Michael Bennett Blasts Greg Schiano
October 24th, 2013
An NFL.com feature exposes various reports unflattering to Greg Schiano
Joe has written time and again how the Bucs swung and missed worse than a Karlos Pena at-bat when they didn’t re-sign defensive end Michael Bennett in the offseason.
Yes, Bennett, who led the Bucs in sacks last year, was damaged goods. But that was why he was so cheap. And besides, if he couldn’t hack playing in the NFL because of being damaged goods, you cut him, or you make an injury settlement. It happens every year on virtually every team.
Raheem Morris, who as bad as he was isn’t looking so terrible today given the current state of the Bucs, had a famous saying, “I will tolerate you until I can replace you.” Well apparently, Bucs commander Greg Schiano couldn’t tolerate Bennett and he sure as hell hasn’t replaced him.
Bennett, known for candid commentary, was buttonholed by Maoist Michael Silver of NFL.com and completely unloaded on his former Bucs coach.
In a story that is scathing towards Schiano, Silver spoke with former Bucs players from last year and only Bennett, aopparently, was willing to go on the record.
“I think he just wants to flex his power,” Bennett says. “He has small (man’s) syndrome. I still talk to guys who are there, and trust me, there’s not much respect for him in that locker room.”
Bennett recounted a few stories about Schiano and his alleged iron-fisted ways. One was Bennett’s distaste for the Schiano kneel-down and Bennett claims when the Bucs tried this stunt against the Broncos last year, Peyton Manning was so incensed that he had an expletive-laced tirade at Schiano after the game.
“Peyton cussed him out,” recalls former Bucs defensive end Michael Bennett, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent last March. “And I ain’t never heard Peyton cuss.”
According to Bennett, Bucs players weren’t thrilled with Schiano’s legal-but-dubious decree, either.
“People just really hate it when you have to dive at people’s legs,” Bennett says. “At the end of the day, we’ve got to keep going and move onto the next game and try to make a living. Some of these guys (on other teams) are our friends.”
Though Bucs players won’t go on record undermining Schiano for the Schiano kneel-down, it is clear they don’t like it. You want to see Gerald McCoy turn from happy to depressed in an instant? Ask him about the kneel-down.
Now before Joe gets going here, Joe must be fair and point out that Silver, for reasons unknown, has been a harsh critic of Schiano’s before the ink was dry on his contract with the Bucs. In previous articles, seems to have an ax to grind with Schiano. Silver apparently would love nothing more than to dance on Schiano’s NFL grave.
Bennett’s comments, thought, should not distract why Schiano is deservedly on the hot seat. You lose 11 of 12 games and start a season 0-6 with no end to the losing in sight, well, in the NFL, it’s time to start updating your resume and buy moving boxes.
Joe’s pretty confident after this story is out, it is very clear why the Bucs did not retain the services of their sack leader, an area in which the Bucs are woefully inept.
October 24th, 2013 at 11:32 am
Joel/Ed/Bryan-
Please put an end to this. Please.
October 24th, 2013 at 11:33 am
I’d take Bennett over Schiano every day of the week. A real shame we lost him because our leadership is a clown show.
October 24th, 2013 at 11:34 am
If Bennett isn’t a Schiano man then i don’t want “Schiano men” on my team
October 24th, 2013 at 11:37 am
And the hits just keep on coming….
October 24th, 2013 at 11:41 am
Schiano may have realized Bennett wasn’t on board with his coaching style. It would be a good reason not to re-sign your sack leader. It’s become clear that Schiano is a “my way or the highway” guy. The fact that Schiano’s style of coaching isn’t translating to wins is the real problem. Players can deal with hard nosed coaches as long as they’re winning.
October 24th, 2013 at 11:44 am
Schiano coaching tactics and stupidity will be the reason he is gone and the reason the Bucs will land their franchise QB next year.
0-7 here we come and I guess we can thank him for something.
October 24th, 2013 at 11:45 am
If you are mad at Schiano, you best be mad at Dominick.
October 24th, 2013 at 11:46 am
You know when this losing streak started, I blamed the players. But after each lost I find myself blaming the scheme and coaching. There is no excuse for this team to be 0-6. Probably looking at 0-7 after tonight.
