If Bill Cowher comes to the Bucs, it likely won’t be until the 2011 season.

If there is a season.

Provided Raheem the Dream has an awful year in 2010.

That’s the summation that BSPN’s Adam Schefter laid out for listeners on BSPN Radio this morning as he co-hosted with Erik Kuselias, heard locally on WHBO-AM 1040.

Schefter explained to listeners that in recent days rumors of Cowher began popping up in his NFL channels and the two teams that were constantly mentioned were Tampa Bay and Carolina.

While Schefter said it is “likely” Cowher returns to the NFL coaching ranks next season, he doubts it will be for either the Bucs or the Panthers.

Part of that reason is both teams have had a resurgence to close out the 2009 season, in short saving both Raheem the Dream’s job and John Fox, coach of the Panthers.

Another more significant factor for Cowher not coming to the Bucs or Panthers is the looming labor strife of the 2011 season, Schefter said.

Schefter is of the opinion that there will be a work stoppage of some sort in the NFL in 2011, and neither Bryan or Joel, nor Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, are inclined to make a move prior to 2011 as they seem intent to wait until a new labor agreement with the NFLPA is in place before making such a major move.

Schefter went on to say that yesterday, with the Bucs upsetting the Saints and the Panthers destroying the Giants, both teams should have given a game ball to Cowher as Schefter believes the Cowher rumors may have motivated both teams to save their coach’s jobs. 

"I don't give a damn if Bill Cowher is standing right there, I'm coming back next year, fellas."

Reporters following the Bucs upset over the Saints yesterday wasted little time in peppering Raheem the Dream with questions about the report from Jason La Canfora of NFL Network that the Bucs owners approached former Steelers coach and Super Bowl winner Bill Cowher about taking over the Bucs.

Raheem the Dream seemed confident the win yesterday all but sealed his return for the 2010 season, so reports Vacation Man of BSPN.com.

“I’ve got a great relationship with my owners,’’ Morris said. “I’m pretty sure if I’m getting popped or fired my owners would come tell me.’’

Joel and Bryan Glazer, who run the franchise, sure didn’t look they were ready to fire Morris after his team came back to win after trailing 17-0. They were smiling out in the hallway of the Superdome and shaking hands with players, coaches and team employees.

It will be very hard for Bryan and Joel to fire Raheem the Dream now. The team has made progress in the past few weeks, specifically on defense. For any team to hold the Saints to 17 points on their home turf, well, that’s impressive.

So if one is to believe Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network and Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen of BSPN.com, one of the Glazers, or someone representing the Glazers, have talked to Bill Cowher or one of Bill Cowher’s people trying to gauge his interest in taking over the Bucs next year.

Sure, it could have happened. Joe suspects possibly not.

Roughly a week ago, Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, in a TBO.com question-and-answer column, stated that Bryan and Joel like to have checks and balances in their football operations, which would rule out a football czar who is also a coach, such as Cowher.

Late Sunday, Cummings posted a story from a source close to the Glazer family that flat out denied any communication with Cowher concerning the Bucs coaching gig.

To Joe, this Bucs-talked-to-Cowher story smells like a plant.

It seems clear Cowher is starting to gather a team of assistants and front office types to make a move, perhaps for the 2010 season. The best way to get the best deal possible is to have options. If only one team is going after Cowher, it’s a buyer’s market. Cowher is pretty much at the mercy of one owner’s checkbook.

However, if there are more than a few teams going after Cowher, it turns into a bidding war. Major advantage: Cowher.

The fact La Canfora broke this story tipped Joe off that this was a plant.

Cowher’s agent, or someone working with his agent, calls La Canfora over the weekend with this info. To make sure La Canfora gets a major scoop, La Canfora gets assurance from his tipster that no one else has it. La Canfora then goes live Sunday on the NFL Network’s pregame show, which starts a full two hours before BSPN’s pregame show; three hours before CBS or Fox, nearly 10 hours before NBC.

So La Canfora breaks the story early and then the other four outlets are going to chase after the same story.

In other words, the best way for Cowher’s camp to get the biggest splash was to make sure La Canfora broke this early Sunday, which would ensure maximum exposure over five seperate national news outlets.

It worked.

Now, whether this “leak” is true or not, other teams possibly interested in Cowher have been jump-started into talking to Cowher’s agent. Again, more teams interested in Cowher means a bidding war.

That’s why Joe is convinced this leak came from Cowher. There’s no reason for the Glazers to leak this. Again, if Bryan and Joel were interested, why ignite a bidding war by tipping off La Canfora? There’s no benefit for Bryan and Joel tipping off La Canfora.

