The Bias…It’s Getting Old

Why is it I have to keep hearing and reading about all these evil things that Gruden and Allen supposedly do? Especially considering that guys like Bellichick can cut guys and do so unceremoniously and they are great coaches, yet Gruden/Allen do it and they are scum? I mean really. Lombardi wasn't exactly a choir boy. Teams that recover, and turn themselves around, do so because they make the tough decisions and move on. Gruden learned this from Walsh. Heck, Brad Culpepper was mad as hell when he was cut, and that was a turk cut, yet Dungy was always perceived as this class individual (which he is), when in fact he was also able to make the tough cuts.

The reality is that this team was shown to have really poor depth as well as some players that could not be depended upon to stay healthy going forward. Quarles was cut, and, instead of getting away from the EVIL Gruden/Allen monster, he said yes to being a Pro Scout for the Bucs the moment they asked him. He's HAPPY to be back with this team. He's even since admitted that he needed to realize that he couldn't play forever. It's amazing how many of these players, who guys like the little dog say hate Gruden, seem willing to come back to the Bucs. Even McCardell and Keyshawn put feelers out about coming back!

Yet, the bias continues. Why? Maybe because the local rags have to work hard for information now that Allen is there? Maybe because Gruden doesn't care for some of their questions and can tend to be short with them? Who knows? The bias is, however, clearly there. So much so that some places appear to just be making up crap that the Bucs then have to run around denying because people believe this stuff. Does Simms have an issue with Proprioception? He says no. The Bucs say no. The Times says yes. The reality appears to be no. It appears to be a "bad golf swing" type issue compounded by a sore elbow/arm. Gee...the evil GM/HC combo deal must be lying...right?

It's really getting old. I can't even listen to a lot of sports talk anymore because it's all anti-Gruden/Allen. They aren't saints by any means, but they did build the Raiders' team that nearly went to the Super Bowl the year before they did. That team didn't change much in 2002 when it did go to the big dance to get stomped by Gruden's Bucs. Yeah, the defense was Dungy's and Kiffen's, but the offense was almost all Gruden's, as was some of the defensive depth. To top it off, this is the same coach that took a team that had shallow depth, and who's starting QB was knocked out and replaced by a QB that doesn't fit well in a West Coast system, and went 11-5 and was a handful of just wrong calls away from winning a playoff game. Yet so many think he's just a bad coach and want him gone. I really hate going into a season with all this negativity. I had enough of that during the 80's and early 90's. Gruden FINALLY has the right QB for his offense here in Tampa, much like he had with the Raiders when Gannon came in. I expect this offense to be potent, and for the rebuilt defense to get back into the top 10. If those things happen, this team will likely see post season play again.

So let's throw off the negative thoughts. Be skeptical where needed, but keep it in context and realize that Gruden isn't the guy that people like the little dog claim he is. He's not perfect either. He's just a damn good coach who isn't afraid to make changes when necessary. Let's give the staff some benefit of the doubt and see what this team brings to the table. We'll know soon enough if the front office chose wisely or blew it out their collective rears.