Just a couple of days after praising “Coach Gru” for his extraordinary innovations on both sides of the ball, Raheem Morris now explains that the heinous Jim Bates experiment was very much about him not repeating the leadership failures of Chucky.

Now that’s a great way to get kicked off the coaching tree.

As told to Roy Cummings of The Tampa Tribune, Morris says Chucky was too disconnected from the defense and Morris initially preferred a more unifying role as a head coach not bogged down by coordinator duties.

“Jon had an offensive coordinator but he pretty much did everything himself, and what I noticed was that Jon sort of lost a part of the team on the defensive side of the ball that way and I didn’t want that. I wanted to make sure I had the whole team’s attention right from the start here. I wanted my team to hear one voice that they knew controlled everything we do as a football team.”

Joe thinks it’s great that the Bucs’ defensive mastermind/head coach has it all straightened out now. He’s figured out that he can lead a team to success as a coordinator and a head coach. Just like the guy he threw under the bus.

The Bucs once did it under Rich McKay: going from worst to first.

Can that feat be replicated this season? Find out in this Yahoo! Sports video featuring the lovely Charissa Thompson, she of the Big Ten Network and Fox Sports, Maoist Michael Silver and Bucs fans’ favorite Jason Cole.

Seems as though Cole has an interesting take on the Bucs. Let’s just say it surprised Joe.

Joe has seen it. Others have seen it. When Brian Price can play, the rookie defensive tackle is a disruptive force.

Before Price’s gimpy hamstring gave out early in training camp, Price was a wild man on the practice field, even against the Bucs’ first string offense, causing havoc behind the line of scrimmage and chasing ballcarriers down from behind.

Against Jacksonville the few plays he had with fellow rookie Gerald McCoy, the Jacksonville offensive line was overwhelmed. Trying to adjust to Price, it left McCoy free to roam.

eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune noticed this as well. Posting earlier in the week on the TBO Bucs Twitter feed, Kaufman nearly salivated at the thought of what Price can do when healthy.

Bucs have a rookie DT who is exceptionally quick off the ball. No, not Gerald McCoy. Second-round pick Brian Price could be special.

Because of his hamstring, Joe doesn’t expect a whole lot from Price this year. It doesn’t help he’s also a rookie. But when healthy and with a little seasoning, this guy will be no less than a warrior for the Bucs.

Former Bucs beat writer now Sports Illustrated NFL writer Don Banks is serving up a reasoned look at the 2010 Bucs complete with a prognostication.

It seems Banks, like Joe, thinks his colleague Peter King’s 2-14 assessment is off base.

Predicted record: 6-10.

There’s at least hope this season in Tampa Bay, because young players like quarterback Josh Freeman, rookie receiver Mike Williams and the aforementioned McCoy and Price have the potential to lift a franchise that hit bottom during the midst of last year’s 3-13 finish. But the Bucs’ youth movement is far from finished, and we’re still in the process of finding out if Morris, 33, and general manager Mark Dominik, 38, have a plan that will produce incremental progress.

Joe grows weary of all these predictions and the associated catch phrases that say the Bucs are rebuilding and can’t turn out a winning season. 

As for “incremental progress,” Joe would love to know how Mark Dominik truly would define that before opening day.

About 4 p.m. yesterday, TJ Rives, the longtime Buccaneers Radio Network talking head and former local sports radio personality, explained to his Twitter followers what he knew about the release of Derrick Ward.

Gasp! Rives’ Tweet says money was an issue in the decision.

Hearing that Derrick Ward release was combo of salary (2 be backup), bad attitude and 2 other guys (Huggins/Smith) who are younger/cheaper

Joe can’t believe that money would be a consideration. After all, Joel Glazer said “money will never be an issue” when it comes to building the product the Bucs put on the field.

Apparently, Rives’ insider sources think money is, in fact, an issue.

If Bucs fans think this comment conflicts with Bucs policy, consider a crazier comment by one of Rives’ gameday colleagues earlier this year.

Joe is so confused.

Twice, as he was peppered with questions yesterday about releasing Derrick Ward, the Bucs head coach said the presence of “Insurance Graham” was among the reasons the Bucs cut Ward.

The head coach emphasized the nickname for his starting fullback, and praised his versatility. 

But Joe doesn’t fully comprehend what Graham is really insuring?

If Graham fills in for an injured Cadillac Williams, that leaves a hole at fullback. And if the Bucs sideline braintrust thought Graham was so valuable, why was he all but buried last season with just 14 carries and 14 receptions?

Good things come to those who wait, but not when it comes to 0% financing. Especially at Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa.

Click below to start shopping online.

