Wondering what the Glazers are thinking

It's at times like these that it's frustrating to cover a team like the Bucs.

Our job as reporters is to ask the questions that people out there want answers to. We've done that where the coaches and players are concerned. But, as usual, ownership remains silent.

We're left to guess where the Glazer family stands on the Bucs' historic collapse because, well, no one ever talks to the Glazers. And that's certainly their prerogative. They don't owe the media anything, including their time. But there is a great deal of frustration from the fan base this morning, and people want answers. Not me, mind you. I'm talking about the people who pay $99 a seat to watch bad football. Because this late-season swoon is a such a unique situation, isn't it a worthy argument that perhaps ownership should break from its usual stance on making public comments?

Yes, the Glazer family is largely responsible for turning the page with this franchise and transforming it into a winner that gave its fans something to be proud of. But does that buy a lifetime pass when it comes to allaying the concerns of fans? I think not.

But stay tuned: If things go as planned, we'll get our requisite annual interview with ownership -- in March.

Comments

[JC]

Stephen, if people are willing to pay $99 to watch bad football, then that's their problem. I opted out on my season tickets after the epic failure last season in the playoffs and have no intentions on visiting Ray Jay anytime soon. It's a matter of principle for me.

The Bucs obviously lack leadership. We used to see Derrick Brooks as the team leader... always out there pumping the team up. Watching from my seats, you can see Ruud getting fired up before the play. I think of Chris Hovan getting all pumped up when they play "Welcome to the Jungle" over the PA... but there are no leaders... noone stands out.

I dont know if the Bucs have to put up money to get that franchise player who will be the image of the Buccaneers or if they have to search out and entice a free agent.

Something drastic needs to be done...

[Matt H]

Would it be too much to ask for them to sign McNabb, Garcia and have Johnson as the 3rd QB?

Sign Haynesworth and a 1st round DE, and a 2nd round LB cut bait on these "depth" players like Black and Haywood who haven't made a play in two years!

The Offense put up about 23-24 points a game (Team Record) and in Tampa that should be enough to win every game. The reason we aren't in the playoffs despite being tied or leading in the 4th quarter each of the last 4 weeks is the Defense and there needs to be a serious look at whether Brooks, Barber and Carter are part of the 2009 solution.

Without getting some big time help in FA we won't win 5 games next year, because we can't protect 24 points on the scoreboard.

[Dave]

I can tell you what I'm thinking. I just got done looking at the Bucs list of opponents for 2009, and I do not have a warm fuzzy feeling... actually the nausea from yesterday afternoon has returned. Something needs to be said or done by ownership. I no longer live in Tampa, or Florida for that matter, and I can tell you the trip I had planned to go back for a Bucs game will certainly not happen! I'd rather pay someone to jab rusty nails in my face than support the Glazers greed.

[TriplePlay]

JC is right on.

I will not renew my tickets until Gruden is gone.

This experiment is over. It's time for the Glazers to stand up. In fact, all taxpayers should demand the Glazers take action. We've wasted enough tax $$$$ making them rich now it's time to payback.

[keith]

the bottom line is after '06 the bucs were released from salary cap hell. since then, they've only gone further and further away from the cap...and now they're what...40+ million below it?

when your team gasses in the 4th quarter in every game in december...maybe depth is the reason.

anyway, kiffin's announcement sunk whatever heart was left prior to that carolina game.

i wish the man luck, but maybe next time somebody will think twice before opening their mouth about intent to move on. NOTHING was served by announcing that on Nov 30.

i want to fire gruden if only because there is still no QB developed..but how can you blame a coach who is strapped 40++ million below the cap?

[mockdraught]

The Jets are gonna want Gruden, so let him out now. But Allen must go first. Then Garcia. And the tired old defenders must retire: Ronde, Derrick. Hire Bill Cowher and start anew.

Here's a big problem, though. The Glazers do not care.

[Dave]

I think a boycot is appropriate. The Kiffen thing was poorly handled, the team was playing like they didn't care. Maybe they all hate Gruden... who knows? This is a sinking pirate ship! I'm a long time Gruden supporter, but after yesterdays game, I no longer have faith that he is the man for the rebuilding that will be required here. The Bucs have lost their identity. Hearing Rich Gannon repeatedly questioning and rip the Bucs yesterday... he made sense every time. We need a new direction. Gru was the right guy back in the day, but we need to think about tomorrow, not yesterday.

