Is Raheem Morris Blacklisted?
February 3rd, 2019
This just gets under Joe’s skin.
Of course, Joe was up in Atlanta for a few days last week gathering all sorts of Bucs nuggets from people. So some of the nationally televised weekday NFL shows Joe regularly watches were missed because Joe’s 65-inch HDTV was home.
Thank goodness for the DVR.
Catching up on some of these shows, in particular,”Pro Football Talk Live” hosted by the creator, curator and overall guru of ProFootballTalk.com, the great Mike Florio, one included the mention of Belicheats offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels possibly getting an NFL head coaching job.
Good grief, McDaniels’ agent must be Lovie Smith’s son/agent the way this guy gets so much good press and the way national media types just slurp this guy.
Joe is not outing Florio in any way here. Joe likes and respects Florio a great deal. There must be chatter behind the scenes of McDaniels if Florio would spend valuable time bringing it up on his show. And Florio is as well-plugged in as there is in media circles.
Why oh why do so many people have their collective heads up this McDaniels guy’s rear? What has he exactly done? It’s not like Bill Belicheat’s coaching tree has multiple Super Bowls. Bill O’Brien is an OK coach. Mike Vrabel? Eh. He took over a playoff team and they missed the playoffs. Whoopee!
The rest of Belicheat’s coaching tree has been an unmitigated disaster as head coaches, including McDaniels, who never had a winning record in two years as Broncos head coach. He finished with a three-win season and had the brainstorm to decide Tim Tebow was a first-round pick.
What a resume!
And yet this guy is talked about for openings like he’s some second-coming of Mike Holmgren.
For reasons unknown, former Bucs coach Raheem Morris cannot sniff a job. His worst season as Bucs coach matched McDaniels’ worst season (three wins in 2009). Unlike McDaniels, Morris at least had a winning season on his resume. He somehow guided the Bucs to a 10-win season in 2010.
Go look at that roster. It’s unreal how Morris won 10 games (was robbed out of an 11th win and a playoff berth).
And unlike McDaniels, Morris never said yes to a job offer and then just as a press conference was to be held to introduce him as Colts head coach, welched and bailed (probably a damn good thing for the Colts).
It just confuses the hell out of Joe how people are so quick to link a skunk like McDaniels to jobs, yet it seems Morris can’t even buy any interviews that smell of token Rooney Rule sitdowns.
Is this just that people are drunk from panting over Belicheat’s assistants and grossly overrate them, or is Morris simply blacklisted by the NFL?
February 3rd, 2019 at 3:00 pm
Morris turned bucs along with domminik into a 10 year dumpster fire and had no control of the players so there is that
February 3rd, 2019 at 3:07 pm
Morris is a talented coach. His problem was that he was too immature at the time he got his chance.
February 3rd, 2019 at 3:09 pm
Glazers set up raheem to fail. Tampa bay is the nfl black hole…. no quicker way to ruin a promising career. Now let’s give credit where credit is due the glazers do offer a great south Florida retirement package for after you destroy your career.
February 3rd, 2019 at 3:17 pm
It was obvious that what caused Morris to lose the team was his propensity to befriend and party with the players. It’s hard to be drinking buddies with the people and also expect them to hold you up as an authority figure.
That said, the 10-win season demonstrated what he was capable of as a motivator. I fully expected that Morris learned his lesson in Tampa and would be given another shot to prove himself as a head coach. I thought that it would happen before now, but head coaching jobs are few and far between. I don’t think he’s been blackballed.
February 3rd, 2019 at 3:33 pm
I think McDaniels is a joke, but why are you making the comparison to Raheem?
Is it because you’ve recently found out that anything racial makes you more money with more clicks?
February 3rd, 2019 at 3:37 pm
@Doosh you have to be living under a rock to think it doesn’t matter on some level with some owners.
February 3rd, 2019 at 4:07 pm
No he’s not blacklisted why would he be? Can’t be rumored to be hanging out at a club on a regular basis with your players and get an owner to take you seriously as a coach. The only reason McDaniels is getting talked about is Bill and Tom. If Atlanta was winning Super Bowls he’d be getting interviews
February 3rd, 2019 at 4:21 pm
@Joe … “was robbed out of an 11th win and a playoff berth.” Wow Joe, this isn’t typical of you. You missed a great opportunity. In the September 20th game in 2009 against the Bills, Raheem challenged a play in which our QB threw deep intended for Sammie Stroughter but it was intercepted by Byron Scott & returned 27 yards. The refs upheld the calling on the field and we subsequently lost the game.
The Bucs QB on that play in 2009? Byron Leftwich.
The new Bucs OC in 2019? Byron Leftwich.
Coincidence? I think not.
(Oh and just strictly out of curiosity, why did Raheem Morris’ name even come up on your JBF site on this Super Bowl Sunday? He’s a Falcon now. He moved on. Actually I guess an ex-Falcon would have been more correct … he wasn’t on Dan Quinn’s staff in 2018 from what I can see).
