Bucs Fire Jon Gruden!

[heaven&hell]

Another successful Super Bowl winning coach is fired.

Is nothing sacred anymore in this what have you done for me lately NFL?

 

I felt like Jon didn't have the greatest talent the last couple of years but they were in the hunt every year.

I guess time will tell but as it stands today I see this as a bad decision.

 

 

 

TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—Jon Gruden is out, replaced by another young rising star as coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

 

Within hours of dismissing their Super Bowl-winning coach, the Bucs turned to defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as the successor—a move confirmed Friday by a person familiar with the decision who requested anonymity because the team had not yet scheduled an announcement.

 

Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen were fired earlier in the day, three weeks after the team completed one of the biggest collapses in NFL history, losing four straight games following a 9-3 start to miss the playoffs.

 

Director of pro personnel Mark Dominik, who has been with the Bucs for 14 seasons, will replace Allen.

 

A news conference to announce the moves could be held as early as Saturday.

 

Gruden was one of the league’s hottest commodities when he was hired seven years ago to get a team built by Tony Dungy to the Super Bowl. But Gruden only guided the Bucs to the postseason twice after becoming the youngest coach to win the NFL title in January 2003.

 

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That wasn’t nearly enough for the sons of owner Malcolm Glazer, who took their time before deciding they had seen enough of aging quarterbacks, mediocre drafts and a coach and general manager who often pinned the blame for poor finishes on injuries.

 

Morris has been a fast climber, too. He was the Bucs’ defensive backs coach the past two seasons, and was promoted to defensive coordinator on Christmas Day, filling a vacancy that opened for next season when Monte Kiffin decided to join his son, Lane, at the University of Tennessee.

 

The former Hofstra player and assistant coach, who recently interviewed for the opening to replace Mike Shanahan with the Denver Broncos, has been with Tampa Bay for six seasons over two stints.

 

Morris initially joined Gruden’s staff as a defensive quality assistant in 2002, was a defensive assistant in 2003 and assistant defensive backs coach for the next two seasons before spending one year as defensive coordinator at Kansas State.

 

Dominik joined the Bucs in 1995 and served in a number of personnel and scouting positions before becoming director of pro personnel eight years ago.

 

Gruden, who was 39 when the Bucs beat Oakland in the Super Bowl, went 60-57 in seven seasons, including 3-2 in the playoffs. Allen was general manager for the last five seasons in a reunion of a relationship that began when both were with the Raiders.

 

“These decisions are never easy. This is the toughest decision you can make for an NFL franchise. … Jon and Bruce are consummate professionals. They’ve poured their heart and soul into this franchise,” Buccaneers co-chairman Joel Glazer said. “It’s really been an honor to work with them. They gave their all.”

 

The Bucs were tied for first place in the NFC South heading into December, but finished with losses to Carolina and Atlanta on the road and San Diego and Oakland at home, where they had been 6-0. One more win would have landed a NFC wild-card berth.

 

The 9-7 record this season gave Gruden consecutive winning records for the first time since arriving in Tampa Bay, yet still left the Bucs out of the playoffs for the fourth time in six years and prompted the Glazer family to reevaluate the direction of the franchise.

 

“After taking a lot of time to look at our franchise, look where it’s been, look where it is, look where we want to go, we just felt this was the time for a change,” Glazer said.

 

 

In this Dec. 28, 2008 file pho…

 

AP - Jan 16, 7:44 pm EST

The Glazers fired Dungy after consecutive first-round playoff losses in Philadelphia and used four high draft picks—two No. 1s and two No. 2s—and $8 million cash to pry Gruden away from the Raiders following the 2001 season.

 

The hiring produced immediate dividends, with Gruden retooling an inept offense and riding a defense that ranked No. 1 in the NFL to the Super Bowl in his first season.

 

Coincidentally, his firing came four days after Dungy announced his retirement following a successful seven-year run that included one NFL title with the Indianapolis Colts.

 

Gruden, who had three years remaining on a contract extension he received after winning the NFC South in 2007, leaves as the winningest coach in franchise history.

 

But since going 15-4, including the Super Bowl, in his first season with Tampa Bay, Gruden went 45-53 and made quick exits from the playoffs at home after winning division titles in 2005 and 2007.

 

“This isn’t a decision that’s made on one play or one game or one week or one thing,” Glazer said. “You look at the totality of the situation, evaluate it, look at where your franchise is. For us, the goal is to build a championship team that can compete year in and year out.”

[heavyharmonies]

I never saw that one coming. Then again, I didn't think Shanahan was going to be fired either.

