There has been a lot of talk this season about the NFC East because of the caliber of the head coaches. However the most competitive division is the NFC South where the defending champion Carolina Panthers reside as well as Jon Gruden, the best young coach in the NFL.
"We're going to have another dogfight this year, but I think we're ready for the challenge," Gruden told me. "The division is very good. I mean, who wouldn't want Michael Vick? And the Saints may have the most talent in the division. No one even talks about them. People are saying how many personnel changes we've made, but we still have a lot of our players. We're going to be fine."
As much as Gruden wanted to see second-year quarterback Chris Simms push Brad Johnson for the starting job, Johnson is still in control because he knows the offense better and makes fewer mistakes. Simms has made progress and he will play a lot in preseason. With a revamped offensive line, one that still struggles on a daily basis in training camp, Johnson's downside remains his lack of mobility. If the O-line can't protect him, Simms could take the job by default.
The obvious strength of the Buccaneers remains the defense. Derrick Brooks is still Derrick Brooks and Ian Gold, the former Bronco, has been sensational. He doesn't appear to have lost a step after knee surgery. With Brian Kelly back at right cornerback and Jermaine Phillips replacing John Lynch, the secondary is quicker and faster. And there isn't one offensive lineman who can contain defensive tackle Anthony McFarland.
Although they exchanged bi-coastal barbs when Gruden left the Raiders, the coach is fine with Tim Brown being a Buccaneer. In fact, he was probably more upset with Brown's blasts and criticisms of former head coach Bill Callahan, who was fired by Al Davis.
General Manager Bruce Allen, another former Raider, said that Brown's arrival has nothing to do with Keenan McCardell's holdout. Allen, though, said he is adamant about not giving McCardell a new deal. "If there's anyone in this league who understands the veteran wide-receiver market and salary scale, it's me," Allen said, referring to signing Jerry Rice with the Raiders and now Brown again.
McCardell has two years remaining on his contract, including $2.5 million this season.
Of the departed Buccaneers, Lynch is the only one truly missed for his leadership. Warren Sapp is now in Oakland and Keyshawn Johnson is with his former coach, Bill Parcells, in Dallas.
"Keyshawn never liked me from the first day, no matter what he says," Gruden said. "Now he's with his favorite coach and, I guess, he can go about dominating the NFL like he says he can."
Gruden's tongue was planted firmly in his cheek on that last comment.
Fox Sports John Czarnecki
"We're going to have another dogfight this year, but I think we're ready for the challenge," Gruden told me. "The division is very good. I mean, who wouldn't want Michael Vick? And the Saints may have the most talent in the division. No one even talks about them. People are saying how many personnel changes we've made, but we still have a lot of our players. We're going to be fine."
As much as Gruden wanted to see second-year quarterback Chris Simms push Brad Johnson for the starting job, Johnson is still in control because he knows the offense better and makes fewer mistakes. Simms has made progress and he will play a lot in preseason. With a revamped offensive line, one that still struggles on a daily basis in training camp, Johnson's downside remains his lack of mobility. If the O-line can't protect him, Simms could take the job by default.
The obvious strength of the Buccaneers remains the defense. Derrick Brooks is still Derrick Brooks and Ian Gold, the former Bronco, has been sensational. He doesn't appear to have lost a step after knee surgery. With Brian Kelly back at right cornerback and Jermaine Phillips replacing John Lynch, the secondary is quicker and faster. And there isn't one offensive lineman who can contain defensive tackle Anthony McFarland.
Although they exchanged bi-coastal barbs when Gruden left the Raiders, the coach is fine with Tim Brown being a Buccaneer. In fact, he was probably more upset with Brown's blasts and criticisms of former head coach Bill Callahan, who was fired by Al Davis.
General Manager Bruce Allen, another former Raider, said that Brown's arrival has nothing to do with Keenan McCardell's holdout. Allen, though, said he is adamant about not giving McCardell a new deal. "If there's anyone in this league who understands the veteran wide-receiver market and salary scale, it's me," Allen said, referring to signing Jerry Rice with the Raiders and now Brown again.
McCardell has two years remaining on his contract, including $2.5 million this season.
Of the departed Buccaneers, Lynch is the only one truly missed for his leadership. Warren Sapp is now in Oakland and Keyshawn Johnson is with his former coach, Bill Parcells, in Dallas.
"Keyshawn never liked me from the first day, no matter what he says," Gruden said. "Now he's with his favorite coach and, I guess, he can go about dominating the NFL like he says he can."
Gruden's tongue was planted firmly in his cheek on that last comment.
Fox Sports John Czarnecki
