Report: Bucs Never Talked To Chucky About Returning
December 30th, 2017
Claims no talks with Bucs.
If one is to believe Chucky, Bucs fans who were stocking up on liquor and fireworks, ready to celebrate his return, were cruelly conned.
That’s the word from Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. In a text exchange with Chucky, Stroud types that there were never any negotiations between Chucky and Team Glazer about Chucky returning to lead the Bucs.
Of course, the news [of Dirk Koetter’s return] may not sit well with disillusioned fans, who thought the buzzards were circling. They want instant gratification over growth. Fueling the fire-Koetter movement was the belief that Jon Gruden, the former Super Bowl-winning coach who was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor Dec. 18, was considering leaving ESPN’s Monday Night Football for a return to the sideline.
But both sides insisted Saturday that there was never one discussion about Gruden coaching the Bucs. No failed negotiations. No unrealistic demands. It didn’t happen.
“Bucs are in good shape,” Gruden said in a text Saturday.
So was all of this just a giant hoax to take Bucs fans’ eyes off the ball? Was this yet just another example of the annual ritual of Chucky teasing fans while basking in all of the attention?
Take this however you wish: Both you and Joe know damn well Chucky sure as hell knew about all the rumors (if they really were rumors) floating all over town, all over sports radio, all over sports cable channels — except for the four-letter frauds that employ him — that had him linked to the Bucs.
If there was nothing to it, how come he didn’t kill the false (?) rumors and spare Koetter the embarrassment? If there was nothing to these rumors, how come Team Glazer didn’t come out and deny it and instead let their head coach twist in the wind? Even Koetter said those rumors were a distraction.
Sorry, but Joe smells an overloaded outhouse here. An outhouse that has been broiling in the Florida July sun.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:23 pm
People actually thought there was a chance that Jon Gruden would leave his high-paying cushion job at ESPN, to coach this pathetic team?
December 30th, 2017 at 8:23 pm
At least Gruden has his Super Bowl ring for whenever he walks into any Hooters Family Restaurant.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:25 pm
Coach any team.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:26 pm
Despite what both sides are saying there is no way to know if they had private conversations that they are choosing to keep private.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:27 pm
It was more than delusional fans that believed the Gruden rumor, EyeRah was on with Rock right before the Koetter news broke and really believed that Gruden was coming back to coaching, and it better be the bucs.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:32 pm
Hell, Rich Gannon, who is tight with Chucky, all but said he’s coming back in 2018.
Not buying one bit Chucky or his agent didn’t have some form of communication with Team Glazer about a return. Now, who reached out to who is a different story. Look, Chucky’s agent is also Licht’s agent and Licht is trying to get an extension. Are we to be that naive to believe when Licht’s agent talked to the Glazers that Chucky’s name never, ever came up?
Meanwhile, Koetter was out there twisting in the wind.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:33 pm
Basically what we are learning is that all reports including ones from this site, unfortunately, are a complete waste of time.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:34 pm
Joe never, ever reported that Chucky was coming back to coach the Bucs. Joe wrote about the smoke and the rumors but never wrote Chucky was coming back to coach the Bucs.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:34 pm
If I’m the owners I’m opening up my check book for Gruden and Rex Ryan as coordinators. You get to save face with Koetter and possibly put a winning product on the field. It’s really sad to see the stadium (upper deck) completely empty during a nationally televised game.
Chit the last game I went to was the tnf game against ATL last yr Lynch’s ring of honor game and I left at half time. We got completely blown out. That’s just a shame. Working class folks ain’t trying to wasting money on this garbage.
