Jan 1, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris watches the game from the sideline during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE
St. Petersburg, Florida -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans were already putting in their two cents after hearing that head coach Raheem Morris had been let go.
While some thought it was overdue, others think it was just plain wrong and that no one could have saved the season based upon the team's talent.
George Lake, a season ticket holder who spoke about the news at Ferg's Sports Bar in St. Petersburg, thinks it's a mess over at One Buc Place.
"They need to clean house, that's for sure," he said.
In fact, the one thing Bucs fans seemed to agree on was that Raheem Morris' firing was all but inevitable. What they don't seem to agree on is whether he should have been let go.
Those who agree with the team's decision cite a lack of discipline and command of the team. Heidi Zinn, a life-long fan says, "He's not motivating the players at all."
Fellow Bucs fan Dave Reed added: "You can't be a friend to the players and be a coach."
Still, others say it was the Bucs' young, inexperienced talent pool and the organization's lack of spending money on big-name players that's really to blame.
"It's not necessarily that he was a bad coach, it's just that they didn't get their system down right," said Daniel Pinto.
"They're all rookies. I liked him as a coach," added Daniel's father, Henry.
Regardless, fans were now looking to the future and what they want to see in the team's next head coach.
"Somebody that's got a proven track record," said Zinn.
"It's all in the coaching. You can have less talent and still win if you have the right coaching," said Reed.
It may be wise for the Bucs organization to listen to fans whose two cents, collectively, adds-up to a lot more than that. If not, the team may end up losing season ticket holders like Lake, who says he's fed-up with failure.
"Am I gonna go again next season? I don't know. Right now I'd say no," said Lake. "The ownership's gotta prove to me they're gonna get somebody worthwhile to bring for me to spend my money."