With the Tennessee Vols ending the speculation yesterday that Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden would become their next head coach by inking ex Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin to a deal, there is new speculation centered around our coaching staff.  It is being widely reported that Lane would like to bring his father Monte Kiffin on one board as one of his top assistants, and presumably as the defensive coordinator. 
There were reports of the same when Lane became the head coach in Oakland, but it appeared as though Monte turned him down.  This situation is a little different though.  Lane [...]

10 minutes into the game, this looked like the KC game all over again.  We got down 17-0 quickly, but after that, really put the clamps down defensively, and began what would turn into an ass kicking.  Some random thoughts from the game. 

 It was great to see Cadillac Williams back on the field.  The guy busted his ass with physical training, and made it back onto the field while a lot of pundits were speculating that he would never play again.  Surely was rust on the first play for Caddy in the game, as he caused a Jeff Garcia fumble [...]

The Bucs and Jon Gruden publicly acknowledge the fact that they have some problems in the redzone.  They try to point us toward the positives though, as our time of possesion rankings and number of drives over 10 plays both rank in the top 5 in the league. 
An update on the Buccaneers injuries from The Pewter Report. 
It’s about time someone gave some props to DE/DT Jimmy Wilkerson.  Most people thought he was going to have a tough time making the roster, but his playmaking ability is apparent to those who truly watch the games, week in and week out. 
Is Jeffrey [...]

In what might turn out to be an ironic twist of fate, the back who replaced Cadillac Williams after his tragic knee injury last season, Ernest Graham might have suffered his own season ending injury the week Cadillac Williams finally will return to the field. 
“His status for the rest of the season is very much in question right now,” Gruden said Monday. “I don’t have the exact medical terms, but I will say right now, it doesn’t look like he’ll play any time soon.”
There has been a lot of speculation about the true readiness of Cadillac Williams to step back [...]

Me and good friend Dan Zinski of The Viking Age recently exchanged some questions about this weekends’ Buccaneers vs Vikings tilt at Raymond James Stadium. 
 
5 questions to The Viking Age:
 
1.  Besides Adrian “The Chosen One” Peterson, what player or plays should the Buccaneers defense and be fans be prepared for?
I think Chester Taylor is our second-best offensive player.  He’s the go-to guy in any kind of longish 3rd down situation and he’s shown he can shake guys and make big plays out of little swing passes and tosses into the flat.  I’m actually annoyed that they don’t get him the ball [...]

Check out our good friends at NFLmocks.com, who have us taking Mizzou star do it all WR Jeremy Maclin in a quite premature NFL Mock draft!
So far this season the 6-1, 200lb Maclin has 71 catches for for 949 and 9 Td’s in 10 games.  He is also a serious threat in the return game.  As you can see by the following video, this guy is a real threat everytime he touches the ball.  He fills a huge need, and would be an ideal pickup in my opinion.

RB Ernest Graham

“Earnest Graham didn’t practice,” said Gruden. “Hopefully he can do a little bit more tomorrow.”

TE Alex Smith

 ”Alex Smith did not practice. We have a number of guys that are injured.” – Jon Gruden

RB Warrick Dunn practiced on Wednesday and looks to be the main ballcarrier on Sunday.
WR Ike Hilliard

“He’s going to play,” said Gruden. “Knowing Ike, he is special. I wish he felt better all the time, but that guy is unbelievable. He’ll find a way to play in my opinion, but we’ll see.”

FB BJ Askew

“I hope so,” said Gruden. “He practiced Monday and returned today. We’ll [...]

In response to a piece that ProFootballTalk.com posted earlier yesterday about three parcels of land in which Jon Gruden and his wife own in Jefferson County, Tennessee, Gruden was very forthcoming. 
“My wife is from there, okay,” he said, according to our friends at Pewter Report.  “I have three sons and we go there every year.  The Smokey Mountains is someplace special to me.  To be honest with you I don’t like seeing trees going down.  I’m a conservative person that way.  I like to protect those 30 acres, or whatever it is we have, 25 acres.  I’d prefer to have [...]