Barber Hints At Retirement If Morris Is Ousted
December 29th, 2011
There is no question that one of the biggest knocks on embattled Bucs coach Raheem Morris has been his close social relationship with a handful of Bucs players.
Morris needs to separate himself from the players in social circles and be more a boss than a bud, so Morris’ vocal critics say.
But that bond between player and coach is important to some. In talking to Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, veteran Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber said if the Bucs jettison Morris next month, it may force Barber’s hands into retirement.
“I would be lying if I didn’t say that,” Barber said when asked if his future was linked to Morris’. “That’s somewhat true. But we’ll see. Ideally, I’d love to be back and play with (Morris), and (secondary coach) Jimmy (Lake) and (linebackers coach) Joe Baker. They’re great coaches and they’re fun to be around. They understand me and I understand them. So I imagine that will have something to do with it.”
Well, Morris’ future is indeed in peril but there is still a window of a chance that Morris could return. Joe, however, would be totally flabbergasted if Baker is retained.
The Bucs linebacker corps has to be among the worst in the NFL, and if not worst, this despite some solid play from rookie middle linebacker Mason Foster.
If a team that is on the cusp of setting a gruesome franchise record for allowing the most points in a season, largely because of bad linebacker play, allows the head coach or defensive coordinator to skate (Morris is also the Bucs defensive coordinator), then surely the linebackers position coach must be the one to fall on the sword.
Morris returning for the 2012 season is not out of the question.
Baker returning next season would be as shocking to Joe as if Rachel Watson herself knocked on Joe’s front door tonight wearing her old Bucs cheerleader get-up, with a bottle of Tanquerey in her hand no less.
December 29th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
raheem nfl record after sunday will be 17-32 with having the worst d in bucs history no way he should be brought back , love ya ronde congrats on a great career but its time for a change
December 29th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Heck Joe Baker could be the next head coach the way the Glazer Boys operate.
December 29th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Bye bye barber lol
December 29th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
In reference to yesterday’s post from APPLE ROOFING
If what he said holds water. If a Coach has been already been selected or what I would guess a verbal agreement of sorts. This coach would obviously have to be out of work. He also said he is already watching film.
Fisher, IMO would not commit to anything until he saw all of the team openings at the end of the year.
The guy, if this is true that I believe it would be is Brian Billick.
-He is a name coach, (Which the Glazers typically go for). He is picky who he goes to but has nothing but positives about Tampa Bay and Freeman.
-He is a disciplinarian which IMO should be the teams #1 requirement for the new HC.
-He is offensive Minded something the team is thought MAYBE to be leaning towards to Help Freeman.
-He does a show PLAYBOOK for NFL Network that does nothing but breakdown teams film each week so he would def have the access.
Just a thought that hit me.
December 29th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Bye Ronde – it’s been great
December 29th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
I understand player loyalty (Ronda must be on eof Rah’s few). But players need to realize the tem perspective. You may like Rah, but the team must win. Your teammates have quit on this guy.
If you are looking for a ‘reason’ to exit, use Rah’s dismissal.
December 29th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Nice job on the Rachel Watson metaphore Joe. Wow! As far as Ronde goes he will be as good as gone if Rah is fired which is pretty sad for Buc fans.
December 29th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
@Joe,Knock,knockhttp://www.bucstats.com/?tag=rachel-watson lol!
December 29th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Ronde! Ronde! That sounds like too many hits to the head? Besides, I thought you were going to retire anyways?
December 29th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
I don’t agree with the premise that a new coach means no Ronde.
I could see a Bill Cowher meeting with him, asking him the stay one more year. I am sure Ronde would listen to something like that.
Especially if he knew the ownership was going to actually make a credible attempt to field a team.
December 29th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Bye Ronde.
December 29th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Why is Morris returning even an option at this point? This is the worst defense in Bucs history.
December 29th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
“Fun to be around”? So everyone is having fun and no one is practicing. Thats sad Ronde, tell us you were misquoted.
December 29th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
The fact that so many players want Raheem to stick around is an indicator of why he needs to be fired. Players, just like most employees of a company, love managers that let them do pretty much whatever they want and don’t hold them accountable. They don’t care as much if the team (company) isn’t competitive.
Just look at examples such as the Post Office, DMV, etc. A secure job with little discipline equals happy employees but poor company performance. I’m a small business owner myself, and a couple years ago we had a salesperson who didn’t like being told what to do. He loved working for me until I had to lay down the law. Guess what? His performance improved although his “happiness” was affected. That’s just part of life, however.
Same thing when I was in boot camp. Our company commander was the hardest man on the entire base and mashed the hell out of us on a regular basis, including punching guys who were soft and whiny. It was difficult, but guess what? Our company won every single award when graduation came, and it wasn’t even close. Why? Because we had been disciplined to as close to military perfection as humanly possible. I hated the guy but I gained huge respect for him after the fact when I saw the rewards for our hard work.
I’d MUCH rather see a guy like Belichick, Coughlin, etc, running this team from 2012 onward than a player’s coach such as Morris. These players have been told they’re special since Pop Warner, went to college with plenty of unreported side benefits, and are now millionaires. They need someone hard to bring them back to earth and humble them as much as possible to get the very best out of them. Coddlers such as Morris will never be able to get the most out of a player. The Bucs need an entirely new mindset starting next week.
December 29th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
I am hoping Coughlan loses to Dallas and gets fired.
Excellent coach.
December 29th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@FLBoyInDallas AMEN BROTHER…………..
