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Gruden Sending Out Feelers
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By IRA KAUFMAN The Tampa Tribune
Published: Nov 19, 2006
IRVING, Texas - Get used to this dateline, Buc fans.
It could be Jon Gruden's mailing address next season.
While it's unlikely the Glazers will dismiss Gruden this winter, there's a growing likelihood Tampa Bay's fifth-year coach will seek employment elsewhere.
The Tribune has learned Gruden already is sending out feelers regarding potential job opportunities for 2007. One major stumbling block is his contract status, with Gruden signed through the 2008 season.
Given the annual turnover rate among NFL coaches, several clubs will be looking for a new leader within the next two months and Gruden still generates star power.
The Cowboys, who take on the unbeaten Colts today at Texas Stadium, could make a play for Gruden's services if Bill Parcells retires, as expected.
Although Tennessee's Jeff Fisher has been linked to Dallas, Gruden may have more appeal for a savvy marketer like Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Although his regular-season record with the Bucs would fall to 37-37 with a loss to the Commanders today, Gruden has proven he can turn a good club into a champion.
He also would provide the Cowboys with the kind of celebrity clout Jones craves as much as a Vince Lombardi Trophy.
If Jones calls the Glazers in an effort to pry Gruden out of his contract, they'd have to listen. Wouldn't you?
Jones and the Glazers already have a good relationship and the ensuing compensation issues wouldn't be insurmountable.
"That's not implausible," one NFL source said of the Gruden-to-Dallas scenario. "Ten years ago, it couldn't happen. Now, it's not a crazy idea."
Gruden could depart Tampa the same way he arrived - through the back door.
The Dallas job would be attractive to Gruden, who doesn't appear to be the type of coach to put down roots with one franchise for 15 years.
Tony Romo is a young quarterback who fits the Gruden prototype and the prospect of working with Terrell Owens undoubtedly would excite Chucky, even though Owens can be as disruptive as Keyshawn Johnson.
Gruden likes great players, and he never thought Keyshawn was great.
Faced with the prospect of several more losing seasons in Tampa, Gruden naturally is starting to feel antsy.
If he stays, Gruden could be on the verge of losing his job a year from now, with four losing seasons in a five-year span on his resume.
Bolting to Dallas could be a win-win situation all the way around. Jones gets his man, while the Glazers accelerate the rebuilding process with a slew of draft picks.
When Herm Edwards left the Jets in January with two years remaining on his contract, it cost the Chiefs only a fourth-round choice.
Gruden would command considerably more compensation.
But after years with the Glazers, would Gruden want to work with a hand's-on owner so involved in personnel decisions?
Gruden didn't finesse his way out of Oakland in 2002 because he couldn't stand Al Davis. He engineered a trade because Davis doesn't like to pay his coaches top dollar.
That isn't an issue for Jones, who may decide to take the easy way out and simply hire Fisher, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
But if Gruden's camp keeps making overtures, Jones will be tempted to call the Glazers and check out the price of juice these days.
EXTRA POINTS: After registering 11 takeaways during their 3-0 start, the Bengals have forced only three turnovers while dropping five of their past six. … Olindo Mare has missed at least one field goal in seven of Miami's nine games. … Giants second-year CB Jason Webster is under scrutiny after playing poorly Sunday night against the Bears. … Antonio Gates isn't catching as many passes as last year, but San Diego's Pro Bowl tight end isn't pouting. "As a young player, you think your stats is the way you affect a game," Gates said. "But that's not necessarily the case. You look at films and you see how teams may double-team me, but this guy is wide open, so you throw the ball to him. That's how you become a complete player." …
Randal Williams, a former receiver, has beaten out Courtney Anderson as Oakland's starting tight end. … Former 49ers LB Julian Peterson returns to San Francisco today with the Seahawks, who signed him to a seven-year, $54 million contract that included an $18.5 million signing bonus. "I think you're always surprised when you can acquire a player of his caliber," Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said of Peterson, who already has posted a career-high eight sacks. … The Saints have nine giveaways in their three losses and rookie coach Sean Payton has ordered up extra drills to focus on that minus-6 turnover ratio. … The Colts are 26-10 away from the RCA Dome since Tony Dungy arrived in 2002. "There's no question we do spend a lot of time preparing for playing on the road," said Peyton Manning, the league's top-rated passer. "I think when we play well, it's just because we execute, whether it's home or away." …
After an impressive start, Arizona rookie Matt Leinart has completed only 41 percent of his pass attempts the past three games. "I'm not going to be freaking Peyton Manning in two weeks, tearing apart defenses," he said. "I am hoping to go through this and a year from now be laughing at this whole thing." … The Titans have suffered one-point losses to Indianapolis and Baltimore, matching the number they had in the previous nine seasons combined. … Just when it appeared Jacksonville's young receivers were developing some consistency, Matt Jones and Reggie Williams played dismally against the Texans. … Coach Andy Reid handed off the play-calling chores to Marty Mornhinweg last week against Washington and the Eagles promptly posted more rushing attempts than passes for the first time in 14 games. … In the three games since S Mike Brown's foot injury, the Bears yielded an average of 146 yards on the ground.
http://www.tbo.com/sports/bucs/MGBUH0MPOUE.html
Gruden Sending Out Feelers
Skip directly to the full story.
