THE OPTIMIST: Emotions Ruining Objectivity
December 24th, 2011
Gut the team but save the coach. That's the refrain from THE OPTIMIST in his latest plea to save Raheem Morris.
You’ve all read THE PESSIMIST, who spews his Bucs-related anger like no other. But Joe also brings you THE OPTIMIST.
THE OPTIMIST is Nick Houllis, a Bucs fan and an accomplished writer whose steadfast allegiance to the Buccaneers goes back to the 1970s. Houllis is the founder, creator and guru ofBucStop.com, a place Joe goes to get lost in time via Houllis’ stunning video collection.
THE OPTIMIST will shine that positive light in your eyes. Some will love it. Some won’t. … Of course, THE OPTIMIST’s opinions are his alone and are not influenced by Joe.
Seemingly everyone is hot after Raheem Morris’ job, people were even refreshing their Twitter and Facebook pages this week thinking the Glazers are going to fire Raheem.
I have news for you…the Glazers are the most consistent people on this planet. If they fire Morris — and that’s becoming a bigger “if” each week — they will do on a Friday at 5 p.m. in January. The Glazers won’t be emotion with this decision like the rest of us.
For all we know, the Glazers could be looking at this season with an emotionless outlook, looking at simply the cold hard facts. Changes need to be made, and I’m sure there will be many. I doubt seriously many assistant coaches keep their jobs.
Greg Olson is probably gone, along with the WR coach and RB coach, too, and probably Raheem will lose his D.C. title, and that will be good. But head coach too? Wasn’t it just 8 weeks ago no one was calling for his job? Wasn’t it a year ago we ALL wanted him COACH OF THE YEAR?
Some players have quit on Raheem Morris, and Morris has done one thing honorable, he does not throw players under the bus.
We also know for a fact the lockout affects first- and second-year players the most. It seems like the whole Bucs team falls in this category. You cannot go back on any internet browser using any computer prior to week 6 and find anyone demanding Raheem Morris’ job or Mark Dominik’s. That means you are just using the emotions of this losing streak, and that is quite pathetic to vent on someone, anyone, and the head coach is the easiest target.
I’ll give you a perfect example of how emotions can ruin your objectivity. Take Mark Dominik. All of a sudden, Mark Dominik MUST GO TOO, he is a horrible GM. Really? He was a rock star 8 weeks ago! Everyone wants to bring up Derrick Ward, but you forget about Connor Barth. You bring up Michael Clayton, but Michael Koenen is practically neck and neck with Barth for MVP! Dominik is just following orders, and the Glazers are the ones who need to change the most. How does a rock star GM turn into the worst GM in the world? Losing.
What can a new coach do? You can’t make the players work harder; Morris already has them doing gassers and such, probably the reason the weak-minded players started tuning Morris out. Those players will be gone next year, or not starting. They will then have to PLAY for their jobs, the one mistake this organization really made: giving young kids jobs without earning them.
The BUCS as a whole are guilty of these transgressions:
Gutting the veteran presence that helps young players
Removing experienced leadership from the locker room.
Going way too young with kids that are too ill-tempered
Allowing poor accountability – some players don’t talk to media after a bad day.
Offense gives up the running game too easily
ZERO depth at running back with a feature back that is a one-trick pony.
These are the Glazers problems that THEY created, not just Raheem Morris’ or Mark Dominik’s. Morris is responsible for the lack of accountability, hopefully he sees that and adjusts it accordingly.
LeGarrette Blount should not be the feature back. He doesn’t block or catch the ball. He should be the fourth-quarter closer when the Bucs get a lead, and someone to soften a defense up at the start of a game. Veterans are needed all over the team to provide leadership.
I don’t care about firing Raheem Morris, I’m waiting to see if the Glazers are going to finally spend some money on salaries, because if not, 2012 will bew a campaign against Bucs ownership.
If the Glazers don’t bring in some veterans, if they don’t spend some money and capture some excitement by bringing in one or two TOP-OF-THE-LINE exciting free agents like they did with Keyshawn Johnson, they will have succeeded at becoming the next Hugh Culverhouse, and no one in the Bay area can allow that to happen. But we will wait until next year to see if that happens.
