Defensive Coordinator Jim Bates was in a no-win situation. His attack style defense required big, strong defensive lineman and big linebackers. The Bucs have neither.
I suggested two months ago the team sack this defense and go back to a Cover 2 style, and it's finally comes to fruition.
Bates has been demoted and Raheem Morris is taking over the defense.
This move has come far too late.
It's also the curse of Morris and General Manager Mark Dominik trying to put their stamped plan on a team that lacked the qualifications to pull it off.
Had former Offensive Coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski worked out, this Bates move would have come a while back.
But keep in mind for those who want to rip into Morris and Dominik for hiring Bates and a new defensive system with it, remember this:
The Bucs Cover 2 scheme was a disaster in 2006 and 2008. The players were getting old at that point. Monte Kiffin saw it, and you can't convince me that wasn't a part of his decision to head to Tennessee with his son, Lane.
By staying with the Cover 2 scheme, the defensive results would have been better, but no where near what it once was.
When I ran a check of what the defensive point totals were for the Bucs since the first year of this franchise, I couldn't believe that this defense is the worst ever in the first 10 games of any season.
Furthermore, I will stand corrected if my math was wrong, but by my calculations, this team has given more points in ten games than any Bucs defense has for the ENTIRE season, with the exception of two since 1995.
That is ridiculous and unacceptable.
This goes beyond inadequate player personnel. Coaching has to take some of the blame.
I don't fault Dominik and Morris for hiring Bates and his scheme. It may have worked if they were able to land Albert Hayesworth, and grabbed a couple more players that fit the system.
But they didn't, and they are now facing a growing concern among those outside One Buc both are over their heads.
I do not believe that to be the case. I do believe they tried to do too much, with too little, in too short a time.
An emphasis was put on the offensive personnel in the off-season in the hope it would counter what I believe, they knew, was going to be a "cross-my-fingers" and hope they don't stink defense.
Well, neither panned out until rookie Josh Freeman got his first start.
Also keep in mind, the Bucs defense, such as it is, was obliterated by a Drew Brees run offense that was playing half-court thanks to three Josh Freeman turnovers in the Bucs end of the field.
These are trying times at One Buc. Both coordinators either fired or demoted. Not a good selling point on anyone's resume.
Fact is, as Stylez G. White said to us on Sunday after the New Orleans loss, "We're not a very good team right now." "Not good at all."
I might want to throw this in. The Saints game was embarrassing. From where I sit, maybe New Orleans is that good. After all, the Bucs aren't the only team that has been beaten by those guys. I count nine others.
