A Powerful, New D-Coordinator Is Unrealistic

December 21st, 2011

When Jim Bates was defrocked and run out of town during the 2009 season, the Bucs could have simply kept his title and job in place and let him serve as an active defensive advisor to Raheem Morris after the head coach took over the reigns of the defense.

Hours before Bates was sent packing, Raheem had explained how Bates insisted on changing the defense on the fly that led to a Quincy Black interception and a near win in Miami. Even after Bates was defrocked, Raheem spoke of how much he had learned from Bates and treasured their relationship.

One would think the elder Bates would have been mature enough to handle it. But the Bucs opted to push him aside completely, still pay him, and let Raheem run the show.

This is one reason why Joe now thinks it’s unrealistic to strip Raheem of his defensive coordinator hat and let Raheem sit back and play No. 2 voice on defense to a new guy. Is Raheem mature enough to handle that? Apparently the veteran Bates wasn’t. And where else has that happened around the NFL? Let alone happened successfuly.

Now Joe knows that Raheem considers himself one of the most mentally tough individuals on the planet — he’s said that many times — but getting stripped of his defense would be the equivalent of getting sucker punched in the gut or gettting brazenly kicked in the balls.

The complete disaster the Bucs defense has become is a major factor here. A defensive coordinator would have to take over the defense and couldn’t just be a glorified yes-man for Raheem, who has proven he’s a bottom-tier defensive coordinator.

Listening to former Bucs DE Steve White (1996-2001) last night, on Two-Hand Touch on WQYK-AM 1010, Joe heard him say with certainty that if Raheem is to return next season, the Bucs would have to get him a new offensive coordinator, a new defensive coordinator and a bunch of new players outside of the talented core currently on the roster.

Months ago, Joe suggested the Bucs hire a consultant to help figure out the Bucs’ slow starts and other woes. And Joe has written many times, starting months ago, about how a defensive coordinator would/could help Raheem. But for Joe the game has changed a bit with Raheem leaving no doubt that he deserves an F grade as Bucs D-coordinator through 14 games. A new guy would have to be the alpha dog and it would take a minor miracle for that to be a smooth transition.

Maybe the Bucs offense would be better if Raheem had more time to be up his offensive coordinator’s ass? Maybe the defense would be better if Raheem had less on his plate?

Those are questions for optimists, and Joe’s no optimist when it comes to the head coach. The more Joe studies the Bucs’ plight, the more it appears that starting with a new head coach is the move with the best chance of success.

68 Responses to “A Powerful, New D-Coordinator Is Unrealistic”

  1. GenocideD Says:

    “Joe heard him say with certainty that if Raheem is to return next season, the Bucs would have to get him a new offensive coordinator, a new defensive coordinator and a bunch of new players outside of the talented core currently on the roster.”
    Hear hear! This is what I’ve been saying. This needs to happen. Resign Raheem, get a new OC and sign a DC.

  2. Apple Roof Cleaning Says:

    When you are an NFL head Coach, you are not supposed to need “consultants”. After all, if the team has to make you a head coach, you shouldn’t be a head coach in the first place.

    To believe a new coach is going to come to Tampa and do a San Franscisco with the existing players we have is a bit of a reach. Bates couldn’t do it, and neither has Raheem, we simply need more good players on defense.
    Mark Dominik has had several years, and an incredible amount of draft picks to provide us those players. Perhaps had he been allowed to go after free agents, the plan may have worked.

  3. Bucs4life Says:

    This is for Joe and all the other Sheep calling for Raheem’s head. The team has essentially collapsed and he’s certainly at fault, but he’s done more than enough, with a very challenging set of cards, to deserve another year.

    “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

    Hang in there, Raheem.

  4. Chiman Says:

    Put everything else aside, Raheem has shown he’s not a top-notch coach and we’re still the youngest team in the league and have no reason to believe he can bring us to the promised land. Hope is lost.

  5. eric Says:

    Agree with the conclusion on Rah.

    Not so sure we have a talented core.

    And, just like Raheem would Dom be able to modify his “plan” he has trumpeted so hard for a new coach? I think not.

    Sticking with the same approach and just changing coaches aint gonna fly, IMO.

