Mike Sullivan's Interview Took Six Hours
It took twice as long as anticipated.
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LINK to the article Bears Coaching Rumors: Mike Sullivan's Interview Took Six Hours By Sander Philipse on Jan 4, 1:38p 19
http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/cho...dard_730.0.jpgKim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
The Buccaneers come a little closer to losing their star offensive coordinator.
It looks like Mike Sullivan is genuinely in competition for the Chicago Bears head coaching job. According to Mike Garafolo of USA Today, the meeting went well. In fact, it went so well that the meeting took twice as long as expected. I'm getting that sinking feeling.
Losing Mike Sullivan would be devastating.
He lifted the Tampa Bay offense from the bottom of the NFL and turned it into a respectable unit, with several dominant outings.
More importantly, though, another switch in offensive coordinator would mean yet another offensive system to learn for Josh Freeman. Is this starting to feel like Alex Smith's tenure in San Francisco yet? Because it sure is to me. Hey, maybe the fourth time is a charm!
I can't think of many strong candidates for the offensive coordinator position. Schiano will undoubtedly look at John McNulty, but he hasn't done more than coach quarterbacks with the Cardinals. And coaching that collection of garbage can quarterbacks looks good on anyone's resume.
The Bucs could promote from within: Earnest Byner is an absolutely amazing running backs coach, while Bob Bostad has worked miracles with the offensive line. There's always Jimmy Raye II, who has repeatedly held offensive coordinator positions (with admittedly little success).
There's one upside, though: Norv Turner is available. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to have a run-based, throw-deep offense. That's exactly what Norv has always run. Norv loves to run his offense on a feature back, and he could have one in Doug Martin.
Until yesterday, the Bucs employed his brother Ron Turner, which gives them one opening. Another is, of course, the presence of Turner's former star receiver Vincent Jackson in Tampa. Sure, Turner never was a good head coach -- but he's always been an outstanding offensive coordinator. So, if Sullivan does leave, can you please go after Turner, Schiano? Please?
