The same coach, Richard Bisaccia, will work with offseason acquisitions.
By RICK STROUD
Published May 2, 2004
TAMPA - The Pro Bowl placekicker had the worst field goal percentage in the NFL last season. It was slightly better than the protection for some of those errant kicks that resulted in five blocks, including a game-deciding extra point.
Five long returns were erased by penalties, contributing to some of the most dreadful field position in the league. Too many punts were poorly covered, and an onside kick that would have sealed another victory was not recovered.
Something had to be done about the Bucs' special teams coached by Richard Bisaccia.
Several assistant coaches who had not performed well already were turning in the keys to their corporate Dodge Ram two weeks after the season, and you could've held Bisaccia's booster club meeting in a fitting room.
Swift action was needed. Finally, a loud and clear statement was made. Bisaccia was given a contract extension.
"I just didn't think there was anything to really think about," Bisaccia said of his job security. "I know there were things written and things said, but I can't control that. Through my conversations with Coach (Jon) Gruden, I was excited about coming back and coaching the Bucs."
In Bisaccia's defense, Bucs special teams were good enough to help win a Super Bowl title two years ago. And although he will never make excuses, much of the talent he worked with last season were players signed off the street after injuries forced backups into the starting lineup.
Injuries prevented Martin Gramatica, who kicked a club-record 32 field goals in 2002, from participating in the offseason program and most of training camp. Two blocked field goals and a potential winning extra point in Week 2 against Carolina had to play tricks with his head. His 52 percent field goal percentage ranked last in the league and was 30 points below his career average.
"We won a Super Bowl with Rich Bisaccia and were one of the top seven or eight teams playing special teams," said Gruden, who did not renew the contracts of running backs coach Kirby Wilson and quarterbacks coach Stan Parrish. "Gramatica had a career year (in 2002). We struggled last year, and we're going to do everything we can to improve. Personnel-wise, I know Rich has worked his butt off to tighten up every aspect of our book, and we'll see what happens."
If the special teams don't improve this season, it won't be because of the talent the club has dumped on Bisaccia. Since the start of free agency, nearly every personnel move was made with an eye on improving special teams.
Chief among them was the signings of linebackers Keith Burns (from the Broncos) and Jeff Gooch (Lions). Linebacker Ian Gold, who signed last week, earned a spot on the AFC Pro Bowl team three years ago for his special teams play. Receiver Joey Galloway will add speed to punt returns. LSU receiver Michael Clayton, the team's No. 1 pick, has covered kicks. And help should come from linebacker Marquis Copper, safety Will Allen and receiver Mark Jones, all rookies.
The Bucs, who reportedly flirted with signing former Seahawks special teams guru Pete Rodriguez, hired Ole Miss assistant Ron Middleton to coach tight ends and help Bisaccia.
"We're certainly part of the problem when it's bad and part of the solution when it's good," Bisaccia said. "If we're going to get better at offensive line, we're going to be better protecting our field goals. If we're better at linebacker, we're going to get better protecting the punter. So it all kind of comes together."
Bisaccia will have a better idea of how the pieces will fit when the three-day rookie minicamp concludes this morning. Gruden certainly will put more emphasis on it in practice this season.
"For crying out loud, we've got to do a much better job in all phases of special teams, so we're selling it to them and getting them ready to go out here and make a difference," Gruden said. "It's too early until we kick the ball down that field and let one of those wild men start running it back at us. We'll see.
"We've got to prove we can snap the ball, put it on a tee and block the opposition. Hopefully, we can block a kick or two of our own this season. But we've got a long way to go before we can make any statements."
Much of the improvement will have to be made by Gramatica, who in past offseasons did not devote a lot of time in the weight room or on the practice field.
"He's kicking in April for the first time," Bisaccia said. "(Strength coach) Garrett Giemont has him on a great schedule in the weight room. I think he feels stronger. No injuries in this offseason, so I'm excited about him coming back and having a great year.
"Maybe he wasn't (healthy) last year. But I think there's a lot of contributing factors to not kicking in the offseason, not kicking through training camp, getting things blocked. It all contributes to a poor year. I'll take responsibility for that. It's my fault. I'm not looking for a crutch. Last year is over. I've got a bad taste in my mouth about it. And I'm looking forward to tomorrow's practice."
