Struggling Buccaneers rally around head coachAs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' losing streak has stretched to eight games, the future of third-year coach Raheem Morris has come into question.
There have been rumors he will be asked to relinquish his defensive coordinator duties if he's allowed to return next season. After a 10-win season last year, dipping to 4-10 has been a major step backward.
Whatever changes, tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. wants to make sure Morris returns next season.
"Coach Morris...he's the best motivational guy I've been around. He gets his guys going. It's not (shown in) the won-loss column, but I've never been around anybody better than him. I really haven't. It sucks what's going on here, but we need him to carry on. We really need this. He is the main part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We need that guy. I can't say enough about him.
"I think I'm speaking for the team. This is how everybody feels. They would give their right arm for this guy. We just need this guy. We didn't have a good season. Try to finish off the last two games but we need this guy to move on to the next year. We've got to move on from this year. He's just the heart of this team."
BEING CAREFUL: The announcement this week that the NFL will station a specialist in the press box each week to help teams monitor whether players have suffered possible concussions is another step in the league's emphasis on treating and preventing head injuries.
The latest step comes after Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy suffered a concussion when hit by Pittsburgh's James Harrison. McCoy was allowed to return to the game though Browns doctors admitted they had not seen the direct hit because they were working on the team sideline.
"I think it's good. Me coming off a concussion this year, I think it's real important," safety Jordan Pugh said. "As players, you're trying to get back in the game any way possible. Sometimes you can do it at your own (risk). Having that outside source, an unbiased party, out there for your protection, that's good."
Wide receiver Steve Smith, who has had one concussion during his career, said the league is taking necessary steps to help the players.
"They have a lot of data that's saying how it impacts and what happens. It's a thing you can't just sweep under the rug and say, 'Well, we didn't have the accurate reading,' because of the long-term effects and the damages it has on people," Smith said.
"All these guys that are having these problems, they go back and examine their brain and see the long-term effects of concussions. So it's become a concerning issue that teams aren't - you can't fudge them anymore."
Tight end Greg Olsen said hard hits are part of the game in the NFL.
"At the end of the day, everybody here knows what we signed up for. I know it's the league covering us. We appreciate them trying to look out for guys - and they should," Olsen said.
"But at the same point, no one should really feel sorry for us because at the end of the day, if you don't want to play and risk that future injury and health, no one's forcing you to play. Not that I want to go out and get cheap-shotted and knocked unconscious. But if you're playing within the framework of the rules - the way they have them designed now - the rest you kind of take as just comes with the territory."
BROTHERLY ADVICE: Last week, Southern Cal junior offensive tackle Matt Kalil announced he will forego his senior season to enter the NFL draft. Expected to be a top-10 draft choice, the younger Kalil talked with his brother, Panthers center Ryan Kalil, before making his decision.
"He called me and asked me a lot of questions," Ryan Kalil said. "I tried not to influence his decision one way or the other. I just gave him the facts.
"I gave him as much advice as he wanted and tried to ultimately make sure he made the decision himself because that's a big decision. I want to make sure it's one that he's proud of and happy with for the rest of his life, not 'my brother told me to or didn't tell me to.' "
INJURY UPDATE: Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (hamstring) and safety Charles Godfrey (shoulder) remain the most serious injury concerns, coach Ron Rivera said.
Neither practiced Wednesday when the team worked out indoors at the Charlotte Convention Center. Rivera said it was too early to know the status of either Munnerlyn or Godfrey. Should Munnerlyn miss the game, R.J. Stanford would move into his starting spot with Pugh stepping in for Godfrey.
Offensive tackle Jordan Gross (ankle) and defensive tackle Charles Johnson (back) also missed the Wednesday practice, and tight end Jeremy Shockey was given the day off.
With a Saturday game, Rivera said the team will get in its usual amount of practice because it worked out Tuesday, typically a day off. Despite working indoors Wednesday, Rivera said the team got in the same work it would have done had it been outside.
"That was the first time I ever practiced in a ballroom," Pugh said. "But that's a new experience you can chalk up on the board."
PRO BOWL UPDATE: Cam Newton remains in third place in fan voting for NFC Pro Bowl quarterback, well behind Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers and New Orleans' Drew Brees. Smith is fifth in voting for NFC wide receivers.
The fan vote counts for one-third of the total that will determine which players make the Pro Bowl. Players and coaches will vote this week and results will be announced Dec. 27.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/12/22/2867262/struggling-buccaneers-rally-around.html