 

-Dan

[Jimbo]

Thank goodness my Browns scooped up Mangenius when they did! We might have gotten stuck with a Super Bowl winner like Gruden at the helm if we hadn't, and who the hell wants that? I mean, what would I bitch about all off season? (Besides K2 and Braylon Edwards and the owner and the lack of discipline and the humiliation of losing to the Steelers every year and the humiliation of losing to the Ravens every year and the lack of a pass-rush and the team's draft history...)

[Mullethead]

Anyone who is dying to get Gruden for a coach should consider this...

 

1. He took Dungy's team to the Super Bowl, not his.

 

2. His record since that Super Bowl season.

 

3. The players he has drafted since he's been there.

 

4. No playoff wins since the Super Bowl year.

 

5. 9-3 in 2008 going on to lose four in a row & miss the playoffs.

 

Now, are you really that surprised?

 

[66 mustang]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

[heaven&hell]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

 

Very good point. That Raider team that Gruden's team beat was a team built by Gruden and he got waaaaaay more out of Rich Gannon than any other coach did. Plus Dungy's first few Colts teams were Jim Mora's teams, were they not? James, Manning and Harrison were already in place. Not to take anything away from Tony Dungy who I think is a very good coach.

[Jimbo]

All valid points, but the Raiders' problems start at the top with Al Davis. My question to you all is: wouldn't it be hilarious if he hired Gruden back?

 

I hear it's kind of chilly in hell these days...

[Metal T]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

 

Very good point. That Raider team that Gruden's team beat was a team built by Gruden and he got waaaaaay more out of Rich Gannon than any other coach did. Plus Dungy's first few Colts teams were Jim Mora's teams, were they not? James, Manning and Harrison were already in place. Not to take anything away from Tony Dungy who I think is a very good coach.

Few are buying the Caldwell transfer of power with the Colts,if i could pull the trigger,id take Gruden in a heartbeat.

[Mullethead]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

 

 

That was a team of veteran's that included Gannon, Rice & Brown. He's a patchwork guy period. I don't call that building a team. You build through the draft and sprinkle in veteran's. The reason they fell apart is because they got old real quick...not so much because of coaching. IN the end, it could also be said then that the Dungy built Bucs that Gruden was handed beat the shit out of the Gruden built Raiders. remember, Gruden didn't take that team to the Super Bowl...he failed at that also.

[Mullethead]

Yet another reason......found on a Buc's website.

 

 

During a Friday night news conference, Bucs co-owner Joel Glazer said his family waited until "emotions cooled" before evaluating the Gruden/Allen regime. He said a four-game losing streak to end the season triggered the changing of the guard.

But there is more to this move. Every season was starting to feel like Punxsutawney did to Bill Murray on Feb. 2. For three straight years, it was the same old story in Tampa Bay.

Gruden's ultra-conservative offense would struggle as the efforts of a top-notch defense were wasted.

Gruden would bicker with the lead horses on the quarterback carousel he had assembled. In 2008, Jeff Garcia joined a list of alienated signal-callers that includes former starters Chris Simms and Brad Johnson (Tampa Bay's Super Bowl XXXVII starter). Gruden's Quixotic quest to find the next Rich Gannon was never realized.

Most damning, the Bucs would grind out victories until December and January before the sausage-maker broke. The Bucs suffered four consecutive losses this December and were 1-4 in their final five games of 2006 and 2007. That gave Gruden a three-year record of 2-12 during the most important part of the season. Eventually, watching the same movie over and over again — even one as good as Groundhog Day — becomes intolerable. A 31-24 season-ending loss to lowly Oakland (5-11) was the final curtain. Tampa Bay squandered the chance for an automatic playoff berth that was claimed by current NFC Championship finalist Philadelphia.

[66 mustang]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

 

 

That was a team of veteran's that included Gannon, Rice & Brown. He's a patchwork guy period. I don't call that building a team. You build through the draft and sprinkle in veteran's. The reason they fell apart is because they got old real quick...not so much because of coaching. IN the end, it could also be said then that the Dungy built Bucs that Gruden was handed beat the shit out of the Gruden built Raiders. remember, Gruden didn't take that team to the Super Bowl...he failed at that also.

 

but he did take a Tampa team to the SB and win that Dungy couldn't do. are we saying that Dungy isn't as good of a coach as Gurden because it took Gurden to come in and take the team that Dungy put together, and always fell short of the SB, to the top of the mountain?

