If Raheem Morris loses his job as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the end of the year, it will be the first downward turn of Morris’ remarkable career. Few have worked harder or smarter at their craft, and if you pay enough attention, you should know Raheem Morris knows what he’s talking about, and says all the right things. Reality however can sometimes be different than perception.
The one thing I will not accept is the comments about the Glazers should have never hired Raheem in the first place. No, Morris did not have the experience, but he had just about everything else. He had a track record of proven results based on everywhere he has been. The Denver Broncos saw this, and interviewed him for their Head Coaching position, choosing another very young coach as their guy. I first heard of Morris when FOX played this clip of Bucs defensive coaches who left after 2005, as an explanation for why our defense went from No.1 to the pits. Take a look- I knew who Marinelli was, and I even knew who Tomlin was.
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When Raheem Morris was hired as Head Coach in 2009, my phone rang several times, from friends who couldnt believe it. Not because of the choice, but because after the Bucs brought back Morris in 2007 and the secondary improved drastically, Bucs were the no.1 pass defense in 2007 from 19th, and even Kansas State’s defense improved from the one year exposed to Morris, I was convinced he was a rising star, and told all of my friends to remember the name Raheem Morris. When they heard his name mentioned as the new hire as HC, they called in disbelief and how I knew that.
The facts are unmistakeable- The Bucs defense was ranked No. 1 in 2005. Rod Marinelli, Mike Tomlin and Raheem Morris all left after 2005. Only Joe Barry stayed because the Bucs wouldnt let him leave. In 2006, the Defense collapsed, it was bad. Not 2011 bad, but 2006 bad- usually ranked in the middle of the pack or below. The linebackers played ok, the defensive line was bad, but the secondary was horrible. Sure it was probably the loss of Tomlin more than Morris, but when Raheem came back to coach the secondary in 2007, the unit was back to its normal production. With pretty much the same people. Rookie Tanard Jackson took over for overwealmed safety Will Allen midway through the first game.
TimeLine- 2005 Morris with Tampa Bay Bucs as Defensive Backs assistant coach. 2006 Morris leaves Bucs to become Defensive Coordinator for Kansas State. 2007 Morris is returned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by the Bucs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Stats
Pass Defense
2005 Rank- #6
2006 #19
2007 # 1
Kansas State Defensive stats
Interceptions
2005 #103
2006 #95
2007 #32
Sacks
2005 Sacks 21 (ranked #83)
2006 39 (ranked #9)
2007 25 (ranked #59)
Before leaving the Bucs, Kansas States defense had poor stats, then upon the arrival of Morris as Defensive Coordinator, you can see the defense of the K State improve, continuing in the year after his departure. The Bucs meanwhile were good under the leadership of Tomlin assisted by Morris, and fell bad after both left. However, the return of Morris put the Bucs up to the top; No.1 pass defense. The Glazers can be accused of hiring Morris because he was cheap, but other people were cheap too. They hired Morris because he had a top flight track record, and no ones comments on the internet can take that away.
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