Defensive Coordinator Jim Bates removed from duties; Bucs to return to Tampa Two.

This Tampa 2 thing ready for Atlanta cause I can’t wait to watch that game

I didn’t see it coming this soon, but it was inevitable that Bates would be removed.

I don’t think Tampa 2 is necessary to win, but Bates scheme just didn’t cut it.

However, dont expect Monte Kiffin type numbers. Lets not forget this Tampa Two system was run in the last 4 games of the year. The Tampa Two only works if you have the guys to run it. It worked because we had Lynch, Sapp, Nickerson, Brooks, Rice, Quarles, all at times perfect fits for the system. We will have to find out which of todays Bucs fit it. I think we know Ruud Is a Mike Backer for the TT. Maybe the Bucs will give him his contract now if they feel he belongs in the plan. I would expect Joe Barry to be the D coordinator next year, as he is the senior most defensive coach from the Kiffin era as far as how l ong ago he started here.

Makes you wonder who made the decision on hiring Bates in the first place.

This move reeks of desperation from Raheem and Dom. I was highly critical of the hiring of Bates. That being said, it was known we did not have the personnel to succeed from Day 1. To abandon ship now after weeks of suffering, seems like a waste fo time and a lack of long term focus. The ball was totally dropped on both coordinator hires. Its pretty clear who the next man in the firing line is.

I’m interested to see what happens with the defense in the long term. If nothing else, the process being used to evaluate and hire coordinators has to be revamped.

What does it say about your team when you’re firing/replacing/relieving both first-year coordinators by the tenth game of the season? Its a sign of panic and lacking a plan. It also shows an unwillingness to give a coordinator a chance, which won’t help lure a good one…not under this trigger-happy regime. Jim Bates was brought in here to develop his system, which takes time to accumulate the personnel…I.e., every DC who’s brought in a 3-4 system (which takes the most time to adapt to) typically gets time to bring in their hybrid players. Bates had the players in Green Bay and Miami to run his system… He didn’t in Denver and he CERTAINLY doesn’t here. Its hard to make meatloaf out of manure. If you commit to a coordinator, you have to give them a shot to at least have one or two offseasons to go after their guys in FA and the draft. I think this move is egg on the faces of Raheem and Mark.

That being said, I’ve been frustrated with Bates’ rigidity and apparent unwillingness to change up his scheme or philosophy in-game when the situations call for it. I am certainly not happy with the play of the defense like everyone else.

You have to be able to adapt to the players you have until you get the players you need. What concerns me now is that there is no clear direction. If we keep changing coordinators every 3 months and ping-ponging between schemes, the right players won’t be attained.

Find a coordinator, stick with him, and get the players they need.

Morris is in over his head doing one thing, now doing two is only going to hurt more.

now we could use gaines adams back, we got rid of him because he didnt fit the bates scheme…i love our bucs but this coaching staff seems to be confused….pray for us

Josh Freeman had a bad game last week, but you have to admit that he looks like he can be the real deal….lets get him some weapons at the wr spot

We were running Cover 2 a decent amount the last few weeks. Also be interested to see if this helps and how. We are still vulnerable to the run, the Cover 2 won’t change that (See Carolina game last year). I want to see how this affects Ruud, Hayes and Sabby.

by anything other than that they didn’t fire him. He is staying on to help plan games? We had a plan? Plus, we have no idea on whether or not Morris will be a good defensive coordinator. He may even be worse than Bates. He only has one season of experience in coordinating a defense (K-State, where he quit after one year to return to the Bucs)

2002 – T.B. Defensive Quality Control Coach
2003 – T.B. Defensive Assistant
2004-2005 – T.B. Assistant Defensive Backs Coach
2006 – DC at Kansas State
2007-2008 – T.B. DB Coach
2009 – T.B. HEAD COACH

Scary

So he has a job next year under our new coach… Btw mnf contract means we pay Gruden another year right? Until his contract expires or has another coaching job is what I heard…

he is considered very capable of playing the Three Technique that Warren Sapp made so famous around here, and he is 305, Sapps weight many years playing the system.

If we could get Berry too, somehow, that would be a coup!