Mortensen claims the Glazers are smitten with Cowher. As Archie Bunker would say, “Whoop-tee-do!” Owners and coaches — both past and present — talk with and amongst each other all the time. If Bryan and Joel have told other owners they like Cowher, that doesn’t mean they are trying to hire him.

Joe is confident Bryan and Joel have told their NFL owner brethren they also like other coaches.

Could Bryan and Joel have spoken with Cowher? Well, remember eight days ago the Bucs were 1-12. Joe would suspect any serious owner(s) of a team with one win would begin to put out feelers if not start brainstorming about what coach may be available should they decide to hire a new coach. Hiring a new coach in the NFL is not something often done on the spur of the moment.

Joe believes Raheem the Dream punched his ticket yesterday for another season with the Bucs. But Cowher coming to the Bucs, Joe believes this was a well-orchestrated plant that worked perfectly.

As Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune pointed out yesterday during the Bucs upset over the Saints, Geno Hayes first took the field three minutes into the second quarter.

He was late playing because he was late. He missed the team bus to the Superdome, documents Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times.

It may have worked out in the long run. Hayes was so contrite about his tardiness, he felt he had plays to make up and as a result played like a madman.

Hayes, who committed this infraction for the second time this season, was conciliatory.

“I feel like I let my team down,” Hayes said.

As a result, he played like he had something to prove.

“The attitude was a little more enthusiasm because I really felt bad,” he said.

Hayes also was late to the CITS in the first week of the season.

Joe trusts Hayes recent battles with being punctual have nothing to do with a pair of scissors.

It was a thing of beauty watching the Bucs grind out the victory with their running game to beat the Saints.

That was football! It was almost as fabulous as Rachel Watson offering to join Joe for a bubble bath.

Joe can’t remember the last time the Bucs pounded the rock like that. And it felt especially good considering the Bucs have had the ball run down their throats multiple times this season.

Jeff Faine told the good folks at the Times Picayune that Cadillac Williams’ long touchdown run was the result of a new look installed by Greg Olson. And, like any offensive lineman would be, Faine was pleased to see his Bucs stick with the running game despite trailing most of the second half.

That worked, too. Cadillac Williams, who had 30 yards in the first half, added 99 in the second half, including a 23-yard scamper for a touchdown.

“It was something we installed for this game, because of a front they like to use,” said center Jeff Faine, a former Saint. “It gave us a chance to get some double teams up front. We got some great movement on the nose, was able to get him off the ball, and we pulled (tackle Jeremy) Zuttah, and he was able to get up on the outside linebacker, get some movement on him.

“And Cadillac made his move and was gone.”

Faine said earlier in the season, the Bucs’ offense often forgot the running game after getting behind early.

“Yeah, we were down 17, but it was still really early,” he said. “You can’t just give up. That’s what we were doing in the past.”

It’s a real head-scratcher that the new run-first Olson is the same guy who was obsessed with passing on first down prior to the victory in Seattle.

Joe has to wonder whether Raheem The Dream didn’t step in and flat out demand the Bucs run the ball more. Maybe Raheem The Dream even threatened to Jagodzinski his new offensive coordinator.

If he did, then good for him.

No need to stay up until the middle of the night to get scant Bucs highlights.

Joe brings you more than you can inhale in one sitting, thanks to the good people of NFL Network.

First up are the highlights, replete with the tones of Bucs broadcaster Gene Deckerhoff.

Also there are key plays by Michael Spurlock, Kellen Winslow, Cadillac Williams and Ronde Barber.

This video has a closer look at Spurlock’s 77-yard punt return to tie the game at 17-17.

Saints owner Tom Benson’s premature jocularity did not escape the NFL Network folks either.

NFL Network has another package of highlights of the game.

Additional highlights include Cadillac Williams’ best plays as well as quarterback Josh Freeman.

Buccaneers Insider also has the postgame press conferences of Raheem the Dream and Freeman.

The heat just got cranked up around Raheem The Dream.

Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen, of BSPN.com, are reporting Bucs special teams coach Rich Bisaccia, who has done a masterful job this season, is expected to leave the Bucs after the season and possbily will join the Kiffin clan at the University of Tennessee, replacing Eddie Gran who left for Florida State earlier this month.

In their 7 p.m. report, Schefter and Mortensen go on to say Raheem The Dream remains on the hot seat and Joel Glazer has been singing the praises of Bill Cowher.

