Buccaneers

Defense

The Bucs are the only NFL team to be in the top ten in defense for eight straight years. It’s surprising Kiffin doesn’t get more offers.

This ends any speculation that Kiffin might leave for Atlanta or Oakland to be with his son, Lane. Kiffin is expected to make at least $2 million annually over the next two years. His defense rebounded from a serious down year in 2006 by finishing second overall and No. 1 against the pass in 2007.

As of Wednesday, there is no defensive coordinator vacancy in Oakland, but Rob Ryan is likely to be dismissed shortly. There have been rumors that Kiffin might go there to run the defense for his son, Lane. Monte admitted that his contract with Tampa is up, but he’s had no conversations about leaving.

It’s a thoughtful, classy gesture from LeGrand’s college coach, Greg Schiano. “This small gesture is the least we could do to recognize his character, spirit, and perseverance,” Schiano said. “The way Eric lives his life epitomizes what we are looking for in Buccaneer Men.” Finishing up his studies at Rutgers, LeGrand plans to go into broadcasting.

Aside from Zimmer, each has extensive head-coaching experience, a sign the Bucs are looking to hire the anti-Raheem Morris. Morris had never been a head coach before his hiring in 2009, and had never even coordinated a defense at the NFL level. Schottenheimer has not coached in the NFL since 2006, while Childress and Phillips were both fired mid-season in 2010.

Phillips has already set up the interview for Friday, after the Texans finish their Divisional Round preparations. The Bucs can offer a franchise quarterback and some intriguing offensive talent. They need a defensive overhaul, and Phillips has shown the ability to execute those in several previous stops.

We’re not completely buying Clayton’s report, but Morris is certainly on thin ice. He’s also the defensive coordinator and the 4-9 Bucs gave up 41 points to the Jaguars’ league-worst offense last week. Morris could very well get the pink slip on the Monday after Week 17.

Bucs GM Mark Dominik will reportedly keep his job. Fresh off being a 2010 Coach of the Year candidate after leading the “youngry” Bucs to a 10-6 record, Morris watched the wheels fall off in epic fashion following a 4-2 start. The Bucs lost their final 10 games, getting outscored 349-174 while leading multiple observers to wonder if the team had quit. For the season, Tampa allowed a franchise record, and NFL worst, 494 points. The collapse was so thorough and unrelenting, it’s fair to wonder if Morris will ever earn another NFL head coaching job.

If the Bucs are truly looking for a coach to whip the roster into shape after Raheem Morris let it go soft, the no-nonsense Zimmer would be an ideal target. According to NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora, Tampa Bay has also received permission to interview Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.

Greg Schiano is a defensive mind, but Davis would add NFL experience and knows Schiano well after the two worked together at the University of Miami in the late 1990s. The St. Petersburg Times, however, cites primarily “rumors” linking Davis to Schiano’s staff with the Bucs when calling him the favorite.