Online petition has ended! 4,763 signatures!
Thanks Ian and Ron, Big Dog,
Justin and Jason, Ledge and his crew,
and all of the Sports Animal!
620 Rules!!
New Page! Favorite Letters
from the Fans
New! Videos of the A-Train
on You Tube! Click here
Click
here for our My Space "Give Mike The Ball!"
It's over! Original
webpage and petition
available here
From Dictionary.com
nar·cis·sism /'n?rs??s?z?m/ [nahr-suh-siz-em]
Pronunciation Key -
1. –noun 1. inordinate fascination with oneself;
excessive self-love; vanity.
2. Psychoanalysis. erotic gratification derived from
admiration
of one's own physical or mental attributes, being a normal condition
at the infantile level of personality development.
Jon Gruden is a narcissist. So much in love with himself and
his own offensive
genius that he cannot see beyond the fulfillment of his own personal gratification.
Sunday, in front of 60,000 plus fans in Tampa and countless other watching
in Florida and across our country and fans oversees and everywhere, in a meaningless
game at the end of a dismal and lost season, Jon Gruden was not able to put
aside his wants for even one game. In what will probably be the last game of
his career, Mike Alstott had only 6 carries. The carries that he did get were
low percentage plays that were not meant to succeed. Although the fans
clamored for their favorite player to get the ball, in the Red Zone Gruden
threw 3 incomplete passes. He featured Michael Pittman, who I love but it
will not be his last game. He ignored pleas from his team and the fans, and
showed to anyone that was not already convinced about who and what he
is as a man and a coach. It's all about him. You, me and everyone else are
wrong about everything and how dare we even question his decisions.
How dare us.
Right now I would like to say alot of things, but I want to wait for a couple
of days and see what happens. The great NFL coaching carosel is about
to start, and I only hope for the sake of this team, the fans, the players
and the coach that Jon Gruden is dispatched and someone brought to lead this
team with class, leadership, wisdom and humility that is the foremost
qualities of a true and great coach in this wonderful game that we have
all come to love, the National Football League.
Thanks to everyone who signed the petition, which ended with 4,763
signatures in only 21 days, and over 20,000 hits! Way to go!
A printed copy of the entire petition and the letters was
delivered to the customer service window at Raymond James
Stadium and I was told that it would get to the Glazers.
Original webpage and petition
available here
Leave your thoughts about this coach below. I will post all comments
that are profanity free, pro or anti Gruden.
E-Mail them
here
I want to sign the petition to give Mike the
ball. However, I say
give Mike the team. Get rid of this sorry unappreciative so-called
coach we have. He is the reason for this bad year, he has destroyed
the entire teams morale by the way he yells and treats them. By the
way his little chuckie scowls and faces have not been amusing for a
long time and Dungy NOT Gruden brought our team to the superbowl
win. PLEASE Mike don't leave us.
Joy Denney
joy_denney@yahoo.com
Come on Gruden, how did you expect Mike to be a force in the game when
you didn't give him the ball enough early to get a feel for the game. Until
today I have been a very strong supporter of you even when I disagreed with
what you were doing with the team. This was Mike's last game and in the big
scheme of things had no meaning for the team or the season. Why in the hell
when the team was in the Red Zone didn't you allow Mike to pound the ball? You
owed him and this community that much. You have allowed your ego to become greater
then the team. As I am sure a coach told you somewhere along the way, no one
person is greater then the team. Either check your ego or get out of Tampa Bay
before you totally destroy what so many people have worked so hard and so long
for. If it was up to me, you and Allen would be out of here today.
Happy Frickin New Year
being a season ticket holder (which we waited 5 years
for when Tony was coach) we were at yesterdays game. I was very disappointed
that mike did not get the ball more often, I was concerned however that when
Mike was put in the game everyone on earth knew Mike would get the ball and
therefore the Seahawks had 4 + men on top of him; he was not kept in the game
for normal plays. As for Jon Gruden, I do feel he is very selfish; did he purposely
lose this entire season just to get 1st round pick?? I don't believe him to
be honest either, Bruce Alen and Jon Gruden messed up the Raiders so bad that
team still has not made it back yet. Is this what his plan is for us? As for
his "Great Offensive Plays" well; I don't see them work any better
then any other NFL team. His greed of needing to control the entire team has
effected our #1 Defense. I've noticed Monte and Gruden on the side lines' it
did appear they had words on several occasions. What in the World is going on??