Firing Raheem Morris would bring change, and must be honest, it would be refreshing to see change and to see a positive upswing in everyone’s attitude towards the Bucs.
But I’ve been a Bucs fan through all the losing seasons, when no one liked the Bucs, and I followed them through all of that. Even if next year is a total flop, at least we will know we made the right decision, we’ll have ANOTHER premium draft pick, and a lot of our players will have another year of experience to show what they’ve got.
If you can’t stomach two losing seasons, you can’t call yourself a Bucs fan, because being a Bucs fan has ALWAYS been about following a losing football team. That’s our history. That’s our legacy. It’s called patience.
December 24th, 2011 at 10:18 am
Practicality and reality tend to relinquish influence in what some perceive as times of chaos.
December 24th, 2011 at 10:19 am
Patience is great … But the problems are not losing … Its how the team loses and appears unfocused and anything but Yungry!!
The Bucs have the fewest Rushing attempts in the NFL !!!!!!!
Raheem preached a style of play and has followed through even with the outline.
Freeman struggles this season … So lets have him throw near the most passes in the League.
8 losses in a row ??? Brian Price is thrown out of a game but Aquib Talib probably costs us the game in London … But thats Raheems fault ??
Sean Jones still starting ?!?!?!?!? 41-14 from the Jags ?? The JAGS ??
Worst Defense in the League ??? Most penalized team in the league..
Oh my bad … we didnt have any OTAs ,,, Better tell the 49ers, Panthers etc … about that because they have new coaches altogether.
I like Raheem Morris … Seems like a cool guy .. But these results are not acceptable. Something needs to change … I have never been this uin-excited to watch football on a Sunday
December 24th, 2011 at 10:30 am
The Optimist cracks me up. We’re three years into this regime and it’s going in the wrong direction. Bucs games aren’t even fun anymore. It’s supposed to be about winning titiles and Raheem has proven a good defense isn’t even in his future, let alone a Super Bowl. Just slap him on the ass and say goodbye. He gave his best.
December 24th, 2011 at 10:38 am
if raheem is coach next year i wont watch 1 game wont visit any buc sites will give up on them until changes are made
December 24th, 2011 at 10:45 am
Nick, will you be an optimist when Raheem gets fired?
Or are you gonna whine about getting rid of the greatest coach in Buccaneers history in Raheem Morris?
December 24th, 2011 at 10:56 am
Joe here,
@justin — “won’t visit any buc sites” … That’s scary talk. 😉
December 24th, 2011 at 11:07 am
Nice read and I pretty much agree with everything typed.
It’s ownership first and foremost. The Royal Glazerbaum’s have got to put
the Buccaneers and their season ticket holders on a higher priority, to support their football people in making personal moves that will have fans convinced they care and that the team can do a lot better than it has this season.
I believe that Dominik and Morris have been put in a losing position by ownership with regard to financial support. Whatever happens, it will be up to ownership to support whoever remains or is brought in in getting the players needed.
We need to see something other than just firing the HC. We need legitimate hope.
December 24th, 2011 at 11:07 am
Nick, Mark Dominik admitted the plan not to rebuild through free agency was his, not the Glazers.
I have been in Tampa since 1971, and was at the first Bucs game. I understand patience Nick, but there seems to be little light at the end of the this tunnel.
Before you call Mark Dominik a “Rockstar”, let’s look at his record ?
And remember, he drafted a punter last year who could not Punt, forcing him to go after Koenen.
Teflon Mark Dominik served under 3 different bosses who all took better NFL Jobs. None chose to take Mark Dominik with them to their new jobs. He was left behind in Tampa.
