I hope Gruden learned something from yesterday’s debacle!
I think the big mistake Coach Gruden made was not to play his starters long enough in pre-season games. This play one series then all the starters are out in favor of viewing the young players is what cost the Bucs so dearly in their first game and led to their crushing defeat at the hands of the Ravens.
The starters were just too rusty, and out of synch because of lack of playing time in actual game conditions. They were just never able to get on track. Practice squad activity is not the same as game conditions.
Coach, I hope you learned something from this and don’t make the same mistake next pre-season. Play your starters for at least one full quarter, if not the entire first half.
I would give Coach Gruden a little slack. He won a Super Bowl for this team, so I think he knows what he’s doing on the field. I just think Chris Simms sucks.
I think you guys there in Tampa are in the same boat we {the Ravens} have been the past few seasons. You need a top notch QB. Good luck the rest of the season. Stan from Maryland
Cut him slack? He won the Super Bowl? Our defense won the Super Bowl! Our defense + the fact that Gruden knew the Raider’s offens. The Bucs D was on FIRE that year, Gruden just happened to be at the helm. Any coach with the exception of Tony Dungy could have won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Bucs!
I strongly disagree with your assesment of Jon Gruden. I think think of alot of other coaches that wouldn’t have won that game.