Sparano Play Could Be Imminent
January 14th, 2015
Joe wrote three weeks ago about how Bucs fans should be on “Tony Sparano Watch.”
That is taking center stage for Joe today.
The Raiders are set to announce Jack Del Rio as their next head coach, and the Oakland staff still employed appears to be moving on. That includes 2014 interim head coach and offensive line guru Tony Sparano. He’s under contract in Oakland, but there’s little reason to think he’ll stick around.
Even former Bucs offensive coordinator Greg Olson, who had the same position with the Raiders the past two seasons, is even getting a sniff today for the OC gig in Jacksonville, per NFL Network.
It seems Olson is being lauded as a bit of a quarterback whisperer for his work with Drew Brees, Josh Freeman, getting Terrelle Pryor up to speed in a pinch in 2013, and for doing wonders with super 2014 rookie QB Derek Carr. The Jags have Blake Bortles and fired their OC a couple of weeks ago.
Joe’s been mingling through East-West Shrine Game action in St. Petersburg this week, in addition to chats with many NFL types following the regular season, and Joe feels very comfortable projecting the Bucs will make a run at Sparano, if he becomes available. Remember, Lovie pursued him once before.
What role Sparano could fill is unclear. But it’s hard for Joe to believe the Bucs would evaluate offensive line coach George Warhop and determine he is the best O-line coach available to the team.
Of course, there’s no knowing now whether Sparano would consider a Bucs job attractive. It’s surely not the most stable NFL environment.
January 14th, 2015 at 5:55 pm
We just need a great line coach.
January 14th, 2015 at 5:55 pm
Its a shame that they did mot get Marinelli. And if they had hired Mcdaniels for OC and then hired Sparano for o-line coach. I really don’t care for the bucs winning anymore. I just want them to have the record of former head coaches on staff.
January 14th, 2015 at 5:55 pm
Environment may be more stable than most…..record can’t get much worse…..have the #1 pick……two HC getting paid…..new OC/2yrs….
If Fox wasn’t safe….nobody is!!!
January 14th, 2015 at 5:57 pm
It would be a huge feather in Lovie’s cap if he is able to talk Sparano into coming here to coach the OLine. May have to offer him an additional title and some nice $ incentive to make it happen – but I hope all efforts possible will be made to do whatever it takes to get him to come fix our OL problems. Getrdone L&L!
January 14th, 2015 at 5:58 pm
Let all the haters come out for this one as well. I’m sure.
Something new for the losers to bash and whine and cry about.
As for me I’m a true bucs fan and they are gonna be winners soon and all these haters are gonna suck it.
This will be an upgrade for sure if they can get him.
Good things are coming here in Tampa.
Get on board now or get out of the way or better yet you losers go hang yourselves and do the world a favor.
Good things coming.
Suck my as haters!!!
January 14th, 2015 at 6:01 pm
How old are you Kevin ?….probably not old enough to be a “true Buc fan”…
January 14th, 2015 at 6:01 pm
” It’s surely not the most stable NFL environment.”
I think that’s probably true with virtually all NFL franchises. Ask John Fox. All he did was win 4 division titles, an AFC Championship, and more than 80% of his games over the past three years.
Can we say Jim Harbaugh? The ONLY people with any kind of stability are Belichek and maybe McCarthy in Green Bay. For everybody else it’s just “Win Baby”.
Now Joe if your point is that the Bucs look talent depleted that’s not necessarily true. The Bucs can win next year and certainly begin building for a real run in 2-3 years.
Koetter had choices and selected us. He detailed why in his presser yesterday. We have some really good building blocks and we are picking #! in the draft!!!
And remember picking first in the draft means a high pick in EVERY round not just the first. We alternate with Jax I believe but the 2nd pick in the 2nd round is pretty similar to a late first round pick. Is the talent available at 34 really that inferior to the talent at say 26?
January 14th, 2015 at 6:01 pm
Fan since 1987.
You?
