Steelers/Week 17: End of Season, End of Era?

Here’s my take on the Steelers’ 27-24 victory against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon:

1. Rejoice, Steelers World, you can tell your grandkids that you witnessed the biggest letdown season in franchise history!

Well, name a bigger one then.

In 2006, the Steelers tanked as the defending Super Bowl champions, but this season ranks worse than that one. A lot worse.

The ‘06 team opened the season with a lame-duck head coach (Bill Cowher) and a quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger) with physical issues. The ’09 team started the season with no such problems, unless you count Big Ben’s legal controversy, which appeared to have no effect on the field.

Not only that, but this team had a bunch of Twinkies and Ho Hos on its schedule.

The 1995, 2001 and 2004 teams are on the short list, but for as many hearts as they broke, at least they advanced to the postseason. What did this one accomplish except a lot of anger and frustration and lousy football?  

I mean, this season was so godawful that Steelers World was forced to root for the Oakland Raiders on the final day of the regular season.

Yuck.

2. Sorry, but I don’t see any quick fixes here, either.  Like the ‘Burgh itself, the Steelers organization is slow and methodical, not quick and aggressive, salary cap or no salary cap.

This is an ancient team whose best days are behind it. I’ll be surprised if it finishes better than 8-8 next season.

3. I hold general manager Kevin Colbert responsible for this nightmare of a season.

Colbert also brought back the same nucleus for a year ago. Bad idea. Championship teams don’t repeat with the same guys nowadays, especially ones that have a bunch of 30-somethings on their rosters.

If course, the one guy he should have brought back, cornerback Bryant McFadden, he allowed to walk out the free-agent door.  

4. I hold Mike Tomlin responsible for what happened this season.

When a plane is on autopilot like the Steelers were last season, it’s easy to navigate. But when it hits turbulence, it takes experience and know-how to steer clear of trouble. Clearly, Tomlin didn’t have the experience and know-how to handle the kind of problems that confronted his team this season.

The head coach talked a good game, anyway.

5. I hold the players responsible for what happened this season.

This team had too many fat cats at the start of the season. (Yeah, that includes you, LaMarr Woodley.) There’s no excuse to lack motivation, especially when you’re the defending champs.

6. Can’t say enough good things about Roethlisberger, the one guy who held up his part of the deal throughout the season. When he drove the team to a late field goal despite a limp right arm, I thought that John Wayne had made a comeback.

Forget talent level. If everyone displayed the grit and determination that Big Ben did this season, then this team would be headed to the playoffs right now.

7. Why anyone outside of family, friends and opponents would want linebacker James Farrior and cornerback Deshea Townsend on the field in obvious pass situations beats the hell out of me. They killed the defense on third down time after time after time.

I mean, if you’re gonna get toasted, better to get toasted with young guys who at least will gain experience from it.

8. The company line was that Willie Parker had lost a step because of injuries, but in what may have been his final game in black and gold, Fast Willie put up 91 yards in 12 carries and didn’t look slow to me.

Parker and Tomlin had a personality clash, but ego shouldn’t interfere with the best interests of the team. Parker should have touched the ball a half-dozen times every game. Minimum.

9. I understand the urgency to get Rashard Mendenhall more involved, but the kid was handed the third-down job even though he wasn’t ready for it.

In the last two games, Mendenhall dropped one sure TD pass and botched another because he wasn’t aware of the sideline.

Meanwhile, the guy who would have been ideal for the role sat and watched the entire season. Stefan Logan is his name.

10. Congrats to shoulda-been Steelers head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who guided the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs for the second time in as many seasons.

History says that one of the Super Bowl teams fail to make the playoffs the next year, but who would have thunk that the Steelers would be it?

(For the final Steelers grades and analysis, see Paul Ladewski’s story in Bleacher Report on Tuesday.)

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Detroit Lions Best Draft Might Not Include Ndamukong Suh

With all due respect to Ndamukong Suh, the Detroit Lions might be better off if he is a St. Louis Ram in April of 2010.

No one is debating his talent level. The boy named Suh deserves to be the number one pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. In fact, if he “fell” to number two overall, the Detroit Lions would be foolish not to take him.

However, if the Rams select Suh, the Detroit Lions might be better off.

