As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ losing streak has stretched to eight games, the future of third-year coach Raheem Morris has come into question.

There have been rumors he will be asked to relinquish his defensive coordinator duties if he’s allowed to return next season. After a 10-win season last year, dipping to 4-10 has been a major step backward.

Whatever changes, tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. wants to make sure Morris returns next season.

“Coach Morris…he’s the best motivational guy I’ve been around. He gets his guys going. It’s not (shown in) the won-loss column, but I’ve never been around anybody better than him. I really haven’t. It sucks what’s going on here, but we need him to carry on. We really need this. He is the main part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We need that guy. I can’t say enough about him.

“I think I’m speaking for the team. This is how everybody feels. They would give their right arm for this guy. We just need this guy. We didn’t have a good season. Try to finish off the last two games but we need this guy to move on to the next year. We’ve got to move on from this year. He’s just the heart of this team.”

BEING CAREFUL: The announcement this week that the NFL will station a specialist in the press box each week to help teams monitor whether players have suffered possible concussions is another step in the league’s emphasis on treating and preventing head injuries.

The latest step comes after Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy suffered a concussion when hit by Pittsburgh’s James Harrison. McCoy was allowed to return to the game though Browns doctors admitted they had not seen the direct hit because they were working on the team sideline.

“I think it’s good. Me coming off a concussion this year, I think it’s real important,” safety Jordan Pugh said. “As players, you’re trying to get back in the game any way possible. Sometimes you can do it at your own (risk). Having that outside source, an unbiased party, out there for your protection, that’s good.”

Wide receiver Steve Smith, who has had one concussion during his career, said the league is taking necessary steps to help the players.

“They have a lot of data that’s saying how it impacts and what happens. It’s a thing you can’t just sweep under the rug and say, ‘Well, we didn’t have the accurate reading,’ because of the long-term effects and the damages it has on people,” Smith said.

“All these guys that are having these problems, they go back and examine their brain and see the long-term effects of concussions. So it’s become a concerning issue that teams aren’t – you can’t fudge them anymore.”

Tight end Greg Olsen said hard hits are part of the game in the NFL.

“At the end of the day, everybody here knows what we signed up for. I know it’s the league covering us. We appreciate them trying to look out for guys – and they should,” Olsen said.

“But at the same point, no one should really feel sorry for us because at the end of the day, if you don’t want to play and risk that future injury and health, no one’s forcing you to play. Not that I want to go out and get cheap-shotted and knocked unconscious. But if you’re playing within the framework of the rules – the way they have them designed now – the rest you kind of take as just comes with the territory.”

BROTHERLY ADVICE: Last week, Southern Cal junior offensive tackle Matt Kalil announced he will forego his senior season to enter the NFL draft. Expected to be a top-10 draft choice, the younger Kalil talked with his brother, Panthers center Ryan Kalil, before making his decision.

“He called me and asked me a lot of questions,” Ryan Kalil said. “I tried not to influence his decision one way or the other. I just gave him the facts.

“I gave him as much advice as he wanted and tried to ultimately make sure he made the decision himself because that’s a big decision. I want to make sure it’s one that he’s proud of and happy with for the rest of his life, not ‘my brother told me to or didn’t tell me to.’ “

INJURY UPDATE: Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (hamstring) and safety Charles Godfrey (shoulder) remain the most serious injury concerns, coach Ron Rivera said.

Neither practiced Wednesday when the team worked out indoors at the Charlotte Convention Center. Rivera said it was too early to know the status of either Munnerlyn or Godfrey. Should Munnerlyn miss the game, R.J. Stanford would move into his starting spot with Pugh stepping in for Godfrey.

Offensive tackle Jordan Gross (ankle) and defensive tackle Charles Johnson (back) also missed the Wednesday practice, and tight end Jeremy Shockey was given the day off.

With a Saturday game, Rivera said the team will get in its usual amount of practice because it worked out Tuesday, typically a day off. Despite working indoors Wednesday, Rivera said the team got in the same work it would have done had it been outside.

“That was the first time I ever practiced in a ballroom,” Pugh said. “But that’s a new experience you can chalk up on the board.”

PRO BOWL UPDATE: Cam Newton remains in third place in fan voting for NFC Pro Bowl quarterback, well behind Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers and New Orleans’ Drew Brees. Smith is fifth in voting for NFC wide receivers.

The fan vote counts for one-third of the total that will determine which players make the Pro Bowl. Players and coaches will vote this week and results will be announced Dec. 27.

The streak continues. Despite a rare sell-out of Raymond James Stadium and an appearance on national television on Saturday night, December 17, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were not inspired to play for a greater cause.

Despite a packed house, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost their 8th consecutive game on December 17, 2011
Wikimedia Commons

In the humiliating 31-15 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys, the Bucs showed no desire to fight for the beleaguered future of their head coach or their own precarious jobs in 2012 and beyond.

Unlike several prior losses during the current 8 game losing streak, the team was not doomed by turnovers during this disappointing loss. With only a single fumble, it was not costly miscues that sabotaged a shot at victory.

Instead, the Bucs performed like an incapable squad, possessing little means to move the ball or stop its movement on defense.

And such inabilities were all exposed during a pathetic first 30 minutes of Saturday night’s football game. Disappointing in their last home contest of the season, the Pewter Pirates managed just one first down in the entire opening half—even that was dependent on a quarterback keeper by Josh Freeman.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys came out on fire and the Bucs’ defense could do little to stem the tide. Tony Romo dissected the porous secondary, spreading the ball evenly to his top weapons. At the same time, poor tackling again enabled a running back to accrue over 100 yards, as they yielded 108 to backup Felix Jones and 53 to third-string Sammy Morris.

Trailing 28-0 at the half, Tampa Bay did manage to score 15 points in the 3rd quarter, with one touchdown coming on defense through a short fumble recovery.

Most disheartening about the defeat is that it appears the Bucs have quit on Coach Raheem Morris.

Few expected this 4-10 team to upset a strong Cowboys club fighting for the playoffs. However, fans were hoping the team could play competitively and show appreciation for a packed house.

In fact, with reports swirling of Morris’ job in jeopardy, it should not have been unrealistic to expect these young players to stand up for the head coach that has consistently stood up for them.

But they did not. The team was yet again hamstrung by plays that reflect a lack of effort, including penalties, missed tackles, dropped passes, and more.

