Buc fans have reason to remember Michael Bush

Posted Feb 22, 2012 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Feb 22, 2012 at 11:07 AM

BY IRA KAUFMAN

TAMPA—At the end of the 2008 season, Michael Bush personally dashed Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes as a rookie.

As a veteran, he could have the opportunity to help resurrect the Buccaneers.

Oakland’s fifth-year running back is likely to be available when free agency begins March 13 and his skill set could be intriguing for a struggling organization that craves help in the offensive backfield.

Bush is a powerful runner who is also a stellar threat as a receiver, averaging 11.3 yards on his 37 receptions last season for the Raiders. In 2010, Bush averaged 10.8 yards per catch. Very few backs in the league can approach that kind of production as a target out of the backfield and Tampa Bay’s new coaching staff might envision Bush as a particularly effective weapon for Josh Freeman on third down.

Buc fans remember Bush for his dynamic effort in Tampa during the final game of the 2008 season, when the 9-6 Bucs needed a win against the Raiders to secure an NFC playoff spot. Instead, Bush ran for 177 yards and two touchdowns as Oakland stunned the heavily favored Bucs 31-24 in Jon Gruden’s final game on the Tampa Bay sidelines.

It was Bush who turned in the game’s key play, breaking tackles en route to a 67-yard TD run midway through the fourth quarter as the Bucs ended the season on a 4-game losing streak, prompting a coaching change and a veteran purge.

Bush doesn’t have a lot of wear and tear on him and he could be a nice fit for a Tampa Bay club lacking proven depth behind LeGarrette Blount. If the Bucs land a back like Bush in free agency, they would have more flexibility at the top of the draft, where some pundits have them selecting Alabama running back Trent Richardson with the No. 5 pick.

Tampa Bay has the resources to sign Bush, who wouldn’t command an exorbitant deal. It’s not a rich free agency class for running backs, but Bush appears to make sense for a coaching staff that is already stressing a punishing, physical attack. 

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Bucs could pursue Nicks

Posted Feb 21, 2012 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Feb 21, 2012 at 02:17 PM

BY IRA KAUFMAN

TAMPA—When you listen to Tampa Bay’s new braintrust, it quickly becomes evident the Buccaneers want to be a nasty bunch in 2012.

Raheem Morris often talked about physical play when he stood at a podium, but the Buccaneers were never particularly aggressive while going 17-31 in the past three years. If the new regime is serious about the Bucs imposing their will on opponents, targeting Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks makes a lot of sense when free agency begins March 13.

If the Saints don’t slap the franchise tag on Nicks, Tampa Bay could be very interested in his services. He would fit in snugly at left guard, opposite Pro Bowl right guard Davin Joseph, and the Bucs could boast one of the premier offensive lines in the NFL, with Donald Penn and Jeremy Trueblood manning the tackle spots.

If Jeff Faine returned at center, Jeremy Zuttah would be a valuable reserve, versatile enough to play any spot up front. With Nicks aboard, the Bucs could decide to move Zuttah to center, his most natural position.

Either way, Nicks would set a tone for nasty play that would reverberate throughout Tampa Bay’s offensive line.

A team with a powerful offensive line doesn’t need big-time playmakers to put up big numbers. A decade ago, the Kansas City Chiefs led the AFC in total offense three consecutive seasons behind a dominant front led by Hall of Fame left tackle Willie Roaf and perennial Pro Bowl guard Will Shields.

Signing Nicks wouldn’t be a sexy move for a franchise that craves more attention, but he would give new offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan the tools up front to implement a dynamic offensive scheme.

If Nicks hits the open market, he’ll attract a bevy of suitors willing to spend serious money. The Bucs would have an opportunity to help themselves, while seriously damaging a division rival.

That 1-2 punch represents serious motivation.

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Bucs benefit from Coughlin’s sign of respect

Posted Feb 20, 2012 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Feb 20, 2012 at 11:55 AM

BY IRA KAUFMAN

TAMPA—Tom Coughlin could have said no.