It a complete chit show and I wish they would just sell the team to debartolo before he buys the damn panthers then we will never have a chance to win.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:37 pm
DB55:
Of course that would never, ever happen but Joe would take Arians as a coordinator any day over Chucky. Arians’ resume building quarterbacks may be unmatched this side of Mike Holmgren. Plus, Arians already has a relationship with Jameis. Used to work with him when Jameis was in high school.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:37 pm
Idk Gruden spends too much time coaching young kids to not want to return but wtfdik.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:39 pm
Yeah. Chucky is coaching high school kids and pretend coach on TV. Arians is coaching men in the NFL as we speak.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:39 pm
I’m with you on that one. I love Arians, he one of those white black dudes like Eminem. 😁
December 30th, 2017 at 8:39 pm
I don’t believe Gruden or the report … I think he told the Bucs he’s not coaching again until his youngest graduates from high school NEXT YEAR … hopefully by then Dirk will have at least .500 career win percentage (he’d need to go 11-5 next year, provided we lose to the Saints tomorrow) by then and Gruden won’t be necessary …
December 30th, 2017 at 8:40 pm
It was NEVER Gruden’s place to stop the rumors but was the responsibility of Light or the owners. …Blame the bucs but instead you blame Gruden.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:41 pm
Joe made it clear that both parties could have stopped the rumor mill. May want to re-read the post.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:41 pm
Bucs are in good shape,” now you know that’s a lie.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:48 pm
So does this mean that Gruden’s presser at MacDill a few weeks back wasn’t manipulated by Chucky as a way to submarine Dirk, as Joe implied?
December 30th, 2017 at 8:49 pm
Well if Dirk can’t do his job from the hot seat we could be in for a brutal 2018. He will be in the hot seat the second(if) his team falls below .500. If we lose our first game he’ll likely be hearing it for the whole season.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:50 pm
So that blasting Chucky about outlandish demands of complete control was also bogus.
Every year multiple reports come out that he is coming back, pro or college.
He doesn’t dispute them as it helps at contract negotiations.
Blaming Gru for a “distraction” for a team he doesn’t coach or control is rediculous. Any 4-11 coach knows he is in trouble Jon Gruden or not.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:58 pm
I just hope Licht is watching this university of Miam defense, every level, players will excel in the NFL
December 30th, 2017 at 9:01 pm
It may have helped him with contract negotiations with ESPN. It’ll be interesting to see if he coaches at all considering there were so many reports by “good” journalists that he’s coming back next year.
It seems pretty easy to manipulate the beat writers to write what the puppet masters want them to write.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:01 pm
Basically it’s a good idea not to believe much of what is reported nowadays. Nobody confirms anything anymore before running with it.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:01 pm
Sounds like a misdirection to me. At this point I really don’t care who is coaching a team in 2018 even if it’s Dirk Koetter. I hope he doesn’t get fired just so I can see the Glazers do something very different.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:01 pm
Joe the point is nobody knows anything more than me. Not Ian, Ira, Lee, Steve, Rick, Tom, Ronny, nobody so everything posted is complete bull so it is a waste of time much like this team. It’s just to bad that morons like me keep caring about it. No offense to anyone but we read stuff on the draft, Cook, DE, etc…. it’s OJ. We hear Koetter is gone and we will be getting someone who knows what they are doing and we get the same toss sweep calling, Doug Martin playing, rotating guard coach back. Real exciting
December 30th, 2017 at 9:02 pm
Why? Because they don’t have to. That’s why…
December 30th, 2017 at 9:07 pm
Uhhh, I just found out Glazers announced they’ll keep Koetter. While I have no confidence in him I think it’s great the Glazers decided to do something different and not fire a coach after two seasons.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:08 pm
How excited would you be if Eddie DeBartolo owned the Bucs?
December 30th, 2017 at 9:08 pm
Come on Joe,
Jameis saved Koetter after Koetter tried to destroy Jameis’ career. Koetter called easy plays for Fitzpatrick to have success. In the games since Jameis’ return, he has danced around defenders that arrived at the same time as the ball. If Jameis gave up on plays, the Bucs would be three and out on every possession. You people are blinded by hate. Koetter is a terrible coach and person. Now, he knows he is lucky to have Jameis even though he does not deserve him.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:16 pm
Ndog:
So you were talking to Chucky’s agent? So you talked to Chucky? So you talked to Chucky’s wife? So you talked to Chucky’s friends, parents and his inner circle? Please do e-mail Joe. Would like to know what else you know. Might just be some cash involved for you.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:17 pm
What the hell are you talking about?
December 30th, 2017 at 9:18 pm
I was definitely wanting dirk gone, still am. I was never one who wanted chucky back tho, unless he was the only option. He is a definite upgrade over dirk. For me its not about instant gratification over growth. Growth is where its at. Anyone thinking dirk is improving is nuts. I want someone who has a chance to eventually win a super bowl. Dirk koetter continuously finds ways to lose games for his team. I wish he showed us growth this year.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:19 pm
What negotiations? He’s under contract with the four-letter through 2020.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:22 pm
Jon Gruden has been with ESPN since 2009. They gave him a contract extension until 2021 at $6.5 million per year. Again I ask, why would he give that up to coach a team that fire it Head Coach every 2-3 years?
