Is Gruden's plan working? (1 Viewer)

[gregjcross]

My question is this: considering the Bucs likely fortunes in the next 2 years, give Gruden your grade today, ranging from an A to an F.

So far...

1. Gruden has operated in Tampa for 5+ years and he has shaped the Bucs roster.

2. He put them in the playoffs in 2007 after in 2006 they were called by some a team with the worst talent in the NFL, namey by Dr. Z.

3. Gruden and Bruce Allen have emphasized a "build through the draft" strategy as well as finding bargain type free agents,

4. Picks and FAs have been balanced, offense and defense with both his draft and free agent results.

KEY PICKS DRAFTED OFFENSE

RB Carnell Williams, RB Ernest Graham, TE Alex Smith, OG Aaron Sears, OG Daid Joseph; WR Michael Clayton, WR Maurice Stovall, WR Dexter Jackson,

KEY PICKS DRAFTED DEFENSE

DE Gaines Adams, ILB Barrett Ruud, OLB Quincy Black; S Jermaine Phillips, S Tanard Jackson, S Sabby Piscatelli, DT Jovan Haye; CB Aqib Taliq

Gruden era Free Agents :

offense -- QB Chris Simms, QB Jeff Garcia, WR Joey Galloway, WR Ike Hilliard WR David Boston , TE Anthony Becht, TE Jeramy Stephens

defense -- LB Cato June, DT Chris Hovan, CB Phillip Buchanon,

I personally give him a C- with the upside of a B-

And this possibly only if both RB Carnell Williams and DE Gaines Adams start contributing fully, which seems unlikely. As his two highest picks, Adams and Cadillace were not playing at a high level last year (obviously one was injured but he had an injury history going back to Auburn), while his QB, Garcia, while surely being a nice free agent find, has no real future. Also, Gruden hasnt found any young complementary wideouts to go with Galloway (choosing to waste his energy on David Boston and Ike Hilliard), nor a half decent TE, doing the same with Becht and Jeramy Stephens-- this shouldnt be half as difficult as he is making it look!

 

[FF_Guru]

One thing that I noticed, which was interesting is that TB didn't draft a RB early. Goes to show their confidence in Graham as their guy in TB along with Dunn to snag couple carries.

As far as the Gruden era...who cares. Its Tampa Bay. They have a pirate ship in their stadium.

 

[Penguin]

Gruden drafted/acquired QB's, WR's, TE's for the most part

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Gruden's place in TB history was cemented with a Super Bowl win. Everything else is gravy.

I agree that it looks like he has confidence in Graham.

 

[msommer]

Chris Simms was a draft pick.

Other than that I am not sure his plan is working at all

 

[Capella]

I think he's done fine. The offense is far from explosive and they've won 3 divisions in 6 years. I'll take it.

Recently, I think they've added a lot of premium young talent, especially on defense and the oline.

What was wrong with Gaines Adams last year? He was fine.

 

[Capella]

One thing that I noticed, which was interesting is that TB didn't draft a RB early. Goes to show their confidence in Graham as their guy in TB along with Dunn to snag couple carries. As far as the Gruden era...who cares. Its Tampa Bay. They have a pirate ship in their stadium.

That pirate ship has a Super Bowl flag flying off of it.

 

[QUEZILLA]

Rich McKay put this team in cap hell having over 85% of the teams money spent on the defensive side of the ball. Bill Parcels actually turned down the HC job, because he was advised that the team wouldn't be in a favorable financial position for the next few years.

Considering what Gruden has had to work with I think he has done well, and I will give him a B.

Not to mention I think he drafted pretty well on O. Michael Clayton & Caddy both looked like great draft picks after their rookie seasons. How in the heck was he supposed to know they would fall off the face of the earth?

This team is on the uprise with a young O-line, and a good core of defensive players. They were ranked #2 overall in team D last year, and just added a top notch CB. If Gruden can put up 21 points a game we should be good.

 

[JAA]

Um ... he was won a Super Bowl: A+

 

[QUEZILLA]

Chris Simms was a draft pick.Other than that I am not sure his plan is working at all

Rich McKay is the guy who wanted Simms. he never really fit Grudens style offense.

 

[gump]

Gruden is a major polarizing figure here...mostly because of the love so many have for Tony Dungy.

His biggest issue, IMO, has been his maturity/management. But I think he is growing and getting better at that...as shown by his repaired relationships with Ronde Barber and others.

