Mark Dominik Was “Ashen-Faced”
December 6th, 2011
Pharmacies across the Tampa Bay area are doing brisk business with sales of antacids the past few days given the nauseating play of the Bucs, in particular the defense.
It seems, per eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune, that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik may have also been afflicted with this malady.
Speaking on “Primetime” with Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi, heard weekday afternoons on WHBO-AM 1040, Kaufman detailed a chance encounter with Dominik at halftime of the last place Bucs’ curb-stomping at the hands of the struggling Panthers Sunday.
Kaufman noted he was taking a break and leaving his press seat near the end of the first half when he saw Dominik exiting what Kaufman believed was the coaches’ box.
“He was ashen-faced, I mean he was grim,” Kaufman said. “I’ve never seen him have that look. I think he was shocked. They are not in these games, they are not close guys. They are giving up 30 points a game in this losing streak.”
Dominik wasn’t the only one in shock. So too was Joe. No one, no one expected the Bucs to be manhandled like this before the season. Sure, many predicted perhaps NFL reality would set back in and the Bucs would maybe go 7-9, but no one expected the team to spiral out of control the way it has.
As it currently stands, it appears the Bucs may only be able to beat the Jaguars on the road in their final four games, and even that is not a sure bet.
December 6th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Defensively speaking, in our system you must maintain gap integrity and trust the guy next to you. It would appear we are doing neither. Combine that with soft LB’s in run support and you get gashed (Foster excluded, not sure on Watson yet).
That said, next year, the DT’s will be on year 3 and the DE’s on year two. Provided we stay healthy, I really feel good about what I see from the front four.
December 6th, 2011 at 10:51 am
Joe,
I was telling all of you last year that this team stunk. Barely beating the likes of Max Hall, Jimmy Clausen, Jake Delhomme, rookie Sam Bradford, broken-down Mcnabb etc in ugly football games made it obvious to the objective that this was not a good team.
An extremely soft and very fortunate schedule should have been considered if you have any clue at all about what constitutes quality NFL football. The week 17 win over Saints meant nothing to them after half-time which is why they pulled Brees with the game in the balance.
Rah and Dom should have recognized this, I suspect that Rah is incapable of diagnosing what constitutes good and bad football but not Dom.
If I were the Glazers and truly cared about this team – I would fire Rah ASAP, and strongly consider replacing Dom. Free, Price, Clay and Bowers seem to be good draft picks, possibly Williams also.
Mccoy has been a HUGE and MONUMENTAL mistake and waste of money. Benn seems to be in that category with Lewis, Moore, fulton and bowden.
Blount was a steal but he is the type of back that needs a complement.
In sum, this is horrible football team and everyone should have recognized it – last year was an illusion a mirage a fantasy of bad teams made worse by even worse non-starting quarterbacks, add in an unusually turnover free year from your QB with a bunch of last-second victories = not a good football team even though the record suggested improvement.
I would take the 2009 team over this team – I think it is undeniable that this rebuild has made the team worse from the 2008-09 bunch. Hold those accountable now! Before the last fan gives up.
December 6th, 2011 at 10:52 am
Players have tuned coaches out. One or the other needs to change.
December 6th, 2011 at 10:57 am
No way we stop Jones-Drew. Jags 31 Bucs 13. We suck. Probably going to wash my truck instead of watching the game.
December 6th, 2011 at 11:05 am
Alot of what Thomas says here is correct. I COMPLETELY disagree about McCoy though. He was the best D-Lineman by far going back to the 4-5 games prior to his injury last year.
And YES, Blount needs a speedy fast compliment. EVERYONE was screaming for that. I am all for Jeff Demps or LaMichael James this year.
They also need a FAST WR.
I thought Benn would be able to stretch the defense, not because of speed, but because of size and strength…. He is a year or 2 away still… if he ever lives up to his draft status. I am not giving up on him yet though.
Bottom line is I have been optimistic and rolling with it. Can’t do it anymore.
The team has talent. They have also beaten Drew brees and Mat Ryan and played a damn good game against Aaron Rodgers.
I do not by the fact that they aren’t talented enough.
It is coaching.
This team is bad this year because of one reason: discipline.
Raheem started out too “buddy, buddy” with a young team. Now it is too late to turn into the discipline guy they need in charge. Being a hard ass and then easing back can be done. Being a friend and then having to be a hard ass in charge usually does not work.