At the top of the 2010 NFL Draft order, Cleveland, Washington, Seattle, and Buffalo are in possible need of a quarterback. San Francisco sits in the middle of the first with two picks. Any of those teams could want to move ahead of the pack.

If the Detroit Lions can come out of the 2010 Draft with two first round picks or a first round pick in 2011—not to mention numerous middle to late round picks—the Lions would be in a much better situation.

Consider this…the Detroit Lions are able to trade the number two pick to San Francisco for both first rounders.

Would the Lions be better off with only Gerald McCoy or Terrence Cody and Carlos Dunlap? (*insert mid-first round picks of your choosing*)

Would the Lions be better off with only Russell Okung or Joe Haden and Greg Hardy?

Both Russell Okung and Gerald McCoy are solid prospects and worthy of top picks but neither is worth two quality starters at much needed positions. Add in an extra possible third or fourth rounder and the Lions could be talking three starters on a talent starved team instead of one.

At worst case scenario—for those most cynical Lions fans out there—Detroit has three chances to make a solid pick instead of one gigantic bust.

So, Lions fans, between now and April, salivate over Ndamukong Suh. The Lions would be well off with him starting in the middle of the defense for the next 12 years.

But, in the back of your mind, remember that the best possible scenario might be Suh dominating the NFC West for those twelve years and the Lions front office taking advantage.

The 2010 NFL Draft will not fix the Detroit Lions…one player, even Ndamukong Suh, will not fix the Detroit Lions.

For the 2010 NFL Draft to benefit the Detroit Lions the most, Ndamukong Suh will end up a member of the St. Louis Rams.

Michael Schottey is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and the producer and host of The Average Joe Sports Show on 860AM KNUJ (New Ulm, MN). He is also an NFL Analyst and Senior Writer for DraftTek.com. Follow Him on Twitter.

 

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No Title Defense For Pittsburgh Steelers Despite Victory Over Dolphins

The Pittsburgh Steelers went into Miami and did what they needed to do Sunday afternoon: overcoming lackluster play by their defense, the Steelers eeked out a six-point win against the Dolphins in their quest to wrap up a postseason berth and defend their Super Bowl title.

Unfortunately it wasn’t enough; the help they needed didn’t pan out, and Pittsburgh found itself in the unenviable position of having to watch the Lombardi Trophy go to someone else without getting an opportunity to claim it themselves.

Pittsburgh’s best shot was a win over Miami plus losses by Houston and the Jets. Before they even finished their own game, it was apparent that the best-case scenario wasn’t an option: the Texans were able to prevail over the somewhat substandard performance of Bill Belichump’s Patriots, and Pittsburgh’s position became that much more perilous.

Needing losses by Denver, Baltimore, and the Jets, the Steelers hopes were dashed when the Ravens prevailed 21-13 over the Oakland Raiders, a team that defeated Pittsburgh earlier in the year.

Conspiracy theorists and hotheads will look to the Indianapolis and New England games and claim that these teams laid down purposely to keep the Steelers out of the playoffs.

Other will blame the NFL for flexing the Cincinnati game to Sunday night and changing the dynamic of the matchups to give a New York team the best possible shot at making the postseason (since the Giants blew their shot last week, the Jets got the nod). 

Still others will blame the refs for bad calls in the New England game that gave Houston the win.

And regardless of whether the arguments are valid, they truly don’t admit to a hill of beans.

The truth of the matter is, Pittsburgh has no one to blame but themselves.

Are you listening, LaMarr Woodley? It is PITTSBURGH’S fault that they aren’t in the playoffs.

Consider this: Pittsburgh opened the season 6-2, and looked to be well on their way to making a run at their third Super Bowl appearance in five years. They then embarked on a five-game losing streak that is one of the most inexplicable in recent memory.

Two of the losses, while hard to swallow, at least are somewhat justifiable: Pittsburgh lost to Cincinnati, who admittedly was playing some inspired ball—the Bengals had earned the nickname “Cardiac Cats” for late-game heroics all season, and the Steelers game was no exception— and Baltimore, who always play Pittsburgh hard regardless of the stakes.

But those two losses aren’t the issue. It’s the other three that cast doubt on the Steelers tenacity.

