TAMPA, Fla. � Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris will call defensive plays for the Buccaneers after demoting defensive coordinator Jim Bates following a 1-9 start.

The Bucs, who lost to New Orleans 38-7 Sunday, are 26th in the NFL in total defense, allowing just over 378 yards per game. They�re last in rushing defense and have allowed 294 points, the second-highest total in the league.
It�s the second major change Morris has made with the coaching staff since training camp. Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski was fired 10 days before the start of the season.
It�s not clear what Bates� duties will be the rest of the season. He was hired last winter to install a system to replace the one the Bucs ran for 13 seasons under former defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.