Former Buc Spurrier drops by

The Bucs had a famous visitor today in South Carolina coach (and former UF coach) Steve Spurrier.

The Ol' Ball Coach was in town for a reunion of 1960s-era Florida players this weekend at Innisbrook. But first, the one-time Bucs quarterback took a little time to take in this morning's workout at One Buc Place. He came away impressed.

"The Bucs have a good looking team," Spurrier said. "Of course, I played for them way back, so that's the team I pull for, as well as the 49ers (who he also played for). Hopefully, they'll meet in the Super Bowl."

One thing Spurrier and Bucs coah Jon Gruden have in common in their one-on-one work with quarterbacks. Asked who is harder on them, Spurrier grinned and said he couldn't say.

But Spurrier did allow this: "I haven't watched Jon coach a lot until today, and I understand why his voice is a little hoarse most of the time. He yells and screams. Boy, I tell you. I admire the passion he has for this game. And he does it year round. I'm a little different from him. In the offseason, I need to get away from football. But I think he could do football 12 months a year and never get tired of it....The NFL is a good 11-month job. Ours, we get about two or three months off to do some other things in the offseason."

Spurrier has several former players with the Bucs, including Ike Hilliard and Kevin Carter, both of whom played for Spurrier at Florida. Another of his former players hasn't been around in a while, running back Earnest Graham.

"Hopefully Earnest Graham will get his butt back out here," the coach said. "I haven't called Earnest, but he would expect me to say what I said."

Comments

[Ray]

Hey Steve, you must have been out of NFL for too long. Tampa Bay and San Fransisco cannot ever meet in a S.B. unless one team is moved to the AFC.

[mm]

Pretty freakin cool to have SOS drop by practice!

[scooterbucs]

My thoughts exactly, Ray. It's no wonder he couldn't hack it in the NFL. I'm curious why he doesn't pull for the Skins?

[CW]

this was an entertaining tidbit from practice! Obviously, the ol' ball coach is more suited to the college game. I love his comment about needing a couple months off. Gruden should at least take a couple hours off.

[Duane]

Steve must be getting senile in his old age. 49ers vs Bucs in a SB? Used to be a time when he held a well documented grudge against this team. Got his hat handed to him in the NFL where there are no Troy St., Eastern Kentucky's or Western Central Michigan's to fill up on.

[mm]

Uh, SOS won a national championship by beating a stellar FSU team (#1 if I remember right). You don't win 6 SEC titles playing Troy. Regardless if you like him or hate him, The guy can coach.

[B.D]

guess he forgot they moved the Bucs from the A.F.C west to the N.F.C Central after he played for them

[Kurt]

At least he told Graham to get his butt back to practice. Be a man Graham, and keep your word.

[jackpc]

There is a terrific NFL films footage of Spurrier in a Redskin training camp asking one of his assistant coaches when does the afternoon practice end so that he can go out for a round of golf. Definitely not NFL material. I don't know how Gruden does it - not just 12 months a year but also with his night owl schedule - and still have a family life.

[Duane]

Spurrier may be able to coach in the minor leagues, but he was no NFL coach that was for sure. John McKay won a couple of national championships to and was a better NFL coach than Spurrier.

[Harry]

What Steve says goes!! And therefore TB and SF will meet in the Superbowl someday. lol I love this guy