After losing to the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh fell to Kansas City. A nearly 400-yard effort by Ben Roethlisberger made no difference; the Steelers defense surrendered a 10-point lead at the half, getting outscored 17-7 and allowing the Chiefs to force overtime. Beleaguered cornerback William Gay gave up a 62-yard bomb that put the Chiefs in field goal range, and that was that. 

Following the loss a week later to the Baltimore Ravens, Coach Mike Tomlin implied in a press conference that the silliness was over; the Steelers were addressing their issues and would shortly “unleash hell” in December to finish the season.

They unleashed hell, alright, they just forgot to harness it and use it for themselves.

The next week Pittsburgh faced of with the Oakland Raiders, a rival of the Steelers during Pittsburgh’s previous dynasty in the ’70’s. Oakland, with their league-worst offense, was able to rally for 21—yes, you read that right, 21—points in the first quarter to beat the Steelers at Heinz Field, a place that until this year was a hard stadium to visit and win.

The very next week, Pittsburgh squared off against inter-divisional rival Cleveland in a game they were sure to win. The Browns had managed just two wins while dropping 11 this season. No way were the Steelers going to drop this one.

Except they did. Five games, five losses, and suddenly the Steelers were 6-7 and in danger of being eliminated from playoff contention.

If Pittsburgh had taken care of business in just one of those five games, they would be sitting as the fifth seed in the playoffs. Worse yet, three of the losses came against teams that ended the season with a combined record of 14-32. Heads-up play against any of those teams and the Steelers are 10-6.  

As it is now, the only trophy Pittsburgh gets to hoist this year is one they already have in their trophy case.

It’s not Woodley’s fault for spouting off at the mouth, as much as conspiracy theorists wold like to believe. Although it is emotionally satisfying to have a reason to impugn the reputation and ethics of Bill Belichickie, New England has no culpability in the Steelers demise.

The NFL did not execute some dastardly plan to make Pittsbugh’s chances slimmer than they already were, even though it is no secret that a New York-area team in the playoffs means big money for the league.

It can’t even be blamed on the absence of Troy Polamalu; he went down early enough in the season for the defensive backfield to adjust to his not being on the field (although Tyrone Carter was most assuredly exposed for the mediocre safety that he is, and William Gay, Ike Taylor, and Deshea Townsend should be smacked for continuing to expect Carter to provide help over the top).

No, the only people who hold any blame for the Steelers absence from the postseason are the guys who strapped up and stepped between the white lines. When you get right down to it, that’s where the meat of the matter is: 51 players played 16 games. They and they alone held the key to their postseason opportunities.

When all is said and done, all 51 of them didn’t execute. The price that must be paid for that is an early off-season. 

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The New York Jets Are Handed a No. 5 Seed in the Playoffs

Most NFL players will tell you that it is a great accomplishment to make it to the playoffs, as thirty-two different teams are fighting it out for twelve spots.

And it usually only gets harder as the season comes to a close.

Ask any member of the New York Jets and they may tell you an entirely different story.

Two weeks in a row the New York Jets have been practically handed a win, needing only to beat second and third string players.

It was almost laughable watching the Jets celebrate with every score knowing that my high school team could have done the same thing. 

The New York Jets have certainly received the best Christmas present of any team in the league, a No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs, while many other teams got lumps of coal.

Lets see what the Jets can do with this opportunity. I, for one, don’t think they will do anything at all with it.

But wouldn’t it be nice to watch all the teams that folded this week lose in the next?

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Josh McDaniels Needs to Learn What Accountability REALLY Means

Apparently it is possible to see a mirage in the Rockies.

Earlier this season after the Broncos started 3-0, I wrote that the Broncos and their fans were buying into what Josh McDaniels was doing with the team and, to steal a line from McDonald’s, I said they were “lovin’ it.”

Well, 13 games later, I think it is safe to say both the team and its fans are “hatin’ it.”  Even yours truly admits he was dead wrong. In a season of low expectations, the Broncos took advantage of no one taking them seriously and surged to a 6-0 start. 

Then the wheels came off and the Broncos finished a putrid 2-8 and becoming only the third team since the AFL-NFL merger to miss the postseason after starting the season 6-0. This collapse is worse than the three-game losing streak the Broncos had to end the 2008 campaign, due to that they played poorly for ten games versus three.

