Doug Williams Fires Candid Shots At Mark Dominik
January 20th, 2012
Former Bucs Director of Pro Scouting and iconic quarterback Doug Williams delivered candid comments yesterday about his poor relationship with Mark Dominik, including how he thinks the front office made mistakes that helped doom Raheem Morris.
Bucs icon Doug Williams served up strong messages on two of the most polarizing topics for Bucs fans during a tell-all interview on the Ron and Ian Show on WDAE-AM 620 yesterday.
As has been reported previously, the former Bucs personnel executive, now the Grambling State head coach, didn’t leave the Bucs on happy terms when he and rockstar general manager Mark Dominik parted ways in early 2010.
During the interview, Williams was pressed on the subject of the Bucs’ low payroll a few times. Williams made it clear he didn’t see any evidence during his Bucs executive tenure that Team Glazer was being frugal when it came to building the roster, emphasizing that the Glazers don’t pick players.
Williams, however, fired off harsh critiques of Dominik’s evaluation of the Bucs’ talent, especially after the Bucs shocked the NFL with a 10-6 record.
“You know, it’s kinda like the stock market,” Williams said. “And this is just a comparison. Sometimes when we buy stock and we think it’s worth a lot more than what it is. I think they might have valued the talent on that football team a little more than what it is.”
“After the 10-6 season, I really think the people in charge of picking the talent thought they were going to be that guru that Richard McKay had become when they picked [Derrick] Brooks and that crew back in the day. They thought they was on to something, I think.
“And I really think Raheem got a lot blame that he didn’t deserve. Because at the end of the day they can say all that they want about the Talibs and all the other guys on the team, but none of them can stay on the team if the guy who’s making the decisions don’t let’em stay on it.”
As for his working relationship with Dominik after Dominik was promoted to general manager, Williams said it was “the toughest nine months of my life.” Though it should be noted that they officially worked together in that capacity for more than a year.
“At the end of the day, I was in a position that Dominik did not want me in the building. And I understand that,” Williams said. “No 1, he wanted to protect Dennis Hickey. I remember when he first became general manager, the first question he asked me was, ‘Did you and Dennis Hickey get into it?’ or ‘Y’all you get along?’ and stuff like that. You know, him and Dennis grew up together. And for so many years, that’s basically the way a lot of these organizations ran. You know, you take care of your boy.
“I knew it was over with when Jon [Gruden] and Bruce [Allen] left and Mark became general manager. I knew that it was probably going to end this way.”
Joe must emphasize that Williams didn’t sound bitter in any way. He came across as a happy guy looking back at his history. You can hear the audio below.
Joe just hopes that Williams’ outspoken negativity doesn’t somehow affect his induction into the Bucs Ring of Honor, an accolade he surely deserves.
January 20th, 2012 at 10:53 am
This organization doesn’t seem to be run very professionally anymore.
January 20th, 2012 at 10:56 am
I miss the days of great effort and great character…pop star gm has assembled a bunch of lazy and a few thugs…I defended pop star and Rah and the no f/a….boy was I wrong…The next hire will say alot and if they hire Marty and get out of the way it would turn around quick…
January 20th, 2012 at 11:00 am
Doug should be in the ring of honor for sure.
Heck of a good guy. What an arm. As we used to say in the day he could throw it through a car wash and not get the ball wet. The courage of a lion.
The fact that Dom was questioning Doug like that is offensive IMO.
I wish we were going at this with a clean slate with a new GM and personnel department, but it is what it is.
January 20th, 2012 at 11:03 am
BTW, I am starting to think Doug has some kind of Louisiana bayou voodoo going on…..Culverhouse refused to sign him back as a player,Doug goes on and wins SB and MVP, we lose for about 17 seasons…then pop star shows Doug the door and we lose 12 games….coincidence ????? hmmmnnn
January 20th, 2012 at 11:07 am
Rock star huh? Bad decisions are one thing but disrespecting an icon in pro football makes u nothing but a little bitch. Should have started w clean slate. Rock star gloss is not applicable. Guy is a joke.
