Sign me up!!

I want to get a contract extention like Jon Gruden.  Chuckie was handed a mandate to improve the Buccaneers after last year's 4-12 mess.  Yes, Gruden led the Buccaneers to a third division title in his 6 years.  Yes, it was a major turnaround. And yes, Gruden cashed in by getting a 3-year extention at nearly $6-million a year.

It makes you wonder what the Glazers would have done if the Bucs hadn't lost their final 3 games...including the playoff against the Giants. 

It is becoming an interesting showdown between the Bucs front office and fans.  The Bucs appear to be extremely happy with the job Gruden turned in.  But fans are yawning.  The playoff game wasn't an automatic sellout.  Webpolls have been calling for Gruden's scalp.  Will the Buccaneers have to dip deep into that season-ticket waiting list to sellout the Ray Jay next season?

How much patience will the fans have if the Bucs follow their NFC South title with a losing campaign?  Gruden has followed up every previous Buccaneer division crown with a losing season.  And even though Gruden has delivered 3 division championships and a Super Bowl title, he is 51-50 in the regular season and playoffs with the Bucs. 

Considering that Gruden still had a year left on his previous deal, that three-year extention may loom large if the Bucs don't contend in the NFC South next year.  Think about all the questions on the Buccaneer roster.  Think about a tougher schedule next season.  3 more years at $6-mill per...again...sign me up!

But the Glazers had no choice.  What were they going to do...make Gruden work a lameduck season?  Gruden had to make staff changes...what kind of assistants would sign up knowing Gruden had only one year left on his contract? 

And, if the Glazers even toyed with the idea of making a coaching change...where would they turn?  As it is, the Redskins are talking to Jim Fassel.  The Ravens hired Jim Harbaugh's older brother.  The Falcons may not have anybody interested in their job. 

But the Glazers and Gruden are married until 2011. Alimony couldn't touch that $6-mill a year.

Al Keck