Tampa Bay Buccaneers News: Pro Sports Daily

February 4

New York Post

"Are you ready for a lot more prime-time football? NFL commissioner Roger Goodell used his annual Super Bowl news conference yesterday to reveal the league is dramatically expanding the Thursday night package on its own network starting this fall. In what appeared to be a way to up the pressure in its long-running dispute with Time Warner Cable and Cablevision over New York-area carriage of the NFL Network, the league said that channel will now show Thursday games from Week 2 through Week 15. The NFL Network previously broadcast Thursday games the final eight weeks of the season, but Goodell said the expansion resulted from a desire to guarantee every team in the league at least one"

Goodell: If NFL expands, it'll add two more teams

February 3

CBSSports.com

"It's no secret the NFL wants to expand to Los Angeles. And while so much of the attention has been focused on which franchise would relocate to L.A. -- whether it's the Chargers, Vikings, Jaguars or Rams -- we haven't discussed much the possibility of the NFL expanding. Apparently, that's an option. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday on Costas Live on the NBC Sports Network that if the league places a team in L.A., the NFL probably would add two more franchises to make it an even 34. Goodell said the league "doesn't want to move any of our teams" and "we probably don't want to go to 33" if the NFL decides expansion is a good choice."

With Schiano hoping to lure Rutgers assistants, Scarlet Knights look to counter

February 1

St. Petersburg Times

"Greg Schiano told reporters after his introduction as the Bucs' new coach on Friday that he expected to bring some of his Rutgers assistants with him to Tampa Bay. While he didn't get specific, it was clear his intention is to have multiple members of that staff join him on the Buccaneers' coaching staff. But things could get interesting in the next several days. With Rutgers naming interim coach Kyle Flood as its permanent coach on Tuesday, the Scarlet Knights' goals now turn to retaining the core of their coaching staff. That will put them in direct competition with Schiano, and it's not out of the question to suggest there could be some bidding wars."

Gerald McCoy says Tampa Bay Buccaneers eager to play for Greg Schiano

February 1

St. Petersburg Times

"Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy says he hasn't met new head coach Greg Schiano, but he says there is already a buzz among the players. "Everyone's excited," McCoy said. "Everyone is like, 'I don't know what to expect,' but everyone's excited." McCoy said he was didn't know much about Schiano before the Bucs hired him, but that his financial advisor, John Mangum, played for him when Schiano was an assistant with the Bears. "He gave his stamp of approval," McCoy said as he worked Super Bowl media day. "I've done some research on him, and I've heard nothing but good things and how respected he is. "He's an old soul, a no-nonsense coach who completely flipped and changed around that Rutgers"

Bucs still working to pry McNulty from Cardinals

January 31

St. Petersburg Times

"Bucs coach Greg Schiano was a dealt a tough blow when the Arizona Cardinals declined the team's request to interview Cardinals receivers coach John McNulty for the position of offensive coordinator. McNulty served on Schiano's staff at Rutgers from 2004-08 and was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach during his last three seasons with the Scarlet Knights. Considering the investment the Bucs have in quarterback Josh Freeman, offensive coordinator is arguably the most critical hire on Schiano's staff. It's believed that Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt made the call on prohibiting McNulty from interviewing with the Bucs."

Report: Tampa Bay Bucs coach Greg Schiano wants to hire Butch Davis

January 31

St. Petersburg Times

"Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano is going back to his roots to hire at least one assistant on his staff. Schiano wants to hire Butch Davis, the former Tar Heels, Browns and Miami Hurricanes head coach, according to Sports Illustrated's Peter King. It's not clear what role Davis would have on the Bucs' staff, but most likely he would be defensive coordinator. Schiano was Davis' defensive coordinator at Miami from 1999-2000. Here's what King wrote: Greg Schiano wants Butch Davis on his staff. Not sure whether Davis would be defensive coordinator or an assistant head coach, but Schiano's interested in adding him to the staff at Tampa Bay. Schiano was Davis' defensive coordinator"

Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Mark Dominik: 'We'll be involved (in free agency)'

January 31

St. Petersburg Times

"Lost amid all the news and fallout from Greg Schiano's hiring by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week was an interesting conversation we had with general manager Mark Dominik about the Bucs' approach to this offseason. You heard co-chairman Joel Glazer's emphatic statements earlier this month on free-agent spending and his vow that the Bucs will do what it takes to again become competitive in the NFC South. Now, Dominik offers similar sentiments when asked about areas of the roster that need to be improved and how the team will go about making that happen. "We understand we're not a finished product," he said. "I know that there's things we need to address on this team and I know that we'll"

Cardinals deny Bucs' request to speak with McNulty

January 30

Tampa Tribune

"The Arizona Cardinals have denied the Tampa Bay Buccaneers permission to speak with receivers coach John McNulty about the Bucs' offensive coordinator position, according to the Arizona Republic. McNulty, who has spent the last three seasons with Arizona, is still under contract and must receive permission from the team regarding any possible moves within the league. According to the Tucson Citizen, McNulty may appeal the decision. McNulty worked under new Bucs coach Greg Schiano for five seasons at Rutgers."

Cardinals deny Buccaneers permission to speak to receivers coach John McNulty

January 29

Arizona Republic

"The Cardinals denied the Tampa Bay Buccaneers permission to interview receivers coach John McNulty for the offensive coordinator's job under new coach Greg Schiano, according to NFL sources. It would be a promotion for McNulty, who has spent the past three seasons with the Cardinals. McNulty is under contract with the Cardinals, so their permission is needed to interview for all NFL coaching jobs, other than a head coach. That rule makes it difficult for a new coach to hire a staff. It also complicates things for the team denying permission, because it's stopping a coach from making a significant career move. Whisenhunt and the Cardinals have been on the other end of this situation, too."

Track record of New Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano shows revival, development

January 29

St. Petersburg Times

"Fans of the Bucs are about to find out what kind of coach Greg Schiano will be for their team. Let's take a look at what kind of coach he has been for other teams. ¶ Here are Schiano's greatest hits. Turning Rutgers into a relevant program Everyone talks about how Schiano turned around the program at Rutgers, but let's take a moment to study just how awful the program was before Schiano arrived in December 2000. In the five seasons before, Rutgers was 11-44, including seasons of 0-11 and 1-10. The Scarlet Knights were nobodies, a team other programs would try to schedule for homecoming. In 135 years of football, Rutgers had reached one bowl game. Schiano started his Rutgers career 2-9,"

Greg Schiano is a family man

January 29

St. Petersburg Times

"Night after night, Eric LeGrand would drift to sleep in the hospital room that had become his temporary home. But the glow emanating from Greg Schiano's laptop provided a reminder that he was never alone. If LeGrand awoke in the middle of the night, his coach at Rutgers — correction, his second father — would be there, breaking down film of the week's opponent, fighting off the urge to, you know, sleep. Why do this for weeks on end? Schiano wasn't to blame for LeGrand's paralysis, sustained while making a routine tackle, nor that he needed a ventilator to breathe. Chance was the culprit. But Schiano always promised parents he would treat their boys like his own, and the man's word is his"

LeGrand a true inspiration to Schiano

January 29

Tampa Tribune

"Eric LeGrand's voice was strong and true. "I will walk again – no doubt,'' he said. Just out of physical therapy, he was enthused about setting a personal record. For three minutes, 27 seconds, he sat upright after being lifted into position. "This,'' he said, "is a great day.'' Truthfully, every day is a great day for Eric LeGrand, the relentlessly optimistic Rutgers University football player who was paralyzed from the neck down after making a special-teams tackle against Army on Oct. 16, 2010. His determined attempt at recovery has amazed doctors. He has inspired his university and fans worldwide. And he's probably the biggest reason why Greg Schiano found it difficult to leave Rutgers"

