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Players Eager To Work For Morris

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 18, 2009

TAMPA - The sense of shock that fell over One Buc Place following the firing of Jon Gruden on Friday turned to elation Saturday when the Bucs officially named Raheem Morris their new coach.

Even the hiring of Mark Dominik as the replacement for General Manager Bruce Allen injected new juice into a team with players who had grown weary of Gruden's coaching style.

"The Bucs have made an excellent choice," said wide receiver Michael Clayton, one of Gruden's most vocal critics. "Raheem and Mark are two guys who are very much in touch with the players, who are very respected by the players. I know the Bucs will be a better team as a result of this. It's really a perfect situation. God couldn't work in a better way than to let this happen. It's a great example of how God moves mountains."

Running back Earnest Graham said he mostly wanted someone who could bring the team together and energize it. He said he believes Morris will do that.

"I'm really excited," Graham said. "Raheem is a guy that we all have the utmost respect for. We're all rooting for him and we're going to make sure his career gets off to a heck of a start."

It will be hard to match the start by Gruden. In 2002, his first season with the Bucs, he led them to their only Super Bowl title, but he never came close to matching that feat.

As Gruden's winning percentage dipped, so did his appeal to some players. Though they expressed respect for his coaching ability, some developed a dislike for his personality and how he treated players.

"It was never Coach Gruden leading this team," Clayton said. "A lot of people said that, but that's what we're supposed to say. There was never anything positive said about the guy outside of the media."

Graham said the feelings some players had for Gruden seeped into the locker room, where it was becoming more difficult for the team to work as one toward a common goal.

"I know a lot of the guys really did think highly of him," Graham said. "But you need all the guys on the same page. You can't have half a locker room."

Morris' ability to bring a room together is considered one of his greatest strengths. Motivating players is another of his strong points, players say. And he knows his football, linebacker Barrett Ruud said.

"Football-wise, he's got a great understanding of fundamentals and situational play," Ruud said. "I really think his ability to understand situational football is his strong point."

Morris is in his second stint with the Bucs. He came back to the team two years ago as their secondary coach and spent about a month as their defensive coordinator before being named head coach.

His greatest skill, according to cornerback Ronde Barber, who has known him since he was a defensive quality-control coach with the Bucs, is his ability to tap a player's full potential.

"He's a star in the making and we've known that for a long time," Barber said. "It's going to be exciting to work with him. I truly believe he'll build on the great traditions of Buccaneer football and lead this team to great things."

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

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