[Mullethead]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

 

 

That was a team of veteran's that included Gannon, Rice & Brown. He's a patchwork guy period. I don't call that building a team. You build through the draft and sprinkle in veteran's. The reason they fell apart is because they got old real quick...not so much because of coaching. IN the end, it could also be said then that the Dungy built Bucs that Gruden was handed beat the shit out of the Gruden built Raiders. remember, Gruden didn't take that team to the Super Bowl...he failed at that also.

 

but he did take a Tampa team to the SB and win that Dungy couldn't do. are we saying that Dungy isn't as good of a coach as Gurden because it took Gurden to come in and take the team that Dungy put together, and always fell short of the SB, to the top of the mountain?

 

 

 

I think the majority here would agree that there is no comparison between those two coaches. It's safe to say that, especially with what Dungy has accomplished since then, that he would have taken that team to the Super Bowl that year but we'll never know. For Gruden to make it to the SB in his first hyear as a coach for the BUcs should tell you that the team was already built. He spent four years in Oakland, patched a team together then left. He built nothing there...

 

I wasn't trying to turn this into a comparing of those two coaches because there is no comparing them. Look up their track record then get back to me

[heaven&hell]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

 

 

That was a team of veteran's that included Gannon, Rice & Brown. He's a patchwork guy period. I don't call that building a team. You build through the draft and sprinkle in veteran's. The reason they fell apart is because they got old real quick...not so much because of coaching. IN the end, it could also be said then that the Dungy built Bucs that Gruden was handed beat the shit out of the Gruden built Raiders. remember, Gruden didn't take that team to the Super Bowl...he failed at that also.

 

Well in all fairness the reason he failed to take the Raiders to the Super Bowl was because of a ridiculous call in the Patriot game in Foxboro now known as the 'Tuck Rule'. It really hurts me say that being a Bronco fan but The Raiders were damn good with Gruden there and they were shit before he was there and within two years of him leaving they were shit again. At least his teams in Tampa were playoff teams or at least in the hunt for a playoff spot. Most franchises would love to have a coach that wins 10 games a year.

[Mullethead]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

 

 

That was a team of veteran's that included Gannon, Rice & Brown. He's a patchwork guy period. I don't call that building a team. You build through the draft and sprinkle in veteran's. The reason they fell apart is because they got old real quick...not so much because of coaching. IN the end, it could also be said then that the Dungy built Bucs that Gruden was handed beat the shit out of the Gruden built Raiders. remember, Gruden didn't take that team to the Super Bowl...he failed at that also.

 

Well in all fairness the reason he failed to take the Raiders to the Super Bowl was because of a ridiculous call in the Patriot game in Foxboro now known as the 'Tuck Rule'. It really hurts me say that being a Bronco fan but The Raiders were damn good with Gruden there and they were shit before he was there and within two years of him leaving they were shit again. At least his teams in Tampa were playoff teams or at least in the hunt for a playoff spot. Most franchises would love to have a coach that wins 10 games a year.

 

 

If that's the case then why do so many people in Kansas City cringe at the thought of having Marty back as a coach? Look, I'm not going to argue the facts. You guys can read the FACTS at the top and see why it shouldn't be a shock that he was fired. Lets for a moment give him credit for winning a SB with Tampa...this league is a "What have you done for me lately" league. Is that enough reason for them to fire him?

[heaven&hell]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

 

 

That was a team of veteran's that included Gannon, Rice & Brown. He's a patchwork guy period. I don't call that building a team. You build through the draft and sprinkle in veteran's. The reason they fell apart is because they got old real quick...not so much because of coaching. IN the end, it could also be said then that the Dungy built Bucs that Gruden was handed beat the shit out of the Gruden built Raiders. remember, Gruden didn't take that team to the Super Bowl...he failed at that also.

 

Well in all fairness the reason he failed to take the Raiders to the Super Bowl was because of a ridiculous call in the Patriot game in Foxboro now known as the 'Tuck Rule'. It really hurts me say that being a Bronco fan but The Raiders were damn good with Gruden there and they were shit before he was there and within two years of him leaving they were shit again. At least his teams in Tampa were playoff teams or at least in the hunt for a playoff spot. Most franchises would love to have a coach that wins 10 games a year.

 

 

this league is a "What have you done for me lately" league. Is that enough reason for them to fire him?

 

 

And that's exactly what I said in my first post to start the thread.

