'Bag of Excuses': Rams Coach Raheem Morris Shares Advice of Steelers Mike Tomlin
The Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers both sit at a 3-6 record and last place in their respective divisions heading into Week 11.
But knowing the history that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris have together, backing down from adversity hardly seems like an option despite the fact that there is little hope for the postseason.
Morris, who helped coach defensive backs with Tomlin when the two were with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff in the early 2000s, shared some excuse-less advice from Tomlin that could benefit LA's approach to each do-or-die week moving forward.
“That will be in the excuse business, so I'm going to stay out of that world," Morris said of LA's injuries factoring into the losses. "Mike Tomlin used to tell me a long time ago, ‘I’ve got this bag in my office. You can go get one of those excuses at that bag, bring it back to me and tell me about it.’"
Before Tomlin and Morris both won Super Bowls with their current teams, they were a part of the championship-winning Bucs team in 2003 that took down the Oakland Raiders 48-21 in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Behind Tomlin and Morris's defensive coaching in the secondary, the Bucs intercepted Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon a whopping five times, three of which were returned for touchdowns.
Morris secured his second Super Bowl last season, clearly showing he has was it takes to be a factor on a Super Bowl-winning staff. And after learning alongside one of the longest-tenured and most well-respected coaches in the league, excuses clearly won't be on the agenda.
"We won't be in the excuse-making business," Morris said. "Our job is to win football games and we’ve got to go out there and find a way to do that this week.”
The Rams (3-6) will try to "find a way" against the New Orleans Saints (3-7) on Sunday at Caesars Superdome. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. PT.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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