Well now that the fans have had some time to adjust to the firing of Head Coach Jon Gruden, what is the mood like in Tampa?
I understand that teams struggle, and that many times coaches pay the price for it. I'm just not so sure that letting Gruden go was the best thing to do. While Tampa has been up and down the past few years there is more to notice than just Grudens ability or lack there of. in this modern era of winning and championships, Gruden has got to be heralded as the greatest coach in Bucs history delivering their only Super Bowl in 2002. They have had several playoff years in his tenure, and despite an unexpected collapse at the end of this season were on pace to make the playoffs again safter starting 9-3.
Is Tampa Bay's 0-4 finish solely on the shoulders of Gruden? Probably not. Has he been made the scapegoat for a mediocre team with expectations that are unattainable? Possibly. Granted, Tony Dungy did an amazing job in Tampa turning the Buccaneers from a team of ridicule almost annually to a legitimate playoff team. But even Dungy could not bring a Lombardi Trophy to the sunshine state. Gruden being one of the handful of prodigies to excel under the tutelidge of coaching great Mike Holmgren, took over Tampa and led them straight to the Super Bowl in 2002. As for this years fall from grace, did Gruden's coaching ability take a leave of abscence in December? I doubt it. The coach can only take you so far, and then the players have to make plays.
Derrick Brooks is an amazing linebacker and more than likely a Hall of Fame candidate, but he is worn down, and doesn't provide the same explosiveness that he once did. What about Cadillac williams. I've never known anyone who spent that much money on a cadillac for it to be in the shop so often. Tampa, like many other teams in the league, suffers at the quarterback position. They've been through several in the past years including Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski, Brian Griese, andf Garcia. Jake Plummer raised expectations for about a minute after being traded to Tampa, but never took a snap as a Buccaneer and retired before the start of the season. Brad Johnson and Shaun King are faces of the past, and the future doesn't look very bright either. There should be plenty of free agent qb's this year and many may fit well in Tampa.
No matter what, the ability to stay on top is a rapidly changing process, but perhaps Tampa can find a way to restor the days of "Pewter Power."
Keywords: brad johnson, brian griese, bruce gradkowski, cadillac williams, chriss simms, derrick brooks, jeff garcia, john gruden, lombardi trophy, mike holmgren, shaun king, super bowl, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tony dungy
