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What they're saying

By Times staff report
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 19, 2002

MORE COVERAGE • Gary Shelton: Gruden: Staggering, astounding, incredible triumph • Jan Glidewell: Gold medal to the Bucs in 'Goofy Coach Hunt' • Bucs players relieved, amazed • It will feel like coming home for Gruden • Living for every moment • Fans pleased with Gruden • Q&A: A five-week roller coaster • Eerie resemblance

In the end, after an exhaustive coaching search that some termed embarrassing, the Glazers actually got a guy they wanted. Oakland's Jon Gruden, one of the top coaches in the league, will be officially named the coach of the Buccaneers on Wednesday, agreeing to a five-year, $17.5-million contract.

He is the right man for the job, better than Bill Parcells, better than Steve Spurrier, better than anybody else.

Pete Prisco, SportsLine.com

Two teams, each diametrically opposed to the existence of the other, merge in a bizarre love triangle with gentlemen whose riches long outpaced their sense. The two teams, vaguely unhappy with their successful coaches, do business with a third team, which already had fired its own successful coach and couldn't coax a successful ex-coach out of his easy chair

I dare you to understand it, even after the boiler-plate explanations are expelled.

We do, however, know the practical results of this train wreck of interests.

The Glazers, dismissed as bungling dopes only 10 days ago for not closing the Gruden deal after having Bill Parcells yank them along for 10 days before that, suddenly look more purposeful and less baffled by the inner workings of the National Football League.

Davis rids himself of Gruden, for whom he had developed a healthy lack of enjoyment as the style he had helped develop was turned into a style of exigencies and make-dos. Gruden wanted to win. Davis wanted to win only his way. Davis signs the checks. Voila!

Ray Ratto, ESPN.com, San Francisco Chronicle

To all the naysayers out there who lambasted the Glazers, and I must admit I was one of them, you have to admit reeling in Jon Gruden is quite a catch. The Glazers' new look, with a feather in their cap, is very becoming.

Leah L. Langenheim, Dunedin

Gruden's intensity is as well-documented as Dungy's even-keel demeanor. He wears his emotions loudly on both sleeves, while Dungy merely rolled his up and quietly went to work

But then again, Gruden was nicknamed "Chucky" in Oakland because of his sideline game face, a perpetual sourpuss that reminded many of the horror-movie doll. He learned temper tantrums while serving as a ball boy for Bobby Knight and has bent more than a few uncooperative golf clubs over his knee.

Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel

Thanks, Glazer clan, for selling the farm, equipment and any future under your reign. Four high draft picks for an offensive coach with no offense to run? You ran scared for your mistakes, and you dealt with Al Davis for redemption? When all the excitement dies down and reality sets in, and we are left with mid round picks for three years, do us all a favor and sell the team. Because McKay, Dungy and Davis will be laughing for a very long time.

Doug Holmes, via e-mail

I think he's a winner. He's definitely a coach on the rise and his best years are in front of him. He's a guy that is going to reach legendary status in this league one day and it's going to be exciting to watch

Simeon Rice, Bucs defensive end

I'm really excited that this all worked out and that Jon Gruden is our head coach. He's been very successful with the Raiders. ... It's going to be fun; I'm looking forward to playing for him.

Mike Alstott, Bucs fullback

He is a coach that will make this unique situation all seem worth it. He's the type of coach this organization and the players wanted

Ronde Barber, Bucs cornerback

It seems like they have done the research and selected a guy who is a successful head coach and has one of the most successful offenses in football. I'm just happy we can now concentrate on football

Brad Johnson, Bucs quarterback

It's about time that we got a coach. He is the best man for the job, so let's get this thing going.

Keyshawn Johnson, Bucs receiver

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