Joe takes no joy whatsoever in writing about how a Bucs assistant coach got popped for a DUI last night. That’s not to say Joe enjoys writing about any misdeeds. But if Joe is going to bring you the news of players misbehaving, so too must he with coaches.

After a day in which the Bucs let loose Kardashian-chasing Derrick Ward and found out Aqib Talib was suspended for the season opener against Cleveland, Bucs assistant defensive line coach Chris Mosley was popped last night for a DUI, reports Josh Poltilove of the Tampa Tribune.

A Ford sport utility vehicle driven by Mosley didn’t stop for a red light on Armenia Avenue, so an officer pulled it over late Tuesday, a police report states. The officer said Mosley’s breath smelled of alcohol and that Mosley had glassy, bloodshot eyes and swayed while standing.

Mosley was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after failing a field sobriety test, police said.

In 2009, Mosley served as an assistant offensive line coach for the Buccaneers. Prior to that, he coached tight ends at Princeton University in 2008 and was a graduate assistant at Boston College in 2007.

Joe’s not sure if not stopping for a red light means he blew the red light or he didn’t come to a full stop. Big, big difference.

Sad way to start a morning for Joe. More than sad for Mosley. He better hope the Bucs do well because Joe believes he’ll have a hard time getting a college gig with a DUI on his record.

So yesterday the Bucs bid goodbye to Thursday-talking-only, Kardashian-chasing, baseball-hating Derrick Ward.

Joe is inclined to pat Mark Dominik and Team Glazer on the back. They recognized a mistake and decided to wipe the slate clean, not concerned over the now lost investment in Ward.

Tampa Tribune humorist Martin Fennelly believes this move is not something to be lauded. Fennelly seems to infer mistakes should not be made, rather than applauding the clean up job of a mistake.

He came, he saw, he sulked. Now Derrick Ward is a memory, as if he ever made any here. He turned 30 on Monday and unemployed on Tuesday.

Bucs coach Raheem Morris and GM Mark Dominik, who brought Ward here, cut him loose before the second year of a $17 million contract. Good move. When a guy coming off a lousy season reports to camp out of shape, when he is down to guaranteeing to media that he’ll have a big game … in a preseason tilt with Kansas City … it’s time to go.

The Bucs cut the cord. But, please, no standing ovations for the brain trust. That the cord needed to be cut sort of explains why the Bucs coaches and brass can’t bump chests over Cincinnati releasing receiver Antonio Bryant, just as the Bucs released him.

Bucs coach Raheem Morris and GM Mark Dominik, who brought Ward here, cut him loose before the second year of a $17 million contract. Good move. When a guy coming off a lousy season reports to camp out of shape, when he is down to guaranteeing to media that he’ll have a big game … in a preseason tilt with Kansas City … it’s time to go.

The Bucs cut the cord. But, please, no standing ovations for the brain trust. That the cord needed to be cut sort of explains why the Bucs coaches and brass can’t bump chests over Cincinnati releasing receiver Antonio Bryant, just as the Bucs released him.

Later in the column, Fennelly describes Ward as a “bust” and claimed he only talked on Thursdays.

Look, Dominik will be the first person to admit mistakes were made last year. If pressed, he may also admit he’s not one to let a mistake wallow on the roster and let pride and ego get in the way, hence the firings of former coordinators Jeff Jagodzinski and heinous Jim Bates Experiment.

This move is more reinforcement from what Joe has been writing for months: The Bucs running backs are mediocre.

The growth of JoeBucsFan.com seems to have no limit. And Joe just wants to take a moment to thank all of you.

Traffic on these here pages in August was up 50 percent from July, and year-over-year growth checked in at about 375 percent. Considering Joe’s traffic was quite strong last year, Joe’s not sure what to say. The new JoeBucsFan.com/620 WDAE Message Boards aren’t even part of the numbers.

Joe used to publish exact traffic figures, but for the mental health of his competitors and the Bucs front office, Joe’s not doing that anymore.

JoeBucsFan.com remains committed to delivering you Bucs news and commentary like no other outlet. And Joe appreciates you bearing with him as he experiments with changes to the site, such as dialing back the use of nicknames. Rest assured, Joe is charting all your feedback.

Thanks again. Tell a friend. Don’t forget to check out JoeRaysFan.com. And The Blackout Tour buses are half full, so don’t wait too long.

Good guy Stephen Holder, while talking to his comrade Rick Stroud in this St. Petersburg Times video, believes the Bucs unloaded Kardashian-chasing running back Derrick Ward because of his attitude in the locker room.

Former Bucs defensive end Steve White, a JoeBucsFan.com analyst, brings passion and experience to all his Bucs takes, and his official prediction for the 2010 season is no exception.

Joe won’t spill all the details for you, which are in White’s blog. But White is confidently calling for the Bucs to win seven games, and he insists he is of sound mind and body.