  6. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    Generally you do not relieve a person of major duties and give it to someone else while they remain at their title position. Unless we are talking about the military, of course, most businesses just let that person go completely.

  7. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    Uh…. Did I write something bad? Last post went to the spam folder, I think. It was small too.

  8. Thomas 2.2.. Says:

    Absolutely correct Joe. Bates was canned initially bc Rah couldnt handle the growing pains of the Bates conversion.

    To bring a new defensive coordinator will involve either systemic changes or a weak coordinator doing what rah wants, hence, no meaningful changes.

    Btw: we have already tried the revolving door of assistants – it hasn’t worked – what does that leave as the problem?

  9. Macabee Says:

    There comes a time in all of our lives when we don’t get to make the final decision. When you have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel, somebody else gets to talk, it’s your turn to listen. When your life is at stake, a sucker punch and a knee-bender seems mild in retrospect. If another DC is the right prescription for what ails this team, then the guy that signs your check, sits you down, brushes your hair in a different direction, gives you a pencil and pad and says “OK, here’s the plan!”.

  10. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    I just don’t want a new coach coming in and screwing with some of the position coaches that are doing well at their jobs: OL, DL, and QB. Don’t want to damage Freeman’s development by bringing in a radically different QB coach(but that could possibly be a good thing. I’m on the fence) and the DL and OL on are the cusps of greatness. The DL just needs a little bit of time, while the OL just needs one or two new players(RT is a must; Center could use a definite upgrade).

    Then again, if he is a smart coach he would see these things and leave what isn’t broken in place.

  11. Rob buc fan in Orlando Says:

    We have the framework with some very good young talent, as long as they stay on the field, on the defensive side of the ball. We still need new blood in the secondary, I don’t care if we draft or get quality free agents, I prefer both. We have to draft the best linebacker available in the draft, or get the most sought after free agent or we are screwed next year too. Coaching change is definitely needed on the defensive and offensive side and with the right man in position, we can recover from this mess. Problem is, you have to pay good assistants lots of money, as you will a new experienced head coach. Glazer have a big decision to make.

  12. gotbbucs Says:

    advocare, still needing at least two new players on an offensive line does not put them on the cusp of greatness. that unit, year in and year out, is the most underachieving unit on this team. i believe it to be on the cusp of being blown up completely.

  13. Hillbilly Heaven Says:

    Raheem is one of the lower paid coaches in the NFL, if not the lowest.

    Eating his contract for 1 year is nothing when balanced against the potential loss of revenue should he continue as coach. Season tickets, local ad revenue, concessions, etc., etc. all gone That runs into the millions more than his buy-out will cost .

    Finances alone make him a goner.

    As far a new co-ordinators. Please.
    You allow the team to fall to a disgutsting level and then think that your provenly bad HC will be taken seriously if you bring in quality coaches to work for him? No player or coach on the staff would follow him – he’d be viewed as a guy that couldn’t cut it.

    The Glazer decision is simple:

    Lose the fan base and the money that comes with it or lose your “friend” Raheem. Malcolm didn’t get his money by making friends. But maybe the kids just want to hang out with their cool coach for another season.
    They can afford it but it’ll show how much they care about winning.

  14. RCH Says:

    I agree with you Joe. If we were to get a new OC and DC and different players in place I would be open to giving Rah another chance but know that wont happen with him around thats why he has to go. In order to get this thing fixed we need to make changes and even maybe let go of some of our better players to get new ones and set an example. The one only good thing I see out of these last two games is being able to watch Ronde play because after this season I dont see why he would want to come back and if Rah does get fired he definatly wont then. I will miss him and what he has done for this franchise.

  15. Anthony Says:

    Sorry, but this logic is pretty much no good.

    Raheem brings in a D-coordinator, who is tough on the players. Raheem, who is super awesome and friendly with this players, would get visits from the players saying, “Man, the d-coach is on my ass” and it would create infighting.

    Raheem has to go. Only answer.

  16. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    @GotBucs Penn played top 5 LT this year and Zuttah played top 10 LG. Joseph suffered from being between a terrible run blocker and the worst RT in the NFL. If you get anyone remotely decent at RT, this line becomes top ten. You find someone remotely decent at RT and a Center with improved run blocking and this line becomes unstoppable.
    I would absolutely consider something simple as needing one guy to make us dominant as “on the cusp”. They have not underachieved. They have been held back by their Center and RT. RT is an easy fix in the draft. Literally, anyone else would be an improvement.