As far as his (and Bruce Allen's) job of building...I think they have done a pretty good job considering the situation McKay left the team in...salary cap trouble, loss of draft picks, and aging superstars. Not a good trifecta.

Don't forget about Allen's part in all of this. It is VERY clear that Allen has the final say in personnel...in fact, it was Allen's decision to pass on Adrian Peterson in '07.

 

[Abraham]

One thing that I noticed, which was interesting is that TB didn't draft a RB early. Goes to show their confidence in Graham as their guy in TB along with Dunn to snag couple carries. As far as the Gruden era...who cares. Its Tampa Bay. They have a pirate ship in their stadium.

That pirate ship has a Super Bowl flag flying off of it.

His team seems to be "very good" every other year. And he's won a Super Bowl. I'd say he's doing just fine. And I'd have a hard time pointing to any early draft pick he's made and saying, "WHAT A MISTAKE!" Even Clayton had one good year.

 

[gman8343]

Doing a very good job - I never expected the Bucs to sniff the playoffs last season.

 

[acapella]

He looks a little desperate in this draft ... picked up a lot of folks with character issues.

 

[gump]

He looks a little desperate in this draft ... picked up a lot of folks with character issues.

I'm sure Raheem Morris had a lot to do with the Talib pick, and will be responsible for making sure it works out.

 

[Capella]

The last thing I think he is is desperate - just got a huge extension this off-season.

 

[Enraged Nerfball]

My question is this: considering the Bucs likely fortunes in the next 2 years, give Gruden your grade today, ranging from an A to an F. So far... 1. Gruden has operated in Tampa for 5+ years and he has shaped the Bucs roster. 2. He put them in the playoffs in 2007 after in 2006 they were called by some a team with the worst talent in the NFL, namey by Dr. Z.3. Gruden and Bruce Allen have emphasized a "build through the draft" strategy as well as finding bargain type free agents, 4. Picks and FAs have been balanced, offense and defense with both his draft and free agent results. KEY PICKS DRAFTED OFFENSERB Carnell Williams, RB Ernest Graham, TE Alex Smith, OG Aaron Sears, OG Daid Joseph; WR Michael Clayton, WR Maurice Stovall, WR Dexter Jackson, KEY PICKS DRAFTED DEFENSEDE Gaines Adams, ILB Barrett Ruud, OLB Quincy Black; S Jermaine Phillips, S Tanard Jackson, S Sabby Piscatelli, DT Jovan Haye; CB Aqib TaliqGruden era Free Agents ffense -- QB Chris Simms, QB Jeff Garcia, WR Joey Galloway, WR Ike Hilliard WR David Boston , TE Anthony Becht, TE Jeramy Stephensdefense -- LB Cato June, DT Chris Hovan, CB Phillip Buchanon, I personally give him a C- with the upside of a B- And this possibly only if both RB Carnell Williams and DE Gaines Adams start contributing fully, which seems unlikely. As his two highest picks, Adams and Cadillace were not playing at a high level last year (obviously one was injured but he had an injury history going back to Auburn), while his QB, Garcia, while surely being a nice free agent find, has no real future. Also, Gruden hasnt found any young complementary wideouts to go with Galloway (choosing to waste his energy on David Boston and Ike Hilliard), nor a half decent TE, doing the same with Becht and Jeramy Stephens-- this shouldnt be half as difficult as he is making it look!

You're missing some players. Key picks on offense includes the T Trueblood, and Gruden era Free Agents needs to include C Jeff Faine and CB Phillip Bucannon. I agree with Cappy that Adams played very well last year as a rookie. He started slow then started to pick things up really well by mid season. No issues there. Grading Gruden is difficult. On the positive side he brought us a Super Bowl (regardless of what people think re: Dungy his name is on the trophy). He has led the Bucs to division titles 2 of the last 3 years. His FA and draft results for the last 2 years have been excellent. On the negative side his drafts and FA signings prior to last year were pretty bad IMO. He brought in some older, high priced FA that didn't work out and set us back a couple years as far as salary cap is concerned. As I mentioned above that appears to be old news if you look at the last two years. In addition I'm not sure he has handled the QB situation very well. I like Garcia but the clock is ticking on him pretty quickly. Two years my grade would have been C- or D+. Right now it's a solid B and climbing.

 

[perry147]

The Bucs have seven QBs.

Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Luke McCown, Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski and Jake Plummer are allunder contract and they drafted Josh Johnson out of San Diego in the draft.

Gruden has a fetish for QBs.