I’m sure the question is why am I taking the over now when so many people have such a negative outlook on the Bucs for this year (Peter King just predicted they would go 2-14). Am I being overly optimistic? Am I trying to inflate the Bucs’ prospects because I used to play for them? Am I just trying to be contrarian? Or maybe I might have just bumped my head?

No…on all counts.

Joe’s just not seeing seven wins.

Right now, in between praying for Josh Freeman’s finger, Joe’s just hoping the Bucs find a way to avoid going 0-3 into the bye week.

THE PESSIMIST is a diehard Bucs fan whose negative writings appear occasionally on JoeBucsFan.com. His views surely do not necessarily reflect those of Joe. However, Joe sure gets a kick out of them.

THE  PESSIMIST was signed for another regular season on JoeBucsFan.com, but today’s breaking news of Derrick Ward getting cut has him returning early.

Why the hell couldn’t Derrick Ward be the Bucs’ third-string running back?

What the hell is wrong with insurance? The Glazers surely have it for their cars, their teeth and their palatial estates, but not their running backs?

Derrick Ward’s production with the Giants may be ancient history, but he surely was good enough for this Bucs roster.

Now the Bucs head for battle with lead dog Cadillac Williams, who’s playing on two patched up knees and is no Pro Bowl candidate, and Kareem Huggins, who is nothing more than a prayer with dreadlocks.

This is not a running game that you put together with a bunch of unproven receivers. The Bucs’ offense is dreadful.

With no salary cap, a paltry payroll and no depth at running back, THE PESSIMIST smells money as the main reason for Ward’s ouster after a pretty good showing in the last preseason game.

Depth is supposed to be important in the NFL. Apparently, profit is more important. Soon the Bucs might need a telescope to see what used to be the salary cap floor.

THE PESSIMIST hopes he’s wrong. THE PESSIMIST sincerely hopes an established NFL running back is on the phone with Mark Dominik booking a flight to Houston. 

What happens now if Cadillac gets hurt? The Bucs turn to Earnest Graham, trot out a crappy fullback, and tell Josh Freeman to hang in there?

Ward was no panacea. And for all THE PESSIMIST knows, Ward was a raging ass around the locker room and the Bucs questioned whether he could handle being buried on the bench.

But Ward was healthy. He knew the offense. And he just showed he had some life in his legs.

His $3 million plus for 2010 was well worth it — unless there’s a replacement on the way.

The news just keeps pouring out of One Buc Palace today. NFL warden commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib for one game due to his incident last year with a cabbie.

Last summer, following a night out with teammates to celebrate the end of training camp, Talib belted a cabbie in the head as the vehicle they rode in sped down I-275 in St. Petersburg.

The cab driver spoke candidly with Joe about the details shortly after the incident.

So, no Talib, who is in the midst of a pretrial intervention program, when the Bucs host Cleveland to open the season.

Multiple Twitter messages, including those from Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune and dapper Rick Brown of the Lakeland Ledger are reporting the Bucs have released Kardashian-chasing running back Derrick Ward this afternoon.

This is yet more evidence that this nonsense Joe hears that “the Glazers are cheap” is baseless. Ward was a key free agent signed last year by Bucs general manager Mark Dominik to bolster a running back corps that has largely been impotent, as evidenced by one of the NFL’s worst yards-per-attempt figures.

Last year, Ward moped that he was underutilized. This spring, he found more excuses — between chasing a Kardashian — for his lack of productivity, including playing on a baseball infield in Miami in the first preseason game, a field that never hindered Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams.

The fact that Ward and his salary were cut loose tells Joe that Mark Dominik may not be as inclined as Joe once believed to have receiver Michael Clayton finish out his final year of a two-year contract.

This move almost assuredly means Kareem Huggins has made the squad and that perhaps Clifton Smith may also have avoided The Turk, though Smith’s status remains on the bubble with his reported gout and habit of putting the ball on the ground.

"That's the last time I buy the swimsuit issue."

Per TBO.com, heralded Sports Illustrated NFL scribe Peter King unveils his NFL predictions tomorrow and the Bucs will check in with two wins, as in a 2-14 record in 2010.

TWO!

No word yet on whether King thinks the Bucs’ defensive mastermind/head coach will earn a third year after a two-win season (though King did tell Joe in an exclusive interview earlier this year that if the Bucs were not “significantly” better, King has his doubts about Raheem’s return).

If Joe could corner King over a bowl of oatmeal, of which he’s so fond, Joe would like to know why he thinks the 2010 Bucs are worse than last year’s edition.

Joe’s just not seeing that.

