“Wrong Move” To Fire Raheem Morris
December 12th, 2011
Rick Brown of the Lakeland Ledger believes Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik should absorb his share of blame for how the Bucs season has deteriorated into the abyss.
The wolves are foaming at the mouth and are surrounding One Buc Palace.
Sharks are in the water with the scent of blood thick as they circle One Buc Palace like a boat adrift off the coast of North Carolina.
Joe has never, ever seen the Bucs fan base this irate, this outraged at a Bucs head coach. It’s bad.
Sure, there was a good chunk — maybe half, maybe a bit more — who clamored for Father Dungy to hang it up after a second consecutive no-touchdown performance against the Eagles in the playoffs.
Sure, there were some Bucs fans — mainly the Dungyphiles — who disliked Chucky and wanted him gone.
But at neither time did the vast majority of Bucs fans become hysterical and want a coach fired STAT as the Bucs fandom is with Morris.
Joe vividly remembers how the late great Chris Thomas, the Great GOB himself, used to preach how there was little “unity in the community.” The only time he saw unity was when the Bucs won the Super Bowl.
Well Chris, there is unity in the community again and not in a good way this time. It’s getting ugly out there.
But don’t count dapper Rick Brown among the angry masses. The Bucs beat writer for the Lakeland Ledger saw the debacle in Jacksonville yesterday first-hand and is firm in the belief that firing Morris would be unfair.
Rather, Brown is of the mind that the torches and pitchforks should be used on Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik and not Morris.
And yes, it was easy to fall for the Kool-Aid when Morris said his team’s goal was to win the division. Heck, that’s every team’s goal. But it wasn’t a reality. This team was just too young and when adversity hit, it had too few leaders to snap the squad out of it.
That is on the general manager, who a year earlier said this would be deepest free agent class but the only move he made was to acquire a punter.
Knowing how he knew how deep the free agent market was makes me believe he didn’t have any option.
While Joe is a firm believer that building through the draft is the way to build a powerhouse — too many instances throughout NFL history to think that philosophy is hogwash — Joe is starting to warm to the belief that the lack more veterans was damning to the Bucs and may have Pearl Harbored Dominik’s good works before seeing the fruit of his labor blossom.
There is ample evidence by Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks of how much Hardy Nickerson helped them grow. Joe knows many Bucs fans would rather have punched Barrett Ruud than to see him wearing the Bucs uniform again, but you don’t think that porous linebacker corps could have used his 100+ tackles, even if they were seven yards downfield? At least he was making tackles.
Look at the impact Ruud has made on rookie Colin McCarthy. Ruud personally took McCarthy under his wing and coached him up.
Who was Mason Foster supposed to lean on for help, Quincy Black? Heaven help us all.
Even Da’Quan Bowers told Joe two weeks ago how much Albert Haynesworth has helped in his development and before Haynesworth came to Tampa Bay, not one person on the face of the Earth would ever have dared to suggest such a thing.
Joe gets that Dominik emulates the Packers and the Steelers and how those teams stay at arm’s length from free agents and build through the draft. And those teams have rookies that step in and play solid football right away each year.
The thing is, the Packers and Steelers have many vets to help those rookies out.
The Bucs really don’t.
December 12th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
And of course Lakeland being the center of NFL knowledge. Hey man, I dont want fair, I want wins. Who cares what Raheem feels, he is done.
December 12th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
I go round and round with Rick on twitter every Sunday. Yesterday, was this
Rick Brown @LedgeronBucs 20 hrs
Make it 4 TDs for Jones-Drew. This one, however, was handed to him by an overzelous ref.
Michael Arnold @marnold624 20 hrs
@LedgeronBucs still believe in Raheem the motivator? the DC? the HC? He has lost this team.
Rick Brown @LedgeronBucs 20 hrs
@marnold624 yes, i do.
Michael Arnold @marnold624 20 hrs
@LedgeronBucs then you are only one.
Rick Brown @LedgeronBucs
@marnold624 Maybe and I accept that.
December 12th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
My prediction: Morris stays, Spagnola, when fired, becomes the DC. LB coach is relieved of duties and Olsen is mandated to get vertical or get out.
December 12th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
I agree with the last part of the quote: “he didn’t have any option”. Pretty clearly Dominik knew this was one of the deepest free agent pools of all time, but was restrained by orders from above (i.e. the Glazers).
Dominik has done the best he can do given how his hands have obviously been tied in free agency. The Glazers have basically forced him to re-sign underperforming Bucs players instead of replacing them with better free agent talent. I honestly believe the Clayton & Black contracts were not really his doing but were kind of forced on him, both by the Glazers’ tight purse strings as well as Raheem standing on the table for those two guys and making them out to be something they clearly weren’t.