[jeff]

bringing old players into tampa didnt work and keeping old players will not work brooks and barber its time to go . i hate to say that its time to move on and the issue of monte leaving the bucs with 4 weeks to go showed very little class . say what you want but this team has to be willing to spend monew to get better .

[keith]

think about it...

gruden is brought on to win a super bowl (tears apart oakland), and then the same franchise ultimately hammers in the last nail?

there is some circuitous closure in that.

[Dave]

True, the Glazers don't care.... except when you talk $$$$$. As fans we have the $ they want! So... stop buying Bucs merchandise, stop going to games. MAKE the owners care. We can!

[james wilson]

The Glaziers' are more than likely thinking about how much the traffic will bear for Manchester United tickets next year.

The Glaziers' are like a kids whose new toy makes their old toy obsolete.

Yesterday two teams met at the Ray Jay, one on the way up and the other on the way down.

It is obvious that the Bucs need to be rebuilt from the bottom up. Gruden is not a coach for rebuilding. For a solid rebuild, the Bucs need a young quarterback as a foundation. The ridiculous verbage in Gruden's offense is a hinderance to learning. The west coast offence is a joke these days as well.

Look at Carolina and Atlanta (after McKay) and you see two teams with strong defenses, strong running games and vertical passing games.

Tampa's defense needs to find a strong under tackle and they must replace Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber(no easy task).

Tampa's Offense needs an established left tackle, two wide receivers who can catch and a couple of running backs who can run.

I'd say 2009 is a rebuilding year.

[A C]

Gruden needs to be gone.The offencs sucks.Why don't they get rid of garcia,Willimas

[eric(bucsfan4life)]

blame gruden for this, balme gruden for that. the defense let the team down, we dont quick strike offense which everybody is demanding, its a ball control offense, i think we need to add more talent but there wasn't a whole lot last year if im wrong prove it. turner was the only one out there but we had EG and nobody was complaining then. we picked AB who will be named CBPY. we need a big WR who can CATCH and spread the D. D-line needs to beef up, bottom line.. massive tackles and big fast DE. the cover two is not what it use to be undersize line will get beat up all day. i support gruden his offense even though its not been shown here but we seen flashes of it, is beautiful i use to watch OAK when he had gannon and they could not be stopped. OAK was the number 1 offense and i tell u this if the dungy would have been the coach when we played OAK in SB37 and gruden was still at OAK we still wouldnt have a Championship

[Dave]

The thing I worry most about is the fact that guys like Antonio Bryant will not want to stay and re-sign here unless there is a reason to, and especially with tight wad owners, you know it wont be cash. Tom Brady took a pay cut because he wanted to keep his team together, so did Derrick Brooks. I don't see that happening with the Bucs from here on out when it is painfully obvious that there are very few people in the organization that care about winning. Jon Gruden can only do so much, especially when you have douche bags like Kiffen ripping the heart from the team just prior to the biggest game of the year. There is no focus any more. Why else would you see Brooks limping after Bush yesterday? If he were focused, or still had the team first mentality, he would have benched himself after re-agravating his hamstring injury. Lack of focus, caring, heart, determination. I think it is time to look at the Atlanta and Miami models of turn arounds for inspiration. Again, I think Gruden is a fine head coach, but his system / methods aren't suited for the total rebuild this team needs.

[Oldcrank]

This team smells somewhat like another Glazer transaction. About the time they acquired the Bucs, the Glazers were embroiled in an controversy related to their controlling interest in Zapata Oil. They were supposedly changing the direction of the company to sausage casings and other food processing and allegedly using corporate assets to help finance their new toy, the BUCS. Similar accusations now with the soccer team purchase. Maybe the accusations are unfounded, but the smell is both familiar and unpleasant.

[Russell]

Several things need to happen before this catastrophe can be corrected. First and foremost, Gruden must go. He's pathetic. Secondly, Brooks and Barber are old and slow. They need to disappear. Quit living in the past. Thirdly, GET A D@MN QB ALREADY! Watching Garcia yesterday was BRUTAL!!! He's got the worst case of "happy feet" I've ever seen! Every time he throws the ball I hold my breath! Lastly, one of the biggest problems this franchise is facing is the fact that almost all of the draft choices they've made aren't panning out. Cadillac is gone for good this time, Adams isn't scaring any defensive coordinators, Clayton is a joke, etc, etc.

I think it's hilarious that the Dolphins only won 1 game last year and now, with the help of a real GM, they have a better record than Tampa & are in the playoffs!

