The Sharks Are Circling
January 2nd, 2012
As the saying goes, there’s blood in the water. The sharks are circling Raheem Morris, specifically the local media sharks.
The big-boy newspaper columnists in town, Martin Fennelly of The Tampa Tribune and Gary Shelton of the Tampa Bay Times, have called for Raheem Morris’ head in their publications today.
ESPN NFC South writer Pat Yasinskas even went so far to claim that if Team Glazer extended Raheem’s contract that the team would lose all its fans.
Aside from the fictional owner of the Cleveland Indians in the movie “Major League’’ and former Bucs owner Hugh Culverhouse, has there ever been an owner in any pro sport that didn’t want to win? The Glazers also don’t like to be embarrassed.
There’s no denying this season was an embarrassment, and much of that falls on Morris. His team often looked ill-prepared and he questioned his team’s effort on three occasions. If a team’s not prepared and isn’t giving strong effort, that’s not a good reflection on the coach.
Besides, there’s also the fact that 2012 is the final season of Morris’ contract. There’s no way the Bucs could extend him without losing their remaining fans. If they let Morris go into a lame-duck season, they run the risk of the team getting even more out of control.
Now Joe thinks Yasinskas took it a little over the top there. Surely the Bucs wouldn’t lose all their fans if Raheem returned. Joe suspects there’s still be plenty of readers on this site if Raheem brings back the core beliefs for 2012, and the stadium would have at least every third seat occupied on game day.
No word yet from One Buc Palace on Raheem’s future (So stop emailing Joe). But Joe suspects that if Raheem comes out for his scheduled noon news conference, the line of questioning will be brutally harsh.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:07 am
Joe, would you surmise that Rah might actually get to do his noon PC? I’m expecting the announcement that his PC has been ‘delayed’. Or replaced by the announcement of his firing. Is it normal for teams planning to fire their HC to first have him to the next-day noon PC?
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:14 am
If the Glazers bring back Morris, it will serve to answer every question about the Glazers that the fans and the media have debated ad nauseum for several years. It won’t be a pretty answer either. Yasinkas isn’t far off on the impacts of bringing back Morris and it will certainly let us know that we fans are in for a royal hosing, going forward, by the Glazers.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:15 am
Mental midgets all…..
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:19 am
The only reason I would accept mOrriss being extended is. . . the loyal fan exodus would allow my season tickets seats to move from East to West side between the 40s. I could pass them out to clients during next year’s debacle, then the Glazers can fire Rah and pay him the remaining years on that new contract. As the new coach improves the team, I’m sitting pretty, pun intended.
Go Rah!
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:24 am
I can’t watch one more bucs game if Rah is still the head coach. Not sure what is taking so long. Makes me feel like the Glazers are going to bring him back and make changes with assistant coaches.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:38 am
I’d still be a fan, but I’d continue to turn the games off before halftime.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:40 am
Rick Stroud, at blog Bucs Beat is reporting that the Bucs decision on Raheem Morris may not be reported today. At a minimum, the Glazers should make a statement on their intentions today even if not definitive. While I agree that Morris should be replaced, It is almost cruel and unusual punishment to send Morris out to be pummeled by the media today if they already know that they are going to fire him!
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:44 am
The Glazerhouse trio need to step up to the microphone at noon and let the FANS know what their intentions are. They owe it to the us and the community.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:46 am
Let me also add that Morris addresses the team today at 11am. If he gives them any idea of what the future holds, then Twitter is going to light up like a Christmes tree! If it’s one thing the players are worse at than stopping the run, it’s keeping a secret!
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Let’s hope we hear today at 1:00. I cannot see anyway Morris stays…Also, I wish you guys would stop with the “Glazerhouse” nickname. If you were here during Hugh’s rule, you know the Glazers are head and shoulders above the old owners.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Whether the Glazer sons are better owners than Culverhouse will be tested this offseason.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Who I want for coach:
Tom Clements – Green Bay QB Coach
He’s the perfect guy for the role. He’s got almost 2 decades of experience, and I’d rather give him a shot then a college coach. He’s helped several guys become great QBs.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:07 pm
That first half was one hell of a finaly. You could make a whole blooper real out of it. Sure they will.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:12 pm
No more position coaches straight to HC. Never, ever, ever again.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:13 pm
Rams pulled the trigger and fired Spags. Glazers, hello?
