Father Dungy Believes In Mark Dominik
August 9th, 2010
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Joe has heard this a thousand times: Team Glazer is cheap.
Though Joe could understand how fans screamed this in unison so much and so often it was louder that the summer afternoon thunderclaps in the Tampa Bay area.
Joe was skeptical of this cry last year, and believes that Team Glazer dropping $110 million on the first weekend of training camp should put this chant to rest.
Some fans don’t want to believe this, but Bucs general manager Mark Dominik is trying to stock the roster full of young talent for a long stretch run of winning.
Count Peter King as a believer. In his must-read Monday Morning Quarterback today, the Sports Illustrated columnist, after sampling salty oatmeal at One Buc Palace last week, sees parallels between Dominik and former Bucs general manager Rich McKay in building a winner.
The Tampa Bay management is getting creamed locally for not spending money — the prevailing theory is that the massive financial problem of the Glazers, who own the Bucs, with British football power Manchester United is siphoning money from the operation of the Bucs — but I get the strong impression Tampa Bay wouldn’t have spent in free agency this year anyway. “We want to build a team through the draft and keep it intact,” Dominik said. “Like Tony said when he coached: ‘I don’t want a revolving door. I want to show loyalty to the guys we brought in and build a team the right way.’ That’s the way Raheem and I are operating now. Now, with two draft classes, I think we’re on our way.”
I asked Dungy if he thought the two situations –Tampa in 1996 and Tampa in 2010 — were comparable.
“I do,” he said. “We got a lot of criticism back then with our plan at first, because we lost five in a row at the start, and eight of our first nine. They wanted us to bench the quarterback and make all kinds of changes. I read some of the same criticisms now — the fans want to win now, which all fans do. If they’re patient, I think it’s going to pay off. I like the guys they’ve drafted.”
While it’s clear the Bucs are trying to build through the draft, the question Joe is left with is if Raheem the Dream will be around to see the fruits of the draft ripen?
August 9th, 2010 at 9:37 am
If he improves the team, and wins football games, he will be back . Because he deserves to be. If the team keeps losing, and shows little or no improvement, he will be fired. Again, because he deserves to be. I like the guy’s energy, and hope he succeeds. I generally do wish people the best. But if he isn’t the man for the job- time to find that man! Looks like Dominick is safe! He has been very smart so far( except for the Clayton contract). Off topic, but everyone crying out for AB should be swallowing Stfu pills today, after last nights hall of Fame game. Another smart move by Dom!
August 9th, 2010 at 9:44 am
Now we have Dungy’s opinion and he happens to agree with the koolaid-er’s… how will you all possibly spin/mangle/re-assemble this into a negative? Can’t wait for this!
Capt. you are completely correct, as many of us Rah supporters have said several times. He deserves another chance, and only if he shows significant improvement should he come back. If we end this season with a much brighter outlook on our future than we started the season, he should and will come back.
Every rational fan agrees Dom draft was sick. We wont have the final grades for a few years, but the early grades are very good. Now I’m glad Dungy and King agree.
August 9th, 2010 at 9:51 am
Hey Capt, I missed the first quarter and did not see AB at all. Did he play? I thought Kitna looked pretty good, and their backup TE was making a statement. Missed the second half as well, but the first game of preseason…ug.
August 9th, 2010 at 9:54 am
Never mind Capt, I just read that he sat out due to his knee. He has not practiced at all either.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Rah and Dom are directly tied to the success or failure of Freeman. It is pretty simple. The defense will improve, probably middle of the pack this year. Freeman must pan out for these guys to keep their jobs. So, of course the jury is still out.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:37 am
I have absolutely ZeroExpectations of Raheem Morris. He won’t be back next season.
Question: If the Bucs win 6 games this season and the Glazers don’t bring Raheem back, will this upset you guys?
August 9th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Do you guys have your eyes closed?
If we show progress this year at key positions (read: QB, DT, WR), Morris will be back. Even if we only go 5-11 or 6-10.
The Glazers bought into this rebuilding plan, they’re sticking to it unless this next season is the same as last.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:42 am
” “We want to build a team through the draft and keep it intact,” Dominik said. “Like Tony said when he coached: ‘I don’t want a revolving door. I want to show loyalty to the guys we brought in and build a team the right way….”
While Dungy “was” loyal, go ask Derrick Brooks, Warrick Dunn, Antonio Bryant, and many other Buc veterans that made this team what it “was” before this regime how they feel about the Bucs Loyalty!
August 9th, 2010 at 10:44 am
AB was out and has struggled with the knee. Based on that it was likely wise not give him the new K, especially if he couldnt practice with the young receivers. A bit early to count him out for 2010 though.
On another receiver note, I am in Miami today and caught some local sports talk. One guy who claimed to cover the Dolphins for years stated that BM was the most dominating player he had ever seen in a Dolphins camp. So far he is exhibiting leadership with the younger receivers and corners. No tude problems to date. Could be the typical camp BS, but i suppose we shall see.
Good to hear that Dungy is the class act he always has been. He would never trash a fellow coach, especially a young one for the bucs.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:45 am
And of course Dungy would have never done that to Brooks in a zillion years.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:46 am
So if the Bucs win 6 games this season and the Glazers don’t bring Raheem back, Matt will this upset.
Anyone else?
August 9th, 2010 at 10:52 am
DO you guys really think Coach Dungy would say anything negative about any Head Coach in the NFL? Or GM?
C’mon now, let’s be real here.
He would speak glowingly of Herm Edwards and Marinelli also.
August 9th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Yeah, it’s to bad about AB! They signed T.O. ( shutter) when it became apparent that AB was physically not able to be a factor this year. I read an article where it said the Bengals are considering cutting him. And no , Eric, Dungy would not say a bad thing about a Bucs coach! He would do what he did when Questioned about Gruden over the years -” No Comment”
August 9th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Hey Eric! I just heard this today! They have Planes, trains, and Busses that all go to Miami! Can you believe it!! And they even have Dolphin websites- so you can profess your love to BM ALL DAY LONG! Better hurry though, BM might be appointing his “new favorite Fan” this week, and you don’t wanna miss out on that!! Bye!
August 9th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
@ZeroExpectations Re-read what I said. Nowhere was my opinion of how I’d feel.
I don’t know whether I’d want him back, kind of depends on how the games turn out.
But, yes, I could see a scenario where we lost a couple of heart-breakers, finished 6-10, and still wanted Morris back.
But I’m no Morris homer: if he stinks this year (especially if the defense stinks under his watch), then I want him gone.
August 9th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
I am not sure if I would trust a guy covering Miami that says BM is the most dynamic player he has ever seen in Miami…Maybe he is 10 years old or new to town, but they have had some great players over the years. The statement sounds like TC BS to me. He is a great receiver, but come on man!
August 9th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Mcbuc,
Could be right, i am only the messenger! 790 AM. Miami.
I thought it was a bit over the top also, but i have heard other reports that BM has been tearing it up.
Capt Tim, your joy over AB’s knee may be short lived. Still plenty of time till the Bengals play the bucs.
August 9th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
1 down 1 to go Eric. After its clear AB is finished and BM slaps some chick, you will have nothing left to say.
Just joking, dont start crying about people wishing bad things on others.
August 9th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
I have no joy over AB’s knee. I had what I always have, and you are in short supply of . . .knowledge! Soon you’ll figure that out!