December 30th, 2017 at 9:26 pm
Nope and it doesn’t matter cause the result is the same, I knew nothing just like everybody else, thats my point.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:26 pm
Is anyone questioning the competence of these “ne’er do wells?” What have the Glazer boys ever accomplished “on their own” in their collective lives? They need to sell the team to someone who strongly desires a “winner” like their father Malcolm.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:29 pm
Well, yours was a total guess (and you turned out to be right, if you actually guessed this).
The folks — Joe never reported this — who thought Chucky was coming back to the Bucs did so after speaking with numerous folks either close to Chucky or who work for him.
Huge difference in flipping a coin and actually doing homework, sorry.
Still, Joe doesn’t buy for one second he or his agent never had any communication with the Glazers about a potential return. It’s happened before.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:29 pm
I”m really sick of their antics the past 10 years. How much can fans take? Why can’t they make a decent, well thought out decision about coaches/GMs?
December 30th, 2017 at 9:30 pm
“All this was inspired by the principle—which is quite true within itself—that in the big lie there is always a certain force of credibility; because the broad masses of a nation are always more easily corrupted in the deeper strata of their emotional nature…”
Adolf Hitler
Mein Kampf
December 30th, 2017 at 9:32 pm
If this staff starts off slow next year then people are going to start pointing at ownership. They’ve had a bit of a buffer thus far.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:36 pm
Gruden now going to the Raiders would be a big FU to the Glazers for firing him. Next week should be a fun.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:42 pm
Joe,
What the hell am talking about? It hits home doesn’t? I did not see race as an issue until now. I am pretty forward with my opinion. I can see many reasons for firing Lovie. Mainly to replace him with someone better. That did not happen. You hated Lovie. You expressed that hate. Now you want Koetter to be a success to cover up how wrong you were about Lovie. Specifically, Koetter is not better. Everything is not about race.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:51 pm
Between Koetter and Gruden, I will take Gruden everyday. Any QB that can play under the pressure that Winston plays under as well as well as Winston is future Hall of Fame.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:51 pm
Anyone with half a brain knew this my god..
December 30th, 2017 at 9:51 pm
Sounds like Gruden had Bucs on top of his list as far as teams he would come back to coach, but bucs brass didnt entertain the idea. One will never know but I would love to be a fly on wall in the room when Dirk sits down with the powers that be after season is over. Thanks ” Joe’s ” fora job well done all year
December 30th, 2017 at 9:53 pm
for all we know Chucky is going to Oakland, and if he had denied he was coming back here he would have lost some leverage in contract negotiations.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:54 pm
Oh lordy, this is the non-story of non-stories. This is what happens when a team goes 4-11 … speculation breeds more speculation which breeds even more speculation. There was never a single substantiated F-A-C-T that indicated Gruden was coming back to coach the Bucs. It was ALL made up because (tada) … there’s nothing worth talking about in a 4-11 season. Nothing except speculating about NEXT season that is. That’s all fans of bottom-tier teams have to look forward to it seems.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:56 pm
Having a contract in place does not mean no negotiations for a new one.
Ask Jimbo Fisher.
In any event if Koetter was distracted it’s because he produced a lousy team who is going 4-12 or 5-11.
That will get talk of a coaching change every time.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:58 pm
Team Glazer NEVER EVER had a chance at Gru. He played them & like I said yesterday in a post got them to put his name on the stadium FOREVER. Now they are stuck holding the bag with Klueless Koetter!! Hahahaha Bucs gonna be in same position next year at this time. Koetter is a joke.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:00 pm
@joe
Just deal with you u guys were wrong , ira was wrong, “being close friends “, didn’t get him any additional info . Also , y is rick S breaking the news if they are “so close ”
Nothing wrong with speculation, as long as you except the L when it comes.
Your not eating w’s.
Btw what happened to the breaking news you guys were going to have on the uber gate story.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:02 pm
Well I guess we won’t be pounding the rock next year. I’m sure there are a few straggling stock carriers out there but Waste Management hauled mine away in Oct.
