Rockstar Says Good-Bye
December 30th, 2013
Ousted Bucs rockstar general manager Mark Dominik issued a statement this evening addressing his 19 years of service to the Buccaneers.
“I have appreciated my 19 seasons as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During that time, Tampa has become home for me and my family. We have developed great relationships with many friends and fans. I am especially proud of the strong connection that now has been built between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization and our military.
“I have been blessed over the years here to work with some of the brightest minds of the game. All told, I have worked with seven men who have served as general managers and 10 who have been head coaches in the National Football League. Winning SB XXXVII under the direction of head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Rich McKay was an experience I will never forget. I believe that this team is well positioned for success in the future and I would like to express my gratitude to the Glazer family for the opportunity they provided me nearly 20 years ago to grow and succeed in the NFL.”
Joe wishes Dominik well.
Joe’s not backing off his feeling that Dominik was a solid GM the past couple of years — that’s good, not great. Dominik is not a coach. Regardless, it’s ancient history now. Joe looks forward to Team Glazer signing the best GM on the planet.
December 30th, 2013 at 7:36 pm
The Dallass Defensive Coaching Staff is rumored to be Fired Soon
Could the Band(*) be getting back together?
President – McKay *
GM – Ballard
HC – Lovie Smith *
OC – Jeff Tedford
DC – Rod Marinelli *
Special Teams – Joe Marciano *
or maybe Rich Biasaccia * (Job Status unknown with Dallass)
Notice the Common Theme?
Chucky Screwed each one in the Band*
#SayNoToChuckyII
.
December 30th, 2013 at 7:40 pm
Yeah, the term “Rock Star” doesn’t exactly equate with “solid, good”. Dominik was a slightly above average GM. He did some things well (David, Lorig, Mike Williams, VJax), he did some things that were ok (Clayborn, Barron) and he did some wtf things (Myron, Josh, Easy E, Nicks, the coaches) and some we’ll see things (Revis). Basically the summation of average.
December 30th, 2013 at 7:44 pm
“Joe looks forward to Team Glazer signing the best GM on the planet.”
And who might that be?
December 30th, 2013 at 7:45 pm
Don’t want anyone to be fired. I believe Dom was good at capology and I hope that he lands on his feet.
I also think that he is totally lost and basically guessing when evaluating college prospects, he’s not as bad at NFL Prospects – which is easier. Makes sense as he came outs of Pro. Personnel.
Allowing the Leftwich, Freeman, Glennon debacles at QB under your direction is inexcusable. If you draft Free #1 and your team otherwise stinks play him. When you oust free’s Head Coach (Raheem) and bring in Schiano you must immediately solidify QB (decisively sign free or draft the future)- you can’t hedge your bet at that position – it infects the entire org. Inexcusable.
09 was a key transition, rebuild through draft year – not 1 draft pick was around by mid this year. Inexcusable.
His record. inexcusable.
As a person = rock star.
As a GM = rock bottom.
December 30th, 2013 at 7:45 pm
Rockstar had his hits and misses he was a good GM to me I like that he tried as hard as he could to bring a winner to the bay… Kinda would mind him being moved to a diff position in the org o well I look forward to the nxt GM and coach that’s gunna take us to the promised land
December 30th, 2013 at 7:47 pm
Whoever the new GM is, I hope he keeps up Dominik’s work with the families at MacDill. That was one thing I always liked about the guy.
December 30th, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Can we now retire the rock star moniker? 28-52? Zero playoffs. 2 awful HC hires. The Nugent, D. ward, mike Clayton, Quincy black, Winslow disasters.
Luke stocker is not Jason witten.
Drafting college captains is an idiotic idea. Draft the best football players please.
December 30th, 2013 at 7:54 pm
What on earth will the Buc Realist do….his “Pop Star” is gone.
December 30th, 2013 at 7:55 pm
He had more than enough time to make this a good football team but he didn’t. Blame the head coach all you want Joe, but I would bet my bottom dollar it was Dom who hired Schiano In the first place. For that reason alone he should be fired, and that’s not even counting all the mistakes he’s made pre Schiano. It was defiantly time for him to go.
