Glazers took pulse of the fans before firings

We know that Bucs ownership consulted with players before moving to fire Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen. But we didn't know they also took into account the pulse of the community.

Co-owner Bryan Glazer stopped in at the Super Bowl media center today and elaborated on ownership's decision-making process.

"We talked to a lot of people, but we not only talked to the players, but (also) out in the community getting a feel for the team," Glazer said. "We get opinions and we mix them all together. We just took our time making that decision."

Asked further about the community feedback, Glazer said, "Our fans are our stockholders. They're what we play for -- the people in our stadium and the ones that watch on TV. That's what it's all about: winning and how they feel about the team. If they don't feel good about the team, then there's something wrong. . . I think you all know the sense that's out there. It was time for a change."

It was impossible to ignore the venom from the fan base in the wake of the team's late-season collapse, and many fans were outspoken and vehement in making their feelings known from the team's own website to local talk radio. And Gruden, in particular, was never considered a very likable personality and had little relationship with the community despite being the face of the franchise, something the Glazers no doubt were sensitive to.

We'll share more later about what Glazer has heard from players in the wake of the move to replace Gruden with Raheem Morris, plus his thoughts on why Morris is the right hire.

Comments

[maarnold1775]

What players did they consult? My understanding it was a complete surprise to most of them, other than the one's who wanted him gone!

[Robert]

Stephen, do you know where Mike and Mike in the Morning is going to be airing from this week?

[mike]

So these morons talked to the fans (whom we all know are experts in football) that have been poisoned by the likes of Duemig and the St. Pete times about Gruden GREAT this gets better and better. This organization might be second only to the Oakland Raiders in ineptitude. Get ready for years of number 1 overall draft picks Buc fans. Hey maybe they can go back to orange uniforms while their at it. I can't wait for Gurden to come back and JAM this joke of a team!!!!

[Ron]

The inmates now control all three towers in the asylum.

[OAR]

maarnold1775, I read an article last week and it sounded like they talked to Dunn, Graham, Garcia(not even under contract with them and had a cry baby issue with the non-extension contract "I might hold out" and the Farve thing), and last, but not least, "born again" Clayton(also not under contract and hope they do not re-sign, BTW he also had cry baby issues with Gruden, cause he couldn't catch), but I also read on TBO an article with 4 other players(who were not interviewed by owners) and they all said they were shell shocked and had no complaints. I believe they were Faine, Haye, White and not sure the other one.

[Steven]

Ron, you're not kidding. Ritalin should be required before most of these children start tapping at the keyboard.

[e]

Huh? What wrong with getting input from everywhere first? They'd be idiots if the KEPT Gruden/Allen on. Look at Ford up in Detroit that kept Matt Millen on for YEARS as the GM when everybody and their mothers were screaming for his head... If he had only opened his ears sooner.
e

[Vincent]

Buc fans are all of course entitled their opinion, but the Glazers did bring a franchise that was one of the worst to ever call themselves and NFL team, to respectability. This was a feat not accomplished in decades by any other owner! The team was a laughing stock! I remember them scoring a touch down against the bears and it feeling like we won the Super Bowl (and yes, I realize how pathetic that is)! And then of course, the Glazers brought Tampa a Super bowl win. Inept or not, they accomplished something positive, and there were some extremely tough decisions that had to be made. You may not like the current direction of the team, and you may feel they are ineffective owners. Yet one can not argue that they are trying to make moves at this point, and have demonstrated at many other points in their tenure as ownership, the ability to make tough decisions. I'm not trying to defend them as the greatest owners in the league, or even say that they are the worst owners in the league, only that they are at very least unafraid to make capital changes, at every level of the organization, in an effort to win another championship.

[aaron]

The owners did the right thing , period. they got input from every where and ultimatly they made the final decision. They have every right to handle it anyway they want to, it is their team.

[OAR]

e, I can't believe you just compared the Bucs with the Lions. Just exactly how many winning seasons have the Lions had lately? The last winning season they had was 2000 w/Ross. Thier record is 26-102! And thank goodness Rooney didn't fire Cowher(up and down seasons he had) they would be trying for ring 5 not 6. There is something to be said for commitment and faith. Look at Shanahan(up and downs), but Lions were never up. Actually heard that Shanahan didn't want to fire a coord because it would have been the thrid one in four years(even he was willing to give some commitment or faith and the owners didnt approve)

[Valrico Rick]

Those of you that have decided that all is lost and the Glazers are the worst thing the walk the Earth are going to complain no matter what. I banged Gruden almost everyday because the Gruden/Allen leadership wasn't working, and now that it has been changed I am going accept the change and allow it the opportunity to play out. If you are just going to cry and whine, cuss and spew at least wait until they actually lose a game first. Man you guys are the worst bunch of clowns to ever learn how to type!!!

[mm]

Well I will tell you what. gruden certainly isn't crying in the corner about this. He was at a local dealership purchasing a new Mercedes Benz this morning.

[Sim]

They could have figured out the pulse of the fans by looking into the empty stands during meaningful games the last 2 years or by trying to sell their tickets before kickoff and only receiving .10cents on the dollar.

[Stacy]

Robert - Mike and Mike are to be located @ Cotanchobee Park and/or ESPN is listed as also airing @ Channelside.

[D Block]

Sim is correct the fans actually speak the loudest when they don't attend games or leave them early!! No ticket sales means low revenue, BLACKOUTS, NO MONDAY NIGHT OR SUNDAY NIGHT GAMES! That makes the team less marketable leading to NO MONEY!! I live in MD near Fed Ex Field home of the skinz they haven't had a BLACKOUT in over 25 yrs. They have been sold out forever, even with loosing seasons they find themselves hosting Night Games every yr.

[D Block]

But the Glazers didn't fire Gruden only due to the fans. If you chose to read they pulled in information from everywhere. Or you could look at Gruden's win loss record after the SB! 0-2 in the playoffs 4 loosing seasons just a thought! It could be worse Al Davis could be in charge

[Bucmaniac]

Gruden was bad for the Bucs since day 1. Two number 1's and 2 number 2, you never know what those players could have been. Also I think it is much more of Allen's fault more then Gruden, with the choices of picks lately. I read that Gruden wanted Brady Quinn and Allen passed on it. So time for fresh start. Number on judgement will be on this year's draft..omg if the draft Josh F from KSU i will go in morning for the BUCs.

[e]

OAR - I was just commenting on how it was smart of the Glazers to get as much input and to listen before making a decision... Unlike William Clay Ford of the Lion who didn't listen to anyone for years and kept the J$$$$$$ Matt Millen as their GM...
e

[Stephen Holder]

Hello all... I think some of you have misunderstood some of what has been reported the past couple of weeks. Yes, we've said the Glazers consulted players before firing Gruden and Allen, but they never indicated they were thinkign about firing them. So, yes, it was a complete shock to every player I talked to. They only spoke in generalities about the direction of the team. The players didn't necessarily get Gruden fired. Perhaps the Glazers were just making sure the players' opinions reflected what the Glazers saw for themselves.

As for the fans, well, Bryan is absolutely right to check their temperature. Why do you think companies do those annoying customer service surveys when you call their 1-800 numbers? That's smart to know what your clientele is thinking.

[Erick]

Thank you Stephen. And anyone who thinks Gruden was worth retaining needs to have their head examined. The guy was a used car salesman who coached based on his own ego and punished players for disagreeing with him. Not saying you have to be a good person to be a good coach but it definitely helps. He treated people horribly and payed the price. Good friggin' riddance.

I don't hate the guy and he is incredibly football smart, but it was his time to move on. Let's go Coach Morris!!

