TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Coaches accept some of blame for 0-7 start

ADVERTISEMENT

By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 6, 2009

TAMPA - Plenty of Bucs players have been blamed for the team's 0-7 start, but the coaches are starting to publicly acknowledge responsibility.

Besides being the NFL's only winless team, and owning an 11-game losing streak (the longest current streak in the NFL), Tampa Bay statistically has one of the league's worst offenses and defenses (both ranked 28th overall). Tampa Bay has been outscored 51-14 in the first quarter this season and has not scored an offensive touchdown in a third quarter.

"When you lose, you self evaluate scheme-wise, individual-wise, what can we do to get better," Bucs defensive coordinator Jim Bates said. "What can we tweak to help our players? That's our job as coaches, to give them the best opportunity and the weapons to win with.

"We're constantly in evaluation. When you're 0-7, it's hard just from the experience I've had, because you can't change a lot. If you change a lot, you just get worse, so we'll just have to build on the good things."

While there have been good things, like the development of WR Sammie Stroughter and LB Geno Hayes, coaches admit they have struggled to develop an offensive identity and consistency on defense.

"I have to evaluate myself, we have to evaluate the players," Coach Raheem Morris said. "We have to evaluate what we're asking them to do with the players, what we're asking them to do as a coach, how it's being produced on the field, what's been happening, if you're seeing some good plays and you're seeing some positive things."

Rodgers understands decision to play Freeman
Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers understands both sides of the debate on whether or not to play Bucs rookie Josh Freeman.

Rodgers is a former first-round pick who sat on the bench for three years before becoming the starter in 2008. He sat behind Brett Favre, a future Hall of Famer, and Rodgers has developed into the league's top-rated passer this season as a result.

"Not saying the young kid will go out there and won't play well, because I know he's extremely talented," Rodgers said. "I'm just saying when you look back in Year 3, you realize how much better of a player you are. Not taking anything away from him. I know he's an extremely talented player, and I'm sure he's going to have a great career, but I'm sure if you ask Peyton Manning and anybody who has played early on, Ben Roethlisberger, in their career, whether they had success or not, they look back a couple of years down the road and that is when they really start to figure it out.

"I think there is merit to waiting and learning, and merit to being on the field and taking your bumps and bruises, and learning and getting experience that way."

Injuries

CB Aqib Talib (ankle) fully participated in Thursday's practice, while WR Antonio Bryant (knee) was limited. Bryant has been battling a nagging injury this season, and Morris said it was serious.

In addition, CB Elbert Mack (ankle) was limited, while G Jeremy Zuttah (shoulder) and WR Michael Clayton fully participated.

Anwar S. Richardson

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT