Raheem Morris won't be extended until next year.

Earlier this off-season the Buccaneers picked up options on both Raheem Morris and Mark Dominik. I said at the time that was the wrong move, that both men deserved contract extensions. Well, fortunately the Bucs rectified that with one of them when they inked Dominik to a four year extension with a healthy raise. However though, according to Pewter Report, the Bucs have no such plans to extend Morris in the immediate future. Since picking up his option, the Bucs have had no discussions with Morris or his agent about a long-term extension. And that lack of conversation isn’t one-sided.

Morris’ camp would prefer to wait until after the 2011 season. Their belief is if the upcoming season goes well, Morris and his infectious personality and ability to lead players would be able to command an upper echelon salary and long-term deal with only one-year remaining on his contract. Morris clearly has the support of the locker room, so with him heading into a lame-duck year in 2012 there would be internal pressure for the team to sign Morris to a lucrative multi-year deal.

A lot of the Glazer-bashers will use this as evidence that the Glazers are being cheap again, and I’ll admit I certainly take my shots at the ownership when it’s warranted. It’s not warranted this time though, the Bucs may not be looking to extend Morris right now but he’s also not looking to take an extension either. He understands that with a playoff run this year he’s going to be looking at a huge payday. Morris has already begun to ascend the NFL coaching hierarchy, finishing second in the coach-of-the-year balloting last season.

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