[jerseybuc]

Check the record of the team since the Glazers bought the franchise. I bet it is among the top 5 in the league since they took over. You know where we were before that.... Look, they saw a team that has gone 1-7 over the past two Decembers, has not won a playoff game in 6 years, had a coach that was not active in the community, nor well liked by either players or fans. (The national media loved him though) With a depressed economy, Glazers saw a potential mutiny from the fans and empty seats in 09 and took action. Time will tell, but let's give them benefit of the doubt and credit for being decisive. We have cap money, and a personnel guy running the front office now. May take a step back til we get a QB but I think the future is bright.

[Krutch]

There were a lot of other worse coaches out there the past 7 years, but it WAS time for a change.

http://gatorsfirst.com/index.php/other-sports/other-sports/end-of-the-jon-gruden-era-in-tampa-bay.html

[Stacy]

Some people argue just to argue...If you told them the sky was blue, they would point to the lone cloud in the sky and scream...NO IT ISNT, THE SKY IS GREY!!! That's how some people on these blogs act. Just like children. The paper reports that the GLazers did the right thing. They took the pulse of the players,(whether it be all or some - we will never know), and the people of the community and made a good business decision. Some of you are like - WHAT?!? THEY DID'NT ASK ME. Guess what, they are the ones who own the team. Look at it as if maybe, just maybe, they read some of the intelligent blogs on here and took some good solid advice.

[Robert]

Thank you Stacy!

[Robert]

How did u find out. I couldn't get anyone at ESPN to tell me?

[Garick]

I liked Gruden, but I am ok with the firing. In hindsight, I think this team needed a change the same way they probably needed one when Gruden took over. But please tell me it's not true that the Glazers are really listening to the fans here!!! If that's the case, Morris will have his whistle taken from him before this season's even over. Lol.

[drspb]

Garick,
good point! What the Glazers do is their business but the ultimate decision shouldn't be left to fans and a couple of disgruntled players. They should make their decisions in private. Not say "well, everyone was unhappy and we care." What a bunch of crap. All that should matter is wins and losses and make the decisions you feel, in your gut, is right and man up and leave it at that!

[aaron]

Well it looks like Chud has been hired in San Diego as their new OC. Scratch him from the list. I thought him to be the best canidate. I like his balanced attack. But when he did call pass plays they were generally deep balls. He calls an exciting game. Oh well, so who is left that we know of Chan gailey and ...Man i hope we dont go that route. I thinkwe need to bring in Mike Martz....

[Drew]

Boring! Boring! Boring! I hope they made the right choices, hope they really support this team becoming a champion and hope they spend the money. Hope! Hope! Hope! Just don't bore me to death. I'm so excited, waiting for all of the extra little tidbits of information to come out that supports their decision. Geez! Just can't wait to read all about it. Again, boring! Just show us a Championship, so we'll all know you're not talking through paper @$$HOLES.

[D Block]

Damn that was harsh but funny Lmao>>Drew

[Drew]

I find some humor in the utter silence from the the fans that believe this was a bad decision. It's so QUIET, it's as if their caged, chomping at the bit, waiting for the moment to attack when were down. Waiting for the first whistle to be blown. Then like rabid animals they'll attack the blog in a pack when the first mistake is made. Tearing the Glazers, coaching staff, players and fans to shreds.

[Drew]

Seriously speaking... I really want to believe the Glazers are sincere in what their communicating about the changes they made. However, I have to reflect on my businees background and honestly wonder if the decisions are based on cost savings and marketing.

We can at least put the metrics in place to measure this by watching what happens in Free Agency, the Draft and the W's and L's in the regular season. If the Glazers are just Used Car Salesmen then expect poor Free Agency signings, a weak Draft and more L's than W's.

I do support this team and honestly want to believe what I read. But like the old saying goes, Action speaks louder than words.

[PEWTERob]

I wonder if all the tough guys that support Gruden look like sissies when they jog too. Its nice to know that we won't have to hear your complaints in the stadium anymore. You so called Bucs fans....I've listened to all of you for years. Gripe one minute cheer the next. You say fans aren't football experts.....obviously you are an expert....which makes you NOT a Bucs fan. mike can you contradict yourself a bit more ? I love to try to figure fans like you out.