Despite a record like this, he is still being called a “Rockstar”
2009:
RD1 Josh Freeman: Horrible 2/3 seasons
RD3 Roy Miller: ZERO production
RD4 Kyle Moore: ZERO production
RD 5 Xavier Fulton: ZERO production
RD7 EJ Biggers: isn’t a starter in this league on ANY team other than TAMPA
RD 7 Sammie Stroughter: ZERO production
2010:
RD 1 Gerald McCoy: injured more than he plays…looks like a bust at this point
RD 2 Brian Price: Decent starter but nothing special, injury prone
RD 2 Arrelious Benn: number 3 starter at BEST
RD 3 Myron Lewis: ZERO production
RD 4 Mike Williams: no. 2 WR at best…not a number TRUE number 1 option
RD 6 Brent Bowden: ZERO production
RD 7 Cody Grimm: Decent starter, would be a backup on most teams
RD 7 Dakota Watson: ok backup nothing special
RD 7 Eric Lorig: backup FB at best
2011:
RD 1: Adrian Clayborne: quality starter
RD 2: DaQuan Bowers: quality starter
RD 3: Mason Foster: quality starter
RD 4: Luke Stocker: backup at best
RD 5: Ahmad Black: Zero production
RD 6: Allen Bradford: Zero production
RD: 7: Gaitor: Zero production
RD 7: Hardy: Zero Production
December 24th, 2011 at 11:08 am
I don’t think Morris could honorably keep his job if so many of his assistants are fired. He would lose all credibility to staff. When he said ‘It’s all on me’, it would seem like behind closed doors he really saying ‘It’s all on you.’ He doesn’t need the fan base or the league to perceive him as a as a traitor to go along with the current perception of incompetent.
December 24th, 2011 at 11:31 am
The optimist should see the optometrist.
This is the worst head coaching ever.
Rah has been cycling assistants like tin cans since he got here, no matter who the assistants are – the team plays confused, disorganized, undisciplined and flat-out awful.
Change the head coach, and the assistants will ALL be much better. This isn’t a problem the assistant level, this a systemic failure at the top and this cancer needs to be carved out and the system will improve after a little treatment from Jeff Fisher.
December 24th, 2011 at 11:32 am
Recycling – sorry
December 24th, 2011 at 11:57 am
@ Joe, a little off topic but I just wanted to wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS ! Thank you so much for being there every day. I really love this site and read every comment , yes even the comments from Thomas.. Each and every day. Thats all. Thank you !!
December 24th, 2011 at 11:59 am
Am I missing something here? It’s not like the late 70’s when the team had to start scrubs. All of our offensive lineman have shown they can play; Freeman can play; We have a promising group of WR’s in Williams, Benn, and Briscoe; we have a TE who could be a pro bowler when motivated; and we have a RB who when used properly can take over games. The Defense has 4 top draft picks on the defensive line; a very promising LB in Foster; a CB and a Saftey who have played very well this year in Barber and Jackson; Not to mention the fact that our special teams really has done a great job for the most part. This team is so underachieving that it makes me sick. It’s not like the old days when some players were better athletes; these days they are all great athletes who need to be tought and motivated and that’s where these guys have failed.
December 24th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
I agree 100% with the optimist. He is the man, good to see somebody with a positive mindset. If your blaming Raheem your blaming the wrong person. It’s the glazers. Good for cam
Newton and adapting to the NFL style so fast, cutos it’s cam newton a QB who is going to change the game and how the QB position is played in the NFL, ask mike Vick and read his interview. This whole team is 2-3 year pros for the most part. The lockout clearly affected this team. But you cannot honestly say mark dominik and Raheem haven’t made positive changes. Look at the D line, you got Adrian,Albert,McCoy and price, bowers and Bennett. If this unit stays healthy that’s bad news for opposing offensive lines. Tanard is getting warmed up I expect him back at 100% next year. You can’t blame Raheem the offense goes 3-0 it seems almost every series!!! If not a fumble or a punt. The Defence is on the field way to freaking much. The glazers need to add a couple peices in free agency and I can honestly believe the bucs can accomplish what the 49ers did this year, next year. Fire Greg Olson get a top notch Offensive coord. Who likes to run the ball with a 250 pound machine and a extremely talented O line. The bucs must sign desean Jackson in my eyes that woul put this offense on a new level. Make more 1 on 1″s for mike Williams and give us possibly the best deep
Threat in the game for josh freeman and this offense. Plus add Probally a top 5 pick and get a star caliber corner or linebacker and it’s only looking brighter. I have faith in Raheem it’s not his fault. It’s Greg Olson And the glazers not opening there check books or addin key veteran free agents. Last year everyone said Raheem coach of the year, yes this year hasent gone as planned but to demand him being fired? No.
