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Potential Bucs Hires Face Test

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By ROY CUMMINGS

rcummings@tampatrib.com

Published: January 21, 2009

MOBILE, Ala. - The Bucs' new hierarchy knows exactly the kind of offense it wants to run. For now, though, Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Mark Dominik are keeping that a secret, even from prospective coordinators.

"I don't want to give anybody the answers to the test questions because I want to know who these potential coordinators really are," Dominik said during a break at the Senior Bowl workouts Tuesday. "I want to know what their philosophy is, what their strategy would be, and I don't want it to be crafted around what they think we're looking for. I want them to tell us what they think works and then we'll see if it's what we want."

The process of finding a fit for the Bucs' new offense, whatever shape it takes, began this week and will continue today when former Rams head coach and Vikings offensive coordinator Scott Linehan meets with the Bucs.

Linehan, who recently turned down an offer to run the San Francisco 49ers offense, is believed by many NFL insiders to be the leading candidate for the post. But the Bucs also have plans to talk to former Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, Chiefs offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and Bucs quarterbacks coach Greg Olson about the job, and they are in no hurry to make a call on the matter.

"Coordinators are a very important part of the big picture, so we definitely want to take our time with this and make sure we talk to the right people," Dominik said.

No matter who they talk to, it is likely the Bucs will seek someone who is willing to run a ball-control attack. The Bucs believe they have a budding strength in their offensive line, so one of the test answers is likely to be a willingness to run the ball.

The Bucs are also looking for a defensive coordinator to replace Morris, who was promoted to that position before he was promoted again to head coach on Saturday.

Former Saints defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs is among the candidates there, but a new candidate might have emerged Tuesday when Ron Meeks resigned his post as defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts.

Meeks, who is believed to have been forced out in Indianapolis, ran the Tampa 2 scheme during his entire seven-year tenure with the Colts. Morris is looking to keep the Tampa 2.

Twice, Meeks guided the Colts defense to top-10 finishes in yards allowed and four times guided that defense to top-10 finishes in yards allowed. And that was at a time when the Colts mostly emphasized offense.

"When it feels right we'll make the decision on our new coordinators," Dominik said. "But right now we want to take our time because the most important thing is to make sure we make the right call."

In other Bucs news, the team announced Tuesday it has re-signed receiver Paris Warren. Warren appeared to make the team out of training camp in 2007 only to break his ankle catching a touchdown pass during the last game of the preseason. His comeback bid last summer was cut short when he was released by the club before the regular season. The Bucs have also expressed interest in re-signing free-agent receivers Antonio Bryant and Michael Clayton.

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

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