Late Floppage Claims Another Victim
The first "Seriously?!" firing of this offseason was Denver's Mike Shanahan. The second came today when the Buccaneers whipped Jon Gruden overboard.
Like Shanahan, Gruden had it coming to him. A Super Bowl win (or, in Shanahan's case, two) only buys you so much time.
And the Bucs disintegration down the stretch was monumental. They were 9-3 when December began.
They proceeded to lose at Carolina and Atlanta (hey, it happens) to fall to 9-5. Then they got lobotomized by the Chargers and Raiders in Tampa in the final two weekends. This el foldo didn't get the pub it deserved. Two teams traveling cross-county to play in Florida around the holidays. Tampa loses the first to a decent San Diego team. Then, with everything on the line against an Oakland team that - to be kind - wasn't awesome this season, they laid down.
The Bucs disintegration was even more heinous than Denver's. Losing the final three cost Shanahan his job but at least they didn't lose to Oakland in the final week (they got it out of the way in November).
Unlike Shanahan, Gruden really didn't deserve the long leash he's been working with. He won a Super Bowl in 2002 - terrific - but it was a ready-made team he took over. When it came to either A) maintaining that level or B) returning the Bucs to the elites, he failed.
Tampa's won 7, 5, 11, 4, 9 and 9 since winning the Super Bowl. They haven't won a playoff game. Gruden's burned through (or ruined) a fair number of quarterbacks and the cult of personality surrounding Chuckie (hey, didja know he wakes up every day at 4:17 a.m. and that he has an unnecessarily complex playbook?) seemed designed to be more style than substance.
He's not a boob. He probably just needs to get back to basics. Now will he be able to do that? And if so, where?
If he wants to salve his injured ego, the easiest and most likely landing spot for him would be the Jets job. His presence could well sway Brett Favre to stay off his tractor and come back (remember they were making goo-goo eyes at each other last summer) and Woody Johnson would have the requisite sexy hire that would help sell PSLs. How threatened would GM Mike Tannenbaum be by the presence of Gruden? Probably a lot. Tannenbaum's carved out a nice little niche for himself in New York and has already canned his buddy Eric Mangini to save his own posterior for another year. (Aside: Mangini and the Jets authored the other great faceplant in 2008, going from 8-3 to 9-7. Thanks, Brett). Tannenbaum will undoubtedly claim the Jets have vetted worthy candidates like Steve Spagnuolo, Brian Schottenheimer and Rex Ryan and state that it's too late to take a just-fired guy on the rebound like Gruden to coach. But there are other things at play in New York aside from the worthiness of the coach to continue (PSLs, again). And Gruden would possibly satisfy those "other things."
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About this blog
Drilling deeply into the mantle layer of America's Passion, NBCSports.com's Tom Curran offers up quick hits and insights on all things NFL.
Chucky in New York? Noooooooooooooooooo! Please, don't do this to us!
Once again, Tom Curran vomits all over the blogs with his usual pile on tactic but no real substance. Gruden, like Shanahan, was a fine coach, and Curran, like so many before him, will wallow in mediocrity until he too is cut loose. What a chump!
To make your living criticizing people who have lost something is a rather cowardly way to live your life!
Forgive me, but......what's a "PSL"?
Permanent Seat License
When has Curran ever been about anything except slop? A bunch of hand-waving and dumb comments. Eddie Haskell grown up, sort of.
Tom Manney,
You contribution adds nothing. Define slop. The article on Tomlin was anything but slop. I am not a big fan of defending a columnist but, your post is almost satire. Your bash contained all that you projected on Curran. Gruden lost to Oakland in what was a playoff game for Tampa and a detour for most of the Raiders. Shanahan's is best buddies with Bowlen and was given every benefit of the doubt. Atheletes can only hear the same rahrah from the same source for so long unless victories follow. You lead a grown man to the promised land then, they have your attention -even if they have heard the anecdote 10 times.
Sory Tom Manney, my post was directed at others here who rip articles without specifics.
As a resident of Tampa and a long-time (and long-suffering) Bucs fan I will shed no tears about Chuckie's dismissal. Though he has some supports here, most of the fans I have talked to have said "about time"! His single SuperBown win was accomplished with a Dungy-built team and played against a team whose personnel and play book he knew well. The team's descent from greatness has a slope a ski jumper could appreciate. Chuckie has inadequate people skills and lacks professional tact (as his recent history with Sims and Garcia illustrates so clearly).
His dismissal so soon after Dungy's retirement has the whole town abuzz with hopeful rumours about Dunguy's return. But, remembering how ownership treated him, they would have to approach on their knees bearing apologies and irristable temptations to even get his attention! Owners, somtimes pay-back gives birth to puppies.
PERSONAL SEAT LICENSE JACKASS!
Why not KC? They are a rebuilding effort and aren't looking to win now. Not sure how Chuckie would stand up to the glare of the NYC media.
"Not sure how Chuckie would stand up to the glare of the NYC media."
Actually, the very definition of NYC is plainly written on Chuckie's face every time a camera focuses on him on the sidelines :-)
Gruden won a Super Bowl. Be sure to let me know when Curran wins a Pulitzer or anything remotely close.
Chuckie could always go back to work for Al (WACKY)Davis.
Al Davis isn't that desperate is he? Oh wait, Art Shell not once, but twice? Yeah its possible, just not probable.
Mr. Curran, I've seen you on NFL's Top 10 specials. You said Joe Montana is not the number 1 clutch qb, do you think he should be in the Top 3?
I think they should send Gruden to Detroit. Seriously.