Based on the expectations of this team we just might be headed back to the brown bag days……The only accurate monicker involved with this team that has stood the test of time has been The Den of Depression. How embarassing
December 30th, 2017 at 10:03 pm
Interesting that Chucky told BSPN he talks to people every year including some owners about returning.
But he never spoke with the Glazers? Right.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:04 pm
Mike Florio reported that the Raiders are making a run for Gruden, and the Glazers may have retained Koetter to avoid a bidding war. That gives me some relief.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:04 pm
What was Joe exactly wrong about? Joe never reported Chucky was coming back.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:06 pm
Story is hot that Raiders will go after him and go hard…
I will be beyond gutted…I hope it doesn’t happen, it will feel like a slap in the face for us fans that have suffered so many years..
I am really upset on the breaking news…
December 30th, 2017 at 10:08 pm
@admin
We are lacking the biggest point, does HE want to return to the bucs, he wants to returning to coaching, possible glazers put his name up there in hopes to mend fences, but he agent just hang up , thus no talking.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:09 pm
Sunny:
Glazers have mended fences with Chucky. They are the ones who decided to put his name in the Ring of Honor.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:10 pm
People saying “why would he leave his cushy job” are people who will never grind to get to where Gruden got. The man wants to be competitive again, it’s sad that concept is alien to some people.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:13 pm
If he did go to Oakland he would be welcome as a hero, unlike here where the moronic fan base ran the man out of town.
And so many alleged bucs fans do nothing but trash the guy.
Wouldn’t blame him a bit.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:14 pm
The Raiders are going to offer Gruden an ownership stake. He’s gone.
Btw, ESPN is in bad financial shape. They would love to shed that $6.5 million.
I doubt ESPN will be renewing their MNF contract.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:16 pm
@joe Yes They are tying , doesn’t mean John has , inside he is still hurt he got fired and is not entertaining the idea of coming back to coach Tampa bay , being the ego manic that he he wanted his name on that stadium. Wanted to create buzz again so he can get the job he wants, just becuz he doesn’t return to the bucs doesn’t mean he doesn’t return to coaching.
And ira has been saying to everyone listing, he would return, just ended his podcast, with bucs will have a coaching vacancy, but hey at least he had the guts to answer the question, instead of avoiding it like some others
December 30th, 2017 at 10:18 pm
People actually thought there was a chance that Jon Gruden would leave his high-paying cushion job at ESPN, to coach this pathetic team?
If you’re going to “quote” me, quote me correctly!
December 30th, 2017 at 10:19 pm
Bamm oakland making run at Gruden !! Just said that PFt reported now
December 30th, 2017 at 10:20 pm
No one in their right state of mind would leave a $6.5 million job to coach the YUCS.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:20 pm
Anomaly,
You just pull it out of your okole.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:21 pm
Yeah I think fans will be pretty bitter with the Glazers if another team hires Gruden.
If it actually is a team like the Raiders or Cowboys you can pretty much rule out he didn’t choose the Bucs over not getting full control because neither of those team will give him that either.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:22 pm
The cushy job at ESPN is going away. Does anyone know what’s going on at ESPN? They are hemorrhaging money. Plus, Vegas has less taxes than FL. Ownership plus huge money plus less taxes=Gruden next Raider coach
December 30th, 2017 at 10:24 pm
Jimmy , raiders will give him ownership stake.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:24 pm
This is not the Pittsburgh Steelers, a class organization. These are the Tampa bay Buccaneers. One of the most dysfunctional franchises in America.
This is the REALITY of the situation
December 30th, 2017 at 10:24 pm
Who care? You bunch of cry babies can go be Raiders fans!!!!
December 30th, 2017 at 10:25 pm
The decision for the ring of honor for Gru was before the season even started.
It had nothing to do with the bucs falling apart and Jon had no influence on the decision to put him in the ring. Ego had nothing to do with it.
