With Raheem Morris gone, this isn’t a youngry team any more … just a young team that suddenly isn’t very good. Morris’ defense completely fell apart, but a more troubling sign in 2011 was the regression of Josh Freeman. The big quarterback was supposed to take a big step forward from his promising 2010, when he earned comparisons to a young Ben Roethlisberger. But his game went flat and his receivers went bust.
Heading into the off-season Tampa Bay is looking to get past the stinging humiliation of the 2011 season. However, the great thing about the NFL is that every new season offers each team a new start and new hopes of making it to the Super Bowl. To take full advantage of the fresh start, teams must make the right off-season moves.
Every week during the offseason, Josh Freeman has wondered what kind of plan is in store for him and the Bucs offense in 2012.
The flirtation with Oregon’s Chip Kelly for the head coaching job quickened his pulse. “Yeah, Chip would have been interesting, to say the least,” Freeman said. “I probably would’ve had to get back to my speed workouts.”
Freeman listened intently when Greg Schiano was hired and liked what he heard.
“Obviously, when he talks about his philosophy to win football games, you’ve got to love it when he talks about taking shots downfield,” Freeman said. “It’s great to hear.”
After Schiano hired Giants quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan as offensive coordinator Friday, Freeman called it “good news” and said he felt fortunate.
Considering the difficulty the Bucs have had assembling a coaching staff — three times they were denied requests by NFL teams to interview candidates for offensive coordinator — it’s impressive the team landed Sullivan.
He began his coaching career as a defensive quality control assistant under Tom Coughlin in Jacksonville. He coached receivers for six seasons with the Giants, and after Chris Palmer left New York as quarterbacks coach in 2009, Sullivan got that job.
In 2010, Eli Manning threw a career-high 25 interceptions, which led to some finger-pointing. But he also passed for 4,002 yards and a career-high 31 touchdowns while leading the Giants to a 10-6 record.
Sullivan went to work last offseason, using his array of unconventional drills to improve Manning’s ability to be accurate while passing on the move.
One year after Freeman threw for 25 touchdowns and six interceptions, he took a step back in 2011 with 16 scoring passes and 22 interceptions. Not that it was all bad. Freeman improved his completion percentage (62.8 from 61.4) and passed for more yards (3,592 from 3,351).
Sullivan is said to be a great communicator, and he will work to improve Freeman’s ball protection. A former Army Ranger, Sullivan has a blue belt in jiujitsu and uses a triangle design of the Gracies, the famous mixed martial arts family, to highlight three goals for his quarterbacks: decision-making, accuracy and leadership.
It remains to be seen what kind of play-caller Sullivan will be, but he has had a window seat to the Giants offense under coordinator Kevin Gilbride.
Another bonus is that Sullivan also knows how to get the best out of receivers, which will be big in stimulating the Bucs’ Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn.
Freeman can breathe easier. The Bucs can, too. For now…here are a few other areas needing attention before Tampa returns to the top of the NFC South.
Running Back
Another need Tampa Bay should address in the off-season is the running back position. After a great rookie season in which he rushed for 1,007 yards, LeGarrette Blount fizzled out in 2011. During the 2011 season, Blount dealt with injury issues and rushed for 781 yards, and posted seven games where he ran for 35 or fewer yards. Additionally, Blount only managed five rushing touchdowns.
Tampa Bay needs to try and find a more established starting running back for the 2012 season; someone with the ability to consistently have 100-yard rushing games, and someone who can help mentor Blount, Greg Lumpkin, and whomever else Tampa Bay keeps on its roster at running back.
Wide Receiver
In 2011, Tampa Bay had no 1,000-yard receivers and managed only 17 receiving touchdowns; therefore, wide receiver will be another important aspect for Tampa Bay to deal with in the off-season. Compounding the problem, is that receiver Michael Spurlock is set to become an unrestricted free agent, while receiver Preston Parker is set to become an exclusive-rights free agent.
Spurlock had only two receptions for 13 yards in 2011, while Parker finished the 2011 season with 554 yards and three touchdowns. Tampa Bay fans will have to wait to see what happens to Spurlock and Parker. Despite what happens though, Tampa Bay needs to try to bring in a veteran who can be a leader in the receiving corps, and that can be a consistent target for quarterback Josh Freeman.
Defense
Several defensive players are set to become unrestricted free agents, most notably, Ronde Barber, Geno Hayes, and Sean Jones. Barber finished the 2011 season, with 79 total tackles, three interceptions, and one fumble recovery. Hayes finished the 2011 season with 64 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and one interception. Jones finished 2011 with 92 total tackles, one sack and two fumble recoveries.
All three were significant players on a less than spectacular 2011 Tampa Bay defense. If Tampa Bay can keep these players, they will have three solid pieces to rebuilding their defense. Additionally, keeping these three players can help Tampa Bay build up their backup defensive players, most notably a replacement for Barber, who is likely to retire sooner than later.
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