The only thing Joe can figure is that King looks at the Bucs’ second rate corps of receivers and running backs, and a second-year QB, and just can’t imagine how things will get better. Also, King can’t have much belief in the Bucs’ head coach.

It doesn’t take much coaching talent to land a couple of Ws.

Joe realizes his traffic has jumped considerably since last season — and a big, heart-felt thank you to you all — so Joe understands that not all of you are familiar with the gorgeous Jenny Dell.

Jenny does weekly breakdowns on Bucs games for BSPN ,and she graces this very site, usually on Thursdays.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect, in this BSPN video, Jenny talks briefly about a former Bucs standout player. Joe is confident you won’t mind putting up with the rest of the nonsense in the video as it offers a pleasant opportunity to gawk at Jenny, a former UMass cheerleader.

By all appearances, Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman long ago won over the Bucs hierarchy and has seemingly won over the Tampa Bay community as a whole.

But judging by recent comments, Freeman has a lot of work to do to win over national media types.

Recently, Sirius NFL Radio and FoxSports.com’s Adam Schein bluntly said he’s “not buying” Freeman at quarterback this season.

Apparently, neither is John Clayton.

“The Professor” of the NFL on BSPN, Clayton believes Freeman is one of the worst quarterbacks in the league, ranking Freeman at No. 29 of all starting signal-callers.

29. Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Analysis:  Freeman is a big, athletic quarterback who is being paired with a promising, young receiving corps. The small fracture on the tip of his right thumb is a slight setback, but Freeman is the perfect quarterback for the Bucs to build around.
Chance of being elite:  35 percent

Just who does Clayton have ranked above Freeman? Kyle Orton, “America’s Quarterback” (per Schein) David Garrard, Alex Smith, Kevin Kolb, Byron Leftwich (who hateful Bucs fans did their best in running out of town) and soon-to-be unemployed Matt Leinart.

"Sean, man, if Olie and Rah don't start winning they ain't gettin' on my (*&^'n tree."

The Bucs’ defensive mastermind/head coach paid tribute to his longtime mentor during his afternoon news conference yesterday.

Raheem Morris explained how his three-man rush plus Quincy Black is, in part, inspired by the innovative offensive and defensive genius of Chucky. In tone and words, Raheem dropped some big-time love on his former boss.

Perhaps Chucky is standing tall and proud right now. Or perhaps Chucky is mad as hell that he’s being linked to a 3-13 coach on his fledgling coaching tree.

Here’s what Raheem had to say:

“The packages that you can come up with these guys and be creative, you know, something that I learned from Coach Gru. You know, he was the best at it. He started Rocket. He started two backs in the backfield, two halfbacks. He started a lot of things that you see common, you know, thread in this league right now is some of the ideas that he’s had from the past and some of the ideas that he brought to us on defense that he saw other people doing. That provided us with great ideas,” Morris said.

How bout that! Jon Gruden, defensive genius.

Chucky was quick to be all smiles and visibile when it came time to link himself to Sean Payton and the rock star Saints of 2009.

Joe wonders what will it take for the front-running Chucky to publicly attach himself to Raheem Morris.

It seems the Bucs stats against the Jaguars were “ugly” on Saturday. That’s the word used by Derek “Old School” Fournier of WhatTheBuc.net. Here he explains why the Bucs made him wince.

Bucs fans who were at the CITS Saturday likely nearly dropped their $7 beers (lower prices this year!) when they saw Michael Spurlock line up at quarterback in a Wildcat formation.

Joe was surprised by this in a number of factors, specifically, why show your poker hand in the preseason?

The fact Spurlock did line up at quarterback may be a harbinger, says Bucs offensive coordinator Greg Olson, by way or Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune.

What might work in Spurlock’s favor is his ability to play quarterback. Spurlock played 21 games as a quarterback and running back at Mississippi. The Bucs lined up Spurlock in a wildcat formation against Jacksonville last week, but the play was never executed because of a penalty.

If Tampa Bay elects to keep Josh Freeman and Josh Johnson on its active roster, while placing Rudy Carpenter on the practice squad, Spurlock could be the Bucs’ emergency quarterback on game day.

“Everybody is trying to maximize their roster because of the limited roster size,” Bucs offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. “The more you can do, it’s a plus. It shows he can learn multiple positions and do multiple things and gives him an opportunity to make the team. Depending on what we do at our quarterback situation, if you’re a team that only carries two quarterbacks, he’d be a guy that would have to learn how to take some snaps and finish out a game for us. I’m not saying we’re going two quarterbacks, but he’s a guy at the receiver position who might able to do some things with the wildcat. He’s a versatile player.”

What does this tell Joe? That Rudy Carpenter is practice squad bound. Maybe. And that the Bucs are trying innovative things offensively in an effort to wash away the grime and stench of last season.