But in all honesty is it truly Gruden's fault or does this all fall on the shoulders
of the Glazer Family! how greedy have they gotten and what exactly is it that
they are looking for?????
one of Mike's #1 Fan's
Maryann Piano
Get rid of Gruden as quick as you can. Who owns this team
anyway, the
Glazer's or Gruden? From the looks of things, it appears Gruden
thinks it is his team solely. I do believe the fans pay his salary
and therefore should be considered when they make their reasonable
concerns and requests known. His filthy mouth and scowling face has
been a complete turnoff for many for a long time now. In my opinion,
he definitely can never take credit for our superbowl win. That
belongs to the great, fair and fan-related Dungy as well as the dyno
team we had before this guy came in and decided to get rid of all the
Bucs fans greatest. Bring on Yogi Bear, Elmer Fudd or anyone, just
send Gruden packing.
Joy Denney
joy_denney@yahoo.com
Hey Gruden....What's up. Inside the 5 yard line,last
game of the seasom & possibly Mike Alstott's final game of his Bucaneer
career and you couldn't give him one last chance at glory.One last chance for
the loyal Tampa fans to erupt at RayJay like Mt Etna...just blow the top off
the place ? You blwe it on both accounts. Wait let me guess you had drawn up
a play to score 20 points and 5 wins to push us into the playoffs !?!?!? How
will you treat Derrick Brooks or Rhonde Barber in what may be their last games?
You robbed Mike & you robbed the fans. Offensive genius like Joe Hazelwood
was a great boat captain. Hope your new job in arena football works out for
you and Bruce Allen.
Pat Lalka
I'm glad this site is out there to show all football
fans what a good portion of Tampa Bay fans feel. I was extremely irritated with
the fact that on our last offensive drive of the season, that Ego Gruden did
not give this icon a chance to get one more in there. Just one more touchdown
in what could have been the last game of his career. How thoughtless after all
Alstott has done for this team. I mean, come on. 1st and goal from the five,
Mike got 2 yards when everyone knew he was getting the ball. Then he follows
that up with 3 passing plays, even pulling Alstott out? Ridiculous. A man who
has been a powerhouse since the days of the orange and white, and this is the
thanks he gets. The season was over regardless. It was time to do this for the
fans who have stuck by this team throughout all of the bad times this season.
All the fans who can shrug it off and say 'There's always next year, this is
still my team."&
Brad
q1w2e300@earthlink.net
Gruden has to go!!! I've been a Bucs fan all
my life. I remember when we had Young, Williams and Dorsett when they were good,
but misused. Then we had the fortune of getting Tony Dungy, one of the greatest
head coaches in the NFL in my opinion. He rebuilt the team from the ground up
and then was fired before he had a chance to take his Bucs to the Super Bowl.
Had I been on that team, I would have sent Coach Dungy a ring, because it was
his team that got to the Super Bowl.
Gruden may not be a bad coach because the team he built in Oakland went to the
Super Bowl the same year that Tony's team went, but since then, he has destroyed
what Tony and Monte worked so hard to build. I don't know what is going inside
the organization, but they need to take a hard look at what the heck is going
on and fix it before they start loosing fan support. We barely got into the
playoffs last year as a wild card and now a losing season. Not acceptable. I've
been a fan since I was born and the Bucs came to be. I will always be a fan,
but I'm not happy with what I'm seeing. Fix it and fix it now!!!
Jai Cotman
We can only hope the Glazers wake up and see Gruden for what he really
is, an individual who can't see beyond the end of his ego. I'd say throw him
in the bay, but why pollute the bay any further.
Coach5532
It hurt really bad to see Mike sitting out during most of the game on Sunday. Why Gruden would want to waste that talent, heart and professionalism is beyond belief. I hope that Gruden gets the axe as he was basically useless, rude, crude, made terrible choices, and demoralized the team to the point where most players had no self-respect left, were laughing and joking around while the team was losing against the Seahawks, except for Alstott, who as usual, stayed his great respectful self. Alstott needs to play another 2-3 years at least! DON'T GIVE UP WHAT YOU LOVE, MIKE, just because of the unfortunate chain of events last year! Even if it is with another team...yes we will miss him terribly but he will come back here to live because his heart is here in Tampa Bay. It is Murphy's law that that freak of nature Gruden got the credit for the Bucs winning the Superbowl but we all know who deserves all of the credit - Dungy and his team. Gruden, go to Joisey! You'll blend in really well there!