January 14th, 2015 at 6:02 pm
Would love if we can make this happen!
January 14th, 2015 at 6:03 pm
Greg Olsen sucks at OC….
January 14th, 2015 at 6:03 pm
Do you really think this will happen? It would be nice just let me know when we sign him.
January 14th, 2015 at 6:04 pm
@joesfunginails
^^^^^^^^^^
The dude with that name asked me how old I was?
Lmmfao
January 14th, 2015 at 6:07 pm
Bill Callahan is available as well for O-line.
January 14th, 2015 at 6:07 pm
Blast me as the cockeyed optimist but things do not look nearly so gloomy to me anymore. Lovie is building an all star coaching staff. If he gets Sparano the offense begins to look very promising. With Sparano handling the line and Koetter the OC there is no reason this team can’t win 8-10 games in our putrid division.
If the Bucs hadn’t snatched defeat from the jaws of victory so many times we could have easily been 6-10 this year. We did not win once again the three crappy teams in our division…there’s four possible wins there if we just hold home court.
No matter which way we go in the draft we should still be competitive in our lousy division and thanks to our record we get an easy schedule.
January 14th, 2015 at 6:08 pm
“TheKevin” Says:
January 14th, 2015 at 6:01 pm
Fan since 1987.
You?
I’ve had season tickets since 1987…lol…
January 14th, 2015 at 6:13 pm
@stpetebucfan
I like the way you think.
I’m with you. Things are turning around.
January 14th, 2015 at 6:14 pm
@fungusnails
Whateve
January 14th, 2015 at 6:14 pm
Gee, golly whiz JoeJoe, I’m 60 years old and have been a Buc fan since 1977 and I prefer the way The Kevin feels and think much more than trolls like you, DB55, Ray Rice, BucRealist, etc., etc.
All you trolls ever belch out is something negative like BucRealists last post.
I much prefer reading The Kevin or even someone who criticises but bases it on fact rather than their gut feeling like, “Fire Lovie and hire Marinelli.”
Seriously, comments like that are just stupid. Much like yours.
Most of you guys are trolls who are really fans of other teams and just post out here to annoy and irritate cause that is all you have going in your sad pathetic lives.
You have a nice day
January 14th, 2015 at 6:15 pm
@thekevin
no where to go but up!
January 14th, 2015 at 6:18 pm
ddneast…I was at the 1st ever preseason game…had season tickets 0-26….seen just about it all live….
I was some excited walking into the home opener this year…by the time it was over I knew something was fundamentally WRONG….and it is Lovie !
January 14th, 2015 at 6:26 pm
I think nobody here are haters, I think we hate losing. The last time we had a winning season it was with Raheem Morris.(10-6) That wasn’t even a play-off season. When is the last time we had a play off season? We all hope we start winning, but we have to make the necessary changes. Warhop is not a good OL coach, and just look at who he brought with him. We need a better OL coach. I hope our new OC brings in some better coaches. After Raheem and the lazy days…Shiano and the toes on the line days, MRSA, and now Lovie and a 2-14 season things can only get better, right?
January 14th, 2015 at 6:30 pm
Uh Oh. Someone order some new handcuffs. Andy is out of town again, and the over-zealous Barny Fife Buc fans (kev,ddneast) have arrested everyone. The cells are full!!
January 14th, 2015 at 6:32 pm
I would think he’ll wait to see if Dallas opens up first before he considers other jobs. Better job security and a boatload of young talent on the line. It’s an OLine coach’s dream job really.
January 14th, 2015 at 6:33 pm
I am just glad that (Kev, ddneast) have figured out the problem here. I mean Lovie is on his third OC with the bucs. what could go wrong??? at least lovie now has a backup plan if things don’t go so well this year. He can work FOR Marinelli as Linebacker Coach in Dallas!
January 14th, 2015 at 7:02 pm
He will use the Bucs to get more cash, like he did last year, and like Rod did this year.
