Joe says the Bucs will now make sure Jermaine Phillips returns in 2009

Let’s not forget new head coach Raheem Morris returned to coach the Bucs’ secondary in 2007, after his one-year stint as defensive coordinator at Kansas State.

The Bucs quickly went from 19th against the pass to No. 1 in the NFL. The guy is a teacher and a motivator.

And one of his best students has been strong safety Jermaine Phillips, who was by far the best of the Bucs’ secondary in 2008. Limited by injuries, Phillips was performing at a Pro Bowl level, and there was a noticeable drop in peformance when Sabby Piscatelli filled in.

Frankly, Phillips, 29, was the only guy on the Bucs’ defense who brought his A game and hit hard on every Sunday he played.

(Maybe the Bucs even hold that 10-point lead against Oakland with Phillips in there, and Chucky would still be in his office plotting more dump-off passes to John Gilmore.)

Regardless, Joe is confident that Morris and new GM Mark Dominik will make signing Phillips a major priority. He becomes a free agent next month.

It’s a critical move to keep one the Bucs’ few strenghts – the secondary – in tact.