Jemie B Russell
Oh Chucky, how i believed in you!!!! I waited for over 5 years for
my season tickets, i sent my husband on a goose chases to get us into the games
on Sundays before our number was called. I truly believed in you even when everyone
said it was Tony's team that won the Super Bowl. I always went to bat for you.
I honestly thought all your 500 faces ,"F" bombs, pounding of the
rock, and your own Cannon dramatics at the away games were the best. I thought
WOW, a dramatic coach who actually shows emotions, he really has this team FIRED
up.....
Wow was i wrong, what the he-- happened? How could you do that to Mike. You
did not let him pound that rock on what might have very well been his last game.
Yes, I get that Sea-Hawks were probably very well aware of the site and what
we as fans had requested for Mike that day. But by all means Mike Alstott deserved
more time then what he was given on Sunday. This Sunday's St. Pete times article
summed it up the best when they said, "What do you think of when you think
of Tampa Bay?" "MIKE ALSTOTT" . A man with class and respect
for all.
Mike, As one of your many fans I am sorry that what have might have been your
final game as a "TAMPA BAY BUCCANEER" played out like it did. You
deserved better then that. Good Luck to you and your beautiful family. Your
fans wish you all the best!! We know you have more left in you and we believe
whole heartedlly in you, but you have to do what is best for you and your family.
By the way, Way to block and open up holes for Pittman. You are the MAN Mike.
NOW as for my fellow fans... What the hell is up with the 12Th man on the field.
HELLO THAT IS US!!! Why are we waiting until the opposing team's offense breaks
their huddle before we get loud? Our job is to throw them off track. Why are
we leaving the game just after half time? By looking at our stands lately you
would never believe we had a sold out stadium. Why are we not supporting our
defense? We are supposed to get loud, not sit there like we are the freaking
MOVIES or a BALLET.
I'll never forget my first game. I was told to sit down and that i was to loud,
by my fellow fans. I could only sit back in disbelief and wonder if i was at
the Ballet or a football game. Come on guys i think we need to get with the
program right along with Chucky, The Glazers, Our Offense and Our Defense. WE
ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE 12TH MAN ON THE FIELD!!!
Here's to a better season in 2007!! :)
From a female football fan !
Dawn
Bucsfan40dl@yahoo.com
6 Carries for 4 yards and a FUMBLE.....Yeah you
guys Tarnished Mike Alstott. He will be back next year and your Man love for
him was an Embarassament to him and you.
4700 out of 70,000 who go to games and over 100,000 on the waiting list.. Your
Website failed and Gruden will be back
sucks for you
Albert
Horrible, just horrible. I've lost alot of respect for him now, I think it was 2nd & goal and they showed Gruden with that STUPID smerk on his face just made me sick to my stomach. He knew what he had done, I mean come on let the man go out in a blaze of glory in front of the best fans, and home crowd. Thats about it for now because I'm starting to get pissed, but Mike we'll miss you pounding the rock on sundays, stumbling, rumbling, bumbling. Mike congrats to you and your family on a good career and best of luck with life, and one last time TOUCHDOWN... Mike Alstott up the middle. #40 sincerly, Todd
that damn coach needs to be fired he put Alstott in every bad situation's, how is the guy suppose to have a good last game when you do that to him. This coach has taken a very good team and turned it into a laughing stock. We can only hope for better next year gooooo bucs.............. David J.
I think Gruden is trying to be a politician. Never completely answers
a question while being interviewed. How can he say he hasn't heard that this
is Mike's last year.
I see a lot of changes being made at One Buc Place....
A true FAN..... Fran
What Gruden has done to this team sickens me.
He has hijacked OUR team and destroyed everything that Dungy worked so hard
to create. My indifference towards this season has turned to anger. It is time
for us as fans to step up and take back OUR team!!!!
Rolando Rodriguez Jr.
The Glazer's need to realize that Jon Gruden is a bust. I am amused
by
his facial expressions, but his coaching talents are digusting. Shame on
him for not utilizing the talent on the team and disappointing fans who
work hard to pay for tickets or like myself in Texas have to pay for the
NFL Sunday ticket. We won a superbowl on Tony Dungy's team (he deserved
the ring, not Gruden) and have became a league embarrasment on Gruden's
time. Please give us fans something to cheer about and give Chucky the
ax!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tampa Tory
Bedford, TX
OK, so the season is over. Is Mike done? No one
really knows right now. Hopefully not. There isn't a runningback in the NFL
right now that compares to his field presence. I may be a little biased but
I speak the truth.
