Encroaching On Raheem Morris Era
October 25th, 2013
Nothing gets a Bucs fan to race to the liquor cabinet quicker than when someone drops the name “Raheem Morris.”
The Raheem Morris era in Tampa Bay football was so dismal, Joe doesn’t know where to start. His final weeks as Bucs coach will forever be seared into Bucs fans’ memory banks, with no ability to purge. Morris’ teams were simply chain-whipped and alley-beaten. What Sonny Corleone did to Carlo Rizzi paled in comparison to what NFL teams did to Morris’ charges.
Well, the Custodian of Canton, eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune has some sobering and frighting statistics. It seems the Bucs defense, led by Bucs commander Greg Schiano, is slipping into Raheem Morris territory, so Kaufman Twittered today.
@IKaufmanTBO: The Buc defense kept the team competitive in September, but those days are over, Opponents have scored 31 points in each of the last 3 games
If that isn’t a death knell to a coach (Schiano), Joe doesn’t know what is. If your defense is starting to look like Morris’ defense in his final weeks — and we are still in October – gives Joe the shakes and makes him want to grab a bottle of Bushmills right now.
October 25th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Defensive improvements were all that we previously hung our hats on for KEEPING Schiano
Those too are now gone and so should he.
October 25th, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Morris has to get the edge in this one. When he was coach they didn’t really care to help him out with players. Once Schiano took over they opened up their pocketbooks and spent money aquiring talent. At this point I am curious to see what Morris could have done with this team, it truly couldn’t be any worse than this.
October 25th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Sacfan:
That’s a helluva good point. You could make an argument Schiano is worse than Morris.
October 25th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
The poor tackling, coverage lapses and a continued inability to rush the passer have caused me to change my mind about the timing of a Schiano firing.
The two things I would have done as defensive coordinator last night would have been to cover Steve Smith (somewhat done) and to make sure Cam Newton couldn’t run. (failed). I would have put LVD on Newton regardless of the play.
October 25th, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Morris had no players and won 10 games one season. He was a bad coach, but they gave him no help. They were cheaping out on FAs and drafting terribly early in his career. Morris may have been over his head – but at least he wasn’t a total jerk.
I’d take Morris over Schiano every single day. I’d take Gruden or Dungy over either though without a second thought.
October 25th, 2013 at 12:34 pm
At least Raheem still gets to field terrible defensive players up in the nation’s crapital. Schiano may never work again after this debacle. But he’ll have enough money to retire in obscurity thanks to that thousand year contract the Glazers wrote up for him.
October 25th, 2013 at 12:35 pm
I didn’t think it was possible to find a worse coach than Morris. I thought that by ACCIDENT picking someone that was AT LEAST a head coach on ANY level would be an improvement.
I’ve lived here since 1980 and have seen a lot of coaches come and go. I don’t think I wanted to see one succeed as much as I wanted Schiano to succeed. I met him before his first season on Father’s Day at Rusty Pelican and he was the nicest guy in the world. His grandfather and my grandfather shared the same name, which is the name I gave my son. I truly was rooting for him to do well, but it just didn’t happen.
Now I’m looking at the Bucs the same way you look at a friend with terminal cancer… you know what’s coming and you wish it would just happen because it’s too painful to be a part of.
We’re not even half-way through the season. Think about that.
October 25th, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Nothing gets a Bucs fan to race to the liquor cabinet quicker than when someone drops the name “Raheem Morris.” What do you think Buc’s fan are running to now, at least Coach Morris,won ten games with half the talent. Schiano, is a disgrace and lost the locker room before the season started, base on some remarks he made, that made it way back to the players. H e called the player’s jokes and stated he will win with them or without them, I have a contract it is what it is.
October 25th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
@Doc
Heroin.
October 25th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Man, this season couldnt have possible gone any worse. Everything that could go wrong, did. And then some. Can the Glazers really afford to fire all the coaches again.? Unfortunately, i think it is needed. But whom do they hire to get this going in the right direction?
October 25th, 2013 at 12:48 pm
Welcome to the Dark Side TBBF 😉
October 25th, 2013 at 12:52 pm
LOL!!!! How the media spins everything… When Raheem was on his losing streak, all the “Joe’s” in the media said he lost the team but failed to mention how crappy the players were. Ol Rah STILL managed to win 10 games. Now, Schiano has an allstar roster and media heads say he hasn’t lost the team. LMAO!!!!! Like the great philosopher Tupac Shakur said… “Don’t believe everything you read… Alizae and weed…”
October 25th, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Also coach the year 2000 called and wanted their dink and donk offense back.
October 25th, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Someone may know the exact reasons, but at the end of they day, Schi is 0-7 and losing worse each game.
The only thing to do right now is elevate Wannstedt. Not my first choice out there, but you have to stop this bleeding from affecting next year too. He had a few good seasons with the Dolphins, and that’s at least something.
October 25th, 2013 at 12:57 pm
Last night did not even faze me. I had myself very ready, however it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
October 25th, 2013 at 12:59 pm
I refuse to watch another game until Schiano is FIRED.
