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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 15, 2003
PHILADELPHIA -- It wasn't long ago that Bucs coach Jon Gruden busied himself trying to help the Eagles win.
On staff as Philadelphia's offensive coordinator from 1995-97 under then-coach Ray Rhodes, Gruden apparently made a lasting impression on players.
"He would be out there running (pass) routes and stuff, being really active as far as showing exactly what he wanted and not just talking about it on paper or writing it up on the board," cornerback Bobby Taylor said. "He'd be out there ... with his hat on backward, his little clipboard right in the front of his stomach."
Gruden was the NFL's youngest offensive coordinator when Rhodes hired the 31-year-old in 1995. The Eagles had the third-and first-ranked offense in the NFC in 1996 and 1997, respectively.
"He is a very energetic guy," Taylor said. "There are probably times when he's on the sideline wishing he could go out there and maybe run a route or hit a guy and make a tackle or something like that."
FAMILIAR FACE: Gruden had already left Philadelphia by the time Andy Reid was hired as Eagles coach in 1999.
The two, however, have worked together before. Reid was the Packers tight ends/assistant offensive coordinator and Gruden the wide receivers coach in Green Bay from 1992-94.
"Both of us were kind of early birds," Reid recalled recently. "We really just went in there to do work and we developed a nice friendship and talked a lot of football."
Reid leads all active head coaches with 38 wins since 2000, followed closely by Gruden (36).
BACK TO BACK: The Eagles are the first team since the 1997-98 Packers to reach the NFC Championship Game in consecutive seasons. Green Bay reached the Super Bowl in both seasons.
"That's an accomplishment in itself," defensive tackle Darwin Walker said. "I feel it's either we win the Super Bowl or bust. At the same time I definitely think this team deserves credit for achieving that accomplishment. That's a tough thing to do."