Posted by  James Jones, Ft. Myers, Fl on 01/07  at  07:23 AM

Straight to the point.  Gruden made bad decision resting guys too much.  He made bad decision throwing in second qtr and not running.  Gruden maybe a good coach, it’s time for a change there.  Galloway is an avg receiver, disappears in half the games per season.  He must go.  Defense needs to become more of a physical defense.  Speed is great, but they were out manned today.  I was not at the game but the crowd sounded loud and ready.  A few more pieces and a change in offensive philosphy and tweeking the defense the Bucs should be better next year.

Posted by  Michael Harris, Tampa, FL on 01/07  at  06:10 AM

I was the only person on this blog, who supports the Bucs, who KNEW they would lose.
1. Look, the NFC East has three of the best teams in the NFC.
The Bucs ARE/WERE an average team. Last week I wrote that the offense was inconsistent and ineffective in the RED ZONE. Yesterday they made me look like a modern day prophet.
2. No! Why would I be surprised how the Bucs struggled, when I called it. I took the Giants and 3 against my home boys and won. Here’s a rule I learned from Jimmy the Greek: NEVER allow emotions to get in the way of picking a winner.
3. The Bucs should sign Kiffin to a new deal and Gruden. Considering all of the injuries this year and a roster full of mediocrity, Gruden did his best job of coaching, since being here.

Posted by  Larry Folds, San Antonio, TX on 01/07  at  02:05 AM

The Bucs are an ever-frustrating team.  I am old enough to remember when the Bucs came to town and I have been a die hard fan ever since.  The only thing is that the Bucs seem never to change much from year to year..it always seems to be a “builidng year” for them.  If you take out the 2 first horrible years and the SuperBowl year, the team seems pretty much the same heading into pretty much the same place regardless of coaches or players.  It’s a shame…Maybe next year!

Posted by  D.Berlin, Orlando on 01/07  at  01:34 AM

College players don’t miss a beat are you high dmatt! Poor decision making on grudens part period

Posted by  D.Berlin, Orlando on 01/07  at  01:29 AM

How do you rest too much easily watch any bowl games Chas. They were rusted not rested. some offensive guru!

Posted by  Chas, Largo on 01/06  at  11:24 PM

How do you “rest too much” after a 16 game season? Look people..simple fact is, the Bucs O and D lines are still inexperienced (except for Carter who has been a major disappointment). They don’t have a sense of urgency yet and got manhandled. Garcia had one bad throw in the end zone and Spurlock screwed up. This team wasn’t going to a Superbowl this year anyway so relax people.

If you want to be angry about something ask yourselves why the best defensive coordinator in football isn’t under contract in 08. That’s infuriating! Get it done Allen!! That’s what you get paid to do!

Posted by  J Kirby, St Petersburg, FL on 01/06  at  11:16 PM

I’m tired of everybody crying about how bad we are even though we made the playoffs in a weak division. Seattle plays in a weak division every year, but their fans are still the loudest and one of the most supportive even when they lose. How can Kinzer claim we don’t have quality players. WV had a quality coach that left for Michigan because the only quality thing WV has is a coulple of good mountains to snowboard on.

Posted by  J Kirby, St Petersburg, FL on 01/06  at  10:54 PM

Mitch R is right on point. The fact is they are going in the right direction. And as far as Brad Gross, how the hell can you rag on Barber and especially Brooks. They have been part of this Defense that made this franchise you fool. Yes it sucked the way the season ended. It looked so good after that first quarter, but the turnovers killed us. I know that the Giants had players injured, but the fact that we were starting Ryan Neice cause June was hurt and the loss to Tanard Jackson was huge to our defense. Next year we get a few skilled players and our O line will keep improving. We will be fine.

Posted by  Fredrick, Tampa, FL on 01/06  at  09:47 PM

To Re-Cap: The Buc’s throw away all the momentum they had built up coming into December by “resting” guys who wanted to play; then proceed to lose four of their last five games; and go out with a whimper in front of the portion of home fans who did not sell their tickets to blue jersey wearing Jerseians. Thank goodness we have the rest of the Lightning season to look forward to and…oh…well, the Rays pitchers and catchers report next month and in the A.L. East this year they should do very…right…hey, someone start a Bill Cowher rumor!

Posted by  Frank Reichart, Brandon, Fl on 01/06  at  09:19 PM

As simple as it can be….Gruden must go….he does NOT deserve an extension…he’s developed not one player on offense in 6 years and his play calling is horrific…gruden must go…

Posted by  Cody Ubben, Cedar Falls, IA on 01/06  at  08:59 PM

The Bucs probably maxed out and had the best season that they could have had with the talent that they started the season with let alone what we ended it with. It sucks to lose..sure. But how good did most of you think we were gonna be. Obviously we need some upgrades..3-tech, Wr, 2nd Rb, and a new corner back. Gruden has one year left on his contract and if he has another good season next year then he deserves a longer contract. Kiffin’s contract is up and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him leaving. My vote would be for Raheem Morris as our new DC. Bernard Berrian and D.J. Hackett are both free agents this year. I’d like to see us land either of them in the offseason. Big upgrade at WR.

Posted by  MItch R, NYC on 01/06  at  08:54 PM

Continued, part 3.  At QB, we have garcia for another year, but we need someone beyond 2008, someone who can take us to the Super Bowl.  We are in a position to get to the next level.  We’ve layed the ground work this year and our young players are getting great experience (ala Sapp, Brooks, Lynch in ‘97), but were not a SB team this year and probably not next year either.  We need to stay the course and keep improving.  But if you stupid people think that we deserved better this year, you are stupider than I thought.

