1. agitated, impatient, or restless.
September 3rd, 2013 at 11:50 pm
Are the Glazers looking for a winning team this year? YES, according to Bryne Glazer. He said, if the GM was trying to rebuild, he and his brothers would be patient; if there was a building of the team for a win now attitude, then they would look to win now. From that insight, anything short of 9-7 will put someone’s arse in a sling.
September 4th, 2013 at 1:43 am
JBSkiff….see that’s the way I’m looking at this season too quite like the Glazers. I’m predicting a division title. If the Bucs fall short of that I’ll settle for 10-6 and a wild card. If they fall short of that they better atleast go 9-7 or I’m sitting in the cheap seats next season. I might even go back to going to just 3 games a year in the nose bleeds if they go 6-10. It’s going to be a hard sell for my wife and I to cough up another $1,300 for an 8-8 or 7-9 team in 2013. Go Bucs, Go Glazers, you sold me this season. That’s why I’m going to be there. They better not let me down.
September 4th, 2013 at 5:31 am
I’m going to hazard a guess at the names of his sources.
Talib. Miller. Bennett. Dallas Clark.
And I’m betting the man never talked to them directly, but rather he heard of them making comments.
I don’t believe for a second it was Nicks. For one thing he was injured and didn’t practice with the team most of the year. He was barely exposed to Schiano.
I always question someone in the media that quotes unnamed sources. All it means is that the sources are fake, not credible or are still on the roster. Other than Tynes, not one current roster member has expressed frustration with the coach. In fact, all of them have bought in and it shows in interviews.
So it must be former roster members that didn’t make the cut for one reason or another.
September 4th, 2013 at 5:52 am
tampabaybucfan Says
“Not to split hairs here…but I think Bennett left because we made really no effort to keep him.”
My theory on Bennett is that he wanted the Bucs to pay him more than they were willing. He decided to test the market on a gamble and loss. The Bucs moved on, and knowing he had injury issues he took the first deal that came along.
Word of his injuries leaked soon after signing with his new team.
Bennett did work hard. And he probably bought into the “we’re saving our money to resign our veterans” line from Dominick. So he likely felt betrayed.
Unfortunately from him, he really wasn’t good enough to resign. It took him forever to have a year like last year and I doubt he will ever do that again.
September 4th, 2013 at 9:24 am
i keep seeing alot of people pointing out some of doms bad moves, but somehow leave out players like barron,david, martin, and vjack sure he missed with some but he nailed some too. young g.m. that seems to learn from his mistakes, the dashon signing and the revis trade are still up for judgement but if he hadnt aquired those 2 guys im sure peoples heads would be exploding… now i do think the big question mark on doms resume is still freeman……. if freeman can somehow step up and build off of last seasons bucs passing “records” then all the moves dom has made will make this team a legit contender… lets not forget that he also seems to have drafted a couple of solid players this year in banks and spence… building a team takes a long time and you and i have to be patient