[Mullethead]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

 

 

That was a team of veteran's that included Gannon, Rice & Brown. He's a patchwork guy period. I don't call that building a team. You build through the draft and sprinkle in veteran's. The reason they fell apart is because they got old real quick...not so much because of coaching. IN the end, it could also be said then that the Dungy built Bucs that Gruden was handed beat the shit out of the Gruden built Raiders. remember, Gruden didn't take that team to the Super Bowl...he failed at that also.

 

Well in all fairness the reason he failed to take the Raiders to the Super Bowl was because of a ridiculous call in the Patriot game in Foxboro now known as the 'Tuck Rule'. It really hurts me say that being a Bronco fan but The Raiders were damn good with Gruden there and they were shit before he was there and within two years of him leaving they were shit again. At least his teams in Tampa were playoff teams or at least in the hunt for a playoff spot. Most franchises would love to have a coach that wins 10 games a year.

 

 

this league is a "What have you done for me lately" league. Is that enough reason for them to fire him?

 

 

And that's exactly what I said in my first post to start the thread.

 

 

 

And?

[heaven&hell]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

 

 

That was a team of veteran's that included Gannon, Rice & Brown. He's a patchwork guy period. I don't call that building a team. You build through the draft and sprinkle in veteran's. The reason they fell apart is because they got old real quick...not so much because of coaching. IN the end, it could also be said then that the Dungy built Bucs that Gruden was handed beat the shit out of the Gruden built Raiders. remember, Gruden didn't take that team to the Super Bowl...he failed at that also.

 

Well in all fairness the reason he failed to take the Raiders to the Super Bowl was because of a ridiculous call in the Patriot game in Foxboro now known as the 'Tuck Rule'. It really hurts me say that being a Bronco fan but The Raiders were damn good with Gruden there and they were shit before he was there and within two years of him leaving they were shit again. At least his teams in Tampa were playoff teams or at least in the hunt for a playoff spot. Most franchises would love to have a coach that wins 10 games a year.

 

 

this league is a "What have you done for me lately" league. Is that enough reason for them to fire him?

 

 

And that's exactly what I said in my first post to start the thread.

 

 

 

And?

 

And what?

 

I don't think he should been fired but you do. I'm moving on.

[Mullethead]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

 

 

That was a team of veteran's that included Gannon, Rice & Brown. He's a patchwork guy period. I don't call that building a team. You build through the draft and sprinkle in veteran's. The reason they fell apart is because they got old real quick...not so much because of coaching. IN the end, it could also be said then that the Dungy built Bucs that Gruden was handed beat the shit out of the Gruden built Raiders. remember, Gruden didn't take that team to the Super Bowl...he failed at that also.

 

Well in all fairness the reason he failed to take the Raiders to the Super Bowl was because of a ridiculous call in the Patriot game in Foxboro now known as the 'Tuck Rule'. It really hurts me say that being a Bronco fan but The Raiders were damn good with Gruden there and they were shit before he was there and within two years of him leaving they were shit again. At least his teams in Tampa were playoff teams or at least in the hunt for a playoff spot. Most franchises would love to have a coach that wins 10 games a year.

 

 

this league is a "What have you done for me lately" league. Is that enough reason for them to fire him?

 

 

And that's exactly what I said in my first post to start the thread.

 

 

 

And?

 

And what?

 

I don't think he should been fired but you do. I'm moving on.

 

 

I think my dislike for him stems from his days in Oakland but I still don't think he's a good coach. I like his fire but that doesn't make you a good coach or I'd be one

[heaven&hell]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

 

 

That was a team of veteran's that included Gannon, Rice & Brown. He's a patchwork guy period. I don't call that building a team. You build through the draft and sprinkle in veteran's. The reason they fell apart is because they got old real quick...not so much because of coaching. IN the end, it could also be said then that the Dungy built Bucs that Gruden was handed beat the shit out of the Gruden built Raiders. remember, Gruden didn't take that team to the Super Bowl...he failed at that also.

 

Well in all fairness the reason he failed to take the Raiders to the Super Bowl was because of a ridiculous call in the Patriot game in Foxboro now known as the 'Tuck Rule'. It really hurts me say that being a Bronco fan but The Raiders were damn good with Gruden there and they were shit before he was there and within two years of him leaving they were shit again. At least his teams in Tampa were playoff teams or at least in the hunt for a playoff spot. Most franchises would love to have a coach that wins 10 games a year.

 

 

this league is a "What have you done for me lately" league. Is that enough reason for them to fire him?

 

 

And that's exactly what I said in my first post to start the thread.

 

 

 

And?

 

And what?

 

I don't think he should been fired but you do. I'm moving on.