February 3rd, 2019 at 4:28 pm
Great great question. With the wealth of experience he’s had since I would really love to see Raheem have another crack at a head coaching job. His time was up here because he lost the team due to indiscipline but surely he’s learned by now he can’t be friends with his players. He stepped into a can’t win situation…and won
February 3rd, 2019 at 4:43 pm
In addition to the roster Morris was able to win with he also had the lockout interrupt his offseason with the team following that 10-6 season. Having a young roster with an average age of 25-26 at the time, offseason work with the team was critical.
February 3rd, 2019 at 4:59 pm
Morris was never a Head Coach.
He was a Head Friend.
And everybody knew it.
February 3rd, 2019 at 5:01 pm
Maybe the only offensive experience he has is a WR coach for the Falcons? McDaniels has been coordinator for the Goat for years and has Bellicheck in his ear. The NFL is going towards offensive coaches *except Den), Morris is a long shot for another chance.
February 3rd, 2019 at 5:04 pm
Morris needs a decent coordinator job before he will get HC consideration.
It really hurts him how much of a players coach he was and the team then quit on him. It is hard to overcome that stigma even though I am sure he has learned from it.
February 3rd, 2019 at 6:08 pm
One never knows in this NFl. The trend with many teams is this very young coaching trend. It will fizzle. Rah might get another shot. And I think he will be much better than before. Would luv to see him get a shot at a DC coordinator.
February 3rd, 2019 at 6:15 pm
Let’s see McDaniels had been part of the Patriots dynasty for years and yes his QB is a first ballot Hall of famer, but the offense has been good during that time. This has afforded him name recognition throughout the country with even half-hearted fans. Morris was the head coach of the irrelevant Bucs, and an assistant coach for a couple teams that haven’t been much outside of Atlanta’s super bowl embarrassment to McDaniel and the pats. I would guess in a poll, 60% of football fans league wide don’t know where Morris currently coaches and that’s not the splash hire most teams are looking for.
February 3rd, 2019 at 6:34 pm
@Buc 50
Amen brother. The only reason Raheem was thrust into the job prematurely was the Glazers purchase of ManU…same for Schiano.
As for the fraternization with his players I think Petty Officer has nailed it. It was a great lesson for Rah. He’s older and hopefully he learned from his mistake.
February 3rd, 2019 at 6:43 pm
Morris had an 11 win season and a playoff appearance if the refs don’t F over the Bucs in that game against Detroit. If the Bucs make the playoffs I highly doubt Morris gets fired, in which case the Jersey Trash Schiano is never hired, and Freeman doesn’t turn to a life of drugs. The entire course of franchise was changed because of that one BS call by the refs, the entire course of watching football on Sunday’s is different since Rodgers doesn’t win the SB since the Packers aren’t in the playoffs and you don’t get those god awful insurance commercials for year after year.
Anyways I always thought Morris would get another shot, and I’m surprised he’s sort of languished the way he has. I still think eventually he’ll get another shot, but I’m not as sure anymore.
February 3rd, 2019 at 7:06 pm
Awful take
McDaniels has consistently coordinated a top unit since being fired as a HC what has Raheem done? He’s been a position coach and hasn’t even interviewed for a coordinator position anywhere
February 3rd, 2019 at 7:16 pm
If the falcons didnt self destruct once shannahn left or had shannahan stayed and they continued wining he would get more attention. Mcdaniels is on a staff that wins every season consistently so he is successful by association. Its how the majority of the simple minded population percieve things. Nobody wants to take an in depth look at how things are working, they just read the book by the cover and make their decision based on that.
February 3rd, 2019 at 7:40 pm
I liked Rah. He was totally robbed by the refs. It was franchise changer of a bad call. The Oackers wouldn’t have even made the playoffs and they won the Lombardi. I still think he’s a good coach and I hope someone gives him a shot. He’d do well with a talented team.
February 3rd, 2019 at 7:41 pm
Even Brady would have been nothing without Belicheat.
February 3rd, 2019 at 8:48 pm
if you make a list of Qb’s that the bucs beat in 2010, then you will know why no one respect that 3rd place in the division 10 season was a joke of a season for the bucs!!! the truth was exposed and took over 3 seasons after that for the sheep to realize that the roster was horrible!!!!!!
I only wish that Coach Schiano was allowed to clean up more that laughing stock of a locker room!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
February 3rd, 2019 at 10:27 pm
For one thing is Morris interviewing for those jobs? #2 no matter how much Joe has made it clear his disdain for the Patriots they made it to the Super Bowl with Josh McDaniels as the OC. Silly rant and sort of making it a manufactured racial issue, especially if Morris hasn’t interviewed for any of those openings.