Bucs need to let Schiano just do his thing

January 29

Tampa Tribune

"Well done, Bucs general manager Mark Dominik. Congratulations, Bryan and Joel, and, OK, we'll throw in Ed Glazer, too. You've hired your football guy, Greg Schiano. Great job, fellas, bold, risky, all that. Now: Leave him alone. Stay out of his way, except when he needs something. Then go and get it for him. This is Schiano's deal, not yours. How Dominik survived the recent purge is a mystery until you realize how much he sold the Glazers' idea when it came to the nonsensical notion that you can construct a football team entirely of draft picks, youth and more youth, the very formula that helped sink Raheem Morris. And this coaching change won't mean anything unless there is a"

Greg Schiano: Expect accountability, physical play

January 28

St. Petersburg Times

"Greg Schiano's dream died when the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League released the former Bucknell linebacker after one preseason game. He planned to go to law school. At night, he studied for the LSATs. During the day, he was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Rampano (N.J.) High. Before long, Schiano hung a white sheet in a bedroom at his parents' house, where he was living, and began watching 16mm tapes of games. The law books were pushed aside for playbooks. "And the minute I started coaching, I found I started studying less and less for the LSAT," Schiano said. "At the end of the year, I went in and saw my dad. "My father looked at me and said, 'Wait a minute. I put"

Greg Schiano, quarterback Josh Freeman have history together

January 28

St. Petersburg Times

"New Bucs coach Greg Schiano and his new quarterback have a history together. They met five years ago at, perhaps, Schiano's highest point at Rutgers — and a turning point for Josh Freeman in his development at Kansas State. Schiano's No. 16-ranked Scarlet Knights dominated Freeman and the Wildcats 37-10 in the December 2006 Texas Bowl to cap an 11-win season. The Wildcats scored their only touchdown on special teams. And Freeman threw for only 129 yards with one of his two interceptions returned for a touchdown. "He was a freshman, and I can remember preparing for the bowl game being scared to death: 'If this guy breaks out of the pocket, we are in trouble,' " Schiano said Friday as he was"

Schiano not in hurry to hire his assistants

January 28

Tampa Tribune

"Greg Schiano might be in the early stages of assembling a coaching staff for the 2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but one thing is already clear. It's his call. "Certainly, it's Greg's staff," Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said. "He's the No.?1 input. "I'm just here to listen and provide guidance. This is his football staff and, yes, he'll make the final call." Tampa Bay's new head coach said he is working with Dominik to compile a list of potential assistants. "I'm not worried about (doing it) quick," Schiano said Friday. "I know there's competition with other coaches being hired and people getting gobbled up, but, to me, putting together a staff is a lot like a flowchart: 'If we can get"

Schiano arrives: Beware the Jaw

January 28

Tampa Tribune

columnist Martin Fennelly

"If jaws equal victories, the Bucs just won themselves another Super Bowl. You have to drop a quarter in a viewfinder at Mount Rushmore to see a better lower jaw than the one on new Bucs head coach Greg Schiano. It's a Shula jaw, a Cowher jaw, a jaw you could play handball off of. Here's a jaw that says follow me or else. Are these the Jaws of Life for the Bucs? The square-jawed, granite-jawed, (fill-in-your-own)-jawed Schiano has arrived, having conquered the college game _ what's a man do with himself after winning the Texas, International, Papajohn's.com, St. Petersburg and Pinstripe bowls? So ends this Bucs coaching search, far and wide, though still limited since the two guys everyone"