October 25th, 2013 at 1:05 pm
But a couple weeks ago evrryone loved schiano for his “awesome” defenseive mind. This idiot needs to go. Now revis has even admitted the players dont back him! FIRE SCHIANO NOW! I think sapps post game comments will be the dagger for schaino. there is no way schiano should be the head coach next week.
October 25th, 2013 at 1:10 pm
He’s not encroaching on anything.
He is way past.
I would trade him straight up for Raheem right now. Even if it meant Raheem riding out his contract.
October 25th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
Doc. The joes pointed out the lack of talent raheem had back then. Probelm for morris was he had success withiut talent, but failed a year later with the sane team. Jie gas akways shot streught for us.
October 25th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
For real Joe. I really liked Schiano and was a holdout because of how good the defense played to start the season. Now that the entire team is being throughly out-coached I’m no longer a fan. It’s time for him to go. (at the end of the season)
October 25th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
“Jie gas akways shot streught for us”
This should have said “Joe has always shot streight for us.”
I think my fingers are too big for my iPhone…
October 25th, 2013 at 1:36 pm
If Schiano is still the coach at the next home game, there should be chants of “Bring back Morris”
October 25th, 2013 at 1:52 pm
All these coaches have been fired as a head coach. Want to bet their QB was not getting the job done.
Tom Landry
Jimmy Johnson,
Tom Coughlin
Bill Belichick,
Tony Dungy
Jon Gruden,
Mike Shanahan,
Chuck Knox,
Dan Reeves
, Lovie Smith, ;
Pete Carroll,
Jeff Fisher;
Andy Reid
Marty Schottenheimer
October 25th, 2013 at 1:57 pm
What must happen for the final straw to break and Schiano is shown the door? Let’s see, booted franschise quarterback, injured star running back from over use, winless in 13 out of 14 last games (Win was over Dixie chicks resting starters) alienation of fans (see stadium seating last few games) does schiano have to be arrested for dui or something to finally be fired? Does Schiano have indecent photo’s of the Glazers to be keeping his job?
October 25th, 2013 at 1:59 pm
Say what you want about Morris’ coaching skills, but unlike most Buc coaches, he earned himself a spot amongst rare company. The Bucs have had 9 HCs, only 3 of them other than Morris have won 10 games in a season (McKay, Dungy, Gruden) and only 2 have done it more than once (Dungy, Gruden). And but for an NFL-acknowledged bad referee call (Detroit game), Morris would have made the playoffs in 2010.
And as inept as Morris was, he did it with no free agency, no right guard (Davin Joseph on IR), a turnstile at RT (Jeremy Trueblood), a gimpy turntable-loving TE (Kellen Winslow), a Cadillac with two bad wheels, and the same inconsistent QB that has been banished from the Bucs. The biggest difference between Morris and Schiano is that Morris was likeable, incompetent, but likeable!
October 25th, 2013 at 2:02 pm
lovie smith coach………rod marinelli……..dc……………..and would u guys be happy with matt schaubb at qb and takin clowney? i just wonder what people think about that………what about cutler? Also i am a bridgewater guy but dude from oregon is lights out….what do u guys think. i am a die hard bucs fan and i am actually hoping to lose as many as possible…..this is a great draft
October 25th, 2013 at 2:17 pm
scott:
Think you are on the right track but Joe would fall over backwards if Team Glazer hired Lovie Smith. He’s the last guy you want building an offense and that is why he was canned even though he won 10 games. No wonder Jay Cutler was mental.
Joe’s banging the drum for Greg Roman, draft Jake Matthews in first round (this offensive line desperately needs new blood and as we all are seeing, without an offensive line, your offense can’t do squat) and then trade back in to the first round (i.e. Doug Martin) and get a QB. There are so many QBs in the draft a good one can be had mid-to-late first round.
October 25th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
Shouldn’t Schiano have done his day-after-the-game press conference by now?
October 25th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
maybe he is running out of things to blame it on im just sick over this and I am tired of talking about it this has a 80 feel to it and I don’t think there much more you can say now I am to the point that I kinda feel sorry for the guy and they need to take action now
October 25th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
Tampa Bay played a great game on TV last night.
Surprise. Score was 6 to 5 in overtime.
Maybe Joe its time to start a web site called Joe Lightening Fan
October 25th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
Lovie Smith can lead a good offense if he hires a good offensive coordinator. I doubt he’d bring back Mike Tice. Besides, we have more talent on the defensive side of the ball. I would rather bring in a coach to play to that strength, versus bring one in to help the weaker side of the ball. Even if we bring in a great offensive coach, at the end we will still struggle because we aren’t that talented. On defense, however, we have the players to be special (at least by today’s NFL standards).
Jay Cutler’s struggles have nothing to do with Lovie Smith. He was erratic and had poor fundamentals in Denver. He’s been erratic with poor fundamentals since Lovie left. Chicago never had much talent in Chicago on offense, so it’s a little unfair to judge him off that. He made it to a Super Bowl with Rex Grossman as his QB. Need I say more?
October 25th, 2013 at 2:52 pm
Hmmm. Schiano press conference pushed back to 3:45 p.m. That’s always suspicious.