Nothing better indicated this tendency than a horrific example of the Tampa Bay’s woes mid-way through the 4th quarter. Down 31-15, the Bucs had the ball and were within a touchdown and an on-sides kick of possessing a prayer. With the drive stalling, the team’s hopes boiled down a 4th and 13 play.

With everyone aware that Freeman would look long, wide receiver Michael Spurlock ran a pattern down the right sideline. Seeing the ball coming, a Dallas safety approached and positioned himself for a hit on Spurlock to prevent the catch.

However, something funny happened on the way to the football. Spurlock too noticed the safety’s approach and, thinking only of avoiding the hit, the wideout embarrassingly stopped running the route.

The ball arrived and nobody was there to make a play.

That was just fine for the Cowboys. But it clearly reveals that parts of this team has already quit. They will not make the extra effort. They will not take the hits. Spurlock bailed on the route, much like this squad halted its own development mid-way through the 2011 season.

Coach Morris firing may indeed prove a self-fulfilling prophecy. Yet Bucs’ fans have little hope that a substantial improvement will be forthcoming.

This organization has major problems to tackle. Finding players that can tackle sadly included.

Source:

Yahoo! News

More by Jeff Briscoe from Yahoo! Contributor Network:

Firing Raheem Morris Not Answer for the Bucs

Jeff Briscoe is a writer from Florida who covers sports for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and the Fort Myers Examiner. A loyal Tampa Bay Bucs fan, his favorite sounds include the firing of the cannons at Raymond James Stadium.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib has been placed on injured reserve with a sore right hamstring that sidelined him much of the past three games.

The team announced the move Monday, two days after Talib was able to play only one series during a 31-15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Defensive tackle Jovan Haye was signed to fill the roster opening.

Talib started 13 games this season and returned both of his interceptions for touchdowns. He also finished 2010 on IR, missing five games with a hip injury.

Haye spent three seasons with Tampa Bay from 2006-08. He has also played two seasons for Tennessee and appeared in one game this year with Detroit.

Tight end Martell Webb was released from the practice squad, replaced by linebacker Mike Balogun.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

By the numbers

11 Interceptions the Bucs’ Josh Freeman has thrown on passes of 11 yards or more this season, according to ESPN.com.

3-11 Bucs’ regular-season record against the Cowboys.

147.2 Passer rating of the Cowboys’ Tony Romo in two games against the Bucs. He is 38-of-56 (67.9 percent) for 659 yards, eight touchdown and no interceptions.

61/2 Sacks for Bucs end Adrian Clayborn, tied for third with the Redskins’ Ryan Kerrigan among rookies and behind only the 49ers’ Aldon Smith (101/2) and the Broncos’ Von Miller (11½).

1987 The last time the Bucs, riding a seven-game losing streak, lost eight in a row during one season.

370 Points allowed by the Bucs, fewer only than the Colts (382).

What they’re saying

The Bucs were one of last year’s surprises with Raheem Morris a candidate for coach of the year. Now they’re a surprise again … a sad one … and Morris is a candidate to make it three straight for Florida NFL coaches in search of an off ramp. Based on what I saw (Sunday), he should be. Not only did the Bucs lose to a miserable Jacksonville team, they committed seven turnovers and allowed an opponent that hadn’t scored more than 21 points in any game to put up 41. The Bucs can’t put people in the seats, and now I understand why. They stink.

Clark Judge CBSSports.com

Simply put: The Bucs aren’t having a good season. But Cowboys fans shouldn’t mark this game with a big W just yet. Tampa is a scrappy bunch of players. And while the Bucs are in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, they have remained competitive in most games.

Jason Henry Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The picks

I’m guessing 40 to 50 percent of the fans at the Pirate Ship will be Cowboy fans, and that’s good for the Bucs. Maybe the Dallas cheering will drown out the calls for Raheem Morris’ job. Cowboys, 37-17.

Peter King Sports Illustrated

The Cowboys are in a spot where they can’t afford another loss. The Bucs are just hoping for a victory to snap their seven-game losing streak. Can’t see that happening. Dallas will put up some good offensive numbers against a Bucs defense that is struggling. DeMarcus Ware spends the night in the Tampa Bay backfield. Cowboys, 28-15.

Pete Prisco CBSSports.com

It’s that special time of year again, that period when the Cowboys start feeling charitable and begin giving away football games. Giving up two TDs in the final three minutes against the Giants will probably result in another giveaway — the division title. Cowboys, 20-13.

Gerry Dulac Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Bucs’ horrid run defense allows 6.1 yards per carry. Yet somehow, the Tee Bees will cover. Cowboys, 23-17.

Greg Cote Miami Herald

Tonight: Bucs vs. Cowboys

8:20, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

TV/radio: Ch. 38, NFL Net.; 620-AM, 103.5-FM

Line/over-under: Cowboys by 7; 47

The Dallas Cowboys are experiencing yet another December
downturn, but their problems pale in comparison to those of the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers.

While the Cowboys still have playoffs on their minds when the NFC East co-
leaders head to Raymond James Stadium seeking to bounce back from a potentially
very damaging loss from a week ago, the floundering Buccaneers will be
attempting to avoid their longest in-season skid in 24 years when they take the
field for Saturday’s standalone Week 15 matchup.

Dallas could have entered this game with a division title already wrapped up in
time for the holidays, but back-to-back close losses marred by fourth-quarter
collapses have placed the Cowboys in a two-team deadlock with the New York
Giants with three weeks remaining in the regular season. The most recent
setback came against the Giants at Cowboys Stadium this past Sunday, with
Dallas squandering a 12-point lead with under four minutes to play in a
frustrating 37-34 defeat to its longtime rival.

The Cowboys had gone ahead by a 34-22 count on quarterback Tony Romo’s fourth
touchdown pass of the night, a 50-yarder to young wideout Dez Bryant with 5:41
to go, but the defense allowed New York to reach the end zone twice in the
closing stages to pull ahead before Dallas kicker Dan Bailey had a 47-yard
field goal attempt partially blocked as time expired.

One week earlier, Bailey missed a 48-yard try on the final play of regulation
that would have given the Cowboys a win over Arizona, moments after having a
successful kick nullified when Dallas head coach Jason Garrett called an ill-
fated timeout. The Cardinals went on to record a 19-13 triumph in overtime
after overcoming a seven-point deficit entering the fourth quarter.

Dallas does still control its own destiny despite its current rut, which
dropped the club to 5-9 in December games since 2008 and a lackluster 9-14 all-
time in regular-season tilts held after November in which Romo’s started, as
the Cowboys will visit the Giants in the 2011 finale on Jan. 1.

