The Writers

Roy Cummings

Ira Kaufman

 @TBO_Buccaneers
 TBO Buccaneers
 Roy Cummings
 Anwar Richardson
 Ira Kaufman
 Ask a question

More Links:

• Roster
• Schedule
• Statistics
• Email Updates

Most Recent Entries

• Mays is first Topps Prime 9 redemption card for 2012
• Rays accepting applications for the Community Fund Grant Program
• Gaither’s Stanger ranked tops in his class by Golfweek Magazine
• Hillsborough’s Sherit lands Oklahoma offer
• Former Shorecrest football coach Hayford among 34 applying for Brandon job
• Jesuit QB Tommy Eveld accepts USF walk-on offer, joins brother
• USF at Boise State in 2012?
• Panini Playoff football is no longer a secret
• 2 baseball players make commitments
• State cross country meet leaving Little Everglades
• Fish are slamming baits down south
• Wharton athletes Litton, Enos, arrested
• Plant has some fun with the Governor
• Pasco QB Jacob Guy receives Colgate offer
• Upper Deck previews images from Series 2 hockey

More

• Bucs Report -Tribune staff
• Rays Report - Roger Mooney
• Bolts Report - Erik Erlendsson
• Bulls Report
• Gators Report - Tribune staff
• Go Fishing: On The Waterfront
• Breakfast Bonus - Tom McEwen
• The Sports Bookie - Bob D'Angelo
• Storm Report - Nick Williams
• Prep Report - Football
• Prep Report - Hillsborough
• Prep Report - Pasco
• NFL Draft Report
• Prep Report - Recruiting Updates
• Prep Report - Region
• Grapefruit Report - Spring Training
• Boxing Report - Eddie Daniels
• FC Tampa Bay soccer - Tribune Staff
• Youth Sports Report
• Scenes From College Football
• Go Ask: Frank's Tacklebox
• Bucified Bert Blog
• BUK Power - Bucs Fan Blog
• Pigskin Preacher - NFL Fan Blog
• Highlands Sports

Monthly Archives

• February 2012
• January 2012
• December 2011
• November 2011
• October 2011
• September 2011

Bucs should try changing the script

Posted Dec 18, 2009 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Dec 18, 2009 at 12:56 PM

By IRA KAUFMAN
TAMPA—If it was good enough for Bill Walsh and Mike Holmgren, it should be good enough for Greg Olson.

Olson, the beleaguered offensive coordinator of the Buccaneers, will have plenty of time on that flight to Seattle to script out Tampa Bay’s first 15 or 20 plays heading into Sunday’s matchup at Seattle.

And most of those snaps should be runs.

Granted, an offensive line that was supposed to be a team strength has underperformed through Tampa Bay’s 1-12 start, but Olson has also failed to show enough of a commitment to the ground game, especially considering the Bucs are starting rookie QB Josh Freeman.

In the final three games, Olson has an opportunity to show confidence in his offensive line while trying to incorporate Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham into the offense. Tampa Bay’s backfield depth has not been utilized effectively behind Cadillac Williams this year and Ward and Graham need a reason to feel good about themselves heading into 2010.

Scripting plays is not a revolutionary concept in the NFL and Olson needs to try something different in an effort to energize an offense that hasn’t scored a touchdown in the past nine quarters. Freeman wouldn’t mind handing off instead of trying to cope with all that crowd noise at Qwest Field.

And if the Bucs run often and effectively, there will be opportunities downfield for WR Antonio Bryant.

Olson and head coach Raheem Morris haven’t explained why the Bucs are throwing the ball on 60 percent of their snaps, especially when Morris wanted to forge an identity as a physical, violent football team.

After 13 games, this horror show needs a fresh script.