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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 19, 2002
The team
It's hard for me to believe that he's not going to be the coach after everything that has been said and done in the past few days.
Maybe Coach Dungy would be back, who knows. That would be a lot of prayers coming through. I'm concerned but I realize that those decisions were being made above my head and all I could do was be professional about it.
Nothing surprises me. I've been in this league a long time. Especially when those decisions are above our heads and all we can do is accept what is handed down. There's no secret how we felt about Tony before he was fired. ... You hurt but you have to move on. (Bringing bad luck on the franchise) has crossed my mind. As soon as he told me he was no longer my coach, and the manner with which it was handled, then it came to the forefront of my mind.
-- Derrick Brooks, Linebacker
It shows you a level of commitment that (the Glazers) should have had toward Tony and what happened when they didn't have it.
No. 2, it shows you how propaganda gets through in this league and everyone believes it. Some of it is true. Some of it is false. You know, it's about integrity and doing things right. If you have that, then you can't look very bad. Tonight we look bad. ... The probability was high that he would do it again. They better call Tony up and do something.
-- Simeon Rice, Defensive end
At this point, I have no reaction. You never really know how things are going to turn out and I've learned that nothing surprises me anymore. I really don't know what to think. I wish I had an answer, but I have no clue. We just have to let the dust settle and see how things fall into place.
-- Rod Marinelli, Defensive line coach
Having just heard the news that the illustrious Coach Parcells has just "left us at the alter" once again, I wonder if the Glazers now have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the words "character," "loyalty," "compassion," "honest" and all other adjectives attributed to Tony Dungy. Note: Honesty would not be a familiar word to them.
Guess what? They had the best coach available, and because of their greed they -- we -- now have nothing, nada, zip. May I offer them my deepest condolences. NOT!
As the saying goes, you get back what you give. They have succeeded in tearing down a lot of hopes and dreams for this team with their dishonesty. We can only hope they may have learned from their horrendous mistakes.
Unfortunately, they may also have alienated Rich McKay with their underhandedness, which will mean they are totally on their own. Daddy Glazer, aren't you proud of your little boys now?
-- Gay J. Vaughan, Inverness
To market, to market, to buy a fat pig, let's all watch the Sleasers do a new jig.
They lie to us all, to the face, I agree. ... Do they do like the Gators, and do coach 1,2,3?
They live in this area so bright and sunny, but excuse me, I laugh, I think this is funny.
So intelligent and wise, they think that they are, they just let go the coach, who took them so far!
I hope that the glasses they look through, are clear, and maybe they will lie to someone else next year.
New owners we need, who we have faith and trust, 'cause if the Sleasers stay, this place will just BUST!"
-- Mark Wendel, St. Petersburg
It's with sadness and disgrace I view the events that are going on in the Tampa Bay. All my life I have been a soccer fanatic. I still am. Moving to Tampa Bay, I start to get and understand American football. I start loving the Bucs. It is a fascinating and good sport. People love it.
In the this country, which is considered the best of civilizations, how can people disrespect the principle of human respect? There is a winner and looser and we have to accept.
Hurt the sport by not filling the stadium and pockets of moneymakers."
-- Nunzio Pizzino, Spring Hill