The Buccaneers have followed an unexpectedly great 2010 season with a strong sense of continuity heading into 2011.
In one key area, however, the continuity has been, um, discontinued.
Per multiple reports, the Bucs have fired offensive line coach Pete Mangurian. As explained by Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times, Mangurian was hired to work under offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, who was abruptly fired not long before the start of the 2009 regular season. Mangurian implemented a zone blocking scheme, but the Bucs have moved toward a power running game.
Stroud points out that Mangurian has had trouble getting along with players and some members of the staff. “Mangurian’s coaching style was not conducive to the long-term growth or consistent with the chemistry that the Bucs are trying to build under Raheem Morris,” Stroud writes.
Mangurian, 55, came to Tampa from New England, after four seasons with the Pats. No candidates to replace him have been identified, yet.
