GM Dominik won't be rushed on decisions

Bucs general manager Mark Dominik is working with coach Raheem Morris to formulate his coaching staff.

They will interview former Rams coach Scott Linehan for the offensive coordinator position on Wednesday, according to agent David Dunn. Quarterbacks coach Greg Olson also will have an opportunity to make his pitch.

Dominik knows that with a 32-year-old head coach -- the youngest in the NFL -- the offensive and defensive coordinator positions are extremely important and the Bucs vow to take their time with those decisions.

The Bucs have spent the last seven years in a west coast system of offense and more than a decade in a 4-3 defense. Dominik and Morris say they're keeping an open mind -- and closed lips on their prefernces.

Here's a brief Q & A session with Dominik at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

Q: Is hiring an offensive and defensive coordinator a priority?

A: "Our idea with coach is to just formulate our list right now. If we have an opportunity to talk to anybody here, and it makes sense, obviously we'll do that. But we're not in a rush.

"I want it to be the right fit. I don't want to feel like we rushed into a decision right now. I think these hires are very important. So in that case, we'll get a sense of what the situation is and what's all around it, but we're going to take our time and make sure we do this the right way and it's going to be a lot of input with Raheem and the coaches on staff as well.''

Q: Is there a system of offense you prefer over another one? A philosophy of running or passing the football more?

A: 'I think we're willing to listen to what different people want to say about what they want to do and feel what mesh is right with what we want to do. So I think instead of me answering that, I'd rather let people tell me what they'd like to do.

Q:You've been a 4-3 team for well over a decade. Will the defensive coordinator's scheme need to match the philosophy you've had or could there be a change?

A: "I think exactly how we're handling offense, we want to handle defense. I'm not here to give answers to the test. It's compatibility, it's comfort, it's those things we're looking for right now in our coordinators.

Q: Will Greg Olson interview for the offensive coordinator's position?

A: "Greg Olson is under contract and I think he's a very talented coach. Right now we're going to look everywhere, including internally. I think everybody deserves that. We're just going to look everywhere.

Q: Antonio Bryant is a free agent and was you're leading receiver. Will you use a franchise tag on him if you're unable to re-sign him before he is able to test the market?

A: "We've got a lot of time between now and free agency to worry about that. We obviously understand he was a very productive player for us. Hopefully, we can work something out.''

Q: What about the quarterback position? Is there a chance for Jeff Garcia to return to this team?

A: "I think it's going to have a lot to do with again, who the coordinator is. With those guys, we're not shutting any doors on anybody who has been here or who is here. I think it's only fair to every player on this roster that is under contract or isn't, that we're not shutting any doors on anybody right now. We're going to try to compile the best 80-man roster we can.''

Comments

[Sir Pritam the Great of England]

Dang, that last answer was quite revealing

So if we DO hire Scott Lineham, Garcia probably won't be back because he is a West Coach quarterback and Lineham isn't a West Coast guy

[OAR]

Wow, learned alot about where the Bucs are heading???????????????????

[OAR]

Let's take our time, that's what we have plenty of, what? I understand the need to hire the correct guy, but let's not dilly-dally to long.

[USArmyRob]

OAR your a pesimistic person huh brother. Every comment I have read from you is negative in nature. Smile bro have a beer and lighten up. Quick question do you even watch the Bucs at Ray J or are you a fan on TV. You complain to much so I hope atleast your spending money with the team. It atleast justifies your daily gripes if your a paying customer.

[Robert]

OAR, these guys have not even held their positions for a week. They have had to answer 8,000 questions and some of those questions, we as fans only get vague answers for. They are not just going to lay out to the reporters who they are looking at and what the plan is. They are still working on all of that theselves. When decisions are made and staff is hired and put in place, i'm sure they will be as eager to tell us, as we are eager to know. I'm glad they are not rushing and putting time into their decisions. Right now at the senior bowl they need to be evaluating talent. If you don't have talent, it won't matter who the coach is. I know that you love this team as I do, but right now we need to let these guys do their jobs and answer questions later. These next few months will determine next season. US ARMYROB.. I AM GLAD TO SEE A MAN THAT IS OVERSEAS PROTECTING THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY CAN BE SO OPTIMISTIC AND SUPPORT HIS TEAM. I PRAY FOR OUR SOLDIERS EVERY NIGHT AND HOPE THAT YOU MAKE IT HOME IN TIME TO GET TO SEE 1 OF THE MANY GREAT GAMES THAT WILL BE HELD AT RAY J NEXT SEASON. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND FEET MOVING. IF THEIR IS EVER A TIME YOU CAN'T KEEP UP WITH CURRENT EVENTS, JUST LET ME KNOW AND I WILL KEEP U POSTED.