[Dave]

I don't know, you could make a case for Gruden staying, the fact remains that this organization needs someone to come in and shake up the player / personnel evaluation and hiring process. Rebuilding the team has got to happen. I know many of you will say that they have been rebuilding, but I see the past several years as putting band aids on a sucking chest wound, not rebuilding. The Dungy era was marked by strong defense and smashmouth running game. Then Gruden comes in with ball control offense, which was a perfect compliment to the style of defense played here, and worked out famously. Now with the defense in shambles, you have a ball control offense trying to put up 24 plus points a game just to have a shot at winning, and that doesn't work! There was a time when we had a guy here, named Sapp, who would tell you that if the Bucs could manage 17 points offensively, his defense would get us a win, and he was usually right. Don't you people remember that? If Gruden's offense putting up 24 points won't win a game, the issue is the defense! The team is broken. The WCO/Cover2 tag team doesn't work out like it used to, primarily because the key players are absent. Rebuilding for the future either requires different philosophies or better players.

[RFN]

We narrowly missed the playoffs and narrowly missed going 6-10/5-11. Does anyone remember the win at Chicago, with the winning drive fueled by a bad personal foul call on the Bears? How about having to come back from 21 down including 14 late to get to OT against a pathetic KC team? Or the 17 pt hole against Detroit? The gifts from Drew Brees in the NO game the wk after Thanksgiving? If those had been decent teams, they would've all been "L's."

The Bucs are not good, they were fortunate to be in the position they were. The players don't play hard for Gruden. The defense DID play hard for Kiffen, we don't have that to count on anymore. Bruce Allen should be at the top of the "to-be-fired" list, he has done a terrible job assembling talent. I know that he is getting players that Gruden wants/likes, which is why Gruden needs to go too.

Brooks and Barber are Hall-of-Famers and though well past their primes, they are still good football players. They are NOT the problem, they are just easy targets since they have played at such a high level for so long.

The Bucs need a fresh start with a youth movement, new coaching staff and new GM. They are NOT close, they need to be rebuilt.

[Russell]

dv7401, say what you will about Gruden's offense, but the problem is they only seem to score when they are forced to shift into desperation mode. When was the last time you saw Tampa win a game by 15 or 20? Sure, they beat the Panthers by 20+ earlier this year, but the defense scored some of those points. It's the same old crap every year with this offense. Get into the redzone and kick a field goal. Every other possession is 3 and out. They have to get themselves into a deep hole before Gruden will take the kid gloves off and let them throw the ball more than 5 yards down the field! I'm so sick and tired of watching the same old lame dumpoffs to backs and 5 yard outs, or crossing routes by receivers. Even the lowly Lions can throw the ball down field with some consistancy! And how many times are you gonna run the ball up the gut with 8, or 9 guys in the box on first down? Absolutely ridiculous! I understand that the defense looks horrid and that needs some serious help as well, but Gruden's offense is aweful.

[Vincent]

Since they are taking the high road, I'm just gonna say it. Many of these posters owe DR, Valrico Rick, and the others an apology for their criticism of Gruden! Since we're all Bucs fans, I'm not going to call anybody out, but I will will suggest a little more respect for the opposing views on all things Tampa Bucs oriented.

I have been very critical of Gruden and have been in the "choir" as DR preached the gospel. Yet I have one difference. I still thing Gruden can coach, he just has an obsolete system. He needs to implement a Vertical based offense! Look around the league if you need evidence.

The Bucs need to get rid of Allen, and get Scott Pioli or Bill Parcells if he opts out of his contract. Even maybe lure A.J smith away from the Chargers. The point is, they need someone who is a great evaluator of talent.

[Vincent]

Russell, YOU SEE MY POINT!!! THe reason they score in desperation mode is that they move away from the Horizontal attack of the West Coast, and enter the Vertical attack which is NOT WEST COAST!!! TAMPA HAS PLAYERS! THE SYSTEM IS UTTERLY ABYSMAL!

[DR]

Russell and RFN are correct. Gruden's offense was sputtering in the Bears game and only clicked in the 2 minute warning in each half. Gruden's offense can't put away bad defenses like the Saints, Broncos, Chiefs, etc. Gruden's play calling is horrible and his personnel movements make no sense.
I've been saying it all year, even when the Bucs were 9-3, they were a fluke. Whats it say about Gruden when Cable has his 4-11 Raiders more fired to play then the Bucs? Gruden has no leadership and isn't a motivator.
You guys gave Garcia a hard time about complaining about his bonus that he deserved from last year and those management type decisions are noticed by all the players. Garcia laid his body out for the team and got screwed. Why would any other player put an effort besides looking for a bigger contract? Say good-bye to Bryant.