December 30th, 2013 at 7:56 pm
And there goes the worst GM in pro football… So long “rock star” I will not miss you…
Let us prey the Glazers have learned from this horrid mistake and select a GM that isn’t one of their cronies who’s only NFL experience came from being a glorified secretary and employed by a very poor scouting department…Not to mention the guy has never played a single down of football in his life…
Sorry for the rant but Mark Dominik has been a very poor GM for us…It has been a very frustrating time to be a Buc fan…
December 30th, 2013 at 7:58 pm
LOL @ Tampabaybucfan and Thomas 2.2
December 30th, 2013 at 7:59 pm
Dom is a good guy but was awful as a gm-‘good luck md
December 30th, 2013 at 8:04 pm
Nice pic of former bucs GM Mark Dominik.
What ever are we going to do without his draft day steals and fleecing of Bellichick?
December 30th, 2013 at 8:04 pm
Dominick & Schiano gone….hopefully this will end the constant Michael Bennett whine!!!
December 30th, 2013 at 8:08 pm
I liked DOM too I think he was a pretty solid GM and made some really good personnel movies but ultimately I think his decision to hire Schiano is what cost him his job. I think just about everyone was surprised when they announced that Schiano would be the next HC when there were guys like Schottenheimer, Beamer, and a few others available at the time.
December 30th, 2013 at 8:08 pm
Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you
Is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’. – Bob Dylan
December 30th, 2013 at 8:08 pm
Don’t worry joe, all is not. There is now an actual shot we coud draft your boy Johnny foosball, so those posts will actually make some sense lol.
December 30th, 2013 at 8:11 pm
@ Buc 1987
“You never know what’s under a horses tail until you lift it up”
Tampabaybucfan
December 30th, 2013 at 8:11 pm
* all is not lost
December 30th, 2013 at 8:13 pm
Available NFL Experienced Head Coach/Franchise QB Combos
Kubiak/Schaub
Frazier/Freeman
December 30th, 2013 at 8:28 pm
Best wishes Dominik and you are a class act. I’m confident you will continue your journey as a leader in some capacity in the near future.
December 30th, 2013 at 8:31 pm
“Solid”
” Good. Not great.”
And isn’t that what championships are made of?
December 30th, 2013 at 8:32 pm
Joes make room for a 3rd in the JBF war room for Dom…and just as he worked his way up the Buc Brass, he is starting in the mail room. 🙂
December 30th, 2013 at 8:32 pm
@Waterboy
I also liked Dom. I thought he did a really good job with personnel, like LVD, and the past 2 drafts.
But, 2 things made me change my mind on him. One, he is ultimately responsible for his record. If we throw out the first two years, as some say we should bc he was not fully calling the shots, his last 3 years were still a dismal 15-33- that is terrible, especially for someone on their 5th year.
2nd, he was too easy on accommodating Schiano, He should have insisted on keeping Bennett, that was huge. Also, I always hated the Blount trade. Schiano should have adjusted to using Blount instead of making him ride the pine
December 30th, 2013 at 8:33 pm
Steve Duemig is a very sad man today.
December 30th, 2013 at 8:36 pm
Chicly said he won’t be coaching in 2014′. So that’s out.
I think Rich Bissacia is ready to be a HC. I’d love to see him and Rod back and if Lovie is the one to make it happen, I’ll take Lovie. I would still look at Chuds for an OC.
Bucs better move quick. Clock is ticking!
December 30th, 2013 at 8:36 pm
Dominik certainly did some good things, but he made far more mistakes than he did hits. At the end of the day, it’s wins and losses that matter.
December 30th, 2013 at 8:37 pm
Anything beats Schiano
December 30th, 2013 at 8:43 pm
so sheridan and sully are out too right?
December 30th, 2013 at 8:43 pm
Marty Schottenheimer is the one I trust most to come in here and right the ship. Forget about his playoff record; let’s get the playoffs first and then we’ll worry about that. Last time he coached in the NFL, he had a 14-2 season. We need a real leader to come here.
