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Bucs

Gruden's first calls

By GARY SHELTON
Published January 10, 2006

If I were Jon Gruden, the first call I would make would be to Brian Griese. I would tell him the next call I was going to make would be to Chris Simms.

If I were Gruden, I would tell Griese how badly I wanted him back. It's a tough league on quarterbacks, and if he remembers, Griese's latest reinvention started when Simms was injured. I would remind Griese that not every coach has appreciated his gifts, and I would tell him I had a spot for him. I would tell him that spot was over on the sideline, holding a clipboard.

If I were Gruden, I would then turn my team and its future over to Simms.

As the Bucs clock out on the season, this much should be obvious to all. Simms showed enough growth, and enough potential for more, to be awarded ownership of the huddle. Given his season, given his arm, given his flair for the dramatics in the late going, this is his team now. This is his time.

Think of it like this: If it really comes down to a choice between Simms and Griese, which quarterback are your less comfortable watching perform in another uniform? That's what I thought.

That said, I think Gruden is genuine when he says he wants both players back. Simms still needs for his head to catch up with his arm, which is Griese's biggest asset. If Griese will accept backup money, which he is likely to have to do somewhere, his staying could be a fit for all concerned.

If I were Gruden, my next call would be to the printer. I would have new business cards printed up for Bruce Allen and the scouting department that read: "Left tackle ... find me one."

Gruden should feel much, much better about his offensive line than a year ago. For all of its shortcomings, this season's line at least had moments. With Dan Buenning, Sean Mahan and Anthony Davis, it has possibilities.

Despite the every-victory-scolding of the media by Kenyatta Walker, an amusing little sidelight to the Bucs locker room, this still isn't a good offensive line. It was as much because of the inexperienced line as the inexperienced quarterback that Gruden had to scale back on his playbook. The Bucs' complete inability to block the Redskins - despite the fact the secondary was playing in the next area code - should remind him.

The Bucs like Davis a lot, but considering the fits speed rushers gave him this season, left tackle might not be his best spot. Just wondering: Does Davis scold well enough to play right tackle?

Bottom line: Gruden has to get back to his full offense. Next year, 10 points won't be enough in a playoff game, either.

If I were Gruden, my next call would be to the agent of Terrell Owens. "Gee," I would say. "Do you know where I could find a left tackle?"

As far as the notion of signing Owens, I take a quick walk around a long block before I even consider it. After that, I juggle a few hand grenades, just to see what it's like.

Like many of us, Gruden has long considered Owens to be the premier wide receiver in the game and, as such, he has to be a temptation. On the other hand, putting one's hand into a burning fireplace might have some allure. Owens is more trouble than a 3-year-old at bedtime. Eventually, his next team will find that out, too. That said, Owens also is going to bring about 10 touchdowns with him.

In such cases, there is a sliding scale that comes with such a player. Usually, he's going to be okay for a year, just so he can show the world that it was his old team treating him shabbily, rather than the other way around. So any coach has to ask himself: Is his team ready to make a legitimate run at the title in the next 12 months? Otherwise, he is spending a lot of money for a lot of trouble.

If I were Gruden, my next call would be to missing persons. I would ask if anyone has seen Michael Clayton.

Remember Clayton? He was last season's Cadillac, a playmaker who looked as if he would impact a decade. This season, he caught 32 passes, and darned if I can remember one of them.

For the Bucs, this is one of the goals of the next few months - to get Clayton back to where he was before last offseason's injuries. Either this season or the one before was a fluke; Clayton has to show which one.

If I were Gruden, my next call would be to defensive line coach Rod Marinelli. I would ask him to meet me in his office. Then I would lock the door and keep him there until all the NFL coaching vacancies are filled. The guy might be the best position coach in the NFL, and everyone in the Bucs locker room knows it.

If I were Gruden, I would call Marcus Vick. I would give him my brother Jay's phone number, and wish him well in the Arena league.

If I were Gruden, I would call John Tortorella. I would remind him of the Bucs' post-championship season. It wouldn't do much for Gruden, but it would make Torts feel better about his situation.

If I were Gruden, I would call Simeon Rice to set up a meeting. And I wouldn't show up.

If I were Gruden my next call would be to Derrick Brooks. To heck with the cap, I would offer to buy him lunch.

Of course we want you back, I would tell him. We're not nuts. It was one thing to lose John Lynch, who had medical doubts. It was another to lose Warren Sapp, who was slipping. No one wants to see Brooks walk out the door, unless he's grabbing Chris Hovan and dragging him back.

On the other hand, Brooks has a heck of a cap number to consider. The Bucs should ask him for whatever relief he can provide.

Finally, before my minutes were used up, I would call the NFL competition committee to grouse about the end-zone catch rule. If Rich McKay answered, I'd hang up.

[Last modified January 10, 2006, 18:51:49]