January 20th, 2012 at 11:15 am
Please, Williams himself knows its a business. New guy wants his team. It’s not like the Allen regime was special in draft and free agency.
January 20th, 2012 at 11:22 am
Mark D did the right thing because what exactl did Doug ever do that was good as far as evluating talent?
As far as I am concerned alot of the Bucs palyers drafted the last 2.5 years have showed they are talented, what they lack is coaching and discipline.
January 20th, 2012 at 11:32 am
Nice job “rockstar” you run off a legend and you suck at evaluating talent. fire this clown already!
January 20th, 2012 at 11:36 am
Finally, Vindication for what I have been thinking all along. It would appear Tampa does not have the talent we THOUGHT we did. I wonder if Raheem will ever speak up, and tell us what really went on when he was here ?
I know Joe loves his “rockstar”, and blames coaching.
Let’s all hope Joe is right, because if he isn’t right, Mark Dominick and Dennis Hickey will continue to blow our drafts.
January 20th, 2012 at 11:38 am
Dave,
How many Bucs meetings were you in? How in the hell would you know? It was a great interview and I believe everything he said he has more class then anyone in ur circle that’s for sure. Don’t get me wrong I like the young players too but I don’t know who made the final pick either. MD always says “we” made a descion for what’s best for the bucs so it’s not just him.
January 20th, 2012 at 11:44 am
No Matter what any of you Message Board Guru GMs say … This team is talented … Marty S agrees with me … Dominik is doing a good job ..
But
He definitely screwed up letting Cadillac walk, Signing Quincy Black and at the end of the day releasing Tyrone McKenzie and Barrett Ruud
But … I feel is on track with his drafting … He needs to learn from FA mistakes. But I still feel Dom has a good outlook towards the game and will equal success soon.
January 20th, 2012 at 11:50 am
Dom has proven to fail at FA/ contract re-ups, and a few guys that four have been released and had a FA replacement.
January 20th, 2012 at 11:52 am
Next year will be the year of truth for Dom’s drafting. On offense, Freeman, Williams, and Benn. On defense, the line. It is time for every one of them to step up. If they can, Dom’s drafts will look good. If they don’t, his drafts will look awful.
No more young excuses. No more coaching excuses. The time to step up for these guys is now.
January 20th, 2012 at 11:52 am
*Dom Failed at not cutting guys and replacing them with a FA. *
January 20th, 2012 at 11:52 am
The Bio on the Bucs page describing Hickey’s accomplishments is pretty funny. They compliment him for his role picking Gaines Adams, Sears, Talib, and Ruud.
16 years with the team. Amazing longevity.
Of course Marty will say the team has good young talent, do you want him to say they suck and not get the job? C’mon, you know thats not how things work. He said the same thing about the Fins recently.
The man would have to be a complete fool to criticize the work of the man who will have a big say in whether he is hired. Im sure all the candidates are singing that tune, as they should.
January 20th, 2012 at 11:54 am
“Rockstar” and “Drummer” (Hickey) need to quit holding back the band
😉
January 20th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
eric:
Batting .250! 🙂
To be fair, not sure how anyone could have detected Arron Sears’ chemical imbalance.
January 20th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
And Doug Williams did what for the front office?
January 20th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
According to a report they have their 2 finalists. A former HC and a coordinator. It’s crunch time!
January 20th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
I though Doug was honest and sounded good, not at all “bitter.” I was glad to note that.
Doug Willimas MUST be in the Ring of Honor one day. There is no doubt he deserves it and perhaps the hachet could be buried once and for all.
And talent? We NEED more talent and I fully expect the Glazers and Mark Dominik. to make every effort to go and get it after a new HC is hired.
They darn well have to IMO.
