At this level of quicksand, the Bucs could use stability. They could use steadfast. In some ways, they could use the right kind of stubborn.

And so I offered the head coaching job to Tony Dungy. Again.

And he said no. Again.

This is a shame, because the Bucs could do with a little bit of Dungy right about now. Forget that the job is not actually open yet, or that I am not technically empowered to hire anyone, or that Dungy’s last stay didn’t end well. Details, details.

The point is, the Bucs could use Dungy’s calm. This team could use his attention to detail, his professorial demeanor, his ability to help good players grow into great ones. It seems the Bucs have broken out with a fresh case of 1995, and once again, they could use Dungy to provide the direction out.

More than any coach the Bucs have had, Dungy seems like a fit with the current state of the Bucs. Yes, the hottest rumor is that Jon Gruden may leave the booth to coach the Rams, which seems certain to rekindle the old Dungy vs. Gruden debates. But Dungy is a grower, and Gruden is a finisher. Given the youth of the Bucs, Dungy seems the better choice. You can always call Gruden back in six years.

Dungy laughs softly at the job offer. He still has a home in Tampa, and he still has friends here. Hey, Bud Grant coached Minnesota twice. Marion Campbell had two tours with the Falcons. In the movies, sequels happen all of the time.

On the other hand, no. Dungy won’t even open the door a little bit.

“I’m not coaching,” said Dungy, 56. “I’m not looking at coaching. I’m not thinking about coaching. I had a great job in Indianapolis, but I wanted to be home more. That hasn’t changed. It’s not going to change.”

Over the last three seasons, Dungy has said that often. When a coach walks away after reaching the playoffs 11 times in 13 years, owners tend to hang onto his phone number.

“You hear about just about every job that comes open,” Dungy said. “Usually, it’s from someone who is not officially with the organization. Sometimes it’s a head hunting firm that wants to gauge your interest. I’ve never been interested. I’ve had people say, ‘You write the check out’ or ‘You write the terms out.’ It doesn’t have any draw to me.

“I miss the players. There are times I miss the excitement of winning. But it doesn’t really hit me. I kind of left at the right time.”

Other coaches leave one sideline and burn to get to another. For them, a studio job is but a long halftime until they can put their imprint on another team.

On the other hand, Dungy is having a ball. He loves his job at NBC as an analyst more than he imagined he would. He has been able to see his son Eric play at Oregon, and he’s about to go to the Rose Bowl. He still has young children at home. He continues to work with his various charities. Go back into coaching, and there is a price to be paid.

“If I were an owner, I would be leery of guys like me,” Dungy said. “You have to be totally in. I don’t think I could be totally in. I think it’s a young man’s game. The football is the same, but the people part is completely different.”

Okay, Tony. So what if I offer you the general manager’s job instead? Interested?

“I don’t see myself in that,” he said, laughing again. “I don’t think that’s my strength. I coached and put teams together. I think I know how to win and make players better. But I was never one like (Bill) Parcells or (Mike) Holmgren who wanted to run the front office and worry about the salary cap and long-term planning.”

He has been gone for 10 years, and Dungy points out that his fingerprints are no longer on the Bucs. Still, he watches, and he hears his friends talk, and he still knows some of the players.

“I think they hit the same thing we hit,” Dungy said. “We made the playoffs in ’97, and in ’98 we weren’t ready for the next step. They do have a lot of young players. It’s tougher when you don’t have the experienced guys.

“I don’t know what the next step is. You can’t react to fans. You have to say, ‘What’s the best way for our team to improve? Can we get someone better?’ It’s easy to fire people, but is that going to make it better? And who do you hire?”

In the meantime, Dungy says he feels for what Raheem Morris is going through. No one understands a coach’s frustration like a former coach.

“I can’t imagine it,” Dungy said. “In my first year, we lost our first five games, and it felt like three years. I don’t know what eight, nine, 10 feels like. As a former coach, you always want coaches to do well. You know what it’s like to lose a job. You always believe that, with time, you can make the right decisions.”

Still, there has never been a fired coach who didn’t think he deserved more time. Despite the losing streak, despite the constant blowouts, despite the lack of improvement, Morris wants to come back, too. “No explanations, no excuses” has turned into “Well, we were good last year.”

“Stats are for losers” has turned into “The players are young.”

But what if Morris doesn’t return? What would Dungy’s advice be to the Glazers?

“They’re not going to ask my advice,” Dungy said. “But all different types of guys can work. I would say you need someone who is committed to doing it their way and not worrying about it. A lot of fans have a lot of thoughts. You have to be able to block out all the outside noise and stick with the plan.

