Falcons head coach Raheem Morris recently appeared on the Pewter Report Podcast and delved into a variety of topics, including new Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen, whom Morris knows from their days together with the Los Angeles Rams.

Whether it is what he has learned from his mentors with the Bucs, what the days were like back as the team’s head coach, or even into modern times discussing his new-look Falcons and the expectations that come with having two new highly acclaimed quarterbacks, little explanation is needed to quantity just how big of a season it is for him back in the division.

Not only does a big season loom for Morris but also for Coen and offensive line coach Kevin Carberry, who were both on the Rams’ staff with him when he was Los Angeles’ defensive coordinator.

Morris shared his thoughts on what each will bring to Tampa Bay along with his thoughts on head coach Todd Bowles, who he knows quite well in a unique way.

Raheem Morris: Liam Coen “Has A Certain Swag And A Certain Authentic Energy That People Are Going To Love”

Bucs OC Liam Coen – Photo by: Matt Matera/PR

The Bucs got their first taste of Liam Coen’s offense in game action during the team’s 17-14 win to kick off their preseason over the Bengals. Although the unit struggled and put up just seven points in a 20-7 loss to the Jaguars, Coen and Co. are continuing to build and lay the foundation for a successful offense.

Raheem Morris went up against Coen’s offense during practices throughout the 2022 season with the Rams, including a late-season stint facing quarterback Baker Mayfield. When it comes to Tampa Bay’s new mastermind on offense, Morris sees him bringing a blend of knowledge and style that will be infectious.

Even if it’s a style of waffle sweaters and Lululemon apparel.

“Liam will bring a wealth of knowledge,” Morris said. “He has a certain swag about him and a certain authentic energy that people are going to love. He’ll get mad at me about this, but he probably has on a beautiful waffle t-shirt, waffle sweater right now. Something Lululemon [laughs], because he’s so stylish.

“He’s one of those guys that’s going to bring a bunch of energy to that room. The players are going to love him. He’s going to be able to absolutely breathe confidence into them, just like he did at Kentucky and what he was able to do with us when he was [with] the Rams with the two stints that he was there. That’s just what he does.”

Coen brought offensive line coach Kevin Carberry with him after working together in Los Angeles. While the team limped to a 5-12 finish in 2022, they still had a successful run game marked by a strong three-game finish by running back Cam Akers. Overall, the Rams rushed 411 times for 1,661 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns that season.

Bucs OL coach Kevin Carberry – Photo by: USA Today

Carberry not only brings familiarity, but he comes from the Bill Callahan coaching tree after working under him in Dallas and Washington. Callahan is a longtime NFL coach who gets the most out of the run game, and Morris spoke on that influence coming over to the Bucs through Carberry.

“[Kevin] Carberry brings a toughness to the game,” Morris added. “He’s a critical thinker. He’s a guy that’s going to be embraced in the run game and be able to get some of those thoughts to Liam so Liam can make some of those calls. I’m sure he’ll be heavily involved with those things. But the toughness he’ll preach in his guys and get those guys to play.

“A Bill Callahan disciple. One of the greatest in the game, you see what they did out in Cleveland running the football [under him from 2020-2023]. I think now he’s moved on to Tennessee with his son [and head coach Brian]. You always got respect from that Callahan tree just like you got respect from that Monte Kiffin tree when you’re talking about defense. All of those old-school coaches that influenced us, and Bill Callahan was one of the ones that got Carberry.”

Raheem Morris and Todd Bowles Come From The “Bloody Italian” Mentality

Raheem Morris not only spoke highly of Liam Coen and Kevin Carberry but also of Bucs head coach Todd Bowles.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Morris has known Bowles for a long time and they share a connection for having the same high school football coach long ago. He sees that as the origin of the way Bowles attacks the quarterback and makes things uncomfortable as a defensive play-caller.

“I don’t know if you know the history of Todd, but I’ve known Todd for a long time,” Morris said. “Todd went to Elizabeth High School [in New Jersey], and I went to Irvington. We both played under the same high school coach. So the mentality of the bloody Italian, in your face [playstyle] is what he’s from and is what I’m from.

“So like, his mentality to attack the quarterback and make you uncomfortable is something he’s lived on and been about his whole professional career. He’s done that at a high level. He brings more juice to the games with his playcalling and his decision-making in some of those moments. I have a lot of respect for Todd when it comes to those things … It’s just a mutual respect between the guys and how we go about our business, but just know on game day, we’re both going to be out to get each other.”

Watch Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris On The Pewter Report Podcast

If you want to check out Falcons head coach Raheem Morris’ full interview with Scott Reynolds and Adam Slivon, check it out below.