Just last week I was saying take away teh DC job from Raheem… too little too late.
I think it is becoming more and more evident that he was thrust into a HC job too soon. I still think he might end up being a good one, but they need a change, and with a young team, now is the time (meaning as soon as the year is over)
HC, DC, and OC are probably all going to change.
I’d keep Dom.
December 6th, 2011 at 11:08 am
I like Jeff Fisher.
December 6th, 2011 at 11:09 am
The slow starts and lack of urgency have finally caught up with them. This isn’t an opinion, but a very simple fact. Getting players emotionally ready is one of the most important jobs of coaches. The word apathy not only applies to the fans; it comes directly from the effort I see on the field every week. Fans are upset with the loses, but they are furious over the perception that this team’s not giving %100.
December 6th, 2011 at 11:12 am
There’s no way the Bucs beat the Jags.
Where is this hope coming from?
December 6th, 2011 at 11:13 am
Just for everyone in a dream world that thinks only the Good GMs hit all their draft picks ,… WAKE UP
Who are the best drafting teams ?? New England, Green Bay, Pittsburgh ??
Now do some research on their last 5 drafts and tell me what percentage of those drafts are starters ?? Pro- Bowlers ?? Inury Prone ?? Just special teamers ??? or just cut ???
Even the “great” drafting teams have a few misses every season .. I feel Dominik has drafted very well when it came to filling holes .. Its up to the players from there and Dom just needs to improve FA signings!
December 6th, 2011 at 11:31 am
We got a lucky victories last year and really had numerous ugly wins.
10 points in 2 points against the Bungals.
The Redskins botched their extra point attempt.
We barely beat the horrible browns.
Freeman had to bail us out everytime because our coaches can’t make adjustments and we can’t do crap for 3 quarters. We never played complete football.
I wanted to believe it was just youth instead of easy schedule. But now I can’t
December 6th, 2011 at 11:32 am
But they have the audacity to send out Season Ticket renewal forms this last week and to demand the first payment by Dec 22!
So they got that going for them.
When do the Rays report?
December 6th, 2011 at 11:37 am
I have a bunch of pitchforks that I purchased in 2008 sitting in my garage so let me know if anyone needs to borrow one. I could use a torch though if anyone has one of those lying around.
December 6th, 2011 at 11:51 am
I woke up this morning and to my surprise, Morris and his henchmen were still employed.
December 6th, 2011 at 11:58 am
Dominic needs to go along with Olson. Bad contracts, letting go of veterans, no FA’s for Dominic. There is no excuse for this offense to not be averaging 30 points a game. Olson has no clue how to get the most out of this offense which I believe has enough talent and veteran players. This is our biggest failure. I believe the terrible play of the offense has created bad play through out the team. The D should be better and Raheem deserves as much blame but we knew the D needed time to grow and the offense should have been taking alot of pressure off the rest of the team. So in my opinion, Dominic gets first blame, Olson gets the second, and Raheem third. How that affects the offseason should be interesting.
December 6th, 2011 at 11:58 am
Mark this down: the coaching staff of the Bucs will be overhauled after this season. Mark Dominik will remain. The Bucs will play a much more disciplined brand of football next season and will rise back to the middle of the pack. Take it to the ATM, as Michael Silver says.
December 6th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
He should be ‘ashen-faced’. I would be too if I put that product out on the field.
December 6th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
I am not shocked.
I was shocked by last years 10-6.
You know the team never looked the same from the pre-season. Remember how the Patriots dismantled them, and they got no offensive rhythm at all. McCoy yucked it up after the loss.
The bubble damn sure burst, thats all I know.
December 6th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
I don’t owe any allegiance to any coach, GM, or even an owner. I don’t care if they fire Morris or keep him, fire Dominik or sell the franchise – it’s Mox Nix! I’m a Bucs fan and I just want to win! But for some of you who keep asking for a high profile coach like Cowher, Fisher, and Reid should join Joe in Jacksonville for $29.50 – that’s a one-way ticket!
Those coaches will have their pick of high profile teams that already have established players and owners willing to spend money to win; visible owners that show up on sidelines; visibly show their support for their teams from luxury boxes; owners that show up in locker rooms after a huge win like the NO or ATL games.