Defensive line coach Robert Nunn and defensive backs coach Joe Baker were part of the Jim Bates package, and will not return. …

If the Buccaneers decide to part ways with Morris as well, multiple people around the league think Tampa Bay will wind up making a run at Cowher.

League sources labeled as erroneous any speculation that the Glazer family, which owns the Bucs, may be too financially strapped to pursue Cowher. One source added that Joel Glazer, one of the team’s owners, recently has expressed strong admiration for Cowher to other owners.

Of course, the Glazers can end all the speculation with a simple public, firm vote of confidence for Raheem The Dream.

Don’t look for that anytime soon.

In the greatest Bobby Bowden impersonation of all time, Saints owner Tom Benson was caught celebrating Garrett Harley’s game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter Sunday.

Problem was, the field goal attempt was wide left. The game went to overtime and the Bucs won.

So sorry, Tom.

Joe’s friend Woody Cummings, Bucs beat writer for TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune, says a source close to the Glazers claims the Bucs owners did not contact Bill Cowher about coaching the team in 2010.

This morning, NFL.com insider Jason LaConfora reported that contact by Team Glazer indeed happened, although LaCanfora did not offer a timetable of when the Glazers reached out to Cowher.

“That’s not true,” a source with knowledge of the Glazer family’s intentions told the Tampa Tribune. “That’s just people speculating.”

According to a story by NFL.com reporter Jason La Canfora, Bucs officials reached out to Cowher to gauge his interest in possibly coaching the team in 2010. The story cited “a source with knowledge of the situation.”

Regardless of what’s correct. Why would the Glazers not have reached out to Cowher? The team was 1-12 a week ago. It never hurts to talk.

Michael Spurlock days ago was unemployed. Now, he’s a hero for the Bucs.

Again.

Spurlock became the first Bucs return man in franchise history who scored a touchdown on a kickoff return. Sunday his 77-yard punt return tied the score at 17-17 which the Bucs eventually won in overtime.

Spurlock spoke on the Bucs radio network after the game and, compared to his teammates, was somewhat calm.

“I feel like I am home again,” Spurlock said. “This is great do to this against the best team in the NFC. I look forward to playing Atlanta.

“I thought if I could just get the ball in my hands with nobody there, I could make a play. That’s what happened. I got my blocks and got it in.

“When I got in the open, I was thinking end zone. After that, everything took care of itself.

“The one thing we won’t do is give up. We just had to quit making mistakes.”

“My wife picked No. 81 [jersey number]. I was 81 in the UFL.”

Bucs rookie quarterback Josh Freeman spoke on the Bucs radio network amid the screams and howls from jubilant teammates after the Bucs stunning upset win over the New Orleans Saints.

“New Orleans has such a strong offense we had to keep our defense off the field so they could keep up with Drew Brees. Our defense played tremendous.

“I did not play my best game. It was great to have a close game and get some things to go our way. It feels great to win.

“Cadillac is such a warrior. It’s great not to throw the ball at all in the last drive, just hand the ball off. Caddy, I love that man.

“I didn’t watch [Connor Barth’s game-winning] field goal. If we missed it, we would get another chance.

In overtime “I said, ‘Let’s get ready to run this thing down their throats. We don’t need any penalties. We just do what we do and we will come out with a win.’

“The offensive line played great as did Cadillac.”

Cadillac Williams, who played like a true warrior today, wouldn’t so much talk about himself after the game on the Buccaneers Radio Network, instead wanting to talk about his teammates as he basked in the glory of the Bucs upset win.

While quarterback Josh Freeman was being interviewed, the locker room filled with the hollering of joy from Cadillac.

“Good things happen when you play together,” Cadillac said.

On Michael Spurlock’s game-tying punt return:

“Wow, there’s no doubt that was a huge play. Once the defense stopped [the Saints], I thought, ‘Yeah, we can drive on these guys.’ Then I saw Spurlock pop it and it gave us all momentum.”

On the overtime drive:

“We hear the criticism that we can’t run the ball. I want to give credit to the offensive line. We rode them and we handed the ball off and made it easy on Josh.”

"At this rate, we'll get to save some money in the draft and keep Raheem. Schnapps for everyone."

Before today’s game, Joe presented the NFL Network report claiming the Glazers reached out to Bill Cowher to discuss taking over the Bucs head coaching gig in 2010.

Maybe that’s all a moot point now that Raheem The Dream has the Bucs on a two-game road winning streak.

But the real question is, when did the Glazers make the phone call to Cowher’s people, or Cowher himself? That’s the key point not included in NFL.com insider Jason LaCanfora’s report.