  17. Traew Says:

    TheProsUseAdvoCare:

    I spit my coffee out. Did you just say you “don’t want to screw with Freeman’s development” by changing position coaches?

    Are you kidding? Josh Freeman leads the NFL in interceptions in his third season. This guy needs SAVING from this high school coaching staff worse than a 12 year old visiting the Penn State locker room.

    We all need saving from this joke of a staff. Clean house top to bottom before any more damage is done to our growing core of young guys.

  18. Nick Says:

    if i’m not mistaken, Rex Ryan no longer calls the D in NY. For different reasons, obviously. But, really i think Rah needs to simplify it. All those great D’s of years past were simple. In the coming years we should be able to get pressure with the front 4, hopefully.

  19. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    For example, soon to be unrestricted Free Agent Anthony Collins has played 177 snaps this year and only allowed 1 pressure. Last year he played 261 snaps and only allowed 3 pressures. This guy would improve our RT production, as well as Josephs production all the while improving Freeman by buying him more time and opening up more holes for Blount to get to the second level. ANd he would come fairly cheap comparing production to pay out.

  20. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    @Traew Freeman went 25 – 6 last year with the same QB coach. I believe that coach may be able to put him back on the path. Then again as I said before, I am on the fence.
    But you don’t just go through firing everybody on the staff. That never works out. Ask the Raiders how well that work for that past decade of yearly coaching changes.

  21. Sooner in Tampa Says:

    The Glazers have indeed painted themselves into a corner.

    Bringing in ANY Coordinator is not an option…a D coordinator will not come for fear of Raheem meddling or firing him…and an O coordinator will not come in here for a lame duck coach

    The bottom line is this: last year was a fluke…and aside from last year Raheem has won 7 games in two years…7 GAMES IN TWO YEARS!!!!!!

    I don’t care who coaches this team…those numbers are UNACCEPTABLE

  22. Sooner in Tampa Says:

    I am dumbfounded by ANYBODY that actually justify…with a straight face…retaining Raheem for ANY REASON.

    8 FREAKING GAMES IN A ROW!!!! Soon to be 10…you have to be BAD to pull that off

  23. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    And he doesn’t lead the NFL in INTs either.

  24. Sooner in Tampa Says:

    I agree with AdvoCare…we don’t need to fire every coach on the staff…we need to keep Millard and Van Pelt

  25. Sooner in Tampa Says:

    Right…Freeman doesn’t lead the league…he has 18, Fitzpatrick leads with 19

    Still, Freeman is having a horrendous year

  26. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    @Sooner No doubt a terrible year.

  27. Macabee Says:

    For all the guys who think that billionaires, participating in a cartel where an equal division of revenue is guaranteed, can be forced to do what you want by threatening to stay home and not buy tickets, you’re wrong! You stayed home when they were winning! Use your head, do the math. The Bucs play 16 games and only 7 games at home, because they’re going to London whether we like it or not. Some fans are going to come to those games whether we’re winning or not, others because they’re pulling for the other team. It’s a crapshoot without scientific polling data or focus group feedback to assume that simply changing the coach would significantly increase game attendance and over what period of time. The NFL just signed a huge TV contract which increases their ROI tremendously without any further investment. And don’t forget, they get paid the same amount for a loss as they do for a win. You may get what you’re screaming for, but it will be a coincidence – not because a group of billionaires are shaking in their boots!

  28. Nick2 Says:

    Bucs4Life if you read this website enough you would know Joe held out until the last embarrassing moment to not keep backing the idea Raheem can stay. How many Hall of Famers do you need on a national broadcast to say a team has quit before you realize Raheem is not a good leader for an NFL team. 3 games this year Raheem has admitted his team quit on him. The first one against the 49ers was when we STILL WERE IN A PLAYOFF HUNT. Your the sheep Bucs4life drinking the Raheem koolaid thinking that things will get better if we prop him up with some real coaches and motivators. He has lost the team get it? No motivation equals losing seasons!!! No sheep here just realists Bucs4life.