January 14th, 2015 at 7:02 pm
We see what happens when we get our hopes up and feed off the media. It doesn’t happen…
BucLuck is still in action.
January 14th, 2015 at 7:03 pm
@The Buc Realist
I’m just glad that your an idiot..
January 14th, 2015 at 7:15 pm
Fk sparano bring back Penn. Actually bring in sparano too.
January 14th, 2015 at 7:23 pm
@Hilobuc – *you’re
January 14th, 2015 at 7:26 pm
Why hasn’t Warhol been fired yet? He should’ve been given a pink slip after the New Orleans win!
January 14th, 2015 at 7:31 pm
@realitycheck
I don’t blame hilobuc. I blame the Florida school system! I also wonder what his new screen name will be?
January 14th, 2015 at 7:43 pm
@Joe says,
“…What role Sparano could fill is unclear. But it’s hard for Joe to believe the Bucs would evaluate offensive line coach George Warhop and determine he is the best O-line coach available to the team…”
This is something I don’t get. Unlike most other teams, we have not fired any coaches, in particular Warhop (Arroyo would be another obvious choice). My thought was the Bucs are letting Mr. Koetter make those decisions. But IMO, if the new OC said he likes either of these guys, I would cancel his new contract.
What’s up with this?
January 14th, 2015 at 7:53 pm
Just curious, but you people who come in here and constantly get nasty with other posters because you don’t like their opinion, does this make you feel smarter? Superior? Maybe better looking? Good luck with that…
Fans typically have different opinions. When they are fans of a team that has the worst record in the NFL, you can bet a lot of opinions are not going to be very positive. IMO, I think some of the stuff Lovie has done has been down right idiotic. So, why don’t you try to express your thoughts without the 2-year old name calling
January 14th, 2015 at 7:54 pm
Why is there no article on Marcus Mariota declaring today?? Yet the moment Winston declared, Joe couldn’t post it fast enough. I went through this last year wih Manziel now it’s Winston. The favoritism on this website is getting old. I find myself self coming here less and less
January 14th, 2015 at 7:55 pm
When Lovie got here.. O-line was getting old
There was no Franchise-caliber qb
Bucs were mediocre.
Sometimes you gotta take a step back to move forward. Because we really took a plunge back, we may leap forward. I got you clowns the best draft status. Simple as that.
January 14th, 2015 at 7:57 pm
@Danati
After Raheem and the lazy days…Shiano and the toes on the line days, MRSA, and now Lovie and a 2-14 season things can only get better, right?
I’m with you Daniti! At some point the law of averages is on our side. Even the blind squirrel finds the acorn once in awhile. And I say that seriously not snarkily.
January 14th, 2015 at 8:31 pm
@Harry
I get the feeling there wont be many changes taking place. Sounds stupid and idiotic but its right in line with Lovies other bone headed mistakes.
January 14th, 2015 at 8:35 pm
If everybody only had positive opinions on the Bucs maneuvers and past exploits that would be boring. That’s like the government trying to limit free speech. You can’t just bury the past and pretend it’s ancient history. We must be optimistic because what else is there to look forward to when it comes to our beloved Bucs.
January 14th, 2015 at 8:45 pm
I would love this hire if possible. He would give us a chance to have a real offensive line way faster than we could without him. If they don’t want to use the title of OLine coach. Hire him as an offensive assistant HC. We need him to help our line. Do whatever is necessary to make this happen please L&L.
January 14th, 2015 at 8:49 pm
trolls like you, DB55, Ray Rice, BucRealist, etc., etc.
All you trolls ever belch out is something negative like BucRealists last post.
———————–
I’m truly honored to be mentioned w Ray ray, realist and big Joe of all people. I just want to thank god, my parents, Lovie smith for being such a loser and GMC for all the ice cream I sincerely could not have done it without them. Most importantly I like to thank all my haters. I love you all, now go sick a duck. That means you dd.
