Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris met with the Washington Redskins on Wednesday to discuss joining their staff as a defensive backs coach, a league source with knowledge of the situation said. Morris left town Thursday without accepting a position.
The Redskins had not announced any coaching vacancies as of Thursday. Bob Slowik has coached Washington’s defensive backs for the past two seasons. He was on Shanahan’s staff in Denver for Shanahan’s final four seasons there.
Tampa Bay fired Morris on Monday after he went 14-18 in two seasons as coach, including 4-12 in 2011.
He had been a member of the Buccaneers’ staff since 2001, except for the 2006 season when he was Kansas State’s defensive coordinator.
Current Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was an offensive quality control coach for the Buccaneers in 2004 and 05, the same years Morris was an assistant defensive backs coach there. Redskins general manager Bruce Allen held the same position with Tampa Bay from 2004 through 2008, so he also is well-acquainted with Morris.
Mike Shanahan and Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett praised the play of their defensive linemen and linebackers as the season concluded, but the secondary’s play was uneven all year.
Washington ranked 22nd in the 32-team NFL in yards allowed per pass (6.98 yards). That was an improvement over their No. 29 ranking last season (7.24).
WTOP Radio first reported the meeting between Morris and the Redskins.
• Rich Campbell can be reached at rcampbell@washingtontimes.com.
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