Bucs’ lockout violation arises from calls to players

AP

Throughout the lockout, it appeared that the NFL wouldn’t take any action to address what likely was rampant contact between teams and players during the lockout.

Charley Casserly of CBS reported earlier today that the NFL is investigating several teams for impermissible contact with players.  Specifically, Casserly said that the Buccaneers are one of those teams.

A source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that the Bucs were caught via phone records reflecting that seven calls were placed to players, three of which registered at a minute or less.

One call, the source explains, was made by coach Raheem Morris to tight end Kellen Winslow to congratulate him on the birth of a child.  In another call, Morris called former Bucs linebacker Niko Koutovides.

The Bucs have not yet been informed of the specific punishment.  During the lockout, it was reported that any coach who violates the prohibition against lockout contact will be fired with cause, which means without pay.

If anyone thinks the Bucs will fire Raheem Morris with cause, we suggest not holding your breath.  Or any other bodily function.

37 responses to “Bucs’ lockout violation arises from calls to players

  1. Ridiculous. To congratulate the guy? Being a Bills fan.. I heard that our lead journalist Chris Brown wanted to attend our punter’s (Brian Moorman) charity event during the lockout. Believe he was allowed to attend, but could not have any contact with Moorman. Amazing how far this touches.

  2. max fine to coach – $500k
    max fine to team – $250k

    make it happen goodell. show u got some nuts punishing other teams that are in the same division as the NYj.

    cheaters!!!!

  3. I will wait for details. Because if these calls were to congratulate or talk about life events, than I would be dissapointed if they get fined. I also wonder when Goodell will take these outrageous fines on teams and players, and donate the money to charity. Does the NFL really need James Harrisons fine money? I have a feeling there are charities that could use fine money more than the most profitable league in sports needs it. It bothers me to see the NFL pocket the money. Correct me if they are doing this already, but I am positive it goes right to the NFL bank account.

  4. the milwaukee bucks are the only bucks. please stop calling the buccanneers, or worse yet- the pittsburgh pirates, bucs. it’s muck worse on tv and radio (we’ll be talking bucs coming up next…) from a bucks fan.

  5. I can’t stand Morris and I know he backbit his way into his job, but he should not be fined for that petty karap.

  6. Seven calls…..3 at a minute or less….and one was for the birth of Kellen’s kid……

    I don’t think you’re going to get much info in less than a minute…

    The NFL is going overboard on this one.

  7. If the calls and contact are about congratulating a man on the birth of their child what is the problem? As long as they aren’t football related there shouldn’t be any punishment, the NFL makes me shake my head in disgust sometimes.

    “If anyone thinks the Bucs will fire Raheem Morris with cause, we suggest not holding your breath. Or any other bodily function.”

    And why would they do that? Raheem Morris is giving the franchise some hope with the young team he has turned out that is becoming more and more competitive, even with a cheap owner and fans who don’t show up to games.

  8. schemefactory says: Sep 11, 2011 12:46 PM

    the milwaukee bucks are the only bucks. please stop calling the buccanneers, or worse yet- the pittsburgh pirates, bucs. it’s muck worse on tv and radio (we’ll be talking bucs coming up next…) from a bucks fan.

    To schemo,
    If the Milwaukee Bucks were relevant, this would not be an issue.

  9. you are all a bunch of maroons for not seeing through the screen. How would Morris know of the birth of Winslow’s child unless they had more in depth contact. so let me repeat: cheaters!

  10. Roger Goodell at his best. Screw right of wrong…if I say it you better do it or I’ll bust your ass! Since the NFLPA let him off the hook, whatever happens happens. I know he’s a coach but everyone was comfortable giving him all this power, him alone. Goodell said it’s a fine, then fine him. I know it’s really stupid, but whatever Goodell says goes. If he doesn’t like it, appeal! Hahahahahaha…

  11. Breaking the rules, is breaking the rules. Some here call it cheating. I think a large fine and loss of a top draft pick is warranted. I mean everyone else does it, but Tampa got caught. Kind of reminds me of spygate.

    On a side note, 3 teams that will not be as good as last year, KC, Tampa, and Atlanta.

  12. Loss of first round pick for the bucs or fire morris let the team make the choice but make them pick within 10 days

  13. Congrats leslie…u had a nice gay talk with bernard, and he promised to be,better. He,cost us the game, moron

  14. sickpuppyz says:
    Sep 11, 2011 1:12 PM

    you are all a bunch of maroons for not seeing through the screen. How would Morris know of the birth of Winslow’s child unless they had more in depth contact. so let me repeat: cheaters!
    *************

    Ever hear of Twitter or Facebook? Winslow could have used either medium to announce the birth of his child.

    *gasp* Or Morris could have read it in the paper or heard it on the news.

    Ultra Maroon.

  15. Cheaters!

    While other teams abide by the rules these guys are cheating to get a competitive advantage.

    “Hey congrats on the birth of your new child. I dropped a bag of play books off at our secret location. Make sure they get distributed to the new guys on the team.”

    Looks like you could fit that into a phone call in under a minute to me.

  16. Why in hell wasn’t he clever enough to buy a throw-a-way phone with prepaid minutes???

    I’m a retired, stupid old bastid and I know how to do that.

    Cheers, BostonTim

  17. Seriously? He congratulated a guy on having a baby? Well, my heavens, Goodell, let’s have him flogged!! The commissioner is such a twit.

  18. What if a coach in the NFL had a son that was a player? Guess they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate Easter or go to any family functions for fear of violating the lockout rules. Personal communication should not be outlawed during times of a lockout, if the subject matter is the NFL, then it breaks the rules but how can they prove that?

    Sometimes I can’t take the league seriously…

  19. @glennmcahill

    You can’t take the league seriously because a “what if” situation that didn’t come up wasn’t addressed?

  20. Firing might be to much, but rules are rules they have to be followed, no matter how dumbs. Bucs knew this.

  21. @s. You do know that once a cell phone rings timer starts. Can u prove he picked up first ring. Each ring,seconds wasted.your a tool get a life and stick to your band wagon team u cheerlead for.

  22. He should be punished. They knew the rules and how the NFL was going to go after them. Do you remember that the NFL strongly warned the new SF49er coach Jim Harbaugh when he called to congratulate Alex Smith on the new baby? And he wasn’t EVEN ON THE TEAM. At the time Alex Smith wasn’t under contract.

    With that kind of hard-and-fast rules, there should be swift and harsh punishment. Everyone else had to do it. What where those 4 long calls about? Let’s hear more about that.

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