Mike Shanahan got fired for that three-game collapse last season, so logic dictates McDaniels should suffer the same fate. Will it happen?  Probably not this year. That said, Bowlen has even more just cause to fire McDaniels than he had to fire Shanahan.

First, as can be seen in the 44-24 thumping they took at home to the 3-12 Chiefs, McDaniels has lost control of this team. Just when fans thought it couldn’t get any worse than being beaten by JaMarcus Russell at the last second, it does. 

For example, McDaniels had the gall to make a more boneheaded move than Shanahan ever did by benching two of his best three pass catchers for “attitude problems,” for a game that had playoff implications. Anyone who saw today’s game would have been able to see that Marshall’s height and Scheffler’s hands would have helped the Broncos.

Marshall’s case is sketchy at best, but as a former problem child who had been on his best behavior all season it makes McDaniels’ move that much more puzzling.

On top of that, McDaniels has proven himself to be such a big liar that it would make Bill Belichick cringe. Case in point, McDaniels said today that Marshall’s benching had nothing to do with the Pro Bowl receiver missing a treat session for his purported injured hamstring. However, earlier in the week the head coach told Ed Werder of ESPN that missing a session was a primary reason for Marshall’s benching.

Which one is it coach? I understand that coaches mislead members of the media a lot with statements that aren’t necessarily true yet not entirely false, but this was an out and out lie that wouldn’t have been such a big deal had McDaniels told it one way or the other.

Such an outright lack of integrity even has me questioning how much of what McDaniels said about the falling out with Jay Cutler is true, but as they say “there is no use in crying over spilled milk.” We likely will never know what really happened there, but recent events should cause some Broncos fans to re-examine who the real villain in that situation really was.

Owner Pat Bowlen is learning what Cleveland (times two with Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini) and Notre Dame have come to terms with recently: the “Patriot way” of running an NFL works nowhere outside of Foxboro and even there, Belichick’s methods are starting to show signs of strain. Fudging on injury reports is no longer tolerated and Belichick’s monotone press conferences are beginning to become the laughingstock of the NFL. 

Players and fans alike want to see their teams run with integrity and class, a way in which the Broncos were run just one year ago. Taking out shortcomings on defense and struggles to finish off seasons, no one can say that the Shanahan regime wasn’t classy.  Shanahan’s final press conference is an example of that. He didn’t get it done and openly admitted it.

What does McDaniels do? He throws two of his best offensive players under the bus. If you have an issue with some players’ attitudes, that’s fine. McDaniels said the word of the week was accountability, and he held Marshall and Scheffler accountable. 

Now, following another embarrassing defeat, does the coach hold himself accountable? McDaniels said after the game, “Obviously, something is wrong and it needs to be fixed.”  Look in the mirror, coach.  McDaniels went on a power trip this past week and now he needs to learn the true meaning of the word “accountability.”

Mr. Bowlen, for the sake of your franchise, please fire this man. You don’t have to (and shouldn’t) bring back Shanahan, but please hire a proven winner.

Bill Cowher would be a good start.

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Denver Broncos Season Recap: Josh McDaniels Should Be Working at McDonalds

At first glance, it looked like Josh McDaniels really didn’t need Jay Cutler after the Broncos started the season at 6-0.

However, now we know McDaniels is 100% responsible for the Broncos’ tumble out of the playoff race. The Broncos’ record over the last 10 games was a miserable 2-8.

How could so much change so quickly in the Mile High City?

It’s simple. McDaniels was overconfident in his ability to beat any team at any time. He was quoted saying that his team could always find a way to beat any team.

But then McDaniels’ offense began to show signs of weakness. McDaniels’ weird decision to sit Orton for the start of a big game against San Diego and then insert him into the lineup after Chris Simms spotted the Chargers a 10-0 lead was indicative of the questionable offensive decisions that cost the Broncos a playoff berth.

 

Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan was the real reason for the tremendous start to the season. He took a gutty group of veterans in the secondary and mixed them with a lot of youth and talent in a new 3-4 defense to confuse opposing offenses.

