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© St. Petersburg Times, published February 11, 2003
TAMPA -- This had all the trimmings of a standard Hollywood premiere. Red carpet. Flashing bulbs. Well-dressed celebrities and their adoring fans.
And the Lombardi Trophy? Yes, that was there, too.
The Buccaneers continued to bask in the glory of their Super Bowl title when a large group of players, coaches and staff attended the premiere of a three-hour NFL Films presentation of the team's historic season at the Performing Arts Center on Monday night.
The film is a roaring tribute to the passion of new coach Jon Gruden and the unshakeable consistency of the league's best defense. It brings viewers inside the locker room immediately after games. It reveals personal conversations between Gruden and quarterback Brad Johnson and between safety John Lynch and a number of teammates and coaches.
And judging from the thunderous applause of the 300 fans who won seats to the private viewing, the film gets two thumbs up.
"The actual production of the film will give you a sense of what really happens behind the scenes," Johnson said. "It's kind of neat looking back and saying, 'Hey, we are the champions.' "
The film, a joint production of NFL Films and Warner Home Video, went on sale at 12:01 a.m. today at an area Best Buy and will be available across the state today.
Full of the emotional, goosebump-raising footage that has become standard for NFL Films productions, the new video takes Bucs fans into uncharted territory.
For the first time in NFL Films history, the DVD includes key footage from network broadcasts of games, radio play-by-play featuring Bucs broadcaster Gene Deckerhoff, pregame and postgame analysis and comprehensive behind-the-scenes coverage from the Super Bowl.
For the Super Bowl, NFL Films used a 22-person camera and sound crew and shot more than 130,000 feet of film, which includes revealing scenes of Eagles defensive line coach Tommy Brasher telling Pro Bowl defensive end Hugh Douglas during the NFC title game, "I don't know what we have to do but we have to get a pass rush or we're not going to win this game."
In his usual gritty, motivational style, Gruden introduced a number of his players to the crowd, pointing out their contributions to the Super Bowl win. Among the players present were Johnson, Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber, Dwight Smith, Roman Oben, Jeff Christy, Kerry Jenkins, Lomas Brown, Todd Washington, Corey Ivy, Dwight Smith and Ryan Benjamin.
"When you win, there's enough credit to share around to everyone," Gruden said.
As for the red carpet?
"I like it, I like it a lot," running back Mike Alstott said.
TAMPA -- Barber and kicker Martin Gramatica were integral to the Bucs' Super Bowl season.
They're also the first Bucs the team has asked to help them repeat in 2003.
Seeking to lower their payroll below the $74.8-million salary cap, the Bucs have restructured the contracts of Barber and Gramatica.
Barber agreed to have his base salary for 2003 reduced from $3.25-million to $530,000. In exchange for restructuring, the Bucs paid the remaining $2.72-million to Barber in the form of a bonus.
Gramatica had his base salary of $1.7-million also reduced to $530,000, taking $1.17-million up front for 2003.
"We have salary cap concerns just like any other team," Barber said. "I was glad to do whatever I could do to help."
By restructuring those deals, the Bucs are believed to be about $2.4-million under the cap.
But the Bucs may not be through. According to general manager Rich McKay, more players may be asked to have their contracts restructured.
"We tried to make it where we would not do it for a number of years," McKay said. "We've now gotten to a point, because of where our team is, where we have to do it. But we make it the exception, not the rule. And there will probably come a point in time where it will be more the rule.
"The problem with it is eventually it creates a lack of flexibility as you get downstream. Because you're inflexible, you have to go in or out and there's no way to maneuver. So you don't want to make it something where it's across the board. But I feel very good where we are."
With contracts set to expire Feb. 28, the Bucs have begun talks aimed at re-signing several of their unrestricted free agents. Four starters -- middle linebacker Shelton Quarles, safety Dexter Jackson, linebacker Alshermond Singleton and Oben -- are UFAs that Tampa Bay would like to retain.
But with the deadline approaching, McKay did not sound optimistic that many deals would be struck before the start of the free-agent signing period.
"I'll be somewhere in the next few days, in the next week, but I'm nowhere now," he said. "We haven't had our meetings, the coaches came back (Monday). We're going to meet again (today), meet again Wednesday. In reality these deals at the 11th hour very rarely happen. And if they happen, they truly are last minute."
OBEN PRAISE: Though Gruden acknowledged the efforts of his players Monday night, he singled out veteran tackle Oben, who signed a one-year deal last year, started all 19 games and played a vital part in keeping Johnson solidly protected in the second half. "Roman Oben is an unrestricted free agent," Gruden said. "Do we want him back or what? Let's make sure Rich McKay straightens that out." Oben is free to sign with any team beginning March 1.
SEATTLE NAMES GM: Former Cardinals general manager Bob Ferguson was introduced as the team's GM, a job that means working with the man he replaces, coach Mike Holmgren. Holmgren relinquished the GM's role under pressure in December.
BRADSHAW, NOLL SHARE LOVE: Former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw apologized to former coach Chuck Noll, his presenter for his induction into the Dapper Dan Charities Pittsburgh Hall of Fame at the Pittsburgh Hilton and Towers on Sunday night. "If I could reach down in my heart, I would say I'm sorry for every unkind word and thought I ever had. I mean that," he said. "I'm ashamed about that. It was ... my wrong, my childishness, my selfishness. Having said that, it kind of cleanses me. I miss my coach. I love my coach. I miss Chuck Noll."
TACKLE BOWS OUT: Former Steelers offensive lineman John Jackson retired after a 14-year career.
BROWNS: Tight end Steve Heiden rejoined the team, signing a two-year contract.
49ERS: Team officials told the three known candidates for the coaching vacancy that a decision will be made by the end of the week, ESPN.com reported. No more definitive timetable was offered to San Francisco's Jim Mora Jr., the Jets' Ted Cottrell and the Bears' Greg Blache, all defensive coordinators. ... Cornerback Mike Rumph rejected a plea agreement and opted to face trial on charges of driving drunk.
TEXANS: General manager Charley Casserly was named to the NFL competition committee.
-- Information from Times wires was used in this report.