Apr 22, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano talks as cornerback Darrelle Revis (not pictured) is introduced at the press conference at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
On the same day he finally got his wish and ran incumbent starting quarterback Josh Freeman out of town, Tampa Bay head coach Greg Schiano revealed just how he feels about his role and his status with the Buccaneers.
During a breakfast meeting with suite ticket holders, Schiano dropped this nugget of insight into his mindset as the leader of the Buccaneers.
Schiano said to season ticket holders this morning this "situation needed Greg Schiano."
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) October 3, 2013
And why did the situation “need Greg Schiano?”
Bucs coach Greg Schiano told season ticket holders this morning that the Bucs were the laughingstock of the NFL and that's why he was hired.
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) October 3, 2013
Referring to himself in third person? Referring to a departing coach who won a similar amount of games (Editor’s note: I did some bad math here, and corrected this statement. The sentiment remains the same.) as him through the same amount of games as a laughingstock?
This is out of control, and it has to end immediately.
If Raheem Morris had the franchise in the state of “laughingstock,” Schiano has it in the state of “object of burning hatred and distrust.” Fans and media members in Tampa Bay and across the nation have a generally negative perception of Schiano, and his comments to Bucs’ fans who pay a lot of money for the seats they sit in won’t help his image.
If Schiano truly believes he’s helped this franchise since he’s arrived, he’s sadly mistaken. He’s received a huge influx of talent over the last two seasons (although he says it’s impossible to load a roster in two seasons). And with that increase talent, he tripped and fell into a decent start to his first year.
Sep 8, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano looks on before the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
But since the last part of his first season in Tampa Bay, he’s led a team that’s tied with Jacksonville for the worst record in the NFL over the last 10 weeks of play. Compare the rosters in Tampa Bay and Jacksonville, and there should be absolutely no reason for those teams to be mentioned in the same breath.
So if Schiano’s job was to come in and simply “be better than Raheem Morris,” it’s arguable that he’s even reached that goal. Because Morris started just as strong (with less talent), and didn’t lose the locker room until later in his tenure.
And if you (the reader) believe that Schiano is doing okay because he’s not losing as badly as Raheem did, then you have very low standards, and you’re relying on moral victories. Moral victories are okay for a Big East school with a lower football budget than many bigger rivals and a lack of recent success.
But in the NFL, moral victories are meaningless. Head coaches should coach teams to victories, not to “improved performances compared to the last head coach.”
The Buccaneers removed half of the drama by releasing Josh Freeman. It’s time to remove the other half and fire Greg Schiano.