 

[Sweet Love]

I just think Gruden has taken a little different approach as far as the WRs are concerned. It is not easy getting two guys to produce well and Clayton is such an enigma, I do not blame Gruden for giving him multiple chances. But in the end, if you can get decent WR production out of guys like Hilliard, why not? Better having someone like him for a few years and reloading when you need to, than getting a prima donna who wants to leave after three years and divides the locker room in his wake.

 

[css2373]

Monte Kiffin runs the defense which has held up that team for years. Their offense has been inconsistent since he has been there, even the Super Bowl run when they got on a hot streak with Brad Johnson and Michael Pittman.

He has yet to develop a QB, yet to develop a WR, has a nice stable of RB's and a very good young O-line.

Even when he was in Oakland, he won with vets like Gannon, Tim Brown and Charlie Garner.

I question some of Bruce Allen's draft moves, but he has supplied Gruden with decent talent.

I give him a C+ and I believe they will follow the law of the NFC South and finish in last place after winning the division.

Would have liked to see them take Brohm in the 2nd round instead of Jacquez Green II also known as Dexter Jackson.

 

[gregjcross]

My question is this: considering the Bucs likely fortunes in the next 2 years, give Gruden your grade today, ranging from an A to an F. So far... 1. Gruden has operated in Tampa for 5+ years and he has shaped the Bucs roster. 2. He put them in the playoffs in 2007 after in 2006 they were called by some a team with the worst talent in the NFL, namey by Dr. Z.3. Gruden and Bruce Allen have emphasized a "build through the draft" strategy as well as finding bargain type free agents, 4. Picks and FAs have been balanced, offense and defense with both his draft and free agent results. KEY PICKS DRAFTED OFFENSERB Carnell Williams, RB Ernest Graham, TE Alex Smith, OG Aaron Sears, OG Daid Joseph; WR Michael Clayton, WR Maurice Stovall, WR Dexter Jackson, KEY PICKS DRAFTED DEFENSEDE Gaines Adams, ILB Barrett Ruud, OLB Quincy Black; S Jermaine Phillips, S Tanard Jackson, S Sabby Piscatelli, DT Jovan Haye; CB Aqib TaliqGruden era Free Agents ffense -- QB Chris Simms, QB Jeff Garcia, WR Joey Galloway, WR Ike Hilliard WR David Boston , TE Anthony Becht, TE Jeramy Stephensdefense -- LB Cato June, DT Chris Hovan, CB Phillip Buchanon, I personally give him a C- with the upside of a B- And this possibly only if both RB Carnell Williams and DE Gaines Adams start contributing fully, which seems unlikely. As his two highest picks, Adams and Cadillace were not playing at a high level last year (obviously one was injured but he had an injury history going back to Auburn), while his QB, Garcia, while surely being a nice free agent find, has no real future. Also, Gruden hasnt found any young complementary wideouts to go with Galloway (choosing to waste his energy on David Boston and Ike Hilliard), nor a half decent TE, doing the same with Becht and Jeramy Stephens-- this shouldnt be half as difficult as he is making it look!

You're missing some players. Key picks on offense includes the T Trueblood, and Gruden era Free Agents needs to include C Jeff Faine and CB Phillip Bucannon. I agree with Cappy that Adams played very well last year as a rookie. He started slow then started to pick things up really well by mid season. No issues there. Grading Gruden is difficult. On the positive side he brought us a Super Bowl (regardless of what people think re: Dungy his name is on the trophy). He has led the Bucs to division titles 2 of the last 3 years. His FA and draft results for the last 2 years have been excellent. On the negative side his drafts and FA signings prior to last year were pretty bad IMO. He brought in some older, high priced FA that didn't work out and set us back a couple years as far as salary cap is concerned. As I mentioned above that appears to be old news if you look at the last two years. In addition I'm not sure he has handled the QB situation very well. I like Garcia but the clock is ticking on him pretty quickly. Two years my grade would have been C- or D+. Right now it's a solid B and climbing.

I definetily missed seeing that Fane and Trueblood were his acquisitions (for some reason I thought Trueblood was a 49er cast-off), So, with that, Faine/Trueblood adn Sears/David Joseph at OG; they should have one of the best lines around. I am leaning to giviing him a B- instead of a C- but they need the offensive to rev up.

 

[GregR_2]

I'm a fan of Gruden, but I don't think he's done a very good job in Tampa Bay. I don't think last year's team makes the playoffs in any other division than the AFC East (assuming the Pats are the team they replace). They managed only 2 wins against teams with winning records, and one against an 8-8 team.

