TAMPA BAY – The reported rift between Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano and QB Josh Freeman, who was not only benched this morning in favor of rookie Mike Glennon but also found himself the subject of swirling trade rumors, grew even wider today when Schiano continuously called his infamous “kneel-down blitz” play against the demoted signal caller during Tampa Bay’s Wednesday afternoon practice, sources confirmed.
“Normally we spend our mid-week practice installing our game plan, working on timing, that sort of thing,” said Freeman, rubbing his bruised knees. “But today, Coach Schiano had me run the ‘victory formation’ play where I kneel with the ball, like, 50 straight times. And he made the defensive guys lunge full speed at my legs every single time.”
Added Freman: “I don’t want to seem paranoid, but I can’t help but take that sort of thing personally.”
Schiano defended the unorthodox move to reporters during his late afternoon press briefing.
“I’m not going to apologize for coaching hard nosed, physical football,” said Schiano. “It’s no secret that Josh and I have had our differences, but I can assure you that having my lineman dive at his knees for two straight hours was not in any way related to our feud. Neither was the defensive fundamentals drill when I made Josh be the tackling dummy, nor was the fumble drill when I had Josh strip off his pads and play the part of the ball. It’s all just a normal part of practice, I assure you.”
“If that’s what Coach says, then I guess I have no choice but to take him at his wooaughhhhhh!” said Freeman to reporters, before getting hit from his blinside by Bucs DT Gerald McCoy, executing what Schiano referred to as his “press conference practice sneak.”
