The Buccaneers announced the move today, and it signals a long-term commitment to Mark Dominik's plan of building the team through the draft. Dominik has been with the Buccaneers since 1995, and has been the General Manager since Bruce Allen and Jon Gruden were fired at the end of the 2008 season.
Although Mark Dominik's tenure started out poorly with the signing of Derrick Ward and Michael Clayton and a 3-13 season, he soon corrected that and his decisions seem to have worked out very well. In addition to drafting QB Josh Freeman, he traded for TE Kellen Winslow in his first season. But in the 2010 season he really struck gold with a very promising draft including DT Gerald McCoy, WR Mike Williams and S Cody Grimm. Others were added as undrafted free agents and waiver wire pickups, including RB Legarrette Blount and G Ted Larsen. Starting 10 different rookies throughout the season the Buccaneers went a surprising 10-6 despite numerous injuries, and Mark Dominik had no small part in building that roster.
While Mark Dominik is now employed for the long term by the Buccaneers, Head Coach Raheem Morris is still working under a 2-year contract after an option was lifted earlier this year. With Mark Dominik now secured, the Buccaneers should look to securing Raheem Morris for the future as well. At the same time there's only been one year of success under this regime, and the Glazers may want to wait for Morris to prove he's more than a one-season-wonder before locking him up. Because of the 2-year option there's plenty of time for them to decide.