Schiano introduced as Bucs head coach

January 28

Tampa Tribune

"Greg Schiano made it clear Friday he was not in a hurry to become a NFL coach. He is now head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers simply because he felt the opportunity finally was right. "I've had some other opportunities before, but this one just felt right,'' Schiano said during an introductory news conference at One Buc Place that drew several Bucs players, past and present. Former Bucs great Mike Alstott sat in the front row to hear the new coach's introduction while quarterback Josh Freeman, running back LeGarrette Blount and safety Cody Grimm took seats in the back row of the team's auditorium. What everyone heard was a coach who vowed to instill discipline and structure into a team"

Buccaneers didn't play it safe by hiring Greg Schiano as coach

January 27

St. Petersburg Times

columnist Gary Shelton

"Somewhere, away from the cameras, far from the microphones, a conversation is going on. Somewhere, where outsiders cannot hear, Josh is talking to Gerald, who is passing it on to Adrian, who just talked to LeGarrette, who just got off the phone with Mason, who wonders what Ronde thinks. "So,'' the discussion begins, "what do you think about Greg Schiano?'' Somewhere, the players of the Tampa Bay Bucs are having the same conversations you are having, complete with the "who?'' and the "huh?'' and the "why?'' Odds are, their eyebrows are raised, too. Chances are, they have more questions than answers about the Bucs' latest coach. A new boss is riding in from Rutgers, and you can bet the"

Greg Schiano becomes ninth head coach of Tampa Bay Bucs

January 27

St. Petersburg Times

"Although it might be hard for their faithful to admit, the Bucs are a team still under construction. So when they went in search of a new coach, they looked for someone who could build a lasting contender. They are convinced Greg Schiano has the blueprint. Schiano, 45, who took Rutgers from a laughingstock to perennial Big East contender, was hired Thursday. The selection of Schiano (pronounced SHE-ah-no) after a 24-day search, which included 11 known candidates, might say as much about where the Bucs are as a franchise as the man they picked to lead it. Coming off a 4-12 season, capped by 10 losses that led to the firing of Raheem Morris, the Glazer family, which owns the Bucs, and"

Buccaneers' hiring of coach Greg Schiano gets mostly high marks

January 27

St. Petersburg Times

"Prior to becoming the Bucs' starting left guard and before he was a two-time All-Big East pick at Rutgers, Jeremy Zuttah was a New Jersey high school star with a life-altering decision to make. He could accept an offer to play at Ohio State, a Big Ten power routinely in the national title hunt. Or he could buy into what Greg Schiano was selling: play for nearby Rutgers — in spite of its 11 consecutive losing seasons at the time. "The ability to do something special really appealed to me," said Zuttah, who arrived at Rutgers in 2004. "We tried to put Rutgers on the map, and that's what we did." It took a certain type of coach to make this pitch, and Schiano — who will be introduced as the"

Is Schiano the right guy? Bucs fans will learn soon

January 27

Tampa Tribune

columnist Martin Fennelly

"He'll be introduced today as the ninth head coach in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history. We know he wasn't the first choice. For all we know, he wasn't the second choice either in this long, rollicking, often underwhelming and at one point jilted Bucs coaching search. But the spinning wheel has stopped. You have your man, Tampa Bay. Who's Greg Schiano? We're about to find out. If any of you had to drive around people dancing in the streets Thursday night, call us. We'd like to know where it happened, because we don't believe you. It's not about the buzz or lack of buzz, anyway. He's Greg Schiano and he probably doesn't care if his name buzzes or not — he's here to put a stamp on a team that"

Players think Schiano is right guy for Bucs' job

January 27

Tampa Tribune

"Quarterback Josh Freeman was a man on the move Thursday when he reacted to the big move of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "To be honest, I think he's a great fit," Freeman said after the Bucs made Greg Schiano the ninth head coach in franchise history. "I'm rushing to the airport right now to catch a flight to Tampa, and I'm excited about the news. From everything I hear about him, he's the right guy. I can't wait to meet him." Freeman is one of several prominent Bucs players eager to meet Schiano, who will be introduced today at an afternoon news conference at team headquarters. Fifth-year guard Jeremy Zuttah, who played for Schiano at Rutgers, spent much of the day responding to text messages"

