Gruden fires defensive coordinator Joe Barry

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Gruden fired his buddy - that's a good sign. I am hoping the whole Tampa Bay/Allen/Gruden thing is over.

I agree with KI Skins Fan, this is it for Gruden. He stuck with Haslett - probably out the same TBay/B. Allen connections - and kind of got a pass b/c, well, he was giving continuity a chance. So he got a pass for that.

However, for his first "hire," Gruden passes on Phillips, a proven but unexciting DC who wanted to be here, with a history of making defenses better regardless of talent, and who's 3-4 scheme fit the personnel on hand. Instead, Gruden hires Barry a DC who only worked one year in a 3-4 scheme, whose only DC experience was taking a low-talent defense and leading it to a 0-16 season. Why? Bb/c he knew him, because he talked a good game when they interviewed, because he was high-energy, because he's Marinelli's son-in-law, because Barry had compromising pictures, because ... ???

Phillips goes to Denver and, with solid talent, puts together a stifling D that won Peyton Manning a second Super Bowl ring. Barry takes a limited talent D and has it play to its talent level. Who, regardless of his energy or alleged acumen, always seemed to be a step or two behind the opposing offense.

Gruden is entering year four. Scot McC is now running the team and is a no-nonsense guy. I think he basically says to Gruden:

"We are about to invest in your QB, we have solid talent on offense, we have the makings of a very good O-Line, I will be investing in the defense this offseason. You have one year to make sure that this defense improves and get your offense in the end zone. You have been given every opportunity to succeed your way - now, get this hire right or get the hell out."

I don't think firing the coach is McCloughan's call. The organization has never stated such. I think McCloughan and Gruden are peers on the org chart, both reporting to Allen.

Allen would certainly take input from McCloughan on Gruden, and from Gruden on McCloughan. But I think on a hire/fire coaching decision it would be up to Allen and Snyder, not McCloughan.