“It has to be someone who can develop young players and teach them to focus. They have some good young players. We had some assistant coaches — Herm (Edwards) and Monte (Kiffin) and Chris Foerster and Mike Shula — who were committed to working with young players. They never came out and said they needed a veteran guy. Some coaches are like that. Look at (Green Bay’s) Mike McCarthy. Look at (San Francisco’s) Jim Harbaugh.”

Once, Dungy was like that. When he came to Tampa Bay, Derrick Brooks was playing on the wrong side of the defense, covering the tight end. Warren Sapp was coming out on third downs because the coaches didn’t think he could rush the passer. John Lynch was a nickel linebacker. The team had no idea how to win.

It has been 10 years now since Dungy left. Still, he should be the standard for the Glazers. This time, when they reach out for a coach, they should look for someone with Dungy’s strength, with his standards, with his consistency. They should find someone who can teach a player, who can help him grow.

Most of all, they should find someone who still sounds like a good idea all these years later.

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.

“Coach Morris…he’s the best motivational guy I’ve been around,” Winslow said. “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 later though Browns doctors admitted they had not seen the direct hit on the quarterback 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,” Panthers 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 in 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,” Smith said. “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.

“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.”

PRO BOWL UPDATE: Quarterback 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. Wide receiver Steve 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.

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.

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TAMPA

They came to plead his case. They came to defend his name. They came to protect his back.

And, as is so often the case with the Tampa Bay Bucs, they failed at that, too.

Raheem, it appears you are on your own.

This was the plan, wasn’t it? The Bucs were going to go onto the field Saturday night, fueled by prime time and bright lights, and they were going to bring evidence that Raheem Morris was the coach for them. On national television, they were going to fight for their coach, by golly. They were going to quiet the critics, stop the noise and end the debate.

Well, that settles that.

And your honor, the prosecution rests. Soon, it seems, the execution will, too.

As far as any lingering debate over Morris, this should just about do it. How can the Glazers not demand more than this?

Argue, if you will, that this team was just too young, or that the owners were just too cheap, or that the roster had more holes than spackle to patch them all. All that noted, there isn’t enough improvement to this roster for Morris to keep his job. This team is lost. It does not have enough maturity, or enough resilience, or worst of all, enough effort to stay on this wayward course.

This was too ugly for human eyes, and where have you heard that before except every week for two months? The Bucs made it close with a couple of scores in the third quarter, but that doesn’t change things. The players of the Bucs provided a rather weak argument that Morris should keep his job — or that they should keep theirs. They lost for the eighth straight time, a number that should climb to 10 over the next two weeks, at which time the unraveling should be complete.

This is how a team defends a beleaguered coach? This is how it demonstrates how important he is to them?

By fumbling on the fourth play of the game?

By giving up 28 points in the first half?

By making one first down on its first four possessions, while Dallas was piling up 19?

By surrendering more than 30 points for the fourth time in five games?

By playing with such little effort that Cowboys Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders accused the Bucs of quitting, the third time this year someone has done so?

By not picking up your second first down of the night until the 4:46 point of the third quarter?

Like that?

This isn’t a great Dallas team, by the way. If the Bucs took the pressure off any coach, it was Jason Garrett. Along the way, Tampa Bay made Tony Romo look like Roger Staubach and Felix Jones look like Emmitt Smith. And so on. The Bucs made it sound closer with two touchdowns in the third, but to be honest, it never felt as if Dallas was threatened. The Cowboys only tried eight passes in the second half, which seemed very Christmassy of them.

Meanwhile, the Bucs looked like the Bucs. Lopsided defeats such as this one have become so routine, so ordinary, they no longer shock you. And that’s the real shame around here. The expectations have been whittled down to zero. At this point, it is uncertain if the Bucs will ever win another game. Okay, that’s an exaggeration. If things go well, there is a Sunday in early 2017 that looks doable.

Until then, chaos.

And blight.

Followed by pestilence. And a funny smell.

For crying out loud, around here, no one can even muster a good “wait until next year.” Unless there are massive changes, next year doesn’t look so good, either. The NFC East is up in the rotation, which means the schedule will be difficult again. Do you expect players who didn’t improve this year to get it by next year? Do you expect playoffs by the end of another season?

While we are at it, do you expect Raheem?

Hey, I have nothing against loyalty. I think it’s great the players support their head coach. Tight end Kellen Winslow suggested it would “ruin” the Bucs if Morris was replaced, though at this point it seems someone got there first. Ronde Barber, who has been around a few coaches, defends Raheem vociferously.

On the other hand, players often have loyalty for losing coaches. But when a team has gone oh-for-half-a-season, why should players get a vote? Besides, if the Bucs really wanted to affect Morris’ job status, they should have played better, and harder, to avoid this eight-game streak of horrible.

This should be the closing argument. This should be the reason that Jeff Fisher spends the next week by his phone. Brian Billick, too.

At this point, it is no longer a question of why the Bucs would fire Morris. At this point, it is why they would not.