January 14th, 2015 at 8:53 pm
I wouldn’t be shocked if Arroyo stays. Just because he wasn’t prepared to be an NFL OC doesn’t mean he isn’t a good QB coach. Of course, with last year’s debacle it’s hard to know. I hope Koetter has the chance to interview a few guys and make the QB coach decision himself. I can’t see holding onto Warhop if Sparano is available and interested in coming to the Bucs. I guess we should know something in the next week or sooner.
January 14th, 2015 at 8:54 pm
I do not consider DB55 or Ray Rice, Buc Realist as trolls.
While I am the cockeyed optimist I respect their toss of ice water on that optimism. Balance is good. If it wasn’t for these guys the rest of us would simply be co-dependents with the Buc Management supporting them even when they’re wrong.
I agree with these guys that huge mistakes have been made. But we do have a core of talent on this team. We do have not just number 1 in the draft but either the top pick or close to it in each subsequent round plus additional picks.
We do play in the crappiest division in the NFL. We will have an easier schedule based on our suckitude this past year. We did finally just hire a coach who knows a little about offense. Things are looking up to me.
But I appreciate DB55, Ray Rice and the Realist keeping us all grounded.
January 14th, 2015 at 8:56 pm
@Cascade
You’re going to lose your JBF blogging privileges if you keep posting rational thoughts without any hyperbole or ad hom. Who the hell gave you the right to make perfect sense?
January 14th, 2015 at 8:58 pm
Ty sir
January 14th, 2015 at 9:06 pm
De Nada.
January 14th, 2015 at 9:08 pm
You know, it IS possible Sparano would want to come here. Just as the new OC will get his choice of Quarterbacks (if both declare), the oline coach will get fresh meat and a lot of say in the offensive line additions.
He’d basically get to build it the way he wants, with whom he wants.
January 14th, 2015 at 9:09 pm
And it seems I am late to the game tonight. Marcus Mariota declared for the draft earlier today. That makes me a very happy camper 🙂
January 14th, 2015 at 9:09 pm
Sporano has had success with all the offenses he has had a hand in dating back to his days in Dallas before he shipped off to Miami to take a crack at head coaching. Hiring himas the OL coach would be an obvious upgrade over Warhop but we have to remember that even the greatest chef in the world can only do so much with a plate of rotting garbage; the Bucs need to upgrade almost every component of the OL if they have any intention of keeping their qb healthy and productive in 2015 and hopefully that qb will be a rookie with a lot of upside, not McNown…. Simply put: do we want the 2015 Bucs qb to get sacked 8 times in a game like Blake Bortles was abused in Jacksonville this past season? Of course not, Sporano will coach the talent to the best of its ability, but one must have some talent on the roster to begin with; currently the Bucs have little to none….
January 14th, 2015 at 9:13 pm
Buccfan37 Says
“If everybody only had positive opinions on the Bucs maneuvers and past exploits that would be boring.”
But we do need a balance, and unfortunately, we don’t get that here. The really good posters…like, say, BamBam, have not been around lately.
January 14th, 2015 at 9:14 pm
@Fort Myers Dave
I think the offensive line changes are an obvious need. Draft the QB, Draft oline. Sign more oline. Get safeties in that are worthwhile and we’re balling next year.
January 14th, 2015 at 9:14 pm
I will take anyone that will make the team better. But not get my hopes up just because they hire someone. l will take it one game at a time from now on. It’s just to hard to get let down the way we have anymore.
January 14th, 2015 at 9:17 pm
DB55 Says:
January 14th, 2015 at 8:49 pm
I’m truly honored to be mentioned w Ray ray, realist and big Joe of all people. I just want to thank god, my parents, Lovie smith for being such a loser and GMC for all the ice cream I sincerely could not have done it without them. Most importantly I like to thank all my haters. I love you all
@DB55, Thanks for the laughs, for a minute I thought I was at the oscars..
