Valero could take Rams post
At least one Bucs assistant coach may be jumping ship.
Running backs coach Art Valero has had discussions with the St. Louis Rams about joining their revamped staff under head coach Scott Linehan.
Nothing has been finalized, but it's likely Valero would coach the Rams' offensive line. St. Louis fired offensive line coach Paul Boudreau last week and Greg Olson was informed he would not be the team's offensive coordinator in 2008.
Valero worked with Linehan twice in his career - at the University of Idaho from 1991-93 and at Louisville from '99-'01. During those stops, Valero served as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
Valero has spent six seasons with the Bucs, all under coach Jon Gruden. He coached tight ends for two seasons and the last four years has coached running backs. In 2006 and '07, Valero also held the title of assistant head coach.
The Bucs have informed coach Richard Mann they would like to sign him to a contract extension. Speculation is that offensive line coach Bill Muir might be headed to Miami to be reunited with Bill Parcells, the Dolphins new executive vice president of football operations.
The Bucs have expressed an interest in hiring former Nebraska coach Bill Callahan, who spent four years on Gruden's staff in Oakland before becoming the Raiders head coach in 2002-03. Callahan coaches the offensive line.
The coaching carousel is just beginning to spin.
Bucs Beat is the online destination for Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans interested in the latest news about the team. St. Petersburg Times reporters Rick Stroud, Stephen Holder, Dave Scheiber and Joe Smith will provide regular updates. Readers can comment on players, coaches, the front office - all of it.
Any thought to if there is a mutiny aboard the Oakland Raiders ship, that Lane Kiffin could end up here with his dad?
Posted by: Jay | January 09, 2008 at 06:44 PM
Please fire Gruden.
Posted by: Clint | January 09, 2008 at 08:03 PM
how in the world could the bucs offer contracts to Bill Muir and Richard mann?!!! they are awful. our development of wr's has been horrible. what has mann done to better our recievers. what has he done with clayton. we know clayton has talent. mann needs to get this guy back to where he once was. and stovall should be farther along too. i hope muir turns down the offer and rejoins the Big Stink in Miami!
Posted by: aaron | January 10, 2008 at 06:14 AM
Clint, Just Shut Up!
Posted by: Keith | January 10, 2008 at 08:33 AM
I agree with Aaron 100%. Muir & Mann are "zeroes" Bucs offensive line cannot beat a team with a winning record. Games are won or lost by the play of the offensive & defensive line. Best QB, RB & WR in NFL would fail with the Bucs because they have no offensive line. They all looked like "fagots" against the Giants.
Posted by: Alan Kapell | January 10, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Clint says: "fire Gruden". It will not happen because the Glazers have a problem paying someone for doing nothing. They have a Super Bowl & the team will remain $30 to $50 million under the cap because: "It's not the money, it's DA money" PS: High price free agents are not always the answer. ie: Joey Porter / Miami Dolphins plus the Bucs have had very bad luck with free agents.
Posted by: Alan Kapell | January 10, 2008 at 08:52 AM