Posted by  MItch R, NYC on 01/06  at  08:52 PM

To continue…We are old at certain skill positions, but are young in the trenches (on both lines) and have promising LB’s and DB’s.  On offense, we need a weapon, someone like Colston or Steve Smith.  Someone that’s going to go out and make plays after he touches the ball.  I think we are fine with Clayton and Stovall as posession receivers.  As for the Backfield, I love Askew, but we need a dominating RB.  Someone in the mold of a Portis or LT.  I doubt Cadillac is ever coming back and no matter how much I love EG, he’s not the long term answer.

Posted by  Edward Barfield, Lorton, Virginia on 01/06  at  08:51 PM

1.Absolutely. Timing was off and they were incapable of adjusting, both of which require intense team work and coordination which is gained by playing together. 2. Nevertheless, they likely would have lost anyway even if coach G had played his players. The BUCs are average and nowhere near the caliber of the better teams of the league, including the Giants. However, they could have made the game a bit more exciting and tried their best to not let NY treat them like a practice squad. No surprises with offense and special teams, but disappointing to see defense allow Eli M rock them with dink passes, which they were unable to adjust and prevent–another indication of a lack of experience playing together, reinforced by too much rest. 3.No

Posted by  MItch R, NYC on 01/06  at  08:47 PM

You all are a bunch of whiny children.  This is how my 3 year old son behaves after I tell him he can’t watch another episode of Blue’s Clues.  The team sucked, fire Gruden, blah, blah, blah.  And once again, Kinzer gets the “Whiniest B*tch” award.  You people can’t see the big picture here. NO ONE EXPECTED US TO EVEN WIN 8 GAMES THIS YEAR, LET ALONE WIN OUR DIVISION!  We have an extremely young team and have a promising future.  Sure we got beat, but the Giants are a better team, END OF STORY!  What would have been better, finishing 7-9 and not having a chance at getting to the Super Bowl?

Posted by  Gregory Donoghue, Bradenton on 01/06  at  08:42 PM

I agree with the poster who said Gruden didn’t use his speedsters. Bucs need to draft some offensive impact players. Starting with wide receiver, center. Defense needs bigger stronger and faster linemen. Get rid of Allen and Gruden and bring in Jason Garret as coach, if he is not already signed elsewhere. I expect Allen and Gruden will be around another year.

Posted by  dmatt, jville fla on 01/06  at  08:23 PM

Resting players had nothing to do with it. These guys rest 3 to 4 weeks preparing for college bowl games and don’t miss a beat.Galloway gave up on several plays,especially the reverse.Had Garcia scrambled and run the ball,that would’ve took pressure off the OL.Spurlock runs as if he’s afraid,he always goes towards the sideline.Clayton should convert to cornerback,he’s tall/aggressive.Gruden was out coached. He failed to use his speedsters when needed(Bennett,Lucas).
He didn’t play to win.

Posted by  Nick Smith, Dallas on 01/06  at  08:18 PM

Most of us who paid attention to the Buccaneers this season knew today’s 1st round loss was coming.  The Bucs benefited greatly from a soft schedule and a pitiful NFC south division.

Jon Gruden had his opportunity to prove his value this season when the NFL stars practically aligned for the Bucs this season - yes, the team had injuries - but that even showed the talent on the team that Gruden had consistently ignored.

AND there’s STILL ZERO offense on this team.

The Gruden / Allen era should be over starting NOW.  Definitely no contract extension(s).

See you all in August!

Go Rays!

Posted by  James R. Kinzer, 351 Winfield Ave. Winfield WV 25213 on 01/06  at  07:40 PM

The Bucs exposed it’s self as to every area being terrible!!  Even “Bad Coaches” could look better if they had some quality players!!  We seem to have only “Has Beens and Wanna Bes”!!  “O"line,“D"line and the secondary really sucked!!  On one TD, Barber & Kelly were 5yds from the rec’vr!  Brooks made a “Bone Head” play that resulted in a TD!!  No QB can play when he has to run for his life!!  Money must be spent for some “GOOD” players!!!!!

Posted by  Michael Fox, Plant city, fl on 01/06  at  06:11 PM

Once again the Bucs rested way too much, Like Dungy did the year St Louis beat them to go to the Superbowl. The Bucs play calling is so predictable, no wonder they will never be a dominate team. No real Leaders here. Gruden needs a gut check to see if he can call plays.

Posted by  Tim Wolf, Tampa on 01/06  at  06:10 PM

Allen and Gruden have the whole off season to find us some more old, one year players. I say we give him a contract extension that way hey can remain the couch of the retired players team. They both have proved their ability. Time for a change.

Posted by  Brad Goss, Tampa on 01/06  at  06:07 PM

FIRE GRUDEN!!!
And while we’re at it-Barber and Brooks who like to talk big and not deliver!!!

Posted by  dex fields, neptune,n.j. on 01/06  at  05:19 PM

It’s time to move on and get rid of ALLEN and GRUDEN-enough is enough.Five years-nothing-our offensive skill position is weaker than wet toilet paper.When we brought in Garcia they should have traded for another receiver also.Allen belief he can build a team out of the draft only,silly man.How could the Chargers trade for Chambers and we didn’t and knowing we need another receiver for Garcia.