Every week is a busted coverage or a wrong route run by a WR/TE. A missed blocking assignment. MEMO TO SCHIANO: YOUR SCHEME IS GARBAGE. ITS NOT WORKING. CHANGE SOMETHING.
We are parading our guys out there every week with the same plan and failing. Great coaching.
A small part of me is almost hoping we get clobbered tonight so we can move towards a new regime. Its not what any of us wanted when he was hired, but its obvious his time is just about up.
Glazers, cut the cord.
October 24th, 2013 at 11:47 am
Maybe the Law of Averages will catch up with Bucs. After hiring two horrible coaches, maybe the next one will be worth keeping
October 24th, 2013 at 11:49 am
Scathing, scathing article. I don’t know what more needs to be said or how many games we need to lose before this clown gets fired. Absolutely embarrassing.
October 24th, 2013 at 11:50 am
Lol this is why “Little General” is the perfect nickname for Schiano.
October 24th, 2013 at 11:55 am
THis is one classy dude,
October 24th, 2013 at 11:56 am
Hard to say where the Glazers stand. Will a loss tonight force their hand?
Or, has Schiano convinced them that Freeman was his albatross? Did the Glazers/Dom force Schiano to stick with Freeman longer than he wanted, and have they agreed to give him x number of games with Glennon out of fairness?
At some point, mounting losses trump everything. With Dave Wannstedt on staff, a mid-season firing of Schiano really wouldn’t disrupt things too much, even though the Glazers aren’t typically known for that type of action.
I wonder what the magic number is.
October 24th, 2013 at 11:56 am
Butch better dust off his playbook, he may be needing it come Friday morning…
October 24th, 2013 at 11:57 am
Guys wait, wait a second.
The Buccaneers “need Greg Schiano.”
We “are going to turn it around.”
We “are going to win our fair share of games.”
We “were a laughingstock.”
October 24th, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Yup. Sigh. 🙁
October 24th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Im not surprised.
October 24th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Sounds like another disgruntled employee. Bennett is a good player but don’t get things twisted…he never planned on resigning here. He doesn’t like schiano and chose to sign elsewhere. Those complaining about Dom “letting Bennett go” need to open their eyes.
if they don’t want to be here then let them leave. I for one don’t really miss Bennett and think he really disappeared when he was needed most.
October 24th, 2013 at 12:08 pm
@ flmike, is back…
I don’t think Butch Davis would be the interim HC, because of the clause in his NC deal that prohibits him from doing any on-field coaching. He would either have to forfeit that deal, or the Glazers would have to buy out his contract (which they have said they would do if needed).
However, I don’t think the Glazers are going to buy out Davis’ deal just for him to be the interim coach for the rest of a losing season.
October 24th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
He didn’t “choose” to sign elsewhere, he was forced to because Schiano didn’t want him. The “damaged goods” line was a front.
October 24th, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Ding… ding… ding!
October 24th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Glazers just ate $8 million in releasing Freeman. And they are going to have to swallow about $9 million from Schiano when he gets canned. OUCH.
October 24th, 2013 at 12:15 pm
This is the most scathing article I’ve read on NFL.com toward a coach.
October 24th, 2013 at 12:25 pm
@Justin,
They will find a way to write off that 17 million.
October 24th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
@justin – not if the org can help prove Schiano leaked Freeman’s confidential info. Then they can fire him with cause.
If the Bucs lose today and fire Schiano tomorrow, look for full participation from with the NFLPA by the bucs….
October 24th, 2013 at 12:29 pm
This bothers me because I’ve always said if “known” sources came out as opposed to “unnamed sources” I would rethink my believe in all these “dictator” type accusations.
I mean I already want Schiano’s ass gone and I can”t stop replaying that’d damn FG in my head but this is pretty serious IMO.
Bennet is a very soft spoken, kind, humble individual and for him to go out of his way and say this I feel like he’s being a voice for those that cannot really speak out because they are still there.
I always said one of the worst moves Dom could have made in his Buc career would be not resigning Bennet and he indeed did not do it. That being said, with his past two years I don’t know if he deserves the boot but I don’t care if he does get it.
My only question is why was Bennett so adamant about wanting to return if he hated it so much?
Either way, this doesn’t help Schiano’s case.
October 24th, 2013 at 12:31 pm
There’s now a Fire Schiano billboard up
October 24th, 2013 at 12:33 pm
@Joe
Who has personnel control, bottomline?