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Spagnola is available. Hire him as DC and pay him what he wants.
Regardless, I think we hear something today and I agree that the Glazers should make a statement.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:22 pm
I think they wait till the playoffs are over. Or let rah go then wait. Gotta see who will be available. Hopefully we get a green bay coach.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:29 pm
I love the NFL because of head coaches. That’s why I watch every Sunday. Nothing is more exciting to me than when they throw those red challenge flags out onto the field. Let’s cut the crap–you’re only as good as the players you put out there. I can only get excited for next season if they bring in some studs, not if they change the head coach.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:39 pm
I cannot believe the Gkazers would let Rah do a PC today, then fire him. At noon, they should approach the lecturn and announce it. Then maybe take questions.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Tom Clements was the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills before he came to Green Bay. He has been the QB coach for BOTH Favre and Rodgers with the Packers. Favre had the worst season of his career the year before Clements arrived. Clements got Favre back on track and he had his best season in 2007 since his MVP years.
Rodgers just had the highest QB rating ever in a NFL season this year (122.5), plus is the highest ranked QB in QB ratings for both the regular season and postseason all-time. Plus you all saw what Matt Flynn did yesterday.
Clements knows how to play QB and also how to win as well. Clements was a three-year starter at QB for Notre Dame under Ara Parseghian, and he led the Irish to a 29-5 record. That included an unblemished national championship in 1973.
Clements only played one year in the NFL, but in the CFL, he was a legend. Clements was named an All-Star seven times in the CFL and twice guided teams (Ottawa in 1976 and Winnipeg in 1984) to Grey Cup Championships. Clements was the Outstanding Offensive Player in both of those championship games. Clements was also Rookie of the Year (1975) and MVP (1987) of the CFL.
Clements is obviously a winner. He teaches his QBs to become winners. And to play smart. “Tom does a great job at never being complacent with the way I’m playing, and we scrutinize every little part of the game — everything from every step in the drop to my play fakes to my keeps off of a run,” Rodgers said.
“He’s a great teacher of the game,” Rodgers said of Clements. “He understands that less is more, I think, especially on game days. He’s got one or two things every time I come off the field. He’s always very even-keeled. There’s not any arguments on the sidelines or confrontations. He understands that there’s going to be mistakes on the field. But he understands how to manage, help manage, our personalities during the game. And then off the field, he doesn’t let you be complacent.”
Clements is interviewing for the head coaching job at Penn State this week. Hopefully he will get the same opportunity with the Bucs.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Raheem will not be fired. Latest rumblings have Jimmy Lake as the new DC. The OC situation is up in the air as they will be hard pressed to get anyone to agree to come on board with Raheem as a lame duck. Options would be to retain Olsen or bring in someone willing to take a one year deal.
You heard it here.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:53 pm
F’k that
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:53 pm
ESPN Sidebar: Bucs fire Morris
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Rah fired per Justin P
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Schefter is reporting on Twitter that Raheem has been fired.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Bucs official Facebook says fired.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:55 pm
La Canfora reporting Raheem has been fired
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Yired. Yunemployed. Yon’t yet yhe yoor yit your yass yon yhe yay yout.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:55 pm
NFL network reporting Raheem morris fired
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:55 pm
@Mark
No way the Glazers can do that. They’ll officially be hated by the fanbase!
F’k that scenario
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:57 pm
It’s on the Buccaneers website as well. “Relieved of duties”
Thank God!
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Per Adam schefter BUCS have fired Morris …per tweet 7 minutes ago….As of 11:49
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:57 pm
And he has been fired, per Twitter.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:57 pm
already happened… you guys are behind!
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Bye Rah! Press conference at 3 pm.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:58 pm
http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Morris-Relieved-of-Duties/a954dd7d-c678-498f-baa8-51eb5ddf7ccf
Things are suddenly looking up.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Bring on Cowhar…I better the players will play for him!
