Jim Bates is the defensive coordinator choice of Raheem the Dream. Bates' defenses have finished ranked among the NFL's top 10 in six of his 10 years as coordinator.

It turns out newly-named Bucs defensive coordinator Jim Bates is an old friend of Raheem Morris. And that’s not just because Bates is 62. 

Bates and Morris have had a long relationship, said Bucs GM Mark Dominik, speaking on 620 WDAE, The Sports Animal. And that was news to Dominik during the interview process, he said.

Dominik said Bates has long been a fan of the Tampa 2/Monte Kiffin approach and he is on the same page as Morris.

“We want an aggressive, attacking, get-to-the-quarterback defense,” Dominik said. “We’re excited about how our players mesh with what he wants to implement.”

Joe likes the hire.

Not to get too political, but with the experience Bates brings young Morris, it reminds Joe of President Bush choosing Dick Cheney as Vice President. Bates has served as defensive coordinator for and a veteran coordinator of the Falcons, Dolphins and Packers.

Regardless, Bates is clearly a “Stay the Course” hire, which was Morris’ stated philosophy at his opening news conference.

Also, for those who think the Glazers are pinching every penny, Bates surely will be one of the top-paid coordinators in the NFL. No word yet on contract terms.

Bates has coached the 4-3 and 3-4 defense and, as Rick Stroud of the St. Pete Times notes, “his record of success more closely resembles Monte Kiffin’s. His defense has finished in the top 10 in six of his eight seasons.”

Stroud continues, “Bates primarily runs a 4-3 scheme, using fast undersized linebackers. He plays a good deal more bump-and-run on receivers, so that will be an obvious difference next season.”

In Bates, it seems Morris has his guy, and Joe likes the call.