Did the Glazers call after the loss in England to drop the Buds to 0-7? Perhaps it was after the Jets humiliated them in Tampa two weeks ago?

The timing is everything.

Joe can’t blame the Glazers for reaching out and would fully expect them to keep reaching out and exploring every option. After all, it doesn’t cost anything to pick up the phone.

"Hi. I play strong safety. Maybe I'd be better at linebacker like my predecessor."

Joe’s moaned about Sabby Piscitelli all season. The guy’s just not that good. He misses tackles, takes bad angles and clearly isn’t the sharpest knife in the secondary.

He’s not panning out as a second round pick.

Today, Piscitelli would probably be getting a goat label hung on him if the Saints kicker hadn’t missed a 37-yard field goal to end regulation, leaving the scored tied at 17.

On the previous play, the Saints completed a short pass over the middle to Robert Meachem. With his back to the end zone, Meachem then busted a needless way-to-high neck tackle by Piscitelli and tacked on an extra dozen or so yards onto the play to set up the field goal attempt.

All Piscitell had to do was wrap him up.

Earlier this season, a young lady ripped Sabby for not wrapping up.

Now Joe will do the same. It was the most basic of plays from a strong safety, and he blew it.

Somewhere, Jermaine Phillips is smiling thinking about yet another comeback in 2010.

For several weeks, Joe’s been watching Bucs games and considering next season at the same time.

Seeing the high-powered Saints shut out in the second half today, Joe was fired up by Quincy Black and Geno Hayes looking dominant at times and making their presences felt in the Saints’ backfield.

It’s obvious that Hayes, at 22-years old, has truly extraordinary speed and playmaking ability and deserves to return as a starter in Raheem The Dream’s edition of the Tampa 2.

Hayes even had his moments in Jim Bates’ system while the rest of linebackers struggled mightily in it. (Yes, Joe is aware that Hayes has botched his share of assignments and reads, but the upside far outweighs the down.)

As for Black, he’s come on strong since the D-coordinator switch. But is he good enough to pencil in as a starter for next season?

Joe’s not so sure.

A relieved Raheem the Dream, fresh in knowing that his job should be secure for 2010, had plenty of things to say and, again, took a veiled shot at his critics following the game.

“This is just a wow,” Raheem the Dream said. “Beating a pretty good New Orleans Saints team that will compete for the Super Bowl. I am proud of the players, excited.

“Today was more about adjustments. They have an explosive offense and an explosive defense. Greg Olson had to make adjustments at halftime. I had to make adjustments at halftime. That is a credit to our coaching staff and our players.

“It was a lot of fun, awesome.

“Bucs tight end Kellen Winslow has been special all year and today was no different. Cadillac came to play as well. For him to run like that coming off those knee injuries and be tough and running like he did, I’m proud of those guys. We were able to make drives because of them.

“Punt returner Michael Spurlock comes up big. We were lucky enough tht he was on the waiver wire. He already is in the Bucs record books.

“I was thinking of a way to stop the Saints when I saw Spurlock break it. He bailed me out. We needed some big things to happen and got it, including the [coin] toss [for overtime].

“Running the ball, that has to be our personality. I said that before the season. We have to run the ball to protect our quarterback. To see Cadillac grind it out was special.

“I had the tough guy mentality so I watched [Barth’s game-winning field goal]. I told him last night he would win the game for us by three. I was just guessing.

“It’s Victory Monday. Coaches will come into work and see how we can beat Atlanta. The players showed up. That was big.

“This is who we are. This is who we wanted to be. I’m happy for my real fans.”

"Yo, Oley. What's with throwing over the top to Earnest Graham? That's not being your best self, and things of that nature."

Joe’s giddy beyond words after the Bucs stuck it to the Saints today. How insanely awesome was that?

But Joe is still shaking his head at the most insane play call of the day, courtesy of Greg Olson.

With the Bucs trailing 17-10 late in the fourth quarter and driving for the tying score, Tampa Bay had 2nd-and-1 on the Saints’ 19 yard-line. Olson split Earnest Graham out in the right flat and Josh Freeman threw him a jump ball in the end zone.

The coverage was tight. Graham didn’t really make a play on the ball. And Graham, who probably stands 5-8 with his shoes off and has a miniscule vertical leap, was out of his element.

Run the damn ball, or at least throw that pass to one of the guys you’re paying tens of millions to make that kind of play. Funny, Joe only remembers Raheem The Dream and other coaches talking about the mismatches Jerramy Stevens and Kellen Winslow create in man coverage, never Graham.

The Bucs were stuffed on 3rd-and-1 and 4th-and-1, and then again after the do-over on 4th-and-1, when Freeman’s pass was batted down.

