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Morris exhorts Bucs to believe

Posted Sep 20, 2011 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Sep 20, 2011 at 11:40 AM

By IRA KAUFMAN

TAMPA—Almost four decades have passed since former New York Mets relief pitcher Tug McGraw coined the phrase “Ya Gotta Believe.’‘

Bucs coach Raheem Morris says the motto still applies.

Moments after Tampa Bay rallied from a 17-0 halftime deficit to down the Vikings 24-20, Morris echoed McGraw’s comments in his post-game speech to his jubilant players, captured by NFL Films.

“Trust the plan, believe in your coaches and work your technique,’’ Morris told the Bucs, who avoided an 0-2 start heading into Sunday’s NFC South matchup against Atlanta. “That’s what we did today. We executed all situational football and we won it. I don’t care about anything else. Stats are for losers. Let’s go win football games and let’s win football games now.’‘

With a Monday night home game against the lowly Colts and a trip to San Francisco against the mediocre 49ers looming ahead, a victory Sunday could set Tampa Bay up for a 4-1 record before the Saints come to town Oct. 16.

With nine wins in their last 11 road games, the Bucs have displayed impressive resiliency in adverse situations. That kind of success indicates trust in the coaching staff and a belief that teammates will get the job done in the clutch.

Morris continues to ask for faith from his players in the game plan and they responded Sunday with an improbable win that should generate confidence in Week 3 against a division rival that has beaten Tampa Bay in each of the past five meetings.

These Bucs believe in their dynamic head coach and he believes in them. That’s a strong foundation for any organization.