December 24th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
WHAT?
This team isn’t made up of pro bowlers, but they have enough talent to go 8-8. They are an average team who still has missing pieces, but they are better than the Jag’s, Titan’s, Panther’s etc…… When you’re getting you A$$ handed to you by a team that has 20 players on injured reserve; a rookie QB; an offense that averages 12 points a game and with only one offensive weapon to stop; the issue is coaching. Just a simple fact that this team is NEVER ready to play. Always out coached; out motivated & out smarted.
December 24th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
‘The Optimist’ should change his name to ‘The Apologist’. He’s fine with blaming everyone everyone on the staff with this disaster except the root cause of it all, the head coach.
December 24th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@dylan you do know raheem is the HC/ DC right? Last time i checked we have one of the worst defenses in the nfl with a talented defensive line, but he continues to play tampa 2.1 or whatever the hell he calls it. And it dosent work and never will.
December 24th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
With all do respect, Nick, It sounds like you are FAR, FAR more a fan of Morris than you are of the Bucs….. A team is only as good as it’s leader…. Morris is very limited in his career and therefore limits the Bucs on their level of success…….. The team reflects it’s leadership and it is showing brightly….. Surely you do not believe that Mo is the BEST man to HC the Bucs, OR maybe you do, that is your choice BUT their is absolutely NO WAY that I believe that…. Film doesn’t lie…… Good coaches fix and adjust their team throughout the season to be competative….. Bad coaches crumble and can’t manage and struggle to get through the season….. Guess which category Morris falls into…..
The chances of Mo ever getting the Bucs at the level of play as the Falcons and the Saints is likely very low and would not be surprising if he remains the Bucs HC that the Bucs remain last in the NFC South every season…..
The Falcons were a poor team and a NEW HC and QB with some help from others changed that Team from losing seasons to consecutive winning ones….. The Saints have the same recent history and now, in the same way, The PANTHERS have climbed out of the bottom of the NFL and are gaining respect even without offseason…. I am thinking it is time that the Bucs learn from others so we too can become a consistant winning team!!!
December 24th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Apple Roof, please also list free agent pickups, not just draft picks. Draft picks is only one part of what Mark Dominik does. And in fact, thats why he’s called Rock Star ( I didn’t call him a rock star, I referred to him as such as others do).
TYE and Turn the Page, if you read the WHOLE article, you’ll read that I say if Morris is fired it would be a refreshing change. The point of the article is to let Morris finish his last year of the contract, because we have the first year thats a rebuilding year, then the second year thats a pretty good one, then this one which has gone backwards. I think we need to see if Bucs management can learn from their mistakes and there is no reason they can’t learn from their mistakes WITH the same coach rather than do it with a new one.
And I find it humorous at best at my Buc fandom is questioned over my being a fan of the coach. There is not one player or coach on any Bucs team ever that takes precedence over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which I have been a die hard fan of since week 2 of 1979. TYE you point out how fast teams turn around with change. Well I’ll point out sometimes teams turn it around with change of players, not Coaches. It’s the Glazers that are going to be public enemy NO.1 around here if they don’t spend any money this offseason. They are the no.1 problem, and hopefully they can see that now..
December 24th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
The OPTIMIST is out of his mind. The Glazers do deserve much of the blame for the Buc’s debacle. But the lack of effort from the players lies squarely of the coach and Dominick just flat out sucks at this point.
December 24th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Niko! You watching this 48-10 rahbacle.
December 24th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Niko, shut the hell up you idiot.
Raheem needs to go now you big dummy.
December 24th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
There is a fine line between being optimistic and delusional…..I think the writer has indeed crossed it.
December 24th, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Yeah.. the Optimist is an idiot.
December 24th, 2011 at 9:49 pm
This isnt Raheems fault.The Glazers arent spending money for some reason. No other Head coach would do much better with this crap roster of rookies who should not be playing yet(Mason Foster),and had no practice before the season. I do think we could use better position coaches,including a new Off.cord.,and a Def.Cord. since nobody is improving.