Thankfully, there was a happy ending. But Joe can’t shake how that 2nd-and-1 call was beyond foolish at a critical time.

Joe’s hoping Olson learns for next year.

Back-to-back road wins in December? In Seattle and New Orleans?

How good are these Bucs?

After last weeks win in Seattle, Joe could understand many fans thinking that meant a whole lot of nothing. But after today’s stunning upset against the Saints, that response just doesn’t fly, especially with the Saints in desperate need of the game and the Bucs defense pitching a shutout in the second half.

Perhaps the better question is, how good do Mark Dominik , Raheem The Dream and the Glazers think these Bucs are?

As great as the Bucs defense played today, and as promising as the offense appeared, Joe suspects that answer won’t come until after Sunday’s home finale against Atlanta.

The Bucs thought so much of Connor Barth on his game-winning 47-yard field goal in overtime, they gave him the silent treatment.

Speaking on the Bucs radio network following the game, Barth admitted none of his teammates talked to him in the moments leading up to, and just before his kick.

“Everyone left me alone,” Barth said. “I think they all had faith in me.”

Barth wasn’t so sure of the kick. He admitted he knew it was straight but what he didn’t know is if the kick would be blocked.

“Thankfully I got a great hold and great blocking up front. The kick was low. Because of the great blocking, there was no penetration” by the defensive front.

“As soon as it left my foot, I knew it was good,” Barth said. “It doesn’t matter what it looks like so long as it is good.

“It was amazing to see the excitement in the locker room. To see the head coach running in, just great.”

 Bucs 20, Saints 17 (OT)

* Big catch and run by Winslow over the middle. Nice

* Bucs are moving the ball well but no results.

* Whoops. Caddy with a major run. If not for Freeman’s interceptions, this might be a game.

* Geez. 98-yard touchdown drive. Now can the defense stand up? A takeaway would be nice.

* Geno Hayes busts up a Saints screen pass. Somewhere, Derrick Brooks is happy.

* Elbert Mack with a major forced fumble and of course, always the ballhawk, Ronde Barber with the recovery. Bucs, to Joe’s amazement, are still in this game.

* First down Bucs. Come on Bucs.

* Great catch by Winslow along the right sideline. Stretched out for the first down. BTW, he has now broken Jimmie Giles single-season Bucs record for yards caught by a tight end.

* King of Turds with a beautiful move to avoid a tackle.

* Dave Moore is begging Greg Olson to run a quarterback.

* Dave Moore is beside himself that Olson won’t run a quarterback sneak. “You’ve got a 260-pound quarterback and one of the highest paid centers in the league. Use them.”

* A bootleg pass. On fourth and one? SERIOUSLY???

* That’s your ballgame folks.

* Saints got away with another penalty. Nice hold on Kyle Moore that was ignored.

* Perfect timing on that tackle by Talib which may force the Saints to punt.

* HOLY FREAKING SPIT!!! Tie game. Michael Spurlock to the rescue (again). Joe is giddy but how freaking stupid is the Saints special teams coach for not kicking the ball out of bounds? Saints deserve to lose this game for such a moronic play. Come on Bucs!

* Why aren’t the Bucs defense containing inside? They all but let Bush walk out of bounds.

* Maybe a game-saving play by Ruud who got a hand on the attempted pass to Thomas on the Bucs-25.

* Elbert Mack with a nice openfield tackle that may have saved a field goal attempt.

* Freaking Sabby Piscitelli and his mistackles!!! Now the Saints have a short field for a field goal.

* Saints really deserve to lose this game.

* Nice Bobby Bowden moment by Saints owner Tom Benson, celebrating the Saints missed field goal.

* Oh-ver-time!

* Keep feeding Caddy the ball!!

* Dave Moore begging for a screen pass.

* Whatta run by Josh Freeman for a first down!

* How much will the running game be hurt with Earnest Graham out?

* Almost seems like Bucs are playing for a field goal. Joe’s not very comfortable with Connor Barth.

* Connor Barth just saved Raheem’s job.

* Did Joe just see Raheem the Dream kiss Greg Olson????

Doug Williams doesn’t appear to be with the Bucs much longer, or he may not want to be. Yesterday, Williams interviewed with Southern University, reports the Mad Twitterer of the St. Petersburg Times.

Bucs pro personnel director Doug Williams interviewed for Southern University head coaching job in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday.

The Mad Twitterer goes on to write that Williams’ contract with the Bucs expires in February.

Joe would be sad to see Williams leave.