[USArmyRob]

Thanks Robert. Actually we have interent and great AFN (If you have seen AFN commercials you would know I am joking)...so I keep up pretty well. Ill definetly make it home in time God Willing..Thanks for the comments and its good to know we are still supported. In addition to prayers for us over here say a small one for the one we have lost for there families need it the most.

[D Block]

I agree that they need to take time & make the right decission. I just don't think time is on our side. They know who they want because they have a short list of OC candidates, none of them WCO coaches. It is better to take time making the right decision instead of a fast decision. I like Linehan i hope he sells himself well with a great game plan for the future of this program.

[D Block]

Hey army i will always pull for the troops!! Even though it will take an invasion for me to sign up lol. U all do a hell of a job under some screwed up circumstances keep up the good work!!!

[Robert]

Army, I never leave those families out my friend. Although I was never deployed the war really touched home for me. My best friend, who is like a brother got a purple heart over there. When he was over there I got to experience what it feels like for your families. When he got injured I just wished I was there by his side. I pray for all soldiers fighting and who have lost their lives in the battle and know what it feels like to want to be there helping your fam and not being able to! Take care brotha! D BLOCK, you are right about time. The BUCS do need to be patient, but by the time FA opens up and the draft we needed the pieces there.

[OAR]

USArmyRob, Yes I do have season tickets(and enjoyed all but 2 home games, can you guess which ones?), so I guess that justifies my "complaining?". As for being "negative?", you obviously haven't been reading these blogs for very long. I was very supportive of the team with Gruden and will be so for Morris(I just don't agree with signing someone with no coordinator experience to be a head coach). Also I think you misunderstand, some of my debating as my own personal likes.
BTW: takes all kinds to make the world go round, but I'm sure you know that.
God Bless and I support the military more than most. I Have or had many family members in the armed services in WWI, WWII, Vietnam, DesertStorm, and Iraq War.

[Stacy]

Army - Just to let u know - u r supported - real quick -today's email - 1 woman complained that 4 f-16's flew over her low & loud @ the mall so she complained to the Base cmdr. He let her know that they were for a fallen AF officer being buried & was being honored for his svc but that he would pass on her condolences to his family - I have 11 yrs Army. OOOOAHH

[Garick]

I agree we need to give these guys a little more time, I think we're just all anxious to know what their plans are and if there really is one yet. Knowing what kind offense and what kind of defense your going to run is crucial to signing the right players. So yeah, it is something they need to put together soon...especially if your evaluating talent and looking to sign players soon.

[aaron]

It looks like Sean McDermot, Gibbs and Brian Stewart from dallas are the canidates for DC. I like McDermot the best. I dont like Gibbs much and Stewart seems to have some issues. I read an article and it reveal some odd things. check it out.

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/01/stewart-firing-shocking.html

[Matt H]

If the Glazers want to pull off a fan inspiring coup how about:

Lane Kiffin - Offensive Coordinator
Monte Kiffin - Defensive Coordinator

[USArmyRob]

Well I must say OAR..I will never again critize you for stating your oh so negative opinions because you my friend invest your dollar. Thanks for the support everyone as well..it is greatly appreciated yet the Bucs is what this Blog is for plus I hate attention..Im that "quiet professional type" I get uneasy when strangers walk up an say thank you..because im home and alive (iraq 2x an am here now)but the others didnt make it back...but your appreciation is heartfelt.

Anyways back to the Bucco Bruce's. Anyone remember that tool we had at receiver Alvin Harper...Clayton is better then him atleast ha ha ha!