McDaniels got way too much credit too early for their good start and now his reputation in Denver is being questioned, again. Jay Cutler was spot on in his displeasure of McDaniels attempting to trade him. It was obvious McDaniels wanted his way regardless of his decisions’ effect on the team.

Cutler was one of the most coveted young quarterbacks in the league heading into this season. Mike Shanahan had worked with Cutler and the Vandy product was finally beginning to really understand the West Coast offense before Shanahan was canned by owner Pat Bowlen. 

Cutler was a Pro Bowl quarterback during the 2008 season. But McDaniels wanted Matt Cassel on his team because of their working relationship in New England, and he knew that Bill Belichick was going to trade him.

It was a very childish move on McDaniels’ part to attempt to trade a talented quarterback such as Cutler as soon as he was hired as head coach. A new coach should be looking to earn the respect and work with his Pro-Bowl quarterback, not going behind his back and talking with his former organization.

After this past week in which he suspended his best two pass catchers on the team, I officially believe his ego has cost Denver this season.  Other coaches in this league deal with giant locker-room egos and figure out a way to talk things out without a suspension.

In this case, McDaniels suspended Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler because they were not in the same mind set that he was. Marshall was injured and McDaniels pretty much called him soft in an interview with the Denver Post. As a result, Marshall was benched, which was a huge factor in the Broncos season-ending loss to Kansas City.

The Scheffler suspension was reportedly for “attitude reasons”. Tony Scheffler has long been a great threat as a tight end for Denver and was also one of Jay Cutler’s best friends. It is not surprising that he was the other person suspended for the game. He has probably been heated with the coach since the whole Cutler fiasco and it spiraled out of control after the Philadelphia loss. Scheffler has been lost in McDaniels offense and has not had nearly the amount of chances he saw in Shanahan’s schemes.

In the end, it looks like Pat Bowlen got brainwashed by McDaniels in his interview to become coach of the Broncos.

And if you thought the backlash in Denver was bad when they traded away Cutler, wait for the next couple years.

With McDaniels at the helm, these suspensions and locker room scuffles are just going to get worse. This team has collapsed three straight seasons now and that doesn’t look like it’s changing any time soon. Losing to Oakland, San Diego, and Kansas City at home was so embarrassing for Broncos fans and their owner that they really are questioning this coach.

Today, they literally got stomped by a three-win Chiefs team in a must-win, playoff type game. If that isn’t a sign that they should cut this cord immediately than I will never know what is.

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Michael Oher Version 2.0: O.C. Brown (And More About “The Blind Side”)

Maybe ABC read my article The Blind Side: Fact or Fiction, I’m a Michael Oher Fan.

 

But more likely, they probably had their special, The Blind Side: The Real Story Behind the Movie planned weeks ago.

 

Either way, last Friday night, I sat down to watch the truth behind the hit Hollywood movie.

 

While I had down some research after my viewing of the movie to write my first article, 20/20 got first-hand myth-debunking from Oher and the Tuohy family themselves.

 

I was impressed when Oher admitted to being a bit upset at being portrayed in the movie as being bad at football until a loving Leigh Anne Tuohy gave him a stern lecture. He says football has always been a passion of his and he has always excelled at it.

 

Particularly intriguing was Collins Tuohy, who is very attached to her “brother,” Michael.

 

Giving up her Advanced Placement classes to be in the same classes as Michael in school, she would sometimes spend several hours studying with him after school to help him stay up to speed with his schoolwork.

 

The interview continues and can be found at: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/BlindSide/

 

In the special we are also introduced to O.C. Brown, who some are calling the next Michael Oher.

 

Also from the same tough streets of North Memphis, Brown was being raised by his grandmother while playing high school football—left tackle just like Oher—when his grades started to slip.

 

His grandmother said he would have to stop playing football if his grades got any worse.

 

Word of Brown’s grades spread around the volunteer coaching staff, who pulled together to get him tutoring and even had families offering to house him so he could be closer to his tutors.

 

Does this story sound familiar?

 

But Brown was different in that he had a family and didn’t want to leave them. So a compromise was reached.

 

He stayed with a member of the volunteer staff, Michael Ray, and his family Monday-Thursday and with his grandmother and the rest of his family on the weekends. The plan was for him to stay for one month.

 

It’s lasted much longer than that, but his life is much improved.

