12/22/24
February 18, 2002
Well the Bucs have landed Chucky after their coaching search had become one of the biggest messes imaginable. Following this precedent and Notre Dame's own coaching follies, will the new technique for hiring be to screw things up to the greatest degree possible and then land arguably the best coach for the job? What is this teaching America's youth? What about the children?
*weeping* Alas, my great joy at watching Shanahan cause Chucky to have a stroke is gone. However, it ain't a mystery that the Raiders are old. They need those draft picks badly if they are going to continue to compete against the up-and-coming young Chiefs, the Chargers, and (the best coached team in the league) the Broncos. I really think that giving up as much as they have, in picks and reputation, the Bucs have put Gruden in an un-winnable position. He did a great job of winning the support of his players at Oakland. He's going to need to better that effort still, if Tampa is to remain a contender. Though I actually like (to dislike) Gruden as a coach, I predict 3 years and out.
posted by Wulfgar! at 02:42 PM on February 18, 2002
Gruden should have gone to Notre Dame. I wanted that so, so badly. The best spin of the day: "We took our time and got the man we really wanted and we couldn't be more thrilled." Ah, so that's what they were doing.
posted by jacknose at 05:33 PM on February 18, 2002
I keep on wondering what impact this will have on Oakland's older players who joined up solely for a run at the championship. I see alot of players jumping ship soon.
posted by ttrendel at 11:26 PM on February 18, 2002
crazy trade, and when i let my emotions out of the way, i think it's a good deal for the Raiders who get some sweet draft picks for their aging team. Strange that Uncle Al, who's as old as the hills, would pull this deal since he probably wont see many of these prospects pan out. And as great as it is to see a Black man at ND, I'm sure Gruden would have wished he could have had January to do-over again -- in many respects.
posted by cubfan at 06:55 PM on February 19, 2002
2 first round picks and 2 seconds for Gruden, that's steep if you ask me. I guess they had to make a move.