After Jon Gruden's chat with the media here at One Buc Place, I came away with a couple of impressions.

The first is this: Gruden didn't make this call. He pretty much said that general manager Bruce Allen made the final decision here. Perhaps that's the way it should be. But we've all long wondered who had the final say on these matters, and it's clear Allen has gained more and more authority from the Glazer family over the years.

Another observation: I think the Bucs see Talib as a playmaking cornerback, a la DeAngelo Hall. They like his flashiness, even his cockiness, to an extent.

And finally, this: Gruden wanted some offensive help in the worst way. "My guts are ripped out of my body right now," he said. "I'm no different than our fans. You fall in love with some of these guys. You build relationships with them. You study their tape. . . You envision what a great thrill it would be to coach some of these guys. That's why they have general managers to make the tough calls. I certainly support Bruce all the way on this."