Buccaneers Coach Raheem Morris Throws "Average Fan" Under The Bus

It's certainly not a stretch to say that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and head coach Raheem Morris can use all the friends and fans they can get. Even if those friends happen to be rabid fans, fanatical fans, decent fans, part-time fans and even, dare we say, "average" fans.

While they're sorting out the equipment, lining the fields, and generally getting things ready for Saturday's opening of training camp, Morris, in all his wisdom, has already gone and punted his foot directly into his mouth.

While reading the offerings from the Tampa Tribune Bucs beat writer Anwar Richardson, this particular babbling from the head Buc, Morris, stuck out like a turd on the floor of an upscale restaurant:

"The support is not going to come from the average fan. The support is going to come from the Buccaneer Lover. The 3-13 will help us thrive. The 3-13 is what's going to make us. The 3-13 is what we're going to look at, set examples for, and go out and really punish people for it. "

That, my friends, is the rambling statement Morris gave Richardson recently when Anwar inquired about fan support.

Has Raheem gone mad?

There he is, still whining about that darn 3-13 season last year. The one that had even "Buccaneer Lovers" looking for some shelter from the ineptitude.

You see, every once in a while, Morris fires out some random babbling that only reinforces what Jon Gruden said after he left; Morris is in over his head.

What Raheem needs to understand is that 3-13 will not make these 2010 Buccaneers thrive. What will make them thrive is unexpected great performances from quarterback Josh Freeman, a resurgence in the offensive line, some form of running game to emerge, and a defense that can rush the passer.

You gotta love the part where Morris says "and go out and really punish people for it. "

Punish is fine, but wouldn't it be nice if Morris and his band of merry men simply went out and outscored some opponents this season?

As for totally disrespecting "the average fan," well, Morris needs to get his head out from his proverbial butt and and welcome any sort of support that can be mustered for his Pewter Pirates.

I Checked in with several "average fans" who happen to like this football team. They like NFL football, college football, any football for that matter. And they also happen to wish the Bucs well, hope the Bucs do well and attend a few games each season.

If Morris is depending on hardcore "Buccaneer Lovers" well then he should simply give the other "average fans" a little more to love.

A few wins more than the dastardly three he came up with last season would be nice.

As for the "average fan," well, I'll just go with country star Alan Jackson:

"God bless the working man."

And God bless the "average fan."