By IRA KAUFMAN The Tampa Tribune
Published: Nov 19, 2006
IRVING, Texas - Get used to this dateline, Buc fans.
It could be Jon Gruden's mailing address next season.
While it's unlikely the Glazers will dismiss Gruden this winter, there's a growing likelihood Tampa Bay's fifth-year coach will seek employment elsewhere.
The Tribune has learned Gruden already is sending out feelers regarding potential job opportunities for 2007. One major stumbling block is his contract status, with Gruden signed through the 2008 season.
Given the annual turnover rate among NFL coaches, several clubs will be looking for a new leader within the next two months and Gruden still generates star power.
The Cowboys, who take on the unbeaten Colts today at Texas Stadium, could make a play for Gruden's services if Bill Parcells retires, as expected.
Although Tennessee's Jeff Fisher has been linked to Dallas, Gruden may have more appeal for a savvy marketer like Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Although his regular-season record with the Bucs would fall to 37-37 with a loss to the Commanders today, Gruden has proven he can turn a good club into a champion.
He also would provide the Cowboys with the kind of celebrity clout Jones craves as much as a Vince Lombardi Trophy.
If Jones calls the Glazers in an effort to pry Gruden out of his contract, they'd have to listen. Wouldn't you?
Jones and the Glazers already have a good relationship and the ensuing compensation issues wouldn't be insurmountable.
"That's not implausible," one NFL source said of the Gruden-to-Dallas scenario. "Ten years ago, it couldn't happen. Now, it's not a crazy idea."
Gruden could depart Tampa the same way he arrived - through the back door.
The Dallas job would be attractive to Gruden, who doesn't appear to be the type of coach to put down roots with one franchise for 15 years.
Tony Romo is a young quarterback who fits the Gruden prototype and the prospect of working with Terrell Owens undoubtedly would excite Chucky, even though Owens can be as disruptive as Keyshawn Johnson.
Gruden likes great players, and he never thought Keyshawn was great.
Faced with the prospect of several more losing seasons in Tampa, Gruden naturally is starting to feel antsy.
If he stays, Gruden could be on the verge of losing his job a year from now, with four losing seasons in a five-year span on his resume.
Bolting to Dallas could be a win-win situation all the way around. Jones gets his man, while the Glazers accelerate the rebuilding process with a slew of draft picks.
When Herm Edwards left the Jets in January with two years remaining on his contract, it cost the Chiefs only a fourth-round choice.
Gruden would command considerably more compensation.
But after years with the Glazers, would Gruden want to work with a hand's-on owner so involved in personnel decisions?
Gruden didn't finesse his way out of Oakland in 2002 because he couldn't stand Al Davis. He engineered a trade because Davis doesn't like to pay his coaches top dollar.
That isn't an issue for Jones, who may decide to take the easy way out and simply hire Fisher, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
But if Gruden's camp keeps making overtures, Jones will be tempted to call the Glazers and check out the price of juice these days.
EXTRA POINTS: After registering 11 takeaways during their 3-0 start, the Bengals have forced only three turnovers while dropping five of their past six. … Olindo Mare has missed at least one field goal in seven of Miami's nine games. … Giants second-year CB Jason Webster is under scrutiny after playing poorly Sunday night against the Bears. … Antonio Gates isn't catching as many passes as last year, but San Diego's Pro Bowl tight end isn't pouting. "As a young player, you think your stats is the way you affect a game," Gates said. "But that's not necessarily the case. You look at films and you see how teams may double-team me, but this guy is wide open, so you throw the ball to him. That's how you become a complete player." …
Randal Williams, a former receiver, has beaten out Courtney Anderson as Oakland's starting tight end. … Former 49ers LB Julian Peterson returns to San Francisco today with the Seahawks, who signed him to a seven-year, $54 million contract that included an $18.5 million signing bonus. "I think you're always surprised when you can acquire a player of his caliber," Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said of Peterson, who already has posted a career-high eight sacks. … The Saints have nine giveaways in their three losses and rookie coach Sean Payton has ordered up extra drills to focus on that minus-6 turnover ratio. … The Colts are 26-10 away from the RCA Dome since Tony Dungy arrived in 2002. "There's no question we do spend a lot of time preparing for playing on the road," said Peyton Manning, the league's top-rated passer. "I think when we play well, it's just because we execute, whether it's home or away." …
After an impressive start, Arizona rookie Matt Leinart has completed only 41 percent of his pass attempts the past three games. "I'm not going to be freaking Peyton Manning in two weeks, tearing apart defenses," he said. "I am hoping to go through this and a year from now be laughing at this whole thing." … The Titans have suffered one-point losses to Indianapolis and Baltimore, matching the number they had in the previous nine seasons combined. … Just when it appeared Jacksonville's young receivers were developing some consistency, Matt Jones and Reggie Williams played dismally against the Texans. … Coach Andy Reid handed off the play-calling chores to Marty Mornhinweg last week against Washington and the Eagles promptly posted more rushing attempts than passes for the first time in 14 games. … In the three games since S Mike Brown's foot injury, the Bears yielded an average of 146 yards on the ground.
http://www.tbo.com/sports/bucs/MGBUH0MPOUE.html