[DR]

Vincent, you are right. Everyone said that the Bucs were smart in not over paying Berrian for his services but just imagine Berrian lengthening the field for a Bryant comeback. That would have made a huge difference. Yes, Berrian would have gotten more money than he is worth on the market, but it would have been a lot better than a white tiger stealing money for crap. The dink and dunk was a joke all season. The players have no faith in their own system. Anyone who says that its about execution is calling for Gruden's head because its the coaches responsibilty to get his guys executing right. Maybe Gruden doesn't pay attention in practice.
Another thing, I told you guys Caddy should have sat out the whole year. Yes, it was his other knee, but I could tell he was favoring his good leg all year. That is what we do in the recovery phase. It was a terrible, avoidable sight to see yesterday.

[Valrico Rick]

I don't want an apology! Everybody is lashing out in every direction at everybody involved in frustration, and it's becoming painful to watch. I don't think the owners have gone cheap and suddenly don't care, that's just guessing. You talk about not signing free agents, but what good ones were there to sign, and did they really want to come to Tampa? It's time to sit back and see what happens. Although something has to change I give my admiration to Gruden for taking the blame on his shoulders yesterday. Sometimes the need for change comes along and you make it and move on! There are good players still here and I think the owners still care. This is where you leave me behind, when you want to burn down the whole town because one store is sold out of the stuff you want to buy! Take a breath, a deep one, and relax!

[Vincent]

TO coin a phrase, "nuff' said"!

[G. Michael Reynolds]

Ok, raise your hand if you have not already edited your Madden roster to include Haynesworth, Bolden, and McNabb.

[Russell]

G. Michael, if we got Bolden and McNabb that would make a HUGE difference in what this team could accomplish! Only one small problem.....if McNabb plays well in the playoffs the Eagles might actually pull their heads out of the respective arses and realise that he's too good to let get away. Hope they're not that intelligent!

[G. Michael Reynolds]

Yah, hard to say what's going to happen there in Philly, isn't it? I'm still so disheartened by the season and sick over Caddy that I can't really bear to think about next season yet. Even thoughts of "hey, we could get Haynesworth!" are met with "Meh. So what." I'm gonna need some time I think. :(

[OAR]

Dang here a DR, there a DR, and everywhere a DR. Take a break DR you will get finger cramps "bro".
Garcia is too short(misses open recievers 2 to 3 times a game), too old(take your pick; injured in practice or games), and weak arm(misses those recievers he does see). He laid himself out. He even says/admits that's the way he plays(would have happened even if they addressed his his cry baby issues in the offseason, dork).
As for Antonio Bryant, I hope he returns, but not if Garcia does. I think he would get tired of not being seen when open or having to fair catch some of those throws.
Hey I have a great idea. Since you are the know all and see all. Why don't you, on your next blog/comment, give us the low down on each team's pros and cons. You know who should go, who should stay, where they'll end up (you know like your Boys'). Hey BTW you should go to Vegas with this act.

[Jay]

I believe acquiring Haynesworth, Bolden and McNabb would give me reason to have to consult my physician immediately for a condition lasting more than four hours.

[Henry]

Just to disabuse those of you who were misled by the Times' poorly researched article concerning NFL payrolls - The largest payroll in the league is Oakland, followed by Dallas, Minnesota and Cleveland.

Both New England and Indianapolis spend less than the Bucs.
The message is that you cannot buy a team.

[Shaun B.]

FIRE GRUDEN!!!!! His offense sucks, he can't develop young talent, and no big FA wants to come play for him. As long as Gruden is the HC in Tampa we will continue to suffer through bad football.

[tom]

You people who want Gruden and Garcia gone make no sense. Who will we hire if we fire Gruden? Cowher? Get realistic. Mangini? Fire one coach who suffered an epic collapse to hire another one? Please. Bob Stoops or Pete Carroll? As if they'd leave their cushy jobs to come to Tampa. The thing is, if you're going to fire a coach you actually have to have somebody to hire or else it's going to get worse (see: San Diego Chargers or Dallas Cowboys). Obviously you have your occasional turnarounds like Atlanta or Miami this year, but they are very much the exception and not the rule.

