Some of the comments where right to the point (Simeon Rice) and some of them were pussy-footed (surprisingly Jeff Garcia, who would have though), but regardless, the point was made.  Some of Gruden’s former players do not like his coaching style.  He is an in  your face, hold you accountable type of coach, and some of today’s prima donna’s can’t handle criticism.  

At last, my man Gruden finally had a few things to say.  

On coaching again:

“Chucky will be back and hopefully my teeth will be as sharp as ever…(whether) it’s the NFL, college, high school or, maybe, I’ll just be the best damn flag football coach in the history of Florida. I’m now head of the FFCA — Fired Florida Coaches Association.”

On taking some shots from his former players:

“I’m not the first coach to take potshots. Hey, some people were taking potshots at Tony Dungy when I got here,” said Gruden. “Jeff Garcia, Michael Clayton, I wish those guys the best. I hope Raheem gets this thing going again.”

Reaction to his firing:

“It was rough the way it ended, losing three or four games,” Gruden said. “This was the first time in my life being on the front line of the firing squad after 11 years. I’ve just taken a couple days to unwind with my family. A lot of people have called, being very supportive. Some people have taken shots and I understand that not everyone likes or agrees with what I do as a coach.”

On his accomplishments in Tampa:

“We won a Super Bowl,” he said. “I got a game ball for winning more games than any Bucs coach in history. I got a game ball for my 100th win [including playoff wins]. There are only six teams [actually seven] in the NFL that had back-to-back winning seasons the past two years and the Bucs were one of them. Again, it was tough the way it ended but we did some good things and I know some people who think we overachieved.”

What he left the Bucs with:

 ”The reality is we came in with a bad salary cap situation and we left with some $50 million under the cap, so it’s not like we went out and spent a lot of money on players.”

On the possibility of coaching college football with his reputation of being unable to work with young QB’s:

“I really only had one young guy to work with in Chris Simms,” said Gruden. “I’d love a shot to coach some young college guys. Look, you know me. I’m an addict. I love to coach.”

On potential job opportunities:

Whatever I do, I’m going to show respect for the game. I’m going to use proper etiquette. Whatever I choose to do, I expect people to be demanding. Anything less would be unacceptable.”

Garcia signed a 2 year 7 million dollar contract before last freaking season for god sake, and he knew coming in that he would be the starter.  He did not think that he was coming here to backup, so accepting below pay grade for a starting QB would have been foolish.  He signed the deal, and had a solid season.  Solid is the key word. 

13 TD’s.  Thats how many Garcia threw last season.  13.  Does not sound like a lot huh?  If he repeats that performance this season, or even ups it to say 18 TD’s, he will be earning about 300k a TD. 

Do not get me wrong, I like Jeff Garcia.  I think he is a very good QB at managing games.  I do not think he was Pro Bowlish last year, but that is just my opinion.  Secondly, I also think that players should get their money.  Teams will cut them when they suck, so why not try and get your money while you can.   BUT……….I love the Bucs more than Jeff Garcia, and I can see where the Bucs are coming from.   It is not like this was the back end of a 6 year deal that Garcia signed before money started pouring into the league.  He signed this contract last freaking summer. 

“[The Bucs] have indicated to my agent that they’d be working something out or trying to work something out, but it’s at a snail’s pace it seems right now,” said Garcia. “I have one year left on my contract. At the rate it’s going who knows if it will actually happen before the season starts…There might come a time when I might have to stand up,” Garcia told reporters Tuesday. “I hate to do that, to jeopardize my teammates, because they’re out here, and I don’t want to let them down in any sort of way. But at some point, you just want to see the respect from up top be given.”

SHUT THE HELL UP AND GET ON THE FIELD AND WORK ON THROWING MORE THAN 1 TD PER GAME. 

Oh yeah, just had to throw in a picture of the best thing that Garcia has ever brought to the table. 

“So in a way, it’s disappointing. At this point in my career, I’m no longer 24 or 25 saying, ‘I’m going to prove to you I deserve this.’ I feel like I’ve proved throughout my career. And I feel like at this time, it’s time to just work with me, and you know what I bring to the team. You know what I’ve done for the team, and you know how much more I can do. And now I have a year under my system.”

Um….Jeff…..You signed a two year deal that you knew underpaid before the start of last season.  You are aware, that although many people consider you the savior of this team, that you threw 14 td’s in 13 games??  Not exactly Tom Brady, in my opinion. 

I had a feeling that at some point leading up to the draft, that this would become an issue.  I was actually a little surprised that the Bucs have not made overtures to the Iggles about Donovan McNabb, head coach Jon Gruden’s favorite QB in the world!!!  Could Garcia have expected anything more.  Gruden does not want to put himself in a position to be stuck with an effective, yet weak armed and old QB for the duration of his contract extension with the Bucs, so I am guessing, General Manager Bruce Allen will not be extending Garcia’s deal. 

While complaining about Jeff Garcia’s whining, I thought it pertinent to include a photo of the lovely Mrs. Garcia, whom I can truly never get enough of.