 

 

I think my dislike for him stems from his days in Oakland but I still don't think he's a good coach. I like his fire but that doesn't make you a good coach or I'd be one

 

If you dislike him how do you think I feel? His Raider teams and the Broncs did some major battles.

Especially considering how much hatred Shannahan has/had for Al Davis those games were always huge.

But I still thought he was a good coach.

[Mullethead]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

 

 

That was a team of veteran's that included Gannon, Rice & Brown. He's a patchwork guy period. I don't call that building a team. You build through the draft and sprinkle in veteran's. The reason they fell apart is because they got old real quick...not so much because of coaching. IN the end, it could also be said then that the Dungy built Bucs that Gruden was handed beat the shit out of the Gruden built Raiders. remember, Gruden didn't take that team to the Super Bowl...he failed at that also.

 

Well in all fairness the reason he failed to take the Raiders to the Super Bowl was because of a ridiculous call in the Patriot game in Foxboro now known as the 'Tuck Rule'. It really hurts me say that being a Bronco fan but The Raiders were damn good with Gruden there and they were shit before he was there and within two years of him leaving they were shit again. At least his teams in Tampa were playoff teams or at least in the hunt for a playoff spot. Most franchises would love to have a coach that wins 10 games a year.

 

 

this league is a "What have you done for me lately" league. Is that enough reason for them to fire him?

 

 

And that's exactly what I said in my first post to start the thread.

 

 

 

And?

 

And what?

 

I don't think he should been fired but you do. I'm moving on.

 

 

I think my dislike for him stems from his days in Oakland but I still don't think he's a good coach. I like his fire but that doesn't make you a good coach or I'd be one

 

If you dislike him how do you think I feel? His Raider teams and the Broncs did some major battles.

Especially considering how much hatred Shannahan has/had for Al Davis those games were always huge.

But I still thought he was a good coach.

 

 

Yeah, well I hated Shannahan too so go figure

[heaven&hell]

you also have to remember the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl with his team if you want to say Gruden went to the SB with Dungy's team, and look what the Raiders have done ever since.

 

 

That was a team of veteran's that included Gannon, Rice & Brown. He's a patchwork guy period. I don't call that building a team. You build through the draft and sprinkle in veteran's. The reason they fell apart is because they got old real quick...not so much because of coaching. IN the end, it could also be said then that the Dungy built Bucs that Gruden was handed beat the shit out of the Gruden built Raiders. remember, Gruden didn't take that team to the Super Bowl...he failed at that also.

 

Well in all fairness the reason he failed to take the Raiders to the Super Bowl was because of a ridiculous call in the Patriot game in Foxboro now known as the 'Tuck Rule'. It really hurts me say that being a Bronco fan but The Raiders were damn good with Gruden there and they were shit before he was there and within two years of him leaving they were shit again. At least his teams in Tampa were playoff teams or at least in the hunt for a playoff spot. Most franchises would love to have a coach that wins 10 games a year.

 

 

this league is a "What have you done for me lately" league. Is that enough reason for them to fire him?

 

 

And that's exactly what I said in my first post to start the thread.

 

 

 

And?

 

And what?

 

I don't think he should been fired but you do. I'm moving on.

 

 

I think my dislike for him stems from his days in Oakland but I still don't think he's a good coach. I like his fire but that doesn't make you a good coach or I'd be one

 

If you dislike him how do you think I feel? His Raider teams and the Broncs did some major battles.

Especially considering how much hatred Shannahan has/had for Al Davis those games were always huge.

But I still thought he was a good coach.

 

 

Yeah, well I hated Shannahan too so go figure

 

I feel the same way about Schottenheimer even though I thought he got a raw deal in San Diego.

I also kind of felt the same way about Vermeil, but it was hard to hate him after him being in St Louis besides with him crying all the time it was hard to dislike the guy.

[Metal T]

Looks like the Bucs won't be making the playoffs again anytime soon.They canned a superbowl winner for a 32 year old unproven black assistant coach ?? Yeah....ok.The 'Rooney Rule' needs to go...

[Mullethead]

Looks like the Bucs won't be making the playoffs again anytime soon.They canned a superbowl winner for a 32 year old unproven black assistant coach ?? Yeah....ok.The 'Rooney Rule' needs to go...

 

 

 

The Rooney Rule had nothing to do with it. That only says that they have to interview x amount of minority applicants. The decision is still theirs. Not to mention it had nothing to do with them firing Gruden. He earned that himself...

[RichieZ]

 

Gruden's reaction after being canned...

[Mullethead]

 

Gruden's reaction after being canned...