Darrelle Revis Unhappy With Coach Schiano’s Strict Style

Trouble is brewing in Tampa Bay. Prized offseason acquisition Darrelle Revis is reportedly unhappy with his head coach’s strict coaching style.

Revis spent the first six years of his NFL career playing for Rex Ryan in New York. He became one of the league’s elite defensive players until a torn ACL put his future in question.

The Jets, not willing to pay Revis elite money to return after his injury, opted trade him. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers jumped on the chance to add Revis to their secondary.

Darrelle Revis has recovered fine, and Tampa Bay’s defense is eighth in the NFL in scoring. You would think there would be nothing to complain about.

If the reports are true, Revis is unhappy for a number of reasons. First, second year head coach Greg Schiano is too strict for him. Rex Ryan is known as a player friendly coach, so Revis is not used Schiano’s disciplined style.

The main reason Darrelle Revis is unhappy is the Buccaneers defensive scheme. Tampa Bay has their secondary play zone coverage. Revis prefers the more aggressive man-to-man coverage.

As a Jet, Revis made the Pro Bowl four times. He recorded 19 interceptions in 79 games played. Revis was so good in New York that opposing wide receivers were on “Revis Island” when matched up against him. He regularly shut down elite wide receivers and frustrated quarterbacks.

In Tampa Bay’s zone scheme Revis can’t get as personal as he would like with wide receivers. One of the advantages of man coverage is the ability to push your opponent around and force them off their route. Now Revis has to attack the ball instead of the player.

Darrelle Revis is not the only player unhappy with Greg Schiano. Fifth year quarterback Josh Freeman is so upset he will reportedly ask to be traded soon. Schiano has never been sold on Freeman and drafted Mike Glennon to push Freeman out the door.

It looks like Schiano may end up pushing himself out the door in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are 0-2 and the future isn’t looking bright.

[image via Wikimedia Commons]