“We have to process this game and somehow put it behind us,” said Garrett after
last week’s result. “You can’t let losses linger, just like you can’t let
success and wins linger.”

The Cowboys had ripped off four consecutive wins, all against opponents
presently below .500, prior to falling short against the Cardinals.

Tampa Bay, meanwhile, hasn’t come out on top since a 26-20 home decision over
NFC South front-runner New Orleans all the way back on Oct. 16. The Buccaneers
were 4-2 and right in the thick of the division race at the time, but have
since been dealt seven straight losses to plummet out of contention.

The lowest point may have come last Sunday, when Tampa Bay was inundated with
errors in a 41-14 throttling at the hands of a three-win Jacksonville squad
averaging a measly 12.6 points per game at the time. The Jaguars had scored 37
points combined over their previous three outings.

The Bucs were awful in nearly every phase. The offense committed five turnovers
and wide receiver Preston Parker added two more by fumbling away a pair of punt
returns, one of which was recovered by Jacksonville for a touchdown. On
defense, Tampa allowed the usually punchless Jags to put up a season-best 325
yards and cross the goal line on 4-of-5 red-zone opportunities.

Tampa Bay hasn’t dropped eight in a row in the same season since closing out
the 1987 campaign with eight consecutive losses, and the team’s lengthy skid
has triggered rampant speculation about the future of head coach Raheem Morris.
The Buccaneers will play their final home date of 2011 with Saturday’s tilt,
prior to hitting the road for divisional bouts with Carolina and Atlanta.

“I hate to say there’s an extra emphasis on [this game]; that means you didn’t
have emphasis on the other ones,” said Morris. “It certainly is special because
it’s the last one, the last one this season [at home]. These guys are going to
get ready to go out there and play football.”

Tampa Bay owns a 3-3 record at Raymond James Stadium this year, while the
Cowboys have lost four of their six road games thus far in 2011.

SERIES HISTORY

Dallas has won nine of 12 lifetime regular-season meetings with Tampa Bay and
posted its third straight win in the series with a 34-21 ousting of the
Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in the 2009 opener. The Cowboys also
registered home victories over Tampa Bay twice in the past five years, a 38-10
rout in 2006 as well as a 13-9 verdict in 2008. The Bucs haven’t bested Dallas
since a 16-0 result in Tampa on Oct. 26, 2003, which capped a three-game win
streak for the team in the set.

The Cowboys and Buccaneers also faced off in back-to-back years in postseason
play, with Dallas following up a 38-0 shellacking of Tampa at Texas Stadium in
a 1981 NFC Divisional Playoff with a 30-17 home win in a First-Round game
during the 1982 season.

Both Garrett, who spent part of the 2004 season as a backup quarterback with
the Buccaneers, and Morris will be opposing both one another and their
counterpart’s respective teams for the first time as head coaches.

WHEN THE COWBOYS HAVE THE BALL

Predominantly a pass-first operation anyway, the Dallas offense may be even
more skewed towards airing it out after impressive rookie running back DeMarco
Murray sustaining a season-ending fractured ankle against the Giants. Though
the team does have another capable runner on hand in Felix Jones (413 rushing
yards, 1 TD, 23 receptions), who stepped in to rush for 106 yards on only 16
attempts last Sunday, the former first-round pick isn’t known as a workhorse
and there’s next to no depth behind him, with aging veteran Sammy Morris just
brought in this week to serve as the backup. Luckily for the Cowboys, Romo
(3646 passing yards, 26 TD, 9 INT) has been playing at an exceptionally high
level as of late, with the highly-scrutinized quarterback having compiled a
stellar 15-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio over the past six games and
shredding New York for 321 yards and four scores this past weekend. An imposing
group of receivers is also now at full strength with big-play artist Miles
Austin (32 receptions, 5 TD) returning in Week 14 after a four-game absence
caused by a hamstring injury. The two-time Pro Bowl participant joins Bryant
(47 receptions, 8 TD) and breakout star Laurent Robinson (46 receptions, 8 TD),
coming off a four-catch, 137-yard outburst against the Giants, as dangerous
deep targets for the league’s sixth-ranked passing game (273.4 ypg), with
always-reliable tight end Jason Witten (64 receptions, 5 TD) continuing to
serve as Romo’s go-to guy underneath.

The Cowboys could be set up for a field day against a porous Tampa Bay defense
that’s permitting the fourth-highest yardage total (388.5 ypg) in the NFL and
been scorched for 35 points or more in four of its last five games. The
Buccaneers have been equally deficient against the run and pass, having yielded
a troublesome 139.7 yards per game on the ground (28th overall) and ranking
28th in pass efficiency defense, while the team’s total of 20 sacks is the
second-fewest in the league. The Bucs did come up with a pair of interceptions
of Jaguars rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert last week, however, and are slated
to get playmaking cornerback Aqib Talib (33 tackles, 2 INT, 11 PD) back from a
hamstring strain that rendered him inactive in that contest. Tampa Bay is
littered with first and second-year players along the front seven and have
often showed their inexperience, though end and 2011 first-round pick Adrian
Clayborn (33 tackles, 6.5 sacks) has emerged as the team’s best pass rusher and
fellow rookie Mason Foster (63 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT) has been solid at the
middle linebacker spot. The midseason addition of controversial tackle Albert
Haynesworth (15 tackles) hasn’t generated much of an impact, however, as the
ex-Patriot has yet to register a sack in five games as a Buc.

WHEN THE BUCCANEERS HAVE THE BALL

Mistakes have haunted Tampa Bay on this side of the ball all throughout this
disappointing season, and never were those miscues more prevalent than in last
week’s debacle. Quarterback Josh Freeman (2896 passing yards, 12 TD, 18 INT)
was intercepted twice and lost a fumble while playing through a sore throwing
shoulder and running back LeGarrette Blount (737 rushing yards, 5 TD, 12
receptions) coughed the ball up twice (losing one) against the Jaguars. The
Buccaneers were also whistled for 12 penalties accounting for 97 yards and rank
third overall with 108 total infractions, while their 31 giveaways are tied
with Philadelphia for the most in the NFL. Freeman has been responsible for his
share of those turnovers, as the young triggerman’s 18 picks are tops in the
league and been the main topic of discussion of his miserable campaign. The 23-
year-old hasn’t gotten a whole lot of support from his pass-catching crew,
however, with second-year wideouts Mike Williams (60 receptions, 3 TD) and
Arrelious Benn (29 receptions, 2 TD) both enduring sophomore slumps and oft-
injured tight end Kellen Winslow (58 receptions, 2 TD) now more of a
possession-type at this stage of his career. Though ball security has been a
bit of an issue lately, Blount has been an effective lead back who’s eclipsed
the century mark in two of his last four games.