As far as Gruden is concerned... He wants too much. The teams that always succeed
focus on the fundamentals. He is too engaged in fooling the defense that he
forgot how to coach. Do I think he should be fired... No. He can still do the
job that he was brought in to do. He just needs to get back to the roots of
the game. I think alot of the fans are fairweather and just because the team
has a loosing season they need someone to blame. Sorry, but I don't think it's
just Gruden. The defense is getting old and predictable. Maybe some fingers
should be pointed Kiffin's way. None are though, why is that? Because he assisted
in building the defensive team that brought us from last place to a force in
the NFL. Well, I'm sorry I don't feel that way. During the winning seasons,
teams had trouble scoring against us. Now they seem to drive the field at will.
Something is definately wrong there. So instead of looking at the offense, which
really isn't that bad considering the QB Gradkowski is completely worthless
and lost all of those games. We won the games we should have won...bottom line.
Alstott as a coach??? That might not be a bad idea. Offensive coordinator, helping
a NEW defensive coordinator rebuild a once proud team. You never know now do
you...
Rodney H.
Gruden must GO!!! Mike must Stay!!! Gruden does the same thing to Mike
every game. Let the man play.
Denise
you kno what there was a time when i liked gruden
and what he was doin, but u kno what that season ended a long time ago, and
he is pushin away my fav. player of all time. u kno that is a good question...why
isnt alstott getting the ball more, has he ever done anything to not get the
ball? o yea he barreled through guys on the goal lines for touchdowns, and plowed
through guys on 3 and shorts. you kno wut i guess that just aint good enough
for gruden. i wonder if gruden remembers that alstott has the greatest 1 yard
run of all time? probably not...lose gruden AND GIVE MIKE THE BALL!!!
Kerri
6 carries, at least 2 for a loss, 4 yards total,
0.7 yard avg, 1 fumble, 1 (admittedly difficult) dropped pass.
the enthusiasm driving you to create this site, while understandable given mike's
contributions through the years, is counterproductive. it is hurting, not helping,
the buccaneers. if you are okay with that, then you are not as much of a bucs
fan as you likely think you are.
thesunnyturtle
Comments - Mike, this may be a bit late. Please,
for the sake of the fans, don't retire from the Bucs. We love you and want you
to continue playing as long as you want and are physically fit.
You turned me into a Bucs fan. If you decide to retire, please stay visible
in Tampa Bay.
Lou Bader, St. Pete ...
You people are some of the most stupid fans in
the world. I can't believe with the odds against winning because of the salary
cap and we still win a superbowl and a division championship and you are ready
to get rid of the coach. I like Mike to, but quit crying like a bunch of little
girls or post your name and the football team that you coach to prove that you
know what the heck you are talking about. Rich Mckay built this team to win
a superbowl and he really wanted Tony Dungy to succeed but he didn't. He signed
players to salaries that made them unable to cut because of cap hits, he gave
away draft picks for Meshawn. Then the Glazers step in and nix the hiring of
Marvin Lewis by Rich ( boy would you guy's be crying) and gave away the farm
and handcuffed the team in order to get Gruden. He had one year to win the superbowl
before the fallout started and he did it, I agree that some of the personell
moves were bad, but when you have so many needs and so little money, what do
you expect. Next year I expect some major changes in the Buc's and all you sissy
ass fans will be right back on the bandwagon and kissing Grudens butt. Drink
more beer smoke more weed and keep your ignorant statements to yourself, unless
you are qualified to do the job.
Kevin Rose
This site is ridiculous….. I understand the fascination with the guy I really do, he’s a hard nosed player, but the guy has been toast for a longtime. The most ironic part? The two guys who gave him the ball a lot and maximized his talents were Mike Shula(and his boring 72 Dolphins offense…ball control) and Dungy and you guys ran them out of town. If they would have continued down that path they still would have won the championship, just in a different way. Ala Steelers.
