The Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be embarrassed. Right now, they're at the center of the biggest off-field debacle in the NFL while sporting an 0-4 record on the field. Dating back to last November, they've now lost nine of their last 10 games. They're a mistake-prone mess in every respect. Only two teams have been penalized more often than them this season, and head coach Greg Schiano has already had his reputation tarnished in his second season.
Somebody within the organization — Schiano says it wasn't him — leaked confidential medical information about Josh Freeman. The information in question was misleading, which further casts Freeman as a victim. The leak itself reflects badly on Schiano, regardless of his involvement (or lack therof).
Freeman was benched three weeks into the season. That was deserved. Not only was there apparent friction between him and the coaching staff, but he had completed less than 50 percent of his passes and his rating was an abysmal 59.3. His time has probably expired in Tampa, and that might be a good thing for all involved parties.
But what about Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik? The Bucs are now 24-44 since Dominik took over in 2009. In fact, Freeman was his first draft pick — one of many that haven't worked out.
And yes, it was Freeman who missed a team photo, which led in part to a players-only meeting before the start of the season. But that's on Schiano and Dominik, too. These guys have never had proper control of a locker room that has lacked focus and discipline.
It's time to move on. It's time for owner Malcolm Glazer to get ahold of his investment and bring in some fresh front-office and coaching blood.