The Dallas defense will be aiming to atone for its worst display of the season,
with the unit torched for a whopping 510 total yards by the Giants and New
York’s Eli Manning throwing for 102 of his 400 passing yards on the pivotal
final two drives. The Cowboys were unable to record a sack of Manning in that
game, an anomaly for a cast that’s accumulated 35 quarterback takedowns in 2011
and boasts one of the league’s truly elite pass rushers in outside linebacker
DeMarcus Ware (46 tackles, 15 sacks). Provided he’s not hampered by a neck
stinger that clearly affected his play last week, the perennial All-Pro and
counterpart Anthony Spencer (51 tackles, 6 sacks) will be counted on to bring
the heat and help out an inconsistent secondary that could be without
cornerback Mike Jenkins (19 tackles, 1 INT, 8 PD) due to a shoulder injury that
briefly knocked him out of the Week 14 loss. Flamboyant coordinator Rob Ryan’s
group has been pretty good against the run, with rising star inside linebacker
Sean Lee (87 tackles, 4 INT), disruptive nose tackle Jay Ratliff (34 tackles, 2
sacks) and Spencer heading up a contingent that’s eighth overall in rush
defense (101.2 ypg).

KEYS TO THE GAME

Tampa Bay’s pass rush. The Buccaneers haven’t had much of one over the course
of this season, but they’ll need to come up with ways to create pressure to
have any chance of winning this game. The Cowboys are 5-1 when Romo’s been
sacked one time or less in 2011, but they’re 1-4 when the accomplished
quarterback is taken down three or more times in a game. Romo has been sacked
eight times during Dallas’ two-game losing streak, with the Cardinals amassing
five two weeks back.

A big day out of Blount. With Freeman battling a sore right shoulder and
plagued by turnover problems in recent weeks, expect the Bucs to run the
offense through their powerful running back and the Cowboys to be geared up to
stop him. Tampa Bay is 0-6 this season when rushing for 90 yards or less, so
it’s apparent that getting Blount heavily involved increases its chances of
success.

The fourth quarter. The Cowboys have either had a lead or been tied entering
the final period in five of their six losses following their late stumbles
against the Giants and Cardinals. If the Bucs can keep it close, they’ve got a
quarterback with a reputation of coming through in the clutch in Freeman, the
proud owner of eight fourth-quarter comebacks during his three-year NFL career.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

This appears to be a game that the Cowboys can dominate at first glance, as
Romo and the Dallas receivers shouldn’t encounter a whole lot of difficulty
finding and attacking weak spots in a lackluster Tampa Bay defense that doesn’t
possess much of a pass rush and the Buccaneers have been turning the ball over
in bunches as of late. However, the Cowboys have not performed well on the road
this season, with both of their two victories as the visitor coming in
overtime, and Tampa Bay should have some motivation here with a rare
opportunity to play on national television and the bad taste that remains from
a losing streak that’s gone on for nearly two months. Look for an inspired Bucs
team to play much better than last week and hang tough throughout, but
ultimately make one too many costly mistake that will be the difference between
winning and losing.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Cowboys 27, Buccaneers 23

©2011 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

The Dallas Cowboys are hoping the loss of DeMarco Murray won’t derail their
season.

It looks like a trip to London may have been the catalyst to ending the
hopes of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Two teams looking for answers meet Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium
with the Cowboys trying to avoid a third straight loss and the Buccaneers on a
seven-game slide.

Dallas (7-6) dropped into a first-place tie in the NFC East with the Giants
after blowing a late 12-point lead in Sunday’s 37-34 home defeat to New York.
The Cowboys had a tying field goal blocked at the end, marking the second
straight game they have failed to convert one at the close of regulation.

Perhaps a bigger loss happened in the first quarter when Murray fractured
his right ankle. Murray, averaging 137.4 rushing yards over the Cowboys’ last
five victories and on pace to become the franchise’s first 1,000-yard back since
2006, has been placed on injured reserve.

Felix Jones, who gained 106 yards on 16 carries Sunday, becomes the starter
again. The Cowboys signed journeyman Sammy Morris on Monday.

“DeMarco has been a big part of this offense and big part of this football
team,” quarterback Tony Romo said. “We are lucky to have a guy like Felix,
obviously, who can step in.”

Dallas could have put a stranglehold on the division had it won Sunday. The
Cowboys still would win the division by capturing their final three games, and
can even win it by losing to Tampa Bay (4-9) and winning the last two.

“We still control our own destiny,” coach Jason Garrett said. “I think our
players understand.”

The Buccaneers have matched their longest losing streak within one season
since the 1987 club dropped its final eight games. Tampa Bay missed the playoffs
at 10-6 last season and began 2011 with a 4-2 mark before an Oct. 23 loss to
Chicago in London started this skid.

The losing has put third-year coach Raheem Morris’ job in jeopardy.

“It’s great for you guys to scare my family half to death and talk about
that stuff all throughout,” Morris said. “But for us, man, it’s a mentally tough
business. It is move on. It is next opponent. It’s next man up. It’s the Dallas
Cowboys. … For me, a chance to ruin Jason Garrett’s season, and let you talk
about him.”

Tampa Bay seemed to have a budding star on its hands in 2010 in Josh
Freeman, who had 25 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. That ratio has
dropped to 12 TDs and a league-high 18 interceptions this year.

Freeman returned last Sunday after missing a game with an injured throwing
shoulder, but the results were disastrous as the Buccaneers fell 41-14 at
Jacksonville.

Tampa Bay has allowed the most points in the NFC (370) and has lost four
times at by least 19.

“You might think guys might be kinda down,” Freeman said. “Like I said,
we’re upset about losing. Guys are coming to work and they’ve been wanting to do
something about it to correct it.”

Freeman is relishing the chance to go up against a Dallas defense that
allowed 510 yards last Sunday for the highest total by a Cowboys opponent in
five years.

“Dallas is kind of on the bubble right now, what are they, 7-6?” Freeman
said. “So I can’t think of anything happier than to go out and get a win this
week and that may put a damper on their hopes.”