December 29th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
I was a Bucs fan before Ronde came along. I will be one when he is gone. Thanks for the memories. Take Morris and go away.
December 29th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
@FLBoy Agree completely. Well said!
December 29th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
eric:
Coughlin may just be the kind of guy the Bucs need!
December 29th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Why would Rhonde make such a fool of himself in the twilight of a great career? Trying the “I’ll leave too” extortion if they don’t keep Morris is downright stupid. See ya Rhonde!
December 29th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
A perfect example of coaching is The Biggest Loser! No not Raheem; the show the biggest loser. Jillian Michaels (who is no longer with the show) had a almost perfect record when it came to weight loss winners. Why? Because she was hell on wheels and every contestant was scared, but they also respected what she did. When you look at Raheem; no one is scared and he’s lost all respect!
December 29th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
The more I read and the more I think about what the Glazers will do the more I come to the conclusion that Morris will be back for one more year. He went 10-6 last year and started out 4-2 this year while taking out Atlanta and New Orleans. Lack of depth and injuries really aren’t Morris’s fault. Not having the team ready to play IS. I think they will change OC & DC and be active in FA since they know we will get some very good draft talent and should be competitive next year if they bring in the right vets to fill key roles. I just don’t think they’re gonna fire Morris because they realize the blame is not entirely his. It doesn’t hurt them to keep Morris for another year because attendance has been flat anyway and winning will bring the fans back no matter when it happens. They need a change, that’s for sure and I think they will make it by bringing in a lot of new coaches and coordinators, FA’s etc. but my gut feeling tells me they will go with Morris for one more year.
December 29th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Great career Ronde. I loved watching you play. Possibly future hall of famer. But “Rah” without question has got to go. No more excuses.
December 29th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
“A perfect example of coaching is The Biggest Loser! No not Raheem”
THANKS Bucnjim, Now I have to clean my computer screen…. I’m Glad I it wasn’t soda! ROFL
December 29th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Your choice Ronde…. If you want to hitch your wagon to one of the Bucs worst coaches then that is your right…. Matter of fact, at this point the more people Mo takes with him the better the Bucs future looks because Mo has likely damaged these guys…. Such a pity!
The sooner the Bucs cut out the cancer the quicker the wounds can start the healing process and the closer the Bucs will get back to glory again!
December 29th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Keeping Raheem around as a figurehead while allowing a new DC & OC to basically run things is a recipe for an even worse situation. With Raheem still as head coach, the players will realize they can go around the DC or OC if they’re not happy, and they’ll have a sympathetic ear in Raheem. That will undermine anything the new coordinators try to accomplish.
Just look at Pete Mangurian. He had this line playing at an exceptional level but some of the o-linemen didn’t like his “style”, and he had some clashes with Olson. The brought in Pat Morris and the line has regressed this season. Mangurian was a disciplinarian whereas Pat Morris is a players’ coach. You connect the dots.
December 29th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
@FLBoyInDallas…..you have no idea what will happen if they bring in a new OC and DC and keep Raheem on as HC and neither do I. It would be interesting to find out. I don’t see disaster if Morris is kept on as HC with all new coordinators but I do if he retains his DC job.
December 29th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Bobby…I know exactly what will happen because I’ve seen this type of situation more times and I can count. If the head coach is not allowed to pick his own OC & DC, and they are picked for him by someone else, there will always be distrust, and even division, in their relationships. That’s how it works in sports and also in business. Every time.
So, do you trust Raheem to pick his own OC & DC? I don’t and I don’t think anyone else does, either. Including the Glazers and Dominik.
December 29th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
Of course I would trust Morris to pick his own OC & DC. He knows as well as anybody who is doing a good job and who isn’t.
Contrary to opinion on these boards he’s not an idiot.
December 29th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
don’t let the door hit you in the arse…..this community need not be held hostage by a self indulgent football player and his boy….we heard you before Rah got hired…everybody knows you lobbied and probably help sell him….sorry bro but you’re OBVIOUSLY NOT the leader you think you are and we expect…so see ya!
December 29th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
…one more thing…last I checked Raheem gets paid 2 MILLION dollars next year whether he’s coaching this team or not…so spare us the whine already…that’s more jack than most of us will see in a life time…he’s set up for life…so the LAST thing I will do is spill a tear for a friggan MILLIONAIRE…dig it
December 29th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
No need to bash Mr. Barber. Aint his fault.
Defending your coach is admirable IMO.
Class act.
December 29th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
I’d hire Bill Parcells in a flash if he was about 7 years younger.
December 29th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
I agree Eric…
December 29th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@chiodo08….Barber has given this community 15 years of constant effort and great play. What have you given us except a bull#$t post that shows what an a$#hole you are??
December 29th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Screw Ronde Barber, and his “ultimatum”. Davin Joseph was successful in setting a precedent in Tampa by refusing to re sign, unless Trueblood was retained. This is the problem, Tampa is an out of control team full of underachieving spoiled brats, who whine like sniveling little bitches, if they don’t get their own way. Ronde needs to retire anyway.
Tampa needs a hard ass ball buster for a coach, who will kick ass, take names.
Raheem is a dead man walking, he is going to be let go just as soon as the season is over.
December 29th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
@Apple….how in the heck did you read ‘ultimatum’ into what Barber said??? My God, you talk about fans over-reacting….do you really think Ronde feels like his decision pulls any weight with whether or not the Glazers keep or fire Morris!!??? C’mon. He was simply stating a fact and didn’t even say he absolutely would not return if Morris didn’t return. Geez…chill out guys.