Filling Schiano's coaching staff won't be easy for Bucs

January 27

Tampa Tribune

"The hiring of Greg Schiano as head coach Thursday represents only the first step as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare for the 2012 season. Schiano must assemble a new staff without the benefit of attending the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., a traditional breeding ground for NFL assistant coaches. With his defensive background, Schiano likely will be looking for an imaginative offensive coordinator who can help Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman regain his 2010 form. Green Bay quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, former Eagles coordinator Brad Childress and Hue Jackson, recently dismissed as head coach of the Raiders, are available if the Bucs seek candidates with substantial NFL experience."

Schiano hired to turn around Bucs

January 27

Tampa Tribune

"He is square-jawed and detail-oriented, a defensive fundamentalist with a commanding aura. He's a disciplinarian and teacher with a knack for getting the most out of players. That's how football people describe Greg Schiano. And that's why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed the Rutgers University coach to a five-year contract Thursday, making him the ninth head coach in franchise history and ending a 24-day search. "He's a real no-nonsense kind of guy, a guy whose players love him and play hard for him,'' Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said. "And there's a universal respect around the NFL for him for what he did at Rutgers." Schiano produced a modest 68-67 record during 11 seasons with the"

Sources: Bucs, Greg Schiano near deal

January 26

ESPN.com

"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are near an agreement to hire Rutgers coach Greg Schiano as their new head coach, according to league sources. The two sides are busy putting the finishing touches on an agreement that would give Tampa Bay a new direction and Schiano, 45, his first NFL head coaching job, according to sources. The two sides met Wednesday for the second time and then spent some of the night into the morning trying to work out a contract that is expected to be finalized, according to a source. Mike Sherman, the other candidate to get a second interview with the Bucs, is in Miami this morning visiting with the Dolphins about their offensive coordinator job, according to a source."

Linebackers high on Tampa Bay Buccaneers' list of needs at Senior Bowl

January 26

St. Petersburg Times

"So much about the Bucs remains a mystery, even as draft preparations start to ramp up with this week's Senior Bowl. The team has yet to hire a coach. Even when it does, it will remain unclear what type of defense it will employ until a staff is in place. But this much is unequivocal: The Bucs' defensive performance in 2011 can't be repeated if a turnaround is in the team's future. In their effort to improve their 30th-ranked defense, don't be surprised if Tampa Bay embarks on a search for more playmaking from its linebackers, a position that was under great scrutiny during the season. One possible source: April's draft, where some candidates will be available, including some participating"

A rather uninspiring lot of Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching candidates

January 26

St. Petersburg Times

columnist Gary Shelton

"What do you do if it turns out to be Mike Sherman? After you yawn, of course. After all the names, after all the interviews, after all the days of wandering around the country looking for a new coach, what if the Bucs end up hiring the rather uninspiring Sherman? Do you pump your fist into the air? Do you race to the ticket window to see if any are left? Or do you bring in Warren Sapp to yell a little more? Let's agree on this: There are worse choices than Sherman; not that that's anything a coach wants to put on his answering machine. "Hi, you've reached Mike Sherman. I'm not in right now, but there were worse choices than me.''"

Paterno funeral was trip ex-Buc Robinson had to make

January 26

Tampa Tribune

"Mark Robinson was on his cellphone early Wednesday afternoon. He had flown from Tampa and was at the airport in State College, Pa. He was on his way to see Joe. "I have to be here," Robinson said. Hundreds of former Penn State players had told themselves that since Joe Paterno died. They've made the trip to Central Pennsylvania to say goodbye to their coach, to a man they loved and admired. There was a report Tuesday that more than 800 former Penn State players had passed before Paterno's casket as it lie in the spiritual center on campus, with coaches and fans, lines stretching for blocks."