Why should Jon trust the Glazer boys. I sure as heck wouldn’t.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:26 pm
Just sit back and relax and enjoy the 5-11 season in 2018. At least the team will get another top draft pick.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:28 pm
Part ownership in the Raiders as they move to Vegas will be huge. No way the Glazers compete with that.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:31 pm
I will sit back and watch what changes are made after this season. Koetter will not be stupid enough to keep things AS IS. Martin will be gone bet on it. The defense will be upgraded. Question is who will be the DC???? And will it be better. I will watch what happens.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:32 pm
Eric , it is well know the glazers are a few steps ahead of the coaching game. You gotta believe they have a back up for coaching before the season, you don’t get to be a billionaire thinking Day to day, they think long term. The fact is they wanted gruden, he didn’t want to come back, could be due to the raiders giving him ownership stake, granted the league other owners agree to it.
Also, consider jay is supposedly safe now, he could be thinking to have his brother as coordinator, and son on staff as well.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:37 pm
“No Discussion” is a sound byte.
means nothing. i.e. is a conversation a discussion?
December 30th, 2017 at 10:38 pm
They stabbed Dungy in the back. They stabbed Gruden in the back. Lovie Smith. Brooks.
Hired a guy from Rutgers to coach an NFL team. Raheem Morris.
Who the heck could they ever get now that’s worth a damn.
Ergo, Dirk Koetter.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:39 pm
A few steps ahead of the coaching game?????
What?
No playoffs in 8 years!!!!
December 30th, 2017 at 10:41 pm
So if that actually does happen Jon Gruden will be a Raider for life. He will be a Raider through and through and he will bleed black and silver. All the will he will be a member of our ring of honor with a statue commemorating him. Something about that just doesn’t feel right.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:43 pm
@Joe regarding following.
Joe Says:
December 30th, 2017 at 8:34 pm
Basically what we are learning is that all reports including ones from this site, unfortunately, are a complete waste of time.
Joe never, ever reported that Chucky was coming back to coach the Bucs. Joe wrote about the smoke and the rumors but never wrote Chucky was coming back to coach the Bucs.
Joe, the first rule of politics and news craft, Nothing is true unless denied. Never try to protect your integrity with a denial. Follow the 2nd rule. I don’t care what they say about me as long as they spell my name correctly.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:47 pm
Yeah Eric……Our Owners have handled their coaching changes very well. There was a reason why Lovie Smith didn’t even bother showed up to sign his pink slip.
I wouldn’t think it impossible that the NFL coaching pool is holding a grudge on this team and that no big candidates would consider coming here. I kinda feel like this franchise has treated past coaches so poorly that they are stuck with Dirk just to save face and disprove their reputation.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:52 pm
Ok if this is “very well” I don’t want to live through bad.
Imagine what that would look like.
The fact the glazers fired someone does not at all mean there was a good reason.
The opposite actually.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:58 pm
Sunny…these Glazer boys are nothing more than lucky sperm. They did not do anything to become billionaires besides not die before Malcolm.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Since the Glazers commonly do the opposite of what the public / media gossip centers around, maybe, just maybe their “approval” of Koetter for 2018 is the kiss of death and Bruce Arians is being lined up by his old buddy Licht.
My speculation (wishing) has as much of a chance to be accurate as the “professional’s”, right?!?!
December 30th, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Is anyone else completely terrified by what may take place if our Bucs suck again next year and Gruden has success with another team? I am and I think the Glazers should be too.
December 30th, 2017 at 11:06 pm
No BuccLuck. I’m only terrified about how poorly our team may do next year. Let’s not act like Jon Gruden is the only guy that knows how to prepare and coach a winning team in this league.
December 30th, 2017 at 11:09 pm
BuccLuck, I don’t think the Glazers would give ownership. Chucky showing up in Tampa with a Man U shirt on. lol
December 30th, 2017 at 11:15 pm
The Glazers told Greg Schiano he was safe. Schiano was bragging to the players at One Buc Place, when the Glazers called him into their office and fired him.
December 30th, 2017 at 11:17 pm
Schiano told the players
It look like you guys are stuck with me for another season
Smiling and laughing
Then the Glazers called him into their office and lowered the boom on him
December 30th, 2017 at 11:21 pm
And I was right, the Raiders are after Jon Gruden.
December 30th, 2017 at 11:26 pm
A few teams are after Jon Gruden. I doubt if the NFL owners approves the Raiders giving Gruden some ownership.
December 30th, 2017 at 11:28 pm
Nobody has a chance like the Raiders. He’s going to pull a LeBron and finish what he started.