Sunday’s lackluster defensive showing ruined a strong performance by Romo,
who threw four touchdown passes for the first time since 2007 and recorded his
fifth 300-yard effort of the year. Romo’s passer rating is a career-best 100.6
for the NFL’s fourth-highest mark, and he’s fifth in the league with 26 TD
passes.

The Cowboys are headed back on the road, where they have played three
overtime games and two others decided on scores within the final 30 seconds.

Garrett’s clock management has come into question after some of the close
games. He called a timeout before Dan Bailey missed a 49-yard field goal attempt
at the end of regulation in a 19-13 OT loss at Arizona on Dec. 4 and also let
some extra time elapse last weekend before calling a timeout with the Cowboys on
defense late in the game.

“The nature of our team is we’ve played a lot of close games,” Garrett said.
“We’ve won maybe half of them and we’ve lost some other ones. You have to look
at situations, see what happens, some way, somehow process it, learn from it and
hopefully go forward.”

Dallas has won the last three meetings with Tampa Bay. Romo needed only 16
completions to throw for 353 yards and three scores in the last matchup, a 34-21
win Sept. 13, 2009.

bucs Report

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Sunday, December 11, 2011

The poll

How many of their final four games do the Bucs need to win for the coaches to hold onto their jobs?

One: 4 percent

Total: 671 votes

By the numbers

1-3 Bucs’ record against the Jaguars

30.7 Average points the Bucs have allowed during their six-game losing streak

254.7 Average yards by the Jaguars offense, worst in the NFL

12.7 Average points for the Jaguars, 31st in the NFL; they have scored more than 17 once this season, a 30-20 loss

88 Consecutive games in which Bucs tight end Kellen Winslow has a catch

What they’re saying

I give a lot of praise to head coach Raheem Morris for sending defensive tackle Brian Price home (last week) after what he called a foolish and selfish penalty. Coach Morris is a breath of fresh air in the NFL and is a great young coach. Even with the recent skid, I can’t believe his job security has come into question.

Brian Billick Fox Sports

There is one man on the planet who could solve everything that is wrong with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. One man who, with the simple nod of his head, would sell out Raymond James Stadium instantly, stop the losing, put an end to just about all the trouble off the field and give the Bucs credibility and respectability with their fans and across the league. His name is Tony Dungy.

Pat Yasinksas ESPN.com

The state of Florida flag should be flying at half-mast over the capitol for this game. Tampa, loser of six straight, might be the NFL’s biggest 2011 disappointment after Philly. Jacksonville has lost three straight and fired its coach.

Greg Cote Miami Herald

If two Florida teams are getting together, people in Jax would rather see Florida-Florida State.

Gerry Dulac Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The picks

Josh Freeman returns (most likely) to face a secondary he should be able to shred. And he’d better because the Bucs defense is going to give up some points even to a team with terrible quarterback play. Bucs, 30-16.

Peter King Sports Illustrated

This is a dog game in the Sunshine State between two struggling teams. The Jaguars are decimated by injuries on defense, and they have trouble scoring on offense. The Bucs have had big problems on defense, and they haven’t exactly lit it up on offense. But Tampa Bay will find a way to make enough plays to win this ugly battle. Bucs, 20-17.

Pete Prisco CBSSports.com

Bucs at Jaguars

1 p.m., EverBank Field, Jacksonville

TV/radio: Ch. 13; 620-AM, 103.5 FM

Line/over-under: Bucs by 3; 401/2

Four: 34 percent

None: 22 percent

Two: 21 percent

Three: 19 percent

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Read More: Kellen Winslow (TE – TAM), Albert Haynesworth (DT – TAM), Tim Crowder (DE – TAM), James Lee (OT – TAM), Aqib Talib (CB – TAM), Josh Freeman (QB – TAM), Brian Price (DT – TAM), Luke Stocker (TE – TAM), Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got back on the practice field today to get ready for their trip to EverBank Field to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bucs were missing quite a few players in practice today however, including three defensive players. Here are the list of players who were out with an injury:

DT Albert Haynesworth (knee), DE Tim Crowder (concussion), T James Lee (knee), TE Luke Stocker (hip), CB Aqib Talib (hamstring)

Tight end Kellen Winslow also missed practice, but it was not injury related.

Quarterback Josh Freeman was also listed on the injury report with a shoulder injury and was limited. Freeman is hopeful however, and expected to be available to start on Sunday. In some good news, defensive tackle Brian Price returned to practice in full and is expected to play.

For more on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their match up with the Jacksonville Jaguars, visit SB Nation’s Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation.

Last week, this column described the then upcoming meeting with the Carolina Panthers as a litmus test for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Though both teams are far removed from playoff consideration, the game was significant for the Bucs because of the dire ramifications of home loss to a struggling 3-8 team.

Losers of 6 consecutive games, the wayward course of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appears doomed like a sinking ship
Jeff Briscoe

Sadly, not only were the Buccaneers defeated, but the 38-18 drubbing on December 4, 2011 was a stinging low point of an already bitter 2011 season.

In the home team’s defense, they competed without top quarterback Josh Freeman(notes), who was held out due to shoulder and thumb injuries. However, Freeman’s forgettable stats through 11 games might have otherwise suggested this was an opportune time to see what Josh Johnson(notes) could do.

While the backup signal caller achieved only minimal success guiding the team’s offense, he was hardly responsible for yielding 38 points to the Panthers.

Instead, the Bucs performed miserably as a team and all aspects of the franchise—from coaching to leadership to talent—must be questioned.

In looking at their 2011 schedule, there is no question that Tampa Bay faced a daunting challenge to match its surprising 10-6 record from last year.

However, while losses to teams like the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints are certainly understandable, the lack of hustle, ill-conceived play calling, and general inability to execute against weaker teams at home is entirely unforgivable.

In a results-oriented NFL, the loss to the Panthers at Raymond James Stadium results in the harsh receipt of an “F” on Sunday’s litmus test.

Quite simply, it is no longer fair to contemplate difficult scheduling, unfortunate injuries, or bad breaks—and that is because the Buccaneers resemble a flat-out bad team.

As a sports fan, I rarely sugar-coat negatives for my favored teams and cannot do so here. The Bucs have chosen to rebuild through a youth movement that emphasizes potential over experience. The 2011 season suggests that this plan is not working.