December 30th, 2013 at 8:44 pm
Dominic said “I am especially proud of the strong connection that has been built between the Bucs organization and our military”. What connection is that? Perhaps the reports that NFL stadiums will be used to segregate citizens in the event of a government collapse is valid.
December 30th, 2013 at 8:49 pm
He gambled too much on draft days and gave draft picks for vets too easily.. Plus its refusal of drafting 1st rounder OL is now killing us..The only thing that count is the state of the franchise which is terrible: QB, OL, DE, WR, CB, FS are weak..
Lack of depth is stunning..
The thing he did well was manage salary cap and occasionnally find some hidden gems in garbage but what’s the point if we can’t get to .500?
Good luck Rockstar, time for a new era in TB.. Nothing personal..
December 30th, 2013 at 8:51 pm
We are now the washington redskinks. STUPID.
December 30th, 2013 at 8:51 pm
V jax… Nicks or revis don’t count they weren’t great moves we just gave them more money than anyone else offered. Their old teams didn’t want them! LD is the only GREAT pick… McCoy was obvious , baron a reach should have taken LUKE!!!!! Drafts have been average to horrible since SAM drafted Sapp and Brooks
December 30th, 2013 at 8:59 pm
Everyone here better find something better to do on sun. Cause our team is gonna be horrible next year.
December 30th, 2013 at 9:00 pm
@Patrick,
I have always liked Marty. If I remember right, he was available during our last two coaching hires. But now, poor Marty is about 500 years old dude… He would likely end up as the first NFL coach to have a full blown heart attack during a game on the sideline. NOT pretty. lol
December 30th, 2013 at 9:01 pm
The Dom must go, you have got to be kidding me.
Name a pick in the last draft that did not work out.
Baron was not a each. Jackson was a good signing. You are demented.
December 30th, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Wish you all the best DOM. Hope to see you on the NFL Network.
December 30th, 2013 at 9:07 pm
@BuccaneerBonzai Says:
“The Dom must go, you have got to be kidding me.
Name a pick in the last draft that did not work out.
Baron was not a each. Jackson was a good signing. You are demented.”
I agree on each of your points. Dom did a good job, but I think it may have been time for him to go based on my previous two points.
Some ppl in here have no clue. To say things like he was the “worst gm in the league” is just plainly stupid. And you know what they say, you can’t fix stupid! lol
December 30th, 2013 at 9:16 pm
You know what, before we crush the guy. The grass isn’t always greener. Time will tell if the next crew doesn’t draft a QB then dom and Schiano should have stayed
December 30th, 2013 at 9:19 pm
Smell ya later pop-star!
December 30th, 2013 at 9:22 pm
I hope we keep our Training staff and RB coach Please
December 30th, 2013 at 9:29 pm
The “rockstar” has been relegated to roadie!
December 30th, 2013 at 9:35 pm
It’s about time. This was long overdue.
December 30th, 2013 at 9:39 pm
I cannot forgive him for half of his picks, free agency pickups, and player extensions. I like the David and Martin pick and I’ll throw in Mike Will. The GMC pick I mean come on it’s either Suh or McCoy. Anyone that looks at mock drafts could figure that one out. I was very hopefull of Adrian and I thought he would progress. Possibly he needs the right coach but as of right now he doesnt warrant being a 1st rounder. Many, many 2nd round-7th round picks wasted. Bye bye Dom.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:04 pm
I liked this guy and still do. The NFL is a very forgiving league. Mark is young and got a lot of experience in this job – experience that will make him a better GM in his next job. He will get another bite of the apple. Good luck Mark!
December 30th, 2013 at 10:06 pm
You can add Spence, Gholston & James along with Foster to the good picks….Jury is out on Banks..