Gray out as Bucs begin eliminating coach candidates

January 26

Tampa Tribune

"Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray got a wakeup call from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this morning. It wasn't the wakeup call he was hoping for. Gray said in a text to The Tampa Tribune that he was officially eliminated as a candidate for the Bucs' head coaching position during a call from general manager Mark Dominik. "Told me they were going in a different direction," said Gray, who was one of nine known candidates to have interviewed for the job since it opened up Jan, 2 following the firing of Raheem Morris. More eliminations may be coming throughout the day. A source with knowledge of the Bucs' coaching search told the Tribune that the team was planning to pare down its"

Only Mike Sherman has had second interview with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

January 25

St. Petersburg Times

"One notable fact about the Bucs' coaching search was revealed Tuesday: Beyond Mike Sherman, none of the other candidates known to have interviewed have been contacted about follow-up interviews or to be eliminated from the process. That leaves Sherman as the only known finalist from at least eight interviews. That could provide the strongest indication yet that Sherman has an inside track at the job. One possible caveat: the Bucs could be secretly negotiating with another candidate, as they were last week with University of Oregon coach Chip Kelly. Barring that scenario, Sherman — the former Packers and Texas A&M coach — is the leader in a one-horse race. News that the team is making"

Morris enjoys return to coaching roots

January 25

Tampa Tribune

"Raheem Morris stood on the 30-yard line during a Senior Bowl workout at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Tuesday afternoon barking out orders, encouragement and instruction to a group of South squad defensive backs. He was clearly back in his element. "I just love being out on the grass," Morris said with a fervor that belies the turn his career took when he was fired as head coach of the Buccaneers three weeks ago. Now serving the Washington Redskins and the Senior Bowl's South squad as their secondary coach, Morris is back where he was before he was named Jon Gruden's successor in Tampa three years ago. "This is the NFL and whether you're a head coach, a secondary coach or whatever, there's only"

Tampa Bay Buccaneers visiting cornerback corner at Senior Bowl

January 24

St. Petersburg Times

"Whoever winds up coaching the Buccaneers will immediately face a number of questions in a very critical area of the roster. When the new coach looks at his secondary, he will evaluate a unit that soon could be missing its top two cornerbacks depending on Ronde Barber's retirement decision and Aqib Talib's legal issues. Which brings us to Senior Bowl workouts, where the Bucs have some intriguing options to evaluate before April's draft. Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard is among that group, as is troubled former Gator Janoris Jenkins, who was kicked out of UF after multiple arrests and played last season at North Alabama."

Bucs must save face after latest debacle

January 24

Tampa Tribune

columnist Martin Fennelly

"Now they have egg on their face – Duck egg, no less. Oregon's Chip Kelly will not be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach and we're beginning to wonder if anyone will. It's jilted at the altar, hold the Tuna. The Glazers went for it, like they do once a coaching search, except for the last one. They threw the Bill Parcells Hail Mary, double secret interviews, the works, and Kelly seemed ready to be the man. He played the Bucs mighty fine, Chip did. Oh, well, maybe he would have bombed like so many college coaches have in the NFL. And could we really have lived in a town where the pro and college coaches go by Chip and Skip, respectively? What is this, Barney's Playhouse?"

With Kelly out, Bucs want second look at Sherman

January 24

Tampa Tribune

"University of Oregon coach Chip Kelly's change of heart has forced a change of plans in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' search for a head coach. After Kelly's decision early Monday to drop out of the race, the Bucs turned again to former Green Bay Packers coach Mike Sherman, who was contacted for a second interview, according to a source close to Sherman. Sherman, 57, was among the first candidates interviewed for the job. Kelly was in negotiations late Sunday aimed at making him Tampa Bay's next coach, but told the Bucs his heart was not in a move to the NFL and he was staying at Oregon."