In moving the ball, despite the benefit of a solid offensive line, the Bucs lack any cohesive identity. Offensive coordinator Greg Olson is a holdover from the prior coaching staff and his decisions certainly must be challenged. At times noncommittal to the run, at other times reluctant to pass vertically, Tampa Bay often seems dedicated solely to its kicking game.

On defense, much trust has been placed in largely unproven starters like Quincy Black(notes) and Aqib Talib(notes), players who appear to specialize only in missed tackles. Furthermore, as one of the league’s most penalized units, the Bucs racked up another 9 infractions for 73 yards on Sunday. Such mistakes invariably provide opponents too many chances for success.

While the building blocks may be in place at certain positions, the undisciplined squad has not responded well to the lack of on-field leadership or the presence of a players’ coach in the locker-room.

Nothing symbolized these woes better than Coach Raheem Morris’ decision to eject Brian Price(notes) from the field against Carolina following a bone-headed personal foul that erased a 3rd and long. As the hefty defensive tackle removed his helmet and headed for the showers, I wondered if another dozen or so could follow.

As the Bucs complete the last quarter of a disappointing 2011, huge questions loom for the coming off-season. They begin at head coach and conclude only when reaching the last man on the roster. Fans hope better answers await than the frustrating inactivity of the recent past.

Source:

Yahoo! Sports

More by Jeff Briscoe from Yahoo! Contributor Network:

Buccaneers Face Distressing Litmus Test

Tampa Bay Looks Young, Not Hungry

Jeff Briscoe is a writer from Florida who covers sports for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and the Fort Myers Examiner. A loyal Tampa Bay Bucs fan, his favorite sounds include the firing of the cannons at Raymond James Stadium.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

By JC De La Torre

– Gators Editor

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Dec 5, 2011 – There are losses – then there’s what happened on Sunday yesterday at Raymond James Stadium. You can’t come home – on throwback/Ring of Honor induction Sunday – and get “debacled” by a 3-8 football team. You just can’t. Especially by a team you refer to as your biggest rival – the one you hate the most.

It’s one thing to get humiliated in front of the home crowd by Houston – a good football team with a lot of weapons. It’s another to get throttled by one of the worst teams in the NFL.

Yes, the Panthers needle is definitely pointing up but the fact remains – the Bucs were blown out by a last place team.

Another fact – the Bucs have replaced that last place team at the bottom of the NFC South.

Here’s what else we learned from yesterday’s disaster:

1. You can’t preach discipline when you’ve let the inmates run the asylum all season.

Coach Raheem Morris got tough yesterday, kicking defensive tackle Brian Price off the field after a stupid personal foul penalty continued a Panthers drive.

We guess Raheem was trying to make a point – but let’s face it, that train left the station a long time ago. You can’t expect a team that is so used to no consequences for making stupid penalties to suddenly turn that muscle memory off now that it might be costing you your job.

The time to install that mentality was at the very beginning of the season – not when it’s already been lost.

Before, you excused the idiotic mistakes as being “youngry”. Instead of covering for your players and expecting things to change – you should have made your point then and there that this kind of play is not going to be tolerated.

Doing it in the fourth quarter of the eighth loss of the season when your team is down by three touchdowns just looks weak.

2. Now he wants their respect?

He began his coaching career by allowing his players to call him “Rah”. Not “Coach”, not “Coach Morris”, nor even “Coach Rah” but just “Rah”. Now he’s demanding their respect?

Look, we understand that after the iron fist and perceived beguiling of Jon Gruden that the Glazers wanted a coach that would relate well to the players.

I don’t think he wanted someone that would be their best buds.

Morris’ act with Brian Price smacked of a coach that not only wants to change the perception that he’s soft on his team to the media and fans but that he’s quickly realizing that he’s beginning to lose control of the team – if he hasn’t already.

3.  Is it coaching or is it talent?

The Buccaneers mantra during the Dominik-Morris era is to build through the draft. Yet when most of your 53 man roster is comprised of practice squad players and 7th round draft picks – it’s difficult to compete unless your top picks pan out. How has it gone for the top three picks under this regime?

Well, the jury is certainly out on the 2011 class but we’ve seen some good things from Adrian Clayborn, DaQuan Bowers and Mason Foster. 

2010 hasn’t been as promising. Gerald McCoy hasn’t made much impact in two years. Brian Price can’t stay healthy and is now apparently in Rah’s Chateau De Bow Wow. Regus Benn has shown flashes but can’t seem to get on the field and Myron Lewis can’t beat out journeyman Elbert Mack or former 7th round pick EJ Biggers.

2009 hasn’t been that great either. Freeman has significantly regressed after a Pro Bowl worthy 2010 season. Roy Miller has been an issue against the run and a non-factor against the pass. Kyle Moore isn’t even on the team.

Even 2010′s 4th round “steal” Mike Williams, who exploded onto the scene last year, has significantly regressed.

Of the 23 players drafted under Dominik-Morris, 16 are on the active roster and only seven are full time starters (if you consider EJ Biggers the starter over Ronde Barber).  None have made the Pro Bowl (although Freeman was an alternate) and none are anywhere near qualifying this season/

With absolutely no free agency activity during the same time frame – it’s not difficult to see how this team has fallen apart.

So the chick-and-egg question rises once more – is the talent there and the coaching staff simply can’t bring it out of them or have they drafted so poorly their strategy has had no chance of working?

4. A good 4-8 versus a bad 4-8?

There was a stark contrast between two football teams that now have identical 4-8 records. Carolina is without question a terrible football team. Yet the needle is pointing upward because of a few things – first Cam Newton appears to be the real deal. They have a new direction under head coach Ron Rivera and they seem to be building toward something successful. They need significant help on the defensive side of the ball – but Rome wasn’t built in a day. Despite they’re deficiencies, their players are still giving everything they’ve got for four quarters of football.

Now, flip the page to your Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Have the Bucs played 4 quarters all season? Even in their four victories they’ve started slow having to rally late or finished poorly barely holding on to the wins they do have. One of the most disappointing things we’ve seen during the Bucs’ six game collapse are the loafs.

What are loafs? Players not running hard to the ball, not staying in their proper gaps, or taking care of their coverage responsibilities. Its very disturbing that DaQuan Bowers can cross the field and beat every defender on the opposite side to the ball carrier. It may display an amazing skillset for the Bucs’ 2011 second round pick but it also exposes everyone on that side of the defense who didn’t put the effort in to get a hat on the runner.