January 14th, 2015 at 9:21 pm
Sparano would be an instant upgrade, if he would be willing to come to Tampa. There has to be some accountability for the disaster of an offensive line. Lovie and Licht don’t seem to want to take the blame, even though they’re the ones responsible. Warhop is the next man down the ladder.
January 14th, 2015 at 9:25 pm
Found this blurb I remember from Sportscenter back when Sporano was still with Dallas and the Sopranos TV show was winding down; I think they’ve edited out the part where the Sopranos call Mayne a moron…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GikdKGjD2M
January 14th, 2015 at 9:29 pm
Soggy
Lol. Hopefully Joe start holding “New Poster Orientation” so we can be taught how to think and what to say. #MURICA
January 14th, 2015 at 9:37 pm
Thought Joe would have posted that Mariota has filed to be eligible for the NFL draft a few hours ago, like he did for the next Florida State Prison member, Shameis. But he hasn’t, hmmmmmm, imagine that. When Shameis went eligible, it was up within a few minutes. Come on just, just be fair.
January 14th, 2015 at 9:37 pm
@DB55, LOL, How about seal clubbing management classes.. 🙂
January 14th, 2015 at 10:18 pm
Mayock on Winston, “But the question’s going to be, If you draft him No. 1 overall or No. 2, 3, or whatever, do you want this kid who’s had all these off the field issues to be the face of the franchise? And that’s a big deal given all that has gone on in the NFL this last year.”
January 14th, 2015 at 10:56 pm
The Buc Realist Says:
January 14th, 2015 at 6:15 pm
“@thekevin
no where to go but up!”
You said that to me in 2013 Realist under Schiano and we went backwards.
January 14th, 2015 at 11:15 pm
Entertaining reading these comments. More so than the articles themselves.
And much of the time nothing to do with it lol.
January 14th, 2015 at 11:16 pm
Yes I did. But who did I tell it to in 2011? And bonus question who did I tell it to in 2009?
January 14th, 2015 at 11:18 pm
Ah ha ha…I wasn’t here!
I had NO idea I’d get an answer so quickly. I expected to wait until the morning.
Do you work for Jimmy John’s?
January 14th, 2015 at 11:20 pm
Well quit jinxing us…we might only get 1 win next season. Then again, that would mean 1st pick again. Yipeee!
January 14th, 2015 at 11:27 pm
TheKevin says:
“This will be an upgrade for sure if they can get him.
Good things are coming here in Tampa.
Get on board now or get out of the way or better yet you losers go hang yourselves and do the world a favor.
Good things coming.
Suck my as haters!!!”
———————-
Copy – Paste from last off-season. Results #1 pick.
Nothing else needs to be said.
January 14th, 2015 at 11:30 pm
@supersam
Jameis is a terrible character to be the face of a franchise. I am fairly confident he will have some issues in the interviewing process. Specifically, his mental stability or other issues within that regard. The guy has issues and I would bet a lot of money, once doctors really start examining him, stories will start to come out.
Just like after he leaves FSU, I’m sure there will be reports of him taking money, using rental cars, and blah blah blah….can we say Reggie Bush??? YES WE CAN
January 14th, 2015 at 11:53 pm
@couch fan,
I hate to admit it, but I have to agree. I don’t expect much from this group any more
January 15th, 2015 at 12:07 am
Getting Sparano as the OL would be a beastly coup. I’m not so sure it’s going to happen but it would be massive if it does. I really hope Warhop is sent packing even if it isn’t Sparano coming in. The remaining players on that O Line should take exception to their miserable play and getting their coach canned, and come back with a little more beef and a lot more vengeance.
January 15th, 2015 at 12:20 am
DB55 Says:
January 14th, 2015 at 8:49 pm
trolls like you, DB55, Ray Rice, BucRealist, etc., etc.
All you trolls ever belch out is something negative like BucRealists last post.