If the Glazers will allow more money to be spent in free agency, and if they fire Raheem and get a talented coaching staff in here, I guarantee you that Dominik will flourish in his job. He’s the last guy who needs to be fired at One Buc.
December 12th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
This may be one of the more enlightening articles that I have read in a while. I am not saying that Morris won’t or shouldn’t be fired. He has certainly said enough and not done enough to justify whatever actions the Glazers prefer to take. But we can’t have it both ways – to accuse him of not being able to find his a$$ if you tied both hands behind his back and in the same breath suggest that he is the brains behind his appointment and the austerity program Dominik so dutifully adheres to.
December 12th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
I’ve been calling (blogging) that Dominic deserves as
Much blame uf not more for this meltdown. Also, let’s not
forget his ridiculous contracts to Clayton and Black. Dominic has
failed this miserably. Add Olson to the group as well. He’s the veterans
and a franchise qb (maybe) that have been a total disaster.
December 12th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
4 – dash – 9
December 12th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
I think Dom has to take his share of the blame but ultimately Rah coaches the team. If Rah had a difference of opinion about personnel then he should have said something and when he didn’t get any results then let it fly in the media or go to the Glazer boys. When Chucky and McKay had differences that could not be settled Chucky went over his head and a few media outlets got some bits of stories to heat up that relationship. If the Rah felt he was being handcuffed then he should have made some noise.
December 12th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Have to believe “the plan” was discussed and agreed upon by everyone (owners, GM & coach), so all are to blame for this debacle. Unfortunately, the owners aren’t going to fire themselves, so that leaves only two other options. There is some talent on this roster, so Dominik needs to be given “some” credit for that. However, some of his bullheaded decision on players such as Lumpkin, Black, Lewis, etc. definitely can be questioned. And doubt we’ll ever know who’s decision is was to purge the vets, but you have to think ownership signed off on it and maybe even encouraged it. The teams results on the field speak for Raheem though, and “progress” is definitely NOT being made.
December 12th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
I believe that Dominick has drafted well, but that players have not progressed under the current coaching staff. There is talent on this team, hell, even Raheem acknowledged that yesterday after the game.
The deal is COACHING!!! These kids are not being coached!!! Veterans can help, but these guys need coaching!!!
Buh Bye Raheem
December 12th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
The only thing in Lakeland I care about is the Five Guys right off I4 at exit 33. Mmm mmm.
December 12th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
This Lakeland guy is clueless and probably on the Buc’s payroll. Fire Raheem, target an experienced coach (like Cowher or Fisher or whoever) who will bring quality experienced assistants and open that freaking wallet. Get the free agents in the gaping holes to fill like linebacker, cornerback, safety, and WR, and draft the best LB or WR or RB available with your first two picks. We are not that far off, but Raheem is overwhelmed as HC. Make the move now! My hats off the the Chiefs for having the balls to show they care about their fan base.
December 12th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Meh, they just built one where I live now in NC. I miss the one in Spring Hill. Infact I might go today.
December 12th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
There isn’t one anywhere near me, but I got to hit that one in Lakeland saturday during my drive. Mmmm. Now that’s how you do fast food.
(I’m not a paid spokesman lol)
December 12th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Just heard Raheem press conference . Two things that stick out he said only people that panic change personal. Secondly he said people writing about him being fired are scaring his family. Wow fire him please
December 12th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Its all about him, isnt it. At what point did he apologize to the fans? No class.
Ref Five Guys….Terminal C at Reagan National Airport. Regular Bacon Cheeseburger with only mustard and pickles. Small Fries. Damn, Hungry now….
December 12th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
I think since the Glazers purchased Man U they have been tight with their purchasing FA and trades. That said… I think, was the problem with Gruden that started the slide in talent Chucky didn’t like the restraints.
Well we’re at the bottom now what we going to do? I think the NFL should look into the financials of the Glazers to make sure they have the financial being to own a NFL franchise. Man U was in the black when the y purchased them now Man U is close to 1 Billion in debt. Hey I think it just shows before Man U open checkbook and some serious talent… Eddie DeBartolo Jr. hmmm just saying he’s in the Tampa area and he’s a winner.
December 12th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Scaring his family? lol! That is the weakest crap I’ve ever heard from a HC.
December 12th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Same thing i’ve been preaching. The lack of experience on our team has stunned the growth of these young guys. They have tons of talent, just 0 knowledge or experience on how to be a professional! I’ve always recommended having at least 1 vet in each group on both sides of the ball. Whether a starter or in a back up role.
Dom said the vet knowledge would come from the coaches. But the coaches don’t put on pads and practice on the field the same as the players. The vets are able to lead by example, Coaches are not able to.
Hopefully they will have learned from their mistakes and grab FA that are good fits for this team, rather then watch them go by to our opponents.