December 30th, 2017 at 11:29 pm
He may take the Raiders job. I would take the Raider job, but no way would i take the Bucs job.
December 30th, 2017 at 11:32 pm
I imagine if the bucs had fired Dirk all kinds of teams would be lined up in a bidding war to hire that gem.
Just like they did with the “rock star” the last hero of the local hack media.
December 30th, 2017 at 11:33 pm
@ sunny – the Glazer kids inherited the money from daddy. They are horrible owners. You can’t run two sports franchises on two continents. They suck.
December 30th, 2017 at 11:35 pm
Well since we are keeping Dirk it will be nice to see him take control of this team and bench Baker tomorrow. Time to start holding these guys accountable.
December 30th, 2017 at 11:44 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TiqXFssKMY
December 30th, 2017 at 11:51 pm
Gruden to Oakland by 1-1.
December 30th, 2017 at 11:55 pm
Stupid owners
Stupid coaches
Stupid fans
Just plain stupid
December 30th, 2017 at 11:56 pm
OK…reset on all the ignorance….the G’Boyz talked their father into buying the franchise….it was the candle on Malcolm’s lifetime cake….a brilliant financial coup by his sons…the GBoyz are passionate football fans…hence owning the team….pops wrote the check….
December 31st, 2017 at 12:05 am
Of course, the news [of Dirk Koetter’s return] may not sit well with disillusioned fans, who thought the buzzards were circling. They want instant gratification over growth.
This has to be Lee, with his BS blanket statements about people who don’t agree with him! How is going from 9 wins to 4 growing? or showing progress? Your disillusioned and you write like a political hack, trying to shape public opinion.
December 31st, 2017 at 12:33 am
@ Logged – BUWAHAHAHAHA – Take some midol dude. What a whiny slit. If I could put you on ignore I would. Do we have that feature here?
Snowflake triggered. Awesome.
December 31st, 2017 at 1:32 am
@nfl nut…it’s not Oakland – it’s Vegas.
December 31st, 2017 at 1:35 am
The Raiders are a LOT closer to the post season than the Bucs. Why would he suffer in Tampa with a hot possibility of not being able to overcome so many problems?
Derek Carr is a solid offensive coordinator away from shining in this league and the Raiders have a better core group of players with a better defense.
Picking the Raiders or probably 25 teams over the Bucs is a no brainer.
And what other coach would want to come into a situation knowing that it’s going to take a couple of years to really make changes with an ownership that can’t commit to a coach?
Keeping Koetter was more than avoiding a bidding war. The Bucs never had to enter the Gruden sweepstakes at all. This is just to regain some credibility from an ownership standpoint that they don’t hand out pink slips like candy.
December 31st, 2017 at 1:42 am
what a waste of talent for certain players with D.K. and next year wont be any better, but you can bet, here comes the rah rah bs right before season starts next year.
Its the Culverhouse curse,I tell ya…break out the stakes
December 31st, 2017 at 1:56 am
***********************
I don’t view the Raiders as a good job … there O-Line and defense is certainly better than the Bucs but Jameis is way more talented and way younger and less of an injury risk than Carr and the Bucs skill position players are better and younger as well, which Gruden should love as an “offensive guru” … plus, no one actually wants to LIVE in Vegas … I do agree the Raiders are “closer to the playoffs” as they play in a far weaker division than the Bucs and in the weaker conference, but to me, if he chooses the Raiders, it’s really ALL ABOUT $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
***********************
December 31st, 2017 at 4:31 am
@Lakeland … “Just sit back and relax and enjoy the 5-11 season in 2018. At least the team will get another top draft pick.” Oh Lakeland, much too negative. There’s always H-O-P-E. We’re Bucs’ fans … that’s all we’ve got.
Looking back (hey, it’s Dec 31st) on how this year started, everyone was convinced that we were going to improve on our 9-7 record from 2016. Our coaching staff had FINALLY produced a winning season, we’d added some (what we thought were) good pieces, the nation was talking about US … this was to be OUR YEAR. Lots & lots of ‘stuff’ fell apart, but IMO the reality was that we were never anyplace close to being as good as we thought we were. Our 4-11 (maybe worse) record kinda shows that.
