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Barry 'Would Love' To Rejoin Bucs

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By ROY CUMMINGS

rcummings@tampatrib.com

Published: January 8, 2009

TAMPA - He helped the Lions lose 16 games this year and he lost his job as their defensive coordinator because of it. One thing former Bucs linebackers coach Joe Barry hasn't lost is his confidence.

"When I took the Detroit job 23 months ago I was a good coach," Barry said Wednesday. "And while my record might indicate otherwise, 23 months later I'm a better coach than I was when I got there."

It seems Barry may not be the only one who believes that. Though he has yet to go through the interview process with any team - including the Bucs - Barry remains a rather hot commodity.

"I have some irons in the fire," Barry said. "I've talked to half a dozen teams. But I'm going to let the dust settle for a week or two and then see what the best fit for me and my family might be."

Barry, who coached Bucs linebackers from 2001 to 2006, doesn't hide his belief that the best fit could be with Tampa Bay, where the Bucs soon may be looking for a replacement for current linebackers coach Gus Bradley. Bradley spent part of Tuesday and Wednesday in Seattle, where he was interviewed for the Seahawks defensive coordinator's job. If Bradley gets that job the Bucs may turn to Barry as a replacement.

"If I was able to come back to Tampa, I would love it," Barry said. "I think the world of the Glazers and Tampa and the fans here. We still have a home here and I would cherish the opportunity to come back."

A new linebackers coach isn't the only thing the Bucs may soon need. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is a candidate for the head coach's job in Denver.

Morris was also said to be a candidate for the Rams head coach's job but it was learned Wednesday that the Rams have no plans to interview Morris at this time.

In other Bucs news, wide receiver Antonio Bryant told The Tampa Tribune that talks between his agent and the Bucs about a new contract have been ongoing for a while and that "things are moving in the right direction."

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979.

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