October 24th, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Im all for firing Schiano. I also was one of the ones saying letting Bennett go was a major mistake But you got to take anything Bennett says with a grain of salt.
Before the off-season Bennett clearly stated several times he WANTED to be a Buc. Then when he signed with Seattle he said he felt disrespected by the team… and now everything that comes out of his mouth is nothing but garbage and hatred and negative. That in itself is a motive to just spew nonsense. He felt disrespected and now he will do anything it takes to dish out the disrespect. Just stfu Bennett and enjoy being on a better team.
October 24th, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Funny, I remember Bennett saying the Buc’s offer wasn’t enough, but he did want to remain a Buc. So…. if the money was right he would have remained with the Bucs and Schiano. Hmmm interesting?
The Bucs made Bennett a contract offer he deemed unsatisfactory. “It wasn’t good obviously,” Bennett said. “If it was good I would have took it and been a Buccaneer but so I’m just moving on and seeing what’s out there for me.”
October 24th, 2013 at 12:39 pm
“Peyton cussed him out,” recalls former Bucs defensive end Michael Bennett, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent last March. “And I ain’t never heard Peyton cuss.”
I guess he’s never watched some of the sideline cussing matches Peyton got into with Saturday or his OC.
October 24th, 2013 at 12:43 pm
Just WOW.
October 24th, 2013 at 12:49 pm
Davis was due a total of 1.8 million, payable in 3 installments (2013-15) of 590,000, he is still due 1.2 mil, I’m sure if the Glazers want him bad enough, they’d just buy out the remainder UNC settlement.
October 24th, 2013 at 12:59 pm
I’d say that article pretty much sums things up.
So Joe, any guesses as to when the Bucs will be competitive again?
I’m not even talking Playoffs… let’s just get to 8-8….
October 24th, 2013 at 1:01 pm
Schian0-6 is going down tonight
October 24th, 2013 at 1:04 pm
Butch Davis is Schiano’s advisor, so why in the world would the Glazers hire the man who is supposed to be advising the man they’re firing (and pay 3 years of Schiano’s contract, along with 2 years of Davis’)? This is a billion-dollar business, people, not a fantasy land where everyone gets along all the time. The only thing that matters in big-business is success, and if Schiano doesn’t turn the team around quickly, that alone will be the reason he is gone.
October 24th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
BUTCH DAVIS =GM (2 years with bucs and two good drafts is it really DOM)
NORVE TURNER =COACH
WIENSTED= D COORDINATOR
Butch at this time does not have control ocer schiano decison he just gives advise
October 24th, 2013 at 2:06 pm
“Now before Joe gets going here, Joe must be fair and point out that Silver, for reasons unknown, has been a harsh critic of Schiano’s before the ink was dry on his contract with the Bucs. In previous articles, seems to have an ax to grind with Schiano. Silver apparently would love nothing more than to dance on Schiano’s NFL grave.”
Its not just Silver. There seems to be a whole slew of media types that want to see Schiano never work again for some reason. I get it, his management style doesn’t mesh with overpaid athletes. But to demonize him to the point where everyone in the country thinks he’s a garbage human being is just wrong. I think he’s a good guy and coaches the only way he knows how. And its clear that it wont work on a pro level. I just don’t get the blind hatred.
October 24th, 2013 at 2:08 pm
why do people think butch davis would make a good coach? have you taken your meds today?
October 24th, 2013 at 2:25 pm
If the Buccs get blown out tonight Schiano will not make it through the weekend as coach. No need to torment the players with a mini napoleon that cannot win a game.
October 24th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Joe you criticize all other EX-Bucs for saying something about Schiano after they leave but don’t about Bennett?
Also thought all the stories about the Bucs would end now that Freeman was gone? All we are hearing about now is other topics on how BADLY this team has been coached.. How our star CB is being used incorrectly.. Teams cleaning the visiting locker room for MRSA.. Former players saying how much of a prick Schiano is.. Billboards sprouting up in Tampa now.. This stuff isn’t stopping till hes fired so I think you should calm your dislike for Freeman not giving an interview and realize it wasn’t just because of him there was all these stories to begin with.
October 24th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
$$$$. The Glazers can handle bad press and second-guessing, but having committed to spend enough to televise the remaining home games as long as “enough” tickets are sold Schiano’s job is probably safe this year. Many may believe a coaching change sooner is better, but it doesn’t look like they’re going to act during the season. Enough empty seats might change their minds.