In retrospect, we were sold a bill of goods as they say. Adding all the fancy new ‘Weapons for Winston’ (DJax, OJ, Godwin) meant very little since our OLine isn’t nearly as good as everyone predicted it would be. Our RBs haven’t collectively produced even an average running game. Our defense … our saving grace in the 2nd half of 2016 … has turned out to be anything but this season. The DLine got MUCH worse IMO, as did the secondary. Worst of all, our NFC South competition ALL improved in various ways (especially defensively), leaving us ‘sucking hind teet’ as they say.
And yet, on the bright side, it should be clear to everyone at this point where our problems lie … and what needs to be done to eliminate or mitigate them. Whether we can make all the necessary improvements in 1 year is highly doubtful IMO. Certainly we all have different opinions about what those improvements need to be (hey, we’re Bucs’ fans … we whine about what went wrong and offer up ‘suggestions’ about how to ‘fix it’ … that’s what we do).
For my part, I think Dirk Koetter can get it done, but only if these owners & GM provide him the ‘resources’ (talent upgrades) he needs to execute his style of offense. Several changes needed there, but not nearly as many as are needed on defense. Without some major upgrades to the DLine AND secondary, it really won’t matter who the DC is. With some major upgrades, I’m convinced that Mike Smith & his staff is more than capable of returning us to being a strong defense. My biggest problem is that I can’t convince myself that Jason Licht can provide those major defensive upgrades that are needed for us to be competitive. IF he stays, I sure do hope that he proves me wrong though.
So perk up; we can do better than 5-11 next year. Imagine your surprise if we go 11-5 instead. For that matter, imagine BOTH of us being surprised.
December 31st, 2017 at 6:35 am
LMAO
This has been a bad year for media. Confirmation biases are just as bad in media as they are in the masses. There should be a New Years resolution for journalists. Joe’s excluded, of course!
Gruden and the Glazers probably talked about it all right. They were probably sharing videos and articles with each other and were laughing and laughing and laughing.
December 31st, 2017 at 6:58 am
The whole “gruden or bust” nonsense pisses me off. don’t know who decided this is how it should be. If koetter is a bad coach, and now we know it is more likely than he is a good one, he should be fired regardless of gruden.
December 31st, 2017 at 7:44 am
Well, all the speculation and conjecture sure made for interesting conversation. One has to admit, if Koetter was canned, all the drama associated with that and the interim period when the new HC was announced would have been the talk du jour. Not saying they should have fired him but I don’t think they should have let the guy twist in the wind like they did for months…not days, months.
This makes the offseason from now until draft day, rather anticlimactic.
December 31st, 2017 at 8:12 am
Adam Scheffter report this morning Oakland offering Chucky part ownership as part of their offer for him to come back. ESPN scrolls for those who don’t want to believe. As far as the Bucs, we will always suck as long as MG`s kids make the decisions. Give me ONE decision the lucky sperm of MG have made since they took over that has worked out? Not hard, just asking for ONE. Maybe drafting Jameis (still debatable), other than that, every GM and HC decision they’ve made has been wrong, and keeping Koetter and Light is just a continuation of their sh@#$y decision making. Best thing they could ever do is bring in someone that knows football to make those decisions for them because they are incapable of doing it themselves, as they have always shown!
December 31st, 2017 at 8:20 am
Funny how the to people reporting it were Ian Rappaport and…Rick Stroud.
Will either be held accountable?
Probably not.
December 31st, 2017 at 8:23 am
Joe Says
“Hell, Rich Gannon, who is tight with Chucky, all but said he’s coming back in 2018.”
He was feeding off the Ian Rappaport claims. Just like all the other guys in the media.
You know that’s how it works…one reporter claims his ‘sources’ tell him something, and then all the other reporters run with it. Some even claim their own ‘sources’ (Rick Stroud).
Rich Gannon has been a media guy.
December 31st, 2017 at 8:24 am
Clodhopper Says
“LMAO
This has been a bad year for media.”
Every year is. They are NEVER held accountable anymore. Some of them (not all) outright lie and then move on like it never happened.
December 31st, 2017 at 8:59 am
I like it…too late to change the name?
I can see it now…”Tampa Bay Buzzards”… Change the ship to the “Buzzard nest”….and a new slogan “Woe to you that are playing the Buzzards…. the Buzzards are circling you.”
