Raheem Morris: Bucs Will Build Through Draft
August 8th, 2011
Walk into any watering hole in the Tampa Bay area and ask many of the patrons about the Bucs and more often than not, a Bucs fan will knock over their bottle of beer they are so animated with outrage over the Bucs only buying a punter to help their team.
The Bucs are wanting to go about things the Packers way, the Steelers way. And despite ample evidence this is the way to build a lasting winner, fans, at least Bucs fans, aren’t satisfied, seemingly.
Even today, with a preseason game just four days away, the Bucs are still being peppered with questions about sitting on their hands while other teams decided to go shopping.
Bucs coach Raheem Morris once again said today, it’s the draft where the Bucs will build, not a second-hand store, so writes eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune.
“When you mess up in the draft, you’ve got to go make it up in free agency,” Morris said, referring to last year’s disappointing sixth-round pick, punter Brent Bowden. “Last year, we made a mistake at punter, so we had to make it up in free agency. We wanted to sign (linebacker) Quincy Black, we wanted to sign (guard) Davin Joseph, we wanted to sign (linebacker) Adam Hayward.
“We’d like to sign all of our guys if we can, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way. We lost Barrett (Ruud) and we lost Cadillac (Williams). Those things happen.”
Joe is of the mind that it’s a confluence of influences why Bucs fans, seemingly, are so hostile to Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik building through the draft.
First, Chucky had the fans spoiled. He was like a junior grade Daniel Snyder. There wasn’t a free agent on the market he wasn’t interested in. Yet his shopping ways got him zero playoff wins since the glorious Super Bowl victory eight years ago.
Then there is the fantasy football mentality we live in. If someone isn’t a “name” player, he can’t be any good. Fantasy teams are drafted each year and rarely are rookies or unheard of free agents chosen. As usual, Joe’s concept of a fantasy is not football but Rachel Watson.
Lastly, we can blame this mentality on how the Bolshevik four-letter outfit has innocent American citizens hypnotized. Bucs fans want to hear the four-letter talking heads speak about the Bucs. Generally, the only way this happens is if something awful happens, or if the Bucs sign a free agent.
By not going after free agents means the Bucs are not talked about therefore, in fans’ minds, it can’t be good.
Trust Joe, if it’s not good for BSPN, it is a very good thing sports fans, and Bucs fans in the long run.
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August 8th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Talking about “sitting on your hands”, if you have been to a Bucs game that’s all the fans seem to do. I think we need to be better fans especially after winning 10 games with a bunch of players who have not yet made their mark in the NFL than we have in the past.
Think about it.
August 8th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
I remember “IO, instant offense” Charlie Garner. Big play this and that. Then Sapp catches him from behind while playing for the Raiders and tears his achilles. Awesome.
August 8th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Hey, when do we apply that “zero playoff wins” standard to the new regime? (following that meaningless Super Bowl victory).
I must have missed Rah’s playoff victory. When was that again?
Oh thats right, coming this year………………or next……..or next………or next…….
August 8th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Jow never said meaningless Eric. Geez, you are a ray of sunshine. If they make the play offs and win one of the games what will you say?
August 8th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Eric, maybe after several years, not just two during a rebuilding period. Gruden had a great defense in place, and was able to put some nice touches into the offense and put the team over the top. I will always love the guy for that, but we should give these guys some time.
August 8th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
11 wins and a playoff berth are the goals for this year. Bucs O is going to continue On what they were doing last year, and the D is rejuvenated and ready for a breakout year. Can’t wait to see stafford get sacked a few times in week 1.
August 8th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
I’m with you Steve! I hate to see guy go down, but it would be great to see a Stafford injury by our D line in the first game of the season >=)
August 8th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Eric,
Just wondering what performance you’d like to see out of the Bucs this year. What threshold will they have to meet for you to say “Good season — congratulations to the owners, GM, coaches and players”?
Winning season? 10-win season? Playoff berth? Playoff win? SB berth? SB win?
For me, I want a Super Bowl of course, but my answer to my question would be another 10-win season. That’s the minimum for me to walk away from the season pleased. I have a feeling the bar is higher for you.
So what would it take?
Thomas 2.2 — I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on the same question.
August 8th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
I don’t mind the team building thru the draft. But i do feel like that they sell this team as an exciting playoff team. Its like if you go to buy a tree, but the store only has seeds, but they try to sell them for the same price and say it is exciting to watch it grow.
August 8th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Does anyone remember Charlie Garner,
Tim Brown, Todd Steussie, Alvin Harper,
or Ricky Dudley?
August 8th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
This is why the Bucs look stupid to the rest of the league:
Buccaneers sign P Michael Koenen (6 years, $19.5M; $6.5M guaranteed): MILLEN ON MILLEN MAN SEX Grade F
Tampa signed Michael Koenen to this ridiculous deal about a week ago, but this is by request. This must be one of the worst contracts in NFL history. No punter deserves this sort of money; let alone a pretty pedestrian one in Michael Koenen. And yes, you read that right.