October 24th, 2013 at 2:52 pm
This is it.
With the flood of “We Hate Schiano” stories on the wires today with the national media staring at Tampa Bay, I’m going to go on record right now as saying that a Bucs loss means Schiano is fired by noon tomorrow.
There isn’t this much venom flooding the media for nothing. Something REALLY stinks in the state of Denmark.
October 24th, 2013 at 3:03 pm
Sir P:
What would you prefer Joe to write about, the guy who shines the helmets before games?
October 24th, 2013 at 3:08 pm
Sir don’t be nieve. Schiano is directly responsible for this holocaust of a season.
I don’t feel any kind of way towards his future.
October 24th, 2013 at 3:15 pm
Joe knows Bennett. Good dude. Has credibility with Joe.
He’s not 100 percent. This is fairly common knowledge by now. So Schiano should use him in press-man and have him blow the knee out again just so you can wrap yourself at night with your blanky saying to yourself, “MMMMMMMMM! Revis played press-man. MMMMMMMM! Revis played press-man. MMMMMMMM! Revis played press-man.”
This subject is so completely overblown.
A significant reason why the Bucs stink is how Freeman melted down mentally and tried to Pearl Harbor the team so he could selfishly leave. He was the franchise quarterback and his void has far-reaching implications for months if not years.
October 24th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
Schiano is not absolved from blame.
Why can the Tampa Bay 620 afternoon Bad Dog refuse to recognize the UTTER FAILURE THAT IS JOSH FREEMAN?
Schiano may get the ax, and if he goes, Dom better go with him.
Freeman flopped the last 3 years on us, this is not all on Schiano.
Why does the radio host call our starting QB “Opey” and “Bean Stalk”, but he can’t even objectively talk about Freeman?
Is the host on Freeman’s payroll? Sure seems that way!
October 24th, 2013 at 3:20 pm
Joe,
If Revis isn’t recovered, than it is on Dom for not stocking the roster with healthy and productive players.
Why is Mike Bennett not on our team?
We need a guy who can create his own pass rush. Give me Clowney before a QB. We need a darn pass rush.
October 24th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
SteveK:
The answer is in this story.
October 24th, 2013 at 3:28 pm
Thanks Joe, just curious as to why we suck so bad too.
I understand where the players are coming from.
Maybe if we had a better scheme, the kneel down rush would not be required.
BS is that kneel down rush.
BS is not adapting to a PROFESSIONAL level.
BS is losing, losing and losing some more.
October 24th, 2013 at 4:20 pm
“Its not just Silver. There seems to be a whole slew of media types that want to see Schiano never work again for some reason. I get it, his management style doesn’t mesh with overpaid athletes. But to demonize him to the point where everyone in the country thinks he’s a garbage human being is just wrong. I think he’s a good guy and coaches the only way he knows how. And its clear that it wont work on a pro level. I just don’t get the blind hatred.”
————
It’s not blind hatred. Blind hatred would mean there are no facts or information to back up the hate, which is obviously not the case. You saying he is a “good guy” is blind, because you’ve probably never even met the guy. The only thing I can think of that could give you that impression is how he dealt with the Eric Legrand situation. I’ll definitely give him credit for that (and it has been widely reported, so it’s not like his good has been ignored), but I don’t believe that one thing trumps everything else.
He is being attacked because he has angered so many people. There’s nothing blind about it. Add to that he’s been losing, and this is what you get. It’s justifiable, and not going to end.
October 24th, 2013 at 4:22 pm
Bennett is full of crap. Really.
We have several outspoken individuals on the team, Revis for one. Penn. Even Jackson has been outspoken in the past.
If they didn’t like Schiano they would not be shy about saying so.
October 24th, 2013 at 4:26 pm
I agree with the kneel down rush. I NEVER liked the kneel down at all. To me, it is short changing the ticket buyers. If you pay for 60 minutes you should get the full 60, not 59 minutes and 15 seconds.
The ONLY reason caused a stink is because it was unexpected. Now it is. It’s easy to deal with. And I’ve seen other teams do it since so this is borderline hypocrisy.
