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What they're saying

By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 9, 2002

"They rejected what their general manager (Rich McKay) felt was the best candidate for that position. Personally, I can't see how Rich can stay in Tampa Bay and maintain his credibility."

Ray Anderson, agent for Marvin Lewis

"Obviously I'm disappointed he didn't get the job. I feel he's the best qualified guy for the job with the things he's done. He's done everything he needed to do, going to the Super Bowl, having one of the top five defenses. I don't know what else he needs to do to get a job."

Shannon Sharpe, Ravens tight end

"I'm stunned at the turn of events in Tampa. I was told by my people that Marvin was their head coach. What caused the change is beyond my comprehension."

Art Modell, Ravens owner

"We are appalled that such a highly qualified coach such as Marvin Lewis has not been afforded the opportunity to be a head coach on the professional level at this point. Without question (the Glazers) are missing the point because he has a proven track record as a gifted defensive coordinator, and has all the telltale signs of succeeding."

Floyd A. Keith, executive director, Black Coaches Association

In the midst of its latest fiasco with Bill Parcells last month, Tampa Bay Bucs ownership turned to one person to move it beyond the embarrassment of being jilted for the second time by a man coveted as the next head coach, and asked general manager Rich McKay to bail the club out of yet another sticky mess.

But on Friday morning, the Glazer family turned its back on McKay, and the chaos which ensued was more akin to much of the franchise's miserable history instead of its recent successes.

In rejecting McKay's recommendation of Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis as the successor to Tony Dungy, and embarrassing the widely respected general manager in the process, Bucs officials might have irreparably damaged the franchise.

Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com

Once again the ownership of the Buccaneers has made the team the laughingstock of the league. Rich McKay is one of the respected GMs in the NFL. The nitwits, Bryan and Joel Glazer, need to step aside and let somebody that has a remote clue of running the football side of an NFL team do his job. Tony Dungy will be smiling all the way to the Super Bowl, now that he no longer is affiliated with this circus act.

Dan Davis, Clearwater

Well, well, well. Looks like we have the State Fair and the plain old Un-Fair.

Poor Rich McKay. Wouldn't blame him if he's told the Brothers Glazer just what they can do with the nearest football, and taken a hike up to Atlanta or wherever he will be appreciated. Those boys just don't learn.

Gay Vaughan, Inverness

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