Carolina has shown the heart and desire to get better. That’s a good 4-8 (if there is such a thing). Many of the Buccaneer players appear to have checked out for 2011 – that’s a bad 4-8.

5. Has the team quit on Raheem?

During the disaster that was the 2009 season – the one thing you could always say about Raheem Morris’ undermanned club was they were all playing very hard for their coach. As this promising season has unraveled before our eyes, its been more and more evident that several players on this squad are simply collecting paychecks and waiting for the end of the season.

For a coach that is so far on the hot seat his backside is getting scorched, this is not a good sign. 

6. The bright side.

There were a few positive glimmers in the debacle at Ray Jay on Sunday. DaQuan Bowers was simply unstoppable and finally flashed some of that top pick ability we all believed he had. Had Bowers not had questions surface about his knee, some believe he might have been the top draft pick – ahead of Cam Newton.

He was all over Newton on Sunday, harassing the quarterback with two QB hits and sacking him 1.5 times. He also had an eye popping 5 tackles for losses. Bowers also had one sack called back by a penalty.

First round pick Adrian Clayborn also made his presence felt, sharing a sack with Bowers and getting two QB hits.

Mike Williams hauled in 5 passes for 93 yards – an 18.6 average. Slowly but surely, Williams is starting to put up numbers we were accustom to seeing from him last season.

7. The web of excuses

There’s been a significant amount of excuses pouring out of One Buc Palace about the season. From Freeman’s hand to the harder schedule (as if that should matter) to the lockout hurting the “youngry” team’s preparation for 2011 it seems the Bucs’ brass is better at excuse making than winning right now.

For a coach who’s fond of saying “no excuses, no explanations” there’s plenty of it fertilizing the practice field over there.

Raheem’s fond of saying “stats are for losers” but you know what’s more identified with losing? Excuses.  

Yes, the lockout probably hurt the Buccaneers more than most. But it certainly didn’t hurt the Lions – another youngry team. It didn’t hurt the 49ers and their new coaching staff.

We saw yesterday how much its hurt the Panthers.

Did Freeman hurt his hand in Week One? If not, how do you explain his 10 interceptions from September-October?

And yes, the schedule is much tougher than 2010 – is that telling us that what happened in 2010 was a mirage brought on by the benefit of a weak schedule and your team really hasn’t progressed in the three years you’ve been the head coach? You don’t see the Falcons or Saints whining about the schedule.

8. Tackling is want to.

In the hey-day of the Tampa Two, the one thing you could always count on is that the Buccaneers would be as sure a tackling team as any in the NFL. The 2011 version under Morris may be arguably the worst tackling team in the history of the franchise.

In the end, tackling is about desire to make the play and not fearing the collision. Its about 11 men seeking and destroying the football carrier. 

When Monte was coordinator, if all 11 guys didn’t at least touch the pile he ruled it a loaf. When was the last time you saw the Buccaneer defense rally to the football.

Bucs color commentator Dave Moore made an excellent point during yesterday’s post game on the Bucs’ radio network. In Tony Dungy’s first season, the Bucs were mired in an 0-5 start.

To illustrate to his football team that it was execution not the scheme that was failing them – Dungy put up film of the Minnesota Viking running the same defense. He showed that when played correctly not only is the scheme effective but dominant. He did the same thing with the offensive plays – showing the screen pass to the wideout that the Bucs ran were the same as the one the Packers ran – only the Packers’ receivers made their blocks while the Bucs’ receivers missed theirs.

Its why Dungy’s “we have to execute better” drove fans crazy but was the God’s honest truth. “We have to execute better” is not the same as Raheem’s “We have to play better.”

Unlike Dungy, Raheem’s team doesn’t seem to have the understanding of what they need to do to get better or the “want to” to make it happen.

9. You Play How you Practice

Both Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden strongly believed in you play how you practice. During the post game show, former Buccaneer Ryan Nece made an excellent observation. Perhaps the reason why the Buccaneers are struggling at the beginning of games is because they start their practices slowly with a walkthrough. 

Now, many teams begin practice with a walkthrough and don’t have the same issues Tampa Bay has – but Gruden’s teams would never have those types of issues. They would start practice at a high tempo and it seemed to carry over in ballgames.

Perhaps the slow start to practices has ingrained in their muscle memory to ease themselves into physical activity and it carries over to Sunday.

Or maybe it has no impact at all. Regardless – when you’re searching for answers every stone should be upturned.

10. 3rd Down Defense is just pitiful.

Tampa Bay’s defense wouldn’t be so bad if they could get off on third down. The Bucs have tumbled to 20th on third down percentage.  They’ve given up the booty 39% of the time. The Bucs seem at the worst when it’s third and long. How many times have we seem teams sustain drives after facing 3rd and 10 or more?

So many times we’ve seen the Bucs surrender a third and long play, allow the opponent to extend the drive and it eventually ended in their end zone.

Until the Bucs’ defense figures out how to get off the field on third down, they’ll never become a top notch defense.

Read More: Ronde Barber (CB – TAM), Elbert Mack (CB – TAM), Roy Miller (DT – TAM), Kyle Moore (DE – BUF), Gerald McCoy (DT – TAM), Brian Price (DT – TAM), Myron Lewis (CB – TAM), Adrian Clayborn (DE – TAM), Mason Foster (LB – TAM), Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dec 4, 2011 1:00 PM EST

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Going into the 2011 draft, you were considered a first-round pick. However, you dropped to the second round. What was draft night like for you?

“Very long (laughing). You see guys going ahead of you that you know you’re better than, and it makes you wonder what’s going on. I was definitely surprised at some of the picks, but there’s nothing you can do about it. You’ve just got to sit there and wait. I was happy for some of those guys because I got to know them, but at the same time you wonder when your name is going to be called. The funny thing is, I had never talked with Tampa at all before the draft, so it was a surprise when they picked me.”

You had some issues with your knee before the draft. Was that the reason you didn’t go in the first round?

“I know that’s the reason I fell to the second round. I do think I would have gone in the top five or top-10 picks had there not been any issues with my knee. I knew I was healthy, the doctors said my knee was fine, but the teams out there didn’t believe it. There’s nothing you can do about it. You’ve just got to wait for your opportunity, and when it comes, you have to take advantage of it. I feel like I’ve got something to prove now.”

How did you stay in shape during the lockout?

“I mainly stayed in Clemson and worked out with other guys that were in the NFL. There were 10 or 11 of us. C.J. Spiller, Ricky Sapp, Thomas Austin and Anthony Waters. … we all worked out together. We were all in Clemson trying to stay in shape.”