October 25th, 2013 at 2:53 pm
I can’t believe I’m saying this, because I had the exact opposite opinion not too long ago, but I would go after Johnny Football. If our offensive line struggles, we are going to need a QB that can elude pressure, and I’d say it’s safe to say he can do that. He can throw on the run or in the pocket. The only thing that worries me is his Michael Vick-like size, but I think Glennon would be a very good backup. He would bring excitement back to the team, and I am a firm believer that players respond to that excitement. I totally get the idea of bringing in a great player on the OL, but we aren’t a great offensive lineman away from competing. We are a great QB away from competing (and obviously getting rid of the lunatic is a necessity).
October 25th, 2013 at 2:54 pm
@Illuminati,
Don’t get me excited.
October 25th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
From NFL.com :
UPDATE: During the fourth quarter of the Buccaneers’ 31-13 loss to the Panthers,Mike Silver tweeted that based on their conversations with Bucs sources, neither he nor Rapoport expect Schiano to be fired Friday.
October 25th, 2013 at 3:06 pm
@Hawaiian
I dont agree that we are a great QB away instead of a lineman but I’d be happy with Jonny Football. or Watkins.
October 25th, 2013 at 3:14 pm
@ Buc1987
Yes, but:
1. Sources have been known to be wrong
2. Owners have been known to change their minds
3. Coaches have been known to resign under these circumstances
October 25th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
“Lovie Smith can lead a good offense if he hires a good offensive coordinator.”
Hawaiian Buc …precisely why I’ve been re- thinking my position about Lovie. Also another reason why I would not mind them getting him, is because he brings clout. The next coach better be one with clout. I’d be happy with 70 yr old Schotty or Lovie now. I don’t want them to get some up and coming guy either. CLOUT damn it!
October 25th, 2013 at 3:28 pm
Illuminati …I almost posted that out on here last night. That he should resign. Then I deleted it. Thinking he would never do that and give up all that money. Oh well cue the theme song from Jeopardy up.
October 25th, 2013 at 3:29 pm
@Couch Fan,
You may be right. It’s really hard to say with this joke of a “coach” that we have now. I believe that most of the pieces are in place on defense (certainly already enough to be really good). Hopefully Banks will develop (he’s not hit the rookie wall, he’s smashed into it), and we can get someone to bolster our pass rush (if only we had Michael Bennett, oh wait, never mind). Offensively, Jackson needs some help. It’s obviously much easier to find quality #2’s and #3s than it is to find a #1. Finding a good TE really isn’t that difficult. You don’t have to spend premium picks or tons of money in free agency to get those types of players.
At this point, I really don’t think adding a stud OL is going to help us win. He’s not going to make Glennon be a franchise QB (I like Glennon, but I don’t see him as a franchise guy). You can’t win without a QB, period. It has been proven you can win without a great offensive line, although it’s obviously not ideal. The Steelers won a couple Super Bowls with a very poor OL. I’m not saying we ignore the OL, I just think QB is far more important. And did I mention we need to get rid of the lunatic?
October 25th, 2013 at 3:50 pm
Crap. Sounds like business as usual so far.
October 25th, 2013 at 3:56 pm
You mean like Mike Tice? :^/
Here is another problem with hiring a defensive guy. If he does hire a decent offensive coordinator, that guy is gone in a year or two if the offense does anything at all. Then you are back to square one.
At least with an offensive guy, you will have stability on offense with a young QB.
October 25th, 2013 at 4:04 pm
cant believe this guy is still here
October 25th, 2013 at 4:06 pm
Clout then Joe. What coach is going to be available that has clout?
October 25th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
1987:
Any coach can have clout if he is granted clout in his contract.
October 25th, 2013 at 4:47 pm
I agree with Joe. I rather have an offensive minded coach with a good D coordinator.
October 25th, 2013 at 9:18 pm
@Joe,
Did you not see my very next sentence. I said I doubt he’s going to bring back Mike Tice. Lovie got to the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman!! How can you just ignore that? Every coach has hired bad assistants at time. Look at Mike Tomlin. It happens. Overall, Lovie Smith has been a very good coach. He was fired after a 10-6 season, one where he literally only had a Freeman-esque QB and Brandon Marshall. They used Devin Hester as a WR for crying out loud!!!! Are they all of a sudden a better team now that Lovie was fired? Thought so.
Hire the best coach available. This nonsense about hire only an offensive guru is ridiculous. Have good players and good assistants. Who is more likely to do that? A former head coach. Dungy seemed to do just fine on offense with Indy. We have good pieces on offense, but we have great pieces on defense. You still need defense to win in this league, no matter how you slice it. But nah, let’s only hire a guy who can coach offense and let’s chuck it up and down the field all day and ignore all our talent on defense. That makes perfect sense.
October 25th, 2013 at 9:40 pm
How about Lane Kiffin? He was forced to draft JaMarcus Russell when he really wanted Calvin Johnson.
October 25th, 2013 at 9:46 pm
Before Lovie hired Mike Tice as his offensive coordinator, he had Ron Turner as his offensive coordinator.
Yes, THAT Ron Turner.
October 27th, 2013 at 10:00 am
I’ll have a Jameson… Thanks