This may be Gruden's finest rebuilding job

By RICK STROUD
Published January 1, 2006

TAMPA - Savor the feeling. Tampa Bay could be Titletown again.

In their 30-year history, the Bucs have won four division titles. A victory over New Orleans today would give Tampa Bay its second NFC South crown in four years.

Both under Jon Gruden.

At the start of each training camp, every NFL team lists the following goals: Win the division, get homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, win the conference championship and the Super Bowl.

A victory today would return the Bucs (10-5) to the postseason for the first time since their Super Bowl XXXVII title.

But only two starters on offense have championship rings - fullback Mike Alstott and tackle Kenyatta Walker.

Much like '02, Gruden has completely rebuilt the offense, this time using rookies such as running back Cadillac Williams, tight end Alex Smith and left guard Dan Buenning, and relative newcomers left tackle Anthony Davis, right guard Sean Mahan and quarterback Chris Simms.

Is this Gruden's best coaching job, as many have suggested?

"Who knows? Coaches get way too much credit when their team wins and way too much credit when their team loses," Gruden said. "We've got a great coaching staff here. Monte Kiffin is a great coach. Rod Marinelli is a great coach. Paul Hackett and Bill Muir, those are great coaches. We've got Mike Tomlin and Joe Barry and some young guys that are great. And they're going to be great next year and the next year and the next year.

"We really felt at the end of last year, we could've won eight or nine or 10 games. You're not going to win a lot of tight games when you're dead last in field-goal accuracy. You're not going to do it. You're just not going to do it. And combine that with the injuries that we've had and the kind of players that we've lost. It's hard to swallow, man, when you walk out of here and ( Keenan) McCardell is gone and Keyshawn ( Johnson) is gone and you think what could've been. And you're $40-million over the cap and you've got to get under. And you've got to do something about it or you're going to be in trouble. It's a credit to the guys for hanging in there through some tough times, Simeon Rice and all these guys. We've got a chance. We'll see what happens."

ENDING THE DEBATE: When punter Josh Bidwell fielded a low snap on Matt Bryant's 27-yard field goal attempt in overtime Dec. 24 against Atlanta, he knew it was first down.

Bryant shanked the kick wide left.

Why didn't Bidwell fall on the ball and give Bryant another shot from 34 yards?

"On the previous PAT, we had the exact same scenario with a bad snap," Bryant said. "I knew it was first down, I talked to Coach (before the field-goal try) and said, "If anything happens, I'll fall on it.' But my instinct tells me, in 1.25 seconds, if I catch it cleanly, put it down. If I bobble it, then my decision is going to be easy. You can't catch the ball and wonder, "I don't know if Matt will be ready for this.' Our rhythm is exactly the same. We made the previous kick. We made the final kick, which was virtually the same. Just the entire operation was off on that. It wasn't Matt's fault.

"To be honest, Matt would probably miss it every time. It happens too fast. A lot of people don't realize that Matt's foot is planted and his (kicking) leg is back just as I'm lifting my hand off the ball. So he has absolute faith the ball is in the right spot. It's such a routine, that we see thousands of them a week."

MVP?: It's a great debate. Williams, receiver Joey Galloway, linebacker Derrick Brooks, defensive end Rice, cornerback Ronde Barber, Simms or even linebacker Shelton Quarles. Who is the team's Most Valuable Player? Today, reporters who regularly cover the team will weigh in. All are certainly deserving. But Williams, the likely rookie of the year, gets my vote. The Bucs are 6-0 when Williams rushes for 100 yards. He represented the best chance for them to have a special season. He delivered, time and time again.

[Last modified January 1, 2006, 00:29:14]