[PEWTERob]

You naysayers are probably the ones that the Glazers talked to when it was time to consider Dungy's Fate.

[BucFandango]

This is so ironic how it all is playing out. As ValricoRick says he bashed Gruden every day... for his reasoning(Offensive), now Gruden is gone and the Gruden lovers have to moved to the offensive and the Gurden haters have shifted into a defensive posture. The be careful what you wish for... Intersting???I don't care if we have 7 players & no coach, I'll still be at the game. How bad have you got it? Baaadddddddd. Go Bucs!!!

[BucFandango]

Sorry, it's late

[JayRob727-813]

At the end of the day Gruden was not consistent, the guy was a roller coaster ride since he came. He won the Super Bowl and couldnt make it back with the same team he won it with. It was obvious his players didnt care to much for him. The community was tired of Gruden/Allen. Change is good and change is a part of life...lets see what Morris does. He has alot of people supporting him so if the Bucs arent making progress in 3 years than there is a problem...i hope for the best but realize at least 1-2 new coaches just cant handle the big job, i hope Morris gets this team pumped up because I'm already looking forward to FA and the draft.

[Jesse Henn]

I'm not surprised at this, but it is obvious to me that the Glazers do care by their wanting to even hear the fans. Some great quotes from Bryan Glazer who, in a nutshell, said that the fans & winning are the driving force behind, not just their success, but the success of this game, which is undeniably true. Personally, I find this article to be what all of us fans should have expected. Are they just saying what we want to hear? They acted & fired Gruden & Allen, didn't they? I love the Glazers for what they have done in turning around this franchise & because they clearly expect to win. No one knows what will happen with Coach Morris, & I gladly accept him as the Bucs new leader & not just because I don't have a choice; Raheem, to me, is one of the little guys who, finally, get their chance, & I see him running with it. Wouldn't we all like to work for people who care enough about their employees to consult them about their main boss? One more thing about Gruden/Allen: I don't put all the blame on them, but I would bet that neither of those guys does business the same way again because we all know they didn't see the firing coming & because the Glazers gave them plenty of time to duplicate Gruden's initial success.

[Stacy]

Robert - Sorry for the late response. I found out the broadcast locations by calling the Tampa Chamber of Commerce who in turn gave me the phone number to the Super Bowl Media Center.

[ORLBUCFAN]

For starters: I would like to know how long the vaste lot of you characters have been real Buc fans? Bandwagoneers need not apply. I'm talking going to Tampa Stadium in orange & white. It's a beautiful FL day. By the half it's Detroit (yes, the LIONS) 31, Tampa Bay 0. So, you either a)left b) hung out, drank beer and worked on your tan. You expected those kinds of scores back then. I remember a very rare Monday night game where Jerry Markbreit did his usual & cheated the Bucs out of an OT victory over the Packers--NFC Central game.

I am glad I lived to see Tampa Bay win an SB. Didn't think it would happen. I gave Gruden a chance. Plus, I think his brother, Jay, should get another chance to asst. coach in the NFL. He doesn't have the ego problems Jon has. Chucky is not hurting, folks. He's rich as Midas and his family is set.

I have to give the Glazers some credit for checking out the players and fans(!) before they pulled the plug on Gruden & Allen. You BET they were checking the blogs, letters, calls, etc. Smart thinking. They knew this franchise's sorry history before they bought it. Even then the papers were full of how much they overpaid for the team. Remember?

Let's be patient & see what happens this season. I like Morris & wish him the best, our new GM, too.

[dobie315]

Hello!!!!! I don't know if you losers realise this or not, but, all companies take surveys of performance. They survey clients, and internal employee's in relation to the performance of management. This way, everyone is accountable. Walt Disney, Microsoft, etc. all do this. This proves to be successful. This is a business and people have to be held accountable. If you are not treating people fairly, or performing in an optimal manner, it will come to light and you will be "exercised". Get used to it. Goodbye Gruden! It's called acccountability! Wake up losers! All succesful companies do this!!!!