January 20th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
The key takeaway I had from the interview was not that Wiliams was blaming Dominck for not bringing in enough free but rather that Williams admitted that he was not in the position to say the Glazers were willing to spend money. When asked point blank if Dominick had free reign moneywise Williams answered he was not in the loop as far as money. Basically the fact that the Glazers have had the lowest payroll in the league the last 5 years is just what it is a fact. Dominick may have tried to look like the Golden boy and keep payroll low but if I am owners and had the lowest payroll in the league 4=5 years consecutively I would be embarrassed and make sure that pereption changes. Nothing to date is saying the Glazers are trying to do that. As fans we all wait holding our breath.
January 20th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
WOW! This is a good one.
January 20th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Eric, Hickey and the Rockstar also drafted a Punter who could not punt, and were forced to spend money for a free agent punter.
January 20th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Not “forced” but it wasn’t a smart move.
Like running backs, good punters can be found walking the streets.
January 20th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Honestly…I like Doug Williams and respect the good things he brought to the Bucs in the past, but he could be wrong as to the reasons he was let go.
I see it all the time, people assume the reasons behind a persons are one thing, and it turns out to be something entirely different.
Or, his motivations could be off. It’s a business and William’s time had come…perhaps it is just as simple as that.
Maybe he wishes he could be considered for the job, but feels he could not get along with Dom.
January 20th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
btw…on the off chance that some fan out there is trying to garner investors to buy the Bucs, I may want in. Yesterday I learned that I am coming into a very large sum of money over the next year.
Apparently, even the US Government must have a payment plan on their debts these days.
January 20th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Joe here,
@A Real Bucs Fan – Keep Joe in mind. Joe’s always interested in six-figure checks.
January 20th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
@ a real bucs if they pay the same interest rate as they charge , you should be set….but somehow I don’t think it’s the same
January 20th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Sambizle
“he has more class then anyone in ur circle that’s for sure. ”
Pretty you would have no idea about me and my friends and the “class” we have … but regardless…
I like Doug Williams also, just saying as a talent evaluator, going way back, he has never been credited with being good at it or really hand selecting anyone in particular.
Dom is not going to always pick the best player, no GM is. Loyalty to Hickey can not be faulted because they are friends but from a business standpoint, it probably is not that grea because HIckey has not really proven much to me either over the years.
January 20th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Boy Band and Hickey can both hit the door. I have stated many times that they pass on great players and pick up mediocre talent. How did NSTINK pass on Jason Pierre Paul? Was it too much to come to Ray J on a Saturday and watch him play and evaluate him. That’s right Pop star is a M-F guy.
January 20th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
I am starting to wonder if the main reason the Buc’s cannot land the big time coach they desperately need is because of the Cheapsters marriage to Dominick. The owners are keeping their GM regardless of how this is narrowing or eliminating several coaches from the running of being head coach for our beloved Bucs. I just want ownership to step up and open their minds and wallets. If the best coach wants a new general manager, so be it. Otherwise, the best coach may not want his hands tied on personnel decisions and not even consider the Buc’s job. Sad.
January 20th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
one thing i’ve learned in life is that manager’s will rarely, practically never, will let go of someone who is making them look good. regardless of the good ole boy system. if your are consistently productive and your attitude is right IT MAKES NO SENSE to dismiss that person regardless of ‘differences’ that make the disconnect. its like cutting off your nose despite your face.
“Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard.” ~ C Powell
January 20th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
one thing i’ve learned in life is that manager’s will rarely, practically never, will let go of someone who is making them look good. regardless of the good ole boy system. if your are consistently productive and your attitude is right IT MAKES NO SENSE to dismiss that person regardless of ‘differences’ that make the disconnect. its like cutting off your nose to spite your face.
“Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard.” ~ C Powell
January 20th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
@ Rob you nailed it. Pop star probably has pay structure that gives him a bonus based on payroll not wins and losses. The Bucs HC search is now listed on Craig list.