And if you think Garcia sucks, I draw your attention to our offense under one Bruce Gradkowski. Garcia and Antonio Bryant are the only people who made our offense somewhat respectable. Unless you can manage to sign McNabb or a similar solid quarterback, Garcia has to be resigned or else you're looking at a 3-5 win type of offense.

In my opinion, the coach who gives us the best chance to win next year is Jon Gruden, but unless we bring in some quality talent through free agency and the draft, the Bucs aren't going to improve even if you bring in Bill Belicheck or Vince Lombardi himself.

[Jimmy Falone]

Why hasn't Gruden been fired already? He joined the Bucs and coached a Tony Dungy built team to the Superbowl. Since then, what has he done?

[Jimmy Falone]

Don't be fooled. Garcia isn't a problem for the Bucs. Garcia is likely the most underrated QB in the league. The problem is the coaching.

[Larry]

We were over $20M UNDER the salary cap in 2008 and made no significant free agent acquisitions. We went google-eyed over Brett Favre, but ignored needs elsewhere.

Who's to blame for that? Part of it falls on Gruden - he has to get in Bruce Allen's face and demand the talent to give him a chance to win. Part of it falls on Allen - he runs the talent evaluation group. They seem to be well plugged in to the "bad attitude and/or current/former felon" pool, but can't seem to find anybody else (for example, last year they couldn't find a D lineman after looking all off season and Jay Gruden finds one work security at Best Buy!!!).

Most of it, though, falls to the Glazers. Sure, it's hard to part with $20M+, particularly since it's found money for you, but c'mon. You're businessmen, you know that you have to invest to earn a return. It sounded like they were only too anxious to get out of town after the game yesterday. Is it because nobody is asking any hard questions at home?

[DR]

oh oar, you're are truly the wise one that brings nothing to the table. If Dungy can be fired after starting a legacy, Gruden can certainly be fired after ruining that legacy. i don't know why you clowns hold on to Gruden when he has done nothing except ruin the respect this franchise has earned. He hasn't developed crap on offense, his yound draftees have gotten worse in his "genius" offense that gets laughed at in the red zone. The Bucs should resign Bryant but he will probably walk and Galloway will resign because he won't get an offer anywhere else.
The Glazers will jack the prices up again and spend no money in the free agent market and the games will be blacked out next year. Thats my prediction for this fair weather town. Garcia will go back to Detroit anb will have more wins than the bucs next year.

[Chris]

I would like to see Gruden and Allen gone! I think starting there might be a positive start to something really good.

I like Jeff Garcia and the energy he brings. We need WR that are going to be able to run the routes and finish the plays. NO MORE BOBBLES AND DROPS!

Last, you HAVE to cut the penalties down! We are getting killed with dumb penalties.

Sum it up, I hope next season will be different. But if Gruden and Allen are still there, it might be worse than this season.

[OAR]

The great DR, why the gluminess heaven closed for the offseason? Wow, blacked out? Detroit more wins than Bucs next year? With old Garcia? Galloway will only resign cause no other offers? Bucs will sign no free agents? Wow I must say your stuff you smoke is much better than mine. I guess being up there on your Golden Goal Posts in the sky everything is better.

[SyracuseBucFan]

I know I'm in the minority here but why would we want to hear from the Glazers? What do they know about football? I just want them to write the checks (and more of them) and that should be communicated through the GM. Do we really want and egocentric Jerry Jones type or a camera mugging Arthur Blank? When it comes to owners the less they are seen and heard the better.

[Ben]

OK!!! I think its pretty clear this team needs to rebuild! Bucs didnt stand a chance in the playoffs! What was there to fear? Nothing! The cover 2 is done! The boring West coast offense done! Gruden should have been developing a QB years ago but his EGO would not allow him to do so, I am sure we can all put together a list of things that should have been, but the bottom line here is that Gruden & Allen are to blame for this turn of events. I am ready to see some change on both sides of the ball!! I have been patient for 7 years!! Its time for these guys to go!!!

[IREADER]

The Glazer's are not giving the fans the dividends they deserve for paying for "THEIR stadium!
A coach with a less than .500 record after 7 years should be gone. It's that simple. Gruden has NEVER produced consistent football. He's certainly FAR from being an offensive GURU.
Clean the ship.
Gruden.......GO!
Allen........GO!
Garcia.......GO!
Monte........GONE!
Geriatrics...GO!
Non-producers.GO!
WE NEED WHOLESALE CHANGE IN TAMPA!!!!!