After leading the New York Giants to a second Super Bowl title within five seasons, Coughlin could have blocked Tampa Bay’s request to interview Mike Sullivan, Coughlin’s long-time assistant dating back to their days together in Jacksonville.

Instead, after some conversations that Sullivan admitted were difficult, Coughlin gave his blessing and the Buccaneers quickly had themselves an offensive coordinator for Greg Schiano’s new staff. From a selfish standpoint, Coughlin certainly didn’t want to lose Sullivan, who had worked wonders with New York receivers before switching to quarterback coach the past two seasons and helping Eli Manning reach elite status.

But out of respect for a key assistant, Coughlin reluctantly allowed Sullivan to pursue his dreams in Tampa.

“He will bring a lot to the Buccaneers program,’’ Coughlin said. “He’s disciplined, he’s hard-working, he’s efficient, he’s smart, he makes good decisions,’’ Coughlin said upon Sullivan’s departure. “He’ll have an immediate impact on all the players in that program. We’re sorry to lose him, but we understand the nature of this business.’‘

Sullivan describes Coughlin as his mentor and role model.

“He’s been such a great man,’’ Sullivan said. “He gave me an opportunity in Jacksonville, he gave me the opportunity to come up here (New York) and at a time when a lot of coaches and a lot of general managers are blocking assistants from having a chance to pursue other opportunities, advancements if you will, I will be eternally grateful for Coach Coughlin and (GM) Jerry Reese supporting me in this.’‘

Sullivan has been working overtime with some of Schiano’s other offensive staff members to install a system suited for Tampa Bay’s personnel. Schiano is on record saying he wants a physical offense that takes shots downfield.

That sounds an awful lot like the offense Sullivan just left in the Meadowlands.

“I hired Mike Sullivan in Jacksonville as a quality control coach,’’ Coughlin said. “When we came here (2004), Sully actually had something else going on, but he wanted to be here with us. He has been outstanding. We appreciate everything he’s done with us and wish him well in his new assignment.’‘

Teacher and pupil will cross paths later this year when the Bucs visit the Giants.

 

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Dominik OK with Bucs slow search

Posted Feb 15, 2012 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Feb 15, 2012 at 11:25 AM

BY IRA KAUFMAN

TAMPA—Mark Dominik believes in the healing powers of due diligence.

In his fourth year as GM of the Buccaneers, Dominik said he isn’t overly concerned that new head coach Greg Schiano is still in the process of completing his staff—with the scouting combine in Indianapolis looming ahead next week.

At this rate, there’s no certainty the Bucs will have a full complement of assistants when Dominik and Schiano attend their first combine together.

“In working with coach Schiano, one of the things that has made him so successful is he’s detailed and he’s organized,’’ said Dominik. “He’s making sure anyone who comes in this door is someone he feels extreme confidence in.’‘

Five days after hiring former Giants assistant Mike Sullivan as their offensive coordinator, the Bucs are still on the prowl for a defensive coordinator to implement the principles Schiano developed in 11 seasons as head coach at Rutgers.

The Bucs have strayed away from their Cover 2 roots since former defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin departed after the 2008 season, but Dominik said Tampa Bay’s defense will remain committed to a 4-3 alignment that has been a Bucs staple for two decades.

While Schiano continues to piece together his first pro staff, Dominik remains patient.

“Seeing the guys he’s bringing in this building, you can understand why coach Schiano is taking his time,’’ Dominik said.

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Bucs haven’t lost faith in Freeman

Posted Feb 13, 2012 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Feb 13, 2012 at 10:24 AM

BY IRA KAUFMAN

TAMPA—When you finish a season with a 10-game losing streak, there are repercussions.

Coaches get fired and rosters are churned over, but in the case of the 2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, don’t expect a substantive change under center.

