Raheem Morris Matches Chucky
December 27th, 2010
"Hey, this guy Raheem Morris may be a good coach but he can't develop young quarterbacks like me."
In the 20th century, John McKay’s 1979 Bucs won five more games than the previous season.
It took 21 years for a Bucs coach to beat that mark. That was Chucky’s honor, when the Bucs finished 11-5, a six-game improvement over the previous season.
It took just his second year and Raheem Morris has matched Chucky and could set a franchise record. Martin Fennelly points out in the Tampa Tribune that Morris and Chucky now hold the honor of biggest Bucs turnarounds.
Yes, the schedule was favorable, so much so that it might haunt the Bucs from missed opportunities, especially against the Falcons and, of course, now and forever, the Lions.
But think of where they came from. Think of 3-13, the fired coordinators, the kid quarterback, the young head coach at loose ends, or so it seemed.
Remember, this team is still under construction. That was what Morris set out to do.
Imagine if somehow the Bucs win at New Orleans next week, that Raheem Morris, who some actually suggest is the reason there are more empty red seats at the CITS than fans in the stands, will pull off a feat better than McKay, better than Super Bowl-winning Chucky?
But yet the coach responsible for the franchise’s biggest turnaround is keeping people out of the stadium, really? That would be like saying John Tortorella ran off Bolts fans or Merlot Joe Maddon scared away Rays fans.
Maybe it really is the fact that people aren’t flush with cash like they once were, that the unemployment figures and foreclosure rates and the catastrophic number of home owners who are behind in their mortgage payments aren’t just some empty baseball stat geek numbers pulled out of someone’s arse by an overaged Dungeons and Dragons freak?
December 27th, 2010 at 8:48 am
Hey, the season aint over, if I was the Saints i would be worried. This team don’t quit. Josh took it up to another level of great play yesterday.
Is it the case that the Saints have to lose tonite for the bucs to have a chance?
December 27th, 2010 at 8:49 am
I think it’s a combination of the prices and the TV technology available. It just doesn’t seem special to go to a game in person anymore, it just seems like a huge expensive hassle. Meanwhile parking in my driveway is free, the climate is controlled and I can pause the game if I want to get up for a minute.
December 27th, 2010 at 9:11 am
“…But yet the coach responsible for the franchise’s biggest turnaround is keeping people out of the stadium, really? That would be like saying John Tortorella ran off Bolts fans or Merlot Joe Maddon scared away Rays fans…”
Tortorella & Maddon are hands on coaches. I didn’t hear any credit given to Olsen, who worked with Freeman during the off-season and devised the plays that favored Freeman & Co. I guess that was Morris too, right. How about looking at Morris’s Defense (his alledged area of expertise) and see if Morris qualifies for COTY. Maybe his outlandish statements during the season qualifies him! Morris is still an amateur riding the success of Freeman & Olsen’s offense. And Yes, Joe, Morris is a big reason the stands aren’t full.
December 27th, 2010 at 9:17 am
I agree Scott, no more seasons tickets for us either unless the economy really turns around. It really is too much hassle with Tampa Stadium parking and walking a mile, and way too expensive. You can see much better on TV anyway.
My Son and I spent 2000.00 for the tickets, and about 80.00 a game on parking, beer, and food. LOL, I just came to find out someone I know has satellite TV with a box from Ft Myers.
I do not know if he moved up here with the box, or had someone down in Ft Myers obtain the box for him ? But he has been watching every game on his 65 inch Plasma TV!
I am thinking about next year perhaps taking that trip with Joe in the Limo down to Ft Myers myself. Or, buy seats to the games I will pick and choose vs Seasons Tickets.
Back on topic, Raheen has done a superb job for Tampa Bay. U know, watching Blount, Williams, Okam, Black and Winslow yesterday, I got the feeling we can beat anybody.
I know feelings are seldom facts, but I sure hope Tampa wins vs the Saints.
December 27th, 2010 at 9:35 am
To the stats on Florida being at the bottom in both unemployment AND having one of the worst economies – add the FACT that folks used-to finance some of their season tickets by rolling the ticket price cost into a refinance of the ol’ homestead…(remember 52,000 folks in Tampa Bay area have lost their jobs).
What has happened in Tampa is the perfect storm of financial distress – Florida has the distinction of being near the top in foreclosures and bank-owned properties, unemployment, and their loss in home values has revealed that folks are living in homes with mortgages that they not only can’t pay – they also can’t sell their home for the amount they owe!
Fans once used this “private financing” to pay for things like season tickets – some actually took out 2nd mortgages to buy their tickets. This option has completely dried-up with huge losses in home values brought on by the government forcing the banks to sell hundreds of thousands of properties at a lower price than what they held a loan for originally. This created a loss of equity in homes (difference between the amount of your mortgage and the price a homeowner could sell) the ability to borrow against your homes equity has shrunk on average by about 30% to 40%…now, MOST people owe more than their home is now worth.
So, to recap: bad economic conditions forced labor reductions and bankruptcies, which in-turn caused job-loss, and record numbers of people simply stopped paying their housepayment in order to buy food.
The government wants banks to foreclose – which has driven down prices. The downside to this is that folks don’t have access to equity lines of credit to finance home repairs (resulting in non-working electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc.), lost jobs = no disposable income. Things considered a “luxury” are gone without – during poor economic conditions.
On a brighter note – I have not heard many folks bash the team or Raheem, but these conditions are real – and whatever the cause, it leads to a (negative) affect…fans won’t buy things considered a luxury, until it can be proven that any “recovery” is underway, season tickets won’t suddenly begin disappearing.
