Preseason of 2009, Raheem Morris realized he had the wrong guy in charge of the offense. He fired him, in PRESEASON no less. Later that year, after a horrible loss to the Saints in week 10, Morris fired his defensive coordinator too. It should be pointed out, he had every reason. The Saints ran for 183 yards, and Drew Brees passed for 19 of 29 for 187 yards and 3 TDs. Nine receivers caught Brees passes that day, as the Saints only punted 4 times. The Bucs were headed to one of their worst defensive rankings ever, and there seemed to be no end in sight. Granted, there was no talent on the team, But the Bucs had a young group of linebackers that would grow into quality players.
Fast Forward to today, two years later, and its time for Raheem Morris to do the same thing; it’s time for Morris to fire himself; as defensive coordinator.
It’s post game of a Saints loss again, and although this one was a closer score, New Orleans ran for 195 yards, not 183 like two years ago. Drew Brees passed for 258 yards with 2 TDs, and the Saints only punted twice. But what’s more important, the defense is still not headed in any direction. The Bucs still cannot tackle, still cannot stop the run. But unlike 2009, the defensive line is full of the team’s last 4 top 1st and 2nd round draft picks. The linebackers are the same guys, and in year three, they still dont have it. And worse yet, the team is also headed for it worst ever various defensive rankings, and there is no end is sight.
This very young Bucs football team was just as young last year, if not younger. Yet it plays with worse discipline, it commits more penalties, and worse yet, the penalties are the kind that CANNOT be allowed. Personal fouls have been committed by three Bucs players, two of them on defense, both by players in the secondary.
No one likes Raheem Morris more than I do; I think he is a good coach, and will become a great one. But Tony Dungy was far more qualified than Morris to be a Defensive Coordinator, but he did not. He brought in former colleague Monte Kiffin to run his defense for him, and that allowed Dungy to coach.
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Perhaps this is not the time or the place to do this, but for the 2012 season, for the sake of the franchise, Morris must step down as D.C. and concentrate on being the head coach. The offense which is the strength on this team, has no identity, is undisciplined, and cannot correct its mistakes. It cannot get going until 2 minutes left in the half, which puts the whole Bucs game plan is jeopardy because the team is constantly 2 scores down when the second half starts and that renders LeGarrette Blount, the teams second greatest weapon, less useful.
Not only the offense needs Morris’ help, the defense is inconsistant too. The team cannot tackle, a fundamental MUST for any TAMPA BAY defense, and when it does so, its spotty at best. A head coach should coach, and Raheem Morris has proven himself to be an excellent coach. He single handedly improved the Bucs secondary when he returned in 2007. He greatly improved the Kansas State defense the year before, and he has the ear of this current Bucs squad- to say the least. This Bucs team would follow Morris off the skyway bridge, so he has that start, that advantage. But he cannot go any farther wearing so many hats. The defensive Coordinator cap should be the first go either in 2011, or early in 2012.
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