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Help Wanted Signs Posted At One Buc
Posted By Tom McEwen at Jan 03, 2009 at 05:37 PM
Updated Jan 03, 2009 at 05:49 PM

Hard for us to understand, isn’t it?

I am talking about this Tampa Bay Buccaneer season that just recently that went south, that went from 9-3 to 9-7 like a bank robbers heading for Mexico.

Buccaneer fans, especially those weary enough to remember the 0-26 start, have unchallenged memories for memories of losing, so this lousy finish with four straight defeats fits well into our mental file of Bucko losses, particularly those final two (losers to San Diego and Oakland) at that great Raymond James Stadium we built for these players, and those before them.

Lousy deal, wasn’t it? Just lousy. This shabby finish at the site of the next Super Bowl, in maybe the best stadium in the NFL, on the best playing surface in the NFL, next to the best training palace in the NFL, built by team owners who certainly haven’t told Coach Jon Gruden and his players to shape up or they’ll ship them to Green Bay, who surely deserve more than their staff and “athletes” have returned, in wonderful weather and circumstances, before the most decent fans anywhere, fans who now are likely to face a ticket price raise.

Injuries, oh, we know about them. The coaches know about that risk. Yes, the loss of running back Ernest Graham was plenty serious. May well have made the difference. Got to figure on that, and to enjoy and reap the benefits of the arrivals of wideout Antonio Bryant and return star Clifton Smith.

We should not have lost those last three games—13-10 at Atlanta, 41-24 to San Diego and 31-24 to Oakland. San Diego and Oakland, remember, flew across country to lose here, and neither was a quality team. The Bucs had everything to win, were at home and quarterback Jeff Garcia had been playing pretty doggone well, recently. But, we’ve said all this before because it has happened so often before.

Oh, the coach has taken the blame, and should have, but the losses are still losses and these Bucs so beautifully accepted them.

These Buckos are not in the playoffs of a Super Bowl lottery for the SB-41 that is booked in their backyards.

What’s to be done? Well, send in some more dough for season tickets next year, when money request arrives soon. And assume Coach Gruden—no one has said he will not be back—is already checking his fishbucket of a roster for keepers and throw-backs. His assistants are already going and new ones will be coming.

Right now he’s surely looking at the free agent list and college draft. Since he all but dismissed Brian Griese this season, he certainly is in the young quarterback business. He’ll get a couple to go with his project Josh Johnson. They’ll need to get some defensive help. Stars Ronde Barber and Derrick Brooks may be back but will need help to work with coming linebacker headliner Barrett and his sidekicks. I mean, even defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin has gone to the Tennessee Volunteers to join son Lane, while other of Kiffin’s aides have move to promotions. The solid Buc defense of Kiffin of so many years—though not this last one when it slowed and leaked—must be rebuilt.

Malcolm Glazer, head of the owning family, is not well, and this last season could not have helped him, except in resolve. So far as anyone knows, there is no “for sale” sign out, nor is there a “situation wanted’’ sign on the Joel/Bryan Glazer door at One Buc.

But, believe me, there will be plenty of business for the name plate makers for the Buc locker-room. Losing in December has become unacceptable for the Buccaneers in the future.

Better be, some season ticket damage has already been done and higher prices could cause more in these rotten economic times.

Send Us Your Comments

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Posted by DJ BUZ, PI -- S.C. on 01/06 at 01:51 PM

Hey I’m a Gruden Fan. Gruden take a couple of weeks off and come back strong baby. PLAYMAKERS NEEDED ON OFFENSE & DEFENSE, let’s spend alittle bit of the money ALLEN/GRUDEN.

Posted by jeff catron, ashland virginia on 01/05 at 10:44 PM

bucfan since 1976.bucs should go for mike holgram to coach the bucs.if gruden stays next season will be worse. i always be a diehard fan forever.

Posted by Erik, Chester,Pa on 01/05 at 07:30 PM

Gruden/Allen have done the same thing every year! If someone hits you SIX(6) times in the face, do you think they will not the 7th time? If you think they won’t please let me smack your dumb ##### SIX(6) times. I WILL HIT YOU A 7th TIME FOOL! GO 2010 BUCS!!! Stop spending your hard earned money for this trash! I vacation in Tampa every year so I can see a game live. I will go to Tampa this year in the offseason to support the GREATEST city I have been to!