Not trying to rip on Gruden or the Bucs. Making the playoffs is something, but I'm not sure they were in the upper half of the league last year in terms of overall quality. He may be moving the team in the right direction now, another season will tell if they can become one of the quality teams out there. But since the Super Bowl win I don't think he's been much of a boon to the team.

 

[css2373]

TB completely lacks young top notch talent. Rudd, Graham, Tanard Jackson are solid players...but who on that team makes other teams worry, I can't find one.

Gaines Adams came on at the end of last year, so maybe he will provide the special play every team needs.

Their best players can be found on their offensive line, outside of that who is a playmaker?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

My question is this: considering the Bucs likely fortunes in the next 2 years, give Gruden your grade today, ranging from an A to an F.

So far...

1. Gruden has operated in Tampa for 5+ years and he has shaped the Bucs roster.

2. He put them in the playoffs in 2007 after in 2006 they were called by some a team with the worst talent in the NFL, namey by Dr. Z.

3. Gruden and Bruce Allen have emphasized a "build through the draft" strategy as well as finding bargain type free agents,

4. Picks and FAs have been balanced, offense and defense with both his draft and free agent results.

KEY PICKS DRAFTED OFFENSE

RB Carnell Williams, RB Ernest Graham, TE Alex Smith, OG Aaron Sears, OG Daid Joseph; WR Michael Clayton, WR Maurice Stovall, WR Dexter Jackson,

KEY PICKS DRAFTED DEFENSE

DE Gaines Adams, ILB Barrett Ruud, OLB Quincy Black; S Jermaine Phillips, S Tanard Jackson, S Sabby Piscatelli, DT Jovan Haye; CB Aqib Taliq

Gruden era Free Agents :

offense -- QB Chris Simms, QB Jeff Garcia, WR Joey Galloway, WR Ike Hilliard WR David Boston , TE Anthony Becht, TE Jeramy Stephens

defense -- LB Cato June, DT Chris Hovan, CB Phillip Buchanon,

I personally give him a C- with the upside of a B-

And this possibly only if both RB Carnell Williams and DE Gaines Adams start contributing fully, which seems unlikely. As his two highest picks, Adams and Cadillace were not playing at a high level last year (obviously one was injured but he had an injury history going back to Auburn), while his QB, Garcia, while surely being a nice free agent find, has no real future. Also, Gruden hasnt found any young complementary wideouts to go with Galloway (choosing to waste his energy on David Boston and Ike Hilliard), nor a half decent TE, doing the same with Becht and Jeramy Stephens-- this shouldnt be half as difficult as he is making it look!

You're missing some players. Key picks on offense includes the T Trueblood, and Gruden era Free Agents needs to include C Jeff Faine and CB Phillip Bucannon. I agree with Cappy that Adams played very well last year as a rookie. He started slow then started to pick things up really well by mid season. No issues there.

Grading Gruden is difficult. On the positive side he brought us a Super Bowl (regardless of what people think re: Dungy his name is on the trophy). He has led the Bucs to division titles 2 of the last 3 years. His FA and draft results for the last 2 years have been excellent.

On the negative side his drafts and FA signings prior to last year were pretty bad IMO. He brought in some older, high priced FA that didn't work out and set us back a couple years as far as salary cap is concerned. As I mentioned above that appears to be old news if you look at the last two years. In addition I'm not sure he has handled the QB situation very well. I like Garcia but the clock is ticking on him pretty quickly.

Two years my grade would have been C- or D+. Right now it's a solid B and climbing.

I definetily missed seeing that Fane and Trueblood were his acquisitions (for some reason I thought Trueblood was a 49er cast-off), So, with that, Faine/Trueblood adn Sears/David Joseph at OG; they should have one of the best lines around.

I am leaning to giviing him a B- instead of a C- but they need the offensive to rev up.

That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think? Just in the NFC...Dallas, Minnesota, Green Bay, NY Giants...the Bucs were tied for 4th in rushing avg in the NFC but were in the niddle of the pack for sacks allowed...I feel their OL is still going to have to get better for them to be a contender.

 

[QUEZILLA]

The Bucs have seven QBs.Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Luke McCown, Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski and Jake Plummer are allunder contract and they drafted Josh Johnson out of San Diego in the draft.Gruden has a fetish for QBs.

I think he uses the same strategy as I do in my redraft leagues.