February 3rd, 2019 at 10:29 pm
El Buco – Just like the 1999 Rams and their cupcake schedule, if the refs don’t again screw the Bucs Warner never is in the SB and Dungy isn’t fired so then Gruden is never hired, as such McKay isn’t fired and the team isn’t dismantled.
February 3rd, 2019 at 10:39 pm
Yea we should have been 11-5 and the refs knew it. Raheem deserves a shot he’s a good coach.
February 3rd, 2019 at 10:45 pm
when Rah went 10-6 the Bucs had the #1 easiest strength of schedule
February 3rd, 2019 at 10:53 pm
correction*#8
February 3rd, 2019 at 11:12 pm
[Not sure what that is about but can’t let that slide, sorry. — Joe]
February 3rd, 2019 at 11:20 pm
Well Josh has won a few super bowls as an OC. Rah not so much. But other than that they are similar.
February 3rd, 2019 at 11:32 pm
Carolina was #7 and NOLA was #6 easiest S.O.S. The Saints finished 2nd @ 11-5 and Falcons 1st @ 13-3 with the Saints winning the SB
February 3rd, 2019 at 11:54 pm
Hey Jeanius, the Oack won the Super Bowl the year Rah went 10-6. The Pack got the wild card that would have went to the Bucs. If you’re going to correct others at least get your facts straight.
February 3rd, 2019 at 11:59 pm
Belichick is the winning formula of the Pats. It’s been proven repeatedly as his coaches almost always fall flat when they leave him. Joe is on point here and I’d surely call him down if he was wrong, but he’s not. Josh will go down in flames again if he leaves. That’s why he stayed last time. He prefers job security and winning and could inherit the job from BB when he calls it quits.
February 4th, 2019 at 12:54 am
Tony Dungy turned the culture here around. Jon Gruden made them winners.
Raheem Morris made them a losing culture again.
It was under Raheem Morris that all discipline went out the window, and it has not returned since.
So far as Josh Daniels, Bellicheat failed in his first HC outing as well…but if Bill plans to retire in the next year or two, Josh is staying where he is at.
February 4th, 2019 at 12:57 am
tmaxcon Says
“Glazers set up raheem to fail. Tampa bay is the nfl black hole…. no quicker way to ruin a promising career.”
Your claim in invalid. At the time Morris was in Tampa, the two previous coaches were very successful here. And Dungy went on to be even more successful.
Stop making up lies. Morris had everything he needed. He just sucked worse than a hoover vacuum.
February 4th, 2019 at 12:59 am
Can we stop with the 10 win season junk?
Morris had the benefit of a portion of the old defense still being here and that year we had the easiest schedule in the NFL.
The Bucs has not gotten an easier schedule for two decades before that, and they have not gotten on since.
February 4th, 2019 at 1:14 am
Why, it didn’t happen?
Nonsense. Roster was totally different in 2010 and in that season they were one-year removed from Jim Bates as defensive coordinator who was horrible. If anything (as Joe has pointed out) Raheem should be celebrated he won 10 games with that roster. Stylez White, Barrett Ruud, Jermaine Phillips, Quincy Black, Geno Hayes, Corey Lynch, Sabby the Goat, Tim Crowder, E.J. Biggers, Sean Jones? Please!
February 4th, 2019 at 1:17 am
Bonzai – the 1999 Rams played the easiest schedule in the league that year too, and they had the refs give them a W in the NFC Championship game. You can only play who is on the schedule, and I don’t care how easy the schedule is I’ll take a 10 win season over a 5 win season. Also it was 11 wins since they were robbed, and you don’t luck into 11 wins, the Bucs were the hottest team in the NFL at that point, and I honestly think they do a Packers style of run in the playoffs as Freeman was playing lights out, as good as anyone in the NFL at that time.
February 4th, 2019 at 9:47 am
Stevie Wonder can see he has not been given an equal opportunity and anyone who is intellectually honest knows why. I will say his situation is not unique in football. It’s well documented Black coaches get one job to succeed or fail at. If they are fired it is a real anomaly for them to ever get a second head coaching gig the way white coaches do. We can deny the obvious all we want but the proof is there for anyone to see.
February 4th, 2019 at 2:29 pm
C2asante is 100% correct.. Rah has coached up DBs and WRs in Wsh and Atl for the last 8 years. I would say he needs to be a DC on a winning team to get legit HC shots.. Especially with the boy genius offensive types getting hired nowadays.. i wish him well, im sure he’s matured and sharped his coaching.
February 4th, 2019 at 3:39 pm
I don’t see how everyone missed the fact that Raheem after his 10 win season was set up by the GM at the time for reasons unknown to me maybe to get Shiano I don’t know but he won 10 games and got a punter in free agency what a joke he wasn’t expected to win in his first year so they circled back around and got him in his second what a joke the next year they break the bank for THE NO FLY ZONE and Carl Nicks it’s a BUCS LIFE smh