Tampa Bay’s 4-12 record and Josh Freeman’s struggles last fall have prompted some speculation the Bucs now harbor major concerns at the quarterback position. Some fans are wondering whether the Bucs should consider drafting Robert Griffin III, if he’s available with the fifth pick.

That’s crazy talk.

Freeman didn’t have a good season and he has no ties to new head coach Greg Schiano, but the key people in the organization remain committed to the fourth-year pro. GM Mark Dominik remains in place and the Glazers still believe Freeman is a franchise quarterback who will soon lead the Bucs to playoff victories on a regular basis.

Eli Manning just won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants, only one year removed from throwing 25 interceptions. San Diego’s Philip Rivers was just picked off 20 times, five more than his previous career high, as the Chargers underachieved.

It happens.

Freeman was guilty of making a lot of poor reads in 2011 and he paid a heavy price for locking in on tight end Kellen Winslow. You can bet new offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan is eager to work with Freeman on his footwork and his decision-making as the Bucs seek to avoid a third last-place finish in the NFC South in the past four seasons.

Freeman is likely to have a new backup in 2012, but his starting job remains secure in the forseeable future. Tampa Bay has a lot of time and money invested in Freeman and he figures to be the face of the franchise through the rest of the decade.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of room for improvement, but the feeling inside the organization is Freeman will thrive with more dynamic weapons around him. For this new coaching staff, getting No. 5 back on track is the No. 1 priority.

 

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Bucs blocked again in search for staff assistant

Posted Feb 11, 2012 by Roy Cummings

Updated Feb 11, 2012 at 12:42 PM

BY ROY CUMMINGS
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA – Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano has run into yet another roadblock in his quest to build a staff of assistants.

The San Francisco 49ers have denied the Bucs an opportunity to speak to defensive backs coach Ed Donatell about their vacant defensive coordinator’s position, according to an NFL.com report.

The denial marks at least the third time since Schiano took over as Bucs coach that he has been denied the opportunity to speak to a potential coordinator candidate.

  The Bucs were previously denied opportunities to speak to Arizona Cardinals receivers coach John McNulty and Green Bay Packers tight ends coach Ben McAdoo about their offensive coordinator’s job.

  News of the latest refusal comes less than a day after the Bucs named former New York Giants quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan their offensive coordinator. It may also be an indication of the team’s plans for former University of Miami coach Butch Davis.
 
Davis has agreed in principle on a contract with the Bucs that calls for him to join Schiano’s staff as a special assistant to Schiano, and the team’s interest in Donatell is a sign Davis may only serve the Bucs in an advisory role.

Davis was most recently the head coach at the University of North Carolina, which fired him last July during an NCAA investigation into claims of academic misconduct and illicit player-agent relations.

Because Davis was fired “without cause,” he immediately became entitled to a $2,703,500 buyout package that he would forfeit were he to accept another college or pro coaching job.

The buyout calls for Davis to receive payments of $590,000 on Jan. 15 in 2013, 2014 and 2015, UNC officials said.

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Report: Fleck to coach Bucs wideouts

Posted Feb 4, 2012 by Roy Cummings

Updated Feb 4, 2012 at 06:08 PM

  BY ROY CUMMINGS
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA – New Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano appears to be making good on his plan to bring some of his former Rutgers assistants to Tampa Bay.

P.J. Fleck, who coached Rutgers wide receivers each of the last two years under Schiano, has agreed to join the Bucs in the same capacity, according to an ESPN report.

Fleck left Rutgers earlier in the week to take a job as the offensive coordinator at Northern Illinois, his alama mater, but resigned a day later to join forces with Schiano, the report said.

Schiano was named the ninth head coach in Bucs history on Jan. 26. He is in the process of hiring his staff, but no official announcements regarding staff hires have been made.

Fleck was a receiver for the Huskies from 1999-2003 and with the San Francisco 49ers from 2004 to 2006. Following his playing career, he returned to NIU as a receivers coach in 2007 and stayed until 2009.
 
