Mystery candidate up for opening; Hackett likely gone

During several conversations with Jon Gruden this morning at the Senior Bowl North team practice, the coach alluded more than once to an assistant-coaching candidate whose identity might "shock" me.

Gruden wouldn't give up the name nor would he indicate what role the person would assume, but it appears this person will be meeting with Gruden in Tampa tomorrow evening.

I threw a couple names at Gruden to no avail, so perhaps we'll just have to wait and see. Or not. I'll continue to ask around and see what comes of it. I don't get the sense it's former Dolphins assistant Mike Mularkey, who Gruden did acknowledge speaking with but did not pinpoint him as the person in question.

On a related topic, Gruden made it pretty clear that quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett is not expected back. Word is Hackett is at his New Hampshire vacation home mulling his options. In the meantime, Gruden indicated the Bucs are moving on.

"We're going to talk to a lot of people," said Gruden, who also must hire a running backs coach. "There's a lot of coaches who want to work for the Buccaneers you know."