Posted by Erk, Chester,Pa on 01/05 at 07:24 PM

I’m with BUC1 from N.C.. Who cares about next year? Cower is available in 2010. Before you guys start your insanity please look at the past 6, yes SIX years with Gruden. For all of you that said Gruden did this and that just think. Gruden hasn’t won a playoff game in SIX(6) years!! Only 6 more months to put up with Gruden/Allen next year! I don’t care what the record is next year or if they make the wild card round. They will lose! I want them to win but stop the insainity!!! After SIX(6) years of the same crap do any of you REALLY believe that Gruden/Allen will change? If you do,your INSAIN!! Your IDIOTS

Posted by RJ, Melbourne on 01/05 at 02:41 PM

Bennett was released primarily because it has been alleged that on October 13, Bennett, Anthony Davis and another man attacked an individual in the parking lot of an IHOP in Tampa. If true, this is yet another fina example of the thuggish, gang mentality nature of most of our young people, who seem to prefer doing everything in a gang.

Posted by cd, usf alumn lionsden on 01/05 at 12:54 PM

Why was Bennett released? Saw him run the ball for San Diego last weekend helping SD to the next round. How about Thomas Jones great year!! Tell us coach whats up? Ego or something else?

Posted by ZMiller, Tennessee on 01/05 at 11:13 AM

Its time for Jon to go cuz the team he put together is (9-7) at best or worse and to me it doesnt look like the teams getting any better only getting worse and on top of that we have no francise quarterback, running back or wide reciever!!!

Posted by nick, oviedo on 01/05 at 12:45 AM

Bennett was the insurance policy for Graham and he had to be released alot of injuries and problems off the field doomed this team. Having an arrogant head coach only highlight his faults when matters out of his control come into play. 2 missed tackles in that Carolina game and you could be a 1 seed and a few lucky calls and the Bucs aren’t 6-10. What is the team going to do to become Better!

Posted by b, st.pete on 01/04 at 10:53 PM

who the hell wants to play for gruden

Posted by Buc 1, Jacksonville, NC on 01/04 at 10:12 PM

I wish Jon and team well next year, but if things go south once again, the good news is Bill Cowher will still be available!!

Posted by Roderick L. Williams, Leesburg, GA on 01/04 at 04:22 PM

Mr. McEwen,

Happy New Year! I am a 20 year retired U.S. Marine Corps veteran that grew up in Tampa in the ‘70s and early ‘80s. I read your articles all the time growing up and really enjoyed your unique and informative perspectives. In this “microwave media” world, its refreshing to get a fair and balanced opinion. Thank you sir for your outstanding work!

Posted by Duane Davis, Sarasota, Fl on 01/04 at 04:20 PM

For years I have had to suffer from reading your poor syntax which was a copy of John D. McDonald’s. Would you please drop a line in the water somewhere, take a couple of Xanex and wash them down with a PBR. You never added fresh perspective to any subject and have added none here. Your boring dribble and others like yours that are currently on staff is why the Trib continues to lose readers and subscribers. Dan Ruth, the only free thinking jouornalist the Trib had on its staff was laid off by your female dominated management. I guess these are the same people who allow you to post your banality.

Posted by Allean Vest, Dade City,Fla. on 01/04 at 02:37 PM

I’m 1 of those die hard fans & still belive in my Team & our Coach.
I just hope the Glazers still do too.

Posted by Jim Kinzer, Winfield, WV on 01/04 at 10:13 AM

It’s so nice to read your columns, I did it there for 15 years! I always arose early, read your column and my mouth would always water for your descriptions of those delicious meals and mouth cleansing fruit at “The Pancake House” on Dale Mabry and the one in Town n Country! I found it hard to not go there at least 2 or 3 times a week! Keep up the good work and keep calling a Spade a Spade! I’m sure that “Salty Saul Fleshman” is not around anymore, he is a Tampa Bay Icon as well!