December 30th, 2013 at 10:15 pm
Every GM can point to their best draft picks or FA signings, but the only thing that matters in the NFL is winning, playoffs appearances, and Super Bowls. If all of your drafting and acquisitions have your team to 28-52, then you have failed. One must also keep in mind that the Bucs had an even lower winning percentage under Domink’s hire of Schiano as head coach. Now, if the Bucs go 11-5 next year on the backs of Dominik’s signings, then he will surely deserve some praise. But as of now, he is one of the worst Gm’s based on winning percentage.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:23 pm
How can you hate Mark Dominik ?
OK, my fists clenched when he took Mark Barron, and Luke Kuechly was still there, then went to Carolina.
But I think he did his best, and just fell short of his goal.
I agree with Macabee, he is young, and we will still see him in the NFL.
I wish him the best of luck.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:35 pm
I’m upset he is gone. I’m going to miss draft magic. Dom didn’t hit on every play but he really did make some great moves that allowed this team to shine for some short periods. Would’ve liked to see him get a chance with one more staff
December 30th, 2013 at 10:40 pm
The Glazers hired Dominik and Morris on the same day. They also hired Schiano. Dominik did not hire either coach. The Glazers need to do things differently. Hire a GM and let the GM hire the coach.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:46 pm
Dominik’s great ball of talent just got shredded like blocking dummies at the combine.
The man was horrific.
Thank goodness we don’t have to go through another offseason talking about how great the guy is.
He sucked.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:46 pm
Quit making excuses for him.. I have never seen a fan base make so many excuses for such a poor GM- they’d have ran him out of NY/Philly YEARS ago.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:59 pm
Tampabaybuc…you mention many young guys that were starting to play well. That happens for a number of reasons, including the staff developing the player. I just hope these guys aren’t set back in their development or fall between the cracks with this disruption….that is one thing Gruden or Rah never could do…develop young guys…I hope they find someone excellent in that when they choose a HC. I don’t think Lovie is good at that.
December 30th, 2013 at 11:07 pm
Nice guy. Great work with military families.
Wish him luck in the future.
But it was past time to make that change. It needed to happen.
December 30th, 2013 at 11:22 pm
oops there goes that insider info….
December 30th, 2013 at 11:23 pm
Ok so I’m drunk like most candians on a holiday. I skimmed over some of these comment and someone said Dominik only had (x) amounts of good picks???? What about nicks, VJ and godson??? Signing big name players? Everyone wants to hate on dom or schiano???? They should have kept their jobs! Our two best drafts where??? Oh wait 2012 and 2013? Weird eh? Being a high-school fb coach I can tell you schiano is a coach and coaches players up. As for all the people that constantly bad mouth joe?? Go else where (sorry joe) why does everyone have to complain? We come to joe for one reason right? Good info and good writing
December 30th, 2013 at 11:24 pm
How many players on the team from dom’s important rebuilding year 09 draft?
ZERO
You remember that draft, Dom’s genius idea – let’s prioritize drafting captains – not great football players. captains, like Josh Freeman (1st and traded up), Roy miller (3rd) kyle Moore (4th).
How about 2010? He hit on one with GMC. To be followed by: Brian Price (2nd), Regis Benn (2nd and traded up), Myron Lewis (3rd) – all gone and either out of the league or non-factors. He did make a good 4th round pick in Williams.
8 picks in rounds 1-4 in your first 2 drafts and you have 2 players to show for it today.
God-Awful!!
Jury is still mostly out on 2011 class of: Clayborn, Bowers, Foster and Stocker – but signs are far from great.
December 30th, 2013 at 11:32 pm
I suppose you all want Gruden back right?? Love Gruden but our team is in jepordy due to his poor evaluation and scouting. Dom made this team better and has added talent that any gm would do backflips for
December 30th, 2013 at 11:43 pm
I wonder – If the new coach that comes in wins the Superbowl next year, will everybody say that he won it with Schiano’s Team?
December 30th, 2013 at 11:44 pm
@canadianbucfan
VJ is good signing in my opinion.
The NFL wants Goldson to change its bone crushing style. If he does play by the rule and keep its effectiveness then it will be a good signing but I doubt it now that he’s the #1 target of The Zebra. At the moment he’s an average safety with a tendency to hurt its team with penalties
Nicks is always hurt so its a bust so far.. It was a good idea to weaken NO and strenghten our ol but it didn’t materialize..