[dobie315]

Hello again losers! I'm baaaccckkk! Tell me why Gruden was so good. Do you realize that we haven't won a playoff game going on 8 years now! How was he good?? Would you keep going to a restaurant that consistenly F'd-up your order???? Gruden was smoke and mirrors. Tell me, have you ever heard a former player, current player, former coach, current coach mention anything positive about him? Who? Tell me. Division Championships don't amount to dog-squeeze when you are one-and-done in the playoffs....Until next time, thanks losers!

[dobie315]

Helloooo losers! To those of you who critize the Glazers in relation to business decisions, let's compare your revenue to their revenue. Let's compare what you have accomplished in life, to what they have accomplished. Hmmmmm, I am waiting...Methinks I hear silence. Go F-yourselves "Mike", "Ron", "Oar", and "Peterryptherhyman"!!!! GOOD DAY! IT'S A NEW DAY IN TAMPA BAY!!!

[Philipj]

10:12 AM (1 hour ago)Gone in 7 minutes: 20K tix for Pats-Bucs in Londonfrom NFL Football News: CBSSports.com
The first 70,000 tickets for the NFL's third regular-season game in London have been sold, with 20,000 bought in the first seven minutes of availability, the NFL said Tuesday.

[BucFandango]

Dobie, being a member of the Golden Sperm Club doesn't equate to great accomplishments. Where would the Bucs be if Mark Cuban or Eddie DeBartolo had bought them? I don't think either would have given up 2-1'st & 2-2'nd rounders for Chucky.

[BucFandango]

They sure made good on the commitment to offer Season Ticket holders a package to travel to UK & see the game. I guess not.

[PEWTERob]

Raheem the DREEM !!!!!

[OAR]

Doobie315, who pissed in your cherrios, a--hole? I'm a Bucs fan and don't like the hating (not the critism) and I will stand by Morris in that capacity, if it comes to the haters for him. As for players saying positive things about Gruden, there are lots. Keenan McCardell for one said Gruden was the best off coach he ever had. The problem is people like to hear negative things and the media nows that, so unfortunately you hear more of the Keyshawns', Garcias', and Claytons'(which are all friggin cry babies!). Oh and I'm so sure Gannon, Rice, Alstott, Brad Johnson or any other player on those superbowl teams(both),whom he elevated thier play, hate him? Give me a break!

[Drew]

Dobie315, foolish comments! You left me no choice but to remove the leashes from Mike, Ron, Oar, and Peterryptherhyman.

Vas! Vas! Vas!

[PEWTERob]

To Prove that the Glazers are Human....the mistake they have made is to ever fire Tony Dungy. the ONLY losing season was his first season as coach. A team he inherited that had not had a winning season for >>15<< years Prior to his hiring. A team he inherited from another so called Offensive Mastermind (Sam Wyche). Sams best season was 7-9. Since the Superbowl when our record was 12-4 we have been on a rollercoaster of ups and downs with Gruden. the next two seasons....7-9 / 5-11. Then 11-5....then 4-12. Then 9-7 then the meltdown of this year. The roller coaster got stuck upside down in the middle of a loop !! Now the fans feel like they are hanging upside down, blood running to their head, and money falling out of their pockets. Taking the Superbowl season out of the equation due to the lack of a consensus on whose team won that game,(Tonys or Johns) Tony went 54-42 with a 15 year drought to overcome. John went 43-51 with a Championship Core. And as someone eluded to has not won a playoff game since the Superbowl season. Defense wins Championships....Did the mastermind Wyche ever Head Coach a champion ? Has Gruden Built and Head coached a team to a championship ? He and Bruce dismantled a championship team with Leaders on it. Thank God he let Rhonde Barber, Derrick Brooks and Mike Alstott stay around or ALL of us would be Thankful he is gone.