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TAMPA - It's looking more like Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen could become the Bucs' next general manager.
Allen is expected to announce this week that he is leaving the Raiders after nine seasons.
For the past week, Allen has been in seclusion at the team's headquarters. One day after the regular season ended, he secretly flew from Oakland to the Palm Beach home of Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer to interview for the team's GM position, then returned Wednesday morning.
In fact, when news of the firing of Raiders coach Bill Callahan broke Tuesday, it was CEO Amy Trask, not Allen, who returned calls seeking comment and confirmation.
Though Bucs coach Jon Gruden clashed philosophically with former GM Rich McKay, Allen worked well with the former Raiders coach for four seasons in Oakland, managing the salary cap and obtaining high-profile players the organization wanted.
Even as Allen was contemplating his next job, the Bucs interviewed Jets assistant general manager Mike Tannenbaum on Monday. The team also plans to interview Giants director of player personnel Jerry Reese.
But Allen, who was named the NFL executive of the year in 2002 by the Sporting News, is clearly a favorite of Gruden's. The coach brought administrative assistant Mark Arteaga and strength coach Garrett Geimont with him from the Raiders.
The Oakland Tribune reported today that Allen was leaving the Raiders. Raiders player personnel director Mike Lombardi might be interviewed for the same post in Tampa Bay.
The Washington Redskins also could meet with Allen this week to discuss their GM job.
The son of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach George Allen interviewed with Redskins owners Daniel Snyder two years ago and might welcome joining the organization that has become synonymous with his father.
Manning heads All-ProsCo-MVP Peyton Manning kept the quarterback spot on the Associated Press All-Pro Team to himself, easily beating the league's other most valuable player, Steve McNair, to make the squad for the first time.
Joining the Colts star on the team announced Monday were Baltimore's postseason award winners, linebacker Ray Lewis and running back Jamal Lewis.
No Bucs were voted to the first team.
Ray Lewis, the AP defensive player of the year, led overall with 49 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters. Jamal Lewis, the AP offensive player of the year, received the second-most votes, 46.
Kansas City had the most All-Pros with five: running back Priest Holmes, tight end Tony Gonzalez, guard Will Shields, tackle William Roaf and kick returner Dante Hall.
The Ravens, who lost to McNair's Titans in the first round of the playoffs Saturday, had four All-Pros. Along with the Lewises, Baltimore tackle Jonathan Ogden and cornerback Chris McAlister made it. Ray Lewis and Ogden earned their fourth selections, and McAlister and Jamal Lewis are first-timers.
Jamal Lewis had the second-best rushing total in NFL history, 2,066 yards. He also set a single-game mark with 295 yards against Cleveland.
DOLPHINS: Randy Mueller interviewed for the GM job. The former Saints GM met with owner Wayne Huizenga, team president Eddie Jones and chief operating officer Brian Wiedmeyer.
GIANTS: Former Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin interviewed for the second time. Coughlin's wife, Judy, said her husband arrived in the New York area in the afternoon and was discussing the job. She said no agreement had been reached.
ARENA FOOTBALL: The Storm will begin preparations to defend its ArenaBowl championship when preseason camp opens Jan. 17 in Tampa. The team opens the season against Orlando at 3 p.m. Feb. 8 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.
In other Storm news, coach Tim Marcum received the inaugural American Football Coaches' Association's Outstanding Achievement Award at the AFCA Convention Monday in Orlando. The award recognizes AFCA members who have achieved outstanding success while coaching in professional football.
- Times staff writer Frank Pastor contributed to this report, which used information from Times wires.