Gruden would still be the Bucs head coach today if................

[JC5100]

We might be better off with Freeman/Morris than Gruden/Rodgers

[bucjoe]

Favre taught Rodgers NOTHING, except as a qb to watch, which isn't TOO bad.  Favre refused to help him and said that wasn't his job.

[Hate]

The clarity of your hindsight is astounding.

for some, its not hindsight.

I think if we had picked Steven Jackson AND then Rodgers, it would be different. But we didn't and we move on.

The thought of that makes me giddy. Only the emergence of Free5 has eased the pain.

[Chief Joseph]

Yeah, I hear you, Madame Cleo.

[michael89156]

Favre taught Rodgers NOTHING, except as a qb to watch, which isn't TOO bad.  Favre refused to help him and said that wasn't his job.

Agree with this.  Rodgers had to be pulling his hair out waiting for the grey beard to finally retire or move on.  The Packers are lucky they didn't lose Rodgers.  I remember a trade rumor from way back when, Rodgers for Randy Moss.   He is an ascending player,  dude went from sitting in the green room forever at the draft to Super Bowl MVP.  Good story.  The more successful he has become, you have to ask all those teams that passed on him,  WTF?

[Bucs N Beers]

Favre taught Rodgers NOTHING, except as a qb to watch, which isn't TOO bad.  Favre refused to help him and said that wasn't his job.

I didn't know this. Seems like you'd get some high quality info from just being in the same QB meetings, listening to calls, watching tape, etc.

That's a pretty crappy move on Favre though.

[Hate]

Listening to Gruden gush over the guy during pre-game was a little much for me to take.

[1sparkybuc]

I seriously doubt Aaron Rodgers would have changed destiny for Gruden or the Bucs. Rodgers would not have had three years to observe and learn from a HOF QB. The Steelers dumped Unitas, and back then the Steelers had gone decades without sniffing a championship game, and that was mostly in a ten team league. If the Colts starter had stayed healthy, we probably wouldn't even know who he was. If the Colts had drafted Ryan Leaf, maybe he would still be playing. There's no way to know what factors into the success or failure of any coach or player. If Vince Lombardi didn't have Bart Starr, maybe the championship trophy is named in honor of George Halas.

I believe Gruden would have flamed out by now if he hadn't been fired. He worked so hard for so long, it had to be extremely frustrating to not see any tangible progress. He needed a break, and so did the Bucs. There is absolutely no question that both parties are better off now. I believe most fans are glad he came and glad he left, and Gruden probably feels the same way.

[BucBalla85]

Its certainly possible. However you look at our offense then and tell me who he had to throw to? Maybe they would have brought in some guys to support him since he would have been our franchise QB. There is also that possibility that all Rodgers had to throw to were Galloway, Ike, and Clayton. Not much there compared to Driver, Jennings, and Nelson.

[Feel Real Good]

Its certainly possible. However you look at our offense then and tell me who he had to throw to? Maybe they would have brought in some guys to support him since he would have been our franchise QB. There is also that possibility that all Rodgers had to throw to were Galloway, Ike, and Clayton. Not much there compared to Driver, Jennings, and Nelson.

The owners surely wouldn't put up with a rookie 1st round quarterback throwing 10 TD's to 18 INT's while completing less than 55% of his passes.

[jerseybucsfan]

I seriously doubt Aaron Rodgers would have changed destiny for Gruden or the Bucs. Rodgers would not have had three years to observe and learn from a HOF QB. The Steelers dumped Unitas, and back then the Steelers had gone decades without sniffing a championship game, and that was mostly in a ten team league. If the Colts starter had stayed healthy, we probably wouldn't even know who he was. If the Colts had drafted Ryan Leaf, maybe he would still be playing. There's no way to know what factors into the success or failure of any coach or player. If Vince Lombardi didn't have Bart Starr, maybe the championship trophy is named in honor of George Halas.

I believe Gruden would have flamed out by now if he hadn't been fired. He worked so hard for so long, it had to be extremely frustrating to not see any tangible progress. He needed a break, and so did the Bucs. There is absolutely no question that both parties are better off now. I believe most fans are glad he came and glad he left, and Gruden probably feels the same way.

Fair and well stated. Nice post.

[Biggs3535]

I seriously doubt Aaron Rodgers would have changed destiny for Gruden or the Bucs.

You don't think Gruden could have coached up a stud player like Rodgers?  That's a shame.  I think he's a better coach than that, he just sucked at evaluating talent.

I guess you're in Cyberdude's camp of Gruden would have ruined Rodgers.

[jerseybucsfan]

No, it's just that the Bucs drafted poorly enough so that a stud quarterback wouldn't have been enough to be where we want to be. Look at what MD added the last two years. It's not just Freeman. No diss on Gru, just love for our current regime.

[The Anti-Java]

Glad he is gone.   Bandaids dont cut it.  I like these young dudes who will be good for years to come.  I was reading earlier, Freeman is 4 or 5 years younger than Rodgers.

[Hate]

I believe most fans are glad he came and glad he left, and Gruden probably feels the same way.

I know I am!!!