Talk of the Buccaneers giving head coach Raheem Morris another offseason to turn the team around is fading fast, as his latest bold decision was another admission of failure in a season marked with disappointment. Morris seized defensive coordinator duties from Jim Bates on Nov. 24 and demoted Bates to what is being described as an advisory role, although it's not clear just what kind of involvement or authority, if any, Bates will have for the rest of his time with the organization.

Word is the team's ownership has been embarrassed by Morris' handling of the club and its performance this year, and his decision to take over the defense may have been an indication that Morris is beginning to realize what his fate will be if he doesn't show dramatic improvement as a coach in the final stretch of the season. Morris opted to respond by taking more ownership of his failure.

Morris has just one year of experience as a coordinator, and it was at Kansas State. While adjusting to a role that he wasn't prepared for, the 33-year-old has helped craft a widespread perception that the team is in chaos by having axed both of his coordinators by the time he's just a little more than halfway through his first year on the job. Morris fired offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski just a little more than a week before the season opener.

Quarterbacks coach Greg Olson was promoted to replace Jagodzinski, and he received a contract extension the same day Bates was demoted, but we hear his job security should not be confused with Morris' situation. It's not uncommon for teams to keep certain assistants on staff even after a head-coaching change is made, and the organization would like to keep rookie QB Josh Freeman in a stable situation. Allowing him to work with the same play-caller for a few years is one way of establishing continuity.

The Glazer family picked Morris as Jon Gruden's replacement earlier this year and emphasized that it was a move designed to begin a rebuilding process that would take some time but culminate in the form of a team that could consistently compete for a postseason spot.

The Glazers, however, have seen little from Morris to indicate that he's the person to lead the Bucs toward that outcome.

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