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:58 pm
right on top of it joe.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:01 pm
ESPN is reporting Radio has been fired. Good riddance. He was head coach and defensive coordinator of the worst defense in Buccaneer history. If team Glazer can fire Jon Gruden for going 9-7 with a 4 game skid then you have to fire Morris who was in charge of a 10 game skid where the players simply didn’t care. I wonder how He Who Must Not Be Named will spin this in the afternoon.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Looks like Dominic is safe for now. He needs to go as well
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:04 pm
PFT reported it’s official – No more Rah
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:05 pm
He’s fired! wooo hooo!
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:06 pm
ESPN said the Bucs fired the staff… I hope this is not true. Not saying that most of our coaches don’t suck, but there are a few that have done a decent job (OL, Stukes as special teams) Hopefully they haven’t all been fired and will be given an opportunity to interview for the new coaching staff.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Announced on Bucs site 15 minutes ago. He’s confirmed fired.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:07 pm
I heard Morris but I didn’t hear staff.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:08 pm
http://www.buccaneers.com
He’s been fired
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Hey Mark – what a douchbag you are buddy!
Coach Rah is gone! Next in line: Talib Aquib, then Retard Jackson
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Yee-haw! The day just got brighter. Good luck Raheem and staff.
Dominick remains. Don’t forget, bucs fired Dungy. McKay wanted Marvinlewis. Owners trumped and got Gruden. So Dominick doesn’t have ultimate power right now. And may not actually stay if he doesn’t calculate correctly
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:09 pm
wake up joe and get it posted already…..rah is eastbound and down….report it….do it….do it…now…beat scotty to the news and be top dog!
adam from ny
ps big press conference at 3 pm to discuss the dismantling of rah-dog….rah aint watching the outback bowl….he is getting his sh*t from outback
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Yes the firing of Rah is confirmed by buccaneers.com. Let’s get back to work and set the ship right.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:10 pm
believe it or not but ronde barely has a job as a player anymore.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:13 pm
they should cut talib this afternoon too…light a fire under everyone with that move…..let them know the game is over…no more hanging at the press box knocking off honey wings…adam from ny
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Just got word from bleacher report, he’s a gonner.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Behind on the news joe cant be slackin or youll be fired like raheem
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:16 pm
Now the question is … who will glazers hire ? How long ? Let’s get a coach who will not put up with the football we saw this year ! Thanks Rah and goodbye . Only bad thing is they kept Dominik .
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:16 pm
If y’all already KNOW Raheem is fired, why the rush for Joe to post something? Don’t you imagine he is working on it? Sheesh.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:17 pm
MORRIS IS GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOURCE JASON LA CANFORA NFL.COM
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Joe you’re slacking
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:19 pm
How did they not fire the GM?
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Because the GM is not the problem.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Justin P just said the entire staff was fired, how does dom survive this as well?
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Jason la canfora said the whole staff has been fired
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:28 pm
I wonder if he still thinks stats are for losers.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Does anyone think he has a chance for a job elswhere?
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:29 pm
COME ON BOBBY, YOU KNOW THAT DOM IS ON THE HOTSEAT NOW, HE BETTER FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PLAN IS, BECAUSE IF THAT DOESNT CHANGE NONE OF THIS MATTERS, I CAN IMAGINE THAT HE HAS BEEN TOLD AS MUCH, WHAT TALENT HAS HE BROUGHT INTO THIS TEAM, YOU CANT HOLD ON TO LAGRETTE AND MR. FREEMAN ANYMORE.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:33 pm
All coaches gone, Dominik stays. Just as it should be. Yes!
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:34 pm
They made the right move!
But it will be meaningless if Dominick doesn’t change his ways. He’s the one that provided us with a $h!tty roster this year and his philosophy of rookies only has to end.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Actually I’m 50/50 on Dominik…wouldn’t mind him being replaced. Either way things are looking up.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:34 pm
The GM only does what the owners tell him to do. He’s done a good job of getting talent through the draft but they have been very poorly coached. I look for maybe a Jeff Fisher or one of the top coordinators in the league to come in and this team will look different next year. A few key FA’s and some good draft picks and we’ll be competitive again. I’m hoping we get Trent Richardson in the first round because I think it will make a world of difference to our offense. I’m actually excited for next year.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:37 pm
C’mon Joe! Where’s your update on the Morris firing!?!
