Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-year head coach Raheem Morris remains optimistic despite the team's 0-6 start and 10-game losing streak dating back to last season.

Asked about the Bucs' shortcomings during Sunday's 28-21 loss to the Carolina Panthers, Morris preferred to focus on the positives.

Among the things he liked most about the team's performance were its opening scoring drive, Tanard Jackson's interception return for a touchdown, Sammie Stroughter's kickoff return for a score, the Bucs' performance on third down and their win in the turnover battle.

He also cited cornerbacks Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib holding Panthers receiver Steve Smith to one catch for four yards, Cadillac Williams' rushing performance and Earnest Graham's willingness to move to fullback to fill in for injured B.J. Askew.

"The results right now are disappointing but to see the people start to grow and develop into what they can become are pretty encouraging,'' Morris said.

Morris acknowledged that the defense "wore down'' during the final drive, when Carolina drove 80 yards on 16 plays (15 runs) to score the winning touchdown.

"That’s where we have to find a way for our young guys to step up and our young players to become better talent so we can sub guys out, we can rotate the guys, we can have more guys going there,'' Morris said. "Maybe it’s time to see a little Dre Moore, maybe it’s time to see a different rotation there with the top four with the inside four so we can hold up more.''