Three jobs ago in Miami, Jim Bates was quite happy, as opposed to the way Raheem The Dream characterized him less than three weeks ago.

Based on a Raheem The Dream quoted uttered just two weeks ago to the Green Bay media via conference call — only reported by Joe — it now stands to reason that Jim Bates quite likely was miserable in his job and may have wanted out.

Here’s what Raheem The Dream had to say about Bates on Nov. 4.

“… We’re implementing his system,” Raheem The Dream said. “We’re getting the players in place that he needs to be successful. And once we have that opportunity to do that, Jim Bates will be feeling pretty good about being here, loving life. And we’re just glad we can work together.”

At that time, Joe noted the odd choice of words that all but said Bates wasn’t happy yet in Tampa. Shouldn’t he have been happy working for an exciting young head coach and general manager?

Joe suspects that Bates’s frustrastion over the talent provided him may have hit a boiling point in recent weeks. 

Perhaps, he and Raheem The Dream were advised the organization would not spend on free agents in March and might even use it’s top draft picks on the offensive side of the ball. 

That could have been enough for Bates to wave the white flag.