 

His grades have gone up and attention is pointing towards him and the comparison to Oher.

 

Some have said these families are being selfish and could help children of their own race, that they are just helping mold these kids into big-time football stars.

 

But Leigh Anne Tuohy has a few words for those people:

 

“Don’t let the door hit them in the butt on the way out.”

 

She said since the movie, people from all over the world have contacted her, telling her how inspired they were by their story and how they plan to cancel vacations and donate their money—or time—to help others.

 

And you know Michael Oher and O.C. Brown will be on top of that list to help.

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2009 NFL Awards: Peyton Manning Is Your MVP

Most Valuable Player: Peyton Manning

He more than likely would have led the Colts to an undefeated regular season had Jim Caldwell not decided to sit their starters. Manning should win it for the 2nd straight season.

Runners Up: Philip Rivers, Drew Brees, Brett Favre

 

Offensive Player of the Year: Chris Johnson

After an impressive rookie season, Chris Johnson didn’t miss a beat as he rushed for over 2,000 yards. He was huge in keeping the Titans season alive.

Runners Up: Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers

 

Defensive Player of the Year: Charles Woodson

All season long Woodson was the anchor of an impressive Packers defense and continued to do it all on the defensive side of the ball with nine interceptions and three touchdowns.

Runners Up: Darrell Revis, Elvis Dumervil, Darren Sharper 

 

Coach of the Year: Marvin Lewis

Lewis did everything to get himself off the hot seat, and led the Bengals to a perfect record in the AFC North. This was an emotional season for the Bengals with the passing of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s wife, Vicky, as well as the tragic death of WR Chris Henry. 

Runners Up: Jim Caldwell, Sean Payton, Norv Turner

 

Comeback Player of the Year: Carson Palmer

After missing much of last season with an injury, Palmer came back in 2009 healthy and efficient, leading the Bengals to a division title.

Runners Up: Tom Brady, Chad Ochocinco

 

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Percy Harvin

Harvin had a very impressive rookie season for the Vikings and found chemistry with Brett Favre while scoring eight total touchdowns.

Runners Up: Knowshon Moreno, Michael Oher, Hakeem Nicks, LeSean McCoy

 

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Brian Cushing 

In his rookie season out of USC, Cushing had over 100 tackles, and four interceptions while making the pro bowl.

Runners Up: Brian Orakpo, Jairus Byrd

 

Most Improved Player: Ray Rice

In his 2nd season out of Rutgers, Rice overtook Willis McGahee for the starting job and rushed for over 1000 yards and had 78 receptions.

Runners Up: Matt Schaub, Vincent Jackson, Miles Austin

 

Biggest Disappointment: Pittsburgh Steelers  

After winning the super bowl, the Steelers figured to come back poised for at least another playoff run. However, after losing five in a row, and losing to the Chiefs, Raiders, and Browns in back-to-back weeks, they couldn’t recover enough to make the playoffs.

Runners Up: New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears

 

Biggest Surprise: Cincinnati Bengals  

After finishing last season 4-11-1, the Bengals came out this year playing different football. Led by their impressive defense, the Bengals won the AFC North. Bengals fans weren’t used to seeing the defense better than the offense.

Runners Up: New York Jets, Denver Broncos

 

Best Free Agent Pick-Up: Brett Favre

After his collapse a season ago with the Jets, Favre came back strong with the Vikings and led them to 12-4 and an NFC North title. He made them instant Super Bowl contenders and showed he can definitely still play.

 

Worst Free Agent Pick-Up: Albert Haynesworth

In his first season with Redskins after getting his $100 million contract, Haynesworth was not impressive and couldn’t stay healthy much of the year. Dan Snyder better hope Haynes is worth it next season.

Runner Up: Terrell Owens

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The Five Biggest Surprises of the 2009 NFL Season

With the 2009 NFL regular season ending, I have composed a list of the five biggest surprises this season- both positive and negative. There were certainly more than five surprises this season, I simply selected the five that I thought stood out the most. Let me know what you think. It has been a tremendous regular season and I look forward to what the playoffs have in store.

