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Bucs Name Jim Bates As Defensive Coordinator

Associated Press file photo (2005)

Then-Packers defensive coordinator Jim Bates works with a University of Florida linebacker during an NFL Combine.

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 22, 2009

Updated: 01/22/2009 06:12 pm

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Jim Bates

TAMPA - If you scroll through the annals of NFL history you'll see there were two periods in which the Miami Dolphins dominated the league defensively.

One of those was in the early 1970s, when their famous "No-Name" defense helped them win two straight Super Bowls. The other was early in this decade, when Jim Bates was their defensive coordinator.

Hoping he can extend their own run of defensive dominance, the Bucs tagged Bates as their new defensive coordinator Thursday.

The move marks the first major hiring for Dominik and new head coach Raheem Morris, and Bates' success running not only the Dolphins' defense but those of the Packers and Broncos factored heavily into the decision.

"He's been a consistent model of success as a defensive coordinator and he's a heck of a coach who knows and has coached every position on that side of the ball," Dominik said.

"He's got a great knowledge of the game and a great passion for the game, the kind we've become accustomed to around here. I think the players are really going to relate well to him."

Some of the players the Bucs hope will respond well to Bates are their pass rushers. The Bucs have struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks the last couple years, but Bates' history says he can change that.

As a defensive line coach from 1992-93 he worked with a group of Cleveland Browns pass rushers who racked up 96 sacks, the third-highest total in the league during that period.

Later, as the architect of that Dolphins defense that ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed from 2000-2004, his pass rushers produced 64 sacks, the second most in the NFL during that span.

"I don't know much about him, but it sounds like a good thing for us," Bucs defensive end Gaines Adams said. "I can always use some more knowledge to help me get better at rushing the passer and it sounds like he can give me that."

Bates' history suggests he can also keep the Bucs near the top in the takeaway department.

During his time in Miami his defenses averaged 32 turnovers per season. That's four more than the Bucs have averaged the last five years under former coordinator Monte Kiffin.

"He's a guy who really knows how to mix up his coverages and disguise things," said Dominik, who expects Bates to keep intact the four-lineman, three-linebacker alignment the Bucs employed under Kiffin.

Kiffin used his now-famous, zone-based Tampa 2 scheme as the base for his defense. That could change under Bates, whose had a tendency in the past to employ more blitzes and man coverages than Kiffin did.

Bates also has a history of developing Pro Bowlers, having sent eight players to the NFL's all-star game during his five year run with the Dolphins. Dominik believes he could now help get the likes of Barrett Ruud and Adams there.

"The middle linebacker in his system has always been very productive," Dominik said. "He's going to be good for a lot of our guys. He's going to make this transition a lot easier."

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979 or at rcummings@tampatrib.com.

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