[D Block]

Lol Hey Rob i guess our opinions differ from time 2 time. I wouldn't call either 1 of us right or wrong or anyone else here. It's a blog full of opinions for the most part. I believe that offense sells tickets & defense wins championships. We all would love to have both but as we all can see by this years playoff contenders it's about the D. Even Arizona's D has played well in the playoffs surprisingly.

[USArmyRob]

Stacy I love it when they low ball the ACFT...I was fishing in a offshore river in Savannah GA one morning an I must have been the only thing on the "blip" for the USAF an they low balled me and I da** near fell off the boat. Spilled my beer and was highly pissed...but laughed for about 15 minutes cause I think they did it on purpose sons of bit***s. It was great though...suckers were ROLLING too maybe 1000ft of the ground really mapping the earth

[D Block]

Don't get me wrong if your offense sucks it will affect the Defense. I do want more playmakers on O by all means. Our offense killed our D this year by not converting on 3rd down & redzone

[USArmyRob]

I am all about the Defense. I say go get 1 playmaker. An go all out for D. Look how far Ray Lewis and the D carried them. If not for Ed Reed they don't even get in the Playoffs this year.

[USArmyRob]

Also I think Tanard Jackson and Aqib become the two best Defenders next year. Im calling it. I also think Derrick Brooks rebounds like Ray Lewis and has a helluva year. Just a thought. I also think Gaines Adams is one DT away from a 10 sack year. When Haye was healthy Adams played is best because the QB couldnt step up in the pocket and if you look at it Adams is good against the run. Notice big runs went to the opposite side and also that hurts Brooksy because the tackle or guard is able to slide to the next level and keep him blocked.

[USArmyRob]

By the way if sometimes my comments seem a little deeper then most its because after this Army career there is nothing else I want to do but become a highschool or small college football coach. I played for my entire childhood thru H.S. (Dad was a D Coordinator at the prep level also Am only 24 years old so I have like 12 years left of Army Ha Ha so we may be playing football in the sky by then LOL)

[USArmyRob]

But like I was telling OAR...when I am in the US and actually home in Tampa (rarely) every free dime I have goes to being able to watch a game at Ray J..so I may not have season tickets but they get your tax collecting dollar (army joke since we are paid by the government an your tax dollars)

[DR]

Oh now it's okay for oar to be pessimistic about the Bucs future but god forbid anyone tells it like they saw it when Gruden was around. They were the scum of the earth Gruden haters. But oar couldn't see through his Gruden lovin' rose colored glasses that the biggest Gruden haters were the players themselves which reports have said was a big contributing factor for Gruden getting fired. Apparently, when the Glazers interviewed the players, not many had good things to say about oar's almighty.
i've been saying all year that it looked like the players didn't believe in the offensive system they are running.

[DR]

the defense and offense have an effect on each other. The defense gets drained and defeated after many 3 and outs in a row. The Arizona Cardinals Todd Haley said their running game improved because the defense was playing better. They didn't have to play catch up an were able to run their offensive game plan.

[aaron]

What about Ron Meeks coming to Tampa and running the show on defense?

[USArmyRob]

Dr..very very very valid points..come look at our talks in the blog "paris Warren"

[USArmyRob]

Ron Meeks couldnt get it done in Indy with the Cover 2 why bring him here?

[BigGM]

Granted not a lot of vision articulated here, but what can/should we expect after only a few days.

Unfortunately, I see that OAR has not dilly-dally'ed with his usual nonsense.

I'm all for a super team of Linehan/Edwards and let's get this party started.

The sooner the better.

[OAR]

DR, there is a difference in critism and haterism. I only commented to you on your hate critism(not the real critisms you had which were few and far between)or to correct you on your miss information(IE: Griese never taking a team to playoffs). Ie; After Gruden's firing (he's gone) you gotta throw in flipping burgers comment. I just hope if this new coach(possibly new team) doesn't do well, that you will be there to hate on him too? You probablly will never read this anyways. You hardly ever recheck old posts.

[OAR]

USArmyRob, unfortunately I do remember Harper. And if you think some of our negativity is bad? You should have been here all last year, with the Mr Negativity himself, the Great DR. BTW I hope your dream of coaching can come to fruitation.

[OAR]

BigBM, my non-sense isn't accepted, but even you yourself says "The sooner the better????" That's what I'm saying! Come on, you guys are f'd up.