———————–
I’m truly honored to be mentioned w Ray ray, realist and big Joe of all people. I just want to thank god, my parents, Lovie smith for being such a loser and GMC for all the ice cream I sincerely could not have done it without them. Most importantly I like to thank all my haters. I love you all, now go sick a duck. That means you dd.
@DB55, that was excellent man. +5
Agree or disagree with them but Realist, DB55 and RR are anything but trolls. STPete said it well. I tend to be an optimist too but the balance is what makes the JBF board so fun and refreshing. Who wants to discuss Bucs football and constantly have everybody agree? That would be crazy boring.
January 15th, 2015 at 12:26 am
Kevin mad.
January 15th, 2015 at 12:36 am
More importantly and what Supersam didn’t mention is Mayock said “He trusts receivers, he throws to a spot, he’s in the pocket, he slides and moves, he gets smacked in the face and makes the throws. He [also] has inconsistent accuracy. But the big thing with him is you’re going to check off all the physical traits and you can see what you want on the film. But the question’s going to be, If you draft him No. 1 overall or No. 2, 3, or whatever, do you want this kid who’s had all these off the field issues to be the face of the franchise. And that’s a big deal given all that has gone on in the NFL this last year.” “Winston has been and will be perhaps the most talented prospect pre and post draft of the two.”
January 15th, 2015 at 2:33 am
Is Winston talented yes , that’s all this kid relies on . You can get by in college , I have serious questions about him putting in the work day in and day out in the pros. Mariota on the other hand will undoubtedly out work any other prospect. Plus he has his degree Nd without a doubt they smarter qb with a better head on his shoulders. Give that any day over winston
January 15th, 2015 at 3:09 am
You guys remind me of the character from Major League that is all Tribed out, then as thing start going south, he turns his back on the team. It’s not about Lovie, Gerald or the Glazers… It’s about our Tampa Bay Buccaneers!!! Either get on board or go be a Fins fan!!
January 15th, 2015 at 3:49 am
Hunter what you are saying is simply untrue, find me one reputable source that backs up your claim. You should read some comparative articles on the two there are quit a few out there. At least you called him kid instead of boy, that’s some progress I suppose.
January 15th, 2015 at 8:19 am
With all of the head coaching positions being filled around the NFL and so many OC positions waiting to be filled, there is a 0% chance of Sparano being a line coach for the Bucs or anything else.
January 15th, 2015 at 8:29 am
Until lovie puts a 3 in that win column, then the regime and the personnel moves and the future look bleak…of course 3-13 is a huge improvement and the beginning of a new day in tampa bay….
January 15th, 2015 at 9:15 am
My God these whiners telling people how to be a fan.
That was me in 2013. Damn how dumb it looks from the other side now.
January 15th, 2015 at 9:20 am
No apologies here. When you see the same negative, caustic diatribes written by the same people day after day after day you have to wonder why these people consider themselves fans of the team or if they have a different agenda or personal vendetta.
No matter what the story is, they put their negative spin on it.
At one point or another they usually spout off they hope the Bucs keep losing so it proves their personal point of view.
Sorry, but if you hope the Bucs lose just because in your small convoluted amoeba sized brain you think it will prove you are right or smarter in your beliefs, then you aren’t much of a fan.
You are just a self centered troll.
January 15th, 2015 at 11:41 am
@ ddn Great post +1
January 15th, 2015 at 12:24 pm
I have faith in Lovie. The free agent signings are what killed us this year. I’m sure they will get it right this year. I also hope we get some offensive lineman. McCown was getting killed all year. When he had time he made some good throws. Play calling was definitely to blame as well. Josh definitely made some Ill advised throws when he should have taken sacks instead. We have to think positive!!
January 15th, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Olsen wasn’t that bad of an oc, I think he did pretty good with what he had. You realize not one of the skill position players are even in the league, freeman out, Winslow out, caddy out, Williams pretty much out, strougher out , Spurlock who was a starter at wr multiple games out, Briscoe out. We had a head case , two bum knee guys, a wanna be rapper and a bunch of scrubs