Several reports have also suggested that Rutgers offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti and Rutgers defensive coordinator Bob Fraser will eventually join the Bucs staff under Schiano.

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Bucs, McNabb might be a good fit

Posted Feb 2, 2012 by Roy Cummings

Updated Feb 2, 2012 at 11:31 AM

 
  BY ROY CUMMINGS
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA – Free agent quarterback Donovan McNabb says there are three teams he believes he could “add a little flavor to’’ and would be interested in playing for next season.

The Bucs should be hoping they’re one of them.

Though McNabb no doubt has his eyes fixed on teams without an established starter, he is just the kind of quarterback the Bucs need behind their designated starter, Josh Freeman.

With 13 years of experience and a build and style of play that is a virtual match with Freeman’s, McNabb could be an ideal mentor for the Bucs franchise cornerstone.

As long as he’s willing to mentor.

That’s what the Bucs would have to find out. If McNabb is only interested in starting and has no interest in putting on a coach’s hat and passing on his wealth of knowledge, then he’s probably not what the Bucs need.

If he is, though, then McNabb is a worth considering.

Freeman struggled in part last year because he had no one with regular game-day experience to turn to when his game went off the rails. McNabb would certainly give him that.

He also might discover some as yet undetected weapons in Freeman’s game. After all, like Freeman, McNabb is, or at least was, a big, mobile, strong-armed quarterback with a penchant for making plays with his legs.

And it’s not like McNabb is done. His 60-plus completion percentage and 82.9 passer rating with the Vikings last year is a sign he can still play at a winning level.

That’s another thing the Bucs need in their backup. They went without Freeman in one game last year and the results were not good. Someone who can keep them competitive should Freeman go down is a must.

So, if it’s really all about No. 5 - and there’s no reason to believe that hasn’t changed - it’s worth a call to see if another No. 5 has the Bucs on his list of target teams or would consider adding them to the list.

 

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Schiano big on discipline

Posted Jan 30, 2012 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Jan 30, 2012 at 03:00 PM

BY IRA KAUFMAN

TAMPA—Greg Schiano believes in truth and consequences.

The new head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers takes over a very young club that has been beset by a series of troubling off-field incidents in recent years. At his opening news conference in Tampa, Schiano stressed accountability and trust between both players and coaches.

In a subsequent meeting with print media, Schiano was asked how tolerant he would be in dealing with off-field transgressions.

“We’ll have one unified message as an organization,’’ he said. “Accountability doesn’t work unless it’s consistent. You give a very clear vision and a clear expectation. Most anger and frustration comes out of unmet expectations. If you can give clear vision and expectations, it’s up to the players and coaches. It doesn’t work unless there’s consequences ... that’s human nature.’‘

Schiano said he expects the franchise’s code of conduct to be honored.

“As a kid, I was always best when I knew where the boundaries were,’’ said Schiano. “When you don’t know where the boundaries are, you just start drifting and all of a sudden, you’re in a bad place and you don’t know how you got there. When they hit the boundaries, there’s a consequence. Sometimes that consequence can drive someone away. That’s the unfortunate part of it.’‘

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Greg Schiano arrives at One Buc Place

Posted Jan 27, 2012 by Roy Cummings

Updated Jan 27, 2012 at 12:47 PM

 
BY ROY CUMMINGS
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA – Greg Schiano has entered the building.

  Schiano, the former Rutgers coach who was named the new head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, arrived at One Buc Place with his family around 12:30 p.m. Friday.

Schiano did not speak to reporters, but shouted back “Feels great’’ when he was asked how it feels to be in Tampa.

Schiano entered One Buc Place at the main front entrance. When he walked into the main lobby of the building he was greeted by a thunderous round of appalause from the Bucs staff.

The Bucs had scheduled a 1 p.m. news to introduce Schiano but moved the news conference to 2 p.m. to accommodate Schiano, who’s flight from New Jersey was delayed by bad weather in the New York-New Jersey area.

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