Wright was an idiot but it never shows up when they ink a deal
I have mixed feeling about MD. People just pointing at how good late round pocks he made last couple draft just forgot that our early round picks weren’t good enough in the first place. Plus its obsession of avoiding picking early ol didn’thelp us in the long run..
I wish him best, he still deserves it.
December 30th, 2013 at 11:45 pm
Dom made this team better and has added talent that any gm would do backflips for
___________________________________
Yeah, I’m sure the Broncos, Patriots, Seahawks Gm’s would love to trade places with the Bucs right about now, what with all the talent the Bucs have
December 30th, 2013 at 11:48 pm
Tom Clements as HC? Just tossing potentially good names out there.
December 30th, 2013 at 11:52 pm
lightningbuc Says
“Yeah, I’m sure the Broncos, Patriots, Seahawks Gm’s would love to trade places with the Bucs right about now, what with all the talent the Bucs have.”
Of course they wouldn’t. But you can bet they would not for any other team either.
December 30th, 2013 at 11:56 pm
For those wanting a defensive coach, consider this: 13 teams passed for over 4,000 yards this year. More than ever before. Two years ago we considered 4,000 yards a milestone.
Now the milestone is 5,000 yards.
Broncos did it. Saints were 82 yards short.
December 31st, 2013 at 12:08 am
Apple… that is the moment that sticks on me too.
To think we could have drafted Keukly.
Traded Talib… that guy had talent.
Traded draft picks too often.
December 31st, 2013 at 12:12 am
He’s not the worst GM, just ask the lions about Matt Milan, but the fact that glazers ultimately fired him tells me that not only was he responsible for hiring Schiano but they were not satisfied with the job he was doing. That should be enough for any bucs fan.
December 31st, 2013 at 12:15 am
Also…. the CB and DE depth in free agency this past off season was DEEP…. and what did we do? Trade a 1st rounder and 16 million a year for Revis.
Dumb of us to not add depth to the defense.
December 31st, 2013 at 12:26 am
All this boo hoo for Dom. Whateva already. If Schiano goes so goes Dom as well. It’s that simple. Blow the whole damn thing up. Intriguing. I won’t put my money on the Glazers to make the right hires though.
Que the theme song from Jeopardy.
December 31st, 2013 at 12:27 am
@Tampabaybucfan
Hey man, never got your name but I’m the tall BUC fan at your Mayfaire HT, I kinda like the Lovie deal, I know he is not the “offensive” guy, but I’m sure that we will get the parts we need to make the RAYJAY prominent again, I’m all for rekindling the past, McKay, bissacia, hell offer tony the reigns, I’m just ready for a winner……I’m tired of the BS that has gone on for far too long……. As BUC fans we deserve better
December 31st, 2013 at 12:28 am
Pile on, go ahead…it’s easy isn’t it. But like others the past few drafts have been excellent. Glazers better be right on this. Or we are the raiders. Again, if glennon is the QB next year with a new HC and GM then who is the fool? And who cares about the team off the field, right? Arrests, military they don’t matter, do they…just win baby-loser ville.
December 31st, 2013 at 12:36 am
Wow Jon…don’t be soooo sensitive sunshine!
December 31st, 2013 at 12:37 am
Enough with the Kuechly talk. I would take Barron, and David before just Kuechly. David makes as many if not more big plays than Kuechly and you get a good young safety along with him. I’d say he did OK in that draft
December 31st, 2013 at 12:39 am
I’ll miss the Dom. He was a great guy, very personable. It was the right decision but I wish they could have found another position for him in the organization.
Thanks Dom, for GMC & LVD if nothing else.
December 31st, 2013 at 12:46 am
So wait, there are people who wanted Dom back and don’t understand why the Glazers fired him??? We all know the obvious reasons why Schiano was fired, but just ask yourself why would the Glazers fire Dom? I’ll give you 1 reason right off the bat, the man is directly responsible for the misery around here for the last 2 years because he HIRED the incapable Schiano. Similar to the packaging deal of a QB and his coach, there is often a package deal between a GM and a coach like in this situation. That means if one goes down, they both go down. There were other reasons to fire dom as well.
