Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Bruce Allen spoke to Pewter Report about the comments made earlier this week about defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, and his desire to leave the Bucs to coach with his son, Lane Kiffin, when he was the Oakland Raiders head coach. Earlier this week, Lane Kiffin was fired by the Oakland Raiders, and in the aftermath it was disclosed that Monte Kiffin reportedly wanted to leave Tampa Bay to be on his son's coaching staff. According to Allen, that was not the case.

"Monte kept me informed of everything, and Monte wasn't going to the Raiders," said Allen.

Kiffin's contract with the Buccaneers ended after the 2007 season. The veteran defensive coordinator was free at that time to possibly join his son's coaching staff, but chose to sign a two-year contract with Tampa Bay and continue to coach the Bucs defense. When Kiffin re-signed with the Buccaneers, there were already rumblings about a broken relationship between his son and Raiders owner Al Davis.

The period of time that seems the most likely where Kiffin could have wanted to leave the Bucs would be when his son was first hired by Oakland in the winter of 2007. Pewter Report asked Allen if Kiffin wanted to leave the Bucs to coach with his son in early 2007.

"No," said Allen.

On Wednesday, Kiffin would not discuss his son's termination, or the statements that he wanted to leave Tampa Bay. Allen said little more when asked in general for his response to his defensive coordinator being brought into the firing press conference in Oakland, and the events of earlier in the week.

"That's their issue not ours," said Allen. "I didn't see how it was said, that is their issue.

"I don't know what was said at the press conference."

Allen's Bucs are 3-1 and tied for first place in the NFC South with the Carolina Panthers. After losing their first game in New Orleans, Tampa Bay has won three in a row. All three wins came against teams that are presently 2-2 (Atlanta, Chicago, and Green Bay).

"We've done some good things but have a lot of work to do," said Allen.

Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden is focused on Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. The Bucs appear to be reasonably healthy heading into the contest. Nickel cornerback Aqib Talib (illness) practiced on Friday after being limited the day before, and guard Davin Joseph (foot) practiced for the third straight day. Gruden was speaking with Joseph for a while after practice on Friday.

"He'll travel," said Gruden. "I don't know if he'll play but we're always talking. Davin and I are good friends."

Three Bucs players have not been able to practice this week. Wide receiver Joey Galloway has been out since the second game against Atlanta after having teammate Warrick Dunn role onto his ankle. Backup safety Sabby Piscitelli did not practice this week due to an elbow injury. Starting fullback B.J. Askew will be out against Denver with a torn hamstring that he suffered in the third game at Chicago. Askew believes he will be out another three to four weeks. Gruden commented on the status of those three players.

"It doesn't look real promising, but we'll hold out until the game like I've said many times before," said Gruden. "I don't have any updates on the injuries. With Davin, obviously we've only been dressing seven lineman, so that decision will be a tough one, and we'll do what the doctors and trainers feel is right and go from there."

On the Bucs official injury report Askew and Galloway were ruled out. Piscitelli was ruled as doubtful. Linebacker Derrick Brooks was listed as questionable with his hamstring strain. Also questionable is defensive tackle Ryan Sims (groin) and Joseph. Talib is the only Bucs player as probable.

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