  29. Nick2 Says:

    TheProsUseAdvocare I think the damage has been done with Freeman and he needs someone else besides VanPelt mentoring him. I have seen nothing but regression from Josh this year. Simple things like making sure hes not always throwing off his back foot seem like they are never addressed. Either Josh is not listening or VanPelt is not doing his job. We need a new O coordinator and qb coach if you ask me.

  30. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    @Nick2 Though he has played badly, the entire team has regressed. From top to bottom of the offense(outside a few linemen) Pelt came in last year and Freeman went 25-6, ninth best single season TD/int ratio of all time. That is no fluke. Did Pelt have nothing to do with Freeman taking a huge leap forward last year? One more year passes and the offense is Vanilla with horrible play calling, the defense is worse and players don’t seem to care. Should that really be placed on Van Pelt – a single position coach?

  31. Meh Says:

    Why would we keep Van Pelt? Freeman has regressed since we brought him on. Van Pelt should be the first one shown the door after Morris and Olson. Van Pelt has been awful for Freeman. I just hope he hasn’t completely ruined him yet.

  32. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    @Meh “Freeman has regressed since we brought him in”. What? Year before Van Pelt Freeman went 10td/18 int. The year we brought Van Pelt in Freeman was 25td-6int. Clearly he worked well with Freeman and clearly Freeman progressed with his hiring.
    This year the entire team is equally regressing, not just Freeman. How can you place that on a single position coach?

  33. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    There is something in the locker room and on the practice field that is tearing this entire team a part. The only people that handle the entire team is the head coach and GM. One or both of them are at fault. Not one solitary position coach.

  34. CC Says:

    The entire Bucs organization needs an overhaul from top to bottom. We have the cheapest owners in the NFL. Dejavu all over again. WTF

  35. Meh Says:

    I place it on ALL the position coaches. There is not a single position coach I would keep on this team right now. Not one. The ENTIRE coaching staff needs to go.

  36. CC Says:

    I would love for the media in Tampa Bay to pressure on the Glazers. This has turned into a total embarrassment, not only for the team but the area included.

  37. Meh Says:

    And if you support Van Pelt, how do you explain the horrible decision making by Freeman this year? I mean his choices have been terrible this year, and his mistakes have not been corrected moving forward. How is that not on Van Pelt?

  38. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    Bye bye Raheem. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

  39. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    ANd think of a reason why a QB would have to throw off his back foot. Because there is no room to step forward.

    No RT in the league has allowed more pressure than Trueblood(46). Only 7 more Guards have allowed more pressure than Joseph(21).

    Freeman is the 7th most pressured QB in the league on a per snap basis(36%) and 3rd in Hurries.
    Almost 28% lies of our teams total pressures allowed lies on Trueblood alone.

    Now tell me, how is a QB not going to have to throw off the back foot at times when he is pressured, hit, or hurried, 36% of the time?

  40. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    @Meh I already explained that. Read my previous post at 1:25pm.

  41. Bobby Says:

    @Nick2…If you put so much credibility in those hall of famers then you would have posted what they actually said “Yeah, they have quit and it’s a shame because Raheem Morris is a good coach and he doesn’t deserve the way his players have quit on him.” Marshall Faulk He blamed the players..NOT the coach.

  42. Meh Says:

    I’ve read your post. It is insufficient. This whole coaching staff needs to go, top to bottom. Van Pelt is one of the first people I’d boot after Morris and Olson.

  43. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    @Meh what is stopping you from just firing all the players then? They, after all, are the ones under performing on the field.

    So Meh, who do you credit the clear shift in Freeman’s numbers from the first to second season?

  44. Meh Says:

    His first season as a rookie QB playing for not even a full season. I don’t even count those stats. 2010 was a solid year for him, and I’d credit Van Pelt if he had maintained those numbers. He didn’t. With another full year of Van Pelt coaching he cratered. Completely tanked. And the biggest shock was his poor decision making this year, the number one thing Van Pelt is responsible for.

    I’ll say it one more time, I would not keep a single position coach on this team. Not a one. Everything is a disaster, top to bottom.