Bucs no longer talking with Oregon's Kelly, Dominik says

January 23

Tampa Tribune

"Chip Kelly has opted to stay at the University of Oregon and will not be coaching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said in an e-mail to The Tampa Tribune that the "Discussions with Kelly are off,'' and added, "It's become clear his heart just wasn't in it. He is happy in college. These things can happen with college coaches.'' The Bucs were in negotiations with Kelly, a source told the Tribune, and the team was hopeful a deal could be worked out in the next couple days with the two-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year."

Reports: Kelly changes mind on Bucs, staying at Oregon

January 23

Tampa Tribune

"Chip Kelly, who was in negotiations to become the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach, has changed his mind and decided to stay at the University of Oregon, according to several news reports. The Register Guard in Oregon and ESPN were among the outlets to report Kelly had decided early today to stay in the college ranks. The Bucs were in negotiations Kelly, a source with knowledge of the search told The Tampa Tribune on Sunday night. Though no candidates were been eliminated, the Bucs had identified Kelly as their lead candidate and were in preliminary contract talks, the source said."

Which head-coaching candidate could best help Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman rebound?

January 22

St. Petersburg Times

"Regardless of which coaching candidate is hired by the Bucs, the most important thing he will have to bring is a plan for saving quarterback Josh Freeman. The Bucs' first-round pick in 2009 still has all the tools and temperament to become one of the league's best at his position. But from a career standpoint, Freeman needs someone to extend a hand and help him to his feet after taking a hard hit. This season, Freeman's biggest failure was protecting the football. He threw 22 interceptions and only 16 touchdowns. It would be simplistic to blame his lack of production on a lack of weapons. Running back LeGarrette Blount and receiver Mike Williams did not come close to duplicating their"

Buccaneers talk to Green Bay Packers' Philbin, Clements for head coach job

January 20

St. Petersburg Times

"The Packers had, arguably, the best aerial circus in the NFL this season. So it's no surprise the Bucs might want to hire one of their ringmasters. Tampa Bay interviewed offensive coordinator Joe Philbin and quarterbacks coach Tom Clements separately in Dallas on Thursday, according to multiple reports. ESPN.com first reported Philbin's meeting. A top priority for the Bucs is getting quarterback Josh Freeman back on track after he threw 16 touchdowns and 22 interceptions one season after 25 and six, respectively. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is coming off one of the most prolific seasons in league history: 4,643 yards, 45 touchdowns and six interceptions. Philbin, 50, also is one of"

Buccaneers' long coaching search could impact hiring of assistants

January 20

St. Petersburg Times

"There are four NFL teams yet to hire replacements for fired coaches. And once they do, the new coach immediately will face one of his most critical tasks: assembling a staff. The Bucs are one team, having fired Raheem Morris on Jan. 2. With each day that passes, the odds of putting together an ideal staff — particularly coordinators — get a little longer. Brad Childress, who has interviewed for the job and is coaching in Saturday's East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field, has been through the process. He expressed no frustration with the time line of the Bucs' search, saying the Glazer family was up front that it would be lengthy. But Childress didn't deny that putting together a staff"

Bucs' coaching search keeps expanding

January 20

Tampa Tribune

"As head coach of the West team for Saturday's East-West Shrine college all-star game, former Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress hasn't had much time this week to think about the Buccaneers' head coaching search. Even if he did, Childress wouldn't be frustrated by the methodical pace of the search. He has known since his interview for the job a week ago that it would be a while before the Bucs reached a decision. "They advertised their process,'' Childress said. "They were completely candid and accurate in what they said, and they said it would be a while. So, I'm not bothered by that.'' Nor is the one-time Eagles offensive coordinator bothered by the possibility of having to put"