Rance Holt
Dwayne,
I appreciate what you are doing, however I think for historical accuracy you should also include Tony Dungy as a Coach that did not use Mike correctly. This shouldn’t be a forum to bash Gruden. Check Mike’s stats in 2002 when Gruden became the Head Coach and compare them to 2003 until Mike’s injury, he was on pace to equal or exceed the 2002 numbers. After the Super Bowl victory Mike was quoted that he would love to get back to catching 50-60 passes like he did his rookie year, in 2003 he was well on pace to meet those numbers, in other words Gruden was using him. My point, is that Gruden has been held out as the evil Head Coach that hates Alstott, this just doesn’t ring true. You state in your headline that “We cannot change the last few years of neglect from the coach”, remember that the last few years include 2003 when he was injured and 2004 during his recovery and return. In 2005 Carnell Williams was drafted and took the bulk of the carries, he was named Rookie of the Year by the AP and the NFL, meanwhile when Gruden needed someone he could count on in 2005 he went to Mike for TD’s and first downs. 2006 has been disappointing for a lot of players for many reasons. Remember that this NFL franchise will continue on after Mike retires. The local radio personalities need to be taken with a grain of salt, remember that.
I was at the Seattle game, there was no more opportunity to just “givemiketheball”, this is a team sport.
Tony Gatliff
I love Mike Alstott and
hes my favorite player and i wish he would come back for 1 more year but..i
really hope we get a new coach cuz i hate gruden and i dont think that hes a
good coach at all.I mean seriously the last game against the seahawks,we were
on the 3 yard line and it was 1st down i think and he couldnt try Mike,he jus
had 2 throw for 3 incompletions,alstott is known 4 getting into the endzone
but no he doesnt care bout other peoples feelings,Mike was crying and i'll admit
it im a 14 year old guy and after i saw him crying i was about 2 do the same.Tony
Dungy was the 1 that got us 2 the super bowl,all Gruden did was win the last
few games,Lets have a good year next year.Go Bucs!!
aubinbrooksville
We sit here awaiting another super bowl. Im sure Mike is a little bit
town between the teams as one is led by is previous coach which led him and
his team to the bowl, then the other is his his home team as he grew up.
Either way, I hope Mike knows how much we appreciate him although he may not
notice based on the most recent of games and the decisions made by our current
coach and management.
I think it would be fair to say that we all have been made a better man by knowing
Allstott as we have. I also am sure that I am not alone by hoping him the best
and hope that he will remain a fixture here on our team if at all possible!
Its not over yet!!!
Phil
You need to start a new site called GiveMiketheBoot.com
or ShowMiketheDoor.com. Yeah he is a hero in Tampa, so what. He has not been
the same since the neck injury and he is putting the team in a tough position.
By saying he is coming back, the team must sign him or they will get slack from
jerk offs like you. Who cares if that overated piece of trash gets carries,
his 2 yards a carry do nothing and his blocking is horrible. It's not 1997 any
more, get over it
Jim Bean
why you should use your head and not emotion,
if you are truly a bucs fan, when evaluating whether we should 'give mike the
ball':
Alstott has averaged 3.8 (2002), 2.9 (2003), 3.4 (2004), 2.4 (2005) and 2.9
(2006) yards per carry over the past five seasons
thesunnyturtle
You are an idiot, this website is idiocy. Checked
for my response, funny how there is only one negative response posted. Grow
up kid and get a life.
Tony Gatliff
Alstott
at the end? St. Times Article
Channel
10 interview about the website
Bradenton
Herald piece on Mike and this website
Interview
on AOL Sports Buccaneers Fan House 12/27/06
Click
here for our My Space "Give Mike The Ball!"
Article
on Mike on St. Petersburg Times.com
Article
on this site on AOL Sports
Check out Give Mike The Ball! at The
Captain's Deck.net
Blog
about this website on Sticks of Fire!
Big Ten Talk:
Give Mike The Ball!!
Several Posts about this website
Bucs
Blog by Scott Cramer at TBO.com
Buccaneers.com
Bulletin Board Post
Give Mike The Ball.com on
Mike Alstott's Wikipedia page!
Click here to add this link
to your site!! (Thanks Uncle Karl)
I am open to suggestions from everyone about any of the
ideas I have put forth here. E-Mail
them here
I am in no way involved with any group or person but
attempting to do this. I have no ties to Mike Alstott
or his family in any way. I'm just a big fan.
Links
Buccaneers.com
Mike Alstott Player Bio
NFL.com Mike Alstott Player
Stats
Mike Alstott Football Camp
Wikipedia - Online encyclopedia
- Mike Alstott
If any of these photos should be removed, let me know.
Site Created and Owned by Dwayne Scranton