Point The Finger: Joe Maddon

Point The Finger: Joe Maddon vs. Tony Dungy

Change is a funny thing. Change is inevitable. Sometimes change is postive and sometimes it is for the worse. Changing a manager or head coach in sports is sometimes all that is needed to turn things around for a franchise. Somtimes not even changing the message but the voice it comes from is enough. Sometimes a complete overhaul of ideas and philosphies is needed. There are alot of coaches throughout history who have done more or less with the exact talent. To get the absolute most out of every player on the roster. This is the main job of the head coach or manger. Day in-day out. Especially in a long gruling season like baseball has it is imperative the manager has his team ready to play every single night. Looking back Tampa Bay sports fans can remember several major coaching changes in recent history that had a major impact. Let’s start with the NFL and our very own Bucs. After 20 years of futility and being called by some the worst franhcise in the history of sports after losing their first 26 games the Bucs turned things around quickly in the mid 1990’s. There was no doubt a major talent upgrade (Brooks/Sapp/Lynch/Barber/Alstott) but also equally important  was bringing in the calm, confident but stern voice of Tony Dungy. When Tony spoke, people listened. With the help of GM Rich McKay and a little uniform change, the Bucs became a model franchise under new owner Malcom Glazer. There was only one problem, now after years of consistantly making the playoffs and competing for division titles the Bucs couldn’t get over the next hump. After years of sucess and turning a franchise around the Bucs made the difficult decision to fire head coach Tony Dungy. Maybe the greatest defense ever was getting older and the chances of winning a Super Bowl seemd to be slipping away. The very next year under new head coach Jon Gruden the Bucs won a championship with pretty much the same team. Gruden did bring in offenisve players that helped(Jurevicius/McCardell/K. Johnson) but it was more then just that. I feel there are many parallels bewteen those Bucs teams and the Rays of today. The Rays were the laughing stock of the MLB. After failed attempts aka "The Hit Show" the Rays turned elsewhere and hired a new, fresh, optmistic manger named Joe Maddon. And just like Dungy did with the Bucs, the Rays turned things around. There was an infusion of young talent mixed in with a new ownership group. Just like the Bucs, the Rays are on the verge of letting it slip through their fingers. That is why I say now is the time to cut ties to with Maddon. His upbeat personality was perfect in grooming the young players through the rough times but at this point they need a different voice in the locker room. Maddon’s daily switching of the line up has no doubt taken a toll on the players. Athletes are creatures of habit and I seriously think it helps for them to come to the ballpark everyday knowing where they will be in that night’s lineup. Maddon has done an admirable job but his time has come to pass the torch. Change is needed and it is needed now before it’s too late.