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Players Surprised At Firings

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

Published: January 17, 2009

TAMPA - Bucs players went into this offseason believing they could build off their disappointing finish and regroup this year.

Friday, they realized team owners did not agree.

The firing of Bucs coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen came as a surprise to Tampa Bay's players.

"I find it shocking," fullback B.J. Askew said. "It's kind of like a kid at Christmas who wakes up and finds out all his presents are gone. It's shocking like that. I would have bet my whole contract Coach Gruden and Bruce Allen would be here. Obviously, the Buccaneers decided to go in a different direction."

Tampa Bay's directional change had a lot to do with how the team went south in December.

The Bucs were 9-3 and only needed one victory to make the playoffs, but they lost four consecutive games, including a surprising loss against Oakland at home in the season finale.

Tampa Bay finished the season 9-7 and missed the playoffs, which seemingly sealed the fates of Gruden and Allen.

"I know it all comes with the business, people coming and going, but this is going to be my fourth head coach. It's crazy," defensive lineman Jimmy Wilkerson said. "I'm glad Gruden saw my potential when I was with Kansas City and decided to give me a chance."

Gruden and Allen never had a problem giving players an opportunity.

Wilkerson and Stylez G (Greg) White are two examples of players who made the most of the chances offered by Tampa Bay.

White played in the Arena Football League before Gruden gave him an opportunity to make the team in 2007. Not only did White make the team, he led the Bucs with eight sacks that season.

Meanwhile, Wilkerson received little playing time during five seasons in Kansas City. Gruden and Allen gave Wilkerson a shot last year, and he finished with five sacks (tied for second-most on the team) and emerged as a premier two-position player.

"He gave me an opportunity to come here and play," White said. "As far as I am concerned, I can't say enough about that opportunity. He gave me the opportunity to play and I'm thankful for that."
Bucs defensive tackle Jovan Haye is an unrestricted free agent and also an example of the former leader's tendencies to take risks.

Haye was a practice squad player for Cleveland in 2006 before being released that year. Tampa Bay signed him and for the last two seasons, Haye has been Tampa Bay's most valuable defensive lineman.

"Despite the wins and losses, Coach Gruden had a certain fire to him," Haye said. "He demanded a lot. I can't complain about him. He found me on the practice squad when I was down and out and gave me a chance. How dare I complain about him? It's sad to see. It's a sad day. It's part of the business. We got to deal with it."

Tampa Bay center Jeff Faine signed a six-year deal before the season, and although he will be around for many years, he was shocked to learn Gruden would not be with him.

"I've been in this situation before," Faine said. "It was different then because I was a young guy just trying to find my way through the NFL. It's just one of those things where the front office wanted to go in a different direction and you've got to respect their decision."

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached (813) 259-8425.

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