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:37 pm
Welll…depending on who the Bucs hire as Head Coach we will have to wait and see what will happen to Dominick.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:37 pm
This is actually a very strong class of FAs to this offseason.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:40 pm
I wouldn’t say Dominick is safe in the clubhouse yet. If the owners come up on an opportunity to add a big name coach that wants total control, Dominick might end up packing his bags too. It’s still early.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:41 pm
bucsnation says Bucs looking at Jim Tressel.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:43 pm
Morris’ whole staff too..Olson gone! feels like we won the Super Bowl again!
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Tressel is a dirty scumbag, but we have nowhere to go but up.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Tressel? You must be kidding me. He had the most boring offenses ever created on an NCAA football field. Solid defenses, but wow…the guy doesn’t have any NFL head coaching experience. Do we really want another Spurrier/Saban/Petrino experience? No thanks.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Thanks for trying Raheem, it was not all your fault. Enjoy your 2million severence pay! You will coach somewhere else soon. Bring on Cowher guys. Can you imagine the “Oh ___t” in the locker room if Cowher was coming our way. No more bull spit. No more loafing. Someone will teach these guys how to play defense again. I can see that Cowher grimace right now. I can hardly wait for a real experienced coach and staff to start rebuilding here. Go Bucs.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Cowher is NOT coming here. Fisher is a possibility. He was spotted at the Bucs hotel in Atlanta.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Package deal: Mo Claiborne and Les Miles.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Joe wheres an article??? you sad???
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:48 pm
I find no joy in this, nor do I understand the unnecessary nastiness from some people concerning a man who has lost his job.
There is plenty of blame to go around, including many players who lay down. Dominik obviously made serious mistakes in some player deals like Quincy Black, Mark Clayton and letting go of Carnell Williams and even Ruud.
K2 is the fourth best TE in our division and carries the flag during introductions while claiming Raheem’s firing would ruin the Buccaneers and playing so poorly, demanding the ball and repeating key penalties.
Let’s see what the Royal’s do now because WHAT they do will tell us if they really give a damn or not. And forcing Mark Domink and their austerity plan on a new HC MIGHT kind of sort of limit their options and the Buccaneer’s future.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:49 pm
The Gravy train at One Buc is over.
It may take a year but pro football will be returning to Tampa.
I wish Rah the best of luck and lengthy career at D Backs coach for a Division 1 school in the Northeast maybe New Jersey.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Garv you have clearly not been watching the same Football as we have for the last 10 games!!!!!!
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:51 pm
I’m so happy now
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:51 pm
He’s going to be paid $2 million to do nothing next year Garv. I hardly feel sorry for him.
But you are absolutely right about the rest of the comment. The players and Dom both need to feel the heat for this too. And this offseason will be a real test of the Glazer’s commitment to this team.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Joe is interviewing for the Bucs head coach job….
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:54 pm
Dominik is only safe for now. If they hire a big name coach who wants a lot of control he could easily be gone in the next 1-2 weeks as well. I wouldn’t buy a new desk for his One Buc office just yet if I were Dominik.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:54 pm
Maybe we can also give the real players a chance to shine instead of the overpaid riff raffs now
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:55 pm
Good job by Joe keeping his readers updated on such an important story. And Pewter Report has crashed, again.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Joe, it’s official, all the mental
Midgets have scooped you. Ha
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:57 pm
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Glazer family for the opportunity they gave me to be the Head Coach of the Buccaneers. I was honored and blessed to have spent the majority of my coaching career with the same (class) organization. I grew up with the Bucs and I was fortunate enough to be part of a Super Bowl victory there. I wish the Glazers, the management, players, staff and most importantly, the fans nothing but the greatest success in the future.”
