Defensive coordinator Bates walks the plank Brad Biggs
Let me see if I can get this straight.
Last week, it was the players’ fault. This week, it is the fault of the defensive coordinator. What’s that make next week? The general manager’s fault?
Raheem Morris played the blame game again Monday night, forcing defensive coordinator Jim Bates to walk the plank in Tampa Bay, the second coordinator he’s ousted since August. A day after the Buccaneers were blown out 38-7 by the New Orleans Saints, Morris rid himself of one of the problems in the team’s 1-9 start. The belief is that the Bucs will return to their Tampa Two roots that Bates trashed when he arrived—under the guidance of Morris.
Now, the head coach who had never been a coordinator before will be the head coach and the coordinator. Got it? It’s a gutsy move by Morris but eventually these are the kinds of moves that gets the coach canned. Morris fired offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski in August and promoted quarterbacks coach Greg Olson. It’s unclear if the original hires were made solely by Morris or if general manager Mark Dominik was also heavily involved.
The Bucs are ranked 27th in defense and are dead last vs. the run. Their personnel, built for more than a decade to play the Tampa Two, didn’t fit what Bates wanted to do. Maybe Morris will be able to make a somewhat quick transition, but he’s admitting error here a week after he fired on his players.
“We'll get there,” Morris said last week. “We'll find those guys, and we'll go out there and get them. Right now, we've got to go out there and play with the guys that we have.
“We're just not made right now to knock people back. That's how we're cut. We don't have big, intimidating linebackers or big, intimidating linemen.”
Soon, Morris could run out of fingers to point. He might have to point the thumb soon.
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The Tampa 2 is dead, Raheem. If I remember correctly the Tampa 2 didn't help stop the run last year. Tampa's defensive line is horrible, and will not create any more pressure on the QB. Watch for opposing QBs to throw quick short passes, while the slow Rhonde Barber drops back into coverage. The only time Rhonde looks good is when they play the nickel. Sorry, Raheem, but I BLAME YOU! The Glazers should look for a new coach after this season.
This is what Tampa Bay gets for firing Jon Gruden and hiring a wet behind the ears guy that no one had heard of with no relavant experience. Seriously, what did they think they were going to get? He's in over his head and needs to be fired quicker than anyone in the NFL not named Mangini.
But buck up Bucs fans. At least you are going to have a nice top ten draft pick in a very strong draft. You also have my beloved Bears second rounder for that stiff Gaines Adams.
If you fire these jokers, Dominik and Morris, you can lure a good GM and coach and offer them some nice draft building blocks.
let's not go wishing for the return of john gruden here. the guy took tony dungy's team to the super bowl and then proceeded to never win another playoff game. in all his years, he never learned how to properly use the replay challenge. he is the king of calling for an 8 yard pass on 3rd and 9. i agree, morris was the wrong call. firing gruden was not.
Nov 24, 2009
10:54 AM
Wow, you didn't know what scheme he ran when you HIRED him???? Jim Bates forgot more about football than this tool Morris knows....