December 31st, 2013 at 12:50 am
But they aren’t difficult to figure out as well.
December 31st, 2013 at 12:50 am
But they aren’t difficult to figure out as well.
December 31st, 2013 at 12:56 am
Also @ Joe, for every post a click on I get redirected to the App Store. It’s very frustrating, please get that fixed.
December 31st, 2013 at 1:21 am
Building a Franchise the Patriot way.
Everyone thinks that Tom Brady is such a Great QB.
But the three superbowls which he won. He was less Tom Brady and More Joe Flaco.
He was an above average QB with a solid running attack and a top 5 Defense.
With all the rule changes to favor the offense we can win with an above average QB and great WR’s and TE and a solid running attack.
So we draft a WR (mike evens) with our first pick. We draft a TE with our second pick, we go Defense with the rest.
We go after Free Agent Offensive Line Man (Incognito before pats get him cheap) and a Defensive Pass Rush.
We also go after a Free Agent QB.
Michael Vick
Josh McCown
Matt Cassel
Either one will do.
Now who is able to bring it all together?
We need a head coach who has done it before. Made it to the superbowl with a Above Average QB and two #1 Wide Receivers Anquan Bolden and Larry Fitzgerald
Ken Wisenhunt.
We will need two #1 Wide receivers to battle Saints and Panthers. We might even have 3 #1 Wide receivers when williams gets healthy, add a 2nd round Tight End and we have top tier offense just looking for an above average QB to put it all together.
Then add a healthy Doug Martin to add 1300 yards and 14 TD’s we have a playoff ready team.
However this does not work if we waste a pick and draft a QB.
December 31st, 2013 at 1:34 am
I’ve gone through a six pack of Shiner Bock already, and I’m feeling rather confident about the guture. Probably need to drat a QB but keep Glennon around as a backup. Glennon had a solid rookie season guys.
December 31st, 2013 at 2:03 am
To be honest I feel really bad about the firings, because Schiano and Dom are high characters guys. If the only thing that mattered was the kind of people they are I would say keep them around for the next 10 years, but as we all know it is a results driven NFL and in that respect they needed to go. Doesn’t make it any easier but it was the right move and I commend the Glazers for having the balls to do it.
December 31st, 2013 at 3:45 am
Andrew:
Yeah, that’s coming from one of the national advertisers. Joe can’t control it. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen to every mobile user. It’s happening to Joe as well. He feels your pain.
December 31st, 2013 at 7:17 am
womp womp womp
I refreshed this site more time than I can remember waiting for some new articles with all the excitement going on.
To no avail lol
December 31st, 2013 at 7:51 am
His ultimate fall was poor decision making. Deals that didn’t bring ROI on goldson nicks Revis ANd the famous Eric wright. Can’t forget the mike Clayton deal lol. Drafts 09-11 can only think of McCoy , Williams , foster and dekota Watson that worked out. That’s pretty bad.
2012 and 2013 drafts were better but I hold more responsibility on Stokes being our director of scouting which I think he’s a big time candidate to replace him. High end scout we got from Seattle.
Dom failed two coaching regimes and finding a qb , no way were the glazers going to trust him to fix the issues he continued to fail at. Excellent cap guy but that’s it.
December 31st, 2013 at 10:10 am
would anyone want to hear Marty Scheottenhiemer (don’t know what the actual spelling is) name as the new coach? I wanted him when they fired Rah
December 31st, 2013 at 11:24 am
Joe…yesterday my firefox was freezing every time I posted. I would see a non-response but the post would go through. I don’t know if it was the page plus the ads, but had to close and restart almost every time…really frustrating.
December 31st, 2013 at 1:21 pm
@canadianbucsfan
He should be the guy. Have him come in for a few years and get this team on the right track and groom his successor along the way.