Coaches like George Allen, Joe Gibbs, Tom Landry and Chuck Noll were able to synthesize a good offense with a good defense, and a couple of these teams produced dynasties during the '70s and '80s. Some coaches, like Tom Coughlin, formerly with the Jaguars, now with the Giants, and Jon Gruden bring a system to a team that the players are required to adapt to.
That is fine when it works. However, when too much emphasis is on the system without enough regard to the characters and assets of the players, there is the potential for trouble. Once Tampa Bay arrived at a point where they could have produced a dynasty, the system Gruden initiated dethroned the cohesiveness of key players like John Lynch, Warren Sapp, Keenan McCardell and others.
-- Ralph L. Stephens, Tampa
Excellent assessment on the Bucs situation by John Romano in Tuesday's section, I couldn't agree more. But to try to start winning like today, here's a couple of thoughts besides quit running up the middle on first down and go deep more often to stretch the field.
PLAN A: When winning the coin toss stop electing to receive. The Bucs have never been a long-march-down-the-field-out-of-the-box team. Let the defense try to get us good field position for our first possession by turnover or making the other team go three and out. Even if our offense goes three and out, we have them pinned again. Plus in the second half, which seems to be the strong suit of the offense, we get the ball first.
PLAN B: See plan A.
-- Mark Clemons, Clearwater
The only good thing about Hurricane Jeanne at my house was the power outage freed me from the temptation to squander three hours watching the Bucs struggle to be even mediocre. They should bring back Bucco Bruce. I feel sorry for the people who bought season tickets.
-- Gary Huffaker, Dunedin
Bucs fans, remember to thank the Jets for your one and only Super Bowl victory. The Jets knocked out the dominant Patriots and the playoff contending Dolphins in one fell swoop, and proceeded to lose to the Raiders, thus allowing the Bucs to beat a team that their new coach had coached for years. Tell me that didn't help. While you're at it, remember to thank Tony Dungy, too for building that team.
Oh, and by the way, where are all those Monday morning Buccaneer car flags? I don't see them anymore. Guess they fell off the bandwagon, too!
-- Andrea Schleicher, Tarpon Springs
What Bruce Allen and Jon Gruden did to Warren Sapp, John Lynch, Keenan McCardell and some others from the championship team for older and less productive players, they deserve what they're getting. Allen is just like his brother, the ultra-conservative U.S. senator. The only Allen worth his salt was their father, George. Gruden the wonder boy may also find himself without a job. After all, the team he won with was a Dungy team.
-- Ray Raphael, Pine Ridge Estates
There is nothing wrong with the Bucs. The other teams' coaches, players and managers are just smarter, better and wiser.
-- Richard E. Dornblaser, Clearwater
The debacle that is the 2004 Buccaneer season makes one wonder how such a rapid decline could occur. Many are pointing to Jon Gruden, and certainly he shares some of the blame. But let's look at the larger picture.
The offensive line is terrible, but Gruden did not draft Kenyatta Walker or Cosey Coleman; the receiving corps is old, slow (or greedy), but Gruden did not draft Reidel Anthony or Jaquez Green.
Gruden did not trade away draft choices for Keyshawn Johnson, or himself for that matter. Rich McKay is ultimately to blame for the current situation due to his inept drafting ability. Without the influx of youth necessary to maintain a high level of play, the Bucs are forced to resort to free agents past their prime and susceptible to injury.
Thankfully, it appears the Bucs might have a bright future if they continue to make wise picks such as Michael Clayton and Chris Simms. One silver lining, we can be pretty sure our upcoming picks will be at or near the top.
-- Derek L Anderson, Rockville, MD
Jon Gruden has completely destroyed a championship team. He can't even beat his old team, losing to Warren Sapp. As Denver comes to town, John Lynch's return is all fans will be cheering for this weekend. The Bucs will continue their winless streak and it will only be a matter of time before QB Chris Simms has the starting job.
-- Joe Clackin, Seminole
Just because we are now known as Raiders East - and Allen doesn't think that is a fair thought - then why can't Jon Gruden dress like a Buccaneer instead of a Raider in his all-black outfit? It's time he shows his real colors, or are those his real colors?
-- Linda Spaude, Pinellas Park
[Last modified October 3, 2004, 00:57:28]