Stop beating up the fans – they love this team – but they are beginning to hope that some change is comeing to some fo the sports writers around Greater Tampa Bay.
December 27th, 2010 at 9:47 am
I have never purchased or not purchased a ticket based on who the coach is, and I beleive this is the case for most people. I am a fan of the Bucs before any player or coach. The economy is the issue.
December 27th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Anyone who really thinks that fans are staying away because of a head coach are just daft.
December 27th, 2010 at 10:20 am
As someone who wanted to see Cowher here instead of Morris I will say this – I’ll bet the seats would be empty for Cowher, for Chucky or even Parcells!
The economy has something to do with it but Scott & Apple are closer to the truth – it’s the viewing of the game! At home on the 60″ HDTV I can see a LOT better than at the stadium. No drunks around, climate controlled weather, no parking problems and cheaper food/snacks.
Sure there are cheap seats to be had at RayJay but why on earth would I want to sit up there instead of in my comfy recliner? Plus at home I watched the Green Bay Packers blow up the Giants at the same time!
December 27th, 2010 at 10:26 am
tampa2,
You might not go to the games because of who the coach is but i can guarantee that you are in the minority. This may have been partially true last year but no true Bucs fan would stay away from a winning team to spite the coach.
People just don’t have the money. It’s not rocket science. That is the only reason the stands arent full.
December 27th, 2010 at 10:36 am
It is the ECONOMY. Why people think it is anything eklse is beyond. None of the teams had an issue a few years ago. Now ALOT of teams in Baseball, Football, hockey, NBA are having issues. Even FSU and The Gators did.
Sure, winnning solves alot, but if you don’t have the money…. I got rid of my season tickets this year simply because I did not want to spend a couple thousand, had alot better uses for it.
The problem is the economy has been stagnant for years and over the last few years has gone further south (thnx Big O). Meanwhile, ticket prices kept going up. I can’t believe the owners are that stupid (in every sport) but they seem to be. They have been driving fans away by the truck load.
Top it off with people sitting at home with a 55″ Sony HDTV…. why go back? I know I don’t plan to, except for a game a year…maybe two at most.
The other thing that is idiotic is the blackouts. When I can watch ALL the other games all that does is lose fans for the home team. Kids in the area are outside playing or watching the Dolphins or Jags or some other team… no benefit from blackouts. Outdated NFL policy that needs to go.
December 27th, 2010 at 10:40 am
The White Tiger
Add to all that the fact that Florida’s biggest economic factor is tourism. Tourism has been way down because of the economy everywhere else. That is the second reason (behind real estate) why Florida and California have been hit harder than anyone else.
December 27th, 2010 at 10:41 am
eric,
“Is it the case that the Saints have to lose tonite for the bucs to have a chance?”
No. The Saints can win tonight and we can still make the playoffs. The road just becomes more dependent on other teams if that’s the case. If the Saints win tonight, we need to win next week AND the Giants AND the Packers have to lose next week. If the Saints lose tonight, only one of those other teams has to lose next week, doesn’t matter which one.
December 27th, 2010 at 11:49 am
The worst place to be is probably where the Buccaneers are going to end up.
A tiebreaker away from making the playoffs and the best record of all those that did not.
Means draft pick number 20…. not a great pick. Good thing the draft is loaded with DE’s
December 27th, 2010 at 11:57 am
You are all fake fans. Go to the game or quit whining. The cheapest ticket is still better than watching on TV. You include the drink prices with your woes because you can’t enjoy a sporting event without being tanked.
December 27th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Leave it to Tampa 2 to still not be satisfied. First of all, nobody is talking about Raheem as Defensive Coordinator of the Year. He is the Head Coach, first and foremost. He, like every other head coach in sports, gets the credit for wins and the blame for losses. Did you not see the backlash he got last week after losing to Detroit? Did anyone blame Olsen? I have heard lots of people give credit to Olsen, so I have no idea where you are coming from. He’s been talked about as a possible Head Coach in this league in the next year or so, so that is truly a moronic statement (how could I expect anything less from you). And no, no matter how many times you say it, the attendance has nothing to do with the coach. You must be a little child, because children typically think they can say the same thing over and over and that will make it true. Why don’t you go get your blankie and cry yourself to sleep, because Raheem isn’t going anywhere.
December 27th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
HDTV rocks. You can watch two games at once, on on the laptop and the other on the big screen.
December 27th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
@Dave – yes, tourism has been greatly impacted – which also drives down a potential audience.
@Chris – perhaps when you grow up, move out of your mom’s place and start paying your own bills, you will understand the importance of prioritizing. I found your post a singular, yet MASSIVE waste of time.
You’re also very judgemental – no one likes that (seriously) – so please, stop.
December 27th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Well the Jags and Dolphins both have had mediocre at best seasons. Both sold out all their home games I think.
So, I think there was something more than just the economy in play as far as the bucs are concerned.
however, this season should go a long way to resolve the bad feelings and lack of belief in the team. Josh and company are exciting to watch and folks will be back, IMO. People in tampa love football. Otherwise, Joe would be out of business!
Go falcons!
December 27th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Well the Jags and Dolphins both have had mediocre at best seasons. Both sold out all their home games I think.
So, I think there was something more than just the economy in play as far as the bucs are concerned.
however, this season should go a long way to resolve the bad feelings and lack of belief in the team. Josh and company are exciting to watch and folks will be back, IMO. People in tampa love football. Otherwise, Joe would be out of business!
Go falcons!