By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris is focused on the upcoming NFL draft but still keeping an eye on labor talks.
Morris said Tuesday he is optimistic an agreement will be reached soon between NFL owners and the player's union, especially with talks extended at least until Friday with federal mediator George Cohen.
"Of course we are (hopeful),'' Morris said. "It's a great game and we all want to see it.
"As you guys know for me, I'm more of a positive person than that. I'm always positive. It's never doom and gloom here. For me, it's all about what's your next goal, what you've got to do we next and how you're going to go about your business. That's where we are right now ... We'll just have to wait and see.''
Morris and several members of his coaching staff took a break from work Tuesday to accept an invitation to visit the Tampa Bay Rays. He said the possibility of a work stoppage -- and no trades or free agency at the this time -- has enabled the Bucs to focus on evaluating players for the upcoming draft.
"Those things are not really in my control. I do feel good about it with everything that's going on,'' Morris said. "It is what it is. To me, it's about the draft.
"It's business as usual for us. There's nothing going on as you guys can see on SportsCenter. You guys can follow it just like me. To me, it's all about getting ready for the draft, finding out what's going to be next, how you're going to move, what we want to do, what's our priority. Sitting down with (general manager) Mark Dominik, sitting down with (college scouting director) Dennis Hickey and being ready to deal.''