What a difference a year makes.
Following a rocky first season for the partnership of Bucs coach Raheem Morris and new G.M. Mark Dominik, Tampa Bay won 10 games in 2010 as the youngest team in football.
The Buccaneers rewarded Dominik on Monday with a four-year contract extension.
“I am appreciative of the confidence the Glazer family has in the direction of the franchise,” Dominik said. “I am looking forward to working into my 20th year as a proud part of this community and organization.”
Dominik earned the Glazers’ confidence by building with young players. He found the right franchise quarterback in Josh Freeman in 2009, then got 52 starts from rookies in 2010. Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn should be a solid pair of starting wideouts for Freeman to grow with together.
Things have a way of changing fast in the NFL, but the NFC South looks like it should be one of the toughest divisions in football over the next few years with good front offices and coaching staffs behind Freeman, Drew Brees, and Matt Ryan.