Three assistants return; No Kiffin -- yet

Offensive line coach Bill Muir, receivers Richard Mann and special teams coach Rich Bisaccia are back in the fold for the Bucs.

The big news, however, is who isn't: defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

General manager Bruce Allen revealed in a just-completed news conference the Bucs have re-signed three of their assistant coaches. They also have tendered an offer to Kiffin, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the month, but conversations with Kiffin's agent, Jimmy Sexton, are ongoing.

Allen wouldn't characterize the status of the talks, deferring those questions to Sexton, who couldn't immediately be reached for comment. Kiffin also declined to comment when reached this afternoon.

Kiffin, Allen said, "really is a fixture and an important part of the Buccaneers and he has said he wants to come back. Coach Gruden has said he wants to come back. We'll let him work on his timetable."

Allen also confirmed that Tampa Bay had granted permission to the Rams to interview running backs coach Art Valero, who is expected to accept an offer from St. Louis. Regarding assistant offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, Allen seemed optimistic about the chances of his return and said the two will meet over the weekend.

Regarding the future of coach Jon Gruden, Allen wouldn't offer many specifics, but said the first priority was the expiring contracts of the assistants. Gruden has another season left on his contract.

Asked whether he had any doubt Gruden would be the coach in 2008, Allen emphatically said, "No."

Comments

[James]

"the Bucs had re-signed several of their assistant coaches."

What exactly does "several assistants" mean? You guys reported that they only resigned Mann, Muir and Bissacia. That's 3 assistants, not "several". Isn't being as clear as possible a good start for a reporter?

[Matt]

One = 1
A couple = 2
A few = 3
Several = 4 or more.

Good point James

[Voc]

This would have been the perfect time to clean house with this coaching staff... There contracts were up and we could have moved on. Having a coach around for a year, how are we going to get free agents in here... The Glazers are confused, I do not understand our management... Look no further than the top management....

Bill Muir are you kidding me, Richard Mann are you kidding me. Other than Gallaway and Hilliard, were are the other recievers, and you reward this man with an extension. If I worked on my job like Muir and Mann, I would not have a job. This is nothing but a buddy system here in tampa bay....

[joe]

Jesus H. Christ! when does the complaining stop?

[James]

No doubt Joe.

I also don't understand the big problem people have with Bill Muir. He's one of the highest respected OL coaches in the game. He got our very average line to play awesome during the playoffs in 2002 and now for the first time in forever he has some young studs to work with here. The same people who say Muir stinks are the very same who say Aaron Sears looked great this season...who the hell do you guys think coached Sears up? Yep, Bill Muir. I don't get it.

[James]

Btw, he also coached up Dan Buenning who when isn't injured, is a very good lineman. Bill Muir get's everything he can out of the talent he has. Blame the GM if the talent isn't satisfying enough not Mr. Muir.

[me]

He is headed to Atlanta to be the new DC.

[Big Dog WDAE]

Good job Voc!! I am glad you decided to parrot my rant on the radio yesterday!
Jon Gruden is bad news people! He only wants to win a football game if HE looks good!
I have my sources ... you don't!!!

PS) I still swear that someone is going to buy this football team from the Glazers ... I might just be about 20 years off in my prediction but it will happen you freakin' morons!!!

[James]

Headed to Atlanta? Go to sleep.

[m]

According to a circa 1960s Funk and Wagnalls dictionary, several means, "more than two, yet not many." If a few = 3, as Matt states, than three would be more clear than a few and a few would never really be necessary.

[James]

According to rule of thumb...

Matt's right

One = 1
A couple = 2
A few = 3
Several = 4+

[Tom]

James and Matt, are you guys that bored that you're concerned with semantics? Goodness, cut the guy some slack and stop splitting hairs. Talk football.

[Tom]

Don't get me wrong, I want Kiffin back. But if he decides to leave, we have a star in the making in Raheem Morris. I would have no problem with him being Defensive Coordinator.

[Sky]

I say let's move on and work hard for next year. We will have a good team all we need to do is address our receiving corps and tight ends.

[Sunshine Sammy]

there is NOTHING wrong with this team ... we were just a few fluke plays away from going 13-3 this year

SUPER BOWL OR BUST NEXT SEASON!

PS) I think the Bucs are great

[Stephen Holder]

First off, you guys are a tough crowd. I guess some of you saw my first (rough) draft of this. Was just trying to get it out there so you had the news as quick as possible. It's all right tho. If I can take the worst Gruden and Allen have to dish, I can handle you guys :) Now, regarding Monte: I'd be SHOCKED if this didn't get done. Look, Monte knows his value to the Bucs, so he wants to make sure they show their gratitude. How do you do that: with your checkbook. It's called playing hardball. No love lost. It's all business.

