Oct 13, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano reacts on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium. The Eagles won 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers sit at (2-8) after winning the last two contests in impressive fashion. But the question that is on the mind of every Buccaneers’ fan is, what offseason moves will be made to improve the team’s awful Win/Loss record the past few seasons? Many can posit the argument that this team is better than their record states because they have blown fourth quarter leads against very good ball clubs. However, as Bill Parcells famously said your are what your record says you are. And that adage rings true for this Tampa Bay club. In the NFL every team is talented from top to bottom, some more than others, however it is the execution in certain situations that sets teams apart, most of which occur in the fourth quarter. And the Bucs have been one of the league’s worst teams in the fourth quarter surrendering leads that lead Schiano and company start the season (0-8).
This year we have seen controversy between quarterback and Head Coach, which lead former Captain Josh Freeman to be cut, star free agent acquisition Darelle Revis complain about the strictness of Coach Greg Schiano’s policy’s, and a defense play so underwhelming you would never believe the Bucs had a roster that included Darelle Revis, Gerald McCoy, Adrian Clayborn, Lavonte David, DaShon Goldson, and Mark Barron.
So what should they do down by the Gulf? Fire Schiano? Draft a quarterback? Those questions have become the most prevalent among Buccaneers fans. And the correct answer is to go ahead and do both. Let’s look at the facts, coaches that have been transplanted from college to the NFL in the league’s history have not performed. Nick Saban failed in the NFL, Steve Spurrier failed in the NFL, and Greg Schiano is not even close to that caliber. Plainly said, Rutgers is not Florida or South Carolina or LSU or Alabama. Moreover, drafting a quarterback should also be of paramount importance this coming offseason. Mike Glennon is nice player and has shown some flashes, but could your really look at how he’s performed and say without hesitation he is the quarterback of the future? The answer is no. This Buccaneers team is more loaded on offense than most would believe, mostly because of mediocre quarterback play thus far in 2013. They have a young and dynamic receiving core lead by Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams, they have one of the more dangerous running games in the NFC with Doug Martin and Mike James (Though both are on IR), and an offensive line that is experienced and talented. Glennon has had some good games, however would really want him over Johnny Manziel, Aaron Murray, Tajh Boyd or Marcus Mariota? You would be crazy to think that he would outperform the crop that is coming into the NFL in the 2014 Draft. Regardless of how well the Bucs play throughout the rest of the season they are still going to be in a position in the first round to draft a true franchise quarterback and they would be remiss if they did not act on that opportunity.