“A team whose name fits their play….beware the noble Buzzards”. And you think Captain Fear is a fearsome entity… Try a Buzzard costume. THAT could be “fearsome”.
And you know FA players would flock to the Buzzards.
December 31st, 2017 at 9:17 am
Actually this article, if true, makes the decision making process of the Glazers even more pitiful. I can’ understand them not wanting to give up a piece of the team… but not even picking up the phone? The fish rots from the head, as they used to say.
December 31st, 2017 at 9:22 am
Only an idiot ever thought was going to happen. Some folks don’t listen. They talked themselves into a dumb idea that never had a chance. Ah, reality sets in.
December 31st, 2017 at 9:51 am
Roy… and only an idiot would take pleasure in retaining a staff that has no control over his team, makes lousy game plans, calls poor plays, makes poor in game adjustments, and seems to have no idea regarding player talent and who to start.
December 31st, 2017 at 9:59 am
Hey Joe: Nothing from Nothing leaves NOTHING!!! TAKE A KNEE KEEP AMERICA FREE!!
December 31st, 2017 at 10:11 am
Perhaps he wanted full control because he knows exactly what’s wrong and how pathetic this franchise and ownership is
December 31st, 2017 at 11:16 am
This was simply a cheaper to keep her situation. They’ve been paying so many people NOT to coach here how would they look paying a guy again to coach here again when they paid him not to coach here??? Coaches should come because they know once they get fired they’ll still get paid not to work. The NFL had a great welfare system for coaches!
December 31st, 2017 at 12:06 pm
That’s right.
And note there has been no public statement from ownership AFAIK.
If this coaching staff is back, season ticket renewals will be dismal.
If the Bucs get blown out today the fan base will be in uproar.
December 31st, 2017 at 1:56 pm
Joe made it clear that both parties could have stopped the rumor mill. May want to re-read the post.
______
joe, the man who was going in the ring of honor who shouldn’t be saying anything in that light
SAID its not the coaching twice (although that’s not the entire truth)
he said it mon night and again on a podcast..
what more do you want the man to do….hold the glazers and lichts balls too
DAMMM
December 31st, 2017 at 1:57 pm
hes too busy getting Hooter hottie love for that ….hahahaha
December 31st, 2017 at 2:36 pm
@ Lakeland
Jon Gruden has been with ESPN since 2009. They gave him a contract extension until 2021 at $6.5 million per year. Again I ask, why would he give that up to coach a team that fire it Head Coach every 2-3 years?
_________
why cause if I’m the guy the team has failed to replace every 2-3 years…..it kinda strokes my ego like a hooter waitress on a sunday afternoon hahaha
just saying…that’s a MUTE POINT when they haven’t found “MY (meaning grudens replacement in dam near 10 years) and this
3 year STANK OF AN OFFENSE has no sign….AT LEAST the 9-7 defense last year showed SOME promise
Now I cant wait for koetter to return and show what hes got ….
and you Koetter full credit for the 9-7 season fans better believe if we don’t make the playoffs next year
that 2021 contract wont mean SPIT to break if 1) espn’s contract is ending with football and 2) his son will be done with school
Judging from Gru’s comments he really didn’t want to replace koetter THIS YEAR…..especially saying publically and quote ” this team has bigger problems than the coach”
now for teco con or tj max or whoever hates on this …riddle me this
am I Nate Dub that used to play for him or just a guy that knows the inside info
you never know ….hahahahaha
December 31st, 2017 at 4:05 pm
Nate…we will see if he goes to Oakland or elsewhere… if he does, many that think he was just playing games to get a raise from ESPN were as wrong as one can be. And if he stays with ESPN? Congratulations.
December 31st, 2017 at 4:14 pm
This is a lie. You know the Glazers spoke with Gruden. My guess is he wanted a lot of money and more control of the team. ESPN is now saying Gruden turned down the Bucs. But I think it was more about control.
December 31st, 2017 at 4:17 pm
I wish he would go back to coaching so that the horrific rumor I heard from a night janitor in One-Buc about Gruden can finally be put to rest in my mind. I wish I could repeat it, but throwing around rumors like the one I heard is irresponsible. If he coaches the guy lied, if he never does it was true.
December 31st, 2017 at 4:20 pm
Your one sick puppy James Walker….