    And ‘firing all the players’ is ridiculous. If it were up to me I’d cut quite a few though.

  45. Sooner in Tampa Says:

    Bobby…are new to the NFL? You can’t fire an entire roster of players, the head coach and the staff get the axe. You are paid to motivate men and make them perform…if you can’t do that…BUH BYE

    Raheem’s double standard and lack of discipline has infected this team and this roster…it’s time for him to move on.

    I really do wish Raheem well in his future endeavors.

  46. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    @Meh SMH I’m just gonna start referring to you as “Mr. overboard” or “Al Davis”. Your reasoning is narrow,obtuse, non pragmatic, and full of emotion.

  47. Mike Says:

    Good article Joe. However Joe, I’m an optimist.

  48. Meh Says:

    And you just switch to tossing insults, so I’m done here. Call me whatever you want. I’ll bet money that Van Pelt is gone after this season.

  49. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    Those weren’t insults at all. Those were points of view of your reasoning. If you took them as insults you should take a look in the mirror.

  50. Meh Says:

    lol. Yes, calling me ‘Al Davis’ wasn’t an insult.

    Hilarious.

  51. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    Again, not insults, but points of view of your reasoning, as thoroughly explained.

  52. NickinMelbourne Says:

    Bobby who cares THEY QUIT!!! Do you need to defend a coach the team quit on 3 times this year?? In San Francisco the Forty Niners were telling Rhonde his team should “start trying!!” Thats pathetic. Yeah Rahs a great guy not a great coach. Any team that quits on their coach 3 games in one year needs a new coach. Not sure what your getting at.

  53. NickinMelbourne Says:

    Meh I am with you. I thought Van Pelt was good until this year. I have no idea whats going on in the locker room but one thing thats not going on in the quarterbacks meeting is good coaching or……. Freeman is an idiot. I will lead towards getting rid of Van Pelt. I still think Freeman can be good next year with the right coaching.

  54. gotbbucs Says:

    “ANd think of a reason why a QB would have to throw off his back foot. Because there is no room to step forward.

    No RT in the league has allowed more pressure than Trueblood(46). Only 7 more Guards have allowed more pressure than Joseph(21).

    Freeman is the 7th most pressured QB in the league on a per snap basis(36%) and 3rd in Hurries.
    Almost 28% lies of our teams total pressures allowed lies on Trueblood alone.”

    Advocare, this is your “cusp of greatness” O-Line? I agree with you 100 % that this is the reason that Freeman has regressed, this and Winslow losing his speed and not being able to separate anymore. Just don’t try telling me that this O-Line is on the cusp. Freeman, Blount, and the rest of our Offensive skill players will be fine as soon as this offensive line is even remotely good. Faine and Dunderhead both need to go, Zuttah needs to move over to Center, and they need to go out and either draft or pick up in free agency a Guard that can replace what Aaron Sears brought to the table once and for all. No more Offensive Line bandaids. If there’s one place in the NFL that you can’t hide turds, it’s on the Offensive and Defensive Lines.

  55. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    @gotbBucs Yes. As previously stated, if Trueblood was gone we would be a much better team and Joseph would even perform better. He is trying to carry Truebloods dead weight. We would not be nearly as bad if not for the terror infecting the line that is Trueblood.
    Penn is top 5 at his position. Zuttah is top 10 at his position. Faine could be upgraded. Joseph should be top ten(again) if Trueblood is gone. Trueblood is the worst in the NFL. He is beyond the majority reason for our OL woes. He is that bad and has been since we’ve had him.
    Two players in the top ten this year on the left side. None on the right because of Trueblood. If he goes, they succeed.
    So, since one player is pretty much the determining factor, I’d say we are certainly on the cusp.

  56. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    Oh, and Blount is a better pass blocker than Lumpkin lol

  57. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    Advo is wrong, as usual. Van Pelt will be replaced. This o-line sucks. Plain and simple. Open your eyes, blind man.

  58. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    We need a new center, left guard and right tackle. Plus Penn has gained back most of his weight and is so fat his foot movement has slowed down, causing him to get caught off balance quite a bit and knocked back onto his fat ass. This line has more wrong than right.