October 24th, 2013 at 4:50 pm
The only players that put up with Schiano are the high paid or can’t make another roster. Bennett played very good deserved a raise and the GM/Coach let him go for nothing. When the head coach depletes the roster because of personal preferences over talent as a GM you have to step in. This coach was hired because the GM sat on his hands while all potential candidates were scooped up. Changes need to made all the way to the top.
October 24th, 2013 at 4:51 pm
Okay so because a player has good cred with you means you trash everyone who doesn’t? Are you not a reporter? Maybe you should just report it on everyone instead of showing favoritism.. Not trying to be a smartass just a suggestion.
Its funny that you believe Schiano of ALL people about Revis not being completely healthy but from what everyone else sees on tape he looks back to his old self.. Very unprofessional of you too come on seriously?
So you EXPECT Freeman or ANYONE to want to play for a coach who first hires a QB coach to NOT teach MECHANICS quick can you tell me what his problem was in college? MECHANICS and reading defenses.. Then at first WANTS competition at QB then backtracks and says Freeman is the QB of the future doesn’t want competition.. Then tries to trade for Carson Palmer for insurance(insurance my ass).. Then drafts a 3rd Round QB instead of another offensive weapon(supposedly we had all these toys was your line..what a load of hot garbage that was) to groom to be a backup to Freeman.. Then decides to play Freeman less than any other starting QB in the Pre-Season other than RGIII(Injury).. Was giving Glennon 1st team reps all along instead of them all going to Freeman(Mike Williams Source) gives him the worlds most generic offensive scheme (run run DEEP pass)… Comes out after 3 games saying hes the starter blah blah blah.. Wednesday hes no longer the starter.. Won’t let him do any interviews without some stupid Bucs PR consultant standing next to him? The dude had it out for him for the longest time and you expect someone to want to play for him? They should have just traded him in the offseason to someone instead of the hot garbage SCHIANO CREATED… Who honestly gives a shit if he misses a team photo thats at 7:15 am for no reason? Ya he was late to practice whoa CALL THE PRESS I mean where was all these stories when DAVIN JOSEPH TEAM CAPTAIN was late to practice? The only thing that was messed up was missing his own QB thing for the kids.. Sounds to me like a whole lot of BUCS players don’t want to play for the BARELY AVG BIG EAST RECORD COACH who treats his players like college kids…Freeman just happened to be in his last year of his contract unlike most of our IMPORTANT players so ya they HAVE to tolerate this bullshit.
October 24th, 2013 at 4:56 pm
And no I’m not a “FREEMANITE” I keep saying this and will continue to.. I wanted a QB from this draft class LONG before last years draft and wanted a NEW Head Coach the second I heard Schiano was hired.. He’s terrible and anyone thats not legally blind can see that.. He was barely relevant in College why the hell would anyone believe he would be worth a piss in the NFL?
October 24th, 2013 at 5:08 pm
Look who it is!
Ahahaha.
“And no I’m not a “FREEMANITE” ”
Does it sound more believable the more you type it?
October 24th, 2013 at 5:16 pm
look its the kid who has more online friends then in real life and who has NEVER been to a BUCS game or played FOOTBALL before.. Why don’t you TRY and say something intelligent on the subject or troll somewhere else?
October 24th, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Bwahahahaha
So easy to spot.
Nice try though 😉
October 24th, 2013 at 6:12 pm
Omniscient as usual I see…
LoL
October 24th, 2013 at 7:08 pm
wow getting ugly in tampa nfl network is blasting this coach this needs to end soon sick of listening to it
October 24th, 2013 at 7:11 pm
Bennets not full of crap wait till this guy gets fired than we will hear all the players talk it will be shocking
October 24th, 2013 at 7:25 pm
Now let’s see that’s Bennett, Winslow, Talib, Blount, way to go Schiano the one that tells me Schiano suxs is Blount gone but brings in Rutgers Leonard think Blount was the better pick but didn’t by into Schiano
October 24th, 2013 at 9:05 pm
Is the Hail Mary outlawed? Guys can still get hurt on the Hail Mary. Ok, the chances are much less than a Hail Mary but there is still a chance. It’s already changed the game. Look teams are adjusting and snapping to a shotgun position. Shotgun snaps do go badly. Not often but there is a chance.
…still little league but does offer a chance. To be a professional or to have a chance? First time it wins a game, the coach becomes innovative. For now he is the goat. May take 20 years…but there is a chance.