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Gruden Likes Idea Of Playing Game Overseas In '08

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 22, 2008

Updated: 01/22/2008 12:14 am

MOBILE, Ala. - A lot of people who think they know Bucs coach Jon Gruden probably think that playing a regular-season game in London is just about the last thing he would ever want to do.

As it turns out, a lot of people who think they know Gruden really don't know him as well as they think they do, because he is all in favor of playing a game overseas.

"A lot of people really don't know me, because the truth is I'd be very excited about that," Gruden said Monday while watching Senior Bowl workouts at Fairhope Municipal Stadium. "To be honest with you, I would absolutely love that."

Gruden's verve for such a game is beneficial because the Bucs are one of at least four teams being considered for a game that will be played in the United Kingdom in 2008.

The Giants and Dolphins played such a game this past season at Wembley Stadium. There are some obvious logistical problems inherent in playing such a game, but Gruden doesn't seem to mind.

"I think that would be a great experience for us; I really do," Gruden said. "Representing the NFL over there would be a great thrill. It would be an honor actually.

"I mean, I had the chance to coach a preseason game against the Jets in Japan in 2003; I've coached in the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, in the Senior Bowl. That's one more thing that you can say you did."

The Bucs expect to find out during Super Bowl week whether they'll get the nod to play the game. Also being considered for the game are the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks.

It is believed that the host of the game will be one of the three NFC teams from that group, but a decision on who would host and therefore lose a home game has yet to be decided.

PERFECT TIMING: Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin admitted that the thought of leaving the Bucs for another job did cross his mind during the two weeks he spent waiting for a contract extension.

"Right toward the end there something came up that kind of caught my attention a little bit, and I gave it some thought," Kiffin said. "But everything worked out and I'm really glad it did.

"I mean, you've got to love the fans here and everything else about it. I mean, the Glazers have been so good to me ever since I got here in '96 and Jon Gruden has been good to me."

Though disappointed with the Bucs' initial offer, Kiffin eventually signed a multiyear extension that is expected to pay him at least $2 million a year for at least the next three years.

The deal makes Kiffin one of the highest paid defensive coordinators in the league, but Kiffin made it clear Monday that money wasn't the thing that drew him back to Tampa.

"We've got a young defense and a lot of people coming back and that's exciting," Kiffin said. "And we won the division and we've got a coach over there on offense with a pretty good quarterback named Jeff Garcia.

"The grass does look greener on the other side sometimes but I try to look at the big picture, and it's just a real exciting time right now for the Buccaneers and for me."

The Bucs are coming off a 9-8 season in which Kiffin's defense finished the year ranked second overall in yards allowed and third overall in points allowed, up from 17th and 21st respectively in 2006.

"I can tell you I'm a heck of a lot more excited now than I was after the '06 season," Kiffin said with a laugh. "If my contract would've been up in '06, it might have been a different deal."

COACHING CAROUSEL: General Manager Bruce Allen said he expects to have the Bucs coaching staff finalized by the time the Patriots and Giants meet in Super Bowl XLII.

One coach who could become part of the new staff is former Bills head coach Mike Mularkey. Mularkey, who also has served as the Steelers' offensive coordinator and most recently was the Miami Dolphins' tight ends coach, is expected to interview with the Bucs either today or Wednesday.

The Bucs have just one official opening on the offensive side of their staff, that being the spot vacated by former running backs coach Art Valero, who left for the Rams shortly after the season ended. It is possible, though, that two other positions still could come open, if they aren't already.

Quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett did not accompany the Bucs on their trip to Mobile this week and it is believed he's been given the OK to look for another job. The same courtesy apparently has been extended to senior assistant Aaron Kromer, who also did not accompany the Bucs on their trip to the Senior Bowl.

NICE TO BE REMEMBERED: It was 20 years ago this month that Doug Williams became the first black quarterback to lead a team to a Super Bowl title. In honor of that achievement, Williams has been asked to present the Lombardi Trophy to the winner of this year's Super Bowl.

"To get a chance to walk on that stage again is a pretty nice thing," said Williams, the Bucs quarterback-turned-executive who led Washington past Denver in Super Bowl XXII. "It lets you know they haven't forgotten about you."

Roy Cummings

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