THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
TAMPA - Rookie coach Raheem Morris insists he's holding up well under the weight of Tampa Bay's worst start in 13 years.
The Buccaneers are 0-5 for the first time since losing their first five games under then-head coaching neophyte Tony Dungy in 1996.
They've dropped nine in a row dating to an 0-4 December that cost the team a playoff berth last season, the club's longest skid since losing the last eight games of 1987 and the season opener the following year.
"I'm going to smile in the face of adversity because I know what we're doing," Morris said Monday, reflecting on a 33-14 loss to Philadelphia that left the Bucs among four winless teams in the NFL.
"I got all confidence in the world we know what we're doing. I got confidence in my owner. I got confidence in my management. I got confidence in my coaches. I got confidence in my players, and the ones I have to get better, I will, and I'll tolerate them until I can replace them. Period."
Morris spent much of the opening month of the season, emphasizing the encouraging aspects of the team's play during loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and Washington Redskins.
Watching the offense sputter and the defense yield two more long touchdown passes to the Eagles left him in a less congenial mood.
Second-year quarterback Josh Johnson was victimized by several dropped passes and breakdowns in the Tampa Bay secondary contributed to Philadelphia rookie Jeremy Maclin scoring on receptions of 51 and 40 yards.
In five games, the Bucs have given up nine plays of 40 or more yards - seven for touchdowns. They allowed 10 plays of 40-plus yards all of last season.
"The bottom line is we had too many missed opportunities by too many of our good players and we're just not getting it done right now," Morris said, adding that that applies to players on defense, as well as offense.
"Players that are supposed to make plays have to make them. … We have to stop giving up the big play, and it can't be about the same guy giving up the big play every time. … Realistically when you're a corner or you're a safety and they throw deep balls at you, that's your opportunity to make a play for your team and you have to stand up and make those plays."
Morris was particularly critical of receiver Michael Clayton, who had two key drops after suggesting last week that he needed more opportunities to help the team.
Since catching five passes for 93 yards in the season opener against Dallas, Clayton has five receptions for 55 yards the past four games.
"You have to be accountable. Be careful what you ask for, be careful what you wish for," said Morris, who also took a shot at the offensive line, which struggled to protect Johnson and did open many holes for the running game.
Cadillac Williams rushed for eight yards on 10 carries. Johnson was 26 of 50 passing for 240 yards and two touchdowns on Kellen Winslow in his second pro start, but also threw three interceptions and was sacked three times.
"Cadillac made some plays on his own. … It would have been the same result if no one else had been out there. They need to hear that," Morris said, adding he was going to make the same point to the team.
"We need to give the young man some help," Williams said of the absence of a consistent rushing attack since the Bucs rushed for 174 yards in Week 1 against the Cowboys. "At the same time, if you're not successful, it's hard to stay committed to it."
One thing Morris is not contemplating heading into Sunday's home game against Carolina (1-4) is another quarterback change.
First-round draft pick Josh Freeman is considered the key to the team's future, however Morris reiterated he's not going to rush the 21-year-old's development.
"This is Josh Johnson's football team right now," the coach said. "He did make strides yesterday. … He played hard, he played fast and he played fearless, sometimes a little too fearless."
Eagles coach Andy Reid also liked what he saw of Johnson, who was a fifth-round draft pick in 2008.
"He's a smart kid. We were putting a lot of pressure on him, and he hung in there and he threw it to the right spots the majority of the time," Reid said. "Things will work out well for him down the road. He's a talented kid … very talented."
