After last night’s loss, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fallen to 0-7. They thought a new quarterback would help save their season, so they benched and then released Josh Freeman and started rookie Mike Glennon, but that did not help. They traded their first round draft pick for corner back Darrelle Revis, but that did not help. This is just the tip of the iceberg for Tampa Bay and their problems. With fans calling for head coach Greg Schiano to be fired, maybe it is time to evaluate his role in their terrible start to the season.
Throughout all the problems the Bucs have had this season, the finger always got pointed back at their head coach. It has gotten so bad, there are rumors swirling that he has lost the locker room. Many believed that he was the source for leaking information that Josh Freeman was enrolled in the NFL’s drug program forcing him to come forward with his ADHD diagnosis. Former players have said that it was either Schiano’s way or you get out of the way. This may have caused the friction and eventual dissolution of Freeman as the Buccaneers’ quarterback. Schiano has not only angered his players, but also well-respected member of the NFL.
Last season, the Buccaneers played the New York Giants in a game that came down to the last few minutes. The Giants were up and wanted to let the clock wind down so they lined up in victory formation. Ready to take a kneel down, Eli Manning got the ball only to be bull rushed by the Buccaneers’ defensive line. Head Coach Tom Coughlin was none to please with the attempt to hurt his franchise quarterback. Coughlin, who is known for his tough, no nonsense coaching style, had words with Schiano after the game and was applauded by the league for standing up for his team. Schiano has lost his team and the respect of most of the NFL, but most importantly he has lost the love from the fans. Yesterday, fans could be heard boo-ing the team as they ran off the field and one Tampa radio station put billboards around town with the words: “Fire Schiano”.
For the Buccaneers to win again, Schiano has to be removed. Once there is distrust between the players and their leader, it can never be fixed. The Bucs do not have a bad team. There is a lot of talent there, but they are not playing like a united front. It is unfair to the players, the fans, and even Schiano to keep him in a situation where it is clearly not working and his coaching style is only making it worse. Hiring Schiano sounded like a smart idea after he made Rutgers football relevant, but the experiment has not worked out for either side and it is time to end it.
