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Allen, Gruden To Stay With Buccaneers Until 2011

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By IRA KAUFMAN of The Tampa Tribune and TBO.com Staff

Published: January 22, 2008

TAMPA - Coach Jon Gruden and General Manager Bruce Allen, who combined to lead the Buccaneers to two division titles in the past three seasons, have each been rewarded with three-year contract extensions.

The Bucs announced the extensions in a news release today. An NFL source close to the negotiations confirmed to The Tampa Tribune on Monday that Gruden and Allen are now under contract through the 2011 season.

On Friday, the Bucs signed longtime defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin to a multi-year extension.

Tampa Bay rebounded from a 4-12 season to win the NFC South in 2007, vaulting from last to first despite fielding the league's youngest offensive line. The Bucs also worked in new defensive players such as rookie free safety Tanard Jackson, middle linebacker Barrett Ruud and rookie lineman Gaines Adams.

With new quarterback Jeff Garcia, the Bucs bolted to an 8-4 start and clinched the division Dec. 16, but a 24-14 home setback to the Giants in the opening playoff round relegated Tampa Bay to a 9-8 finish in Gruden's sixth season.

Moments after the playoff loss, Bucs ownership said the '07 club had made significant strides, establishing a young base to build upon.

Gruden led the 2002 Bucs to a Super Bowl victory against Oakland in his first year in Tampa. Despite a 7-9 season in 2003, Gruden received a two-year extension through 2008, earning approximately $4.3 million this past season.

Allen joined the Bucs in 2004 after nine years as an executive with the Raiders. Like Gruden's deal, Allen's contract was set to expire after the 2008 season.

Tampa Bay went 5-11 in Allen's first season before reversing that record and edging Carolina for the 2005 NFC South crown. The Bucs then dropped a 17-10 decision to Washington at home in the NFC wild-card round.

Allen and Gruden, who worked together in Oakland for four seasons, have reunited to form a productive partnership. Allen has cleaned up the difficult salary-cap situation he inherited and recently said the Bucs are $23 million under for the 2008 cap.

Overall, Gruden is 48-48 with the Bucs during the regular season and 3-2 in the postseason.

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