Could you see any of these coaches taking orders from and working for Mark Dominik; signing up for the Glazer Austerity program; putting their careers on the line to take Spanky and Our Gang of Dead-End Kids to success in one of the most competetive divisions in the NFL?
Have you seen the win/loss records of the roadkill (previous Buc coaches) that litter the hallways of One Buc Palace? Would any one of you come here where coaches come to die to ensure that you never coach again in the NFL?
Those coaches are not masochists who enjoy hitting their heads against the wall just so they can quit and make it feel better. They’ve been around long enough to know to take the I275 bypass around Tampa to get to Miami if they were ever interested in Florida at all!
December 6th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
“austerity program”
LMAO!
December 6th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Where to start? I’ve cheered for the Bucs since moving to Tampa in 1980 and have seen it all, good and bad. This product we are being sold now is broken with no quick fix in sight. Raheem is a nice guy and probably a fine position coach. I believe he was hired way to quick as head coach when the Glazers were afraid Denver was going to offer him their HC job just as Raheem had been promoted here to D coordinator. The Glazers gambled. The franchise lost. Way too many penalties has cost us a few games this year already. You have to have discipline to win consistently. Currently, the inmates are running the asylum and laughing at their leader. Let go of Raheem and don’t feel sorry for him, he still gets paid just like Gruden did. Make a huge push for Cowher or Fisher who will bring intelligent, respected position coaches with them and right this ship. We have the talent, we just need experienced coaching before it’s too late.
December 6th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Guess I’m watching a different team than Joe. I’ve seen nothing in the last six weeks that says we can beat anybody in the NFL. Everybody gets fat on us.
December 6th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
@macabee offer someone enough money and they’ll show up im sure and @paul w can i borrow one? lmao
December 6th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
bucsman27, I’m not trying to discourage our getting a top-notch coach, I’m looking at our past history would be surprised if any one of the coaches I named would buy in for money alone. As you recall, we tried that with Parcells and he turned us down. Some would say that forced us to overpay for Gruden in $s and future draft picks and until the end of this year we’re still paying. The Glazers boys have shown no inclination to make a bold move as did their dad Malcolm. Anyway, what ever happens, I hope it improves our chance to win!
December 6th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
I do not think Mark Dom should go… I can not say that about the coaching staff anymore though.
I don’t buy that they do not have talent. I think they have a lot of young talent that needs developing and discipline. That does not fall on Mark Dom.
As for some of you screaming “I TOLD YOU SO”
Good for you. Somehow you are happy your so-called favorite team is failing… not sure how that works.
If you hate Raheem and you were saying from day 1 they should fire him…. I still think you are wrong. Regardless of how it ends up, I would rather have my team show some patience and actually give a guy a fighting chance.
Last week I was saying take the DC role away and get new LB and WR coaches (and new LBs).
This week I am ready to listen regarding Raheem’s replacement.
December 6th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Pro Football talk is reporting that 2 unidentified teams have contacted Jeff Fisher…..Lets hope one of them is the Buc’s. Maybe word leaked to Dominik and that’s why he had a ashened face. He would lose some power if a big name coach came in here.
Come on Glazer Boys, Make the deal for Fisher now and let him evaluate this team for the next month so he has a good idea where changes need to be made next year.
December 6th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Mark:
*IF* Fisher is going anywhere (horrible playoff record), it’s San Diego. Fisher’s a SoCal guy and the Chargers have a lot more pieces to the puzzle than the Bucs.
December 6th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
OK….so lets get this straight. Andy Reid is 4-8 with ‘the dream team’ and you want him to come here because he’s so good with talent???? Morons… We’re really not that far away. The D-line is going to be outstanding. We need two LB’s and two DB’s (a corner and a safety). We also need a speed running back with power. I don’t just want a compliment RB for Blount, I want someone who will make Blount fight for his job. Job security is not a good thing for Blount. I think he’ll get complacent. The puzzle is coming together but the LB play is absolutley killing us. Mike Williams is just now waking up out of a coma but penalties are still a problem. I want Rah to have 1 more year but I would like to see a new DC and a new OC. I know that will set us back another year but in the long run I think it will pay off. If there is a silver lining it’s that we’ll be in position on draft day for some very good talent. Can you say ‘Honey Badger’??
December 6th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Sorry, but Jeff Fisher sucks. I’d rather try and get Chucky back. At least he lives here, and has probably learned from his myriad of mistakes. Raheem needs a new OC and a new DC to help him.