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Bucs notebook

Gruden likes offensive moves thus far

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
In print: Tuesday, April 1, 2008


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Antonio Bryant last played in 2006 with the 49ers. The receiver has 250 catches but has had off-field trouble.
[Getty Images]
Antonio Bryant last played in 2006 with the 49ers. The receiver has 250 catches but has had off-field trouble.

PALM BEACH — So, where are all those playmakers the Bucs admittedly needed to acquire?

Put the question to coach Jon Gruden and he'll argue the team has already landed a few.

"We have a long way to go (in the offseason), so I'll fall back on that," Gruden said, referring to the draft and the rest of free agency. "But we have Warrick Dunn who has (more than 10,000) yards rushing. What kind of playmaker are you looking for? He's still one hell of a football player and I have tape to prove it.

"And we're hoping that (tight end) Ben Troupe can get back to making some plays like he did as a rookie. He's got talent. He had 88 catches in his first two years."

It's clear Gruden is also very intrigued with troubled receiver Antonio Bryant. The Bucs signed him last month after he was away from football in 2007, in part because of a substance-abuse suspension.

The Bucs, who seem to love a good reclamation project, have an interesting one in Bryant, who caught 40 passes for San Francisco in 2006. In 2005, with the Browns, Bryant had 1,009 yards on 69 catches, both career highs.

"This kid, Antonio Bryant, if we can get him going, he can be very good," Gruden said. "When he plays, he plays good. Now, can we get him going and sustain it?"

It's a legitimate question. Bryant was arrested in 2006 and sentenced to one year of probation. He also was suspended four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy that year. And he has had dustups with coaches Bill Parcells in Dallas and Mike Nolan in San Francisco.

"I know some guys who have coached him," Gruden said. "Walt Harris coached him at Pitt but (defensive line coach) Larry Coyer was on that staff. Jeff Garcia played with him in Cleveland. So did Luke McCown. So, we have an environment for him to take off. Whether he does or not will depend on him."

TOUGH SELL: The league's move to try to make late-season games more competitive by altering the playoff-seeding process has been met by much opposition.

The league is proposing that playoff seeds 3-6 in each conference be determined by overall record, rather than guaranteeing division winners seeds 3 and 4. The aim is to pressure teams that clinch division titles early to make a more concerted effort to win their late games.

"If you're in those (strong) divisions, and you win your division, you shouldn't be penalized," said Colts coach Tony Dungy, whose fellow teams in the AFC South are Jacksonville, Tennessee and Houston.

Even Giants coach Tom Coughlin, who said he was somewhat noncommittal, indicated he felt his team could be adversely affected because the depth of the NFC East could take a toll on a team's won-loss record.

The issue might be voted down Wednesday but the league will continue to pursue the point, though possibly with a different plan.

"I asked the competition committee to consider what are some alternatives to ensure our late-season games continue to be attractive to our fans," commissioner Roger Goodell said.

NO FOUL: Gruden said he has cleared the air with Chiefs coach Herm Edwards after the latter seemed to indicate last week the Bucs had inappropriate contact with free-agent center Jeff Faine before the free agent signing period.

"We did play within the rules," Gruden said. "I've been doing this a long time, 11 years as a head coach, and never done anything outside the rules."

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com.



[Last modified: Apr 04, 2008 05:16 PM]



Comments on this article
by Krutch Apr 4, 2008 5:16 PM
Don't sleep on Troupe, he'll be the stud we all want Alex Smith to be. The offense was certainly not exciting last year, but certain plays stick out (see Clayton's block). Troupe, Dunn, and Galloway make those highlight plays
by Scott Apr 3, 2008 12:21 PM
Simms needs a little coaching? How long has he been in this offense? 5 yrs? We aren't depending on Dunn to carry the load. How about we try something new and give Gruden a chance.
by joe Apr 3, 2008 11:13 AM
Wish we could have got these guys a couple years ago. Still will hope for best. Time to stop badmouthing Gruden, no matter how you feel he is our head coach, if you are a Buc fan you have to hope he does great.
by Scott Apr 3, 2008 7:57 AM
Simms needs a little coaching? How long has he been in this offense? 5 yrs? We aren't depending on Dunn to carry the load. How about we try something new and give Gruden a chance.
by Scott Apr 3, 2008 7:51 AM
Simms needs a little coaching? How long has he been in this offense? 5 yrs? We aren't depending on Dunn to carry the load. How about we try something new and give Gruden a chance.
by robert Apr 2, 2008 1:03 PM
Sue: now you didnt like the Garcia pickup last year? Let's see, he helped us win the division and played in the Pro Bowl...isnt something burning on the stove?
by phil Apr 2, 2008 12:47 PM
I think they've done okay, but could have been better w/the cap they had. Sims is done, McKown has much more potential, I'm praying their gamble works, but then again, it didn't when they decided to rest at the end of last season...goo
by skp Apr 2, 2008 12:42 PM
BroEli, considering we went from 4-12 to 9-7 and a NFCS crown last year, maybe some of last year's acquisitions were good and he wasn't blowing smoke? actually, i would view his comments as cautiously optimistic here..."if&qu
by John Klopfer Apr 1, 2008 1:19 PM
Garcia and Greise are both pretty old...which increases the opportunity for injury. Dunn is no spring chicken. If Gruden could not get along with meshawn, how will he get along with Bryant. We need to keep Simms, with a little coaching he could be ok
by BroEli Apr 1, 2008 1:19 PM
Sounds like the same tape that was played last year - everyone acquisition is good according to Gruden. Ya Think???
by Damien Apr 1, 2008 1:19 PM
Maybe it's time to stop hating on Gruden. Go BUCS!
by Joel Apr 1, 2008 1:19 PM
Better watch it Gruden; Florida is the lightning capital of the USA. One of those bolts just may hit you for telling such a fib.
by John Apr 1, 2008 12:51 PM
Okay, I get it. The fans are all wrong in thinking the team did NOTHING this offseason! In "Grudens world" the Bucs loaded up this offseason with Bryant and Dunn! Strange world he lives in...
by Sue Apr 1, 2008 12:42 PM
As usual Gruden is all talk. Dunn was probably a good aquistion but who knows how long he will stay once he sees the true Gruden. The qb situation to me is tenous at best. Garcia and Griese werent in the scrapyards for no reason. Good luck
by Kurt Apr 1, 2008 11:30 AM
Every year is a crapshoot. We have a good nucleus. You add a couple of hopefuls and continue to draft solidly and every 10 years you may be lucky enough to win a Superbowl. At least we're in the rotation. There are many teams which are not.
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