  59. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    @FLboy and where do they suck? The right side. Left side has been great. ALl you can remember is a coupe plays recently of Penn but he has been great all year. Zuttah has been solid outside of his penalties. That’s an easy fix(even trueblood got his under control).
    PFF has the grades for all these guys Penn is number eight overall(#LT), and Zuttah grades positively in run, screen, and pass block. Only his penalties are hurting his grade this year.

  60. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    WHat is your grading method? “Because I said so”. Nice.

  61. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    I agree Zuttah is pretty good, but would better suit this team at center. I think at center he actually has something close to Pro Bowl potential down the road a bit. At guard he’ll remain serviceable but pretty average. Penn has had a decent year, but not like last year. And his weight continues to go up and up it seems. I foresee a decline next year for Penn if he doesn’t get motivated to get that weight back down in the offseason.

    At a minimum we need to move Zuttah to center and get some real talent at left guard and right tackle. Plus threaten Penn with discipline if he doesn’t get back into the shape he was in last year. That will make this line, which currently sucks, back into a strength of this team. That’s not a lot to add but it must be done.

  62. Bobby Says:

    Nick….I didn’t say that Morris doesn’t deserve some of the blame. I’m just saying that if you are gonna make a statement like ‘even hall of famers are saying we quit’ make sure to mention that ‘they’ didn’t blame Morris, because they didn’t. If you think that there is some magic switch that is going to be thrown just because a new HC coach comes in…I think you’re wrong. I personally don’t care whether they keep Morris or not. We can’t be any worse with a new coach but it doesn’t mean we will be any better either.

  63. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    Yes, Zuttah has played well at Center too, but not as well as a LG. Plus But it is harder to find a solid left guard than a solid Center. His blocking is not what hurts him. It is his penalties which is an easy fix.
    Penn is without question playing better this year. He has upped his run blocking game, and has defended Freeman’s blindside better(has allowed 9 less QB hits and 13 less pressures. Was graded -10.5 last year to a +8.1 this year). Penn’s worst games as a pass blocker this year have come in the last two weeks.

    Memory is short of his dominance before that.

  64. Captain Stagger Says:

    Gotbucs…….did you really say the OL is the worst unit on our team?????? Have you seen our LB’s and WR’s??????

    And I’m not buying the theory that the online isn’t giving Freeman enough time, I’ve watched the games, Freeman is holding on way too long waiting for them to get seperation that never happens. We lead the league in drops, check downs, and our #1 WR didn’t even get a single target last week.

    Oh and our LB’s are by far our worst unit….

    Why do I giggle just saying “unit”

  65. D.P.Boo Says:

    speed is what we need, sign usain bolt!

  66. Bobby Says:

    Actually, our O-line grades out in the top 10. Our LB’s and DB’s are our main problem.

  67. Brad Says:

    If you think hiring a DC would be a kick in the gut to Morris, bringing in a consultant would be a kick in the gut of the OC, DC, Head Coach and GM. It is a kick they all need. Just not in the gut. I cannot see when most coaches if not all have a DC and OC on their staff. If Raheem can’t handle giving up his DC duties and be the Head Coach then he needs to be fired and be a DC somewhere else. The logic of not doing it is just stupid. What’s in place now is obviously not even close to working.

  68. BigMacAttack Says:

    Every time Zuttah has played center he has done a great job, but these Moron’s refuse to put him at center when Faine is not hurting. Maybe it is a better use of resources in their minds, but I think its stupid. The best player at the best position should be there regardless. Zuttah is their best center. This may have been Faine’s best year since he’s been here, but Zuttah is a better center and much better blocking from center. If the Bucs don’t have a true Left Guard, Whose fault is that, Dom? Have the Bucs ever tried Foster at OLB this year on any plays? I have only seen him in the middle, but one might think as bad as the LB play has been that Raheem might try to mix it up. This is the same coach that wanted Jermaine to be a LB. This regime is dead set on Foster being the Mike LB. They will not even consider any other option for him or the team. It’s like the Lumpkin paradox. They truly can not see the forest for the trees, even though they burning down around them. If Rah goes, Dom should be right with him. He is every bit as much at fault, and in some cases more. You can’t get help if you don’t ask for it, and no one will help you if you know everything and won’t listen. I’m sorry, what was that?