What does it mean for you to get drafted by the same team as former Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams?

“It means everything to me. It’s an honor, and I’m trying to keep his legacy alive. Gaines was a very, very close friend of mine, like a brother. He was someone that I looked up to and taught me how to play the game. Every time I’m on the field, I’m out there playing for him.”

Clemson started 8-0 this season and there was talk about it playing for a national championship. Any regrets about coming out early?

“Not really. I followed them and I was happy they were doing well, but I made the best decision for me and my family. The only time I really missed playing was last week against South Carolina. That was the first time all season when I wished I could go back and play. It was a tough game to watch, knowing that I could be out there helping them.”

When the season is over, will you be back playing guitar and singing with the gospel band, The Legendary Singing Stars?

“They’ve been out touring all year and I haven’t been able to be with them. My focus is with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. When the season is over, I’ll probably go back out on the road with them. Music has been such a huge part of my life. It’s something that I know I’ll do the rest of my life, but right now football is my main focus.”

Compiled by Andrew Miller

Losers of 5 consecutive games, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not quite officially eliminated from playoff contention, but the formerly high hopes for a trip to the NFL’s post-season are no longer realistic.

Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans didn’t sit around much, running for a season-high 190 yards in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 27, 2011
Wikimedia Commons

This disappointment is a bitter pill for fans to swallow, as the team yet again is forced to play with an eye on next year.

In 2010, the upstart Bucs surprised nearly everyone by going 10-6 and posting the very same record as the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. History dictates that Tampa Bay deserved a playoff spot, but they were bypassed due to unforgiving tie-breaker rules.

Yet, few fans were devastated by last year’s failure, since so much renewed hope was immediately poured into year 3 of the Coach Raheem Morris era.

Coming off the successful season, in Josh Freeman(notes) it appeared that the Pewter Pirates quite possibly had the brightest young quarterback in a league dominated by that position. LeGarrette Blount(notes) and Mike Williams were both coming off monster rookie seasons at skill positions and the Bucs seemingly possessed a young defense loaded with potential.

In fact, Morris publicly coined the term “youngry” to describe the impressive combination of youth and a hungry attitude that infiltrated his maturing roster from top to bottom.

But, sadly, 2011 has not seen the Buccaneers playing very “youngry” on Sunday afternoons. After a decent 4-2 start, which depended far too much on 2nd half comebacks, the magic has exhausted and the club has dropped its past 5 contests.

Though the Bucs have been dominated in two defeats, most of the season’s shortcomings are attributable to the failure to execute in the 4th quarter. This was certainly true in the most recent loss—a 23-17 heart-breaker against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, November 27.

Taking a 17-10 lead into the 4th quarter, the Bucs surrendered the game’s final 13 points and could post no answer in response. Playing in wet conditions, Tampa Bay committed an inexcusable 5 turnovers during the contest. And no fumble was more costly than Freeman’s bobbled snap on a 4th and inches scramble in the game’s closing moments.

The miscue turned the ball over on downs and prevented any chance at a last-minute touchdown, which actually could have stolen the win in a manner that would have added to the young quarterback’s growing legacy for comebacks.

Such failures have been the story of the doomed 2011 season. There are bright spots, to be sure. However, as a whole, the Bucs are not playing young and hungry. Instead, they only look young.

As fans and players are reluctantly forced to look ahead, perhaps the organization will look at these failures and reconsider its antipathy for importing veteran leadership.

Source:

Yahoo! Sports

More by Jeff Briscoe from Yahoo! Contributor Network:

Aggressive Calls Cost Bucs Shot at Win

Is Bucs Young Talent Regressing?

Jeff Briscoe is a writer from Florida who covers sports for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and the Fort Myers Examiner. A loyal Tampa Bay Bucs fan, his favorite sounds include the firing of the cannons at Raymond James Stadium.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris is not giving up
on the season despite a five-game losing streak that has all but ended any
playoff hopes.

“We remain committed to growing as a football team,” Morris said on
Monday, one day after Tampa Bay dropped to 4-7 following a 23-17 loss at
Tennessee. “I don’t think the mentality of this team is ever going to change.”

Morris said he has a bunch of guys playing with pride.

“They’re not done playing, and we’re not done coaching,” he said. “We’ll
keep going out there and keep giving it our best effort. I don’t see any quit in
these guys.”

Tampa Bay cornerback Aqib Talib(notes) called the long skid “the most frustrating
thing that can happen to a football team.”

“We’ve just got to find a way,” Talib said. “It’s all about finding a
way. We go out there and play on Sunday, we try to win. Stuff happened and we
lost. It’s football.”

The Bucs continued a season-long trend of not finishing games. Tampa Bay had
the ball late looking for the win on Sunday, but quarterback Josh Freeman(notes)
fumbled a fourth-down snap, recovered the ball and only managed to get back near
the line of scrimmage with 40 seconds left.

Officials ruled Tampa Bay had turned the ball over on downs, and the Titans
ran out the clock to finish off the six-point victory.

“That’s been the deal,” Morris said. “We’ve had, I think, three games
right now with the ball in our hands with a chance to get the lead and win. You
got the Detroit game, the first game of the season, yesterday and the Chicago
Bear game. Last year we won those games. We haven’t been able to get that this
year.”

Freeman threw for 199 yards and a touchdown, but he had an interception and
lost a fumble.

“We’ve got to play better,” Morris said. “Guys got to step up. We don’t
make excuses. We didn’t play well.”

Chris Johnson ran for 190 yards, and Matt Hasselbeck(notes) threw the go-ahead
touchdown to Damian Williams(notes) on fourth down with 3:01 left against a struggling
Tampa Bay defense.

“I don’t know, man,” Talib said. “I don’t have the answer.”

Tampa Bay had been giving up 133.5 yards rushing per game. Johnson shredded
the Bucs at times after being booed heavily most of this season after signing a
$53.5 million extension.

The Bucs will look to stop the lengthy slide this Sunday when they host the
Carolina Panthers.

“We’re grown men,” Talib said. “We’ve all had seasons like this. We’ve
got more games to play, so we’re going to play more games.”

Notes: Morris said the status of DT Brian Price(notes), who hurt an ankle Sunday,
will be evaluated during the week.

Tampa Bay Coach Raheem Morris doesn’t typically use the Tampa-2 defense the team’s former coaching staff originated. / Chris O’Meara / Associated Press

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