Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris said during his conference call with the Philadelphia media on Wednesday that losing was the toughest part of the job.
The fourth-youngest head coach hired in the modern era - Morris was 32 years, 4 months old in January when he was promoted after six seasons as a Bucs assistant - has suffered through an 0-4 start. Last week, the Bucs showed tremendous improvement against the Redskins as they forced four turnovers in a 16-13 loss.
This week, however, the Bucs head to Philadelphia to face a team that is a perfect 10-0 under head coach Andy Reid in the game after the bye week. On top of that, Reid sports a 17-6 record against rookie head coaches. In fact, this is the second-straight game in which Reid will square off against a newcomer to the head coaching ranks. The Eagles beat up on Todd Haley's Kansas City Chiefs 34-14 in Week 3.
Despite Tampa Bay's rough start, Reid likes the job Morris has done thus far in his new role.
"I think he's going about it the right way. He brings great energy to that football team," Reid said. "He looks like he's very honest with his players, which is very important and sometimes tough for a younger coach. He shoots those guys straight and doesn't pull any punches with it. He's doing it his way and as things keep going here for him I think good things are in store for him."
Reid's offense certainly isn't making it any easier for Morris to prepare. The Eagles have the second-highest scoring offense in the league and the Bucs have been adjusting to a new defense with longtime coordinator Monte Kiffin leaving to coach with his son, Lane, at the University of Tennessee.
"They've been doing a great job," Morris said of his defense. "They're getting better and better. They're a young defense."
The Eagles have made it tougher with the Bucs forced to prepare for the multitude of looks out of the Wildcat formation.
"Coach Reid and Marty Mornhinweg do a great job of presenting a bunch of different looks to make you practice them," Morris said. "You have to know what you're going to do. It's important you get the time in the meeting rooms."
Because of the 96-degree heat in Tampa Bay, Morris said he doesn't want to add any extra time to practice. At least Morris is familiar with Michael Vick from his time with the Falcons.
"We know Michael Vick down here really well," said Morris. "He's come down here and absolutely done magical things against us. I'm happy to see him back in this league."
Morris also has to prepare his offense, led by second-year quarterback Josh Johnson, to face an aggressive defense. It's a defense that reminds Morris of the one run by the late Jim Johnson.
"His presence and his future and everything lives on in Sean McDermott, whom I know really well," Morris said.
In due time, Morris might be able to turn things around as Reid said. The Eagles want to make sure it's not this week.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 2:46 p.m., October 7