Begin Slideshow

Hey Raheem Morris: Thanks For Trying, But It’s Time For a Real Coach

The Buccaneers completed their worst season since 1991 with an underwhelming 20-10 loss at home to the Atlanta Falcons. The loss secured the Bucs the third overall choice in April’s draft and a 3-13 record on the 2009 campaign, snapping their modest two-game winning streak.

Fans are quick to blame Raheem Morris for the debacle that was 2009, but it’s not really about Raheem. Morris didn’t have a chance. On that late January morning the Buccaneers fired Jon Gruden, Morris was headed to the barber shop, believing he would be the Bucs’ new defensive coordinator.

He was excited about the opportunity and was looking forward to the challenge of following in the footsteps of the legendary Monte Kiffin.

Then — he got the call. The Glazers told him, “Guess what Raheem, you’re head coach.”

At first, he declined. Perhaps it was out of loyalty to Gruden or maybe he realized that he wasn’t ready yet for that kind of responsibility. After a quick conversation with his former boss, Morris changed his mind and decided to take the opportunity.

Morris changed his mind a lot this season. His ownership group and general manager decided his coordinators and when they realized that those choices were poor fits, they allowed him to fire them.

Morris had to follow his owners marching orders — find a franchise quarterback and get rid of the aging veterans. Gone were Jeff Garcia, Cato June, Joey Galloway, and future Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks. Enter rookie quarterback Josh Freeman.

Morris struggled with talent evaluation, believing the squad he had could compete and win consistently, so much so, Freeman was left on the bench while veterans Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich battled during training camp for the opening day starting nod. McCown played a little better, but Leftwich was given the job and McCown was traded to Jacksonville.

After three weeks, Leftwich found the bench as well, leaving the Bucs with 2nd year pro Josh Johnson to get them to the bye.

When Freeman came in, he had few reps and had already been through two offensive coordinators.

Three different starting quarterbacks on offense, both offensive and defensive coordinators fired during the season, a leading rusher that had two torn patellas, a franchise wide receiver that missed half the season with injuries, and a defense with no veteran leadership playing in a system that wasn’t suited to the personnel and a rookie quarterback.

It’s no wonder they struggled. Too young, not enough veteran leadership and no experience in the coaching box.

Raheem Morris showed his inexperience with poor game management, poor personnel choices, and indecision in which identity he wanted his team to give itself.

It’s not his fault, folks. Just like his young quarterback, he didn’t have the “reps” at the coaching level to warrant his position. The Glazers knew this when they hired him. They figured “rather a year too early than a year too later”.

They couldn’t have envisioned this. Now, after a horrible season, they face a decision they did not want to make. The Glazers wanted Raheem to take them into the 2011 season and the potential lockout.

The fans spoke loudly today with their absence from Raymond James Stadium. The game was reported to be the 87th consecutive sell out in stadium history, but it was far from a full house. In fact, there were at least 20,000 less than the announced 62,578.

If the Glazers don’t make a move, they’re going to take a bath on season ticket renewals this year. The fans sense what we all realize — Morris isn’t ready. Another season under him is another wasted year of the rebuilding process.

The fanbase is so disenfranchised now, believing the owners no longer care about winning, that only a real statement will prevent the max exodus.

Without butts in the seats, the Glazers will be hard pressed to sell a half filled stadium for full price to their sponsors and suite holders.

If all the Glazers believe in is the almighty dollar, they’re going to see a lot of it disappear this off-season if Raheem Morris is retained.

The Glazers’ hand has been forced. They must make a change.

I really do like Raheem, I think he’s a good coach and I believe he can be one heck of a defensive coordinator in this league. He may eventually become a good head coach down the road.

It just shouldn’t be in Tampa Bay. Not if the Glazers truly have their hand on the pulse of the franchise.

Word is the Glazers weren’t at the game today — they rarely miss a game. Were they in the mountains of Carolina visiting one Bill Cowher? Were they in the living room of one Mike Shanahan?

Maybe they just decided, like many Buc fans on this Sunday, that it was too cold to be at the stadium.

I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next few days, but I do know that what transpired this season wasn’t the fault of Raheem Morris. He was the unfortunately victim of some poor decision making by the ownership group.

Good luck, Rah. No matter what happens in the next few days or weeks, the Buc fans thank you for giving it your best shot in an utterly impossible situation.

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