January 20th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
I would like to know what Doug Williams did in his time as a personnel guy in Tampa that would merit him keeping his job? This is an honest question. The only personnel or draft decision I can even remotely remember him being in on was Dexter Jackson – he was adamant that Jackson was the real deal. He admitted in the interview that he was not in on personnel discussions to a very deep level. What exactly did he do at OBP to help make the team better?
The truth is that when Dominik got the GM job, Williams was lucky to get an additional nine months (or whatever it was). Doug loves him some Doug. Those that know Doug and have been around him are very aware of his lack of work ethic. People in the league are very aware of his evaluation limitations and his inability to scout talent proficiently. If this were not the case, you would have seen a figurehead like Doug hired immediately in some other team’s front office when he made it clear that he wanted to be a GM (which he did shortly after the Gru/Allen firing). Nobody wanted the guy. People in the league know about him. It is common knowledge.
His hiring and continued employment in Tampa was only an olive branch to attempt to mend a broken relationship. However, when given the opportunity to step forward and show some ability, he failed mightily.
Say what you will about Dominik. He and every other GM in the league have their share of misses. However, in this situation, he was not the guilty party.
January 20th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
The HC that will be hired will tell alot about the future of the Bucs.
January 20th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Interestingly, folks blame Doug Williams for picks like Dexter Jackson, even though he wasn’t the GM.
However, Dom is always completely exonnerated and blameless for any picks that were made prior to his tunure as GM, even though he had a lot more authority and influence than Doug.
A tangled web of deception IMO in the never ending quest for idolizing Mark Dominik.
You know if a guy is really good at something, its not really a subject of dispute. Walsh, Belichick, etc.
It speaks for itself, and requires no amplification.
Like if your team goes on a lasting contender tear, ya got a good GM. That hasnt happened yet to my knowledge. 10 straight losses to end a season is not a demonstration of outstanding GM performance.
January 20th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
To use your example “You know if a guy is really good at something, its not really a subject of dispute. Walsh, Belichick, etc.” – on the flip side, if a guy is really bad at something, it is also not a “subject of dispute” because no one will hire them or promote them – ie Doug Williams. After his time here in Tampa, nobody realized the huge mistake we had made and placed him in their front office. Even after self-marketing he could not find a personnel job.
This thread wasn’t for discussing whether or not Mark Dominik is a quality GM. It was a discussion on the events surrounding Doug Williams’ exit from Tampa.
I believe the Dominik bashers are much more prevelant in web-casting than those that are “idolizing” him.
January 20th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Oh I am sure Dom would be in huge demand if he were fired tomorrow.
As to Dexter Jackson and your assertion that Doug Williams drafted him here are some remarks from Mr. Dominik:
In particular, they want him returning punts and kicks. In fact, Jackson’s ability to help the offense before it even takes the field is the primary reason the Bucs selected the 5-foot-9, 182-pounder from Dunwoody, Ga.
“We looked at him as a returner-receiver who hopefully can develop,” Dominik said. “In this league, if you want a returner you’ve got to go get one. They’re hard to just pick off. And we haven’t done that in forever.”
Kinda sorta sounds like Mr. Dominik was involved, doesn’t it?
Hmmmmmmmmm hard to hear from your idol I imagine.
January 20th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
This franchise has reached an all time low and its sad that people can sit back and accept this. Makes me truly appreciate the Polians, Jerry Jones, Arthur Blank, and Kraft. Dominik is not deserving of this much clout and that’s not his fault. Ownership has to restore the respectability of this franchise.
January 21st, 2012 at 2:12 am
#10 on the money again. Shaun King was right about this one too, he’s said it on his radio multiple times.
January 21st, 2012 at 11:43 pm
I’m sorry, but Doug Williams has never struck me as being the brightest candle on the cake, so I don’t put much stock in what he says. Kind of like watching Matt Millen evaluate NFL teams on TV.