August 8th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Buccaneers re-sign G Davin Joseph (7 years, $53 million): D Grade
I’m having trouble processing this. I don’t think any guard is worth $53 million over seven years; let alone an average starter at the position. Davin Joseph is a better fit for Tampa’s new blocking scheme, but this is an awful amount of money to spend on him. The Buccaneers must have been really concerned that Joseph was going to take less money to play elsewhere.
August 8th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Buccaneers re-signed OLB Quincy Black (5 years, $29 million; $11.5 million guaranteed): C+ Grade
The Buccaneers overpaid. Quincy Black is a solid starting linebacker, but $29 million overall and $11.5 million guaranteed is just too much. In Tampa’s defense, however, the team was $59 million under the cap prior to this re-signing, so it had a ton of money to spend to get to that 90-percent mark. That’s why this grade is a C+, and not a C- or D.
August 8th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Yeah these guys are just the best, The is not the way the Packers and Steelers build there teams, they actually make moves that make sense.
August 8th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
After all the blackouts, you guys tell me how much im supposed to enjoy a 7-9, or 8-8 season!!!!!!!!!!!! If we are not playing to win a title, then will all the players get a pretty ribbon at the end of the year for Participation.
August 8th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Bobby, We know there are differing opinions out there and we appreciate you sharing some of them with us. But when you quote another source like – WalterFootball – verbatim, you must name the source or otherwise it’s considered plagarism.
August 8th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Bobby — any analysis that completely ignores the fact that Koenen is a kickoff specialist in addition to a punter has obviously been done by someone who’s just skimming transactions and doesn’t have any real insight.
August 8th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
got ya, my bad!!!!!Wont happen again
August 8th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
If you look across the league, free agents are getting very favorable contracts.
This is because A: free agency taking place after the draft shifts the negotiating powers to the free agents and B: a result of the new CBA redistributing the salary cap to vets instead of unproven rookies.
Ray Edwards has never had more than 8.5 sacks in a season on the arguably the best D-Line in the NFL and Charles Johnson broke the bank after one good season. I’m not going to listen to an analyst who, likely, hasn’t read nor fully understands the parameters of the new CBA.
August 8th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Yeah, Yeah, Bobby…. Insert any other NFL Free Agent into those totals and would that make you happy? Would it?
I happen to like it that we have brought back players we as in The “Tampa Bay Buccaneers” drafted and have some history with.
I don’t like it that the Free Agent market prices where so high for mediocre talent, but what can us fans do? Maybe we can protest the season and not go to any games, or rant and rave about bad coaches/gm choices.
Me I’ve been a fan of the Buccaneers since I moved to St. Pete in 1976. Yeah I’ve seen and supported my share of poor Bucs teams…. but I am still a Fan. The NFL is a business, and you make choices as to how you want to grow that business. Is it yours or my choices to make, no it is not.
How many Free Agents actually live up to their price tag? It happens every season some do earn their pay yes they do, while most do not play as well as they did with their old team. It takes time to mesh, not just with the players and coaches but the schemes as well take time to learn. It is not as easy as sign a good player from another team and insert him into your team to guarantee success.
Far from it.
August 8th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
HGO is right Bobby, there is no floor this year, which your guys at Walterfootball say is a reason to overpay. The puner also is great at hang time and pining the ball insde the 20. To the fan that looks only at stats and rankings, you may be right…but to the pro or a fan that looks at situations as well see the importance of this signing. The Falcons had one of the best defense field position average the last few years, and one of the reasons is our new punter. if you think that does not matter, well…I do not know what to tell ya.
August 8th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Thanks for the brilliant insight rah. Bobby ignore the total value of the deal, only the guaranteed portion of the contract matters because the team can walk away from the contract owing only the guaranteed money. So Jane Black’s deal is truthfully just a 2 year 11.5 million deal which represents his salary for years 1 and 2. If Jane plays well, the bucs own his rights at a reasonable salary, if he stinks the cut him after 2 years.
August 8th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
My only point is yes, the bucs have gone out and resigned there own guys, but i just wanted to offer some insite into what people who make money covering football, are saying about what the team has done. I am under the impression that Rockstar and Rheem, are on a four year plan, Under there regime, and we are in year number three, with them, are we getting to the point where we can compete at the top level, with The Steelers, The Packers, or The Pats, u have to agree, that right now we are not ready, they put up the four year plan, I dont want them to waste money, I just want them to compete to win it all. Mediocre is not acceptable, 8-8 is not ok.
August 8th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Bobby amen. I am glad you are one of the few JBFers who gets it.Yes, they made the team younger (were able to soak up profits for 2 years) and the team
Improved in the win column. However, they are clearly still 3rd best in the divisionv(panthers are improved) with no change in sight. The only way to take a leap is to bring in known difference makers. I believe that this team will win 7 or 8 games this year and finish 1 ahead of Carolina. I am begging for: a stud second receiver (i.e. Santonio Holmes) a pass rusher (Ray Edwards), a backer (barrett ruud or stephen tulloch) and a corner (jonathon joseph) at a minimum. Cut – kyle moore, Talib, THC Jax or sean jones (if grimm is healthy) to save some $.