Without a coach in place, Bucs adjust scouting approach

January 19

St. Petersburg Times

"The Bucs, as you might expect, have been scouting prospects practicing in St. Petersburg for Saturday's East-West Shrine Game college showcase at Tropicana Field. As they do annually, the team's college scouting staff and personnel director Dennis Hickey have been in attendance since Monday, evaluating a field that includes mostly mid- to late-round draft picks as well as many rookie free agents. There are some intriguing players taking part in the game, and the Bucs have selected Shrine Game participants in the past. But here's where things deviate from the norm: Because the Bucs are still without a head coach and coordinators, scouting future Buccaneers becomes a bit trickier. Right now,"

NFL's Rooney Rule has boosted minority coaches and general managers

January 19

St. Petersburg Times

"Long before hatchets start dropping in NFL cities and the annual spate of coach firings begins, a group of men gather at the league's Manhattan offices to compile candidates who could join the next generation of coaches. Among those in the room is commissioner Roger Goodell and Steelers owner Dan Rooney. They are not there to influence hires, but for a much grander purpose: promote racial diversity in NFL hiring. To that end, the league's diversity committee familiarizes teams with qualified minority candidates who it and the Fritz Pollard Alliance deem worthy of consideration. Near the top of this year's list is Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, an African-American who is among"

Bucs' lengthy coach search not out of ordinary

January 18

Tampa Tribune

"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are weeks into a head coaching search that doesn't seem to have an end in sight, but a prominent NFL insider said fans needn't be concerned about the methodical pace of the pursuit. Even as the Indianapolis Colts joined the hunt for a new coach following the dismissal Tuesday of Jim Caldwell, NBC and NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said the Bucs' ultimate goal still can be attained. "I think the overwhelming concern is to get the right guy for the job, and for me, if that takes you one week or one month, it doesn't matter — just so long as you get the right guy," Mayock said."

Buccaneers continue interviews with Packers assistants

January 17

NFL.com

"Green Bay Packers assistants Joe Philbin and Tom Clements have both scheduled interviews with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week to discuss the team's head-coaching vacancy, according to league sources. The Bucs would like to wrap up the first round of interviews by the weekend, sources said. Their plan then is to whittle down the list for a second round of interviews and complete that process next week. Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer interviewed Monday, and a league source said Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, a candidate for several openings, is interviewing on Tuesday."

Chudzinski set to interview with Bucs

January 17

Charlotte Observer

"As the Carolina Panthers welcomed a new addition to their coaching staff Monday, a key member of Ron Rivera's staff prepared to meet with one of the Panthers' NFC South rivals. The Panthers announced the hiring of San Diego Chargers secondary coach Steve Wilks, a West Charlotte graduate who will have the same position with the Panthers. Wilks, who played on Appalachian State's I-AA playoff teams in 1989 and 1991, will replace Ron Meeks, who was let go after three seasons with Carolina."

Zimmer to interview with Buccaneers

January 17

Cincinnati Enquirer

"When it comes to Mike Zimmer's status with the Bengals, there is no timetable for a decision. Zimmer is scheduled to be interviewed for Tampa Bay's head coach opening today and remains a serious candidate for Miami's job after interviewing there last week. Tampa Bay and Miami have expanded their pools of available candidates after four more teams were eliminated in the playoffs over the weekend."

Bucs' coaching search picking up this week

January 17

Tampa Tribune

"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' methodical search for a new head coach will pick up steam again this week. The Bucs are scheduled to meet today with Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, according to sources close to the candidates. Also, Tampa Bay has received permission to speak to Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, an ESPN report said Monday. It is uncertain when or if a meeting with Philbin will take place."

Hunt for a Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach: Day 13

January 16

St. Petersburg Times

"Hunt for a Bucs head coach: Day 13 Top of the list 1. Mike Sherman: Former Packers and Texas A&M coach 2. Mike Zimmer: Bengals defensive coordinator 3. Marty Schottenheimer: Former Browns, Chiefs, Redskins and Chargers coach 4. Brad Childress: Former Vikings coach 5. Rob Chudzinski: Panthers offensive coordinator On the radar 1. Jerry Gray: Titans defensive coordinator 2. Perry Fewell: Giants defensive coordinator"