December 12th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
Rah bombed that presser. He’s only concerned with the opinions of peoples names that “end” in “G” and “D”. Go work on those “fundamentals” Rah.
December 12th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
You know the Glazers are penny pinchers. But aren’t they suppose to be business men also ? First thing you learn is, it takes money to make money. If they think by keeping the wallet closed and producing under performing team. That they can just soak up what ever money people throw at it, They are wrong.
If they would just spend a few more dollars and produce a winning, exciting team. MORE people will show up and support the team. Thus, Making them MORE money.
For them to keep being cheap is ridiculous and the fans will eventually run the Glazers out of Tampa
December 12th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
I may be wrong, but it seems to me the “stockholders” are speaking loud and clear.
Surely the Glazer Boys will listen?
December 12th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
If you read The Glazers quotes in repsonse to the Jon Gruden / Bruce Allen firing it’s pretty telling. In Gruden’s final season the Bucs started out 6-0 then did a collosal collapse that cost them the playoffs and their jobs.
December 12th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Morris you tried your best, you were way over your head in this since day 1…….but you have lost control of this team. This team has no heart. I am a die-hard Bucs fan but this last loss to Jacksonville of all teams was hard to watch. It hurt to see this team self destruct. Were is the fire we had when we beat Atlanta and new Orleans in October?????? Im a season ticket holder, have been for many years, but things have got to change. We do have talent on this team, lets be honest about that, but they are not being motivated. Blount and Bowers are the only ones playing with Heart and Passion. The rest of the team has given up.
December 12th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Sure, firing this head coach after one year of success following by a downward spiral and little progress made would be an unfair knee-jerk reaction.
But then the Chiefs went ahead and did it this morning.
December 12th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
how is Todd Haley fired and Raheem not???? Haley took the chiefs to the playoffs last year. Raheem…………well hes made us worse.
December 12th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
The big thing that bothers me about Raheem’s most recent Press conference. Is him saying he doesn’t care about outside opinions. I understand not getting caught up in the emotional roller coaster us fans go through every season. But WE THE FANS PAY FOR YOUR CHECKS. With out us, you would have no job! So you better start caring how we feel.
December 12th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
The Glazers had a plan to rebuild the team. They gutted the team and started over. Year 1 was the gutting, Year 2 we over achieved, Year 3 we’re under achieving (by a lot). The Glazers have proven relatively patient, aside from fans screams, do you really think they will pull the plug after only 2 years? (year 1 doesn’t count)
I just don’t see it.
I think Raheem stays for next year. I’m not saying that is right. Who do you bring in? Our D-Line draft was based on 4-3 personel, so you can’t bring in a 3-4 defense, that WOULD be worse than keep Raheem.
Brian Bilick as HC? Spags as DC (assuming he’s fired)?
That’s about all I can think of.
December 12th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Do NOT fire Raheem. trust me foolish fans.
December 12th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
@bucfanjeff
I was saying this 4 weeks ago, but now we are in a death spiral that he has no control of. His lack of experience is killing us, and you don’t learn anything from whats going on right now other than how to lose worse than you did the week before, for the sake fo the young players who are only learning to lose you have to jettison Morris, for the sake of your teams reputation you have to dump him.
December 12th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Finally a voice crying out in the wilderness.
Just what I’ve been saying…..it’s firstly the Glazers and Dom that need to be questioned. It is obvious that we have no veterans leadership on this team. We let the QB of the D go last year and we let Caddy, the inspirational leader of the O go last year without bringing in anyone. Nor did we bring in any more talent than the kicker. We have done poorly in the draft from the third round on. We paid big money to Mr. Black and paid top dollar for a mediocre O line. Duemig is blaming it on the players, and in fact they will have to be held to task or gotten rid of. But who brought in the players….who built this weak willed team? Dom and the Glazers. Rah has tried to make fudge with a pile of ….sand.
December 12th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Sparano from Miami and hailey from kc just got fired. Rah is next!!
December 12th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Dom is just as responsible.
You get what you pay for, and we paid NOTHING for FA playmakers.
we are ging to lose out, and it is not okay. Pay some dang contracts to other FA’s.
December 12th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
And don’t get me wrong Adrian clayborn plays aggressive but if I see him get jammed one more time by someone I know he can toss I’ll lose it can anyone on our defense shed a block or shoot a gap at full speed.
December 12th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Mark Dominick is to blame as well as Raheem, and he should be Yunemployeed, as well.
December 12th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
is there some rule that says you have to fire your present coach before looking for his replacement? might want to check and see who the glazers are talking to?
December 13th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
If another person talks about how young this team is or their inexperience I am going to be sick. The Packers are the 3rd youngest team in the NFL and have won 18 straight, nor did they even get together during the offseason. Only 2 playmakers are 1st round picks. Morris and Dominic need to be released.