August 8th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Thomas is correct bringing in known talent is what will always win it all!!! I should know I have been doing this since well since I have been around, and look at my teams records. 🙂
Sincerely,
Daniel Snyder
Owner Washington Redskins.
August 8th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
2.2 inches you idiot if we sign Holmes for what he signed for just think how much Mike Will (who would be both younger and better at the time of negotiation) would be able to demand… same goes for Nnamdi, once Talib’s deal is up we would have to shell out an even bigger contract… It is simple economics people, you don’t go signing older players for big bucks when we must re sign our OWN YOUNG studs in the next two or three seasons (by which time all of our free agent signings would be headed downhill)
August 8th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
Yeah ok cut Talib, you are an idiot
August 8th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
8-8 is way better than years of 4 and anything… I’ve seen that a few times before. Just like before we had free agency, remember those great Teams & Dynasties? Steelers Bears Cowboys Chargers Redskins How did they create their teams? By signing several new players every season. Or drafting them training them and keeping them. Sure we can spend money on some player who excelled in their system, or train our own to be successful in ours. I am not against Free Agents. In time sure, just not sure the time is here yet. Prove me wrong I am okay with it either way.
August 8th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
“Then there is the fantasy football mentality we live in. If someone isn’t a “name” player, he can’t be any good.”
That’s not what people are saying at all Joe. Let me explain what I think. I think Dom is a good drafter and I trust him as far as that goes, I just don’t like how it’s the only thing he’s doing! This team could be so much better if he added a few more pieces. I mean, do you really think there’s no places on the team that could use an upgrade? That’s what free agency is for. Around here, it seems like if a player is young and is drafted by our team, they’re the answer, no one else. Anything else is the “wrong way.” There’s people out of free agency that we could’ve gotten and who fit our youth movement. Even so, why not bring a veteran or two in here for us to have while the rookies are developing? That way we can still make a serious push for the playoffs and be as competitive as any other team. Instead around here, players like Michael Bennett are loved to death by the coaches even though they’ve done nothing performance wise since they came here. When you have as much money as the Bucs have, spend some money to upgrade your roster instead of overpaying Quincy Black and giving 20 mil to a punter. While I’m not against those signings at all, we overpaid both of those guys. I’m not saying spend all of it, but at least spend a good chunk. For example, look at the contract Darren Sproles got from the Saints. For a player of his talent, it seemed pretty reasonable. We lost Cadillac, have a hole at RB, but instead I keep hearing about this dude named Kregg Lumpkin. C’mon.
The “building through the draft” is fine. I just have a problem with it being the only thing we do. This team isn’t going to progress as much as it could if it did a little bit of both. Especially next year with the schedule being much tougher. Call me a whiney bitch all you want, but I’m not letting the 10-6 last year with one of the easier schedules in the league fool me. Do I think the team was a disappointment last year? Not at all considering the circumstances. I had fun last year. We weren’t great but we were ok. But just sayin, I’m not as confident about this year. Not every rookie can be a Blount, Williams, or Grimm like everyone thinks around here.
August 8th, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Free agency is for total fools.
Sincerely,
Bill Billichick
Andy Reed
Mike Smith
Sean Peyton
Rex Ryan
August 8th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Any coaches who have ever won a superbowl within their first 2-3 years with a team did so with a team that was mostly established when they got hired.
Raheem came as a rookie head coach. Did he deserve the hire? Probably not. But since then he has earned it. Yes, in his rookie year he made a ton of mistakes. But he learned from each of them and corrected them. He may not have a winning record yet, but last year put him well on his way.
Not so. This years goal is to win the division. Morris said nothing about 11 wins.
It isn’t necessary to injure someone in order to sack them 6 times.
All last year people said that the Bucs had 10 wins because they played losing teams. This year, they will face stiffer competition.
I would be satisfied if they won 9 games. I would be VERY satisfied if they won 10 again. But I suspect it won’t take 11 games to win the season this year. 9 games is enough for me because of the developmental period on the young players. If they go 9-7 this young, it means that they will do MUCH better once they fully develop.
August 8th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
You guys just don’t get yet!!! We have an absolute stud at QB. We don’t need an overpaid WR for him. Freeman can make any WR look good, which will also make RB look good. It cracks me to hear about all these FA we could have but who wants to come to a team who probably only sells out two games this year after winning 10? Not the guys who are good enough to go where they want to. If we grossly overpay then we probably have a shot of getting them and not being able to resign our own studs. Don’t forget most FA are FA cause a team who they played years for didn’t think they are worth their price tag.
August 8th, 2011 at 10:29 pm
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Joe.
August 9th, 2011 at 10:02 am
@Thomas
Do you have any data on how much money the Glazers netted (Bucs related only) over the past two years?
August 9th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Thomas, it will not be clear that the Bucs are the third best in their devision or the best in their devision until the four teams compare frecords at dif points in the year. In fact, if it is as close as last year we will not know until all four teams play eachother twice. The4re is no way to tell who has grown and who has lost a step. You just want to slobber all over ATL and NO.