[Mike]

Absolutely Stephen! When you head a defense that is rated in the top 5 year in and year out you deserve to get paid as a top DC!

[Dale]

Stephen, how about rewarding Monte with the checkbook and by putting a statue of him at One Buc along with all of the other key folks from SB XXXVII. How can you have Sapp, Brooks, Lynch, and Gruden without Monte??

[Mr. S]

I agree with Dale. I would hold out for more money and a statue...

[John]

I'm not a huge fan of the Mann & Muir signings either. I agree with James that Muir has done a decent job with the lineman. However, if he's in charge of any of the offensive game plan (which his title suggests), then I think he should take a walk. Mann hasn't done anything with all the receivers we've drafted. I like the job Bisaccia has done. Valero did a fine job with the backs, though you have to wonder how you mis-evaluate a guy like Graham.

[Stephen Holder]

I just talked to Monte on the phone. He didn't want to comment on the negotiations, which I can understand. But he didn't have anything negative to say, either. So, my hunch, again, is that this will get done. But there's probably just a lot of details to work through. This contract isn't like that of the position coaches. Much different money and parameters, etc.

[John Klopfer]

Muir has done a fabulous job. The running blocking that propelled a 3rd string running back to breakout season can be attributed Muir. As for Mann; Paris Warren looks as though he was going to have a breakout season prior to injury. Clayton was a vital cclog in run protection, and as the year progressed came up with some big catched. Stovall looked as inconsistent as many 2nd year players look...he has a tremendous upside. Coaching wise, we need to get Kiffin signed.

It never occurred to me that Kiffen wasn't statue-d.

That's a damn shame.

[Me]

Big dog...You're the only Moron around here! take a hike buddy, hell, even I could say the team will be sold and be right! "Oh it may be 20 years but the tema will be sold" Freaken Dip sh*t

[rocko23]

Brooks and Monte can both hit the road, time for new ideas and energy on the D

[James]

I heard a few weeks ago that Monte Kiffin's statue has already been ordered so everybody can breathe easier knowing he hasn't been left out. Also, I run into Monte Kiffin a few times a month at a certain restuarant on Gulf Blvd and all I have to say is he will forever be my favorite football guy. Wherever he goes, Kiff will always be a Buc. Much like Lynch, Sapp, Rice, Hardy, and D-Jack.

[James]

Rocko23, you're an idiot. Get rid of two HOF people for what? You tell me who has more energy than Monte Kiffin......you can't can ya?

[NPR_BucFan]

I agree that people need to stop complaining and be happy we had the season we had. Not one person here can say they knew the Bucs would win their division without lying.

Stephen kudos to getting us the info. People have too much time on their hands to pick on a report. Get back to work people. Keep reporting!

Another thing I am frankly tired of hearing is Big Dog saying "I've got my sources". If he's knows his stuff, why don't you try coaching. Good Luck! It would be better seeing you fail then listening to you on the radio.

Nice, calling your listeners "freakin' morons". If we get a new coach, can we get a new WDAE talk show too?

[Jennifer]

Why are the Bucs so secretive all the time? Just tell us straight up. Gruden will be here and Kiffen will be too if they pay him enough, how hard was that? A couple, two three or four coaches have signed, which ones?? Cmon is it that hard. Oh well, we will find out sooner or later, meanwhile GO PACKERS!!!

[John]

OK Jennifer, you are officially excommunicated back to G.B.

[LAURA]

Yes Jenifer like your Brett Favre hasn't been toying with you cheeseheads for years..i'm retiring..no i'm not..can't he tell you straight up....GO BUCS!!!!!

[Zachary]

you guys need a life, because you guessing what is going to happen months from now. we have not even gotten to the super bowl yet. rellay is mr.kiffin does not come back BIG DEAL we can sign someone else this is a game of who can get the best. whimps!!!! GET A LIFE MAN BECAUSE YOU ARE WASTING YOURS FREINDS!!

[Zachary]

THE BUCS NEED TO DARFT A GOOD QB AND A GOOD WR AND MAYBE GET A RB THAT DOES NOT GET HURT AND ON THE NOTE MAYBE WE IF WE KEPT WARRICK DUNN , WE MAY HAVE GONE DEEPER INTO THE PLAYOFFS.
PATS ARE 17-0 AND GONIG TO MAKE IT 19-0 WITH A SUPERBOWL RING TO GO WITH IT A REMINDER THAT PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT RANDY MOSS WAS DONE FOR NEED TO GET THERE HEADS EXAMINED FOR CANCER. TOM BRADY IS GONIG TO PASS BRET FARVE'S RECORDS LIKE THE WERE CHLID'S PLAY, PAT ARE # 1 IN THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL.
SEE YOU NEXT TIME GUYS !!