Bucs hire Sullivan; Davis joining staff
NEW YORK - Bucs head coach Greg Schiano has had a difficult time putting his staff together, but finally hired his offensive coordinator, luring quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan away from the world champions.
Reports that Sullivan was interviewing for the job surfaced earlier Friday, with ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting the hiring later in the day.
Sullivan has been with the Giants since 2004, when he joined Tom Coughlin's staff as wide receivers coach after two years working for Couglin with the Jaguars. He's also coached in the collegiate ranks at Army (his alma mater), Youngstown State, Ohio University and Humboldt State.
Sullivan moved from wide receivers coach to quarterbacks coach for the 2010 season, helping Giants quarterback Eli Manning to one of the best seasons of his career. Manning set Giants single-season records in 2010 with 339 completions and a 62.9 completion percentage, then broke his own completions record in 2011 with 359 in the regular season before leading the Giants to their second Super Bowl championship in four seasons.
Meanwhile, Butch Davis' agent told the Tampa Tribune that his client has agreed to become a special assistant. Schiano was Davis' defensive coordinator at the University of Miami from 1999-2000.
-- Former Tampa Bay weak-side linebacker Derrick Brooks, not only one of the NFL's top defenders during his 14-year career with the Bucs but one of its most gracious players, isn't eligible for Hall of Fame consideration until 2014. But, while Brooks is taking nothing for granted about his possible candidacy, he has already started to make sure he fully understands the process and the mechanics of the voting.
Brooks told The Sports Xchange last week that a few years ago, when it was obvious that his league tenure was over, he began to educate himself on the Hall of Fame and how the process works. He asked the late Tom McEwen, the former Tampa Tribune columnist who was a responsible as anyone for the Tampa landing a franchise, for some guidance. And he even had dinner with McEwen and Hall of Fame selector to ask questions about the voting procedure. Brooks dragged along two teammates and fellow Hall of Fame potential members, defensive tackle Warren Sapp and safety John Lynch (both eligible in 2013), to the dinner so that they might better comprehend the process.
Said Brooks last week: "It gave me more appreciation for the whole thing. I'm not going to presume anything. It's a hard job."
--The two most important things that have been said since the Bucs' 4-12 season was an acknowledgement by general manager Mark Dominik that the team has to improve its talent level and they will be active in free agency.
"We understand we're not a finished product," Dominik said. "We understand there are things we need to address on this team. And I know we'll do it in all capacities. We're going to do it in free agency. I don't want people to be worried we're not going to spend in free agency. We'll be involved."
How involved? Of course, that remains to be seen. A year ago, Dominik focused on re-signing some of the Bucs' unrestricted free agents, such as guard Davin Joseph, tackle Jeremy Trueblood and linebacker Quincy Black. The only outside hire was punter Michael Koenen.
This year, the Bucs have less than a handful of free agents they need to make a decision on, a list that begins with cornerback Ronde Barber and place-kicker Connor Barth but includes former starters such as linebacker Geno Hayes and guard
--The Bucs have not officially announced any new members of their coaching staff, but it is expected to a heavy dose of former Rutgers assistants. The list includes Jeff Hafley (defensive backs), Bob Fraser (unknown), Brian Angelichio (tight ends), Jay Butler (strength coach), P.J. Fleck (receivers), Randy Melvin (defensive line) and Tem Lukabu (linebackers).
--The Buccaneers reportedly interviewed University of North Carolina offensive coordinator John Shoop for the same position on their staff Wednesday.
Shoop is a one-time Bucs quarterbacks coach under Jon Gruden and has worked on other NFL staffs before his current five-year stint at UNC.
Shoop runs a pro-style offense with the Tar Heels and is an original member of Butch Davis' UNC staff. Davis, fired by the Tar Heels last year, was reportedly being considered for defensive coordinator. That job was offered to Florida's Dan Quinn earlier this week, but Quinn declined.
Shoop's NFL-level coordinator experience includes a stint with the Raiders in 2006 under Art Shell. Oakland finished 2-14 and Shell and his staff were fired after the season. He also was offensive coordinator for the Bears from 2001 to 2003.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"There will be one common message, before we get to the X's and O's, before we get to the fundamentals, and it's something I believe something that's critical: TBA, and that's not To Be Announced. That's trust, believe and accountability." -- Bucs coach Greg Schiano.
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