Raheems statement -NFL.COM
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:58 pm
pewter report always crash when there is breaking news
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:59 pm
@FLBoyInDallas…..Jim Harbaugh had no NFL experience either so that really doesn’t matter but I agree that Tressel is way too conservative for what I want to see in Tampa. Tressel is a winner in a big way. NCAA titles in two different divisions but just not sure he’d be in my top 5. I wouldn’t cry if he came here but I’d want a lot more exciting OC.
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:00 pm
La Canfora reports that Raheem Morris and his entire staff were let go Monday following a season in which the Bucs lost their final 10 game to finish at 4-12.
wooooowwwwwww
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:00 pm
JBF and PR aren’t trying to be PFT, and neither Joe nor Scott Reynolds are trying to become Mike Florio. So stop criticizing these guys who are true Bucs fans and who provide us with great information on a daily basis. I’m sure both guys are working on posts as we speak and we’ll see analysis throughout the day. Stop acting like a bunch of mouth breathers.
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:02 pm
That statement was pre-prepared by a Glazer. Rah doesnt sound like that but I dont doubt that he took it like a man.
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:04 pm
This was the right move no doubt, but I’m not going to throw a party about someone losing his job who has worked his arse off for this organization for many years (even before he was our HC). Granted he did a poor job, but I feel it is in very bad taste to gloat. Obviously there are not many people that share the same feelings.
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:04 pm
I wouldn’t mind having The Vest as OC. When he had Troy Smith and Ted Ginn his offense was not as conservative as some may think. He threw the ball deep quite often. And he did throw he ball with Pryor and Posey as well. I like Billick as HC, with a solid DC,(Spags?).
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Adam Schefter said that he thinks Raheem will be a head coach in 2012!
WTF?!!?
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@FLBoyInDallas
PR has more than one writer so it doesn’t make sense for the site crashed
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Joe, I know you are probably working on an article as we speak, but it would be nice to maybe get a couple “morning cup of joe” links or Marlana Aref pics to hold us over in the meantime… On a serious note, Dominick needs to go too. He is the last link of the old regime in the organization. The Glazers need to totally start anew.
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Tressel is a horrible idea. He couldn’t even control a bunch of college kids getting tatooes and selling jerseys. How would he handle grown ass men behaving badly???
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Tressel? hahaha
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@Thomas 2.2 – I’m sure Rah was expecting this. Hoping a different outcome, but expecting what came his way. Rah will be fine. He will get his money, get another job doing something else, somewhere else, and life will move on. The ironic thing that will probably happen is he will go somewhere else as a DC and end up having one of the best defenses in the league. That would be our type of luck.
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:15 pm
I can’t think of a coach I would less likely want than Tressel. I do not want any college coach, but especially not Tressel. That being said, if it were to happen, I would support him just as I did Raheem. Go Bucs!
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:18 pm
@canadianbuc
Of COURSE I’ve been watching the games. Every damn one of them, 7 of them live in Tampa. Did you READ my post? I simply typed Raheem was not the only one responsible for this awful season and pointed out a few others.
Helloooooooo…..anyone home in TORONTO?
We’re all going to be in for a bumpy ride now and it damn well IS on the Royal Glazerbaum’s to follow through with a hire that is allowed to work without his hands tied behind his back.
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:20 pm
NO to Tressel, not that it even a possibility.
I want a guy with NFL experience at LEAST as a OC or DC and with a successful resume.
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:20 pm
@Nate,
While everyone else will probably laugh at your comment, I tend to believe you are right. That would be our type of luck.
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:22 pm
Whatever direction they go with the HC, their top priority has to be to get someone to with with Josh Freeman ASAP!!! That cat looked like straight garbage this year. I dont think he’s gotten enough criticism. Right now, we have the worst team and the worst QB in our division. Whoever they bring in needs to fix that. If Freeman doesnt get it together, we’ll be looking for another coach or QB 2 or 3 years from now all over again.
January 3rd, 2012 at 2:01 am
i heard the rahheem firing was preempted by glazer #3…..all bucs fans – 3 cheers for glazer #3 !!….a real stand up guy who stood up and did something besides forget to eat……adam from ny