Smackdown: Best Assistant Coach

Smackdown Results: Offense 8, Defense 7

TAMPA - The success or failure of a professional football player can often be attributed to their positional coach.

While head coaches are often overseeing the final product, assistant coaches work daily toward improving their player’s skill, ability, awareness and making a good player become great. They often do not receive praise when their unit does well, but collect all of the blame when those players struggle.

This week’s Smackdown pits Tampa Bay running backs coach Art Valero against defensive backs coach Raheem Morris to determine who is ”The Best Assistant Coach.” The winner receives some well-deserved recognition for their coaching abilities.

Raheem Morris, Defensive Backs Coach

When Morris returned to Tampa Bay this year after coaching one season Kansas State, he inherited a unit in need of an extreme makeover.

Sure, Morris had All Pro defensive back Ronde Barber and standout Brian Kelly, but he also inherited Phillip Buchanon, considered a first round draft bust, Jermaine Phillips after a disappointing season, a rookie name Tanard Jackson, and other NFL journeyman.

Instead of complaining, Morris simply made his defensive backs into arguably one of the best units for Tampa Bay this season.

Tampa Bay’s pass defense is currently ranked No.2 in the NFL, while the careers of Buchanon and Phillips have surprisingly reemerged.

Full Story: Smackdown: Best Assistant Coach - [Tampa Bay Online]