TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris will call defensive plays for the Buccaneers after demoting defensive coordinator Jim Bates following a 1-9 start.
The Bucs, who lost to New Orleans 38-7 Sunday, are 26th in the NFL in total defense, allowing just over 378 yards per game. They're last in rushing defense and have allowed 294 points, the second-highest total in the league.
It's the second major change Morris has made with the coaching staff since training camp. Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski was fired 10 days before the start of the season.
It's not clear what Bates' duties will be the rest of the season. He was hired last winter to install a system to replace the one the Bucs ran for 13 seasons under former defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
